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Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss joins elite list of managers, but where does he rank?

Arsenal have one of the best squads in Europe.

The Gunners spent £250m last summer bringing in eight players as they won the title and have already spent about £200m this year, turning Piero Hincapie’s loan deal into a permanent one (£34.5m), signing Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United (£75m), Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge (£34m) and bringing in Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa (£55m).

“That is what we need,” Arteta said, speaking to Sky Sports when asked about his squad depth.

“The players that come in make the difference. All of them contributed to create more dominance and more momentum.

“The level of focus and the way they want to contribute to the team, that is going to be decisive in the season.”

Arsenal‘s strength in depth cannot be understated, but one area they may still look to strengthen in is the forward area.

The Gunners have been on the hunt for an elite forward to lift their attack and still could be active on Tuesday’s deadline day.

They had an unsuccessful pursuit of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, while they also have a long-standing interest in Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.

“We are trying to improve the squad and until tomorrow night we will try to do it,” Arteta said.

“I have been disconnected from the world for the last 24 hours because my energy has to be on the match, but I will get back on it now.”

When pushed about a deal for Alvarez, Arteta said: “I don’t know, that’s for the people upstairs.”

Whatever happens in Arsenal‘s search, they are going to be hard to keep off the top of the table with Arteta at the helm.

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Nicolas Jackson joins Aston Villa: How striker compares with Ollie Watkins

On the surface, Jackson’s numbers at Bayern Munich last season compare favourably with those of Watkins at Villa.

The Senegal forward scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 1,320 minutes across all competitions, averaging 1.0 goal involvements per 90 minutes. Watkins recorded 21 goals and five assists in 3,837 minutes, an average of 0.6 per 90.

Jackson also generated more attacking opportunities. He averaged 3.8 shots per 90 compared with Watkins’ 2.6, and 2.2 shots on target to 1.2.

His expected-goals (xG) figure was also higher, at 0.7 per 90 compared with 0.5, while he averaged 8.5 touches in the opposition box to Watkins’ 5.6.

That fits a pattern which predates his spell in Germany. Among players with at least 5,000 Premier League minutes since January 2020, only Erling Haaland has registered a higher non-penalty xG figure per 90 than Jackson’s 0.55.

Getting into scoring positions has rarely been Jackson’s main problem – it is his ability to finish chances which has attracted scrutiny.

During his two Premier League seasons with Chelsea, he scored 14 goals from 18.7 xG in 2023-24 and 10 from 12.3 xG the following campaign.

Jackson has converted 18 of 61 big chances in England so far, although Watkins has also missed plenty of high-value opportunities (scoring 24 of 73 since joining Villa in 2020).

Interestingly, last season’s numbers suggest the gap between them was negligible. Jackson converted 19.6% of his shots and 40.9% of his big chances, compared with 18.9% and 43.2% respectively for Watkins.

There is, however, an important caveat.

Watkins started 43 matches and played almost three times as many minutes. Jackson started only 15 of his 34 appearances, and Opta says his relatively limited, substitute-heavy sample could make some of his per-90 figures look stronger than they might over a full season.

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Leah Remini joins ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Season 16 cast

Leah Remini is joining the cast of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

The “King of Queens” star confirmed rumors that she was joining the 16th season of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” with an Instagram post on Wednesday, writing alongside the announcement, “It’s true.”

Remini’s team didn’t comment on whether the Emmy-winning actor would be a full-time cast member on the series. Tracy Tutor, a luxury real estate broker from “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles,” will also join the all-star cast, which includes Kyle Richards, Erika Girardi, Dorit Kemsley, Bozoma Saint John, Rachel Zoe and Sutton Stracke. Kathy Hilton and actor Jennifer Tilly also will return in a recurring “friend” role.

Amanda Frances of Season 15 will not be returning. She announced the news and a forthcoming memoir via Instagram on Aug. 5, writing, “I am taking the clarity, the lessons, the plot twists, the spiritual warfare, and the occasional deeply unnecessary dinner party drama into all that God has for me next. … And to anyone watching, please know: Your next move does not require anyone’s approval.”

“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” turned 20 this year and has the distinction of most-watched of the franchise, with “Real Housewives of Atlanta” coming in second after carrying the torch for a decade.

Per Variety, “RHOBH” began filming earlier this summer with much of the cast — sans Remini and Tutor — jet-setting off to Ghana for Saint John’s wedding to Keely Watson last week. Remini will begin filming in Los Angeles this week.

Remini and her former husband, Angelo Pagán, announced back in 2024 that they were divorcing after nearly 30 years together. In a joint statement, the exes said they’d both changed, “as people do.”

“This decision came after a lot of thought and care, and as hard as divorce is, we are approaching this with a positive outlook because we know it’s what’s best for us,” they said in the joint statement.

The pair had publicly shared their relationship in TV specials that aired on VH1’s “Inside Out: Leah Remini” and on Remini’s TLC series, “It’s All Relative,” which aired for two seasons.



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Sandra Bullock shows off new tattoo after partner’s death as she joins Nicole Kidman on red carpet for Practical Magic 2

SANDRA Bullock has shown off her new tattoo after her partner’s sad death, as she wowed on the red carpet for the premiere of Practical Magic 2.

Last night, Sandra, 62, and co-star Nicole Kidman, 59, both looked incredible at the star-studded screening in London for the hotly-anticipated sequel to the 90s classic film.

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman wowed at the Practical Magic 2 premiere last night Credit: AP
Sandra showed off her latest tattoo, which follows the death of her partner Credit: Splash News

But one thing that was noticeable on the much-loved actress’ shoulder was a small tattoo that read: “L B”

Although Sandra is yet to comment on her new inking, it is understood that the “L” stands for her two children – son Louis, 16, and daughter Laila, 12.

While the “B” is believed to be a tribute to her late partner Bryan Randall who died in 2023 at 57, following a three year battle with ALS – the most common form of motor neurone disease.

Sandra first met Bryan, who was a model-turned-photographer, when he photographed her son Louis’ birthday back in 2015.

Read more on Sandra Bullock

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Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reunite for Practical Magic 2 premiere


BIRTHDAY GIRL

Sandra Bullock shares rare pic of her kids as she celebrates 62nd birthday

Speaking two years before his sad death, the actress told Red Table Talk: “I found the love of my life.

We share two beautiful children – three children, [Bryan’s] older daughter. It’s the best thing ever.”

Sandra’s partner Bryan sadly passed away three years ago Credit: Alamy
Sandra made sure that her tribute to Bryan was on display last night Credit: Splash

The Hollywood star also has another small tattoo, which she had inked over her heart in tribute to her late mum.

Sandra was joined by her Practical Magic 2 co-star Nicole on the red carpet last night.

