She won best supporting actress in 1990 for playing the mother of Irish writer and painter Christy Brown in My Left Foot. Daniel Day Lewis also won best actor for the leading role. Ms Fricker followed that with a memorable role in Home Alone 2 as the Central Park "pigeon lady" who becomes friends with Macaulay Culkin's character. Phil Belfield, her agent, said she had died after a period of ill health. "We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her," he said in a statement. "I was honoured to know, love and work with her and she will always have a place in my heart and in the heart of so many film and TV fans the world over." The Dublin-born star also appeared with Mike Myers in So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993), and in A Time to Kill (1996), a legal drama fronted by Samuel L Jackson, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey. She was well known to British TV audiences through her long-running role as nurse Megan Roach on Casualty in the 1980s and 90s. Later appearances included the film Veronica Guerin, which starred Cate Blanchett as the real-life Irish journalist murdered for investigating organised crime, and the adaption of Graham Norton's first novel Holding. Ms Fricker also appeared on stage at venues including the National Theatre and Royal Court Theatre. Paying tribute, Irish deputy prime minister Simon Harris said she was a "national treasure" and "among the greatest exports this country has ever produced". "The [Oscar] win and her emotional acceptance speech, in which she dedicated the award to 'all the people of Ireland', was a defining moment for Irish cinema," the Tanaiste said. "As the first Irish woman to win an acting Oscar, she opened doors and set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire generations of Irish artists." My Left Foot director Jim Sheridan told Irish broadcaster RTE that Ms Fricker was an "amazing actress, amazing ⁠character, a forceful personality". "She was vibrant and full of life and had her own opinions. She took no prisoners, let's put it that ‌way," Sheridan added. Ms Fricker was married to director Barry Davies until 1988 and became pregnant multiple times but suffered repeated miscarriages - something she said left her with long periods of depression. 'Having a dreadful death' In a bed-bound interview with The Guardian last year, she said she was "every day in pain" and "having a dreadful death". Ms Fricker described binge-watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills because she couldn't sleep at night. "It's better than getting drunk. I just love it," she told the paper. Ms Fricker - who published her memoir last year - recounted a childhood involving grooming and abuse. But in a lighter moment, looked back on her much-loved role in Home Alone 2. Read more from Sky News:Man convicted of killing British tourist to be extradited Parents of boy hurt in crocodile enclosure reveal extent of injuries She said childhood star Macaulay Culkin was charming, but admitted ending every day "covered in pigeon shit". On one occasion after filming, she bumped into Donald Trump in a hotel lift, telling The Guardian: "It was like I'd jumped into a pigsty but he was very polite about it." The actress also once wrote in the Irish Independent that she was probably prouder of her name becoming Dublin rhyming slang for "knickers" than for her Oscar. She said she had kept the famous statuette in a plastic bag under the stairs - before eventually promoting it to the shelf.

The family of the New Zealand actor announced his "sudden and unexpected" death at a Sydney hospital on Monday aged 78, prompting tributes to flood in from around the world. Neill, who was best known for his starring roles in the dinosaur franchise and The Piano but appeared in more than 50 films during his career, had been diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma in 2022. After taking a short break from his acting career, which saw him become one of New Zealand's most successful Hollywood exports, Neill announced in April that he was cancer-free. His agent Philip Grenz said he was sharing the cause of death with the permission of Neill's family and following reports "which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods". "Sam passed away from pneumonia," Mr Grenz said on Thursday. "Prior to becoming sick, Sam had valiantly fought and beaten lymphoma through a new treatment called CAR-T therapy." CAR-T therapy is a form of immunotherapy based on an individual's T cells and is used for several types of blood cancer. He said Neill had filmed four projects "back-to-back" during the past year that are due to be released in the coming months. "As Sam was an intensely private man who loathed a fuss, his family will honour him with a private family memorial at his farm in New Zealand at a still-undetermined later date," he said. Neill, who was born in Northern Ireland, has been celebrated as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation, who traversed Hollywood blockbusters and art house dramas. Since his death was announced, tributes have continued to flow for the actor, from prime ministers to film industry giants. Steven Spielberg, who directed the first two Jurassic Park films, said: "Sam was exceptionally collaborative". "I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him. "Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world." In her tribute, Dern said: "Sam was my beloved lifetime friend… He showed me the depths of loyalty, protectiveness and love, always with the driest of wit. He was a true and noble gentleman, wrapped up in my dream leading man. I will love you forever, Dr Alan Grant." Goldblum said: "The next great adventure begins. Love, always and forever." Filmmaker Taika Waititi, who directed Neill in one of his best-loved New Zealand films Hunt For The Wilderpeople, penned an Instagram tribute on Wednesday. "So long, my dear friend. You are so loved and will be sorely missed by us all," he said. "Even though you didn't even remember it, I still think your best work is when you explain space travel by poking a pen through a piece of paper in Event Horizon (also the awesome eyes bit), and playing the antichrist, Damien Thorn, in Omen 3. I'm not sure what other roles you did, but whatever." He added "Love you and see you soon, sweet Nigel", in a reference to Neill's birth name, which he said he had changed to Sam at school because there were too many Nigels in his class. Read more from Sky News:Ed Sheeran inspires £12.5m music education schemeScott Mills was BBC's highest earner before sacking Neill was one of a raft of actors and directors who achieved international fame after an explosion of Australian films that began in the late 1970s. Following breakthrough roles in low-budget 1977 New Zealand film Sleeping Dogs and the 1979 Australian film My Brilliant Career, he went on to find blockbuster fame in 1993 hit Jurassic Park, as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant. In more recent years, Neill won acclaim for his portrayal of the ruthless and corrupt senior police officer Chester Campbell in Peaky Blinders. Neill, who was married twice, divided his later years between Australia and his vineyard in New Zealand's Central Otago, which produced wine under the label Two Paddocks. He is survived by his two sons and two daughters.

