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Mel Brooks says he was 'spurred on' by Richard Pryor to use N-word in Blazing Saddles

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Mel Brooks says he was 'spurred on' by Richard Pryor to use N-word in Blazing Saddles

&34;Racial prejudice is the engine that really drives the film,&34; the director says. Mel Brooks says he was 'spurred on' by Richard Pryor to use Nword in Blazing Saddles &34;Racial prejudice is the engine that really drives the film,&34; the director says. By Wesley Stenzel :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/WesleyStenzelauthorphoto32b61793a2784639af623f2ae091477e.jpg) Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at . He began writing for EW in 2022. EW's editorial guidelines January 17, 2026 7:00 p.m.

"Racial prejudice is the engine that really drives the film," the director says.

Mel Brooks says he was 'spurred on' by Richard Pryor to use N-word in Blazing Saddles

"Racial prejudice is the engine that really drives the film," the director says.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 17, 2026 7:00 p.m. ET

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Mel Brooks in 'Blazing Saddles'; Richard Pryor in 1977

Mel Brooks in 'Blazing Saddles'; Richard Pryor in 1977. Credit:

Everett; Ron Galella/Getty

- Mel Brooks says Richard Pryor "spurred on" *Blazing Saddles*' use of the N-word.

- The filmmaker adds that "racial prejudice is the engine that really drives the film."

- Ben Stiller and Dave Chappelle also offer their perspectives on the film's provocative content.

Mel Brooks is reflecting on Richard Pryor's impact on *Blazing Saddles*.

The *Young Frankenstein *director, who co-wrote the iconic Western spoof with the legendary standup comedian, explained how the boundary-pushing movie came to include so many uses of the N-word.

"I was spurred on by Richard," Brooks says in the documentary *Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man *(out Jan. 22). "He said, 'You gotta tell the truth.'"

Brooks explains that Pryor told him about the wide range of applications for the slur. "He said, 'It's used; sometimes it's used sweetly by brothers, and sometimes it's just a vicious, terrible curse, which breaks your heart,'" he recalls Pryor saying.

Mel Brooks in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 21, 2024

Mel Brooks speaks at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles in 2024.

Presley Ann/Getty

The *Spaceballs* filmmaker took Pryor's advice to heart, but didn't want audiences to assume that *he* was the reason the movie contained so many N-words.

"I said, 'Well, I'm gonna tell the world — I'm gonna tell them the truth — I'm gonna tell them it's your fault that there are so many N-words used in this movie,'" Brooks says in the doc.

Brooks said that the movie, which features numerous racist characters using slurs to refer to Cleavon Little's Sheriff Bart, has a lasting legacy thanks to its lampooning of racism.

"If you want a comedy to last, you have to have an engine driving it, and in *Blazing Saddles*, racial prejudice is the engine that really drives the film," he says

Mel Brooks announces 'Spaceballs 2'

*Spaceballs 2 *star says he never met Mel Brooks while filming sequel, icon didn't show up to wrap production

SBIFF Juror Tim Matheson attends the Awards Breakfast during the 38th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival at El Encanto on February 18, 2023 in Santa Barbara, California; Anne Bancroft in publicity portrait for the film 'To Be Or Not To Be', 1983

Mel Brooks thanked Tim Matheson for not sleeping with wife Anne Bancroft

The documentary also features commentary from Ben Stiller, who remains flabbergasted that *Blazing Saddles* was able to be produced with so much provocative content, and says that his own film, *Tropic Thunder*, pales in comparison to the audacity of Brooks' movie.

"Now you look at it, and you're like, 'Oh my God, this movie,'" Stiller reflects. "You know, people like to say, 'Oh, you couldn't make *Tropic Thunder* today,' like, you really couldn't make *Blazing Saddles* today, or ever, I think? But what's behind it, what you realize is like, he's doing this satire, but he's really going for it, trying to expose the hypocrisy and how screwed up our world is in terms of how people treat other people."

Mel Brooks and Harvey Korman in 'Blazing Saddles'

Mel Brooks and Harvey Korman in 'Blazing Saddles'.

Dave Chappelle also appears in the documentary, and shares his own perspective on *Blazing Saddles*. "Man, you can do damn near anything if it's funny," he says. "So no, most people can't make that movie ever, today or even back then. But Mel Brooks could."

*Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man *premieres on HBO Max on Thursday, Jan. 22.