The pair both looked glamourous as they posed together for photos at the film‘s premiere in London’s Leicester Square.

Sandra and Nicole also showed off their timeless good looks, as they appeared to have not aged a day since the first film, almost 30 years ago.

Sandra also has another tattoo placed over her heart, which is a tribute to her late mum Credit: Splash
The original Practical Magic premiered in 1998 Credit: Getty

Practical Magic originally came out in 1998, and was a huge film for both Sandra and Nicole.

Based on the novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman, the film follows the life of two witch sisters – Sally and Gillian Owens – who are bound by a curse that prevents them from finding forever love.

The new film, which sees Sandra and Nicole reprise their leading roles, picks up from the last one, and this time sees Sally’s daughters affected by the curse.

Practical Magic 2 hits cinemas on September 11 in the UK.

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Emily Compagno joins Fox News’ ‘The Five’ as co-host

Fox News co-host Emily Compagno is jumping from the network’s daytime chatfest “Outnumbered” to join “The Five,” the most-watched program on cable news.

The conservative-leaning news network announced Monday that Compagno will fill the seat vacated last year by Jeanine Pirro, who left “The Five” in May to join the Trump administration as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia before her Senate confirmation three months later.

Compagno will be on daily starting Sept. 8 alongside fellow co-hosts Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino and Jesse Watters. Jessica Tarlov and Harold Ford Jr. rotate their appearances in the lone liberal seat on the program.

“Emily is a highly accomplished host whose energy and talent have made her a standout across FOX News Media, and we are thrilled to officially welcome her to the show,” Fox News Media Chief Executive Suzanne Scott said in a statement.

Compagno’s chair on “Outnumbered” will have guest co-hosts after she departs the program.

“The Five” has been a ratings juggernaut for Fox News in recent years, scoring audience levels that rival live viewing for hit broadcast network shows. In the second quarter of this year, “The Five” averaged 3.6 million viewers according to Nielsen, capturing more than 64% of the cable news viewing audience in the 5 p.m. Eastern hour.

Before joining Fox News as a contributor in 2018, Compagno practiced law in criminal defense and civil litigation and later served as a federal managing attorney and Acting Director at the Social Security Administration.

She also served as a Senior Judge Judicial Extern for the late Hon. John T. Noonan at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Compagno served as captain of the cheerleading squad for the NFL’s Raiders when they played in her hometown before moving to Las Vegas. She served as an ambassador for the league overseas, visiting U.S. troops in Iraq and Kuwait on a USO tour.

She is also the author of “Under His Wings: How Faith on the Front Lines Has Protected American Troops,” which was released on the network’s publishing imprint FOX News Books and debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

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Aaron Wan‑Bissaka: West Ham United defender joins Aston Villa on loan

Aston Villa have completed the signing of West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka on a season-long loan deal.

The deal for the DR Congo right-back includes a “conditional obligation to buy”.

The exact terms are not known, with the Hammers having previously asked interested clubs to pay a £25m fee.

The 28-year-old missed Championship club West Ham’s first two matches of the season during negotiations for a return to the Premier League.

Wan-Bissaka joined West Ham United on a seven‑year contract from Manchester United in 2024. He has made 65 appearances across his two seasons at the club, including 25 last season when the Hammers were relegated to the Championship.

He previously played 190 times for Manchester United, winning the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

More recently, Wan‑Bissaka started all four of DR Congo’s matches at the 2026 World Cup, helping them progress to the round of 32.

The new signing may feature in Villa’s first game of the Premier League at Brighton on Sunday (14:00 BST) and will also compete in the Champions League after the Villans finished fourth and won the Europa League under Unai Emery last season.

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Venezuela: Hunt Oil, SLB Strike Deals as BP Joins US’ Handpicked Crude Resellers

Oil Minister Paula Henao pitched investment opportunities to US corporations. (PDVSA)

Caracas, August 20, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The Venezuelan government has signed agreements with Texas-based Hunt Oil and SLB amid ongoing efforts to court foreign oil firms.

Venezuelan Oil Minister Paula Henao finalized the deals on Tuesday on behalf of Acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

Hunt Oil, originally founded by far-right tycoon H.L. Hunt in the 1930s, signed “Productive Participation Contracts,” which are concession-type deals, to operate the mature Caro and Carisito oilfields in eastern Venezuela. The two projects, belonging to the Oriente branch of state oil company PDVSA, produce light crude and natural gas.

CEO Hunter L. Hunt said in a statement that his firm “wants to play a constructive role in revitalizing and growing Venezuela’s oil and gas production.” Hunt Oil previously leveraged its close ties to the George W. Bush administration to secure energy contracts in Iraqi Kurdistan following the 2003 US invasion.

For its part, SLB, formerly Schlumberger, inked deals focused on reservoir studies and provision of services. SLB is the world’s largest oilfield services provider. According to Reuters, the multinational will work to reactivate 15 oil rigs in the Caribbean nation, with only two onshore rigs presently active.

Crossover Energy, a company created in 2022 with no prior energy track record, is also reportedly close to finalizing agreements to run Venezuelan oilfields, having acquired an operating firm in eastern Venezuela. Crossover Energy had signed a memorandum of understanding with the acting Rodríguez administration in May.

The Colorado-based firm showed no verifiable commercial registration, public website, or operating history before its agreement with the Venezuelan government. Crossover CEO Eric McCrady previously ran Sundance Energy Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in 2021 with over $250 million in debt, before being sold and liquidated in 2022. 

Henao traveled to Houston alongside PDVSA executives to participate in an event titled “Empowering Venezuela: Energy, Investment & Opportunity” on Tuesday as part of the August 17-20 International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy (IMAGE). She was joined by US Energy Undersecretary Kyle Haustveit.

According to Venezuelan state broadcaster VTV, Henao presented “investment opportunities” while also detailing “the benefits of recent reforms and joint work with the US Department of Energy.” The Venezuelan minister went on to hold meetings with US officials to “consolidate the cooperation agenda.”

In parallel, ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), the overseas arm of India’s state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), recently secured a US Treasury waiver to resume its activities in Venezuela. 

“Now we have full freedom to work on the Venezuela project because earlier we were restricting our operations there because of the sanction-related risks,” ONGC executive Anupam Agarwal said in a press conference last week.

OVL owns 40 and 11 percent respective stakes in the San Cristóbal and Carabobo-1 extra-heavy crude ventures in the Orinoco Oil Belt. Agarwal stated that the company was in talks with Venezuelan authorities to renegotiate agreements and assume operational control of the projects.

Furthermore, ONGC is also looking to collect around US $500 million in overdue dividends that state oil company PDVSA was unable to pay due to US sanctions.

