SHOW BIZ

LEE Andrews has been FREED from jail for a second time – but his dad remains behind bars in Dubai.

Conman Lee’s father Pete joined him in the notorious Al Awir prison last week after being reported to officials by a third party.

But according to our sources, Katie Price‘s husband has now been let out.

An insider told The Sun: “Lee Andrews has today been released from Al Awir prison.

“He was set free this afternoon following a short-stint behind bars.

“His dad Pete, who has been caught up in Lee’s misdemeanours, remains behind bars.”

LOVE RAT

I exposed Lee Andrews trying to flog Katie sex tape, it gets worse… read new texts

ELLIE HENMAN

If you need further proof of how vile Lee Andrews really is, read this

During their stint in jail, together, father and son were understood to have seen one another inside the jail, with both believed to be facing allegations of fraud.

Sources said that Lee had to raise funds to pay off his debts, before he could be released, from where he faces extradition.

He now hopes to return to the UK, to be with his wife.

Last week The Sun revealed how sources said patient Katie has finally snapped – and is now “at the end of her tether”.

A pal said: “It is quite astonishing – you really couldn’t make this up.

“Whether poor Katie will be there to greet him on the other side remains to be seen.

“Right now she is furious with it all, and fed up with all the drama and white noise her husband is bringing.”

Lee has had a raft of damning allegations levelled against him, including ex-girlfriends who have gone on the record to share their horror stories at his hands.

He has also been accused of conning people out of thousands of pounds – claims he denies.

Lee and Katie married in January, just 10 days after meeting.

In May, he was taken by cops and, he claims, taken to a black site for questioning.

It was later discovered he was in Al-Awir prison, where he remained for one month before being released and having an emotional reunion with wife Katie.

Former champion of the World’s Strongest Man competition, Tom Stoltman, has announced he will be joining the fourth series of hit BBC show Gladiators, with filming due to begin next month.

The former World’s Strongest Man champion Tom Stoltman is becoming a Gladiator after it was announced he has joined the car of the hit BBC show.

While Stoltman’s Gladiator name is yet to be announced, the fourth series of the primetime show will begin filming in Sheffield next month before airing on BBC One in 2027. Speaking on joining the show, the 32-year-old said: “This is a dream opportunity and I’m incredibly proud to become a Gladiator.

“I’ve spent my life pushing myself to see what I can achieve and joining this incredible show is the next challenge.

“I’m excited to bring my strength, determination and personality to the arena but, most importantly, I want people watching to feel inspired to believe in themselves and take on their own challenges.”

Standing at 6ft 8in, Stoltman from Ivergordon in the Highlands was the first Scot to win the title when he was first crowned champion back in 2021.

He retained his World’s Strongest Man title through 2022 before winning the competition for a third time in 2024.

Officially, he is still Britain’s Strongest Man after winning the title for a fourth time in February this year, beating Adam Bishop and Paddy Haynes.

However, a hand injury stood in the way of his chances of being named strongest man in the world in 2026 before he was knocked out in the qualifying rounds.

In addition to returning in the classic format next year, there will also be an all-new Gladiators Celebrity Special with hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh at the helm.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, said: “With a brand-new series confirmed and another Celebrity Special on the way, audiences can look forward to even more colossal clashes, even more edge-of-your-seat excitement and plenty of opportunities to raise those foam fingers high one again.”

Stoltman’s addition to the show comes after controversy surrounding the departure of Gladiator Jamie ‘Giant’ Biggs. The TV personality took to Instagram to share a message telling fans he wouldn’t be back for series four, citing “this wasn’t a decision I made to step away” and that he “was faced with a choice that didn’t align with my values”.

He since told The Sun that the issue was his girlfriend Taylor Ryan’s OnlyFans career, claiming he was given an ultimatum to either end his relationship with Taylor or forfeit his role on Gladiators.

“I had to choose between dating Taylor and keeping my job,” he said. “I was shocked and very saddened about their choice to sack me.”

A Gladiators spokesperson said at the time of Jamie’s departure: “After three formidable series, Giant is leaving Gladiators. We’d like to thank him for everything he has contributed to the show and wish him well for the future.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

MOLLY-MAE Hague showcased her flat stomach while she sported a bikini — just six weeks after giving birth.

The reality TV stunner and her boyfriend Tommy Fury welcomed son Midas, their second child, last month.

Taking to Instagram, the Love Island alum, 27, posed for mirror selfies wearing a green bikini top alongside an open white shirt and trousers.

Above one of the snaps, Molly-Mae additionally added the caption: “Mommy.”

It comes as fans branded the reality star “irresponsible” as she headed on a holiday to Greece.

She revealed her family — including Midas — were travelling to their trip away via a private plane.

EAR FEARS

Molly-Mae slammed as she boasts about private jet for first holiday with baby

‘QUEEN’

Love Island’s Charleen reveals Molly-Mae’s support after being branded her double

One wrote: “Babies so young are vulnerable when taken on planes due to their tiny ears and the change in climate can be too much also.

“At least wait until he’s 6 months. Sorry Molly this is irresponsible.”

Another said: “Love you Molly but please stop using private jets. They’re so incredibly polluting, the next generations are inheriting this burning planet.”

A third added: “Why does it have to be in a private jet!!!!

“This is directly affecting the planet your baby will grow up to live in!”