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 12:39PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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Johnny Knoxville reveals stunts he can no longer do after announcing new Jackass 5 movie

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Johnny Knoxville reveals stunts he can no longer do after announcing new Jackass 5 movie

The 54yearold daredevil admits that even he has his limits now, 25 years after his hit MTV show premiered. Johnny Knoxville reveals stunts he can no longer do after announcing new Jackass 5 movie The 54yearold daredevil admits that even he has his limits now, 25 years after his hit MTV show premiered. By Raechal Shewfelt :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/RaechalShewfeltauthorphotoc49d3a3b6aa442f588f2bbc0de804e09.jpg) Raechal Shewfelt Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at . She has been working at EW since 2024.

The 54-year-old daredevil admits that even he has his limits now, 25 years after his hit MTV show premiered.

Johnny Knoxville reveals stunts he can no longer do after announcing new *Jackass 5 *movie

The 54-year-old daredevil admits that even he has his limits now, 25 years after his hit MTV show premiered.

By Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a news writer at

Raechal Shewfelt

Raechal Shewfelt is a writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2024. Her work has previously appeared on Yahoo and in American *Journalism Review* and *The Shreveport Times*.

EW's editorial guidelines

January 18, 2026 8:00 a.m. ET

Johnny Knoxville pictured in 2023

Johnny Knoxville in 2023. Credit:

Michael Kovac/Getty

Don't expect *Jackass* star Johnny Knoxville to pull the same stunts he did once upon a time.

The fearless reality star, who launched his signature MTV show in 2000 and went on to produce multiple movies under the brand, admits that even he has his limits now.

"I can't do anything where I can get another concussion," he said in a new interview with Syndicate X Library this week when asked if he's allowed to do stunts anymore, adding that he's "way over my limit for concussions."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

"I don't care about anything else," Knoxville, now 54, said, a reassuring declaration for his most die-hard fans. "I just can't get hit in the head anymore."**

Bam Margera says 'you couldn't offer me enough money' to return to 'Jackass'

Bam Margera attends "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4" Launch Event at El Rey Theatre

Steve-O wanted to shoot himself in the face as a stunt but had to cancel: 'The worst idea'

Steve O attends the "Nothin' But A Good Time" Event at Rainbow Bar & Grill on September 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Knoxville's remarks follow an injury he sustained shooting 2022's *Jackass Forever. *While riding a bull, he went flying into the air and landed on his head, causing him to have a brain hemorrhage and a concussion and leaving him with a broken wrist and rib.

"I can imagine how it scared my kids," Knoxville said of the incident on the *Inside of You *podcast in 2024, adding that he told them, "Look, Dad's not gonna do that anymore."

Over the years, Knoxville has also suffered an orbital blowout fracture, a torn tendon and urethra, a herniated disc, and several broken bones. He estimates that he's had between 50 and 100 concussions.

Knoxville's *Jackass *series premiered on MTV in 2000 and grew into an empire. The original show aired for three seasons, through 2002, before spawning multiple films, beginning with *Jackass: The Movie. *The 2002 flick was followed by several more, including a 2013 spinoff, *Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa*, in which the reality TV star dressed up as a naughty senior citizen to provoke reactions from unsuspecting victims. The comedian has also starred in movies like 2005's *The Dukes of Hazzard *and *The Ringer.*

Johnny Knoxville stars in 'Jackass Forever'

Johnny Knoxville in 2022's 'Jackass Forever'. Paramount Pictures and MTV Entertainment Studios

Speaking about his foolhardy antics, Knoxville told *Vanity Fair* in July 2023 that he had been denied medical coverage at least once. "At the end of the *Jackass* TV show, I think, we lost all our insurance," he said. "So that wasn't great. I think we were uninsurable at that point."

But he has remained undeterred, announcing ealier this month that *Jackass *lives on in a fifth big-screen installment of the franchise.

"Well a wang dang and hot damn doodle, we are starting the year off with a bang," Knoxville wrote on social media on Jan. 7. "We wanted to let you know that this summer *Jackass* is back!! We will see you in theaters June 26th."

Further details for *Jackass 5* are under wraps, but it will include new material and never-before-seen archival footage. Its controversial star Bam Margera will make a cameo after he and Paramount Pictures negotiated a deal for him to appear in footage from past *Jackass* projects. He is not expected to film any new material for the movie.

