feelings

Claudia Winkleman has set the record straight on her Strictly Come Dancing experience, as she and Tess Daly are set to leave Strictly Come Dancing at the end of the 2025 series

Television host and national treasure Claudia Winkleman told fans to “be prepared” before revealing her true thoughts on Strictly Come Dancing.

Claudia, 53, recently announced alongside co-host Tess Daly that the pair would be leaving the popular BBC programme after over 20 years of holding various presenting roles on the series.

Claudia, who also hosts The Traitors and Celebrity Traitors, opened up about the origins of her working on the programme in her book Quite, explaining that it was the ultimate case of someone being in the right place at the right time.

She said: “Strictly has been (I don’t want your stomach to turn, so please be prepared) a gift to me. A barnstorming, stonking, thunderbolt of a present.

“I started working on It Takes Two in 2004. There had been one series already, my son was tiny and they said, ‘Look, can you talk about the foxtrot every night live at 6.30pm?’”

She added: “I could be with him all morning and then go to work. I know. It was a six week run and I was ridiculously lucky.

“I then went on to present the results show and when Sir Bruce resigned I got Tess’s job. Sometimes good fortune just falls in your lap. How did I, a short, scruffy, orange idiot get to be part of one of the nation’s favourite TV shows?

“All I can say is there has been no better example of right place, right time on earth.”

In a statement on Instagram announcing of her exit from the show, Claudia said: “It’s very difficult to put into words exactly what Strictly has meant to me. It’s been the greatest relationship of my career.

“From working on It Takes Two in 2004 until now it has been my everything, the show I will be eternally grateful for.

“I will never forget Len Goodman trying to teach me what a cucaracha is (I still don’t know) and the complete thrill and honour it was to work with Tess on the results show to co-hosting on Saturday nights.

“Strictly is a magical, glittery, fake tanned train and it’s been a privilege to be a tiny part of it. The extraordinary talent of the dancers, the band, the hair and makeup and costume teams, the unbelievable production crew and creatives – all utterly amazing.

“I’ve always believed it’s best to leave a party before you’re fully ready to go and I know the new hosts will be magnificent.”

STRICTLY pro Lauren Oakley has QUIT social media just a day before the first live show – saying “everyone has feelings”.

The dancer, who is partnered with football manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink this series, urged viewers to not troll the stars.

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Lauren, 34, shared a message with her followers before she takes a break from her X platform while the show is on.

She wrote: “Live show tomorrow. That’s me deleting X for now, have fun everyone. Enjoy the show. Don’t be mean. Everyone has feelings and everyone is trying their best. Think before you type. Love.”

Last series Lauren stepped in for Amy Dowden as her replacement after health concerns and danced with JLS singer JB Gill.

Taking to the stage for the inaugural Icons Week, the pair blew the judges away and received an incredible 39 points.

On social media, viewers praised Lauren’s talent – and called for her not to be “benched” next series.

One wrote on X: “NEVER and I mean NEVER not give Lauren a partner again! Love her.”

Another commented: “Dear strictly. never bench lauren oakley again. thank you.”

A third chimed in: “Lauren Oakley is SO SO good.

“Its an absolute crime she was never given a partner this year.”

A fourth remarked: “lauren better get a partner next year i will start a riot if not #strictly.”

In 2023, Lauren partnered newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy, with the pair placing 8th overall.

Strictly Come Dance 2025 lineup

Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up

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Love Island 2025’s Harry was surprised to hear what host Maya Jama really thought of him and Shakira reuniting and making it to the final after recent comments on the series

Love Island host Maya Jama wasted no time in telling runners-up Shakira and Harry what she really thought of their romance during the live final on Monday night. The pair have been on and off and in multiple triangles throughout the series.

But in the last week or so, the Love Island pair reconciled against all odds and seemed to be in it for good this time. Despite dividing viewers and co-stars with their latest reunion, host Maya surprised Harry with what she had to say on Monday.

