Festivals and Music Tours

SHE’S one of the biggest stars in the world, but Kylie Minogue is dreaming of the simple life this Christmas.

Sitting down with Bizarre as she counts down to the big day, the I Should Be So Lucky singer reveals there are no diamonds on her festive wishlist.

Instead, the singer dreams of being invited to a good old-fashioned office Christmas party.

Her new festive album, Kylie Christmas (Fully Wrapped) — out on Friday — even has a track dedicated to the often messy annual do.

On the innuendo-filled song, Office Party, a sultry Kylie can be heard saying: “You know, I’ve never really been to one, but I hear they are lots of fun. So tell me, can we go to one?”

When Bizarre’s Jack questions if Kylie has really never been to an office do via her record label, or if it’s simply artistic licence to make a good song, the chart-topper laughs: “I’ve not! It’s coming from my perspective as I wrote it.

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“We’ve had office parties but it’s backstage somewhere. I’ve never worked in an office so it’s kind of like a fantasy for me.”

After we joke that she’s really glamourising the mundane nine-to-five that most people endure, Kylie giggles: “I appreciate it’s the day-to-day but it’s kind of, like, everything changes at the office party.

“One of the countries we went to on the Tension Tour, the work visa magically puts everyone in a suit. It was hilarious to us but that planted a seed in my mind that for our party, we need to all rock up in grey suits.”

Fair enough, we hear you loud and clear, Kylie.

Seeing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and way to win some serious brownie points at work, Jack quickly invited Kylie to our own bash.

Sadly she had to politely decline as she will be back home in Australia by the time The Sun kicks off the celebrations.

But Jack promised to do a rendition of Can’t Get You Out Of My Head on the karaoke in her honour.

It might be just as well she’ll miss the do if previous years’ excesses are anything to go by.

This time, Jack has been put on a four-drink rule, while Amir from the newsdesk has never truly recovered from 2023’s party.

Also on Kylie’s new album is XMAS — the record’s lead single, which is a collaboration with Amazon Music.

Kylie tells us the track, inspired by the Village People’s 1978 hit YMCA, has been a decade in the making.

She explains: “The song comes from 2015. I was at Soho House in Berlin, it was summer on the terrace and we’d just done the first Christmas album. We’d had a couple of glasses of wine — it wasn’t Kylie Wines back then — and it came to us like YMCA but XMAS. I’ve been sitting on the chorus for ten years.”

The song comes from 2015. I was at Soho House in Berlin, it was summer on the terrace and we’d just done the first Christmas album

Kylie Minogue

The video for the single will be out later this month and sees Kylie perform the famous flying dance move from 1987 film, Dirty Dancing.

Despite being a dancing pro, Kylie feared she would never be able to pull off the move.

She admits: “I was a bit scared as I’ve never done it before. It was a fantasy moment. I was told not to overthink it.

“We did a couple of practices before we did the main one. The thing is, you just need to trust the other person.

“The first one I got up, but I overshot it. The second was fine. The third one was good. The bruises were worth it the next day,” she laughs.

As for her own Christmas plans, Kylie will see in the big day back home in Australia.

Worked relentlessly

She says: “I will probably be tucked away, planning a BBQ. I love a cold Christmas, though. You will see on Fully Wrapped, I am very influenced by a British Christmas.

“I think it can be too hot and we are doing other things in Australia. We celebrate, but it’s different here. Any Aussie will tell you that.”

Next year will see Kylie step back from the spotlight, having worked relentlessly for two years, racking up two UK No1 albums and a 66-date world tour.

But that doesn’t mean she’s putting her feet up.

I will probably be tucked away, planning a BBQ. I love a cold Christmas, though. You will see on Fully Wrapped, I am very influenced by a British Christmas

Kylie Minogue

Kylie says: “It feels like I haven’t stopped. It’s been a gigantic year but I imagine I will be making music just for the love of it and maybe banking some things.

“I could happily be in the studio most of my time. I love it. I find it just gets richer and more satisfying.

“Doing the Christmas album in my breaks of the Tension Tour was maybe not so wise, but I love it.”

Keen not to get fans’ hopes up for a new Kylie record in 2026, she adds: “I don’t know about releasing. I think I should just do the background work . . .  maybe.”

Honestly Kylie, we adore your work ethic and the amount of music you’ve given us recently, but if you want to put your feet up when you’re back in Oz, we totally understand.

XMAS ON HIGH IN No1 RACE

KYLIE will be Spinning Around in excitement now her festive single XMAS, above, has officially entered the race for Christmas No 1.

Last night, the Official Charts revealed the track has jumped 55 places in the midweek charts – leaping from 64 to nine.

Insisting she’s playing down any idea she could nab the top spot, Kylie said: “I’m not counting on it.

“It would be crazy but that’s definitely parked to one side for me.

“I am just happy that ten years have passed since my last Christmas album and we are all here still going.”

KYLIE fans looking for early Christmas presents are in luck.

A Kylie pop-up shop is coming to London’s Battersea Power Station this Friday.

Open all weekend, it will offer gifts such as signed test pressings and limited-edition vinyl.

I SHOULD BE SO PLUCKY  

KYLIE has done things in her career the rest of us can only dream of.
But she’s never cooked a turkey.

The singer admits she leaves the cooking to sister Dannii and brother Brendan.

She said: “I’ve never cooked a turkey, though I have roasted other things. But I’m not a natural. It’s not my natural habitat, no.”

She adds: “My brother and sister are very present in the kitchen.

“I’m there, I’m sous chef and I’m available for anything that needs doing.

“But everyone’s families are like that, aren’t they? You know your place, don’t rock the system, don’t rock the boat. We all just want to get through Christmas.”

I WATCH the sun slowly drop away behind the sandy horizon, as the sky transforms into a dozen magical shades of yellow and orange.

My tour group had decided to make a quick photo stop ahead of our dune-bashing tour in the Qatari desert, with aptly named driver Basham.

And we were so glad we did.

This is my first time visiting the Middle East and a 4×4 excursion across the vast sands is the perfect start to my stay in Doha, Qatar’s capital.

After soaking up the sunset, I’m led back to my huge vehicle by Basham who spends the next 30 minutes putting both car and passengers through their paces.

It’s an exhilarating experience, soaring over the ridges of the tall dunes and veering towards the edges of sandbanks at ferociously high speed.

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Doha certainly isn’t short of action-packed day trips for adrenaline junkies.

If the dune-bashing isn’t your thing, visitors can also get their kicks at Doha Quest, an indoor theme park that is home to more than 30 rides and attractions including the world’s tallest indoor rollercoaster Epiq Coaster.

If you’re more of a sun worshipper, the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park at the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort will be the place for you.

There are 30 thrilling slides and rides here, although the lazy river is the most addictive in my opinion — I could spend hours bobbing around on the water, floating serenely around the park.

But if you prefer an adrenaline hit, there are spine-tingling rides here, too.

I swear that I saw some airtime on the Whizzard Mat Racer, a sheer-drop slide that sends riders plummeting towards a blue foam mat.

Qatar isn’t just about thrills and spills, though.

The Middle Eastern country is also a hub for major sporting events, including Formula 1.

Experiencing the Qatar Grand Prix up close is a must for any petrolhead — and I was able to do just that through a package booking with Qatar Airways, a global partner of Formula 1.

Affordable luxury

The airline rolls flights, hotel and F1 tickets into one, making it much easier for Brits who have maybe never visited Qatar before.

I relished every second of watching drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris speed around the circuit, lap after lap.

You can be sure that I jumped at the chance to go on a pit-lane walk, too, which took me past the teams’ garages where I could take hundreds of pictures and videos.

And you would be a fool to miss out on a tour of the track in a huge open-top truck before the race gets under way — I was able to feel all the twists and turns that the racers would be experiencing during the race, although at an admittedly much slower speed.

After all that excitement, I was grateful that my hotel, the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, has just over two miles of private beaches, where I could flop on a sun lounger with fantastic views over the glittering Arabian Gulf.

Even the most basic room here feels luxurious, thanks to the huge wooden headboard towering behind the plush bed, a spacious sofa area where holidaymakers can relax to the max after a day of snoozing by the pool, and glass double doors opening on to a large balcony.

That’s the real highlight of Doha — luxury has a much more affordable price tag. Rooms here cost from around £188 with breakfast, which considering the quality and detail is impressive value.

The food is high-end, too. For classic Qatari and Middle Eastern flavours, head to the on-site Levantine restaurant, where you can pick up some excellent kofte for under £20.

If you’re looking to really push the boat out, though, the Raffles Doha hotel will blow your socks off.

Rooms cost from £335 per night here, but this is still a a lot less than most other hotels in the Raffles chain, including The OWO in London where rooms can cost just shy of £1,000 per night.

Raffles Doha occupies half of the prestigious Katara Towers. These U-shaped buildings are a symbol of Qatar’s national seal, representing traditional scimitar swords.

It’s the height of luxury, from its grand lobby all the way through to its suites and restaurants — and the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion.

Decked out with hardwood floors, mirrors and golden motifs, my spacious suite was a luxurious haven — and even came with a personalised butler service.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offered fantastic views over the Arabian Gulf and, if you can brave the morning heat, a warm brew on the terrace is the perfect way to start your day.

I was too focused on heading to downstairs to eat at L’Artisan, a restaurant that whips up the very best breakfast omelettes I’ve ever eaten.

You might want to keep food to a minimum if you’re heading out dune-bashing, though.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS is set to make a return to touring the UK next year as he will perform ‘Life Thru A Lens’ and ‘BRITPOP’ in full.

The former ‘Take That’ star announced on October 10 that he would be touring the UK to celebrate the release of his future album ‘BRITPOP’.