Other comments were more positive, as one said: “Ahhh!!! So unbelievably beautiful, have the best time making special memories.”

If Oxnard to you is just a freeway sign on the way to Santa Barbara or Ojai, you’re missing out on a few things. Like an extensive harbor with none of the traffic or showy affluence of its southern cousins. Miles and miles of white sand where you won’t find another family right next to you as soon as you lay down a towel. A diverse, chilled city with an energetic subculture (Nardcore, anyone?) and some pretty decent tacos.

There are a bunch of ways to spend your time here. Take an architecture tour around Heritage Square, perhaps, or taste your way around September’s Chowderfest at the Maritime Museum. On the water, you can paddleboard ‘til you drop, commune with whales on a boat excursion or skip off to the Channel Islands on a whim.

It’s the only California Cultural District in Ventura County, an honor bestowed by the California Arts Council, which says that “from Guelaguetza and Fiestas Patrias to Juneteenth celebrations, Nardcore punk shows, lowrider cruises, fandangos, and Ballet Folklorico, the district’s cultural life is exuberant and deeply rooted in community.” Rapper/producer and Oxnard native Anderson .Paak named his third album after the city and has hosted the .Paak House music festival in the region.

And Oxnard is a summer home to Netflix darlings the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. For two decades, the Cowboys have held their training camp in the city, and this time around, the cheerleaders will join the scene for Oxnard Fan Night on July 31, the opening ceremony Aug. 1 and toa dance clinic Aug. 2.

Oxnard may not be overly polished, which of course adds to its charm. To get to know the community, you’ll have to veer a few miles off the 101 — but the detour makes for a vibrant SoCal weekend.

Waving a Mexican flag with a vaquero sombrero on, El Malilla made history at Coachella last year as the first reggaeton Mexa act on the lineup.

To keep the momentum going, the rising Mexican star had planned for his first U.S. tour to take place last summer. After the Trump administration ramped up the ongoing ICE raids around the same time, El Malilla decided to put the safety of his fans first and postpone the tour.

“With what was happening with Mexicans and immigrants — the big problem being ICE — I decided to pause the tour, because I didn’t feel comfortable exposing my fans to that kind of situation,” El Malilla says over Zoom from his home in Valle de Chalco. “For me, it was important to bring this tour to the U.S., but in a safe way without putting anyone in harm’s way.”

After wrapping up the Mexican leg of his “Tu Maliante Bebé” Tour, El Malilla, who was born Fernando Hernández Flores, is now preparing to bring his show to the states. The 19-show trek will kick off July 24 in Palm Springs, followed by a concert at The Novo in Los Angeles the next day.

Mexican artist El Malilla.

(Joss Andreu)

“The Novo is very important for me because it’s going to be my biggest venue for this U.S. tour,” he admits. “To see how Los Angeles has adopted me, embraced me, and shown me love, I’m going to feel like I’m home.”

Following his Coachella debut, El Malilla has pushed reggaeton from Mexico into the mainstream. He imbues the genre with Mexican swagger, slang and sex appeal in his explosive hits such as “B de Bellako,” “Mami Tú” and “Balenciaga” featuring corrido singer Luis R. Conriquez.

Since then, El Malilla has expanded the scope of reggaeton Mexa following collaborations with Puerto Rican pioneers such as Jowell y Randy and Colombian superstar J Balvin. The perreo heartthrob is also tapping into new genres for his upcoming sophomore album. In an interview with The Times, El Malilla opened up about leading the reggaeton Mexa movement and what to expect from his tour.

How do you feel about representing Mexican culture and reggaeton Mexa with this tour in the U.S.?
I feel very happy to bring a bit of our culture, our slang, our sound and our essence to the U.S. for my fans that haven’t had a chance to see a show of mine. Something that’s very crazy for me is when I performed in Chicago last year, there were people with signs that said they were from different places in Mexico like the State of Mexico. It made me very nostalgic to know that I’m also from the State of Mexico and we’re here. It’s important for me to represent our roots. Get ready, because I’m coming with perreo sucio. [Laughs.]

What do you think when you fans always ask for you to take off your shirt at your concerts?
It makes me laugh because when I sing “Rodillas,” people start screaming for me to take off my shirt. My show lasts like two hours and that’s barely the first song. I enjoy it, because I consider El Malilla to be a showman. I love to be onstage and have fun with my fans. Though some people might see me as a sex symbol, I don’t see myself that way, but to each their own.

What does it mean for you to be breaking down barriers for reggaeton Mexa?
It makes me very happy. I’ve been thinking about that recently. When would you think that an iconic pop star like Danna would collaborate with an iconic chacalón [Mexican slang for “bad boy”] like myself? That never crossed my mind before, but now in 2026, our reggaeton, our essence and our sound has become important in Mexico and even more so on a Latino level. Now everything is possible. There [are] no longer barriers for reggaeton Mexa, or for Mexican singers. Today, your biggest dream is possible.

Who else would you love to collaborate with in the future?
Lately, I’ve spent more time in the U.S. and I’ve been soaking up more English music. I discovered that I really like The Weeknd. A collaboration with him would be crazy! I returned to Coachella this year to sing with Cachirula & Loojan … and to be able to see Justin Bieber live was incredible. I would love to collaborate with him. On the Latin side, I would love to collaborate with Nsqk, De La Ghetto, Ñengo Flow or a reggaeton pioneer like DJ Blass.

