Summary

  • News updates for 21 January 2016

  • Downton Abbey triumphs at NTAs

  • Bowie Day declared in New York

  • Dustin Hoffman on 'subliminal racism' in the US

Live Reporting

Victoria Lindrea and Kev Geoghegan

  1. Sam Smith defends tweets about racism

    BBC Newsbeat

    Sam SmithPA

    On Wednesday's live page, we told you about singer Sam Smith tweeting his shock after one of his friends was racially abused In London.

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    Well, Sam must have got something of a shock when his series of tweets appeared to backfire and he was targeted by people who accused him of ignorance. 

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    Now, the Brit and Grammy-winner has returned to social media to defend himself, posting this message on Instagram

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    Read more.

    Sam Smith defends those tweets about racism

    Sam Smith has defended himself against Twitter backlash after he tweeted about his friend being racially abused in the street.

    Read More

  2. Abba rule out musical reunion

    Bjorn UlvaeusAFP

    All four Abba stars reunited on Wednesday for the opening of a new restaurant in Stockholm.

    Based on the Greek taverna featured in the Abba-themed film Mamma Mia!, the restaurant is the brainchild of Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus.

    Ulvaeus was joined by his fellow Abba stars Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad for the opening night, but the foursome - last pictured together in 2008 - once again ruled out any musical reunion.

    Asked if they would ever perform together again, Ulvaeus told BBC News: "I don't think so, no. And I expect the others have answered the same thing to that question, right? I hope so - otherwise there will be headlines tomorrow."

    Watch the video.

  3. NTAs: What happened next

    Looks like the party just kept going last night.... 

    After the NTA red carpet was rolled up, shoes were kicked off, hair was let down, and - we suspect - many a glass was raised.

    So much for dry January.

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  5. NTA winners celebrate

    The National Television Awards shared the love last night, with Downton Abbey, The Great British Bake Off, Suranne Jones (for Doctor Foster) and the ubiquitous Ant and Dec - who won best TV presenter for the 15 consecutive year - all taking home trophies.

    This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, who beat BBC Breakfast, Loose Women and The One Show to win best live magazine show, posted a pic on Instagram.

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    And soap 'rivals', EastEnders' Danny Dyer and Coronation Street's Shayne Ward, were pictured on Twitter with their respective awards for best serial drama performance and best newcomer.

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    Check out what the other winners had to say here.

  6. Good morning

    Victoria Lindrea
    BBC Entertainment and Arts reporter

    It's the morning after the National Television Awards - and some showbiz stars are clearly still recovering from the night before, if Twitter is anything to go by.

    Sadly,here on the Live page it was more slippers and sofa than champagne and chiffon. We're fresh as a pair of (slightly frosty) daisies - and ready to bring you the best of today's arts and entertainment news. So stay tuned.