Farewell 2021: From the return of cinema’s favourite spy to Friends reuniting, an array of stories dominated the entertainment news this year

After several delays, the release of James Bond movie No Time To Die gave pandemic-hit cinemas a much-needed boost.

Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish took the top prizes at the Grammy Awards while Beyonce became the most awarded female artist in Grammy history, with a total 28 wins.

The Oscars saw Nomadland scoop best picture and best director award for Chinese-born Chloe Zhao, making her the first Asian woman and only the second woman ever to win the honour.

Now living in California, Prince Harry and wife Meghan sent shock waves when, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan accused Britain’s royal family of raising concerns about how dark the skin of the couple’s first child would be. She said the stress of life as a royal newlywed had pushed her to the brink of suicide.

Popstar Britney Spears regained control of her personal life and money when a judge ended a 13-year conservatorship after a long legal battle.

Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin fired off a live bullet on the sets of Western “Rust”. Baldwin said the revolver went off when he was cocking the gun. The incident is being investigated.

Ten people died in a stampede at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in Houston, US. Lawsuits were filed against the rapper and promoters as well.

On television, the cast of Friends reunited for a tearful TV special while South Korean Netflix series Squid Game became a global sensation.

In music, ABBA released their first album in 40 years. Adele stormed the charts with comeback record 30. Swift released re-recorded albums to take back control of her early catalogue.

Billionaire Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, now known as Ye, announced their divorce. Singer-actress ennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindled their romance after 20 years.

The world said goodbye to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, actors Christopher Plummer, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Cicely Tyson, Helen McCrory and Olympia Dukakis, comedian Jackie Mason, rapper DMX, The Supremes co-founder Mary Wilson, TV interviewer Larry King, fashion designers Alber Elbaz and Virgil Abloh and composers Stephen Sondheim and Mikis Theodorakis. Record producer Phil Spector died in prison. ! — Reuters