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 12:39PM on Source: OPERA MAG

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Bethenny Frankel reveals stage 2 chronic kidney disease diagnosis

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Bethenny Frankel reveals stage 2 chronic kidney disease diagnosis

Bethenny Frankel reveals stage 2 chronic kidney disease diagnosis Mekishana PierreJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:11 PM 0 Hoda Davaine/Getty Bethenny Frankel in 2025 Bethenny Frankel has been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease — and she's using her diagnosis to help her fans. "I have a medical announcement. Not because I want you to worry, but because I want you to take precautions in your own life, be mindful," the Real Housewives of New York City alum, 55, began in a video shared to her Instagram page Thursday.

- - Bethenny Frankel reveals stage 2 chronic kidney disease diagnosis

Mekishana PierreJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:11 PM

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Hoda Davaine/Getty

Bethenny Frankel in 2025

Bethenny Frankel has been diagnosed with stage 2 chronic kidney disease — and she's using her diagnosis to help her fans.

"I have a medical announcement. Not because I want you to worry, but because I want you to take precautions in your own life, be mindful," the Real Housewives of New York City alum, 55, began in a video shared to her Instagram page Thursday. "Months ago, I decided that I was going to be very proactive about blood tests, bone density — all the things I had heard people talking about — and I started to take a series of blood tests. And each time my kidney function was coming up low."

Frankel was referred to a specialist, with whom she reluctantly made an appointment that led to her diagnosis, although the doctor was unsure about what caused the kidney disease.

Bethanny Frankel/Instagram

Bethanny Frankel with her daughter Brynn

"He said to me, 'You have stage 2 chronic kidney disease.'" Frankel recalled. "He said it could be a function of this traumatic experience I had years ago when I almost died from an allergy attack. It could have done damage to the kidney. It could be autoimmune."

She said that her disease has likely caused infections — "I do get UTIs, not as much anymore" — and that the first line of treatment was to stay hydrated. The doctor even suggested it could be linked to a lack of water intake, to which the reality star admitted, "You guys know that I always have a hydration packet. I'm holding a bottle, but I'm not usually drinking it."

The specialist stressed to Frankel that she would have to increase her water intake, as well as cut out ibuprofen, Aleve or Advil, turmeric, and a few other things she couldn't recall — including ice cream, which she was eating on camera. "I remembered after," she said.

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stage 2 chronic kidney disease can result in "mild loss of kidney function," which cleans the blood by removing waste and extra fluid, leaving the body as urine. Kidneys also help control blood pressure and balance salt and minerals. A chronic kidney disease diagnosis usually occurs when the kidneys are damaged for more than a few months. Lowering blood pressure — along with regular monitoring — can keep the disease from progressing.

Craig Barritt/Getty

Bethenny Frankel in 2025

Frankel asserted that she wasn't sharing her diagnosis for sympathy or to worry her followers, but wanted to use her experience to encourage her fans to "take precautions" in their own lives and "be mindful."

"Maybe I'll have to deal with this forever," Frankel said. "But I wanted to tell you because I think it's important to get all your bloodwork done. Be thorough. Then do the follow-ups for anything that seems like an outlier. And frankly, get your bloodwork done maybe six months and then six months later, because different stuff could come up and sometimes it's an aberration and sometimes it means something."

Frankel stressed that her situation was born of a pattern, adding that she hopes to get answers from the "part-time doctors" of TikTok. "I don't know exactly what it means. Many of you will, which is also why I'm sharing with you."

"Medical cautionary tale," she captioned her video post.

View this post on Instagram

As Frankel mentioned in her video, she's been candid about the medial issues she's contended with over the past few years.

In 2023, she opened up about having been diagnosed with long COVID and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), an autoimmune condition that causes varying symptoms when transitioning from lying down to standing up, such as fatigue, dizziness and a fast heart rate. And earlier this month, she contracted a bacterial infection while on vacation in St. Barts.

Watch Frankel's video message above.

on Entertainment Weekly

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 11:46AM on Source: OPERA MAG

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“Bridgerton”'s Luke Thompson Reveals How Benedict Differs from the Previous Male Leads (Exclusive)

January 23, 2026

"Bridgerton"'s Luke Thompson Reveals How Benedict Differs from the Previous Male Leads (Exclusive) Julia MooreJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:37 PM 0 Liam Daniel/Netflix Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in 'Bridgerton' season 4 Luke Thompson leads season 4 of Bridgerton as second son Benedict At the Paris premiere, Thompson, 37, tells PEOPLE how Benedict stands apart from the previous male leads: RegéJean Page, Jonathan Bailey and Luke Newton Season 4 sees Benedict charmed by a mysterious Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha) at his mother's masquerade ball, which leads him to hunt for her in society, while she...

