followers

Cultural performances mark the occasion, while messages from global leaders are read out during the ceremony.

The Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, has turned 90 to cap a week of celebrations by followers during which he riled China again and spoke about his hope to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying.

Dressed in his traditional yellow and burgundy robe, the Dalai Lama arrived at a Buddhist temple complex to smiles and claps from thousands of monks and followers who had gathered on a rainy Sunday morning in the north Indian hill town of Dharamshala, where he lives.

He waved and greeted them as he walked slowly to the stage with support from monks.

“As far as I am concerned, I have a human life, and as humans, it is quite natural for us to love and help one another. I live my life in the service of other sentient beings,” the Dalai Lama said, flanked on the stage by longtime supporters, including Western diplomats, Indian federal ministers, Hollywood actor Richard Gere, and a monk who is expected to lead the search for his successor.

Fleeing his native Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule, the 14th Dalai Lama, along with hundreds of thousands of Tibetans, took shelter in India and has since advocated for a peaceful “Middle Way” to seek autonomy and religious freedom for the Tibetan people.

A Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Dalai Lama is regarded as one of the world’s most influential religious leaders, with a following that extends well beyond Buddhism – but not by Beijing, which calls him a separatist and has sought to bring the faith under its control.

In a sign of solidarity, Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te, leaders of Indian states bordering Tibet, and three former United States presidents – Barack Obama, George W Bush, and Bill Clinton – sent video messages which were played during the event.

In the preceding week of celebrations, the Dalai Lama had said he would reincarnate as the leader of the faith upon his death and that his nonprofit institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, had the sole authority to recognise his successor.

China has said the succession will have to be approved by its leaders, and the US has called on Beijing to cease what it describes as interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist lamas.

Show of solidarity

Guests gathered at the ceremony took turns to speak, including Indian Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, who had earlier made a rare statement contradicting China by backing the Dalai Lama’s position on his successor.

He later clarified that the statement was made in his personal capacity as China warned New Delhi against interfering in its domestic affairs at the expense of bilateral relations.

On Sunday, Rijiju said the Dalai Lama was India’s “most honoured guest”. “We feel blessed for his presence here in our country,” he said.

Cultural performances were held throughout the morning, including from Bollywood playback singers, while messages from global leaders were read out.

“I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. He has been an enduring symbol of love, compassion, patience and moral discipline,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X.

Shaun Wallace, also known as The Dark Destroyer, will take part in a new brand new ITV show called The Great Escapers, which will see celebrities compete to plan the best day out

The Chase star Shaun Wallace has announced a new move away from the ITV programme.

Shaun, who has been one of “the chasers” on Bradley Walsh’s quiz since 2009, told fans he was “very excited” to be filming for a new show called The Great Escapers. In a video posted on X, which was called Twitter, Shaun, 65, described the project as “a wonderful, exciting holiday adventure”.

The post read: “Very excited to be filming in Rhodes for a new show called ‘The Great Escapers’ with Mark @MarkLabbett and Jenny @jenlion. Looking forward to having a lot of fun with those two. Doing a spot of fitness in the sunshine, before we get going.”

Mark Labbett and Jenny Ryan are also experts on The Chase. However, it is understood neither Shaun, Mark or Jenny are leaving the quiz as, often, regulars on ITV entertainment programmes appear as guests on other shows.

READ MORE: The Chase’s Darragh Ennis shares Harry Potter quiz ‘only mega-fans’ can solve

Shaun, who is also a barrister, excited his 89,000 followers on X with the candid update. One fan gushed: “Have a swell time,” while another commented: “Hope you win your episode, Shaun!”

Each episode of The Great Escapers will see celebrities from different backgrounds compete to plan the best day out. Other episodes will feature stars from Coronation Street and Loose Women, among other shows and fames, it is understood.

Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment and Daytime ITV said: “We’ve got some of ITV’s best-known faces flying out to the most gorgeous destinations in this brand-new series. We can’t wait to see the cast of Corrie, I’m A Celeb…, The Chase and Loose Women in all of their holiday glory!”

READ MORE: Chaser Paul Sinha shares sad reason he went straight back to work after two heart attacks

The Great Escapers is in partnership with Jet2, one of the UK’s largest tour operators. The series will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player later this year, according to Express.co.uk.

Shaun, known as The Dark Destroyer on The Chase, is one of the original “chasers” on the teatime show. He and Mark, 59, have appeared in each of the 18 regular series, and 14 celebrity seasons.

Last month, fans of the programme were furious because it was taken off air due to ITV’s coverage of Royal Ascot. The Chase missed several episodes so the broadcaster could accommodate the racing event. Loose Women was also affected, as it was taken off air for three days; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, for the races.

The Chase first graced our screens in 2009 and swiftly became a staple on ITV. It features regular contestants vying against each other, testing their general knowledge for the chance to bag a hefty cash prize.