On the tour, he will be performing his first solo debut Number One album ‘Life Thru A Lens’, which contains songs like ‘Angels’ and ‘Let Me Entertain You’.

Along with his old album, Robbie will also be performing his next project ‘BRITPOP’ in full. 

That album was scheduled to be released on October 10, the same day he announced the tour, but was delayed due to supposed scheduling issues.

However during his gig at the Camden’s Dingwalls last month, Robbie said: “We’re all pretending it’s not about Taylor Swift, but it f***ing is.”

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The humorous statement was said to the crowd in reference to the release of her album, ‘The Life Of A Showgirl’ that dropped on the same day Robbie’s was supposed to. 

The 51-year-old pop icon holds several records for live performances, including the Guinness World Record for his 2006 world tour- where he sold more than 1.6 million tickets in a single day.

But the question is, how do you find tickets for his next UK tour?

When are the Robbie Williams’ 2026 tour dates?

Robbie Williams has four dates set for his UK tour.

The venues are spread across Glasgow, Liverpool, London and Wolverhampton and are scheduled for early February next year.

Here is the full schedule for his UK tour:

• 4th February 2026, Barrowlands Ballroom, Glasgow
• 6th February 2026, Liverpool Olympia, Liverpool
• 8th February 2026, O2 Academy Brixton, London
• 9th February 2026, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

How to buy tickets for Robbie Williams 2026 shows?

Tickets for Robbie Williams’ ‘Long 90s’ tour went on sale on Friday, November 28.

You can find tickets on:

“LADIES and gentlemen, the Rolling Stones!”

For decades, those six simple words have heralded the arrival on stage of the world’s greatest rock and roll band.

The announcement most likely paves the way for the raw, staccato thrill of Start Me Up, followed by at least two more hours of music mayhem.

It is the moment when all the work put in by the band’s creative director and lighting designer, Patrick Woodroffe, comes to fruition.

Since the 1982 tour supporting the Tattoo You album, Woodroffe and his team have been tasked with shining the spotlight on the Stones — literally.

It has been their job to showcase the swagger of Mick Jagger, the laid-back riffing of Keith Richards, the playful interaction of Ronnie Wood and the effortlessly cool drumming of the late Charlie Watts.

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Woodroffe

We know ever-energetic Jagger struts across cavernous stages in front of vast crowds, but Woodroffe says: “Keith once told me that Mick could perform on a coffee table, and it would still be great. Our job is simply to provide a setting in which he can work.”

Although the Stones’ age-defying shows continue to this day, fans and casual observers alike are being invited to step back in time to 1990 for what the band calls “a bigger, louder and more immersive” experience.

From December 10, the fabled film, Rolling Stones — At The Max, returns to select IMAX and Cineworld venues across the UK.

‘Visual narrative’

First released in 1991 and now remastered, it captures the previous year’s Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tour in all its raging glory and is also notable for the final performances with the band of bassist Bill Wyman.

The film was shot in three European cities, London (Wembley Stadium), Turin and, less than two months before the reunification of Germany, East Berlin.

Using eight IMAX cameras, it was the first full concert movie to be shown on the giant screens and featured a typically storming set.

Rocking live staples were present and correct — Honky Tonk Women, Sympathy For The Devil, Street Fighting Man, Brown Sugar and the Stones’ favourite finale (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.

Jagger gives a vocal masterclass on mid-Sixties classics, Ruby Tuesday and Paint It Black, while Richards takes his customary turn at the mic for a rousing Happy.

There’s room for live rarity 2000 Light Years From Home, which first appeared on the Stones’ psychedelic 1967 outing, Their Satanic Majesties Request.

And for several tracks on newly minted Steel Wheels — Sad Sad Sad, Rock

And A Hard Place, and a wild, experimental sonic adventure called Continental Drift.

So, which songs in the live repertoire make for particularly dramatic visuals?

“Certain numbers are considered production numbers,” says Woodroffe.

“Sympathy For The Devil is a good example as is Gimme Shelter.

I met Mick for the first time that night in a tiny dressing room under the stage just before the show

Woodroffe

“These are powerful songs, typically longer than most, which allow time to build a visual narrative. For Sympathy, we set the stage on fire! Not literally of course, but smoke machines, flame effects and pulsing red lights give a pretty good impression of it.”

To celebrate the 2025 At The Max refresh, I’m speaking to Woodroffe about his association with the Stones, which stretches back to the early Eighties.

He recalls his initial dealings with Jagger and Co: “The first show I ever made for the Rolling Stones was at the Capitol Theatre in Aberdeen in the summer of 1982.

“It was also the first show for our musical director, Chuck Leavell. So he and I share the distinction of being the longest- serving Stones employees, something we are both very proud of.”

Woodroffe remembers a fateful encounter in that north-eastern corner of Scotland: “I met Mick for the first time that night in a tiny dressing room under the stage just before the show.

“His only direction to me then was, ‘Bright for the first numbers and darker for the ballads’. Not bad advice and something I have followed for the last 45 years.”

So, I venture, how involved have the band members been in the process of designing, lighting and staging a show?

He replies: “Mick and Charlie have been the most involved with helping our set designer Mark Fisher to develop designs for tours. But Ronnie and Keith have also been very aware of the stages on which they perform.

“Keith always refers to the stage as ‘The Office’.”

I always watch a Stones show in two very distinct ways

Woodroffe

Next, Woodroffe talks of the strong rapport he has built up over the years: “Much of the success of the relationship I have with the band is simply based on longevity.

“There is a real shorthand and understanding of what we’re all doing to create these shows, so communication is easy.

“But I’m also genuinely enthusiastic about my work and I think that probably has some resonance with the band.

“I’ve always loved their music — and having a job that allows me to be a part of their world is hugely gratifying.”

Over the years, Woodroffe has learned how to highlight the band in different settings.

“I always watch a Stones show in two very distinct ways,” he says.

“The first is to make sure that our part of it is right in terms of the lighting, the staging and the video content.

“The second is to understand the audience who come to watch the band — and that changes every night.

“An audience of 60,000 in a giant stadium in Tokyo is a very different beast from a club show in Paris or a run of shows at Madison Square Garden.

“It is how an audience acts, how they respond to the band emotionally and, more to the point, how the band responds to them.

“That is something that’s unique from show to show.”

This brings us to the challenges of staging the 1990 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tours with At The Max in mind.

Woodroffe says: “Stones shows are often filmed for either live broadcast or simply as a record of a tour.

“Each time, lighting and the staging is adjusted to capture the show on film but, for the IMAX project, we were in unknown territory.

“No one had done anything like this before and everything was different, particularly the cameras themselves, which were enormous and took three people to run them.

“The film cartridges also only lasted 12 minutes, at which point another three people had to reload the film canisters.

‘Huge spectacle’

“Unlike a normal video shoot where a TV monitor can show us instant results and can therefore be adjusted on the fly, the IMAX system had no facility for this.

“Instead, we would shoot something one night, the film would then be flown to the States to be processed, then flown back again to Europe where we would have to find an IMAX cinema near wherever we were touring.

A Stones performance is an interesting mix of huge spectacle — sound, light, video and pyrotechnics — with intimate performance where the heart and soul of this extraordinary band is there for all to see

Woodroffe

“Then we’d go to watch the rushes at one o’clock in the morning when the theatre was empty!”

Next, I ask Woodroffe how he and his team went about achieving the right atmosphere for such big screens?

He answers: “A Stones performance is an interesting mix of huge spectacle — sound, light, video and pyrotechnics — with intimate performance where the heart and soul of this extraordinary band is there for all to see.

“Getting that balance right is key to a successful concert and, on the IMAX film, we achieved that with real success.

“With all the talk of immersive experiences, At The Max is as immersive as it gets.

“You really do feel as if you were there and the Rolling Stones are performing just for you!”

Like the rest of us, the Stones and their production team are only human, so I’m keen to find out if things ever go wrong.

“Things always go wrong on some level!” says Woodroffe. “But it’s usually quite easy to hide them. Even something as obvious as a microphone going down can easily just be considered part of the energy of a live performance.

“But, in the 45 years I’ve worked with the band, we’ve never lost a show because of a technical issue.

“After all, that famous mantra ‘the show must go on’ applies to us as much as anyone.”

Woodroffe’s career goes back to 1973 and he has lit and directed shows for many artists who sit at rock and pop’s top table.

Among them are AC/DC, The Police, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Lady Gaga — but who are his favourite artists to work with, aside from the Stones, of course?

‘My soundtrack’

Woodroffe tells me: “All an audience ever wants to see from an artist or a performer is authenticity.

“However staged or considered or planned a concert might be, it is that connection between the artist and audience that matters — more than any special effect or fancy costume. And the Stones are nothing but authentic.

“I think Stevie Wonder is probably the one other artist that I felt the most connected to other than the Stones, which is of course ironic as Stevie has never seen my work.

“But his music was the soundtrack of my life and growing up. So, to be a part of interpreting that with light and colour, helping him to share it with an audience, was a privilege.”

Woodroffe reserves his final comment for the Rolling Stones, giving a clue to his strong and enduring relationship with them.

“I consider myself a fan and a friend.”

Like the rest of us, the Stones and their production team are only human, so I’m keen to find out if things ever go wrong.

I consider myself a fan and a friend

Woodroffe

“Things always go wrong on some level!” says Woodroffe. “But it’s usually quite easy to hide them. Even something as obvious as a microphone going down can easily just be considered part of the energy of a live performance.

“But, in the 45 years I’ve worked with the band, we’ve never lost a show because of a technical issue.

“After all, that famous mantra ‘the show must go on’ applies to us as much as anyone.”

Woodroffe’s career goes back to 1973 and he has lit and directed shows for many artists who sit at rock and pop’s top table.

