
Somerset in pictures: Otters, owls and EastEnders pub
Animals have taken centre stage in Somerset this week after two owls returned to their nesting box for a third year, and Noah's Ark Zoo Farm welcomed its first ever Asian short-clawed otter.Elsewhere in the county an eight-year-old artist is gearing up for his first art exhibition, and we visited Somerset's very own Queen Vic.Here are some images from across the county we have loved this week.
Get out my pub: As EastEnders celebrated its 40th anniversary, BBC Radio Somerset spoke to the landlords of Somerset's very own 'Queen Vic' - The Queen Victoria Inn in Priddy.
A tea-ry gesture: Musgrove Park Hospital cleaner Sue Lee was surprised by her colleagues with a tea party this week, as she celebrated 35 years working in the NHS. "It brought tears to my eyes that my fellow colleagues took time to arrange it, and celebrate my milestone with me," she said.
Love is owl you need: Conservationists are celebrating after barn owls Finn and Trude returned to their nest box on the Blackdown Hills for a third year this week. Twit-twooo!
Art attack: One talented eight-year-old is preparing for his first exhibition after a gallery spotted his paintings online. This is an original by Kevin Kovacs, from Wellington, who will have his work showcased at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre in Taunton from next week. Incredible!
Ahoy for now: "Amazing role models" Simon Perks and Geoff Vian are taking a step back from their voluntary work at the RNLI Portishead after 10 years. They were awarded certificates in a ceremony at the lifeboat station this week.
Hard at work: Council contractors were out on Yeovil's High Street this week, repairing damage to the pavement caused during utilities work last summer. Somerset Council said the cost of the work would be covered by energy company SSE.

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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EastEnders' CONFIRM fan favourite returning to BBC soap after eight-years away from Albert Square
Oscar Branning is heading back to Albert Square after eight years away from EastEnders. The character, who hasn't featured in a storyline since 2017, is being recast with newcomer Pierre Moullier stepping into the role previously played by Charlee Hall. Oscar is the son of Tanya Branning, who left Walford years ago to escape her volatile marriage, taking a young Oscar with her. His last on-screen appearance was a fleeting one nearly a decade ago, when he returned briefly to celebrate Father's Day with Max at the Queen Vic. Now 17, Oscar has mostly stayed out of the family chaos in the past, unlike his sisters Lauren and Abi. But with his return next month, it looks like drama is on the horizon - and this time, Oscar may be stepping into the spotlight himself. Sharing his excitement about joining the soaps cast, Pierre told The Mirror: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders - it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square. 'Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy!' Meanwhile executive producer Ben Wadey gushed: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up.' Ben promised plenty of drama as he brings Oscar's character back to life for viewers. But Oscar's character is not the only one to be making a comeback, actor Jake Wood is also set to reprise his role as Max Branning later this year. His return comes a year after he celebrated being sober for over 20 years in December 2023. The actor, 52, opened up about his past struggles with alcohol as he filmed himself from his hot tub while reflecting on life. The soap star wore a woolly hat as he enjoyed a cigar while sending an inspirational message to his followers. Posting on Twitter, he said: 'So I'm sat here in a hot tub, having a cigar, it's pretty cool. 'And just reflecting on how grateful I am for all the amazing things I've got in my life. I've got an amazing family, beautiful family, fantastic friends. Everyone is happy and healthy. 'Also, and I don't really talk about this often, I just want to say that tonight I'm 20 years sober. [I] stopped drinking 20 years ago tonight and that changed my life in so many ways. 'It's immeasurable. So anyone on the same journey, I send you love and support, and if anyone's struggling there's help out there, alright?' He signed off by saying: 'You can do it. Love you guys. Happy New Year.' Jake captioned the post: 'I am 20 years sober tonight. So proud of myself and for anyone out there on a similar journey. 'If you are struggling there is help out there, please reach out and believe me if I did it you can too. Sending you all love & strength and a happy and healthy 2024.' Jake was inundated with support from friends and fans, including some of his former co-stars. Musician Nitin Sawhney wrote: 'Congratulations and have a great new year, Jake.' Danny Robbins, writer of West End production 2:22 A Ghost Story which Jake Wood has starred in, penned: 'Well done Jake. Great achievement. Happy New Year. See you soon x'.


Glasgow Times
3 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Oscar Branning to return to EastEnders after eight years
Oscar Branning, the son of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), will be played by Pierre Moullier. The now 17-year-old Oscar was previously portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall. Moullier's debut comes as on-screen father Max, played by Jake Wood, is also rumoured to return later in 2025. Moullier said: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square. 'When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet. 'Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy.' Producers have kept the reason for his return secret, but say it will be revealed when his older sister, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), receives a mysterious call, with Oscar's return set to 'turn her life upside down'. EastEnders new executive producer Ben Wadey, said: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up. 'Oscar is very much a Branning which means there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer. 'We're delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can't wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.' Oscar last appeared in the show when he visited Max on Father's Day in 2017, before returning to Exeter, where he lived with his mother. The character is expected to return to Albert Square next month, with Moullier already filming scenes for the show. Recommended reading: Jake Wood - EastEnders return Jake Wood will make his return as Max Branning later this year. (Image: BBC) Jake Wood, who plays the role of Max Branning, will reportedly be arriving back on the BBC soap later this year too, as he has 'loads of unfinished business'. The 52-year-old was last seen in Walford in 2021, when he departed the programme after 15 years. Since The Sun announced the news about Jake's return to EastEnders back in May, many fans have took to social media to share their excitement, with some saying his upcoming Watford arrival is 'going to be epic'.


Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
Huge EastEnders character to return after eight years played by new actor
BBC EastEnders has issued a major update as an iconic character returns to Albert Square. Soap fans are used to the tumult of favourite characters coming and going. But one major BBC EastEnders update seems likely to delight viewers. It's been revealed that an iconic character will return to Albert Square after eight years off screen - Oscar Branning. The son of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner) will return to the BBC soap aged 17 and will be played by Pierre Moullier, having previously been portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall. Moullier said: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square. 'When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet. 'Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy.' Producers have kept the reason for his return secret, but say it will be revealed when his older sister, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), receives a mysterious call, with Oscar's return set to 'turn her life upside down'. EastEnders executive producer Ben Wadey said: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up. 'Oscar is very much a Branning which means there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer. 'We're delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can't wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.' Oscar last appeared in the show when he visited Max on Father's Day in 2017, before returning to Exeter, where he lived with his mother. The character is expected to return to Albert Square next month, with Moullier already filming scenes for the show. Earlier this month we reported the return of another show legend - Zoe Slater, played by Michelle Ryan. The star reprised her role as Zoe after 20 years off screen, returning to Albert Square in the June 16 episode. Her character's exit came after one of the most iconic scenes in recent history, when she screamed at Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) in the middle of the square "you ain't my muvva." To which Kat emotionally responded: "Yes I am," revealing she wasn't her sister as she'd always thought, but her biological mum. Ryan's appearance marked her first since departing Albert Square back in 2005 and was the first of three last week. The BBC has confirmed that Ryan will return full-time later in the summer.