Hunt Oil, SLB, and OVL have followed energy majors such as Shell, Chevron, and Repsol in taking advantage of Venezuela’s pro-business overhaul of the energy sector. A reformed Hydrocarbon Law slashed royalties and taxes, turned over control of operations and sales to private corporations, and subjected disputes to international arbitration bodies.

In addition to securing a favorable environment for Western corporations, the Trump administration has also seized control of Venezuelan oil revenues, which are deposited in a US Treasury account before US officials decide when and how much should be returned to Caracas. The White House is also reportedly deducting the costs of its January 3 military operation against Venezuela from the export earnings.

According to Bloomberg, BP received a US Treasury license to join Vitol and Trafigura in lifting and re-selling Venezuelan crude. A BP tanker loaded fuel oil headed for Houston on Tuesday. The intermediary companies secure cargoes at below-market rates and deposit the proceeds into a designated US Treasury account before rerouting them to final customers for a profit.

The London-based multinational is likewise moving forward in multiple offshore natural gas projects in Venezuelan waters. BP, alongside Qatar’s UCC and the UAE’s XRG, is set to develop the second phase of the Loran Field. It will also explore the Cocuina-Manakin Field alongside Trinidad and Tobago’s NGC. The Venezuelan state holds no stake in either project, with the owed royalties and taxes also significantly reduced under the reformed legislation and likewise to be deposited in the US Treasury account.

Edited by Lucas Koerner in Philadelphia.

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Shetland legend joins Trigger Point season four alongside Vicky McClure

The ITV crime series is returning with a familiar face leading the expos command

Trigger Point will soon return to television screens with a much-loved actress joining the bomb disposal experts.

The fourth season of the ITV crime drama sees Vicky McClure’s Lana Washington and her bomb defusal unit take on an explosive new case as they seek to keep the people of London safe from explosive devices and terrorist threats.

McClure has shared her excitement about the new episodes ahead of the release: “I love working with the team, we have a great time making the show, and I cannot wait to continue Lana’s journey on Trigger Point.”

The first look trailer confirms the team’s new challenge is “unprecedented”, with Lana noting that they seem to know how her team works. The scale of the attacks is made even clearer when Lana confirms, “The threats feel bigger, the bombs are closer.”

Returning on-screen alongside Lana is Eric Shango as Danny, Nabil Elouahabi as Hassan “Hass” Rahim, Natalie Simpson as DS Helen Morgan, and Maanuv Thiara as DCI Amar Batra.

Shetland star Julie Graham has also joined the star-studded cast as Commander Nia Quentin.

In the trailer, viewers see Nia confirm that this could be “the biggest terror attack this country has seen,” as the expo team battles to save the capital.

Away from Trigger Point, fans of crime dramas will know Julie as Rhona Kelly in the BBC series Shetland between 2014 and 2022.

The show is based on the bestselling crime novels by award-winning author Ann Cleeves and follows a dedicated police team as they investigate grisly murders and long-buried secrets within the tight-knit, remote island community of Scotland’s Isles.

Scottish actress Julie, 61, has been a seemingly near-permanent fixture on our screens since a Taggart appearance in the mid-1980s.

Her other long-running series commitments include portraying Megan Hartnoll in At Home With The Braithwaites, Abby Grant in Survivors, and playing Sheron Dawson in the adored sitcom, Benidorm.

Most recently, period drama fans saw Julie transform into Ma Hardacre in the Channel 5 show The Hardacres, which follows the sweeping rags-to-riches journey of a working-class family in 1890s Yorkshire.

She also played Annie Marling in Ridley and Elain Phelan in This City is Ours.

Trigger Point series 1-3 is available to stream on ITVX

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90s Baywatch star joins OnlyFans at 56 and promises fans ‘roleplay and feet pics’

A 90s Baywatch bombshell has signed up to OnlyFans and will post sexy content including feet pics.

Erika Eleniak, 56, famously wore the iconic red swimsuit as Shauni McClain in the hit beach drama, alongside Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff.

Baywatch’sErika Eleniak is launching an OnlyFans career Credit: Getty
Erika played Shauni McClain in the early 90s Credit: Rex

Three decades on and with a Baywatch reboot in the works, former Playboy girl Erika is set to coin it in from a new generation of fans and is charging $10 (£7.40)-a-month to subscribe to her channel.

She announced the move on Instagram, telling her followers: “At 56, I’m embracing exactly who I am today. From Baywatch to Playboy and beyond.



“You’ve been with me through so many chapters of my life and career. Now I’m opening up a brand-new one.

“This is about having fun, being unfiltered, sharing exclusive photos and videos, and most importantly, connecting directly with you. If you’ve ever wanted to talk to me personally, now you can.”

BOMBSHELL BATTLE

How Baywatch’s Brooks Nader is on ‘mission’ to eclipse Sydney Sweeney


BEACH BABE

Baywatch star Brooks Nader frolics in the sea in skin-tight mini-dress

She has promised fans lots of pics of her sandy feet Credit: Alamy
Erika is reprising her role as Shauni in the Baywatch reboot Credit: Alamy

Speaking in more detail about her decision to TMZ, Erika said joining OnlyFans felt like a “full circle” moment and gave her control over her image.

She said: “Fans are getting my real life, my personal photos and videos, plenty of beach days and, yes, the feet everyone keeps asking about.

“I’ve been Erika from Baywatch for decades, but OnlyFans gets a side of me people haven’t seen.

“It’s personal, playful and unfiltered – and if you came for the bare feet in the sand, I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

Erika, who is now heavily tattooed, announced she was returning to acting earlier this year and teased new projects.

One of which is a return to Baywatch, with her character Shauni now working as a councilwoman in Santa Monica and involved in helping Hobie Buchannon put on the first Beach Games.

The Games will pit the Baywatch lifeguards against members of the Coast Guard in a series of competitions.

Hobie, who is the son of David Hasselhoff’s character Mitch Buchannon and now played by Stephen Amell, is returning as a regular on the new version of the show.



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Former NFL QB Derek Carr joins Bob Chesney’s UCLA’s staff

Former NFL quarterback Derek Carr has joined UCLA’s coaching staff as a special advisor to coach Bob Chesney.

The Bruins announced the hiring Monday of the 35-year-old Carr, who is volunteering in his first major coaching role.

The longtime Raiders starter will help Chesney and the Bruins’ offensive staff with game planning and strategy, and he will work with UCLA‘s quarterbacks.

“His experience, leadership and football knowledge will be an incredible resource for our coaching staff and student-athletes,” Chesney said in a statement. “What stands out most is his passion for the game and his commitment to developing young people. Derek will have a tremendous impact on our players and is a great addition to our program.”

