Who is popular today?

75th anniversary marked with pared-down events, ahead of Boris Johnson’s ‘roadmap’ to ease lockdown restrictions

UK lockdown could be ‘unpoliceable’ this weekend, police warn
Once again a battle-scarred Britain must find a new role in the world
VE Day 75th anniversary – live updates
Coronavirus – latest global updates
See all our coronavirus coverage

9.49am BST
Andy Serkis continuous live reading of The Hobbit starting online at 10am, has already raised £100,000 for charity.
The Gollum actor will read JRR Tolkien’s 1937 novel from start to end.
9.34am BST
The residents of Cambrian Road in Chester dress up in 1945 clothing and have a social distancing tea party to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
Although large-scale public events are unable to go ahead because of coronavirus restrictions, politicians and members of the royal family will pay tributes, alongside a host of other events as the nation remembers those who fought and died in the second world war. Continue reading...