When will Zoe Ball tune in to her new lover’s turbulent past? A £1m pay rise and stunning new home

 ZOE Ball prides herself on a relentlessly perky broadcasting style which some of her listeners find a touch hard to take first thing in the morning. But this week, as outrage has flared over the disclosure of her gigantic £1.36 million BBC salary, she has carried on regardless. ‘Keep your good news stories coming in, … Read more

Choppy seas ahead on this turbulent journey: PATRICK MARMION reviews Small Island

Small Island (NT at Home, YouTube) Verdict: Chastening Windrush saga Rating: Small island opened last year at London’s National Theatre in the wake of the Windrush scandal.  Now, with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, the epic stage adaptation of Andrea Levy’s novel feels more timely than ever. But much as I admire Levy’s … Read more

Cordoba’s turbulent history and celestial architecture make for a perfect Spanish weekend break 

Once, Cordoba was the capital of the Iberian peninsula and the largest city in the world. That was in the 10th century. It’s difficult to believe it now, for Cordoba has shrunk from its former status as a metropolis to a beautiful Andalusian jewel, with roofs of coloured tiles and storks nesting untidily on towers. … Read more