- - "Bridgerton"'s Luke Thompson Reveals How Benedict Differs from the Previous Male Leads (Exclusive)

Julia MooreJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:37 PM

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Liam Daniel/Netflix

Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in 'Bridgerton' season 4 -

Luke Thompson leads season 4 of Bridgerton as second son Benedict

At the Paris premiere, Thompson, 37, tells PEOPLE how Benedict stands apart from the previous male leads: Regé-Jean Page, Jonathan Bailey and Luke Newton

Season 4 sees Benedict charmed by a mysterious Lady in Silver (Yerin Ha) at his mother's masquerade ball, which leads him to hunt for her in society, while she works as a maid

Benedict Bridgerton is bringing something new to Netflix.

Luke Thompson's flirtatious second son leads season 4 of Bridgerton, which kicks off Thursday, Jan. 29, and the actor, 37, says fans will get to see Benedict push himself out of his comfort zone in the upcoming episodes.

Reflecting on how each male lead has differed — Regé-Jean Page led season 1, followed by Jonathan Bailey and then, most recently, Luke Newton for season 3 — at the season 4 premiere in Paris, Thompson tells PEOPLE, "They all have their different blocks when it comes to love and falling in love and committing to someone, but I think for Benedict, it's all about that word commitment."

"He is someone who is very comfortable giving everyone a little piece of himself — but no more and no further," Thompson explains.

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton in 'Bridgerton' season 3

Benedict is a culprit of the "love bomb," Thompson says, which means his challenge after he meets Sophie (Yerin Ha) in disguise at his mother's masquerade ball and begins a quest to discover her true identity is to "love someone specifically."

"How can you really give someone [everything] and show everyone, you know, the sort of more complicated depths of yourself? So I think that's his journey, it's sort of like how to go deeper," Thompson teases.

When production began on season 4 in 2024, Thompson told Netflix's Tudum that Benedict's story explores "the struggle between a proper old-school fairy tale — the romance of it — and the actual reality of the world."

"I get really excited by how many unexpected twists you'll get in Season 4," he teased.

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— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Based on Julia Quinn's An Offer from a Gentleman, season 4 sees Benedict left "awestruck" by Sophie at the ball, and he begins a quest to find out who she is, while Sophie continues working nearby as a maid for Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung).

"When fate brings Benedict and Sophie back together, Benedict wrestles between the reality of his affection for this intriguing maid and the fantasy of the Lady in Silver — unaware that they are the same person," reads the official synopsis. "Will Benedict's inability to see these women as one in the same derail the undeniable spark between him and Sophie? And can love truly conquer anything — even a cross-class connection forbidden by society?"

Liam Daniel/Netflix

Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton, Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek in 'Bridgerton' season 4.

Ha, 28, who was announced as the lead alongside Thompson in 2024, recently told InStyle that starring in the series as Sophie taught her "a lot about self-love and self-acceptance."

While her "first thought" when she was cast was, "'Oh no, the intimacy scenes,' " the experience ended up being an opportunity for growth.

"Being a woman in this industry, it's a massive thing. People think that they have the right to talk about your body, how you look, and your external appearance," Ha said. "I've dealt with body image and that shame for a very, very long time — and I'm still working through it."Part 1 of Bridgerton season 4 premieres Jan. 29 on Netflix, followed by Part 2 on Feb. 26.

Reporting by Julie Vincent.

on People

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 11:46AM on Source: OPERA MAG

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Liz Hurley Breaks Down In Tears After Dropping Emotional Accusations During Prince Harry Trial

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Liz Hurley Breaks Down In Tears After Dropping Emotional Accusations During Prince Harry Trial

Liz Hurley Breaks Down In Tears After Dropping Emotional Accusations During Prince Harry Trial Samridhi GoelJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:42 PM 0 On January 22, Elizabeth Hurley gave a tearful testimony at London's High Court amid the ongoing privacy case involving Prince Harry and several highprofile figures against British tabloids. The 60yearold, who was joined by Prince Harry in court to witness in solidarity, detailed what she described as years of unlawful intrusion into her private life. At one point, the judge offered Hurley a break as her voice cracked during the testimony, but she declined.