What’s the process been like working on your next album?
I spent a year and a half working on this album. I enjoyed that process so much. Music has given me so much that this album is my way of repaying music for all the blessings it’s given me. You’ll be surprised at what I’m capable of. This is a Malilla that’s now 26 and a little more mature. It’s a more experimental and professional Malilla. I had never made a bolero song and I dared to do that this time. I did my research by listening to Luis Miguel, José José and singers and genres that I wasn’t used to listening to. I found love for those genres and singers. It was a very fun and cool way for me to explore different genres.

PETE Wicks has opened up on his “magical” holiday with Olivia Attwood after they were pictured in a passionate snog on the beach.

Pete, 37, spoke candidly about his romance as he chatted to his pal Sam Thompson, 33, on their Staying Relevant podcast.

During a podcast clip shared to TikTok, Sam said to Pete: “You were on your holidays?”

“Yes, I hadn’t seen Liv for two and a half weeks, so I went to see Liv,” replied Pete.

“Don’t make this a thing,” said Pete as Sam jokingly feigned shock.

Pete continued: “So I went to see Liv, it was wonderful to see her, been two and a half weeks.”

WEDDING MELS

Inside Mel C’s lavish wedding from menu to Geri & Mel B coming face to face

roll the tape

Listen to Lee Andrews’ shocking voicenote pitching to sell Katie SEX TAPE

A smitten Pete added: “We had a fabulous time. I have really hurt my back because I was backflipping off boats.

“We went for lovely dinners, we went to clubs, we drank a lot, it was magical is probably the best way to describe it.”

Sam was delighted and explained that it was a lovely moment to hear about him and Liv.

He added: “I’m a huge fan of Liv’s”

Pete joked: “Not as big a fan as I am,” as Sam cheered his reponse.

Pete and Olivia were recently spotted all loved-up on a date night as they shared a steamy snog.

This came days after Olivia and Pete made things Instagram official after jetting off to Ibiza together.

The pair – who host a KISS FM radio show together – began dating back in February, following Olivia’s split from husband Bradley Dack.

JESSIE J has announced she’s parted ways from her baby daddy Chanan Colman three years after the birth of their son.

The singer took to Instagram to share the news with fans and revealed they broke up “some time ago.”

BLUSHING bride Mel C has broken her silence on her beautiful countryside wedding – and how bandmate Victoria Beckham played a key part despite missing her big day.

The singer, 52, said I Do to Australian model Chris Dingwall in front of a celeb-packed congregation – including her Spice Girls sisters – in a Georgian country house in Cumbria.

The lavish venue is owned by West End performer Ben Forster, who has been close friends with Mel since they co-starred in the 2013 production of Jesus Christ Superstar. 

Though one face that was noticeably absent from the rural 19th-century estate this weekend was that of Posh Spice, who was at the World Cup Final with husband David in New York.

Though the Wannabe singer turned fashion designer still played a key part in Mel’s wedding traditions – providing her wedding dress as Mel’s “something borrowed”.

The chic gown, which oozed elegance and featured a swooping backline, was plucked straight from Victoria’s collection of her own Victoria Beckham gowns in her wardrobe.

WEDDING MELS

Inside Mel C’s lavish wedding from menu to Geri & Mel B coming face to face

2 BECOME 1

Geri Horner & guests celebrate Mel C’s wedding as she marries Aussie model

Mel told Vogue: “Victoria’s dress was my something borrowed.

“It was very special, having her there”.

She added: “I’m not really a girly girl.

“Victoria’s clothes are really feminine in a way that feels comfortable and very me”.

Victoria then told the publication of the chain of events and added: “When I asked what she was wearing, she mentioned she had actually ordered one of my dresses but that it didn’t quite fit, and she didn’t have time to get it altered before leaving”.

She found the same dress in her wardrobe and lent it to Mel.

A source also told the Mail of the frock: “It was a gift from Victoria, they are really close. Victoria would have loved to have been there if she could.”

Meanwhile, Victoria was in New York for the World Cup final clash between Spain and Argentina, in which Spain triumphed 1-0 after extra time.

Mel’s daughter Scarlett, 17, from her relationship with Thomas Starr, was bridesmaid at her special day.

Mel is the last of the girls from the pop group to tie the knot, having met Chris back in 2023 on celeb dating app Raya. 

Mel and Chris have kept a lot of their romance under wraps with fans desperate to know about her relationship with the Aussie star.

She told The Times back in January: “It’s something I didn’t think would be part of my story [marriage], but I’m so happy with Chris”.

BROOKS Nader stole the spotlight at a World Cup final party in New York sporting a thigh-skimming mini skirt and matching crop top.

The American model, 29, chose the striking white co-ord, which showed her toned abs and tanned thighs, for her night out at Zero Bond bar in Lower Manhattan ahead of the clash between Spain and Argentina.

Brooks, who recently showcased her figure in a trendy bikini, oozed glam in her two-piece and ramped up her look with thigh high-heeled boots.

The Baywatch actress styled her blonde hair into loose waves flowing over her shoulders and kept her make-up fresh.

She flashed a smile as she entered the party, hosted by Todd Graves, for the Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers event.