Among them are AC/DC, The Police, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Lady Gaga — but who are his favourite artists to work with, aside from the Stones, of course?

‘My soundtrack’

Woodroffe tells me: “All an audience ever wants to see from an artist or a performer is authenticity.

“However staged or considered or planned a concert might be, it is that connection between the artist and audience that matters — more than any special effect or fancy costume. And the Stones are nothing but authentic.

“I think Stevie Wonder is probably the one other artist that I felt the most connected to other than the Stones, which is of course ironic as Stevie has never seen my work.

“But his music was the soundtrack of my life and growing up. So, to be a part of interpreting that with light and colour, helping him to share it with an audience, was a privilege.”

Woodroffe reserves his final comment for the Rolling Stones, giving a clue to his strong and enduring relationship with them.

“I consider myself a fan and a friend.”

JESSIE J has taken a leaf out of Jennifer Lopez’s book and taken aim at her Hollywood ex on her new music.

Earlier this year, J-Lo slammed Ben Affleck on track Wreckage of You after her marriage to the actor broke down.

Now Jessie has let rip at Channing Tatum, who she dated from 2018 to 2020, on her album Don’t Tease Me With A Good Time, which is out on Friday.

On the not-so-subtle track Threw It Away, Jessie brands a former flame a “beast”.

She sings: “I put my heart out on the table, that’s when it got uncomfortable. But oh that karma is gonna come one day, ’cause I gave you my love and you threw it away.”

She later adds: “Don’t you dare rewrite the story. I’m the beauty, you’re the beast.”

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‘I’m better person’

Taking to the stage at an exclusive listening party for the album in West London, Jessie did not mention the Magic Mike star by name.

But she left little doubt among fans who the track is about.

She said: “This next song I wrote in 2020 with Ryan Tedder, and you can figure out who I was dating.”

After taking time out over the summer to undergo treatment for breast cancer, Jessie is working at full pace.

Opening up about her health battle, Jessie said: “I’m grateful for the lessons and grateful for the connectivity it’s given me with so many people having cancer.

“And I’ve been a better parent, I’ve been a better person.”

TO the deafening screams of 60,000 fans in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Noel and Liam Gallagher took their final bow on the last night of their epic, 41-date Oasis reunion tour last night.

And now all us fans are talking about is what will come next for the brothers — with rumblings about possible shows at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester and Knebworth, Herts, along with ­whispers about a new greatest hits album.

Noel had previously put a record together featuring Oasis classics and B-sides from the band’s four albums released between 2000 and 2009.

But Liam put paid to his plans for the release, with Noel later admitting in 2023: “He wouldn’t have it in the end — I don’t know why.

“I gave up f***ing arguing.”

Insiders said reprising this project is among plans being floated behind the scenes.

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“This tour has gone better than anyone could have imagined,” my source tells me.

“Noel and Liam will both be taking a long break to compute the magnitude of this tour.

“Being back together on stage has been incredible for both of them, and to have guitarist ­Bonehead back with them for the last shows has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“They’re aware of what their fans want and know the demand would be there if they did decide to put out a new greatest hits album — or to play more shows.”

So far, five separate music insiders have told me about the proposed Etihad residency next summer, along with a slew of shows at Knebworth.

Offers have also been made to Oasis to play Coachella in the US and Benicassim in Spain.

My insider added: “Steven Knight’s film from behind the scenes of the tour will give fans something to look forward to while they wait for Noel and Liam to decide what is coming up next.

“The offers are theirs for the taking.”

Those close to the pair insist there are no plans on the table right now.

But given how quickly the ­initial reunion came to pass, I’d put nothing past Noel and Liam.

The latter is definitely keen to keep the momentum, posting on X last week: “We need to sit down and discuss these things.

“If it was all up to me then you know we’d be touring till the day we die as it’s the best thing in the world but unfortunately it’s not.”

Noel, you know what you have to do.

SZA AND SHABS’ SWEET MUSIC

HER two studio albums have been packed with songs about love, loss and everything in between, so I’m sure SZA will have plenty to write about on her next record, as she is dating again.

The Kill Bill singer, who headlined Glastonbury last year, is believed to be secretly seeing Shaboozey, who is best known for his No3 hit A Bar Song (Tipsy) which soared up the charts last summer.

While she previously dated rapper Drake, Shaboozey was linked to model Emily Ratajkowski last year.

And now they have grown close and are constantly liking each other’s posts on social media.

They attended a GQ Men of the Year party together in Los Angeles earlier this month, but made sure to maintain their distance, in a bid to keep their romance quiet.

However, they’ve both got eager fanbases who are over the moon about the prospect of these two becoming an item.

One thing’s for sure: if they make a song together, it will be fantastic.

KATY’S LIMB AND A STAIR

KATY PERRY prompted a few stairs from people as she fooled about on an escalator.

The singer did practically everything but stand politely to one side as she performed the splits both the right way up and upside down.

She then appeared to take a snooze on the handrail in snaps taken on the set of the video to her latest single Bandaids.

Katy, whose shoelace is seen getting stuck in the moving staircase in the promo, wrote on Instagram: “Doing all the things your mom said not to do on the escalator but also: myth-busting a childhood fear. You’re welcome.”

Myths busted or not, I think I’ll stick to using them as intended.

DENISE: I’LL SLAYYY TOP TEN

DESPITE five No1 albums, THE 1975 have never topped the singles chart.

Now frontman Matty Healy’s mum, actress Denise Welch, is aiming to rub their noses in it by trying for the Christmas No1.

Yes, you did read that right. Today she has surprised the nation with an unexpected festive hyperpop single titled Slayyy Bells.

Described as “part carol, part club classic”, the song is being released in collaboration with choccy brand Celebrations.

Loose Women star Denise, above, said: “I love Christmas, but sometimes I want to shake things up a bit.

“We don’t always have to have turkey, or do charades.

“We can celebrate this special holiday our way. This remix, apart from being cool, catchy and a sure-fire hit, is all about having fun.

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“So stay in your PJs, have your dinner at night if you like, and dance around the tree with a Celebrations box on your head.

“Once you’ve eaten them, that is.”

RAPPER Donald Glover has revealed he cancelled his tour because he suffered a stroke on stage.

The actor, 42, previously told how he needed to focus on his “physical health” when he scrapped the North American gigs in September 2024.

Glover, who performs under the stage name Childish Gambino, initially shared the unfortunate news he was cancelling to his 2.5 million followers on X.

After he then called off the UK tour leg for The New World Tour, he told fans he needed surgery – but did not reveal why.

Now he has told how he suffered a stroke – and how medics also found a hole in his heart.

He spoke out at the Camp Flog Gnaw Festival at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles last night, after performing a set.

He told the crowds: “I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana, and I did the show anyway.

“I couldn’t really see well, so when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital, and the doctor was like, ‘You had a stroke.

“And the first thing I thought was like, ‘Oh, here I am still copying Jamie Foxx’ [the actor who suffered a stroke in 2023].

“That’s really like the second thing. The first thing was like, ‘I’m letting everybody down.’”

He then added how more medical woe was to come and said: “I broke my foot, they found a hole in my heart.

“So I had this surgery, and then I had to have another surgery.

“They say everybody has two lives, and the second life starts when you realise you have one.

“You should be living your life how you want. If we have to do this again, it can only get better.”

HEALTH BATTLES

After canceling his UK tour in 2024, the star released a brief statement.

He said “After my show in New Orleans, I went to the hospital in Houston to make sure of an ailment that had become apparent.

“After being assessed, it became clear I would not perform that night, and after more tests, I could not perform the rest of the US tour in the time asked.

“As of now I have surgery scheduled and need time out to heal.”

He continued: “My path to recovery is something that I need to confront seriously.

“With that said, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the North American tour and the UK and European dates.

“Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.

“I want nothing more than to bring this show to the fans and perform.

“Until then, thanks for love, privacy and support.”

The New World Tour started on August 11 2024 in Oklahoma and wrapped up in New Orleans on September 7th.

Childish Gambino was due to perform in Lyon, France, on October 31st.

Followed by a number of other shows in Italy, Germany, Norway, Denmark and Belgium.

RETIREMENT

The New World Tour was the sixth and final scheduled tour by Childish Gambino.

Earlier this year the singer revealed his plans to retire.

“It really was just like, ‘Oh, it’s done,’” he told The New York Times in July 2024.

“It’s not fulfilling. And I just felt like I didn’t need to build in this way anymore.”

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“I’m not 25 anymore, standing in front of a boulder like, ‘This has to move,’” Donald said.

“You give what you can, but there’s beauty everywhere in every moment. You don’t have to build it. You don’t have to search for it.”

VICTORIA Beckham is embracing her Spice Girls past more than ever – leaving many convinced she’s sewing the seeds for an announcement that will send fans into meltdown. 

For years Victoria, 51, has been The Grinch of the Spice Girls, refusing to join Mel B, Emma Bunton, Melanie C and Geri Horner on tour in 2019 and making several comments about how she’s moved on from the group. 

But the fashion designer has dropped many hints in recent months that Posh Spice is coming out of retirement. 

The biggest clue yet came when she uploaded a clip of her make-up free and singing a live acoustic version of one of their biggest hits, despite being open about insecurities surrounding her voice. 

Next year marks three decades since Spice Girls took over the world with debut single Wannabe and – with Scary, Baby, Sporty and Ginger keen to mark the occasion in a big way – here’s all the clues Victoria will finally perform with them again. 

Stadium temptation

For music fans, this summer was dominated by the historic Oasis reunion tour which saw brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher perform together for the first time in 16 years. 

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Demand for tickets was so high that thousands of people were left gutted to miss out – but Victoria wasn’t one of them.

She attended one of the Wembley Stadium gigs with husband David, 50, and their children and the iconic show clearly had her feeling nostalgic.