Chesney and his staff are in their first season in Westwood after he was hired away from James Madison last December. Carr’s connection to the job was through Bruins general manager Darrick Yray, an offensive assistant and an assistant director of football operations at Fresno State during Carr’s prolific career with the Bulldogs.

“I’ve known Darrick for a long time and have great respect for the work he’s done throughout his career,” Carr said in a statement. “The opportunity to help coach Chesney, the staff and the quarterbacks at UCLA was one that really excited me. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and helping support the program in any way I can.”

Carr is 22nd in NFL history after passing for 41,245 yards during his 11-season career with the Raiders and the New Orleans Saints. He is the Raiders’ career leader in yards passing, completions and passing touchdowns.

Carr was a four-time Pro Bowl selection in Oakland and Las Vegas. After two subsequent seasons as the Saints’ starter, Carr retired from the NFL in May 2025 because of a serious right shoulder injury.

Carr’s No. 4 is retired at Fresno State after he passed for 12,842 yards and 113 touchdowns, leading the nation in both categories in 2013 while winning the Sammy Baugh Trophy.

At UCLA, Carr will work with presumptive starter Nico Iamaleava, the Tennessee transfer and Long Beach native who passed for 1,928 yards and 13 touchdowns last season for the Bruins. Iamaleava’s younger brother, Madden, is expected to be their backup quarterback in his second season in the program.

Even before this high-profile addition to his staff, Chesney was already building early momentum in his significant rebuilding project at a program that has foundered over the past decade.

Chip Kelly produced six mediocre seasons before he bolted from Westwood in February 2024, leaving the Bruins in the lurch after that winter’s coaching cycle had largely ended. Former UCLA star DeShaun Foster took over on short notice, but was fired three games into his second season last fall before the Bruins finished 3-9.

Beacham writes for the Associated Press.

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Emmerdale star’s secret dance past as he joins Strictly Come Dancing

It has been revealed that Emmerdale star Lawrence Robb attended a dance school for years as he signs up for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, returning in the autumn

The yearly debate on whether those with dance training should be allowed on Strictly Come Dancing is sure to be reignited now that it has been revealed that Lawrence Robb attended a dance school for two years.

Lawrence, who was the 12th celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing, is best known for playing McKenzie Boyd on Emmerdale, but from 2007-2009, he was a student at The Dance School of Scotland. Glasgow City Council shared a video message from the actor, 34, where he shared his dance experience.

In the message, he said: “I studied at Knightswood incorporating the Dance School of Scotland along with the musical theatre course back in 2007 and left in 2009.”

After adding that he then went to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he praised his dance teachers for the “care” they had for their students. “If it had not been for the nourishment and the care and the love that the teachers put into teaching us,” he said.

“I’ve made friends for life at that place, it is up there with the two best years of my life. It gave me a wonderful springboard into the world of musical theatre and it’s just a magical place to be. My experience there is what shaped me into the performer that I am today.”

As a musical theatre performer, Lawrence is thought to have had more professional dance experience than the average Strictly celebrity contestant. West End stars have often come under fire for taking part in the show – just last year, musical theatre star Amber Davies‘ involvement in the show was heavily criticised when she proved to be a strong contender for the glitterball.

Likewise, Layton Williams was criticised for taking part given his experience performing in the West End. Actors who did dance training whilst at drama school have also faced backlash, such as Danny Mac and Nigel Harman, as have those who have competed in dance competitions or worked as dancers in non-ballroom or latin styles, such as Lewis Cope and Tasha Ghouri.

Year after year, fans are split between those who feel that such celebrities are afforded an unfair advantage and those who say that Strictly would be boring without these dancers providing high-scoring performances.

Strictly stars have often hit back at backlash, stating that the celebrities with dance experience have no advantages as ballroom is a different style. Speaking about it to The Sun, professional dancer Lauren Oakley said: “It’s a completely different experience, my friend is ballet trained but she’s had to unlearn a lot of things in order to do Latin. It’s a completely different discipline and you have to almost it’s not a blank page, you have to unlearn it before you.”

Despite Lauren’s words, celebrities who have dance experience consistently score highly and make the final. For instance, just last year, the winner Karen Carney danced as a child, Amber Davies made the final and Lewis Cope was often topping the leaderboard.

This year, Lawrence is not he only Strictly celeb to take part with prior dance experience. Cach Mercer, who won Love Island last year, is trained in hip-hop and often teaches dance classes. Bethany Antonia is also a West End star who played Eurydice in Hadestown on stage.

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Justice Smith and reason he looks so familiar as star joins Heated Rivalry cast

Heated Rivalry will be retuning to Sky next year for UK audiences with two new leads

Smash hit romance series Heated Rivalry will be returning to screens and there is one face that will be surprisingly familiar.

Having first been aired on Canadian streaming service Crave back in November 2025, it was then picked up by HBO Max in the US and was renewed for a second series just a month after it became a huge hit around the world.

Based on the bestselling book by Rachel Reid, it follows two elite professional hockey players who have a secret love affair. According to Sky: “The first season told the story of rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Storrie).

“Bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understood, what began as a secret fling between two fresh-faced rookies evolved into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self-discovery.”

Confirmed to return to Sky and NOW in Spring 2027 in the UK, it was today announced (August 7) that Justice Smith and Charlie Gillespie have also been confirmed as new cast additions playing Harris Drover and Troy Barrett.

Justice Smith may already appear familiar to some fans, but who is the star and where have you seen him before?

Who is Justice Smith?

Justice Smith is an American actor well known for his role in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom as well as I Saw the TV Glow and Pokemon Detective Pikachu.

Aged 30, Justin made his on-screen acting debut back in 2012 with thriller Trigger Finger and some television programmes before his first major role as Radar in Paper Towns in 2015.

Fans may also recognise the star from his appearance in Every Day (2018) as well as Sharper in 2023 and more recently, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

Writer, director, and executive producer Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady said about the cast announcement: “Rachel Reid has given us two beautifully layered characters in Harris and Troy who you can’t help but root for.

“From the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen.

“Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”

Heated Rivalry season 2 will be coming to Sky and streaming service NOW in Spring 2027.

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski joins Susan Collins, says she’ll vote against Todd Blanche nomination

Aug. 7 (UPI) — Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, on Friday became the second Republican senator to say she’ll vote against Todd Blanche’s nomination for U.S. attorney general, putting his confirmation further at risk.

Murkowski joins Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who said Tuesday that she’ll vote against Blanche’s nomination. Blanche, President Donald Trump‘s pick for the role, is now acting attorney general.

Murkowski questioned if Blanche, Trump’s former personal lawyer, would be an effective check against Trump if he’s confirmed as the leader of the U.S. Department of Justice.

