BBC News

A math lecturer has cemented her position as the UK’s highest-rated female Scrabble player after winning the top division at a national tournament.

Natalie Zolty, who teaches at Solihull College & University Centre, clinched victory at the Final Fling event during the UK Open Scrabble competition held in Reading. Over the two-day tournament in early January, she won 12 out of her 15 games, finishing with a points difference of more than 1,000.

Her standout play came in a winning match against grandmaster Gary Oliver, where she scored 108 points with the word Zendiks—a term meaning unbelievers or heretics.

Zolty hopes her success might inspire more women to aim for the top in what has traditionally been a male-dominated competitive scene. “I normally say there’s no difference between men and women, we should be able to play, intellectually, the same,” she said. “But I will take it and say, yes, I am the top female Scrabble player. The fact is there aren’t many women at the top.”

She attributes her strength in the game not to language, but to maths. “Most people would say Scrabble is a word game. I don’t agree. I think Scrabble is very much a maths game,” she said. “The top players don’t even necessarily have English as a first language. A lot of the words I don’t learn what they mean. We just learn them as patterns of letters to win the game.”

Zolty first got into Scrabble through Facebook more than a decade ago, playing casually until her online matches led her to formal competitions. Since then, she’s been sharpening her skills with an hour a day spent solving anagrams.

In 2024, she was awarded Expert status by the Association of British Scrabble Players. And now, she’s looking higher.

James Burley, director of the UK Open tournament, said Zolty has the potential to go even further. “She’s very good,” he said. “And it’s the fact that she’s improved over time, sustained it over time. There is another title beyond Expert. It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Natalie is going to consider that at some point. She is capable of doing that with the continued study and effort that she puts in.”

Burley added that her commitment has been key to her rise. “It is her dedication that has really shown and her determination to succeed as well.”

Zolty, for her part, isn’t slowing down. “I have put a lot of time into practising and studying and not everyone is prepared to do that,” she said. “But I enjoy it.”

The UK Open is set to return in 2027.

Natalie Zolty Retains Title as UK's Top Female Scrabble Player After Triumph in Reading

Science Alert

Your fitness tracker might be barking at you for 10,000 steps or a 30-minute cardio session, but scientists are saying you can get real health benefits with far less time—sometimes just a few minutes a day.

A growing body of research is showing that “exercise snacks”—short bursts of vigorous physical activity lasting under a minute—can improve fitness, heart health, and even blood sugar levels. And they don’t require gym memberships, gear, or even a change of clothes.

“Exercise snacks” are a different beast than high-intensity interval training (Hiit). Instead of stringing together multiple intense bursts in one 20-minute session, these are sprinkled throughout the day. Think climbing stairs, doing a set of squats while the kettle boils, or busting out some jumping jacks before lunch. They’re spread out—often one to four hours apart—and designed to fit around your normal routine.

A recent review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that even in previously sedentary adults, these bite-sized workouts significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness, which is closely linked to longevity and reduced risk of heart disease. Impressively, 83 percent of participants stuck with the routine for at least three months.

Time and motivation are two of the most common barriers to exercise, and this model tackles both. In one 2019 study, a group of sedentary young adults were asked to do a three-flight stair climb, three times per day, with warmups of jumping jacks, squats, and lunges. After six weeks, their fitness measurably improved—unlike a control group that did nothing.

But it’s not just about stairs. In a 2024 trial, researchers compared a stair-snack group to a group cycling 40 minutes three times a week. The stair climbers only did three 30-second sprints per session. Still, their fitness jumped 7 percent. The cyclists saw no significant change.

And the benefits go beyond just cardiovascular fitness.

In a massive study tracking more than 25,000 non-exercising adults, those who got just three to four minutes of vigorous movement per day—things like fast walking or climbing stairs—had a 40 percent lower risk of dying from any cause. Their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease dropped by nearly half.

Blood sugar also gets a boost. Small studies have found that intense, short bursts of movement before meals can blunt the blood sugar spikes that follow, particularly in people with insulin resistance.

Jack McNamara, a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of East London, says the key is intensity and consistency. “You should feel your heart rate rise and be slightly out of breath,” he advises. Even a single 20-second burst, repeated regularly, can move the needle.

Some of the best exercise snacks include:

• Stair climbing: One of the most studied options. Aim for 20–60 seconds at a pace that leaves you winded. Earlier research found women who built up to five stair climbs a day improved their fitness by 17 percent in just eight weeks.

