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A-ha’s lead singer Morten Harket has announced his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.

The frontman of the Norwegian synth-pop group, known for hits including Take On Me and You Are The One, said he is having issues with his voice due to the condition, which causes parts of the brain to become progressively damaged over many years.

His bandmate Magne Furuholmen has said all future A-ha-related activities “will of course be tuned to suit Morten’s situation”.

Speaking to a biographer for an article on the A-ha website, Harket, 65, said: “I’ve got no problem accepting the diagnosis. With time I’ve taken to heart my 94-year-old father’s attitude to the way the organism gradually surrenders: ‘I use whatever works’.”

He continued: “Acknowledging the diagnosis wasn’t a problem for me; it’s my need for peace and quiet to work that has been stopping me.

“I’m trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline.

“It’s a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects.

“There’s so much to weigh up when you’re emulating the masterful way the body handles every complex movement, or social matters and invitations, or day-to-day life in general.”

Harket underwent a neurosurgical procedure in which electrodes were implanted deep inside the left side of his brain in June 2024 and had a similar procedure on the right side of his brain in December 2024, according to the website article.

These electrodes are connected to a small pacemaker-like device placed under the skin of the upper chest that sends electrical impulses through the electrodes into the brain and this method of treatment is called deep brain stimulation (DBS).

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease but there are treatments like physiotherapy and medication, according to the NHS website.

The main symptoms are tremors, slow movement and stiff and inflexible muscles, and Harket also said the condition has affected his voice.

“The problems with my voice are one of many grounds for uncertainty about my creative future,” he said.

Asked if he can sing at the moment, he said: “I don’t really know. I don’t feel like singing, and for me that’s a sign.

“I’m broadminded in terms of what I think works; I don’t expect to be able to achieve full technical control. The question is whether I can express myself with my voice.

“As things stand now, that’s out of the question. But I don’t know whether I’ll be able to manage it at some point in the future.”

He added: “For a few years now I’ve been working on songs that I’ve got great belief in, and I feel the lyrics, especially, have something of a different aspect of me in them.

“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to finish them for release. Time will tell if they make it.

“I really like the idea of just going for it, as a Parkinson’s patient and an artist, with something completely outside the box. It’s all up to me, I just have to get this out of the way first.”

A-ha formed in Oslo in 1982, comprised of guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, keyboardist Furuholmen and lead singer Harket.

The band has had nine top 10 singles in the UK chart, including chart-topping track The Sun Always Shines On TV, and seven top 10 albums.

Furuholmen said in an Instagram post on Wednesday: “It is a day of sad news in a-ha world. Having known about Morten’s diagnosis for some time does not take the force out of the blow, nor diminish the impact it has had, and will continue have, on us – as people and as a band.

“Our thoughts are first and foremost with Morten and his family at a difficult time adjusting to the changes that this condition has brought into their lives.

“As the news brings sadness, it is worth to remember through the hurt that there is also a lot of gratitude: for all the amazing memories, for how our combined creative efforts as a band have been so generously embraced by the world, and for how lucky we are that people continue to find meaning, hope and joy in our shared musical legacy.

“All future a-ha-related activities will of course be tuned to suit Morten’s situation, but together we will work to try and find ways to give you the best of ourselves. Thank you everyone for all your support, your kind words, and consideration.”

As the Wimbledon Championships return once again, the iconic tournament brings more than just tennis.

Since 1877, the British Grand Slam has been serving up style and sport with its strict all-white dress code.

Here’s a look back at 100 years of Wimbledon court fashion – from tailored trousers to high-tech kit.

Twenties

The Twenties marked the beginning of modern sportswear.

Suzanne Lenglen, a French tennis prodigy and six-time Wimbledon singles champion, revolutionised not only how women played the game, but also how they dressed.

At a time when most female players competed in restrictive ankle-length dresses, long sleeves and even corsets, Lenglen’s signature look featured a knee-length pleated skirt, sleeveless blouse and a bandeau headband to hold back her bobbed hair – an ensemble that shocked traditionalists but set a new precedent for women’s athletic wear.

On the men’s side, René Lacoste, also French and a multiple-time Grand Slam champion, was equally influential.

Traditionally, male players wore long-sleeved, buttoned-up shirts, flannel trousers and even ties.

Lacoste introduced a short-sleeved, piqué cotton shirt with a soft collar that could be flipped up to protect the neck from the sun – later to become known as the polo top.