She was joined by actress Jessica Alba, who donned a black bandeau dress, and Jake Paul in all-white attire.

moving on

Taron Egerton back on Raya just weeks after splitting from model ex Brooks Nader

BAE WATCH

Brooks Nader stuns in low-cut bikini as fans suspect model went under the knife

Earlier in the night, Brooks took to Instagram to share behind the scenes glimpses of her getting ready for the night.

She stripped topless for a snap to praise her “dream team” as she posed in front of a cabinet filled with cosmetics.

The IMG Model then covered her modesty with her hands for another sizzling selfie.

Brooks then pulled on her co-ord and captured herself in the midst of a blow dry.

After her lively night, Brooks revealed she was working the following day on the Baywatch set.

Brooks was announced as one of the Baywatch reboot castmembers back in March.

She will be playing Selene, a captain of the Zuma beach lifeguards, according to Fox.

In her latest caption she wrote: “And we’re back, time to save some lives”.

LONDON — Ewan Mitchell shares few similarities with Aemond Targaryen, his unhinged character on HBO’s “House of the Dragon.” The British actor, 29, is soft-spoken, thoughtful and quick with a “thank you.” His hair is currently brown rather than Targaryen blond, although he says the color is actually left over from filming Justine Triet’s upcoming psychological thriller “Fonda.” Although he is very different from the power-hungry second son he plays on TV, Mitchell understands him.

“I always empathize with that little kid in Season 1,” he says, speaking from London’s 180 House on a sunny day in July. “He was this neglected, bullied boy. He was never given a dragon egg. So from the beginning he recognized that he was on the back foot, and he was bullied for being different. What’s nice about Season 3 is it’s showing Aemond’s true colors.”

Early in Season 3, Aemond asserted his dominance over his mother Alicent (Olivia Cooke) with a gasp-inducing kiss on the mouth, a moment Mitchell compares to Michael Corleone’s iconic kiss on Fredo in “The Godfather Part II.” The disgraced prince regent left King’s Landing for Harrenhal in search of Daemon (Matt Smith), only to murder Ser Simon Strong and his sons instead. His fray with the Strong family was triumphant, but left Aemond with a wound in his side. He begged the castle’s mysterious inhabitant Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) to help him before vanishing for the next two episodes.

In Episode 5, Aemond is back. At first, he appears wounded and broken. But he ably defends Alys from a group of invaders, relying on muscle memory and — perhaps — a sense of honor to pay her back for saving his life.

“I liken Harrenhal to the White Lotus of Westeros,” Mitchell says. “It’s a place you go for a retreat. You have all of your toxins drawn out of you. You have to confront them head on. You discover like the darkest, deepest places of yourself. And the general manager of that place is Alys Rivers.”

In Episode 5, Aemond (Mitchell) fights off invaders, saving Alys’ life.

(Theo Whiteman / HBO)

The upcoming episodes will keep Aemond at Harrenhal with Alys and expand on the events of George R.R. Martin’s 2018 book “Fire & Blood,” on which the series is based. Showrunner Ryan Condal wanted to explore what wasn’t in Martin’s fictional history of Westeros.

“We knew from the book that he goes to Harrenhal and effectively disappears, at least from the interactive narrative,” Condal says, speaking later over video call. “It’s thought that he establishes some relationship with Alys Rivers. We had that as a baseline, but the idea was: ‘Where can we take Aemond from here?’”

He adds that there was “a danger of the character becoming an anime villain,” which the writers wanted to undercut. “He looks a certain way,” Condal says. “He has this eye patch. He rides this Godzilla-sized dragon. And he’s done some pretty reprehensible things.”

But the writers wanted to go beyond Aemond’s surface, to “a different place and excavate that trauma and vulnerability.”

Mitchell says Alys is the key to Aemond finding himself. “We know his dragon Vhagar is missing,” he says. “And if Aemond is nothing without his dragon, then does he really deserve her? We’ve got to challenge what we know of the character already … Vhagar was the wind in his sails.”

He compares Aemond with Spider-Man, an oddly aligned character. “With great power comes great responsibility to wield that power,” Mitchell says. “He’s got to be able to show he can control it effectively. That’s what he wanted to prove throughout Season 1 and 2.”

He laughs: “It’s just like ‘Spider-Man 2.’ I find it really interesting building up this character over two seasons to bring him back down.”

“I find it really interesting building up this character over two seasons to bring him back down,” Mitchell says of Aemond, who is facing turbulent times in Season 3.

(Jennifer McCord / For The Times)

Condal adds, “He’s feeling isolated and alone and he possibly has made an enemy of his family. And then this woman saves him. He feels this sudden magnetic draw to her. In the episodes that follow, we will further excavate that relationship. It’s one of the most surprising and engaging and emotional stories we have this season.”

Mitchell first appeared as Aemond, the son of Viserys and Alicent and the brother of Aegon II, in the eighth episode of Season 1. He was originally played by Leo Ashton, who Mitchell says “really set up the character for me.” Production had already begun when Mitchell auditioned, first with a self-tape and then for the producers. Initially, he didn’t know which character he was up for.

“I knew this character was the younger brother and that was like a theme of the first season and going through further seasons,” Mitchell recalls. “The second son out to prove his worth.”