• Brisk walking: Short, vigorous walks around the block, the office, or even your house count—so long as your pace makes talking tough.

• Bodyweight moves: Squats, lunges, and wall push-ups work well. Try a set whenever you’re waiting for the microwave or finishing a Zoom call.

The trick is to attach these snacks to things you already do: squats during TV ads, a brisk lap after lunch, stairs before your morning coffee.

No, these snacks won’t give you everything a full training program might. But for people who aren’t doing much of anything, this is a scientifically backed, no-excuses way to get moving.

As McNamara puts it, “The biggest gains in health happen when someone goes from doing nothing to doing something.”

Study Finds Real Health Benefits In Exercising 'Snacks' Throughout Your Day

People

A school district in southern Kansas just had a big weight lifted off its shoulders—thanks to a generous act of kindness from someone who doesn’t even want the credit.

Winfield Unified School District 465 confirmed that an anonymous donor gave $15,432 to cover all outstanding student lunch debt across the district. The surprise was announced by Superintendent Tricia Reiser during a Jan. 12 school board meeting.

“This generous gift directly supports our families and ensures that students can focus on learning without the burden of meal debt,” Reiser said in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful.”

According to the district, more than half of its students—1,136 in total—currently qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on family income. But for about 450 students, that help came too late to prevent debts from building up. In some cases, those meal charges had been accumulating before families became eligible for assistance.

Elizabeth Smith, the district’s business manager and board treasurer, said the donation wipes out all negative balances, giving families a fresh start for the new semester. “It’s truly a blessing,” she said. “We are thankful to the person who chose to help our students and families in such a meaningful way.”

Smith emphasized that every student in the district, regardless of their account status, is always offered a meal—though it might be an alternative option depending on grade level. “We want to ensure every student is fed,” she added.

The district is still urging families who may qualify to apply for free or reduced meals going forward. But for now, they’re celebrating a moment of relief and gratitude.

“USD 465 extends its heartfelt gratitude to the anonymous donor for their compassion and commitment to supporting students and families in the Winfield community,” the statement read.

No name. No spotlight. Just a quiet act that made a real difference.

Anonymous Donor Wipes Out $15K School Lunch Debt for 450 Students

Sunny Skyz

A regular afternoon delivery turned into a dramatic rescue in Santa Ana, California, when a UPS driver and a group of neighbors saved a 101-year-old woman from a house fire.

The fire broke out Thursday afternoon, drawing attention from nearby residents who saw smoke billowing from the woman’s home. Neighbors rushed over, knocked on her door, and tried to guide her to safety — but she struggled to move quickly enough to escape.

That’s when a passing UPS driver became an unexpected hero.

According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the driver jumped into action immediately, lifting the woman and carrying her out of the home as smoke thickened around them.

While the rescue was underway, others sprang into action to fight the fire. Neighbors used fire extinguishers to knock down flames that had erupted in the kitchen. One local roofer grabbed a ladder, climbed onto the house, and sprayed water into a vent from the roof using a garden hose — a move that helped slow the spread of the fire until firefighters arrived.

Emergency crews soon took over and were able to fully extinguish the blaze, which had reached the attic. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution. Her condition has not yet been released.

The fire department called the rescue “a remarkable outcome made possible by quick action, teamwork, and people looking out for one another in a moment of need.”

Heroic UPS Driver Rescues 101-Year-Old Woman From House Fire In California

ABC News

In a world dominated by screens and notifications, a growing number of people are rewinding time — one envelope at a time.

Across the U.S., Canada, and beyond, there’s a noticeable shift among those looking to unplug: they’re turning to old-school communication methods like handwritten letters, typewriters, and wax seals. For many, these retro tools aren’t just a creative outlet, but an intentional escape from the pressure to always be available.

“I feel as though my pen pals are my friends,” said Melissa Bobbitt, a 42-year-old in Claremont, California, who writes to about a dozen people. At one point, she had as many as 40. “Focusing on one person and really reading what they are saying, and sharing what’s on your heart is almost like a therapy session.”

Bobbitt is part of a quiet resurgence of tactile, analog hobbies gaining traction in digital times. From calligraphy tutorials on TikTok to subscription-based letter art clubs, enthusiasts say the appeal goes far beyond nostalgia — it’s about slowing down, making space, and creating real connection.

