Minnie Stephenson , Culture Correspondent

After growing up poor in London, Noel Coward sailed to New York aged 20 with £17 in his pocket. 

How did we get here – and where do we go now? 

Not just the Queen of Rock and roll, but a great survivor with a powerful connection to her adoring audiences.

The former entertainer and convicted sex offender Rolf Harris has died at the age of 93, after suffering from neck cancer.

The nineties Britpop sensations Blur are back on stage for the first time in eight years with a series of intimate gigs around the country before they pack out Wembley Stadium. 

It’s a music hall of fame that includes Noel Gallagher, Pulp, U2 and Queen.

Support for Ukraine was on display throughout Liverpool last night, as the city played host to the grand final of the Eurovision song contest – watched by millions of people around the world. Sweden’s Loreen made history by winning for a second time and – despite the UK’s disappointing result – there was nothing but…

The fans are in the zone and the musicians are warming up ahead of tonight’s Eurovision grand final in Liverpool – which is hosting the contest on behalf of last year’s winners, Ukraine. Amid all the razzamatazz there are rumours of a ‘mystery guest’ appearing on stage.

There’s been controversy at Eurovision with organisers refusing to allow Ukraine’s president to make an address ahead of tomorrow’s song contest final. 

After Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra romped to victory in last year’s Eurovision on a wave of international solidarity, the tradition of the winning nation hosting the next year’s event couldn’t happen because of the Russian invasion.

Almost 100,000 Eurovision fans are expected to descend on Liverpool this week for Europe’s biggest pop concert. 15 contestants will face off in the first semi final – with Malta, Azerbaijan and Sweden among the hopefuls… while there are plenty of tributes to Ukraine – which was meant to host the contest.

For the vast majority on the streets of central London, it was all very British. People quietly queuing in the rain. Many had waited overnight, some for even longer, to get a good glimpse of the King and Queen on the 1.3 miles between Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

King Charles greeted fans today with a surprise walkabout on the Mall – ahead of tomorrow’s coronation – the first in 70 years.

The NHS is preparing for further industrial action this bank holiday weekend.

America often looks like a country riven by political tribalism, with opinions pushed ever further to extremes. But there is still room for a more moderate view, even in solid red states like Tennessee.