In a social media post Friday, she listed various ways the Justice Department has been politicized and referred to the $1,776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund order that Blanche said he’s rescinded earlier this week.

“I am … keenly aware that the department’s nearly $2 billion dollar slush fund — which likely would have rewarded January 6 protestors — is only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage,” Murkowski wrote. “Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds.

“The country needs an attorney general who will check the worst impulses of this administration. I hope Mr. Blanche is able to achieve that, if confirmed, but I simply do not have confidence that will be the case.”

Collins also questioned Blanche’s independence and approval of the anti-weaponization fund — as well as its connected settlement agreement giving Trump and his family protection from tax investigations — in saying she will vote against the nomination.

Also, “more than 1,200 former Department of Justice employees have opposed his nomination, arguing that he has undermined the institution,” Collins said in her statement Tuesday. “For these reasons, I will vote against this nomination.”

With Murkowski and Collins voting against the nomination, Sen.Mitch McConnell still absent from the Senate and all Democrats saying they’ll vote against him, Blanche can’t lose any more votes and be confirmed.

It is uncertain how Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican and frequent Trump critic, will vote. Cassidy has so far declined to comment on the question.

Before Blanche rescinded the $1,776 billion fund order, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn also said they’d vote against him. However, they reversed course on that Monday.

However, Trump said on social media Saturday — before Blanche issued his order on the fund – that if Blanche is not confirmed, he will remain acting attorney general and the fund “would immediately be back on the table,and I will get it done!”

Blanche has been in the acting attorney general role since Trump fired Pam Bondi in April.

Chair of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks during a hearing at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. The committee voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked his Fifth Amendment right 111 times during a subpoenaed hearing on the pandemic response. Paul argues the Fifth Amendment does not apply due to a prior presidential pardon. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo

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Michigan joins Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks, with FBI investigating | Cybercrime News

No culprit has been identified in any of the attacks, which comes after authorities warned of a possible Iranian plot.

Michigan has reported cyberattacks on nine of its water systems, days after Minnesota reported similar breaches across the state.

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said it was investigating both of the attacks on Saturday. In an advisory earlier this week, it said that at least seven states have reported incidents, but so far only Minnesota and Michigan have been identified.

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No culprit has yet been pinpointed. However, the breaches came after the FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other agencies warned in an advisory last week that Iranian hackers have been targeting water and wastewater systems and the operational controls of other critical infrastructure sectors.

“The FBI is aware of recent public reporting around Water and Wastewater (WWS) sectors,” the agency said in a statement on Saturday. “The FBI and our interagency partners are fully engaged to protect critical infrastructure, and we remain well-equipped to protect against cyber threats of all varieties.”

Dale George, the director of communications for Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, meanwhile, said that “all systems continued to operate safely” following the attacks.

He said Michigan received a federal cyber alert on Tuesday about attempts to tamper with operational technology in water systems.

Soon after, the state received “a small number of reports from Michigan communities indicating activity consistent with what federal agencies described”, said George.

Minnesota had earlier in the week reported attacks on 30 sites. Minnesota IT Services, the state information technology agency, said most of the confirmed attacks involved technology that water systems use to remotely monitor and control equipment.

The agency has said that impacted systems did not necessarily equate to water disruptions, noting that as of Thursday, there were no active requests for residents to modify their water usage. Some modifications had been requested earlier in the week.

Local water plants are generally more vulnerable than other infrastructure because they are more likely to have out-of-date cybersecurity. Federal law enforcement has previously indicted Iranian hackers for allegedly targeting water infrastructure.

Throughout the war, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran, including power and water desalination plants.

When asked about the Minnesota attacks on Friday, Trump instead pivoted to criticise the Democrat-led state government in Minnesota.

“I think Minnesota is behind it,” Trump said, without providing further evidence or clarification. “I don’t think there was an Iranian cyberattack.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, meanwhile, indicated his belief that Iran was behind the attack. He further blamed Trump’s cuts to federal government employees for making the US more vulnerable to cyberattacks.

“Trump knows exactly who is responsible for this attack, and knows that other states were hit too,” Walz said.

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Alan Carr joins The Masked Singer as new judge as he sends ‘warning’ to current panel

Comedian Alan Carr has announced that he will be joining Davina McCall, Maya Jama, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan as a judge on the next series of The Masked Singer

Alan Carr is joining The Masked Singer as a judge. Bosses of the hit ITV competition, which sees celebrities dress up in elaborate costumes in an attempt to conceal their identity as they perform pop songs, had teased that a famous face was set to join the panel for the next series.

Since its inception in 2020, Jonathan Ross and Davina McCall have been part of the programme, whilst Mo Gilligan joined in the second series and Love Island host Maya Jama replaced Maya Jama just under two years ago. Joel Dommett has served as the presenter since the beginning as well and now, Celebrity Traitors winner Alan, 50, has announced that he is joining the panel.

Speaking on ITV’s This Morning on Friday, he said: “Yes, it’s me, Alan. I’m sick and tired of watching that panel make terrible guesses. I’ve been Red Panda, I’ve been Teeth. Dunno why they thought of me!

“So yes, I’m bringing the panel something they desperately need – intelligence. Watch out, Jonathan, Maya, Davina and Mo because I’m bringing my own detectives to rival yours! Oh yes, and we’re not here to play, we are here to win!”

Hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary were thrilled with the news, and Alison said: “Oh my gosh, that has made my day. It’s gonna be brilliant! It’s gonna be great, well done, Alan, we can’t wait to see you joining the panel.”

Alan has previously served as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent and was also part of the panel for ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream, which sought to find two unknown performers to play the leads in the ABBA jukebox musical.

In the build-up to the reveal, the social media account for The Masked Singer had teased that someone new was on the way and laid out a series of clues in the video. Fans instantly started to speculate as to who the mystery celeb could be as the video claimed that “something big” was about to happen.

Initially, followers thought that a singer was joining the panel, with one writing: “We do need a singer panellist ngl,” and another said: “we need someone on the panel that knows singing like the back of their hand that does singing full time like [former panellist] Rita [Ora]”

One fan thought that, if a singer was indeed joining the panel, it could be West End star Mazz Murray. They wrote: “Mazz Murray because of the Greece postcard and it says missing you and Mazz left Mamma Mia! and Donna Sheridan is one of her most well known roles.”

Another thought it could be McFly stars Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher, but another simply said: “Whatever it is, if it’s being teased early it’ll be big.”

The Masked Singer normally airs in January, and earlier this year, Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan won the series after no one managed to guess that she had been secretly performing as Moth.

Other winners over the years include pop stars Nicola Roberts and Natalie Imbruglia as well as West End actress Samantha Barks, who is best known for her roles in Les Miserables and Frozen.

