The year 2025 delivered an unforgettable series of moments for British entertainment, marked by legendary comebacks, glittering awards, and poignant farewells. It was a period where music, film, and theatre captured the public's imagination, creating memories that will last for years.
Music Legends Take Centre Stage
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest stories was the long-awaited reunion of Britpop icons Oasis. Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher put their famous feud aside, reforming the band for a monumental tour that sent fans into a frenzy. The excitement was palpable at events like the unveiling of the 'Wonder Wall' in Cardiff, a mural constructed from 3,000 black and white bucket hats depicting the siblings.
The music calendar was packed with major events. Glastonbury Festival 2025 saw headliners The 1975, Neil Young, and Olivia Rodrigo drawing massive crowds to Worthy Farm in Somerset. The awards season celebrated fresh talent, with Charli XCX winning Artist of the Year at the Brits and Sam Fender securing the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
The year also held a moment of great sadness with the passing of rock titan Ozzy Osbourne. Thousands gathered in Birmingham to pay tribute to the Black Sabbath frontman, just weeks after the band's reunion at Villa Park, in a powerful display of respect for a true music legend.
Hollywood Glamour & West End Wonder
British red carpets shone with A-list star power throughout 2025. Hollywood royalty like Tom Cruise made appearances in the UK, while home-grown talent celebrated successes such as the premiere of 'Paddington: The Musical'. The fashion world provided iconic moments, particularly at the Met Gala, where looks from Ariana Grande, Zendaya, and Rihanna dominated headlines.
In film, Mikey Madison achieved a remarkable double, winning both a BAFTA and an Oscar for her role in 'Anora', which itself took home the Academy Award for Best Picture. On the London stage, a unique production of 'Evita' at the London Palladium saw Rachel Zegler performing 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' on an external balcony, allowing fans without tickets a magical glimpse of the show.
Television Triumphs and Surprising Goodbyes
BBC's Strictly Come Dancing remained a constant in the news cycle. While the winner might have been predictable for some, the announcement that the 2025 series would be the last for beloved hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman sent shockwaves through its fanbase. It capped an incredible year for Winkleman, who also hosted the hit series 'The Celebrity Traitors' and was awarded an MBE by the King in an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Throughout these events, photographers from the Press Association were on hand to capture the defining images, documenting a year where British entertainment celebrated its past, present, and future in spectacular fashion.