The government's Music In Libraries initiative will be co-designed by the British singer's charity, The Ed Sheeran Foundation, with input from teachers, youth clubs and industry experts, to help young people gain free access to mentorship and education. More than 150 library authorities will be able to apply for funding to create free studio spaces with recording booths, mixing desks and other equipment, and to offer live performance opportunities, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said in a statement. Funding will come through the government's Dormant Assets Scheme, which allocates unclaimed money from financial products to be used for public good. The libraries programme came about following a visit by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and Sheeran to Brighten The Corners, a not-for-profit live music and youth arts organisation in Ipswich, in 2024, the DCMS said. It is part of a wider music plan backing grassroots projects, with the culture secretary saying that "pop is getting posher, and that must change". She continued: "Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. After a decade of mindless vandalism that stripped culture and creativity from too many classrooms and communities, we are putting music back at the heart of education, investing in creative careers and backing grassroots music across the country." Music "belongs to everyone, not just the privileged few", she added. Dr Renuka Fernando, chief executive of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, said the Music In Libraries programme was an "important step forward" for music education. "By expanding access to music beyond the classroom, our library network can help ensure that children and young people from communities across England have the opportunity to engage with music, regardless of where they live," she added. Read more from Sky News entertainment:Sam Fender and Olivia Dean overtake Wet Wet Wet in charts runWhat does Sky's £1.6bn deal with ITV mean for viewers? It comes after Sheeran wrote an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer in March last year, supported by stars including Harry Styles and Stormzy, calling for the action from the government to "save music education". In November, the government announced the first major change to the music curriculum in more than 10 years, to broaden the appeal of music education and boost creative subjects.

The test will be offered as part of the routine heel prick test already carried out on babies shortly after birth. It's part of an evaluation programme which will inform future recommendations on testing newborns by the UK National Screening Committee. The condition has been brought to national attention in part by singer and former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson, who announced her twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, had been diagnosed with the condition at the start of this year. She has said their diagnosis means they are unlikely ever to be able to walk or regain their neck strength. Nelson welcomed the rollout, calling it "a day of hope". She said: "After years of campaigning, it means so much to see the heel prick test for SMA begin rolling out from October, with implementation continuing throughout 2027 until every newborn screening laboratory across the UK is offering the test. "Knowing that future families will have access to early diagnosis and the opportunity for the best possible outcomes is something I'm incredibly proud to have supported. "This is a victory for every family affected by SMA. Whilst it can't change the future of our children, I know it marks the beginning of a brighter future for future SMA families. Every baby's life matters." 'A hugely important step forward' Nelson has previously called the screening study "a postcode lottery," flagging that it would "only cover 72% of England". In an Instagram post last month, she said: "That means some babies won't be screened simply because of where they live. A postcode lottery like that just isn't fair." Speaking to Sky News' The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee earlier this year, Nelson said she had taken the twins to the GP three times because they weren't feeding properly but was told: "They are absolutely fine". She said it was her mum who finally recognised the signs, eventually leading them to a diagnosis and treatment. Health Secretary James Murray said: "No parent should have to watch their child lose the ability to move or breathe, knowing that earlier treatment could have made all the difference." Giles Lomax, chief executive officer of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) UK, said: "We are delighted to see the confirmation that the remaining six screening laboratories will begin screening from October 2027. This demonstrates a clear commitment to making newborn screening available across England. "No family should face a postcode lottery when it comes to a condition where every day without treatment can lead to irreversible loss of motor neurons." Aoife Regan, director of impact and charitable programmes at Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, said: "Early diagnosis can be life-changing. With effective treatments now available, identifying SMA before symptoms appear gives babies the best chance of timely treatment and can help prevent irreversible disease progression. "At Great Ormond Street Hospital, teams provide specialist and wraparound care for children with SMA and their families following what is often a devastating diagnosis. Screening has the potential to transform that journey for future families." Babies in Scotland have been offered the test since March. What is SMA? SMA is a rare genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness and loss of movement and can affect a child's ability to breathe and swallow. It can leave babies unable to sit up, crawl or walk. It's estimated that around 70 babies are born with the condition each year in the UK, with SMA often grouped into types based on the age at which symptoms begin and how it affects sitting, standing and walking. According to the NHS, around 1,150 people in England are living with SMA types one, two, or three. There is currently no cure for SMA, but early treatment can delay the progressive nature of the illness and help children live longer.

