Rebecca Adlington

This, the first British swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals in 100 years, is the ever-smiling face of the athletes who will, we're confident, make us all proud at London 2012.

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Edie Falco starred in the Frances McDormand role of Marge in Trio's pilot episode of Fargo

Last Night's TV: Wallis Simpson: the Secret Letters/Channel 4<br />Timothy Spall: Back at Sea/BBC4

Wonder what the Queen was watching last night? We know already that she's a big fan of Timothy Spall, so she may have kicked back at 8.30 with the second series of his amiable circumnavigation of the British Isles, Timothy Spall: Back at Sea. But when that finished did she get the butler to come in and flick over to Channel 4 for Wallis Simpson: the Secret Letters? She must have been slightly interested surely, and I can't really see her watching Sebastian Coe on Who Do You Think You Are? instead. Or ITV2's repeat of Benidorm. What's more, if she did watch, what did she make of it, having grown up with a less than forgiving view of its subject matter?

The son also rises: How Rafe Spall conquered Hollywood

All the world's a stage? More like all the world's a trailer with coffee-coloured leatherette sofas, carpets and walls, stationed in a suburban car park – the second home of most film and TV actors. And Rafe Spall is a very, very busy actor right now, which is why I find myself interviewing him during his lunch break on the set of the Channel 4 sitcom Pete Versus Life – sitting in his trailer in a car park of an adult education college in Hayes, not far from Heathrow Airport.

Mediocre movies see Cineworld suffer

The cost of going digital and a run of average 3D blockbusters have dragged Cineworld's profits down this year, but the group is confident that a strong slate in the second half will see it hit full-year targets.

Mixed fortunes for UK film industry

The British film industry enjoyed "mixed fortunes" last year with record box office receipts but a decline in the number of cinema visits, according to statistics released today.

Neil Norman: Brand Spall is as enduring as its royal fan

No wonder the Queen follows Everyman Tim

Brenda Blethyn turns TV detective in Vera

Brenda Blethyn, everybody's favourite on-screen mother, hits the TV detective beat next month. But first, she's got one or two surprising confessions of her own.

Wake Wood (18)

Starring: Eva Birthistle, Aidan Gillen, Timothy Spall

The full list of Oscar Winners

Following is a compete list of winners at the 83rd annual Academy Awards in Hollywood.

Helena Bonham Carter: In all the best circles

She was once a waif-like fixture in costume drama who struggled to impress the critics. Now she has evolved into one of cinema's most intriguing actresses. And then there's the company she keeps...

The Kids Are All Right (15)

Readers review this week's big film

Robson and Golding both draw blanks

It was not the best of omens for the big one on semi-final Friday.

DVD: Alice in Wonderland (PG)

It's once more into Wonderland with Tim Burton's attempt to give the children's classic a makeover for the 3D age.

Heartless (18)

Perplexing. Philip Ridley's film starts out as a portrait of urban alienation before lurching into an occult horror trip.

Career Services

Day In a Page

Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

Next in line – but public just can't warm to idea of Charles in charge

'Independent' poll finds less that half want him to take throne as ministers moan of interference
Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Nothing's sacred: the illegal trade in India's holy cows

Andrew Buncombe reports from Kaharpara on a bloody war between rustlers and border guards
Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Mogul grounded: Desmond gives up his jet deal

Media tycoon's company pays £1m to cancel his order for a £36m private jet after drop in profits
How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

How Ai Weiwei built a pavilion in London – by remote control

The artist tells Clifford Coonan how he used Skype to escape confinement in Beijing
Nature, nurture... or neither? The new twist in an age-old argument

Nature, nurture... or neither?

The new twist in an age-old argument
Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

Radio 4 to shed its cosy image with a 'sexy' Ulysses drama

New station controller wants to reflect the current period of 'turmoil and uncertainity'
Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

Alcohol: I drink therefore I am

New guidelines warn Britons to drastically reduce their boozing. But is a life without liquor worth living? Hell no, says John Walsh
The Cable News Nightmare: CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis

The Cable News Nightmare

CNN (and Piers Morgan) in audience crisis
Like a barbie, but better: The Big Green Egg can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza

The Big Green Egg: Like a barbie, but better

It can griddle, roast, and smoke food - and even make pizza...
The 10 Best chopping boards

The 10 Best chopping boards

Whether you want to dice veg, chop meat, or just slice up a salad, there’s a surface here to suit every culinary need.
Flat and fabulous: From wraps to foccacias, our appetite for new and exotic breads knows no limits

Flat and fabulous: Exotic breads

Lucy McDonald visits the bakeries of Tel Aviv to to find out what we'll be eating next.
Brendan Rodgers: Just like Mourinho... only different

Brendan Rodgers: Just like Mourinho... only different

Obsessive, ambitious, eager to learn and with no playing career; can the Northern Irishman be Liverpool's Special One?
Gary Lewin: Players need winter break

Gary Lewin: Players need winter break

The England physio tells Patrick Barclay that this spate of injuries is due to the non-stop demands of the Premier League

Countdown's rudest ever moments

Yesterday a contestant spelt the word 'minge'.
Special report: Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported

Special report

Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deported