Victoria shared a clip of David enjoying himself at the concert and tagged all of her former bandmates, adding: “Tempting…”

During their 2019 reunion tour, Spice Girls sold out 13 stadium dates – including three nights at Wembley – which grossed an estimated £55million.

So you can’t blame Posh for wanting a slice of it this time around…

Posh residency

Since launching her eponymous luxury fashion brand in 2008, Victoria has made it clear it’s her priority professionally.

Discussing her decision not to join Mel B, 50, Emma, 49, Melanie C, 51, and 53-year-old Geri on tour in 2019, she told Vogue Germany: “It took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again.

“But to be the one who says, ‘You know, I’m not doing it because things feel different now than they used to’.”

She added: “I’d rather concentrate on my family and my company. I’m 45 now and very happy to be the woman I am…”

But, while touring all over the world may be out of the question for Victoria and her business, she recently confessed the idea of a Vegas residency is one that appeals to her.

Speaking to Andy Cohen on Sirius XM, she said: “It would be tempting.

“But could I take on a world tour? No I can’t. I have a job…

“How good would the Spice Girls be at the Sphere! I love the idea of it. I mean I don’t know if I could even still sing, I mean I was never that great!”

The 20,000-capacity concert hall features wraparound screens and has hosted residencies from U2, The Eagles and Backstreet Boys, with No Doubt set to reunite there for 12 dates next May.

Spice Girls forever

Right from the start, Victoria was labelled as the ‘Posh one who doesn’t sing’.

And it was all because – due to a prior family commitment – she missed the final recording session for Wannabe, meaning she was the only member without a solo.

Writing in her 2001 autobiography Learning To Fly, Victoria recalled trying to write the track over the phone with the girls – calling missing the session one of her biggest regrets.

She wrote at the time: “It did make a difference, because by the time it came to recording, performing and singing it, all the parts had been divided up between the rest of them.

“And every time we performed it I just felt like a gooseberry standing at the back not doing anything. 

“And I used to say to my mum, ‘God, they’ll say I’m the one who doesn’t sing’. And she’d say, ‘Don’t worry, Victoria, no one will notice’.

“But they did notice. And to this day it’s what always gets thrown at me: Posh Spice, the one who doesn’t sing.”

Victoria has always been ahead of the joke about her vocals and recently quipped: “[My voice] wasn’t off-key, but it was small. Sometimes, they just turned my mic off.”

But she almost broke the internet when she sat down for a stripped back acoustic performance of Viva Forever with son Cruz, 20.

The incredible video sent fans wild, with one writing: “My fave song ever. Goosebumps listening it on your beautiful voice!”

And another said: “This gave me goosebumps… so iconic.”

But it was Melanie C’s comment that set tongues wagging, as she wrote: “Love this. Getting a head start on rehearsals.”

Mum guilt

Despite her reservations about singing with the girls again, Victoria has always been proud of their legacy.

Speaking in her recent Netflix documentary she admitted she “wouldn’t have been who I am now if it wasn’t for the Spice Girls, 100 per cent”.

Victoria added: “People love the Spice Girls. I love the Spice Girls. I’m so proud of that.”

And the mum-of-five joked David “mum-guilted” her into joining the group for their 2007 world tour.

In the series, he said: “Our kids weren’t around to see their mum be a Spice Girl!”

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And Victoria quipped: “He mum-guilted me!”

And, given Cruz’s recent duet with his former pop star mum, there’s no doubt David and the kids will be encouraging Victoria to dust off her little Gucci dress at least one more time.

AFTER their split in 2010 and cancelled reunion tour in 2020, I can reveal that The Pussycat Dolls are talking about getting back together.

I’ve heard that Kimberly Wyatt has been telling pals the girls have ironed out their issues and are reforming.

The band also featured Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Carmit Bachar and Melody Thornton.

Members began leaving in in 2008, but the girls continued to make music before splitting in 2010.

A source said: “Kimberly has been open about the fact the girls have sorted out their issues.

“She also told pals they’ve been discussing a tour.

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“The Pussycat Dolls certainly had their differences over the years, but a comeback would send fans wild.”

Ashley, Kimberly, Jessica, Carmit and Nicole were set to go on tour in 2020 – but after the pandemic scuppered their plan, the idea was later cancelled.

Let’s hope nothing comes in the way of this reunion.

The Dolls started off as a burlesque troupe but in 2003 Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton and Kaya Jones joined Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Kimberly Wyatt to form the group.

Kaya went solo in 2004 and Carmit left in 2008.

They split for good in 2010 but got back together in 2020.

LET the festive fun begin, with this year’s Christmas attractions bigger and brighter than ever.

Dazzling light and music trails, marvellous markets, winter wonderlands, super Santa steam trains, pantos and ice rinks have popped up all over the UK.

Trisha Harbord picks out a selection of events to make Christmas go with a ho, ho, ho.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

ASHRIDGE HOUSE

SEE a stunning light trail from the air.

A 115ft observation wheel is at the heart of 20 spectacular displays at Ashridge House Illuminated this winter.

The sparkling one-mile trail winds through the estate’s beautiful gardens in Berkhamsted, Herts, with a super-festive food village.

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The big bonus is if the weather is bad, you can swap tickets for another day.

GO: November 27-January 1. Adult £23.50, child £14.40.

See ashridgehouse.org.uk.

LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK

WALLACE & Gromit are getting in on the fun at Longleat’s Festival of Light.

The characters will be shining bright along with Shaun the Sheep in his Mossy Bottom Farm.

Follow the lantern trail at the Wiltshire safari park to walk under a 50ft Tower Bridge, travel through Stonehenge and visit Blackpool seaside resort.

GO: Until January 11. Adult from £39.95, child from £20.95. Under-threes go free.

See longleat.co.uk.

GULLIVER’S WORLD RESORT

WANDER through a mile-long Land of Lights trail at Gulliver’s World resorts.

The theme parks, in Warrington, Cheshire, Milton Keynes and Rotherham, Yorks, have been transformed into 12 dream worlds, including a Jurassic zone, filled with glowing lanterns and installations.

Santa’s enchanted elevator will take you on a virtual flight to the North Pole.

GO: Until January 31. Adult from £39, and from £9 for child.

See gulliversworldresort.co.uk.

TWYCROSS ZOO

MARVEL at the Gruffalo lanterns experience.

The beloved book character is included in spectacular displays, featuring ten wild habitats from eight continents at Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire.

Lanterns Of The Wild has more than 2,000 lanterns in rainforests and oceans depicting thousands of animals and plants including elephants, monkeys and penguins.

GO: Until February 22. Adult from £19, child £13.95.

See twycrosszoo.org.

KENWOOD HOUSE

TINKERBELL will be scattering her fairy dust along a Peter Pan-themed trail this Christmas.

Dazzling lighting and atmospheric sound recreate the favourite children’s story at London’s Kenwood House.

You’ll be transported through the Lost Boys’ secret hideout, Captain Hook’s ship and the Darling family home with a feast of treats along the way.

GO: Until January 3. Adult from £20, child £12.

See neverlandatkenwood.co.uk.

SILVERSTONE

F1 fans will be racing to get to Silverstone for the return of its Lap Of Lights experience.

After a four-year hiatus, the festive display is back, with 7,000 LED panels and 35 lasers, transforming the British racetrack into a glittering wonderland.

Visitors can drive their own car around the track, before heading to the ice rink or chomping on some mince pies at the food and drink garage.

GO: From December 12 until January 3, £50 per car.

See silverstone.co.uk.

ICE AND EASY

PRESTON

PRESTON On Ice, a huge new rink has opened in the Lancashire town.

It sits under the 105-year-old market canopy with space for confident skaters and beginners.

There’s a ski chalet-style bar and live music at weekends.

GO: Until January 4. Adult from £12, child £10.

See prestononice.co.uk.

TORQUAY

THE English Riviera has a new ice rink among the Bay Of Lights celebrations.

Under a sparkling canopy in the heart of Torquay, there are hour-long sessions including parent and toddler slots.

Enjoy food and drinks and the Christmas market and illumination trail.

GO: November 28 until January 2. Adult £12.58, child £9.43, family £37.73.

See englishriviera.co.uk.

LONDON

SKATE in the shadow of one of London’s most iconic buildings, Somerset House, with Virgin Atlantic Holidays.

A massive rink with lights and DJs spinning the decks has taken over the gallery’s courtyard.

There’s a 40ft tree, food, drink and a pop-up boutique with proceeds going to charity.

GO: Until January 11. Adult from £15, children £10.

See somersethouse.org.uk.

BRIGHTON

GO green at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.

The ice rink, in front of the 1787 palace, is powered by renewable energy.

Penguin skate aids are available and there’s a bar and cafe.

The city also has a light trail and drone show.

GO: Until January 4. Adult from £15, child £12.

See royalpavilionicerink.co.uk.

FULL STEAM AHEAD

NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS

STEAM along on a new Santa Express interactive adventure.

The ride on North Yorkshire Moors Railway, from Pickering, will be packed with games, songs and, of course, elves and the man himself handing out treats.

GO: Various dates until December 24, £29.50pp.

See nymr.co.uk/santa.

VICTORIA STATION

RIDE through the heart of London with Santa and his merry elves.

They’ll sing carols and tell stories in decorated 1950s or ’60s-themed carriages, with a snack and drink for kids and mince pies for grown-ups.

The steam train departs on a 90-minute round trip from Victoria Station.

GO: Four departures available on December 20 and 22, from £55pp.

See steamdreams.co.uk.

BURY BOLTON STREET

A MAGICAL talking tree, brass band and a carol-singing choir of polar bears.

That’s the scene at Bury Bolton Street station before hopping on East Lancashire Railway’s Santa Specials.

