Entertainment

Robert Webb withdraws from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health

In a statement, the Peep Show actor Robert Webb said: “I’m extremely sorry to have to announce that I’m withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing … Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.

“I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show.”

Webb said he was proud of the three dances he and Dianne Buswell performed, adding he “couldn’t have wished for a more talented partner or more patient teacher”.

He thanked viewers who had voted for him on the show. “It was always going to be a difficult mountain to climb (for one thing it’s made of glitter so it’s very skiddy) and I’ve been especially touched by the support from fellow heart patients.”

He said he would be cheering on his fellow contestants for the rest of the show’s run up until Christmas. “It has been a genuine honour to be part of this huge, joyful and barking mad TV show,” he said.

Buswell said: “I know Robert had a lot more to give to the competition but his health of course comes first and I wish him a speedy recovery. I feel lucky to have danced with him and to call him a friend.”

The couple had impressed the judges. In week two they scored 27 for their tango with Webb praised for his “composure” and “character”. They fared less well in the most recent show on Saturday, dancing a quickstep to the Muppet Show theme tune dressed as Kermit and Miss Piggy. They scored 25 with Webb’s dancing labelled “jerky”. Viewers gave them enough votes to avoid the dance off, broadcast on Sunday.

Entertainment

Kano censorship board suspends 22 popular Hausa film series

The Kano State Censorship Board has suspended the airing of 22 popular Hausa series films for allegedly violating regulatory guidelines.

The board described the action as a strategic move aimed at enforcing compliance and promoting professionalism within Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry.

In a statement issued by the board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, the affected titles include Labarina, Dadin Kowa, Manyan Mata, Garwashi, Jamilun Jidda, and Gidan Sarauta, among others.

The statement said the decision followed a management meeting and due consultation and was directed late Sunday by the Executive Secretary of the board, Abba El-Mustapha.

Other suspended series films are Dakin Amarya, Mashahuri, Wasiyya, Tawakkaltu, Mijina, Wani Zamani, Mallaka, Kudin Ruwa, Boka Ko Malam, Wayasan Gobe, Rana Dubu, Manyan Mata, Fatake, Gwarwashi, Jamilun Jiddan, Shahadar Nabila, Dadin Kowa, Tabarma, Kishiyata, and Rigar Aro.

The board emphasised that it is legally empowered to censor all films meant for production, marketing, streaming, or broadcast prior to their release, and to regulate all related stakeholders both within and outside the state.

“All producers or owners of the suspended films are hereby instructed to cease streaming or airing their content on television or the internet and to submit their productions to the board for censorship approval within one week, starting from Monday, 19th May 2025 to 25th May, 2025, to avoid legal consequences,” the statement said.

The Hausa film industry has, in recent years, shifted toward producing series films as a result of diminishing returns from traditional filmmaking. These series are typically uploaded on YouTube and aired on television, with most episodes released on a weekly basis.

Entertainment

Cubana Chief Priest’s Lekki Restaurant shut down by Lagos govt

The Lagos State Government has taken action against DONALD Restaurant, a popular establishment in Lekki owned by nightlife entrepreneur Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest.

The restaurant was shut down following an incident where two employees were caught illegally disposing of waste on the roadside.

Muyiwa Gbadegesin, the Managing Director and CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), announced the closure on his X handle.

He stated that the Chairman of the Lekki Estate Residents Association (LERA) had alerted LAWMA in the early hours of Saturday, May 18, 2025, about illegal dumping of waste along Durosimi-Etti Street in Lekki Phase 1.

According to Gbadegesin, “A white Ford van with Abuja registration plates GWA 136E was caught in the act of indiscriminately discharging waste.”

The vehicle was traced back to DONALD Restaurant, a nightlife establishment situated on Road 14 within the estate.

The suspects were apprehended on the scene by LERA’s Chief Security Officer and taken into custody at the LERA Secretariat.

Reports indicated that the individuals attempted to bribe the security team with ₦100,000, an offer that was firmly rejected.

LAWMA’s Monitoring and Compliance Team was immediately deployed to the location, where they took custody of the suspects and sealed the premises for gross environmental violations in breach of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017.

Gbadegesin added that the suspects would be prosecuted in line with the law.

“LAWMA remains resolute in its commitment to enforcing environmental regulations across Lagos and urges all residents and businesses to adhere strictly to proper waste management practices. A clean and livable city is everyone’s responsibility,” Gbadegesin stressed.

Entertainment

Daughter of actress, Jumoke George trafficked to Mali returns after four years

Adeola, the daughter of veteran Nigerian actress Jumoke George, who was reportedly trafficked to Mali and had been missing for four years, has finally returned home to Nigeria.

The emotional reunion was announced by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), via her verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

“Breaking! Adeola, daughter of popular actress, Jumoke George, who cried out that she had not heard from her daughter in four years, is back home from Mali where she was trafficked to. Just received her, with Biola Adebayo who broke the story and Niyi Johnson. Details later!” Dabiri-Erewa posted.

The post included images of a visibly emotional reception, showing the young woman with actress Biola Adebayo and actor Niyi Johnson, who both played instrumental roles in drawing attention to the case.

Jumoke George had previously gone public with her distress, lamenting her daughter’s disappearance and appealing to the public for any information.

The case gained momentum after Biola Adebayo highlighted the issue, prompting wider media attention and eventual rescue efforts.

Although full details of Adeola’s ordeal in Mali are yet to be disclosed, her return marks a major success in the fight against human trafficking and a moment of immense relief for her family.