Lacoste stitched the emblem of a crocodile onto his shirts – referencing his nickname “the crocodile” for his tenacity on court – which would later become the logo of his eponymous label founded in 1933.

Thirties

Come the Thirties, Wimbledon court fashion shifted toward sleeker, more functional attire, with style becoming an extension of athletic performance.

On the men’s side, Fred Perry – one of Britain’s greatest tennis champions –emerged as both a tennis legend and a style icon.

During his run of three consecutive Wimbledon titles from 1934 to 1936, Perry moved away from the heavy, layered looks of previous decades, favouring lighter-weight polos and clean-cut trousers.

Though his signature laurel wreath polo wouldn’t debut until the Fifties, his clean, fuss-free aesthetic laid the groundwork for modern sports fashion.

Fifties

This was an era that defined post-war modernisation in tennis style.

For men, athletes swapped tailored trousers for short shorts, which allowed greater ease of movement and reflected a wider cultural shift toward more casual court dressing.

Women’s fashion on the court also evolved, hemlines were shortened and skirts were swapped for more practical dresses.

Cinched waists and pleated skirts maintained elegance while allowing for agility, and many players any incorporated subtle design flourishes – like Peter Pan collars or delicate piping – while still adhering to the tournament’s famously strict dress code.

Sixties

While the all-white dress code remained firmly in place, Sixties’ silhouettes began to modernise, moving away from the ultra-feminine shapes of the Fifties.

Women’s hemlines inched higher, cuts grew more streamlined and materials like synthetic blends began to replace heavier natural fabrics, allowing for better movement and comfort on court.

British tennis player Angela Buxton, who had made her mark in the early Fifties by winning the Wimbledon women’s doubles title alongside Althea Gibson, embodied a practical elegance in her kit.

Her dresses were often sleeveless or cap-sleeved, with cleaner lines and less decorative detail than previous years, paving a style that would continue to the present day.

Seventies

The Seventies reflected the social and cultural shifts of the era – freer silhouettes and bolder style statements began to trickle onto the Wimbledon courts.

American player Billie Jean King, already an established champion, played a pivotal role in this evolution, both on and off the court.

King’s looks balanced function with a quiet defiance of convention. Still bound by the all-white dress code, she opted for tennis dresses that were more streamlined with subtle style flares, such as flower power embroidery or lace.

Her iconic round glasses also became a signature, bringing personality onto the court. King’s look helped shape a new standard of tennis fashion – one that embraced both power and personality.

Eighties

The Eighties saw tennis wear become more performance-oriented, and while the all-white dress code remained, players began to incorporate colour.

In 1980, Sue Barker’s look epitomised the late-Seventies-to-early-Eighties crossover, with classic white tennis dresses featuring pleats, polos and pops of pink.

Her outfits were clean and conventional with a hint of preppy-ness.

By 1981, American player John McEnroe brought a more relaxed, rebellious energy to the court. While still in white, his trademark headband, tousled hair and loosely fitted polos gave a new edge to the men’s game.

Often seen in Nike, McEnroe’s outfits hinted at the growing influence of sports brands in tennis, and his attitude added a cool, anti-establishment feel to the traditional whites.

When German player Steffi Graf stormed Wimbledon in 1988, she did so in classic Eighties prints, favouring Adidas year after year.

Nineties

By the Nineties, Steffi Graf continued to champion a classic retro aesthetic, with maximalist Eighties prints emblazoned on her white Adidas kit – as captured in her 1993 win.

The Nineties also saw the arrival of the Williams sisters.

In 1999, Venus Williams brought an unapologetic flair to Wimbledon whites: from asymmetrical cuts to beaded braids, she injected individuality and cultural identity into the sport’s historically rigid aesthetic.

Colour was no longer a way of subverting the strict dress code, but shape, cut-outs and confidence set the stage for Wimbledon style of the 2000s.

2000s

In the 2000s, American sisters Venus and Serena Williams transformed the sport’s sartorial landscape.

Venus, already a trailblazer by the late Nineties, continued to push the boundaries with unexpected design details and asymmetric cuts.

Her outfits, often designed in collaboration with major sportswear brands and later, her own label EleVen, balanced creativity with high performance.

Serena, meanwhile, became synonymous with her bold style both on and off the court.

Her 2008 look – a pristine white Nike trench coat worn during warm-up – was both iconic and symbolic, a nod to the British grounds and a new take on sporting fashion.

By the 2010s, Wimbledon’s court fashion became even more theatrical, embracing almost a business-casual look that mimicked the trends of the time.