The 80-minute round trip includes mince pies and chocolate, kids’ activity books and gifts from Santa.

GO: Various dates until December 24, from £23pp.

See eastlancsrailway.org.uk.

KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY

ENJOY a showstopping performance of a Christmas Carol at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway stations.

Families will find themselves in Scrooge’s candlelit office, in the grip of Marley’s ghost and watching the drama unfold on a five-mile steam train ride from Oxenhope or Haworth, West Yorks.

GO: Various dates and times until December 18. Adult £35, child £30.

See kwvr.co.uk.

SACKFUL OF TREATS

BLENHEIM PALACE

FOLLOW the Yellow Brick Road on a magical adventure inspired by the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The story — the highlight of Christmas at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire — is played out in the state rooms.

In the gardens, browse market stalls and walk the amazing light trail with huge sculptures and fountains.

Also, tuck into afternoon tea, go skating or on fairground rides.

GO: Until January 3. Prices vary, but for Palace of Oz, adult from £41, child £24. Under-twos go free.

For more information, see blenheimpalace.com.

SOUTHAMPTON MARKETS

SOUTHAMPTON is going Christmas crazy.

The main market in Above Bar Street has more than 20 wooden chalets packed with gifts, festive food, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

There’s a Ferris wheel and a new 200ft Star Flyer ride, fairground, light show, shops’ snow window trail, ice rink, Santa visits and shows including a panto.

GO: Market until January 4, free.

See visitsouthampton.co.uk/christmas.

KIELDER FOREST

ROAM around England’s largest forest to find Father Christmas and Mrs Claus in their twinkling hideout.

Kielder Winter Wonderland in Northumberland has fun for all the family.

Sing and dance with Mr and Mrs Beaver, meet the reindeer, birds of prey and snowy owl, enjoy a theatre show, help elves in their workshop or take a break in the bar and kitchen.

GO: Until December 23, £38.50pp, under-twos £5.

For more information, check out kielderwinterwonderland.com.

NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES

YOU can always rely on National Trust properties to provide all the wonder at Christmas.

There are markets, winter fairs, craft workshops, choir concerts, illuminations and Santa visits.

Dunham Massey in Greater Manchester, Blickling Hall, Norfolk, and Standen House in West Sussex, are among those holding fun events.

Go to the NT site for full details.

GO: Until early January, various prices.

See nationaltrust.org.uk.

CHESTER MARKETS

THERE’S a pressie for everyone at Chester Christmas Market.

Local producers, craftsfolk and artisans are among 80 stallholders in the Town Hall square selling gin, jewellery, candles, pottery, clothing and cosmetics.

The city also has a grotto and panto and the cathedral is aglow with nearly a hundred decorated trees.

GO: Market until December 22, free. See visitcheshire.com.

EDINBURGH MARKET & FUNFAIR

IT’S the most wonderful time of the year in Edinburgh.

The market, with Scottish and European crafts, fills East Princes Street Gardens.

There’s a funfair, undercover ice rink and light displays on the castle walls.

And a torchlight procession through the old town on December 29 kicks off Hogmanay.

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GO: Until January 4, market free.

See visitscotland.com.

FROM Three Lions to Vindaloo, England have their fair share of rousing football anthems.

But now that Scotland have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, proud Tartan Army faithfuls Biffy Clyro are planning their own tune to cheer on their lads next summer.

The trio scooped the Live Act gong at the Rolling Stone UK Awards at London’s Roundhouse on Thursday night and told me they are already putting plans in motion.

Asked whether anyone from the Scottish team had been in touch, frontman Simon Neil said: “Well, we’ve been in touch with them.

“We want to do Scottish Band Aid or Live Aid. This is a historic moment for Scotland.”

But on the team’s chances in the tournament, he said with a laugh: “Ninety minutes after the first game, with all of our heads in our hands, it won’t matter. But see, this next six months is truly magical.

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“In this day and age, we all find so many reasons to fall out and disagree that it’s surprising it’s football that’s bringing people together. Lionesses last year, all of England would celebrate.

“I’ve got the lyric for the chorus: ‘The party’s starting because the tartan’s marching’. There you go. That’ll be in your head for now. I want that to stimulate the song.”

Sounds like a belter to me.

Meanwhile, the third annual ceremony was packed with celebs and saw FKA Twigs win the Album award for Eusexua, and Lewis Capaldi the Artist award.

Comedian Mo Gilligan was brought in to present Lewis with the prize, this time pronouncing his name correctly — after accidentally calling him Sam Capaldi on stage at the Brit Awards in 2023.

A host of glamorous guests also turned out for a knees-up, including ex-Eternal singer Louise and former Pussycat Dolls band member Ashley Roberts, who both wore sheer black outfits.

Jessie J was on top form as she gears up to drop her first album in seven years, Don’t Tease Me With A Good Time, this Friday.

She said: “It has been a long time. I finished writing it in 2022.

“I have a lot of music in my phone. So if someone wants to steal my phone, and put it out for me, it would save me a lot of agg. No, but I’m excited for people to hear it, you know?

“I just want to make people feel something.”

And now that Jessie’s back in the spotlight, she has found that her two-year-old son Sky has a taste for fame.

She added: “Oh, my God, he’s so funny. He’s like, ‘Can I come to work? I love when the people say, yay’.

“It’s so cute. I can’t tell him I’m going to work because he wants to come with me.”

Danny Dyer did a cracking job on hosting duties — and raised a glass to The Stone Roses bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield — so ITV would be mad if they didn’t hit him up to host the Brit Awards.

It was typically chaotic, with Danny at one point vaping on stage and later dropping his cigarettes on the floor as he made his way home, despite the fact the whole thing was sponsored by nicotine pouch company Zyn.

He is in the middle of shooting series two of Eighties TV comedy drama Rivals, but promised to get “off his nut” and later celebrated at the after-party until 1am.

IN his opening monologue on the night, Danny said: “It’s been an amazing 12 months because I won a f***ing Bafta.

“There was only one thing that could top that, and that’s the fact that my first-born child married the captain of West Ham United.”

Welcoming Mo Gilligan on stage: “It’s the 11th funniest comedian in the country. He’s funnier than Joel Dommett, I can tell you that.”

Before handing out the Film award: “Here’s a fact for you, I’ve been in 50 films, 47 of them are s**t.”

Introducing the Television award: “They didn’t nominate me for this one, can you f***ing believe it? I’ll come down there and put a nut on ya.”

And while presenting the Festival award: “Deep down, we are all dreaming of being in a field somewhere, warm lager in our hand and off our t**s on mushrooms.”

WICKED A GOOD CHOICE, BEN

WEST END star Ben Forster is going head to head with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo with his new album.

Musicals Greatest Hits was released yesterday and it features a cover of Wicked’s For Good, just as the second film’s soundtrack, also featuring that song, came out.

But his record features the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christman.

Ben whose roles include playing the Phantom in The Phantom Of The Opera, told Bizarre: “I’m so excited that everyone can finally hear my album. Creating it has truly been a dream come true.”

Ben embarks on a huge tour next year.

He will play theatres up and down the UK from September.

NEIL YOUNG AND THE CHROME HEARTS are performing in the star-studded line-up for the new Blenheim Palace Festival on July 3.

They are joining acts including Katy Perry and Teddy Swims at the series of gigs in Oxfordshire.

ALBUM PERFECT FOR DOJA TAT

DOJA CAT was so impressed with tattoo artist Claudio Traina’s work that she decided to use his design on her latest album Vie.

Claudio, of Sixty Ink in London, told me: “I met her in a house in LA.

“We were doing tattoos for everyone there, and she got so excited, she decided to get her first tattoo. Two days later she called me for more.”

Claudio, whose clients also include Yungblud and Demi Lovato, added: “Now, every time she’s in London, she comes to the studio for fresh ink.

“She liked the word Vie, meaning ‘life’ in French, and decided to get it tattooed. A few months after, I got a message saying they had used that tattoo I designed for the album cover.”

CHRISTMAS will be arriving early for fans of Jade.

I can reveal that the former Little Mix singer is to announce a bumper deluxe edition of her debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby, which came out in September.

The new album, with fresh songs added, is expected to be available on December 5.

FOREIGN LINGO KEY FOR ALICIA

ALICIA KEYS has teamed up with Italian music great Eros Ramazzotti for his latest album.

But rather than sing in English, the 17-time Grammy-winning Empire State Of Mind singer learned the track in both Italian and Spanish.

Alicia told Bizarre: “We had such a fun time. We’re doing this beautiful song, L’aurora, and I was learning it in Spanish as well as Italian.

“And so, it’s really exciting to be able to sing in a whole different language and poetry and the beauty of how it goes and how it feels coming out is incredible.”

She added: “It felt very easy. It felt natural, it felt fun.”

Proving you may grow older but don’t have to grow up, she added of the 62-year-old Italian singer : “He’s a prankster, a jokester.

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“He’s trying to scare me the whole time, but I’m tough. So, you can’t scare me. But it was beautiful. I love it and I’m so excited about this project.”

The record, Una Storia Importante, also features opera singer Andrea Bocelli, and Eros will kick off a tour in Paris on Valentine’s Day.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT has never been an artist to repeat himself.

With a diverse back catalogue, the Canadian singer’s latest project sees him dive into the world of Kurt Weill with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, releasing an album following a string of concerts.

I’m A Stranger Here Myself: Wainwright Does Weill is a richly dramatic and stylish collection that breathes new life into the German composer’s timeless songs from the 1920s-40s.

Rufus tells Jacqui Swift about finding new meaning in the music and why now felt like the right moment to record it . . . 

WHEN did you first hear Kurt Weill songs, and which means the most?
I first heard his songs after buying an album I saw in a record store when I was about 13 that looked super cool.

