Metadata editor not showing last edits

I am trying to edit metadata to processed JPG image. I use “Edit Metadata” button and enter new data in the editor dialog box tabs. THe changes show in the text below the thumbnail images, but when I trry and update the metadata the editor tecxt boxes are blank, I cannot retrieve the text.
I have ticked the option to save to sidecar files, but the original text I write (or any other information from digiKam) seems to be visible in the .xmp files
Any idea what I am doing wrong?
digiKam 8.1 in Windows 11.