Mitchell’s audition was memorable. “He came into the room in character and he scared all of us,” Condal says. “I remember the first question that I asked [our casting director] after he left was, ‘Is he always like that?’ Because it felt like he had gone to such a dark place just to do the audition. When I spoke to him later, I loved how different the person was on the phone versus the person I met in the room.”

To play Aemond, Mitchell looked at MMA and cage fighters to hone in on the character’s agile, brutal fighting style. He trained physically to make Aemond lean but also strong and imposing. He took inspiration from paintings, including Alexandre Cabanel’s 1847 work “The Fallen Angel,” which depicts the devil after his fall from heaven.

“There’s this tear in his eye and you don’t know if he’s feeling sorry for himself or he’s looking at things to come,” Mitchell says. “Is he thinking about the harm he’s going to inflict in retaliation? That was something I wanted to do in Season 2. It contrasts his muscular physique. It’s a mixture between vulnerability and sheer muscle.”

Season 2 saw Aemond purposefully incinerating his brother, leaving him badly burned, and decimating the Riverlands while on Vhagar. The character was grappling for power, even if it meant brutalizing his own family. Condal hints that a reckoning with Aegon will come.

“In the great tradition of ‘Game of Thrones,’ I feel like that is a fairly safe bet,” he says. “Characters are scattered all over the map and then slowly find themselves being brought back together, but in different forms. That was always something we were talking about doing with Aemond and Aegon.”

To play Aemond, Mitchell looked at MMA and cage fighters to hone in on the character’s agile, brutal fighting style. He also took inspiration from paintings, including Alexandre Cabanel’s 1847 work “The Fallen Angel.” (Jennifer McCord/For The Times)

Mitchell sees Aemond as a product of his circumstances, rather than just a murdering psychopath. He was bullied as a child and coddled by his mother, but never received the unconditional love he craved. He was taken to brothels from an early age. He lost an eye. And he grew up in the midst of a brutal war between the Greens and the Blacks. Now he has to reckon with what he’s done.

“You might not understand all of the things he does,” Mitchell says. “And you might not feel like you’re supposed to understand all the things he does. But you do feel something for him. In the moment he saves Alys, maybe there is a redeemable Aemond in there somewhere.”

Cooke says she loves working opposite Mitchell thanks to his complex approach to the character.

“He has such intensity and helps me as an actor in playing Alicent to feel like I’m completely on the back foot,” she says in a voice memo. “It’s filled with tension trying to guess what he’s going to do. Yet in reality, he is the most gentle, lovely, quiet, beautiful person. He’s a joy to work with and I think he makes such interesting choices outside of ‘House of the Dragon.’”

Between Seasons 2 and 3, Mitchell filmed Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights.” He had previously worked with the filmmaker on 2023’s “Saltburn,” for which he auditioned using a Harold Pinter monologue. For “Wuthering Heights,” Fennell simply texted Mitchell asking him to play Joseph, a servant in the Earnshaw house, whose sexual depravity electrifies Cathy.

Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Alys (Gayle Rankin) share a tender moment in Episode 5.

(Theo Whiteman / HBO)

“I was like, ‘If you asked me to shine your shoes, Emerald, I would do that,’” Mitchell says. “All of her characters are so vibrant and so nuanced, and there is such a vision you see in her films. She’s a one-of-a-kind, singular visionary. I’ve learned so much working with Emerald that I’ve taken forward in my career.”

One of those things was a more playful, loose approach to acting. During his first two seasons of “House of the Dragon,” Mitchell felt locked into a particular performance. “I learned the scripts verbatim,” he says. “Aemond is such a calculating character and everything he does is premeditated. He’s so in control of himself. I found myself offering up the same take every single take.”

After working with Fennell on “Saltburn” and “Wuthering Heights,” Mitchell felt more freedom. She encouraged him to give a range of performances on set, allowing her to find the character during the editing process. He brought that with him to the third season of “House of the Dragon.”

“With Aemond being so unsure of himself, it happened more naturally,” he says. “He’s learning new things about himself. I was really open to finding the scene organically on the day and not coming in with any preconceived choices. And I found so much more enjoyment in it.”

Condal observed Mitchell’s looser approach. “I don’t think Ewan was ever rigid,” Condal says. “But what I saw happen over the seasons was someone learning from their professional experience. As a massive fan of Emerald Fennell’s work, I can see how being in that very different crucible could help him become his best version. We probably demanded the most out of Ewan in Season 3 than any of the other actors.”

Mitchell says working with Emerald Fennell helped him take a looser approach to acting.

(Jennifer McCord / For The Times)

Since wrapping Season 3 last fall, Mitchell has stayed busy. He filmed “The Way of the Runner” in China with first-time filmmaker Yutong Bai, Gareth Evans’ remake of the 1960s Japanese crime film “A Colt Is My Passport” in Wales, Luna Carmoon’s sophomore feature “To Make Ends Meat” in London and Can Aydin’s directorial debut “The Healer” in Budapest. He then flew to France to work with Triet, an experience he loved because she shot on film. “Knowing you’ve only got a limited amount of time, there’s something beautiful about the imperfections of performances,” he says. “There was such a great energy with everyone in the room.”

Mitchell has been attracted to performing for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Derby, England, he admired films like “Citizen Kane” and “Taxi Driver” because they centered on “characters you don’t completely understand.” He appreciates the scope of projects he’s done so far, from the massive scale of production on “House of the Dragon” to smaller art house films.