- - Liz Hurley Breaks Down In Tears After Dropping Emotional Accusations During Prince Harry Trial

Samridhi GoelJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:42 PM

0

On January 22, Elizabeth Hurley gave a tearful testimony at London's High Court amid the ongoing privacy case involving Prince Harry and several high-profile figures against British tabloids.

The 60-year-old, who was joined by Prince Harry in court to witness in solidarity, detailed what she described as years of unlawful intrusion into her private life.

At one point, the judge offered Hurley a break as her voice cracked during the testimony, but she declined.

"It was a pretty traumatic time," she said, according to People.

Elizabeth Hurley described alleged bugging as a "brutal invasion of privacy" as she broke down in tears in court

Image credits: Aaron Chown – PA Images

While testifying at court, Hurley became visibly emotional and broke down in tears.

She alleged that her home landlines were tapped and that surreptitious microphones were placed near her windowsill to obtain private information used in tabloid stories.

Hurley is one of seven claimants suing Associated Newspapers, the publisher behind the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. Others include Elton John, David Furnish, Sadie Frost, Simon Hughes, and Doreen Lawrence.

Through her legal team, she accused the publisher of engaging in what attorney David Sherborne described as the "clear, systematic and sustained use of unlawful information gathering" over 20 years.

Image credits: Jordan Pettitt – PA Images

In the middle of questioning, Hurley paused several times to compose herself as she recalled the emotional toll of seeing "deeply hurtful and damaging" articles published about her between 2002 and 2011.

According to The Guardian, she claimed the journalists relied on information obtained from tapped landlines and hidden recording devices to generate stories about her private life.

In a witness statement submitted to the court, Hurley admitted that the most devastating revelation was discovering that her home phones had allegedly been tapped and her live conversations recorded.

"I felt crushed," she told the court, describing the experience as a "brutal invasion of privacy."

The Royals star further explained why she did not challenge the articles published using unlawful sources at the time

Image credits: Grouse_Beater

During questioning, Anthony White, the lead barrister for Associated Newspapers, raised a crucial point, asking why Hurley did not lodge a formal complaint when the articles were originally published.

She acknowledged that many of the articles were factually accurate.

"They were, in essence, true," she said, adding that she believed this was precisely because her private conversations were being monitored. "I believe it's because people were listening to me speak," according to People.

Image credits: Tristan Fewings

Hurley further explained to the court that she often questioned whether her close friends were leaking information or if someone nearby could overhear her conversations.

She emphasized that any quotes attributed to named friends had been approved by her and were uncontroversial. Even her own public comments were deliberately benign and avoided revealing private details.

Prince Harry rallied behind Elizabeth Hurley to support her in his long-standing legal case against the British tabloid

Despite not being scheduled to testify the same day, Prince Harry was present in Court 76.

His attendance came just one day after he spent more than two hours on the witness stand in the same case.

Royal commentator Meredith Constant told Fox News Digital that Harry's presence was a deliberate show of support.

The royal expert further noted that while the 41-year-old was originally expected to testify on January 22, his testimony was moved forward after the defense wrapped up its opening arguments earlier than anticipated.

Image credits: Max Mumby/Indigo

"It's a visual reminder that this case isn't just about Prince Harry," Constant said. "It's powerful."

Another royal expert, Ian Pelham Turner, emphasized the fact that Harry's support was unsurprising, given the similarities between Hurley's claims and his own long-standing grievances with the British press.

On January 21, Prince Harry alleged that journalists made his wife, Meghan Markle's, life "an absolute misery".

He told the court that the idea he was not entitled to privacy was "disgusting" and the litigation itself a "horrible experience" for his family.

Despite Elizabeth Hurley and Prince Harry's strong claims, Associated Newspapers denied all accusations of unlawful conduct

Image credits: Michael Loccisano

Following Hurley's testimony, Associated Newspapers strongly denied her claims, calling them "preposterous" and "unsupported by the evidence."

The publisher claimed that the roughly 50 articles cited by the claimants were sourced legitimately. This included information provided voluntarily by publicists, acquaintances, and previously published material.

Furthermore, Anthony White argued in court that journalists lawfully obtained information about Hurley through named sources and her own interviews.

He also suggested that some details, particularly involving her relationship with the late Steve Bing, could have originated from Bing himself or his associates.

White stressed that aside from a now-discovered witness statement from a private investigator, the hacking and bugging allegations were "wholly inferential."