The presenter gave her true thoughts on the pair, having called out Harry for his behaviour towards Helena and others in a previous episode. It comes as Toni and Cach were announced as this year’s winners, beating Shakira and harry to the prize money.

READ MORE: Love Island: All Stars to return for ‘extended’ third series despite thousands of complaintsREAD MORE: All the Love Island couples who are still together ahead of 2025 final

Harry shared his shock though, as Maya admitted this time it felt different between them. Having seen clips of them together for the final week and the final day, she said watching them she could see it was genuine.

She shared: “Well you both look very happy with each other. It’s nice to see you two together in the final. You both look really… I dunno. The last couple of days I’ve been watching you like, this is cute. This is cute.”

Harry couldn’t hide the shock on his face as he said: “Yeah? I never thought you’d say that to me, Maya.” Agreeing, she replied: “I know, can you believe it? Me calling you cute.

“But you are here in the final. There is obviously something the public have seen that is obviously giving love story.” It comes as the All Stars series was confirmed to return to ITV2 and ITVX for a third series in 2026.

Speaking on the renewal, Mike Spencer-Hayter, Creative Director at Lifted Entertainment, said: “Love Island: All Stars has quickly established itself as a stand-alone hit, keeping fans of the show gripped by iconic Islanders from the past 10 years returning for another chance to find love.

“We are very excited about series 3 and you can expect the twists and turns to continue in All Stars, after an incredible smash hit summer series.” The second series of Love Island : All Stars aired earlier this year, and was won by Gabby Allen and Case O’Gorman. The series also saw the reunion of Ronnie Vint and Harriet Blackmore – but it didn’t come without complaints.

In February, the show lodged over 2,000 complaints to Ofcom in its final week, as fans fumed at various stars for their “bullying behaviour”. On February 12, there were 1,347 complaints, followed by 820 on February 11, 63 on February 13 and 57 on February 16.

The February 12 episode saw Ekin-Su and Elma clash over the latter’s comment about Ekin-Su and Curtis having the weakest connection. Things only got worse between the group when Ekin-Su had kissed Sammy during the heart rate challenge. During the argument, an angry Elma swore at Ekin-Su and Curtis and told them to “shut their mouths”.

Love Island 2025 airs every night at 9PM on ITV2 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has been tipped in some quarters as the next England head coach, but the man himself insists Brendon McCullum is the best man for the job and he has no interest in replacing the Kiwi

Andrew Flintoff insists he has no interest in succeeding Brendon McCullum as England head coach. Flintoff is overseeing the fortunes of England Lions and Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, having returned to cricket following his Top Gear crash that left him with severe facial and rib injuries.

He has been linked with the top England post, possibly if McCullum opts against extending his contract with the national side that covers all three formats and runs up to and including the 2027 World Cup. But Flintoff rejected the notion, instead choosing to highlight how big a fan of McCullum he is, likening the New Zealander’s influence to Sir Gareth Southgate with the England football team from 2016-24.

Asked about the prospect of taking over from McCullum, the 2005 Ashes hero told the Stick to Cricket podcast: “It’s not something I’m looking at, Baz McCullum is incredible – the best England coach.

“He’s unbelievable and the culture he’s created is incredible. It’s similar to what Gareth Southgate did with the football lads; they are not just good players but great lads as well.

“I’m enjoying working under Keysy (England managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key), it’s no secret he’s one of my best mates and he’s helped me so much in other things. With Baz, we’ve got a great relationship and the utmost respect.”

READ MORE: Freddie Flintoff ‘so proud’ as refugee star of hit BBC show makes cricket debutREAD MORE: Freddie Flintoff reveals how cricket instincts saved his life in horror Top Gear crash

Flintoff, a former England captain, initially joined then white-ball head coach Matthew Mott’s backroom team on an ad-hoc basis in September 2023 although he did not travel to that year’s World Cup in India.

