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Leading Labour donor John Mills

Leading Labour donor John Mills says Ed Miliband 'must commit to EU vote'

Boss of home shopping firm JML said commitment to public vote would be popular with electorate

Bramson to take back seat at F&C

Edward Bramson, the American investor who staged a boardroom coup at F&C Asset Management almost two years ago, is preparing to move to more of a back seat.

Merlin to be axed after five years - but epic two-part finale planned

The family show has 'run its natural course' according to actor Colin Morgan

Richard Wilson gives many of the best lines to Great-Uncle Hamish

Believe It! Radio 4, Tuesday
Word of Mouth, Radio 4, Tuesday

One foot in the real world – the other on my funny bone

DVD: Merlin: Series 4 (12)

"We shan't go to Camelot, 'tis a silly place," as Monty Python pointed out, and the BBC's sword-and-sorcery drama is pretty silly. It's also, however, enormous fun.

Lara group chooses Canada over UK

The UK video games lobby has again called for industry tax breaks after Square Enix, which publishes the Lara Croft series, chose to open a new studio in Canada rather than Britain.

Richard Pearson: Actor who relished showing the vulnerability of solid, respectable characters

To recent generations of television viewers, Richard Pearson was the voice of Mole in Cosgrove Hall's animated productions of The Wind in the Willows. His calm tones, along with those of Ian Carmichael (later Peter Sallis), David Jason and Michael Hordern for the similarly sympathetic characters of Rat, Toad and Badger, combined with the unhurried storylines, stop-motion animation and painstakingly created sets to give a sense of nostalgia for that Edwardian era of Kenneth Grahame's original novel. The 1983 television film was followed by four series of The Wind in the Willows (1984-88), as well as the spin-off Oh! Mr Toad! (1989 television film and 1990 series), all featuring Grahame's humanistic animal characters.

Head of TIGA wins leadership award

The head of an organisation representing the UK videogames industry has won a top personal award for his leadership.

TIGA celebrates 10th anniversary

A leading UK videogame organisation is hosting a party to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

All middle class now in this unequal land?

Now that 71 per cent of us believe we're middle class, are we moving towards a more flexible American mindset? Or are we just deluding ourselves, asks Peter York

Why Scottish bosses are in a league of their own

Owen Coyle, from the tough, inner-city Gorbals, against Davie Moyes, born and raised for the first 10 years of his life in an edgy northern area of the city called Thornwood. Two Glaswegians who share an upbringing exposed to hardship, an appreciation of working-class values, a natural command, a passion for football and its ability to transform lives, and a sense of purpose that is shaped by defiance as much as ambition. Bolton versus Everton brings them together today, but they are united in a different, more significant way.

Activision closure adds to fears for British games industry

The world's largest publisher of video games is adding to the woes of the UK industry by shutting down one of its studios. Yesterday's announcement came a few weeks after its chief executive attacked the Government for scrapping planned tax relief for the sector, warning that it could drive software companies abroad.

Richard Wilson: Retire? He doesn't believe in it

At 74, the actor who became a household face as Victor Meldrew is as busy as ever. Now starring in TV hit 'Merlin', he also keeps one foot on the stage. Emily Dugan meets Richard Wilson

DVD: Merlin: Series 3 (PG)

Back in the dark ages, Noel Edmonds and his pink pal Blobby ruled Saturday evening TV.

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Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

The great war photographer was not one person but two. Their pictures of Spain's civil war, lost for decades, tell a heroic tale
The unmade speech: An alternative draft of history

The unmade speech: An alternative draft of history

Someone, somewhere has to write speeches for world leaders to deliver in the event of disaster. They offer a chilling hint at what could have been
Funny business: Meet the women running comedy

Funny business: Meet the women running comedy

Think comedy’s a man's world? You must be stuck in the 1980s, says Holly Williams
Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

The Dr Feelgood guitarist talks frankly about his terminal illness
Lure of the jingle: Entrepreneurs are giving vintage ice-cream vans a new lease of life

Lure of the jingle

Entrepreneurs are giving vintage ice-cream vans a new lease of life
Who stole the people's own culture?

DJ Taylor: Who stole the people's own culture?

True popular art drives up from the streets, but the commercial world wastes no time in cashing in
Guest List: The IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Guest List: IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Before you stuff your luggage with this year's Man Booker longlist titles, the case for some varied poolside reading alternatives
What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

Rupert Cornwell: What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

The CIA whistleblower struck a blow for us all, but his 1970s predecessor showed how to win
'A man walks into a bar': Comedian Seann Walsh on the dangers of mixing alcohol and stand-up

Comedian Seann Walsh on alcohol and stand-up

Comedy and booze go together, says Walsh. The trouble is stopping at just the one. So when do the hangovers stop being funny?
From Edinburgh to Hollywood (via the Home Counties): 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Edinburgh to Hollywood: 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
'Hello. I have cancer': When comedian Tig Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on

Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'

When Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on
They think it's all ova: Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Our chef made his name cooking eggs, but he’s never stopped looking for new ways to serve them
The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

With its own Tiger Woods - South Korea's Inbee Park - the women's game has a growing audience
10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

Here are the potential stars of the World Championships which begin on Saturday
The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

Briefings are off the record leading to transfer speculation which is merely a means to an end