British rapper Cadet has died in a car crash while on his way to a gig at Keele University. The 28-year-old music star, real name Blaine Cameron Johnson, was a passenger in a taxi early this morning when it collided with a van in Betley, Staffordshire. He died at the scene, while the two drivers were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Peter Sallis has died at the age of 96, his agents have announced. The actor was best known for appearing in Last of the Summer Wine and was also famous as the voice of Wallace in Wallace and Gromit. His agent confirmed he died peacefully with his family by his side. Sallis played Norman "Cleggy" Clegg in Last of the Summer Wine from its first episode in 1973 until the series concluded in 2010.

Tributes have been paid to actor Simon Shelton, best known for playing purple Teletubby Tinky Winky, following his death at the age of 52. Actress Emily Atack said her "wonderful uncle" had been "taken so suddenly" and was "the kindest and most talented man you could ever wish to meet". Shelton took over the role of handbag-carrying Tinky Winky after original actor Dave Thompson was sacked in 1997.

Aretha Franklin's family have said that they found the closing eulogy at her funeral offensive and distasteful. The Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. said black America was losing "its soul" and described children raised without a father as "abortion after birth". "He spoke for 50 minutes and at no time did he properly eulogise her," said Vaughn Franklin, the singer's nephew, speaking on behalf of the family.