“I love working as much as I can and learning,” he says. “I’d love to keep working with debut directors. After the recent films I’ve done and seeing ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms,’ it’s really motivating seeing what they can do.”

Although Mitchell looks nothing like Aemond, he is frequently recognized. Someone stopped him on his way here today to ask for a photo. “I think it’s the chin,” he grins. He knows he’s inextricably linked to the character, for better or worse. He can’t give much away about what’s to come in Season 3, but Aemond is certainly not down for the count.

“What makes him so dangerous is that just when you think he has nothing left in the tank, it’s like, ‘Guess again,’” Mitchell says. “It’s not a question of whether he’s going to do evil. It’s inevitable that he will do it. And it will be brutal and it will be fast.”

He pauses, unsure of what he can reveal. “I don’t want to spoil anything,” he says carefully, “but I can’t wait for people to see what Harrenhal has in store for him.”

JENNIFER Lopez sizzled for a naked bathtub snap and suspenders as she celebrated her 56th birthday.

The On The Floor hitmaker was joined by her rarely-seen journalist and TV personality Lynda, who turned 55 last month.

The pop superstar shared a series of snaps on Instagram as she marked her sister’s birthday, while also celebrating her own, as she turns 56 on July 24.

The siblings enjoyed a meal out with friends and a birthday dessert each with a sparkler in it.

Another showed the sisters blowing out multiple candles on a meringue and raspberry pie.

The star then stripped naked as she enjoyed a soak in a bathtub while her sister ate food with her.

READ MORE ON JENNIFER LOPEZ

LO CUT

Jennifer Lopez poses braless in minidress with Erling Haaland

J-LO CUT

Jennifer Lopez rocks sheer dress as she attends PFW with rarely-seen sister

Showing that she’s still got it, Jennifer dazzled in a Dolce and Gabbana black sheer lace bodysuit, fishnet tights and suspenders.

The musician wore a black and gold veil over her head with a huge crown and a gold statement necklace.

She captioned the post: “A double birthday sister trip is always a good idea!! I love you Lynnie!! Happy birthday!!”

Just last week, Jennifer called was called “the most beautiful woman in the world” by fans as she posed braless in a minidress with Erling Haaland.

The singer looked amazing as she posed up a storm while on her travels in Sicily, Italy.

J-Lo showed off her amazing figure and wowed in the plunging number, which she accessorised with a matching bandana and cat eye sunglasses.

She completed the look with a pair of white and black polka dot court show heels.

It comes after the actress attended the Wimbledon Men’s Final in London in a stunning outfit.

She showed off her amazing figure in a cream bodycon maxi dress, oversized Fedora hat and a pair of heels.

And days before J-Lo ditched the bra again in a plunging corset dress at Paris Fashion Week.

The stunning singer was seen strutting her stuff as she headed to dinner with pals.

Jennifer was glowing as she showed off her figure in the plunging halter neck gown, which has a corset-style belt that accentuated her waist.

SOAP actor Jack P Shepherd and his wife Hanni Treweek have given fans a glimpse of their new baby girl.

The Coronation Street star appears in family snaps alongside his press office partner and three-week old daughter.

Alongside the pictures, Jack’s spouse wrote: “The best three weeks of my entire life with my baby girl.”

Looking glowing, the new mum can be seen in various pictures cradling the little one and pushing her pram.

Another photo showed the loved-up new parents sharing a kiss.

While they have kept the baby’s face out of shots, you can see her delicate hands and body in a range of tiny floral dresses.

SOAP BABY

Corrie’s Jack P Shepherd welcomes 1st child with wife Hanni & reveals sweet name

DAD REST

Jack P Shepherd ‘taking break’ from Corrie as he counts down to birth of child

Followers commented: “So gorgeous!!!”

A second added: “Awww, your lives will never be the same again… enjoy every moment of her.”

A third gushed: “Look at those little toes! Precious!”

The David Platt actor and his wife have named their daughter Constance Ita Shepherd.

In February, Celebrity Big Brother winner Jack and Hanni revealed they were expecting their first child together.

Hanni shared the happy news on Instagram with a photo of the newborn and wrote: “Our beautiful baby girl has arrived, born peacefully at home, surrounded by love.”

Jack, who plays David Platt in the ITV soap, met Hanni when she worked behind the scenes on the show.

They tied the knot July 2025 in a stunning wedding ceremony up in Manchester after popping the question in 2024 on safari in Africa.

After years of rejecting the idea of reality TV, Jack finally decided to take the plunge after being offered an impressive pay cheque on Celeb BB.

It’s thought he agreed to take part in Celebrity Big Brother to help pay for his wedding.

Jack entered the house alongside Mickey Rourke, Ella Rae Wise and JoJo Siwa.

The star – who is thought to make £250k a year playing David Platt – previously explained how they fell for each other at a mutual friend’s wedding.

The Coronation Street alumni will make his pantomime debut playing the lead role of the Prince in Sleeping Beauty in North Wales later this year.

The dad-of-three will star as the fairy tale prince starting from December 12 through to January 2.

The reality TV winner has played David Platt on Corrie for 26 years but it will be his first time ever starring in a Christmas panto.

Jack already has three children, two with his ex-fiancee and performing arts teacher Lauren Shippey.