Serena Williams, never one to shy away from a bold style moment, brought unexpected flair in 2010 by pairing her fitted tennis dress with a white cropped shrug.

Her dresses during this time often featured peplums and frills that mirrored the trends of the decade.

Similarly, Russian player Maria Sharapova’s Wimbledon looks also leaned into the trend, once wearing a tailored shirt and shorts co-ord by Nike.

The players’ wardrobes became as much a part of the conversation as their tennis – sparking headlines, brand collaborations and a new kind of relationship between sports stars and fashion houses.

2020s

By the late 2010s and early 2020s, Wimbledon fashion took a turn toward ‘quiet luxury’, where clean lines and understated elegance defined the look of the modern tennis elite.

The emphasis shifted from flashy silhouettes to thoughtful detailing, with rising stars like Britain’s Emma Raducanu and America’s Coco Gauff exemplifying this evolution.

In 2024, both players brought fresh interpretations of classic tennis attire. Raducanu stepped onto Centre Court in a sleek, tailored Nike dress with a softly structured skirt and subtle cut-outs.

Off the court, Raducanu has become a fixture in the fashion world, signing major campaigns with Dior and Tiffany & Co., and regularly wearing high-end jewellery on the court – leading to the popularity of the tennis bracelet.

Meanwhile Coco Gauff continued her partnership with New Balance by wearing a the brand throughout her time at Wimbledon last year.

Off the court, Gauff is known for championing individuality, often mixing sportswear with street style.

Together, Raducanu and Gauff represent the generational shift tennis fashion is taking by being brand conscious on the court for their career off it – proving that Wimbledon is as much about style as it is about the sport itself.

Will Ferrell has said he is “excited” to bring a musical version of the Eurovision Song Contest to Broadway.

The American actor, 57, is basing the project on his Netflix movie, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, which he starred in opposite Canadian actress Rachel McAdams and British actor Dan Stevens.

“We are more than excited to bring Eurovision to Broadway,” said Ferrell.

“The stage musical is a perfect place to continue our celebration of all the things we love about this amazing and unifying song competition.”

The production will feature a book by Ferrell, Harper Steele, who both co-wrote the original film and were in the documentary Will & Harper together, and Anthony King, a TV and Broadway writer.

Music will come from Savan Kotecha, who was behind the songs for the Netflix movie, and will be directed by Alex Timbers.

“Will Ferrell and Harper Steele are my comedy heroes,” Timbers, a Tony award-winning director, said.

“And when I first saw their joyful movie Eurovision during the pandemic, it buoyed spirits during a very dark time.

“With this stage adaptation, I can’t wait to bring that same mix of heart, spectacle, irreverence, and awe to audiences across the world.”

In the 2020 movie, The Notebook actress McAdams, an Oscar nominee, and Elf star Ferrell play Icelandic musicians Lars Erickssong and Sigrit Ericksdottir who are competing at Eurovision.

It was nominated for a best original song Academy Award for Husavik (My Hometown) written by Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus, and Rickard Goransson.

Eurovision director Martin Green, from the organising group, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), said: “This is a stellar team for what I am sure will be an equally stellar adaption of a film the world loved.

“Our aim always is to bring the joy of the Eurovision Song Contest to more people globally – especially as we approach our 70th edition in 2026.”

Last month, the 2025 winner of Eurovision was crowned as 24-year-old opera singer JJ from Austria, who entered with the dramatic Wasted Love.

The UK came 19th in May after Remember Monday earned 88 points from the national juries for their song What The Hell Just Happened? and no points from the audience.

Netflix has previously turned its popular science fiction show Stranger Things into a play in the West End called Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which serves as a prequel to the series.

North Face and Cartier have become the latest brands to report that hackers have stolen customer data in cyber attacks.

Both fashion brands have reported that data such as customer names and email addresses has been accessed, although financial information has not been affected.

Outdoor clothing brand North Face that it suffered a “small-scale” attack on its website in April, after discovering “unusual activity”.

The US business said it was the victim of a “credential stuffing attack”, where account authentication information has been stolen from another source, such as through breaches of other websites.

It said it believes that the cyber attackers have gained access to email address and password information.

North Face said the hackers have then been able to access some customers accounts and reveal information such as products purchased on its website, shipping addresses, preferences, dates of birth and telephone numbers.

It stressed that payment card information has not been compromised in the attack.

Elsewhere, jewellery brand Cartier told customers in an email that “an unauthorised party gained temporary access to our system and obtained limited information”.