It was a funky lady, smoking a cigarette with a big smile. That was Kurt Weill’s wife Lotte Lenya [the album was called Lotte Lenya Sings American Theatre Songs Of Kurt Weill].

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So it was really Lotte’s picture that got me going first.

Surabaya Johnny is my favourite Kurt Weill song. It’s a song I wish I’d written.

How did his songs influence your own writing and performance?
He was a fan of drama and atmosphere – two elements which I definitely incorporate in my own work.

And I love how he’s willing to tackle the troubling subjects of the day, something I’ve never shied away from.

How do you approach a song like Mack The Knife and make it your own?
My strategy was to combine the German version and the Bobby Darin version to have a kind of mid-Atlantic version.

I don’t usually have trouble with that, because my voice is so bizarre that everything I sing always ends up sounding like a Rufus Wainwright song.

Did any song surprise you once you started working on its arrangement?
It Never Was You was a song I always overlooked and felt it just didn’t touch me.

But certainly, after my mother passed away I looked at it in a whole new light.

How are you balancing staying true to Weill while bringing your own personality and style?
The thing about this whole project is that it’s great, but it’s also incredibly tragic.

Kurt Weill died at 50. I started doing these songs and performing them professionally when I was 50.

In a lot of ways, I feel like I’m transferring a lot of his spirit into his latter days, an age that he wasn’t able to really experience.

So I feel responsible for giving him a little bit more time on the earth.

When did you realise your live performance of these songs should be an album?
Really, when we got there, after we heard the recordings.

None of this was ever intended to be a record.

We all just did it off the cuff and decided to record it last minute.

But once we listened to the tracks, we realised that there was something really special there, especially considering that the songs were written during a very troubling time politically.

This is a good moment to put that type of material out, since we are also in deep water at the moment.

How did the Pacific Jazz Orchestra come on board?
They made the initial offer. I had sung some Kurt Weill songs at the Carlyle Hotel in New York for a small residency.

Then they came to me and said, ‘You know, we’d love to do something with you. Anything’.

And I put two and two together.

Your back catalogue is diverse and varied. Where does this work fit in?
I consider my catalogue, my career and my life, in many ways, to be a tree that has many, many branches.

I would say this is connected to it.

Let’s say this is a sprouting flower from a twig.

Was this one of your most challenging projects?
It was, but mainly because I was doing so much around it.

I was producing a musical in the West End called Opening Night and also putting the finishing touches on my Dream Requiem, which was to be premiered in Paris after this concert.

So yeah, I was spread super, super thin, and it was incredibly challenging, but that adds a manic energy to the performance, which works well with his material.

You can’t be too rested when you sing Kurt Weill.

What’s next?
I’m shutting down the shop. I’m 100 per cent working on a new pop record.

I need to go back to my bread and butter and see what the kids are up to and take one more swipe at it.

You played Want One and Want Two for BBC Proms, was that night as special for you as it was for the audience?
Yeah, it’s always special doing those records.

They represent such a pivotal moment in my life and they really made me who I am today.

Any more special performances of these albums in the future?
I’ll do one periodically, here and there, for sure.

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I’m doing the Judy Garland record in June at the Royal Albert Hall so, yeah, I’m still pretty schizophrenic musically.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT WITH THE PACIFIC JAZZ ORCHESTRA

I’m A Stranger Here Myself: Wainwright Does Weill

★★★★☆

THE UK isn’t short of light trails when it comes to the winter period, but high street favourite, John Lewis, is now joining the club.

This year John Lewis is bringing its 2025 Christmas advert – ‘Where Love Lies’ – to life as part of the Northern Lights Manchester at Heaton Park.

This year’s John Lewis Christmas tells the story of a teenage boy and his father who struggle to communicate, yet when it comes to Christmas the boy gives him a music record that helps them to reconnect.

Running from November 20 to December 31, the event will mark the first time the retailer has brought its annual Christmas advert off the screen.

According to the Northern Lights Manchester website, John Lewis will join this year’s “brand new large-scale winter light trail”.

The website adds that the high street brand will join “Northern Lights to firmly establish Manchester’s newest seasonal tradition from year one”.

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Visitors can expect an in-person experience with music that is designed to connect visitors to the story of John Lewis’ Christmas advert – think feelings of joy, nostalgia and festive cheer.

The Northern Lights trail at Heaton Park is brand new for this year and in total stretches a mile long.

Venturing around the trail visitors will find 14 illumination zones and there will also be a number of food spots along the way.

The illumination zones include the Frosted Forest, Laser Garden and Runway to the Sky.

In addition, there will be a Christmas Village with local food, drinks and more music.

The village will have eight foodie destinations in total including God Save the Toasties, The Sausage Factory and the Super Sweet Fry Guys – who serve Terry’s Chocolate Orange churros, battered mince pies with boozy cream and hot chocolate with a dash of Salford Rum and topped with a Tunnock’s Marshmallow Snowball.

There is also the Bees Knees Tavern, a heated alpine-themed bar, where visitors can grab a range of alcoholic and soft drinks, including mulled wine.

Hotel Chocolat will even have its own van selling velvety, hot chocolate.

There are four types of ticket prices in total.

For super off-peak tickets, it costs £15 per adult and £5 per child.

For off-peak tickets, it costs £19.50 per adult and £13.95 per child.

For a standard entry ticket, it costs £21.50 per adult and £14.95 per child.

And finally, for a peak entry ticket, it costs £23.95 per adult and £16.50 per child.

Rosie Hanley, brand director, added: “At John Lewis, we love bringing people together to create shared experiences and magical Christmas memories.

“This spectacular light trail is a brilliant way for us to share the spirit of the season with Manchester and its communities, and we are excited to be a part of it.”

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For other festive experiences in the UK, here are 27 free festive experiences across the UK for families including light trails and Santa’s grotto.

Plus, the top Christmas train experiences around the UK – including a festive ‘theatre on rails’ and ‘journey of lights’.

DID you think festivals were all music main stages? Well, you’d be wrong because a new one is launching in the UK next year – based on farming.

The event called The Great British Farm-Fest will arrive at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire for May 22-24, 2026.

It claims it will still maintain that festival vibe though with food trucks, activities, celebrity faces and you’ll probably still need your wellies.

It’s been described as combining the traditional attractions of a large country fair with the excitement and energy of a modern music festival. 

While it does celebrate farmers, you don’t have to be one to go. I

Across three unforgettable days there will be live music, working displays, livestock, machinery and mouth-watering food.  

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As for those celebrity faces, headlining the weekend are the stars of Clarkson’s Farm – Jeremy Clarkson himself, Lisa Hogan, Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland.

Farmer Adam Henson and British chef Matt Tebbutt will also make an appearance along with dozens of other farmers, musicians, and chefs from across the UK.   

During the day, visitors can explore activities across the 300-acre country park.

There will be eight show arenas with livestock competitions, traditional skills, working animals, field-to-fork experiences and even a full-scale British Food Festival.   

During the day, Tractorama will show tractors old and new doing what they do driven by the experts who will partake in challenges, parades, drag strips and stunts.

During the evening, the All-Star Tractor Parade will light up and from 6PM each evening there will be live music and entertainment in the Hawkstone Music Arena.

Acts taking to the stage include Alex James’ Britpop Classical and DJ Chris Moyles – and there’s another 20 acts still yet to be announced.

For fans of Clarkson’s Farm, you’ll get the chance to visit The Diddly Squat Farm Shop Pop Up – The Piddly Diddly.

Inside will be everything from sweet and savoury treats to homeware and clothing.

One day admission tickets for adults aged 18+ start at £60, or £48 if you nab an early bird one.

For teens aged 13-17 it’s £30 (£24 early bird), children between 6-12 are £15 (£12 early bird). Children between 0-5 can enter for free.

Other tickets include the full three days without camping for £150 per adult (£120 early bird) and with camping tickets for adults are £200 (£160 early bird).

Tickets go on pre-sale on November 26, 2025 – here.

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How to visit the Diddly Squat Farm Shop…

Diddly Squat Farm Shop and the Farmer’s Dog are both open to visitors. The exact location of the Farm Shop is 5-12 Chipping Norton Road, Chadlington, Chipping Norton, OX7 3PE.

Once there, fans will be able to experience some of the key locations featured on the Clarkson-fronted show.

While visiting the site, many will hope to catch a glimpse of the rising stars of the show, including fan favourite Kaleb Cooper, straight-man and farm management consultant Charlie Ireland, the humorous Gerald Cooper, plus farm shop front-woman and Jezza’s partner, Lisa Hogan.

The iconic shop has become a public attraction since it opened, with thousands flocking to it each year, much to the dislike of some of the community.

For visitors coming from outside the Cotswolds, the trip can take two hours from central London by car, or two and a half hours by public transport.

If fans are staying nearby there is the X9 bus from The Bell Hotel in Charlbury that will take them straight past the 1000 acres site and near the Farm Shop.

Check out the European city named an up-and-coming place to travel in 2026 with hotel saunas and air guitar festivals.

And check out the best places in the Cotswolds once you’ve seen the Diddly Squat Farm Shop.

MUSIC legend Gary Numan has sparked concern after breaking down in tears on stage.

The 67-year-old is reported to have started weeping while performing  Please Push No More at the O2 Academy Birmingham on Saturday evening.

According to The Mirror, his wife Gemma O’Neil rushed onto the stage to comfort him. 

He is reported to have told the crowd he’d received the “worst news ever” that morning and would share it with fans once he had time to process it.

Gary is expected to appear on stage in Bristol tonight, but did cancel his meet and greet beforehand.

His fans rushed to comment on his wellbeing, with one person writing: Rough to see him so upset during PPNM – not looking forward to hearing the reason in the coming days. Can’t be good. Absolute pro to battle on.”