Putting Down the Phone

That sentiment rings true for Stephania Kontopanos, a 21-year-old college student in Chicago. “There are times when I’m with my friends and at dinner, I’ll realize we are all on our phones,” she said. She now makes a point of sending postcards, scrapbooking, and junk journaling to stay grounded — hobbies that also help her connect with her mom during post office runs back home in Kansas.

These moments of unplugging are becoming increasingly rare, especially for young adults whose lives revolve around social media, school, and screen time. But for those who try it, the payoff is tangible — quite literally.

“When I sit down, I’m forced to reflect and choose my words carefully,” said KiKi Klassen, a 28-year-old artist in Ontario, Canada. “It also lends itself to vulnerability.” In 2024, Klassen launched the Lucky Duck Mail Club, a monthly letter subscription that includes her art and a thoughtful message. She now has over 1,000 members in up to 36 countries.

The stories people send back often move her to tears. “Paper creates a safe space. You write it down, send it off, and don’t really think about it after.”

The Excitement of a Full Mailbox

For many, there’s still nothing quite like the feeling of opening a mailbox and finding a letter with your name on it.

“There’s a grand excitement when you find something that’s not a bill or ad,” said Bobbitt. “If we all filled each other’s mailboxes with letters, we would all be kinder — and at the very least, we wouldn’t dread checking our mail.”

Bobbitt first joined a pen pal club in elementary school and now exchanges letters through Postcrossing, a global project that pairs people to send and receive postcards. Some of those quick greetings have grown into full-blown friendships.

Old Tools, New Communities

Offline activities like letter writing, coloring, and listening to vinyl records are also at the heart of CAYA — a monthly gathering launched by Dallas DJ Robert Owoyele. The idea was simple: create a space for real, in-person connection in a world that often offers only the illusion of it.

“These analog activities are a representation of that,” said Owoyele. “When we are able to touch or see something, we are more connected to it naturally.”

While picking up a pen may sound easy, it doesn’t always come naturally. Carving out the time can be the hardest part.

“The older I get, the more I realize how much time had been wasted on my phone,” said Kontopanos. Reordering her priorities helped her reconnect with hobbies she now sees as essential.

For those looking to try it out, there are plenty of low-barrier ways to begin: join a pen pal site, visit a local printers’ fair, dust off an old typewriter, or follow communities like the Wax Seal Guild on Instagram or The Calligraphy Hub on Facebook.

According to Klassen, the trend is only just beginning.

“The girls are going analog in 2026,” she said.

‘The Girls Are Going Analog’: Why More People Are Reaching for Pens, Postcards, and Typewriters in 2026

Science Daily

For the first time, researchers have used artificial intelligence to pinpoint which health system factors are most closely linked to cancer survival in nearly every country on Earth — and what policymakers can do about it.

The study, published in Annals of Oncology, applies machine learning to data from 185 countries to identify the specific investments that could make the biggest difference in cancer outcomes. An interactive online tool allows users to select a country and see how national wealth, radiotherapy access, universal health coverage, and other factors relate to cancer survival rates.

“This was about moving from just describing global disparities to actually helping countries fix them,” said Dr. Edward Christopher Dee, a radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York and one of the study’s lead authors. “We wanted to build a data-driven framework that shows which levers matter most for each country.”

The tool is based on a key metric known as the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR), which estimates how likely a cancer case is to result in death — a stand-in for how effective a country’s cancer care system is.

AI Finds the Hidden Patterns

The model, developed by lead author Milit Patel, a data scientist at the University of Texas at Austin and Memorial Sloan Kettering, combines cancer data from GLOBOCAN 2022 with a wide range of health system indicators. These include GDP per capita, healthcare spending, access to radiotherapy, number of medical staff per capita, and whether patients pay out of pocket.

Machine learning was used to make sense of the complex relationships between these variables and cancer survival, with SHAP values (Shapley Additive exPlanations) used to clarify how much each factor contributed to a country’s MIR.

“Machine learning lets us generate country-specific predictions,” Patel said. “This isn’t just about saying rich countries do better. It’s about giving tailored insights based on what the data shows works in that context.”

What the Model Reveals

Unsurprisingly, economic strength and universal health coverage were strong predictors of better outcomes globally. Access to radiotherapy also stood out.

But the model shows that no one-size-fits-all approach will work. Countries with similar incomes often have very different barriers and opportunities.