The company, which is owned by luxury firm Richemont, said it has “contained” the issue and informed relevant authorities.

Its initial investigation found that the incident may have affected customer information, including names, email addresses and the country where they live.

“Given the nature of the data, we recommend that you remain alert for any unsolicited communications or any other suspicious correspondence,” the company said.

The companies are the latest retailer businesses to have been hit by a raft of cyber attacks striking the sector in recent months.

Marks & Spencer has halted all online orders since April after a cyber incident, which bosses have said are likely to cost the business around £300 million.

Rival UK retailers The Co-op and Harrods have also been hit by hacks over the past two months.

The school summer holidays are on the horizon – it may be time to start saving up.

Because having the kids at home all day means a lot more money spent on food, entertainment and childcare. In fact, research by life insurance broker Reassured found parents can pay an average of more than £1,000 extra per week during the school holidays on things like food, entertainment, childcare, summer camps and holidays.

And while £1,000 a week may seem excessive, there’s no doubt that the costs can really mount up and parents need to be prepared.

“The school holidays are a particular challenge when surrounded by bored and fractious children who need to be entertained and fed during the week as well as at the weekend,” says finance expert Jasmine Birtles, founder of the financial advice site MoneyMagpie.

“But with a bit of knowledge and some creativity you can give the kids a fun time without going into debt.”

And Louise Hill, founder and CEO of the children’s money app GoHenry, points out that careful budgeting over the summer holidays can also be a great opportunity for children to learn about money and how to spend wisely.

She says: “As we approach the end of the summer term, it’s the perfect time to start having open, honest chats with your kids about budgeting and saving for those summer holiday treats.”

Here’s their expert tips on how to keep spending to a minimum over the summer holidays…

1. Get kids saving before the holidays begin

Hill says parents should help their children set clear savings goals before the holidays start. “If they have their heart set on a trip to a theme park with friends, encourage them to start putting aside pocket money now,” she advises. “It keeps them motivated and, more importantly, teaches them valuable budgeting skills they’ll use for life.”

2. Make the most of ‘kids eat free’

Birtles says there are several offers at supermarket cafes and high street eateries where children can either eat free or cheaply if their parent eats at full price. Brands like Pizza Hut, Yo! Sushi, TGI Fridays and ASDA are just a few of the names that are offering special deals for parents, she says. Constantly-updated details of current offers are available on MoneyMagpie.

3. Encourage kids to earn their own money

To avoid being asked for pocket money top-ups every other day, Hill advises parents to get kids thinking creatively about how they can earn their own money to use over the holidays.

“Taking on a few extra chores around the house, helping the neighbours with gardening, or selling old clothes on second-hand apps are all great ways to boost their savings before – and during – the break, she says. “These good money habits might stick around once the new school year starts too.”

4. Spread the cost of holiday essentials

If you’re heading off on a family holiday, Hill advises making a checklist of holiday essentials such as sunglasses, toiletries and beach games as soon as possible.

“Sitting down as a family and making a checklist together to slowly tick off the holiday essentials will help spread out the costs over a few weeks,” she says. “Getting ahead of the game will also help avoid any last-minute buys at the airport, which are often more expensive.”

5. Check out local attractions

Make the most of what’s on your doorstep by investigating local family-friendly events during the holidays. Hill suggests checking out school noticeboards, local social media forums and newsletters towards the end of term to make sure you don’t miss any budget-friendly activities or offers.

She says: “Six weeks can feel like a long stretch to fill at first, but there are loads of fun and budget-friendly ways to keep the kids entertained.”

And Birtles adds: “Many local museums offer free entry and holiday activities. It’s educational, engaging, and can spark all kinds of new interests without costing a penny.”

6. Go on a nature treasure hunt

Forget paid-for attractions and keep it simple with young kids by taking them on a nature treasure hunt. Birtles suggests: “Create a simple checklist of things to find, like a pine cone, feather, or funny-shaped stone, and head to your local park or woodland. It’s free, fun, and gets the kids active outdoors.”

7. Teach kids the difference between needs and wants

If the kids want to go the cinema, for example, explain that staying at home to watch a movie can be just as good and will save money for the holidays.

“Swapping a meal out or a cinema trip for a cosy movie night at home or a fun picnic in the park is a lovely way to save a bit of extra cash in the run-up to the holidays,” says Hill.

“It’s also a great chance to help kids understand that saving now could mean a few extra treats later, like an extra ice cream or a bonus activity. It’s all about showing them the difference between needs and wants, in a way that still feels fun and rewarding.”