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AFC joins Uefa and Concacaf in opposing Fifa plan

Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes in competitions to private investors appears to be in jeopardy, with a third confederation expressing opposition.

In a statement published on Friday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it “stands in solidarity” with its counterparts in Europe and North, Central America and the Caribbean.

The AFC added Infantino’s plan could not “realistically achieve the necessary broad consensus and unity required to move forward”.

“The Fifa World Cup is the pinnacle of global football and derives its strength from the participation of all Confederations and the world’s leading football nations,” it said.

“Any proposal that risks undermining the unity and universal character of the competition must be reconsidered.”

The AFC’s statement means Infantino’s plans are unlikely to be approved by Fifa members if put to a vote.

Infantino had indicated the proposals would need a straight majority to go through – meaning 106 of its 211 members to vote in favour for the proposal.

Uefa – the body that governs European football – has 55 votes. Concacaf, which oversees football in North, Central America and the Caribbean, has 35 and Asia has 46.

Asian football’s governing body accused Fifa of once again setting the “direction of travel” for a “significant initiative” before consulting stakeholders.

It said Fifa’s failure to consult its member associations on the proposals had “exposed fundamental weaknesses in Fifa’s consultation and decision-making processes that must now be addressed”.

The AFC also criticised Fifa for leaving “confederations, member associations and even Fifa’s own governing bodies, including the Fifa Council, feeling sidelined.

“The Fifa World Cup, and the game itself, belong to the entire global football family,” it added.

Their future must always be shaped collectively, through institutions that reflect the voices of all Confederations and member associations.

“The AFC calls upon Fifa to undertake an urgent review of its governance and decision-making framework to ensure that proposals of global significance are developed through proper consultation, meaningful engagement and appropriate oversight by Fifa’s statutory bodies.”

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Tennis ‘heartthrob’ Arthur Fery joins popular dating app after Wimbledon heroics made him a ‘household name’

WILDCARD Arthur Fery captured the nation’s hearts when he powered his way to the Wimbledon semi-finals.

And now it seems he is looking for the perfect match off-court after signing up to celebrity dating app Raya.

Arthur Fery, pictured with Kate Middleton, captured the nation’s hearts when he powered his way to the Wimbledon semi-finals Credit: AFP
Fery is looking for the perfect match off-court after signing up to celebrity dating app Raya

Arthur has made sure his sporting prowess is front and centre on his profile and lists his job as a professional tennis player.

The British singles No1 also added a snap of him shaking hands with Kate Middleton on the day of the men’s final.

Arthur even offered to coach Prince George and Princess Charlotte, saying: “If you guys want to hit some balls any time, just let me know; that would be great.”

However, he has chosen to crop the Princess of Wales out of the frame on his dating profile.

THANKS FERY MUCH

Arthur Fery gets birthday gift from Princess Kate after Wimbledon run


FERY TRIP

Arthur Fery forced to cancel Greece holiday after fairytale Wimbledon run

A source said: “Arthur became a household name in a matter of days after reaching the Wimbledon semi-final as a wildcard entry.

“He is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Andy Murray, who made history when he won at Wimbledon in 2013 and 2016. Arthur has also become a heartthrob among Gen-Z and his professional sports background makes him a catch.”

On Raya, the tennis ace has included a snap of him waving to the crowd on Wimbledon’s Centre Court following his crushing semi-final defeat to Germany’s Alexander Zverev earlier this month.

He has also added a pic showing him in action on the famous grass court along with a post-match interview during the tournament.

Meanwhile, Arthur mentioned he was educated at prestigious Stanford University in the US, where he studied science, technology and society on a tennis scholarship.

The French-born player has linked his profile to We Are The People by Australian electronic music duo Empire of the Sun.

Speaking about his music taste, Arthur previously said: “I like [Aussie dance music act] Rufus Du Sol. It gets me in the zone.

“I like British rappers as well. Dave, Central Cee.”

Arthur was thought to be dating former schoolmate Honor Millard, a foodie influencer known online as The Honorable Chef.

But it definitely seems he is searching for a new doubles partner.

Who says love means nothing in tennis?

ANYONE KNOW A GOOD TYLA?

Tyla looks cappy-go-lucky, as she performs on US telly Credit: Getty
Tyla wore a leopard-print hat with a metallic bralette for her set on NBC’s Today show at New York’s Rockefeller Plaza Credit: Getty

TYLA looks cappy-go-lucky, as she performs on US telly.

The South African singer wore the leopard-print hat with a metallic bralette for her set on NBC’s Today show at New York’s Rockefeller Plaza.

It came as she released her second studio album, A*Pop, which includes hot tracks That Girl and Kiss.

Meanwhile, fans can also snap up a £63 Tyla Bratz doll, decked out in the same dress Tyla wore to the Met Gala in New York in May.

Oh, and I’ve been told the singer will be making her way to London this week.

If you fancy a cuppa, Tyla, you know where to find us.

LIL BIT OF HAPPINESS FOR JESSIE

Jessie J and Biz on Sunday’s Emily Webber Credit: Supplied

JESSIE J announced her split from former basketball player Chanan Colman this week – but hopefully a catch-up with her showbiz pal Lily Allen gave her reason to Smile.

The pair were seen putting the world to rights just days before Price Tag singer Jessie confirmed the end of her four-year relationship.

They were deep in conversation at London’s Royal Albert Hall, where they attended the Silver Clef Awards and were both recognised for their contribution to music.

Earlier in the night, Jessie told Biz on Sunday’s Emily that she is “living in the moment”.

The star, who has three-year-old son Sky with Chanan, announced she was cancer-free in May after her diagnosis with early-stage breast cancer last year.

She said: “There is always a risk of it coming back, so I want to celebrate every day that I don’t have it. I would love to learn how to ride a bike – I can’t, which is sad, isn’t it? I want to learn Danish and how to play the piano.

“Living in the moment and having a bit of perspective – my son is the core of my world so everything stems from him.”

Jessie also told how she loves touring, adding: “My touring family . . . get through whatever challenges we have.”

LOTTIE’S IN HER HOLISTIC PHASE

Lottie Moss is following in the footsteps of Gwyneth Paltrow by setting up her own wellness brand Credit: instagram/phase3ii
Gwynnie has made millions from her wellness and lifestyle brand Goop, which she set up in 2008 Credit: Getty

LOTTIE MOSS is following in the footsteps of Gwyneth Paltrow by setting up her own wellness brand.

I can reveal that the younger sister of supermodel Kate Moss has set up a holistic community that will offer sound baths, yoga and breathwork events.

US actress Gwynnie has made millions from her wellness and lifestyle brand Goop, which she set up in 2008.

I am told Lottie has also taken inspiration from actress Pamela Anderson and wants to “strip back” her image after she started modelling at 16.

