The Canadian actor is best known for his role as superhero Deadpool, but has appeared in a multitude of other films, including Free Guy and The Proposal.

Ms Lively is an American actor who rose to fame in Gossip Girl and has since starred in films such as The Shallows, A Simple Favour and The Age of Adaline.

The couple, who married in 2012 and have four children together, have revealed they recently visited the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire during their latest UK trip.

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Ms Lively recently shared a carousel of photos on Instagram from what she described as her “best week” with loved ones.

The visit centred around the Wrexham AFC vs Chelsea FA Cup match in Wales with Mr Reynolds co‑owning the club.

As part of the same trip, the pair headed to Soho Farmhouse, the private members’ club and hotel set on a 100‑acre estate in West Oxfordshire.

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Blake Lively. (Image: Ian West / PA)

Photos show the couple enjoying activities on the estate, including practicing archery, holding a falcon and relaxing over coffee and a film screening.

Ms Lively shared an image of herself visiting Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith at what was described as her Cotswolds home, and another featuring her sister, actor Robyn Lively.

In her caption, Ms Lively thanked the Wrexham players, staff and supporters for “the performance of a lifetime”, calling the 10,000‑strong crowd in Wrexham “the greatest” people to share an emotional rollercoaster with.

Government departments are reminding claimants to check their payment dates so they’re not caught off guard by early deposits over long weekends.

Child Benefit is normally paid on Mondays and Tuesdays, so anyone due a payment on Easter Monday should get it early.

“We always move payments forward when a bank holiday falls on the usual day, so people get their money in time,” a DWP spokesperson said.

Easter 2026: April payments moved forward

For many households, Easter will bring an early arrival of money.

Payments due April 6 2026 (including pensions, Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, and other DWP support) will instead arrive on April 2 2026.

HMRC and DWP explain that bank holidays mean banks are closed, so payments are brought forward to ensure claimants still have access to funds.

May and spring bank holidays

Other early payments this spring include:

• 4 May → 1 May (early May bank holiday)
• 25 May → 22 May (spring bank holiday)

This affects pensioners, Universal Credit recipients, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Benefit, and other regular payments.

Summer and autumn changes

Later in 2026, further adjustments apply depending on location:

• 3 August → 4 August (Scotland only)
• 4 August → 5 August (Scotland only)
• 31 August → 28 August (all UK)
• 28 December → 24 December
• 29 December → 30 December (Northern Ireland only)

Regional public holidays in Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee) and Northern Ireland can also affect payment timing.

Why DWP payments change

The DWP and HMRC adjust schedules to ensure that:

• Claimants receive money before the bank closes
• There is no gap in essential support
• Payments arrive predictably despite long weekends

However, claimants should remember that after early payments, the next payment will follow the normal schedule, which may create a slightly longer gap between instalments.

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How to check your payment

• Look at your bank statement – payments normally appear with references like “DWP Pension” or “HMRC Child Benefit”
• For those on Universal Credit, check the online account for exact payment dates
• If a payment seems late, check with your bank first, then contact the DWP or HMRC if necessary

“Knowing when payments will arrive helps households manage their budgets, especially around busy bank holiday weekends,” a DWP spokesperson said.

The 65-year-old former Top Gear and Grand Tour host is to guest star as the auctioneer at his local lido in Chipping Norton.

Mr Clarkson, a resident of Chadlington on his 1,000-acre farm Diddly Squat, has been a regular at Chipping Norton Lido for some years.

Last year, he helped raise £15,500 for the community-run swimming pool and the year prior it was £13,500 with Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper’s promise of a personal tractor lesson in Mr Clarkson’s Lamborghini tractor the highest ticket of the night.

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The latest auction is to happen on Friday, May 8 at Chipping Norton Town Hall.

A spokesman for the auction said: “Catch him while you can – Jeremy Clarkson is returning for one last outing as auctioneer raising vital funds for The Lido.

“Our Auction of Promises will take place on Friday 8 May in Chipping Norton Town Hall and features a host of promises ranging from a clutch of Scotch eggs to the chance to see Jack Savoretti in concert and meet him backstage.

“Tickets are on sale now for what is always a highly entertaining night in a very good cause.”

Among previous items for sale was a conation from Blur bassist-turned-cheesemaker Alex James, who lives in nearby Kingham.

He donated a Blue Monday Cheese plus tickets to his food and music event The Big Feastival.