Image credits: freedom_007__

However, Hurley rejected that characterization, sharing that while some information may have circulated publicly, the most private details did not come from her friends.

"Yes, there were leaks," she said, "but they were not from my friends."

Hurley's testimony came following Prince Harry's final active lawsuit against the British media

Image credits: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Hurley's deposition unfolded during Harry's final active lawsuit against the British media.

The nine-week trial followed a string of legal battles Harry has waged against U.K. tabloids.

In 2023, he became the first senior royal in more than a century to testify in court during a separate phone-hacking case.

Image credits: elizabethhurley1

In January 2025, he reached a surprising settlement with The Sun, which issued a "full and unequivocal apology" and paid an eight-figure sum in damages for unlawful information gathering.

In February 2024, the Duke of Sussex received a "substantial" settlement against another publisher, Mirror Group Newspapers.

Harry argued during his visit to court on January 21 that the coverage by the media left him "paranoid beyond belief" and isolated from those around him.

As of now, the trial continues as both parties have yet to reach a settlement.

"The Daily Mail is going to regret taking this case to court," wrote one netizen

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Former Scorpions Bassist Francis Buchholz Dies at 71 After Cancer Battle: 'Our Hearts Are Shattered'

January 23, 2026
New Photo - Former Scorpions Bassist Francis Buchholz Dies at 71 After Cancer Battle: 'Our Hearts Are Shattered'

Former Scorpions Bassist Francis Buchholz Dies at 71 After Cancer Battle: 'Our Hearts Are Shattered' Ilana KaplanJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:43 PM 0 Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Francis Buchholz in 1990 in Munich Former Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz has died at the age of 71 "It is with overwhelming sadness and heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved Francis passed away yesterday after a private battle with cancer," his family wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, Jan.

- - Former Scorpions Bassist Francis Buchholz Dies at 71 After Cancer Battle: 'Our Hearts Are Shattered'

Ilana KaplanJanuary 23, 2026 at 9:43 PM

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Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty

Francis Buchholz in 1990 in Munich -

Former Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz has died at the age of 71

"It is with overwhelming sadness and heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved Francis passed away yesterday after a private battle with cancer," his family wrote in a Facebook post on Friday, Jan. 23

Buchholz joined Scorpions in 1973 and left the band in 1992

Former Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz has died. He was 71.

According to his family, who confirmed the news of his death in a Facebook post on Friday, Jan. 23, the late musician died on Thursday, Jan. 22 after a "private battle with cancer."

"It is with overwhelming sadness and heavy hearts we share the news that our beloved Francis passed away yesterday after a private battle with cancer. He departed this world peacefully, surrounded by love," the statement began.

Getty

Francis Buchholz in December 2015 in London

It continued, "Our hearts are shattered. Throughout his fight with cancer, we stayed by his side, facing every challenge as a family - exactly the way he taught us.

The family then shared their gratitude for his "fans around the world."

"We want to thank you for your unwavering loyalty, your love, and the belief you placed in him throughout his incredible journey. You gave him the world, and he gave you his music in return," the statement read.

It concluded, "Though the strings have gone silent, his soul remains in every note he played and in every life he touched. With love and gratitude, Hella, Sebastian, Louisa and Marietta."

Born in Hanover, Germany in 1954, Buchholz discovered rock music at the early age of 11. By the time he was 15, he joined a band as a bass player in high school.

In 1972, he became a member of the band Dawn Road with Uli Jon Roth, Jürgen Rosenthal, and Achim Kirschning. The four of them merged into Scorpions alongside Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker the following year.

Buchholz performed on every album with the German hard rock band released from 1974's Fly to the Rainbow to 1990's Crazy World. His riffs were featured on hits like"Still Loving You," "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and "Wind of Change."

He remained with Scorpions until 1992 until he left the group.

Gie Knaeps/Getty

Francis Buchholz, Matthias Jabs, Herman Rarebell, Klaus Meine and Rudolf Schenker of Scorpions in October 1991 in Gent, Belgium

Between 2005 and 2006, Buchholz reunited with Roth for a tour throughout Europe and the U.S. He later worked with the band Dreamtide as their bassist and co-producer on their album Dream and Deliver in 2008

Buchholz later joined former Scorpions lead guitarist Michael Schenker for Michael Schenker Group and Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock.

He was featured on two albums with Temple of Rock, 2013's Bridge the Gap and 2015's Spirit on a Mission.

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Published: January 23, 2026 at 11:46AM on Source: OPERA MAG

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