iWorld
Adele impersonator clip smashes BBC YouTube record
MUMBAI: Another day, yet another record broken for Adele… a sketch from BBC One’s Adele at the BBC special has been viewed more than 37 million times in just two weeks, making it the most-watched video ever on the BBC YouTube channel.
The comedy sketch, ‘When Adele wasn’t Adele… but was Jenny!’ has broken the previous record of 36.9 million views. It became an instant global hit on the BBC YouTube channel after being featured in the programme, a one-off special broadcast on 20 November on BBC One. The television show has now been watched by 5.8 million people and an extended version featuring previously unseen footage will be shown on BBC One on 1 January.
The five-and-a-half minute clip, which was released straight after the programme aired – features the singer going undercover, complete with prosthetic nose and chin and long gloves to cover her tattoos, to participate in a fake audition to find the best Adele impersonator. Telling the others taking part that her name is Jenny, she says she is a full-time nanny and part-time impersonator and quips it’s been ‘a bit slow recently’ due to ‘not much demand’. Due on last, the other singers comfort ‘Jenny’ backstage when she tells them she feels sick ahead of her performance – but when she breaks into her hit Make You Feel My Love, we see the heart-warming reactions of the impersonators as they realise one by one that ‘Jenny’ is actually the real Adele.
One of the lookalikes who took part in the sketch, Talullah Windmill, says, “I am amazed the sketch has been so popular. Even though the day was one I’ll never forget, I never thought it would be watched by so many and be this well received. All the comments left are so lovely, it is truly overwhelming.”
The previous Number 1 clip features Will Smith on The Graham Norton Show performing a song medley, including the theme to 90s sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air, with his son Jaden Smith, Alfonso Ribero, who played Carlton in the series, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. It has been on the BBC YouTube Channel for over two years and has now been knocked down to second place.
BBC Music director Bob Shennan says, “I’m delighted to see such a phenomenal response to the show in the UK, and to see the magical sketch gain a huge global audience who are enjoying and sharing the BBC’s content.”
Guy Freeman, executive producer of Adele at the BBC adds, “Adele was very keen to do the sketch and worked closely with my team to make this comedy-gold moment such a roaring success. She shows not only what a great sport she is, but also what a great comedy actor she is too.”
Marking her return to the music scene with this world exclusive one hour special – her first television performance since she performed Skyfall at the Oscars in 2013 – this sketch featured alongside performances of her much-loved classics and new material from her recently released album, plus an interview with Graham Norton about her life and career.
iWorld
Airtel bets big on digital lending with Rs 20,000 Cr NBFC push
Telecom giant aims to transform India’s credit scene with a high-scale NBFC plan
NEW DELHI: Bharati Airtel is taking a bold step into the financial world. The telecom giant has announced plans to supercharge its Non-Banking Financial Company, Airtel Money Limited, with a whopping Rs 20,000 crore over the coming years.
Airtel will fund 70 per cent of the capital, with the remaining 30 per cent coming from the promoter group via Bharti Enterprises Limited. The move is designed to narrow India’s credit gap and bring simple, secure digital lending to more consumers.
The company is not starting from scratch. Its existing digital lending platform has already disbursed over Rs 9,000 crore, backed by smart underwriting, disciplined portfolio management, and real-time risk monitoring. With 500 plus data scientists and robust analytics, Airtel claims it has built one of the country’s most trusted lending service provider models.
Bharti Airtel executive vice chairman Gopal Vittal said, “Our success over the past two years shows how technology, data, and customer trust can create impact at a national scale. With this NBFC expansion, we aim to build a future-ready digital lending business that stands for trust, innovation, and inclusion.”
Airtel Money received its NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India on 13 February 2026. The expansion taps into India’s fast-growing financial sector, where formal credit accounts for just 53 per cent of GDP, highlighting huge room for growth.
The NBFC’s operations will integrate seamlessly with Airtel’s existing lending platform, keeping processes clear for customers while delivering a smooth experience. By leveraging its vast telecom customer base, Airtel aims to set a new benchmark in digital financial services and make lending accessible, simple, and reliable.
The Reserve Bank of India has noted that while Airtel Money has a valid registration certificate, it does not guarantee the company’s financial soundness or the repayment of liabilities.