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Someone else remarked: “He broke down – he had some bad news yesterday. Gemma came onstage and hugged him. Crowd were amazing, so supportive.  Hope he’s ok.”

After it was revealed he would be playing again this evening, another person speculated: “I just hope he’s not overstretching by carrying on with the concert.”

Gary started his tour earlier this week, which celebrates the 45th anniversary of his seminal album Telekon. He is still due to play in Bournemouth, Brighton, London and various other venues.

The Cars singer and his wife, 55, married in 1997 and re-located to LA with their three children in 2012.

The move was the backdrop to documentary Android In La La Land, where cameras followed them and saw him open up about his Asperger’s and depression.

Gemma was originally a member of Gary’s fan club before they found love.

Gary previously said of their relationship: “This is going to sound corny, given that it’s 30 years and four days since our first date, but I miss her even when she’s in a different part of the house.

“She’s everything I am not – which is most things, really.”

LOCATED in the Baltic Sea is a crowd-free island with outdoor music festivals and ancient forests – and we bet you’ve never heard of it.

Hiiumaa in Estonia is an island home to several historic lighthouses and sprawling beaches.

It is Estonia’s second largest island, yet is home to less than 10,000 people.

But this led to the island, along with other West Estonia islands, joining the UNESCO biosphere programme area dubbed ‘Man and Biosphere, which means that the locals have lived sustainably alongside nature for hundreds of years.

And most of the time, the island is completely in the dark unless the moon and stars are glowing – as a result it also has no noise or light pollution.

Many people who travel to the island love it for its peace, including soothing sauna and walks in the forest.

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Naturally, being an island, the destination also has “endless beaches” according to Hiiumaa.ee, such as Tõrvanina, Luidja and Ristna.

Ristna, in particular, is loved by surfers thanks to having the biggest waves in the Baltic Sea.

This spot is also where you will find on of the island’s historic lighthouses.

Ristna Lighthouse’s tower was completed in France at the workshop of Gustave Eiffel – the same person responsible for the Eiffel Tower.

Then it was brought across to Hiiumaa in pieces and then assembled to watch over the sea and ships in the region.

The lighthouse is still operational today, but is open to visitors during the summer.

Nearby is also Kõpu lighthouse, which is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world.

Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse and see across the coastline.

If you happen to visit the island during the summer months, you can also explore The Lavender Farm, which is the northmost lavender farm in the world.

And rather unusually, it is located on the edge of a meteorite crater.

Visitors heading to the farm can see 20,000 lavender plants and the products produced using them, such as lavender jam, lavender spice and lavender micellar water.

For a longer walk in nature, then visitors can head to the ancient Kõpu Nature Reserve, which is located on the oldest part of the island.

The area has many rare plants and bird species.

The island also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year including the Ice Fish Festival in February which involves a number of winter-related activities on the ice and summer music festivals of jazz, folk and club music.

When it comes to food options, local dishes often include fish or lamb.

One top spot is IIUmeekk, which is located inside a quaint redhouse and overlooks a harbour.

Inside, dish options include sea trout with edamame beans, parsley and salted egg yolk or slow cooked porky belly, with tomato kimchi and polenta.

Make sure to check out their desserts as well, such as gingerbread tiramisu.

As for somewhere to stay, there are hotels scattered across the entire island.

For example, for £75 per night you could head to Kassari Holiday Resort which features bubble baths on the hotel’s roof terrace, access Kassari beach and family-friendly rooms.

Alternatively, you could head to Utoopia No. 9 for £70 a night.

The 19-room hotel is sat on Kirikulahe Bay and is inside a historic manor’s vodka kitchen.

The best way to get to Hiiumaa is by flying to the capital of Estonia – Tallinn.

Return flights from London in November cost from £37 and the flight takes under three hours.

From Tallinn you can either hop on another flight to Kärdla Airport, which takes 30 minutes.

Then you can jump on the ferry to Hiiumaa, which takes less than an hour.

Alternatively, you can hop on a coach from Tallinn, which takes just under four hours before catching the ferry.

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Also in Estonia is a seaside city nicknamed the ‘summer capital’ by locals – with huge sandy beach and the sea hits 33C.

Plus, there is a tiny island in Estonia with white sandy beaches that’s the most child-friendly holiday destination in the world.

LIAM Gallagher isn’t a fan of sharing his food – just ask Paul Gascoigne.

The Tottenham and England legend told FourFourTwo about snaffling a steak from the Oasis rocker – and it didn’t end well.

Recalling a run-in during the Nineties, Paul said: “I was in a restaurant and a guy said, ‘Liam Gallagher’s over there’.

“I went up to him, he was sitting on his own having a steak.

“He said, ‘F***ing hell sit down mate, how are you doing? Do you want something to eat?’

“I said, ‘No I’m not hungry, I’ll have a drink though’. He went for the drink and I ate his f***ing steak. He went f***ing off at me, going ‘Where’s my f***ing steak, man?’ I went, ‘I’ve ate the c***t.

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“He said, ‘You c***t, I’ll go and get another one’. But he didn’t.

“He came back around the corner with a fire extinguisher, set it off and absolutely slaughtered us with it.”

Tonight, Liam and his brother Noel will kick off the final leg of their Oasis tour in Buenos Aires.

They will play a second show in Argentina’s capital tomorrow before a concert in Santiago, Chile, on November 19 and their final two shows in Sao Paolo in Brazil on November 22 and 23.

Tay note To 1D idol for sale

A handwritten letter from Taylor Swift to Liam Payne supporting his solo career is going up for auction.

She gave the late One Direction singer the note ahead of his performance at Capital’s 2017 Jingle Bell Ball.

Taylor headlined the annual bash at London’s O2 Arena. Liam, who died in October last year, was also on the bill.

The letter reads: “Liam, long time no see.

“I’m so excited for you, you’re crushing it out there.

“I’m obsessed with Bedroom Floor.

“It’s so cool to see you from afar.

“I’m always cheering you on.

“Good luck tonight!”

Speaking on the red carpet at the event eight years ago, Liam revealed Taylor also sent him a “lovely little hamper of new Reputation gear”.

He added: “She’s got very good handwriting if she did write it.”

British auction house Omega Auctions will sell the letter on December 2.

It is expected to fetch between £5,000 and £10,000.

Gabriella Cilmi is back, 12 years after her last album.

She had a string of hits in the late Noughties with Sweet About Me, Warm This Winter and On A Mission.

The Aussie singer, who is name-checked by Ed Sheeran on his 2011 song You Need Me, I Don’t Need You revealed she has been living in the English countryside and is returning to music.

She said on TikTok: “I’m super-excited to announce I’ve recorded a new record.

“We recorded it under the full Harvest Moon and it was a magical experience, going back to basics, playing live.”

Ellie: My break-up torment

Ellie Goulding has opened up about the breakdown of her marriage to Caspar Jopling.

Speaking about her new song Destiny, Ellie said: “I first heard this track when I had recently separated from my husband.

“This was at a really turbulent time for me because I was trying to navigate what felt like a separation of all separations.”

The singer added to NME: “It was a marriage, not just a relationship.

“I didn’t know what else to do other than make music.”

Ellie and Caspar tied the knot in 2019.

They had their son Arthur in 2021, but sadly separated in 2023.

Emeli Sande was joined by acts including Boy George and Ali Campbell of UB40 at a charity gig for victims of Hurricane Melissa.

They played A Concert For Jamaica, at Koko in Camden, London.

DJ Robbo Ranx praised Jamaicans for standing strong after being battered by the storm.

Much of the island is still without water or electricity.

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I was pleased to learn the brain-dead idiot who almost knocked Ariana Grande flying – when he stormed the Wicked: For Good red carpet premiere in Singapore – has been charged by police.

Australian-born Johnson Wen boasted about meeting the pop star at the event, when in actual fact he scared the living daylights out of Ariana.

Ariana was thankfully protected by the one-woman muscle machine that is Cynthia Erivo.

Wen has been charged with being a public nuisance, which is the understatement of the year.

He is known for his d**kish antics and has previously disrupted a Katy Perry concert and the men’s 100m final at the Paris Olympics last year.

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The jail term for being such a deluded berk is anything up to three months.

Sadly, I doubt being locked up would stop him being less of an idiot in future.

THE CHARTS

Taylor Swift bounces back to the top on both the singles and album charts.

It comes five weeks after the release of The Life Of A Showgirl, and following signed copies of the record going on sale online.

Rosalia has the highest new entry on the album chart, going to No4 with Lux.

Singles

1. The Fate Of Ophelia – Taylor Swift
2. Golden – Huntr/x, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & Kpop Demon Hunters Cast
3. Where Is My Husband! – Raye
4. Man I Need – Olivia Dean
5. So Easy (To Fall In Love) – Olivia Dean
6. Opalite – Taylor Swift
7. Raindance – Dave & Tems
8. Rein Me In – Sam Fender & Olivia Dean
9. Elizabeth Taylor – Taylor Swift
10. How It’s Done – Golden – Huntr/x, Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami & Kpop Demon Hunters Cast

Albums

1. The Life Of A Showgirl – Taylor Swift
2. The Art Of Loving – Olivia Dean
3. West End Girl – Lily Allen
4. Lux – Rosalia
5. Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
6. The Highlights – The Weeknd
7. +-=÷x Tour Collection – Ed Sheeran
8. The Essential – Michael Jackson
9. 50 Years: Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
10. Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party – Hayley Williams

DUA Lipa helped music boost the UK economy to the tune of £8billion last year. 

The singer — whose hits include New Rules and Levitating — was one of the industry’s biggest money-makers as its contribution to the country’s coffers leapt by five per cent. 

She saw album Radical Optimism debut at No1 in the charts, while dates in Singapore, Japan and Malaysia took export revenues to a new high of £4.8billion. 