In Brazil, the model points to universal health coverage as the top priority. Pathology services and medical staffing had smaller impacts — suggesting Brazil might get the most benefit by improving access first.

In Poland, expanding radiotherapy access and economic growth have had more influence on outcomes than general healthcare spending, indicating that targeted services might drive greater improvement.

In wealthier countries like Japan, the U.S., and the UK, nearly all health system factors correlate with improved cancer survival. Japan sees the biggest gains from dense radiotherapy infrastructure, while in the U.S. and UK, economic strength (GDP per capita) shows the strongest link.

China, with its rapidly developing health system, shows a mix. Increased income, better radiotherapy access, and broader health coverage help improve outcomes. But high out-of-pocket spending and limited surgical capacity still pose major challenges.

“High direct costs for patients remain a critical barrier to optimal cancer outcomes,” the researchers wrote about China. “Even with rapid national improvements, financial protection and coverage gaps still need attention.”

A New Way to Set Priorities

The tool’s color-coded graphs show green bars for factors most strongly tied to better cancer survival — areas where countries might prioritize investment — and red bars for those with weaker current influence.

But Patel cautioned against misreading the red bars.

“They don’t mean these areas don’t matter,” he said. “They may already be strong, or the data might not capture everything. But if you want the biggest gains now, the green bars are the best bets.”

Strengths and Caveats

The study’s strengths lie in its broad coverage, use of current data, and practical, country-specific insights. But the authors also point out that the model draws on national averages, not individual patients, and that data quality varies, particularly in low-income countries.

The results can’t prove that a specific change will cause better outcomes, only that it’s associated with improvement.

Still, the authors say the model offers an urgently needed tool for decision-makers.

“With cancer cases rising worldwide, especially in lower-income countries, we need ways to get the most value from limited resources,” said Dr. Dee. “This gives us a roadmap that makes precision public health possible.”

The web-based tool is publicly available and could be used by governments, NGOs, and healthcare providers to guide investment, especially in countries where cancer survival has lagged.

“It turns overwhelming data into something useful,” Patel said. “That’s what good AI should do.”

AI-Powered Model Reveals How Each Country Can Improve Cancer Survival

Good News Network

More than 80 years after surviving the chaos of Juno Beach, Don Butt finally received the honor he thought might never come.

The 100-year-old Royal Marine veteran, one of the last living witnesses to the Normandy landings of June 6, 1944, was recently awarded the Légion d’honneur — France’s highest military decoration — in a moving ceremony that his family called a “dream come true.”

“This was his final wish,” said his daughter, Karen Cetin. “He always said it was something he would love to have. We were in a bit of a race against time. He is 100 and it was very important to him—and to us—that he was recognized before it was too late.”

Butt joined the Royal Marines at just 17 and, not long after, found himself in the first wave at Juno Beach. Though ordered to remain offshore because of his age, he and his crew played a critical role in delivering troops to the front lines under heavy fire.

“We were on the landing craft that took over French and Canadians on D-Day,” he recalled. “Our job was to land the troops, come back and then go back again. We went back to the ship and then went back three times to land troops in Cherbourg.”

Bullets and bombs rained down as Butt clung to ropes in the water, helping others reach the shore. He saw friends die in front of him. For decades, he stayed silent about what happened that day, convinced he was “too young” to qualify for a medal.

Only recently did Butt begin to share his story, prompting a fellow former marine to help him apply for the Légion d’honneur. The first application, submitted in 2024, was rejected with no explanation. But a second attempt — this time supported by the Ministry of Defence — was approved. The French authorities expedited the process once the oversight was discovered.

The medal was officially confirmed by Hélène Duchêne, the French Ambassador to the UK, who wrote: “As we contemplate this Europe of peace, we must never forget the heroes like you who came from Britain and Commonwealth to begin the liberation of Europe by liberating France. We owe our freedom and security to your dedication.”

The medal, Butt said, was the missing piece in his collection.

“It’s the last one missing from my medals,” he said from his care home. “It is my final ambition—my final wish—to get that medal. It would make all the places I’ve been, and what I’ve done, complete.”

He added, “I’ve just had my 100th birthday which was wonderful. My worries have all gone. I can not thank everyone enough for trying.”

Don Butt's wartime journey was anything but small. Over the course of World War II, he covered an estimated 42,000 miles at sea. But like many in his generation, he remained quiet about it for most of his life — until recently opening up to family.