He was, however, involved afterwards and part of England’s coaching staff at last year’s T20 World Cup, which following a semi-final exit led to Australian Mott’s sacking.

Flintoff last year lifted the Superchargers to within a whisker of the knockout stages in his first season, after they had finished bottom of the standings the year before, while he presided over a tour to Australia last winter with the Lions, who have recently drawn two unofficial Tests against India A.

The 47-year-old former all-rounder added: “Honestly, at the moment, I feel as though I’m in the perfect place working with the Lions. I don’t see this as a stepping stone to anything else, I’m invested in this and get a chance to work with these lads.

“I’m not looking at the franchise world or anything else, although I do the Northern Superchargers which came around last year and I enjoy working with (Superchargers captain) Harry Brook on that.

“I’ve been guilty of, in the TV world and in retirement, of always looking for the next thing, chasing things.

“I’m actually really happy, working with great lads and great staff around me. I think ‘I’ve got a job to do here’ and it’s not like ‘what’s next?’.”

Helena ended things with Harry after she found out he had kissed Yasmin three times in the Hideaway behind her back, but after she pulled him aside for a difficult discussion viewers think they know how she really feels about her former flame

Tensions have escalated in the Love Island villa with Helena Ford set to confront Harry Cooksley for what she wants to be the final time tonight, and fans think they have worked out her true feelings towards him.

In tonight’s (23 June) dramatic episode of the ITV reality show, the Islanders faced another recoupling ceremony where the girls got to choose who they wanted to couple up with this time. After Helena decided to move on with somebody else, she took Harry aside for a difficult chat where she let him know exactly where she stands after his sneaking around in the Hideaway.

She told him: “I know we said yesterday we’d be friends but I can’t be your mate in here, you’ve not even apologised for anything that you’ve done.”

Harry attempted to explain his actions, saying: “I thought it was too good, I’ve done it in the past where I self-sabotage because I think it’s too good to be true. I’m 30 years old I get it, I’m not making excuses, but all I’ve ever seen is things with an expiry date.”

But Helena stood strong, replying: “It’s done now, you can’t go back on it. I can’t really be around you right now.” While she appeared quite upset by how Harry had treated her, and seemed on the verge of tears as she walked away from their conversation, fans thought this exchange proved that she doesn’t actually care about him and is only jealous that he has moved on to someone new.

One fan took to X, saying: “I see right through Helena and her jealousy for Shakira, you only want Harry now cause he’s moved onto Shakira.” Another agreed: “Helena doesn’t even like Harry. Her ego just can’t handle that he chose Shakira over her.”

A third chimed in, adding: “I don’t want to hear Helena slag Shakira off today for being with Harry. I hope she keeps her anger directed at Harry.”

The conversation with Helena left Harry visibly emotional, and Dejon later tried to comfort him, saying: “I’m gonna pray tonight and hope there’s a miracle you two can get back together.”

But a despondent Harry replied: “There ain’t no me and Helena. I’ve got to forget about it for now.” Helena’s announcement that she is no longer willing to even be around Harry comes after she was shocked by the discovery that Harry snuck off to the Hideaway with Yasmin, where they shared three kisses.

He initially denied the extent of what happened, which led to him being berated by one of the girls in the villa. After it came out that Harry had been dishonest about how many times he locked lips with Yasmin, Megan put him on blast, shouting: “You owe it to Helena to be f****** honest, you p****… Grow a pair of b******* mate, honestly, grow the f*** up.”

Harry’s rollercoaster experience in the Love Island villa has even been criticised by his own mum, who joked that she has “disowned him” multiple times while watching the ITV dating show during her appearance on Aftersun.

When show host Maya Jama asked her how she felt watching his behaviour live on telly, she groaned: “I’ve disowned him. On more than one occasion. Harry who? Harry who? Oh my God, it just rolls off his tongue, I don’t know. How can you forget the camera’s on you?”

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