Tours from Taylor Swift, Liam Gallagher, Take That and Bruce Springsteen also drove the figures, along with Charli XCX’s global success with album Brat. 

Of the £8billion total — up from £7.6billion in 2023 — £1.49billion came from physical sales, downloads and streaming.  

A record £1.02billion was paid out in songwriting royalties while merchandise sales rose too.  

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The findings are in UK Music’s annual economic report This Is Music 2025.  

It said the industry employs 220,000 people here, but warned growth was slowing down after taking off immediately after the pandemic. 

UK Music’s Chief Executive Tom Kiehl welcomed the figures but issued warning signs amid the challenges faced by the sector. 

He said:  “In recent years UK Music has reported that the music industry has enjoyed double-digit annual growth. 

“That growth has now halved indicates a levelling off of the immediate post-pandemic boost that we experienced, as well as other underlying issues set out in this report.  

“This points to the need for urgent action. If problems are not addressed then future growth cannot be guaranteed.” 

Dua, 30, is in Argentina on tour.  

She shared a snap of her with sister Rina at River Plate’s match against rivals Boco Juniors after two gigs at the Buenos Aires stadium.   

POP icon has posted a massive apology to fans after being forced to pull out of a show at the last minute.

The New Zealand singer, 29, shared a statement on Instagram on Sunday, explaining she had to cancel her scheduled appearance at Luxembourg’s Rockhal after falling sick.

She explained: “Luxembourg, I am so sorry to have to tell you that I came down with ruthless food poisoning last night, and I’m still too sick to play for you today.

“I’ve been resting all day, hoping I’d be well enough, but I can hardly stand up, and you deserve more.”

“My sincerest apologies to anyone inconvenienced or upset by this,” the singer continued. “I can’t tell you how much I was looking forward to it. Our first ever Lux show, first night at Ultrasound EU, our one show with OK Lou, it’s beyond gutting.”

“Please know that if there was any way I could pull it off, I’d be out there. We are actively working with the promoter on rescheduling, so hold on to your tickets for now.

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“Refunds will be offered if the new date’s no good for you. Thank you for your grace tonight. Love, from a very weak girl.”

The tour cancellation comes as Lorde – real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor – kicks off the European leg of her Ultrasound World Tour.

She is scheduled to appear in Paris, France, tonight as scheduled, before making her way over to the UK and Ireland.

The upsetting cancellation comes after Lorde made her triumphant return to music this year by dropping her fourth album, Virgin, back in July.

It was her first release since 2021’s critically acclaimed Solar Power.

Her new release, led by single What Was That?, was so highly anticipated that a surprise set at Glastonbury caused an entire area of Worthy Farm to be shut down as fans dashed to see her at the Woodsies tent.

The album later shot to the top of the album charts, with What Was That peaking at number 11.

She’s also since noted she doesn’t intend to take such a big break again from making music.

The star, who first shot to fame with smash hit Royals at the age of 16, told Variety: “I’m definitely feeling very active and not needing a break from being creative. I’m feeling kind of insatiable, to be honest.

“So I don’t know, but I’ve thrown the gauntlet down that it’s not going to be four years [again], so I’ve gotta keep to that.”

HOLLYWOOD royalty Ariana Grande has arrived in the UK on a whirlwind stay fit for a princess.

The singer and actress flew in from Paris yesterday by private jet ready for the Wicked: For Good premiere in Leicester Square tomorrow.

The pint-sized pop queen touched down at Farnborough airport in Hampshire and was whisked away with her entourage to the five-star Raffles London at the OWO hotel.

I’m told the star, who plays Glinda, has hired six suites at £5,000 each a night for her trip — and chose the stunning building in Whitehall because she can easily enter and exit via the underground car park.

A source said: “Ariana’s team and the production crew from Wicked put their heads together to ensure Ariana is in luxury and comfort and has plenty of privacy.

“She will need plenty of time and space to prepare for her big red-carpet moment with her glamour squad.”

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Ariana is believed to be attending the movie premiere with her boyfriend and Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, having ignored rumours that they have split.

But she will be mostly joined at the hip with British actress Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba.

Production company Universal has splashed out £100,000 on hiring art deco French restaurant Brasserie Zedel in Piccadilly for the after-party, where Ari will let her hair down.

On Friday night, Ariana showed off her hand tattoos at the film’s Paris premiere, and many fans believe the inkings are linked to the movie and her friendship with Cynthia.

She was joined by another co-star, Michelle Yeoh, as she greeted the crowds.

In just over a week’s time, Ariana is due back in America for the film’s premiere in New York.

Ariana was last week forced to miss the Wicked premiere in Brazil due to flight issues.

She had been expecting to walk the red carpet at the Sao Paulo event on Tuesday evening but was forced to get off the plane because of safety issues.

Taking to Instagram to share her disappointment, Ariana said that her team failed to find an alternative arrangement to get her to Sao Paolo in time.

Hopefully her stay in Blighty will be much smoother.

LILY TO CLEAN UP WITH GIRL BRAND

LILY ALLEN is certainly soaking up the success of her latest album, West End Girl.

She released the 14-track record last month following her split from husband David Harbour, who appears in supernatural TV series Stranger Things.

I can reveal Lily, pictured here in her bra enjoying a bubble bath and pulling a funny face for a magazine shoot, has now applied to trademark the name West End Girl ahead of a tour that kicks off in March.

The trademark covers beauty items including cosmetics, fragrances, perfumery, sun cream and shampoo.

It also includes sunglasses, jewellery, bags, clothing, footwear and headgear.

Her album jumped to No2 in the Official Albums Chart this week.

Lily was left devastated when her four-year marriage to American actor David broke down last December.

The couple met on celebrity dating app Raya and moved to New York after tying the knot in 2020.

However, she has since moved back to London with her two daughters from her first marriage.

It comes as the Not Fair singer is gearing up for her 14-date tour in March, which starts at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall.

Fans are begging for more dates after the tour sold out in minutes this week.

If I can’t pin down a ticket, at least I’ll be able to get my hands on some Lily Allen bubble bath instead.

AFRICA A WINTER WONDER LAND

FORMER Love Islander Faye Winter is swapping her beach bag for a backpack to do community and conservation work in Africa.

The reality star, left, who found fame on the ITV2 dating show in 2021, is running a volunteer trip to Zimbabwe this month.

She has already given up the party lifestyle in London to return to her roots in Devon, where she lives with her golden retriever Bonnie and two rescue ponies, Keith and Kevin.

Faye told me: “I was out of my comfort zone living away from the countryside.

“The only thing that kept me going was my guide dog volunteer work. I find it so fulfilling, I’m not a party girl at all.”

Looking back on her life after the show, Faye admits that she wasn’t happy.

She said: “I struggled with the fact it was all about where you were seen.

“It felt materialistic. Giving back is so much more meaningful.”

HOLLY’S HAPPY MEALS

HOLLY WILLOUGHBY is a woman after my own heart when it comes to hangover cures.

The TV presenter said only a McDonald’s can soothe her after too many drinks the night before.

Asked what her go-to recovery meal is, Holly told a magazine: “I want a McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese and if it hasn’t got a pickle on it, I’m gonna throw it back at you.

“I order extra pickles every time. Then I want skinny fries that are as salty as possible.

“I know some people think McDonald’s makes you feel rotten, but I just love it.

“You can tell how often I go because there are so many selfies of me sat in my car, taken by the drive-thru staff.”

Sounds like Holly is lovin’ it.

SLIMLINE JEN KIDS AROUND

HOLLYOAKS’ Jennifer Metcalfe has revealed the secret to her trim figure – she orders child portions.

The actress, who plays Mercedes McQueen in the Channel 4 soap, said smaller helpings mean she can have more of what she fancies.

During the show’s 30th anniversary celebrations at St George’s Hall in Liverpool, she said: “I eat what I want, when I want – small portions.

“Yesterday, me and my friend were out for five hours.

“We wanted a roast dinner, so I got a child’s portion, then we went to our local Indian and had poppadoms and all of the chutney.

“I have been eating loads recently, but my motto is ‘eat small amounts of everything you want’.”

Jennifer said she has just signed a year’s contract with Hollyoaks, adding: “We are making this 30th year count.”

PARTY OF THE WEEK

Tangle Teezer Festive pop-up, Vinyl Studios, Soho, Tuesday

WHAT WE ATE: Mini burgers, pigs in blankets and pick ’n’ mix sweets.

WHAT WE DRANK: Aperol spritz, Moscow mule and appletini cocktails.

WHO WAS THERE: Molly-Mae Hague’s hairdresser Jack Luckhurst, model Amanda Chrishell, influencer Tyra Baylis and our Emily, pictured with a handsome Santa.

TAYLOR & SABRINA’S HEIGHT ON THE TOWN

IT was the little and large show as chart superstars Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift went on a night out in New York.

Sabrina, who is 5ft, looked glamorous in a white roll-neck jumper and trench coat for the evening in SoHo restaurant.

Meanwhile, 5ft 9in Taylor showed off her long legs in a pleated mini-skirt and polo shirt.

It comes after Sabrina recently collaborated with Taylor on The Life Of A Showgirl track from her album of the same name.

CORKING HAT, LIAM

LIAM GALLAGHER gets into the Aussie spirit as he struts his stuff in a cork hat on tour Down Under.

JUNGLE READY

I’m A Celeb full line-up revealed with soap legends and TV pin up

JAB TRICK

I lost 13st on Mounjaro and needed a new passport – you must check your ‘TDEE’

The Oasis singer, who is normally known for wearing a bucket hat, was on stage in Melbourne, complete with maracas, as part of the Live ’25 tour with brother Noel.

The band played in Sydney last night and will head to Buenos Aires in Argentina for a show next Saturday.