THE year is looking very bright for Zara Larsson and just three months after releasing her latest album, more music is on the way.
The Swedish star is having a huge resurgence, with her 2016 single Lush Life catapulting back up to No9 on Friday’s chart, thanks to a viral dance routine.
The lead single Midnight Sun from her album of the same name, which came out last year, is also racking up millions of streams and she’s booked a string of major festival appearances for 2026 – and is now heading back into the studio.
British singer-songwriter and producer MNEK, who produced her last album, is returning to the studio with her next week to work on a string of new songs so that she can release an extended deluxe edition of the album.
He let slip on Instagram: “We start work on the deluxe next week, ’cause Zara gets to LA.”
The album peaked at an underwhelming No36 when it came out in October, but then she had rave reviews for her tour and has since gained a whole new fan base thanks to social media.
It’s been a long time coming for Zara but Midnight Sun is a brilliant pop album, so give it a spin if you need something to remind you of summer during these chilly days.
Barry’s top of the mops
Barry Keoghan’s transformation into Ringo Starr is almost complete.
The Irish actor will soon start filming the four Beatles biopics, directed by Sam Mendes, and his mop is looking just like the Scouse rocker’s . . . well, it will do once someone attacks it with straighteners.
He is busy in Dublin shooting another movie called Lemonade, which is semi-autobiographical.
But Barry is expected to spend the rest of the year in England working on The Beatles flicks – after taking part in rehearsals last year.
They are due out in April 2028, so they better get a move on.
Sizzling Sabrina
Sabrina Carpenter looks ready for a stonking performance, even when she’s nowhere near a stage.
She wore this scene-stealing sheer bodysuit, reminiscent of the one Britney Spears wore in her 2004 Toxic music video, during one of many celebrations over the festive season.
The Manchild singer shared a string of snaps from her down time on Instagram, having made a sneaky diss towards her actor ex Barry Keoghan on TikTok.
They split in December 2024 but fans have clocked that Sabrina recently reposted a video which read: “It’s been a tough year but at least I didn’t get back with my ex.”
Talk about a woman scorned.
Vernon and Tess like to keep it plane and simple
He may be earning mega-money as BBC Radio 2’s mid-morning host but Vernon Kay is still more than happy to keep it real.
My mates spotted Vern and his wife Tess Daly, above, chilling out in the departure lounge before jumping on a budget Jet2 flight back to Gatwick from Grenoble, France, after a ski holiday.
While former Strictly host Tess kept her head down in a black cap, Vernon was grinning at all the other passengers – including my pals – who spotted him queuing to get on board.
Vern returned to work yesterday and admitted he’d hit the apres ski pretty hard so would be avoiding booze for the foreseeable.
And he had a very exciting tease for listeners, after revealing he’d had a sneak peek at the stars booked in for Radio 2’s brilliant Piano Room.
Vern added: “I’m not skirting past January, but we are very excited in this studio for February’s Piano Room.
“Next week we’ll have some big news.”
I can’t wait to hear who is booked in.
Iommi’s fused follow up
Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi will “definitely” release a solo album in 2026 – 21 years after his last one, Fused.
In an online video message, the guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal band, right, said: “Of course, in 2026, I shall have, definitely, definitely, my solo album out. I’m really looking forward to that.
“I’m enjoying doing it, it’s been great fun, and I really hope you enjoy it.
“But I’ll keep you more up-to-date as we go on, what’s happening with that and when it’s gonna be released.”
Cat naps purr-fect for Ricky
Ricky Gervais admits he might struggle to return to acting because he can’t make it through a full day without having a kip.
Speaking about his upcoming series Alley Cats for Netflix, he said: “I’m just finishing the first season of an animation I’ve been working on for two years.
“But I’ve been doing that with having a nap every day as well.
“You can’t do that on set. That’s out of the question.”
It sounds like his stand-up tours have also been making him drowsy.
Ricky, right, told the SmartLess podcast: “I do the most luxurious tour possible. I do two or three nights away and four nights at home.
“So it couldn’t be better. But if I do two or three gigs in a row, I’ll wake up and think, ‘Was I run over last night? I’m absolutely exhausted.’”
K-pop sensations BTS will drop their first album in six years on March 20.
The as-yet untitled record features 14 tracks and comes after the seven-strong band took a break to undertake compulsory military service in South Korea and pursue solo careers.
They have also teased they will be announcing a world tour on January 14.
Miley is hot for heated
Steamy romantic drama Heated Rivalry has been a huge hit in the US and now Miley Cyrus wants to get involved.
The HBO show, available on Sky and Now TV in the UK from Saturday, is about rival ice hockey players Shane and Ilya.
Asked if she would be up for doing a song for the show, following rumours she was a fan, Miley said: “Oh, I’m so in. Book me. I’ve not watched it yet, but this is on my to-do list now. Every conversation I’ve had today has started with you, ‘You have to [watch it].’”
Show star Francois Arnaud responded: “I think we might get a little bit bigger budget for season two, but I don’t know if we get Miley budget.
“If she sees the show, she might give us a discount.”
Nicole’s such a Mal-diva!
Nicole Scherzinger reaches for the stars as she kicks off 2026 with a holiday.
While the rest of us are back to the nine to five, The Pussycat Dolls singer is enjoying a luxury getaway with fiance Thom Evans in the Maldives.
And she was paid to be there, after bagging a New Year’s Eve gig. If only we could all rake in cash from glamorous jobs like that.