The brand – Phase II – has recently set up an Instagram page and promises, “a wellness concept for discovering the next phase of your life”.

A source said: “Lottie wants to create a community that has wellness at the core.

“She wants it to be accessible for everyone and wants to help people find balance in their life. A lot of wellness challenges set unrealistic expectations and that is what Lottie wants to avoid.

“Her main message is that she wants people to have fun and go out but also enjoy yoga on the weekend.

“It does not need to be one or the other.”

It comes after her sister Kate closed down her wellness and beauty brand Cosmoss last June after three years.

It sold products including a £125 Sacred Mist perfume and £95 pots of face cream.

Lottie, who is currently dating art dealer Themy Kalaitzis, has previously opened up about her battle with addiction and how the toxic culture of the modelling industry affected her mental health.

Sounds like she is stepping into this next chapter of her life with a yoga mat in hand.

IT’S ALL CHA-CHA-CHANGE

Strictly bosses have unveiled the five new professional dancers that will be hitting the dancefloor this autumn Credit: BBC

STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses have unveiled the five new professional dancers that will be hitting the dancefloor this autumn.

Ukranian dancer Aleksandra Isaeva is ranked in the world’s top 21 Latin dancers.

She has been dubbed the new Nadiya Bychkova as the blonde pair both hail from the same country.

Speaking about her new BBC role, Aleksandra said: “I’ve been living and breathing dance for as long as I can remember, so joining the Strictly family is a true honour.”

She will be joined by her Italian dancer partner Cristian Priori, who has revealed that he is “excited to begin this new chapter”.

South African Latin Champion Lethabo Monametsi – who has been on stage with Diana Ross and composer Hans Zimmer – also joins the line-up after starring on The Masked Singer SA.

And Canadian champ Mark Karmalita and Bournemouth-born Maddie Ingoldsby will make their debut on the show this September, too.

I bet they can’t wait to hit the ballroom in their sequins.

PRICE OF FAME FOR PRINCESS

Princess and Junior Andre star on The Princess Diaries alongside their mum Katie Price Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

KATIE PRICE’s love life has been nothing short of a soap opera.

But that has not stopped the former glamour model – who, in January, married conman Lee Andrews ten days after she met him in Dubai – from giving her kids some dating advice.

Katie stars on ITV2 series The Princess Diaries alongside her daughter Princess and son Junior who she shares with her ex-husband, Peter Andre.

In scenes set to air, Katie says: “When you are in the public eye and you meet someone and want a relationship with them, you’re so proud to be with them but try to keep it as private as you can for as long as you can.

“Because there will be a point where someone will get a picture or something like that and I find that hard.”

Princess added: “If I was seeing someone, I would want to make sure it was a long-term thing before I make it known.

“My mum’s love life has been all over everywhere and yeah, I probably wouldn’t want mine to be like that.”

The third series of The Princess Diaries airs is due to air on July 28.

RACHEL BAGS GIFT FOR TOUR

Rachel Chinouriri has revealed that Sabrina Carpenter bought her a designer handbag to say thanks for joining her on the road Credit: Splash

RACHEL CHINOURIRI has revealed that Sabrina Carpenter bought her a designer handbag to say thanks for joining her on the road.

The British singer-songwriter supported the Manchild hitmaker on the UK and European leg of her Short n’ Sweet Tour last year.

Speaking to Biz on Sunday’s Emily at the Silver Clef Awards, Rachel said: “She did get me a gift. I got her one then she got me one.”

Rachel remained tight-lipped on the brand but said: “She got me a handbag. It was on the wishlist. It was so iconic.”

She admitted: “I haven’t used it yet and it is perched on the side because I don’t want anything to happen to it.”

We all need a friend like Sabrina . . . 

MAYAN GOLD

Maya Jama looks a gem – as she reveals her newly golden hair Credit: Instagram/@mayajama

MAYA JAMA looks a gem – as she reveals her newly golden hair.

The Love Island host posted the shot of her highlights ahead of the dating show’s grand final in Majorca tomorrow night.

She showed off her figure in a white tank top and snakeskin trousers, and playfully teased in the caption: “Who is she.”

The winning couple of the ITV2 dating show will get £50,000 – but we reckon Maya looks a million dollars.

HAIR’S TO YOU, LORENZO

Lorenzo Alessi has become the stand-out star of this year’s Love Island Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

LOVE ISLAND’S Lorenzo Alessi has become the stand-out star of this year’s ITV series.

The businessman, who has Italian and Turkish-Cypriot heritage, has already been inundated with offers from talent agencies – and he hasn’t even left the villa in Majorca yet.

I hear that agents are eyeing up Lorenzo, right, to attend Milan and London Fashion Week in September.

It comes after former UK Vogue editor Edward Enniful hinted he could be the next Molly-Mae Hague.

A source said: “Lorenzo is going to face a bidding war when he comes out of the villa.

“He has a great head of hair, which would make him perfect for a men’s haircare brand, and he ticks a lot of boxes in the style stakes.”

Lorenzo is also the favourite to take home the £50,000 prize in tomorrow night’s Love Island final, following his romance with Polish-born insurance broker Julia Majchrzak.

Sounds like he will be a winner whatever the outcome.

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Emily Scarratt permanently joins Red Roses coaching team

England’s record points-scorer Emily Scarratt has committed her long-term future to the Red Roses coaching team.

The 36-year-old joined John Mitchell’s side on an interim basis as the lead attack and backs coach for this year’s Women’s Six Nations.

Following England clinching their eighth successive Women’s Six Nations title in May, Scarratt returned to her role as assistant coach at Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) side Loughborough Lightning.

She will now leave her role with Loughborough after joining the Red Roses on a permanent basis.

“The Six Nations was challenging but hugely rewarding in equal measure,” Scarratt said.

“I’d spent so many years in the Red Roses environment as a player, so stepping into a coaching role in the same setting was a new experience and, at times, slightly unnerving.

“There was plenty of uncertainty, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and learned so much already.

“There’s a huge amount of ambition within this team, and I’m proud to be part of the journey as we continue to grow and build towards the future.”

On leaving Loughborough after eight years as a player and coach, the two-time World Cup winner added: “I’ve been surrounded by incredible people who have challenged and supported me in every way possible.

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone connected with the club. I’ll always look back on my time with immense gratitude. Thank you for everything.”

Former England attack coach Lou Meadows left the set-up after helping England win the Rugby World Cup at a sold-out Allianz Stadium last September.

Scarratt, who retired from playing after the World Cup win, then helped the Red Roses’ attack score 27 more points in 2026 than in the 2025 Women’s Six Nations.