“I am really glad he has started to talk about it,” said his daughter Karen. “It’s a horrible thing to deal with and never talk about. I am so pleased he opened up and got it off his chest. He is just a modest man and I think only last year he realized how proud of himself he should be.”

John Rawlinson of the Royal Marines Historical Society, who helped Don secure his medal, said the recognition was long overdue.

“We are delighted that Don has received his medal,” he said. “As a young man he was one of the generation who were willing to give all for their country and their friends and families. The Royal Marines and the wider Commando community are proud he is one of their family — once a marine, always a marine.”

D-Day Hero Receives Long-Awaited Medal at Age 100

Emma Wolstenholme is no stranger to tough challenges — but this one’s pushing even her limits.

The 43-year-old from Burnley, Lancashire, is currently halfway through a 3,000-mile (around 5,000km) unassisted row across the Atlantic Ocean, part of an expedition aimed at raising awareness for climate action and marine conservation.

Wolstenholme, a former RAF squadron leader and world-record-holding rower, set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands last week alongside two teammates. The all-female crew, known as Call to Earth, hopes to complete the journey in 9 to 10 days, rowing in two-hour shifts through heat, waves, and open sea.

Speaking to the BBC mid-journey — 764 miles (1,230km) east of Antigua — she said things were going well, despite the obvious physical toll.

“We cleaned the bottom of the boat yesterday morning and the speed has picked up so we are doing well,” she said.

Along the way, the trio has taken on more than just ocean currents. One of the trip’s most powerful moments came when they spotted a turtle tangled in fishing net.

“We thought, right, we have got to go and get it,” said Wolstenholme. “We turned the boat around and got back to it. We were rowing into the waves and wind and it was difficult. It was a real team effort. But then we saw it swim away. It made it all worthwhile.”

The team is raising funds for two charities as part of their mission and has been candid about the unpredictable conditions they’ve faced at sea.

“It’s hot right now. It’s in the high 20s — around 27C,” she said. “At other times, we have been sat in all wet weather gear.”

Life on the boat is a rotating cycle of two hours rowing, one hour resting. The women also share responsibilities like cooking and plotting their course. The routine is demanding, but Wolstenholme seems unfazed. She’s done this before.

In 2023, she was part of the crew that set a world record for rowing around Great Britain — the first all-female team to do so. Now she’s applying that same grit and determination to the Atlantic.

A former student of St Hilda’s RC Girls' School and Nelson and Colne College, Wolstenholme is already looking ahead.

“We are already planning our next adventure. I am trying to convince them to do the Pacific,” she said.

As the Call to Earth crew continues westward, they’re not just logging nautical miles. They’re proving that adventure and activism can go hand in hand — one oar stroke at a time.

Atlantic Rowers Rescue Stricken Turtle During Voyage

Al Jazeera

In a cluttered bedroom in southeast London, Jo Powell moves quietly, carefully. The floor is nearly invisible beneath clothes, paperwork, and old trinkets. A colourful crocheted throw is the only thing not buried. Powell, 43, has seen scenes like this countless times — but she doesn’t see mess. She sees grief, memory, and people doing their best to hold it all together.

Powell runs Hoarder Clean Up UK, a small business helping people across London and southeast England who are overwhelmed by clutter and struggling to cope. The job is physically demanding and emotionally complex. She’s clearing out much more than objects.

“You come across so much in this job, there’s really nothing I haven’t seen,” she says.

On this day, she’s helping “Emily,” whose mother — recently diagnosed with late-stage cancer — has agreed, reluctantly, to let Powell clean her room. It's a tough job, with emotions running high. The family dynamics are fragile, and Emily’s autistic brother reacts badly to the disruption, accusing her of throwing away travel brochures he salvaged from the bin.

But Powell handles it with calm professionalism. She never raises her voice, never judges. Instead, she shows Emily’s mother a box of carefully saved keepsakes. “We’re really being very careful,” she tells her. “We’re keeping everything important to you.”

Later, Emily quietly apologizes for losing her temper. “You must think I’m so hard-hearted.” Powell shakes her head and offers a reassuring shoulder squeeze. She knows what this is really about: love, loss, and holding on — or letting go — the best way people can.

A deeply personal calling

Powell’s business began in 2022, but the emotional connection to her work goes back much further. She lost her father at 20 and her mother just two years later. In the aftermath, she coped by cleaning compulsively, sometimes staying up until 3am. It was her way of dealing with grief, a form of control when everything else felt chaotic.