The childhood sweethearts called it quits after 15 years and two children together.

Jack was just 14 years old when he began seeing Lauren.

In February 2009, the couple welcomed their first child together, a daughter called Nyla.

The couple then went on to have another baby, a son called Reuben, in December 2013.

A stuggling family was given a much needed lifeline from a millionaire couple

A struggling family couldn’t hide their emotions after a wealthy couple gave them a fresh start.

They felt like they’d “won the lottery” after the wealthy pair cleared their £6,000 worth of debt and handed the father a chance to pursue his dream of breaking into property development.

The emotional moment happened during an episode of Rich House, Poor House, which originally aired in 2024. At the time, viewers were joined by Kev and Emma Wing, along with their twins Mollie and Peyton, who live in a two-bedroom rented house in Derbyshire.

Seeing how the top 1% live, they swapped lives for a week with world champion football freestyler Liv Cooke and her partner Gal Ozery, who split their time between a lavish manor house in Lower Bagthorpe, Nottinghamshire, and Los Angeles.

The two families couldn’t be more different as the Wings live on a mere £78.25 a week after bills and with money short, meanwhile enjoyed Liv and Gal enjoy the high life with a generous £2,000 budget at their fingertips.

During the swap, the Wings, who are a football-mad family, splashed nearly £1,000 on souvenirs at their beloved Derby County shop and Kev got behind the wheel of a £195,000 Lamborghini.

And his aspiring Lioness daughters received coaching from Ryan Hopper, who works with professional players including Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot.

While Liv and Gal enjoy wealth far beyond the Wings’ wildest dreams, they lack the one thing Liv yearns for most – children. Liv said: “Having a child and making our family unit is the only thing we’re missing.”

Things then took a turn when the couple were left stunned to discover that the Wings had no savings whatsoever and were £6,000 in the red.

Liv, who amassed her wealth through property development, and Gal, who heads up a company supplying private jets and luxury watches to ultra-wealthy clients, were keen to help the family so they decided to offer them a much needed lifeline.

Liv told the couple: “We’ve seen the sacrifices that you two have made for the girls and you’ve got a beautiful life. We’ve decided that we’d like to pay off that debt for you and give you that chance.”

Kev and Emma broke down in tears as Gal continued: “We hope that this makes you feel like every day when you get up, you’re excited for the day and you’re ready to build.”

Emma whipped away her tears as she replied: “I’ve got nothing to say other than thank you so much.” The generosity didn’t stop there as the millionaire pair wanted to help Kev pursue his dreams of getting on the property ladder.

Liv turned to Kev and said: “If you do want to pursue your interest in property, I’d be more than happy to train you up… we can do it slow, we can do it alongside your job so there’s no risk there but if we can get you in that market, getting on the ladder, I think that would be the real life-changing thing.”

Visibly moved said: “It does feel now like we’ve won the lottery.” His favourite part of the lifestyle swap was spending time with his family, adding: “It’s like Christmas every day.”

You can catch up on Rich House, Poor House on Channel 5.

Rumours are rife that Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu is considering a move from ITV to the BBC after her reality fashion show M&S: Dress the Nation was axed and CBB got delayed

AJ Odudu has sparked speculation that she may cut ties with ITV to pursue bigger roles at the BBC. The 38-year-old TV presenter has reportedly landed a role on a celebrity version of a hit BBC show – just as ITV has axed and delayed some of her major projects.

A new report has suggested AJ will soon be swapping her stylish gladrags for Lycra as a contestant on the celebrity version of Gladiators. Her casting in the physical trial show comes as ITV has axed reality fashion competition M&S: Dress The Nation, which AJ co-hosted alongside Vernon Kay, 52.

There are also fears that Celebrity Big Brother may never return to screens – having been ditched for 2026 and amid rumours it may not return in 2027. AJ hosts Big Brother and the celeb-packed version of the show alongside Will Best – with the pair helming the franchise since it returned on ITV in 2023.

Celebrity Gladiators would mark a triumphant return to the BBC for AJ, who was a frontrunner to win Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, only for an injury to force her out of the competition. A source has told The Sun: “The timing of this is particularly interesting because, since she did spectacularly well on Strictly in 2021, she hasn’t done any big shows for the Beeb. Instead, she seems to have focused her energies on ITV — but now a couple of her shows are facing the chop, and Gladiators has come along.

“It will leave some people in TV Land wondering whether she might be considering making a long-term move back to where things really took off for her.” The Mirror has contacted AJ’s representatives for comment.

AJ is not the only Big Brother host to be heading to the BBC this autumn, as her co-host Will Best, 41, will also be on the national broadcaster as a contestant on the 2026 season of Strictly.

After his appointment was announced, Will declared: “I can’t quite believe it…I’m doing Strictly! What an absolute dream. Albeit a pretty terrifying one”.

He continued: “I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait! I have no idea if I can actually dance, but bring on the sequins, bring on the quicksteps, bring on the dance floor! I’m going to try to enjoy every minute of it.”

The 2026 season of Strictly will see Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe take over as hosts following the shock exit of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman at the end of last year.

Will will join Paralympic cyclist & swimmer Dame Sarah Storey, EastEnders star Lacey Turner, Australian pop singer Delta Goodrem, hairdresser Chris Appleton and former Love Island contestants Dani Dyer and Cach Mercer in the 2026 line-up. Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood are set to return as judges.