“Emily has already made a significant impact on our environment in a coaching capacity, and during the Six Nations she proved to be a huge asset with the insight, calmness and experience she brings every day,” Mitchell added.

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Jhon Duran: Ex-Aston Villa striker joins Benfica from Al-Nassr on season-long loan

Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has joined Benfica on a season-long loan from Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

The Portuguese giants will be the seventh club of Duran’s career at the age of just 22, following recent stints with Fenerbahce and Zenit St Petersburg.

Benfica will pay a £5.19m (6.1m euros) loan fee for the Colombia international with the option to make the move permanent for £25.5m (30m euros) at the end of the 2026-27 season.

“I am happy! I continue to say that it is the biggest club in Portugal. I am very grateful to be here,” said Duran.

“I have very high expectations of being here. I want to play well, give my all and become champion.”

Duran began his professional career with Colombian side Envigado in 2019 before earning a move to MLS team Chicago Fire in 2022.

He was on the move again in January 2023 when he joined Aston Villa for £14m and quickly became a fan favourite.

A move to West Ham fell through in the summer of 2024, but after scoring a famous winner for Villa against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Duran was sold to Al-Nassr for £71m in January 2025.

Despite scoring eight goals in 13 games for the Saudi Arabian side, he stayed for only half a season before moving to Fenerbahce on loan.

But manager Jose Mourinho was sacked less than a month after Duran made his debut and the loan was cancelled in February 2026 so he could join Zenit.

After bagging three goals in nine games in Russia, Duran now has the chance to make a home at Benfica, his seventh club in the seventh country of his young career.

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Watch the moment Matty Healy joins 1975 tribute act for on-stage duet after booking band for his OWN stag do

THIS is the moment Matty Healy performed with a The 1975 tribute band – having booked the act for his stag do.

Brit Award winner Matty, 37, has been lead vocalist of pop rock band The 1975 since 2002.

The 1975 lead singer Matty Healy put a special spin on his stag party Credit: Instagram/The9075musicbythe1975
Having booked a The 1975 tribute act to perform, he joined them on stageCredit: Instagram/The9075musicbythe1975

The singer-songwriter put a unique spin on his stag do – as he joined a The 1975 tribute act on stage.

A clip of the moment begins with tribute group The 9075 singing The Sound, which was released in 2019.

Matty jumps on stage mid-performance and performs alongside the band.

One person commented: “Matty Healy attending a 1975 tribute is very Matty Healy coded.”

HEAL BREAKS LOOSE

Matty Healy gives Ross Kemp a run for his money with England celebration


POP PAL

Charli XCX and husband George arrive in Italy for Dua Lipa’s lavish wedding

Matty has been lead singer of The 1975 since 2002 Credit: Getty
The Brit Award winner is soon set to marry American singer and model Gabbriette Credit: Alamy

Another added: “I thought the real Matty was the fake Matty until he started counting things on his fingers that don’t need to be counted, that’s when I knew.”

A third wrote: “He wanted to experience a 1975 concert for his stag party and I respect it.”

Matty – the son of Denise Welch and Tim Healy – is set to marry American model and singer Gabbriette.

He and the 28-year-old – whose real name is Gabriella Bechtel – announced their engagement in June 2024.

Gabbriette showed off a huge black ring on social media at the time and wrote: “Marrying the 1975 is very Brat.”

Back in February, The Sun revealed the couple had set a July 2026 wedding date.

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Strictly favourite joins Celebrity Gogglebox with famous partner ‘we had disagreements’

A brand new famous face from Strictly makes their debut on Celebrity Gogglebox this week

Celebrity Gogglebox has signed up a Strictly Come Dancing favourite and her long-term partner for the new series.

The Channel 4 spin-off programme returned to screens last month for its eigth series, welcoming back firm favourites, such as Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness, Nick Grimshaw and niece Liv, and Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan.

There are several new additions to the new series too, including Olivia Attwood and her mum Jennifer, Harry and Matt aka Nitro and Legend from Gladiators.

And now, it’s been confirmed that radio DJ and The Saturdays singer Mollie King will make an appearance on Friday’s episode (July 9) with her partner, former cricketer Stuart Broad.

Mollie is best known for being a member of chart-topping girl group The Saturdays. She also appeared on Strictly in 2017 and partnered with AJ Pritchard. Mollie was eliminated in the semi-final in December, finishing in fifth place.

As well as telly work, Mollie also has her own BBC Radio 1 alongside Matt Edmondson, in which they co-host from Mondays to Thursdays. Talking about her Gogglebox appearance, Mollie said: “Getting to do Celebrity Gogglebox with Stuart was such a lovely experience.

“Between juggling busy schedules, there’s nothing I enjoy more than switching off together in front of the TV, so it felt really special to share a little bit of that with viewers.”

Mollie added: “We had so many laughs filming it and, although I can’t promise we agreed on every programme, we had the best time.”

Meanwhile Stuart said about his appearance: “Celebrity Gogglebox was a genuinely enjoyable experience and a chance to show what Mollie and I are really like when the remote control is up for grabs. We had plenty of opinions, a few disagreements and a lot of laughs along the way.”

Other new faces on the latest series of Gogglebox include Strictly star George Clark and content creator Max Balegde comedian and actor, Julian Clary and actor and television presenter, Nigel Havers.

Talking about being on Celebrity Gogglebox Strictly 2025 finalist George Clarke also said: “I loved it, mainly because it gave me a full excuse to take the mick out of Max on national TV.

“He reacts to everything, so you’re never bored. It’s so easy to get into as well, you just sit there, say exactly what you’re thinking, and before you know it, we’ve gone completely off track!”

Coronation Street legend Nigel Havers also shared: “It’s a dream come true working with Julian on Gogglebox. I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening… (Julian wrote this).”

Celebrity Gogglebox airs every Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.

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Former Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly joins coaching staff at Corona High

Corona High baseball coach Andy Wise has pulled off the most intriguing acquisition of the summer season.

Former Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly, a Corona graduate, is joining the program as an assistant coach to help guide pitchers.

Known for his quirky personality and ability to thrive under pressure, Kelly has followed the program in recent years after retiring as a player and jumped at the chance to help the pitchers, Wise said.

“My conversations with him over the years have been incredible,” Wise said. “What an asset for the pitching staff and the whole program. He’s got the time and he’s got a lot of kids. He’s not going to be here six days a week. He’s excited.”

The plan came together after Wise went up to Northern California to speak with a group of players with Kelly.

“No stress, no pressure, anything you might help us with would be awesome,” Wise said he told him.

Wise said Kelly has been following the team in person and on GameChanger and offering ideas.

Just having around a 13-year former MLB pitcher should be inspiring to players next season.

“Joe is Joe and I expect him to be Joe,” Wise said.

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