Good News: Cheerful stories from this week to put a smile on your face

 (AP, Getty Images, PA)
(AP, Getty Images, PA)

It’s been a big week with some even bigger stories. From Prince Harry leaving our jaws dropped with the latest revelations in his memoir Spare, to more strike action in the capital – it’s been a lot to take in.

So if you’re looking for stories that will bring a smile to your face, you’ve come to the right spot. Here’s a selection of upbeat stories from the past seven days that will give you some reasons to be cheerful.

Return of the No Trousers Tube Ride

There’s always been something charmingly uncomfortable about a Tube journey. The dead silence, the avoidance of eye contact – or any contact for that matter. So the obvious next step for London is dialling the discomfort up to the max.

On Sunday, for the first time since 2020, a huddle of Londoners stripped down to their undies for the No Trousers Tube Ride and braced the fabric-to-bare-thigh-contact all in the name of improv comedy.

 (Justin Tallis / AFP via Getty Images)
(Justin Tallis / AFP via Getty Images)

Even TfL’s newbie – the Elizabeth Line – got the chance to see the trouserless takeover, coming in close contact with anything from a sensible black affair to some fluorescent pineapple panties.

Click here to read more about the No Trousers Tube Ride

Hi Brad Pitt!

This year’s Golden Globe Awards truly did bless us with some incredible moments. Colin Farrell thanking Jenny the donkey in his acceptance speech, host Jerrod Carmichael’s joke about Shelly Miscavige biting the dust, and Michelle Yeoh telling the piano player at the end of her speech “I can beat you up”. Phenomenal.

But a particularly strong theme of the night was actors being caught off-guard at the sheer presence of Brad Pitt in front of them. The most iconic, of course, being Abbott Elementary’s Quinta Brunson interrupting her heartfelt acceptance speech for Best Musical or Comedy Television Series with a simple “Hi Brad Pitt!”

Some more honourable mentions for the night include White Lotus’s Mike White admitting to ditching his plans for accepting his award in Italian because he was too drunk, and pure shock as the House of the Dragon team win for Best Drama Series.

Golden Globe Awards 2023

Margot Robbie (REUTERS)
Margot Robbie (REUTERS)
Lily James (REUTERS)
Lily James (REUTERS)
Eddie Murphy poses next to Tracy Morgan with the Cecil B. DeMille Award (REUTERS)
Eddie Murphy poses next to Tracy Morgan with the Cecil B. DeMille Award (REUTERS)
Julia Garner poses with her Best Supporting Actress for a Television Series award for “Ozark” (REUTERS)
Julia Garner poses with her Best Supporting Actress for a Television Series award for “Ozark” (REUTERS)
Jerrod Carmichael (Getty Images)
Jerrod Carmichael (Getty Images)
Emma D’Arcy, Miguel Sapochnik, and Milly Alcock pose with the award for Best Television Series in Drama for “House of the Dragon” (REUTERS)
Emma D’Arcy, Miguel Sapochnik, and Milly Alcock pose with the award for Best Television Series in Drama for “House of the Dragon” (REUTERS)
Jessica Chastain (REUTERS)
Jessica Chastain (REUTERS)
Colin Farrell accepting the Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy award for “The Banshees of Inisherin” (AP)
Colin Farrell accepting the Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy award for “The Banshees of Inisherin” (AP)
Heidi Klum (REUTERS)
Heidi Klum (REUTERS)
Best Actor, Drama, Austin Butler, Elvis onstage at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards (via REUTERS)
Best Actor, Drama, Austin Butler, Elvis onstage at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards (via REUTERS)
Steven Spielberg poses with his awards for Best Director in a Motion Picture and Best Picture Drama for “The Fabelmans” (REUTERS)
Steven Spielberg poses with his awards for Best Director in a Motion Picture and Best Picture Drama for “The Fabelmans” (REUTERS)

Click here to see more of our Golden Globes coverage

Taylor Swift takes the stage at the 02

Everybody remain calm! A culture emergency has taken place! London The 1975 fans were shocked by a surprise appearance from none other than Taylor Swift at the O2 Arena last night.

The pop sensation treated the packed venue to her first-ever live version of the song Anti-Hero, which features on her latest album release Midnights.

If the song didn’t wow fans enough, Swift also dazzled in a mirrored dress accompanied by her white acoustic guitar.

Read more about Taylor’s appearance here

Sloth baby at London Zoo

If this doesn’t bring a smile to your face, I don’t know what will.

The staff at London Zoo welcomed a new pal to their crib on New Year’s Day, saying they “couldn’t have asked for a better start to the year”.

London Zoo’s first 2023 arrival – a baby two-toed sloth, born on New Year’s Day (ZSL London Zoo /PA Media)
London Zoo’s first 2023 arrival – a baby two-toed sloth, born on New Year’s Day (ZSL London Zoo /PA Media)

Nova the sloth – Nova meaning ‘new’ in Latin – was seen “clinging onto [the mother’s] tummy, as she curled up in her favourite tree”.

Nova was also apparently born with “impressive claws” which are expected to grow up to four inches in length – gulp.

Find out more about London Zoo’s latest addition here