The BBC is hoping fans of the long-running dance show will enjoy the new line-up of presenters, with Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips decreeing back in May: “Emma, Johannes and Josh’s chemistry is undeniable. There’s been so much speculation and hype, so I’m relieved we can share the news with the public at last.

“I’d like to thank all the brilliant people we saw before making this tough decision. But the most beloved ballroom in the UK always leads the way, and in a Strictly first we have chosen three outstanding hosts to take up the mantle.

“Along with our amazing Strictly team, who are busy planning fabulous and unforgettable treats for this new series, I know this terrific trio can’t wait to join our judges and pros to bring us must-see TV on the BBC this autumn.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Robbie Williams headlined the World Cup 2026 closing ceremony alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini

The World Cup 2026 closing ceremony dazzled audiences around the globe ahead of one of the most anticipated finals in recent memory, as Spain prepared to face Argentina for football’s greatest prize.

Robbie Williams headlined the spectacular pre-match entertainment, taking to the stage alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Italian superstar Laura Pausini to set the scene for a historic occasion.

The star-studded ceremony served as the perfect curtain-raiser before Spain and Argentina kicked off in the World Cup Final, with millions of fans tuning in from across the world to watch the spectacle unfold.

Yet while the occasion was steeped in sporting drama, many viewers found their attention drawn elsewhere — specifically to Robbie Williams and the bedazzled blue tracksuit the Angels hitmaker chose for his moment in the global spotlight.

Within minutes of his set getting underway, social media was awash with reactions, with some fans struggling to even recognise the pop icon.

“I didn’t recognize Robbie Williams,” one viewer admitted, while another marvelled, “love seeing Robbie Williams.”

Others were simply fixated on his bold fashion choice. “I’m feeling the @robbiewilliams bedazzled track suit…,” one admirer wrote.

Some fans were also struck by a rather unexpected resemblance. “Robbie looks a bit like Paulie from The Sopranos,” with another joking, “Why has Robbie Williams come dressed as Donald Trump reports the Daily Star.

Someone else added, “Robbie Williams is absolutely brilliant before the start of the World Cup.”

Elsewhere, for the first time in World Cup history, there was a half-time show featuring performances by Madonna and Justin Bieber.

While some viewers were loving the performances, especially from Madonna, other fans, including pundit Wayne Rooney, were not as keen.

When asked what he thought about the star-studded performances, Wayne replied with such honesty.

“I’ll be honest, mine (highlight) was when it finished. I like a lot of those artists, but I thought it was c**p,” he said.

“I did, honestly. It just didn’t get me going. I want the football to come back on.”

Fans of the Game of Thrones spin-off series are champing at the bit for the next episode of Season 3

House of the Dragon Season 3 is certainly ramping up the action – and this week promises to be no different.

WARNING: This article contains major spoilers from House of the Dragon Season 3

Despite Rhaenyra Targaryen (played by Emma D’Arcy) taking the Iron Throne, war looks inevitable after Ormund Hightower (James Norton) pulled a fast one by betraying the new queen and taking over Tumbleton as his soldiers abused the locals.

Ormund’s tactical move puts Rhaenyra in a predicament as she will have to choose whether to burn Tumbleton to end this threat to her rule, or let the Hightower troops remain as the town after they raised their banners for her.

She has also been left reeling after Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) presented her with the burnt head of a man, whom he claimed was responsible for Jace Velaryon’s (Harry Collett) death at the Battle of the Gullet.

He was hiding the fact his daughter Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell) was accidentally behind the death and this lie is likely to come back and haunt him.

Here’s a look at exactly when British fans can watch the forthcoming episode of House of the Dragon and what to expect.

What time is House of the Dragon Season 3 episode 5 released?

House of the Dragon Season 3 episode 5 will be released on Monday, July 20 at 2am British Summer Time on Sky Atlantic, and streaming platforms NOW and HBO UK & Ireland.

The episode airs at exactly the same time as HBO in the USA, which is Sundays at 9pm Eastern Standard Time.

This means that there’s no delay between American and British broadcast.

Even if fans don’t stay up to the wee hours of the morning to catch House of the Dragon, it’ll be available to watch when they do wake up.

Sky Atlantic also helpfully airs House of the Dragon episodes on Mondays in the traditional 9pm primetime slot for those who prefer linear broadcast.

Watch House of the Dragon with Sky’s TV and Netflix deals

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

TV lovers can now get Sky TV and Netflix for £15 per month with the new Essential TV bundle.

This delivers live and on-demand TV without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like House of the Dragon

HBO has already released a teaser trailer to whet fans’ appetites ahead of the next episode.

Rhaenyra says: “My patience has its bounds.” This suggests she’s planning to burn Tumbleton to take out her enemies.

Ormund gloats as it appears the pieces are falling into place for his grand scheme.

Meanwhile, Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) appears to be fighting fit again in Harrenhal after his brush with death – thanks to Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin).

Aemond tells Alys: “Rhaenyra’s defiled our great house… diminished the Iron Throne. She is no queen.”

The battle lines are drawn as various armies come together to fight on various fronts.

House of the Dragon Season 3 airs weekly on Mondays in the UK on Sky Atlantic, NOW and HBO Max UK & Ireland