Mills, 53, earned between £745,000 and £749,999 for the year ending in March 2026, according to the corporation's latest annual report (see the list of the BBC's highest-paid stars below). He had presented the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show for just over a year, after taking over from Zoe Ball in January 2025. Mills was sacked by the BBC shortly before it emerged that the Metropolitan Police had launched an investigation into him in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a boy aged under 16 between 1997 and 2000. The police investigation was closed in 2019 after prosecutors decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. Mills' rise to the top of the list came as another departing BBC employee - former England footballer Gary Lineker - left the top 10. Lineker had been the corporation's top-paid star for the last eight years. Mark Chapman, one of the three presenters to replace Lineker on Match Of The Day, alongside Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, made it into 11th place on the list. Another celebrity out of the top 10 was Zoe Ball, last year's second-highest earner. She previously hosted the Radio 2 breakfast show, before briefly moving to a Saturday afternoon show last year. She has since left the BBC, and will present on Greatest Hits Radio from September. BBC political journalist Laura Kuenssberg was the highest-paid female staff member in the latest report. She was one of four women on the list alongside Naga Munchetty, Fiona Bruce and Sophie Rawoth. That is a slight increase on last year's list, which featured three women. Sara Cox, who moved from the Radio 2 drivetime slot to replace Mills earlier this month, didn't quite make it into the top 15 earners, with a salary band capped at £324,999. Vernon Kay - who hosts Radio 2's most listened-to show according to RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research) figures - was joint fourth on the list alongside Kuenssberg. BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James, who is particularly popular with younger audiences, rose two places from last year and is this year's second highest earner. The third-highest paid was Northern Irish Radio 5 Live presenter Stephen Nolan. Top talent pay slashed by half in seven years, BBC says Responding to a question from Sky News on how the BBC can justify paying talent a premium when hundreds of millions of pounds of savings need to be made, deputy director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said there had been "remarkable progress" over presenter pay in recent years. He said talent above the £500,000 threshold had been reduced by 50% across the past seven years, going on: "If you look at all our on-air presenter costs over the last seven years, they've come down by about £20m, so we have been focused on it, there is always a balancing act. "We want to be a broadcaster that can attract the best talent, but we're also very mindful of the financial pressures that we're facing. I think we're striking that balance very, very carefully, and I think you'll see that downward trend continuing in the months to come." The BBC is required to declare a list of salaries paid to people both on air and off air who receive more than £178,000 from licence fee revenue in the year. However, the list does not include people who are paid through independent production companies or the BBC's commercial arm, BBC Studios. A string of 'errors' affecting public confidence BBC Chair Samir Shah addressed recent "broadcasting errors" at the corporation, including at Glastonbury Festival and the BAFTA film awards, saying they "affect confidence in our journalism, trust in the BBC as a public institution, and perceptions about how effectively we are held to account". In February, a racial slur was broadcast after Tourette's campaigner John Davidson shouted at Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo as they presented the BAFTA award for special visual effects. An involuntary verbal tic, the slur was not cut from the live broadcast, which was on a two-hour delay, and remained on iPlayer for over 12 hours. It came after a previous incident, which saw the BBC face criticism for continuing to livestream the performance of punk duo Bob Vylan as they led chants of "death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" at last year's Glastonbury Festival. There was also a breach of BBC editorial guidelines after the documentary Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone failed to disclose information about the child narrator's father's position within the Hamas-run government. The BBC is also currently embroiled in a multi-billion-pound lawsuit with US President Donald Trump over the editing of an episode of BBC documentary series Panorama, broadcast in 2024. Referencing the various errors, Mr Shah said: "I am confident that the changes we have now introduced will ensure that swift, appropriate and transparent action is taken to address editorial issues as effectively as possible, whenever they occur." Read more: Who is Matt Brittin? BBC boss: 'This is a moment of real jeopardy' The report also showed that BBC TV licences have dropped by more than half a million in a single year. While 94% of adults use BBC services per month, fewer than 80% of households pay the licence fee. Highlighting the challenges this presents to the corporation, it said the BBC would need to reform its funding model in order to sustain its public service mission going forward. Speaking to journalists as the report was released, the BBC's new director-general Matt Brittin said it was "a moment of real jeopardy" both for the BBC and the UK as a whole," going on to say it was also "an opportunity". The former Google executive, who stepped into the role in May, concluded: "Reinventing the BBC to adapt to this fast-changing world is our duty and our challenge". The BBC is facing huge cutbacks, with hundreds of jobs to be axed and many TV and radio programmes under review, as part of a major downsizing. The month after he stepped into the role, Mr Brittin told employees that £160m of staff and non-staff cost savings would be made from across BBC News and TV and radio teams by the end of the financial year. The huge savings plan was first announced in April, with up to 2,000 jobs to go in total - the corporation's biggest downsizing in almost 15 years.