“I was like a zombie,” she remembers. “But nobody would’ve known, because I was the life and soul of the place. Then, as soon as I walked out to the car, I’d think, ‘You don’t need to put on this façade any more.’”

That lived experience, she believes, helps her connect with clients others might judge or dismiss. She’s seen it all: rotten food, faecal matter, decades of unopened mail, floor-to-ceiling stacks of boxes. “People think hoarding is just about clutter,” she says. “It’s not. It’s about fear, and often about trauma.”

Grief is a common thread. Many clients began hoarding after the death of a loved one. Others buy compulsively to feel in control, surround themselves with stuff to feel safe, or struggle to make decisions about what can stay and what must go. Her clients include bankers, surgeons, even a judge. The shame, she says, cuts across class lines.

It’s not just manpower. It’s moral support.

Powell works with a small team, now five employees. She tries to keep her services affordable, charging £600 for a half-day with two cleaners and double that for a full day, but she knows it’s still out of reach for some. She hopes to secure charitable funding to help more people in need.

She’s strict with contractors too. After a recent case where a waste removal company was rude to a client and wrongly sent her the bill directly, Powell was furious. “I don’t want to use this company any more if they’re going to be judging people like this,” she said.

For Powell, discretion and dignity come first. Waste bags are hidden in gardens or homes until ready to be hauled away. She insists on checking everything before it’s tossed — even a pebble in a gift bag might be tied to a lost memory, like one she found during a job for a grieving daughter. “It’s why we have to take care while cleaning,” she says. “Even really small objects that you might miss might really matter to somebody.”

A different kind of support worker

Powell isn’t a therapist. But sometimes, she’s the only person who shows up when someone feels they can’t manage on their own. Some clients want to talk. Others want to be left in peace. Her job, she says, is to “take baby steps towards helping people feel dignified and human again.”

It’s why she doesn’t flinch when tensions rise. When clients lash out, or emotions boil over, she sees what’s behind it. She’s been there.

Even at home in Whitstable, she finds it hard to sit still. Cleaning calms her. It gives her purpose. Her house is dotted with reminders of the past — family photos, a dog-eared poetry book her mother once read to her, and dozens of bull figurines her mum loved. “Bulls are not even my thing,” she laughs, “but the objects are a link to her.”

“Something could seem like a waste to everyone else,” she adds, “but we still want to hold on to it.”

She’s reminded of that every time a client reaches out — often after years, even decades, of hiding their home from others. Powell knows what it means to make that call.

“That’s what I’m trying to do with my work,” she says. “Just to be there for my clients, and support them through something difficult, with a laugh if that’s possible.”

Meet the Woman Cleaning the UK’s Hoarded Homes — and Restoring Dignity in the Process

When James Lintern’s parents signed him up for drama classes in Gloucester, they were simply hoping it would help him come out of his shell. Instead, it led to a role in one of the year’s most celebrated films.

The 11-year-old, who had been attending Stagecoach Performing Arts to build his confidence, was encouraged by staff to send in some photos after the team behind Hamnet reached out looking for young talent. A few months later, he found himself on set at Elstree Studios with a script in hand — and two lines in Latin.

“It felt great because I had got a part in a film,” James told the BBC. He described the experience as “really cool,” especially getting to watch how a film set operates and working alongside stars like Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and Emily Watson.

James plays the son of Joan, a friend of Agnes, in the film’s story. Hamnet, which recently picked up two Golden Globes and is already generating Oscar buzz, is based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel reimagining Shakespeare’s marriage and the grief that follows the death of their son.

His dad Nathan says the whole experience has been a whirlwind. “He was a shy boy when he was younger so we wanted to get him into a drama club to boost his confidence,” he said. “Then about six months into that we got a phone call saying, ‘bit random, but can we have a photo of James’ — and before we knew it we were being asked to go to Elstree.”

Nathan emphasized that the original goal was simply to help James grow. “When we enrolled him into Stagecoach it was more about his development than ever imagining anything as wonderful as this.”

James admits he’s still shy, “but not as much as I used to be.” He’s made friends through the experience, and especially enjoyed the wrap party. “It was really fun because I got to meet up with all my friends and I got to see all the funny parts of the film instead of the serious parts — we had done some funny parts,” he said.

Hamnet is in cinemas now.

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