Crime & Safety
Oxford University actress claims she was fired for Gaza post
British actress Kate Beckinsale reportedly said that she was let go by her agent – who she did not name – for liking a social media post calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The star of the Underworld series, as well as action film Total Recall and comedy movie Click, read French and Russian Literature at New College, Oxford in the 1990s.
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She performed as part of the Oxford University Dramatic Society and it was during her time studying that she first appeared on screen, in a film adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing.
The 52-year-old quit the university before graduating in order to focus on acting and has spent much of her career in Hollywood.
Now, she has claimed that she has been fired by her agent for liking a post about a ceasefire in Gaza.
Ms Beckinsale made a number of comments underneath a video shared by actor Mark Ruffalo that features him promoting new film Palestine 36.
The comments, that appear to have been deleted, were seen by Entertainment Weekly, and in them she refers to sexism in Hollywood.
She said: “It must be so nice not to be fired by your Agent for liking a post about a ceasefire and not supporting the murdering of children.”
“I guess having a penis in Hollywood really counts for a lot,” she added.
Ms Beckinsale said that Mr Ruffalo has the same agent that fired her and added that the unnamed agent also fired Hollywood actress Susan Sarandon.
She claimed she had approached the star, best known for playing The Incredible Hulk in The Avengers series, but he had not replied.
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Even so, Ms Beckinsale said she was ok with being ignored and that there is “male privilege even in the good guys”, as she added she supported Mr Ruffalo’s campaigning.
The actress also touched upon recent tragedies in the posts on Instagram, including the death of her mother Judy Loe last year and her stepfather, Roy Battersby, in 2024.
She claimed it was around her stepfather’s death that she was fired by her agent.
Earlier this year, the mum-of-one spoke about the death of her mother.: “Grief is not a contest -whatever and whoever you have lost, your grief, your own grief is the worst grief.
“Don’t let anyone make you feel you’re in some kind of grief competition that’s just bulls**t.”
Oxfordshire Bootsale and Events Company said its Burcot sale just off the Berinsfield Roundabout will not go ahead on the first day of each weekend.
Organisers said on social media that the reasons are down to a “lack of support at present and huge expenses and people moaning [that] it’s too small”.
They added: “Sadly they forget Abingdon and Witney were that small and had to grow. Our policy has now to be use it or lose it.”
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However, officials confirmed the event would still go ahead each Sunday at the same location, just off the A415.
Abingdon and Witney car boot sales will continue to go ahead as planned.
Jamie Clark, aged 36, from Henley was arrested on April 7 and charged the following day.
On April 9 he appeared before High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to six shoplifting offences and two counts of criminal damage, committed between 28 March and 2 April at Boots on Bell Street, Henley.
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He was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment.
Police constable Sarah Puksis said: “This sentence sends a clear message – repeat shoplifting, particularly of high value goods, won’t be tolerated.
“We work closely with retailers to identify offenders and take firm action.”
This is not the first time Mr Clark has been in trouble with the law, nor is it the first time he has stolen from the Henley Boots.
In 2025, he was sentenced to four months and two weeks in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of shoplifting at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on November 18.
On October 21 and 22 last year, Clark forced open a cabinet in Boots on Bell Street and stole high-value fragrances worth a total of £4,965.
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Clark was arrested on November 17, 2025, and charged the same day.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said on the latest incident: “We’re absolutely committed to tackling shoplifting and supporting local businesses.
“So please keep reporting incidents, save CCTV, and let us do the rest. Remember: the only thing you should be lifting in Boots… is your shopping basket.”
The 84-year-old actress admits in an upcoming film her feelings around her own mortality and her hopes of reaching 90.
Born and raised in Oxford, Ms Margolyes is perhaps most famous for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series and for her role as Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s 1993 film, The Age of Innocence, for which she won a BAFTA.
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The new documentary ‘Miriam Made Me Me’ is directed and produced by Simon Draper and edited by Gwyn Jones.
It will air at 9pm on Monday 13 April on BBC Two and iPlayer.
Initially intended to be a podcast series, Mr Draper ended up securing so much footage that he was able to create this film.
Speaking to Televisual, he said: “The result is an unfiltered portrait of an often controversial actress and her transformative effects on others; especially me.”
In the film, according to the Daily Mirror, Ms Margolyes shows her life including performing on stage and meeting the King and Queen.
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In addition, she reveals her thoughts on death, which she admits “feels extremely close”.
She said: “Death feels round the corner, behind the bush just up the road. I am scared of it, and I think I probably always will be, and I’m cross about death.”
In addition, she admits that she hopes to reach 90 and go without loss of pain or dignity.
Ms Margolyes has in the past spoken about the health problems that come with aging including that she cannot walk well.
She told Original Cin that as she was marketing recent film Holy Days.
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