love

CHRIS Hughes was left devastated watching England’s defeat in the World Cup on Wednesday night – with the Love Island star shouting at the TV before storming off.

The reality star joined the rest of the country in mourning as hopes of the Three Lions taking home the winning title were dashed by Argentina.

However, Chris was extra animated during the game.

His girlfriend JoJo Siwa filmed as Chris stood in front of the TV watching intently.

And when Argentina‘s Lautaro Martínez scored in the 92nd minute, Chris furiously shouted: “Oh My God, England!” while storming off.

Angrily walking away, he continued to shout: “What are you doing?!”

STRATTON HER STUFF

Rivals’ Emily Atack shows off weight loss as she goes braless in dress

SPLIT FEARS

Lisa Snowdon sparks fears she’s split from fiance after 12 years together

Chris then completely stormed out of the room, and could be heard shouting: “Oh my good God”.

It’s a far cry from Chris’ usually soft-spoken demeanour, with girlfriend JoJo even admitting in the caption: “Didn’t know his vocals could reach that octave” with laughing faces.

Chris was watching the game over in the US, where he is currently visiting JoJo.

As the match came to a disappointing close, she filmed him with his head against the wall in dispair.

The couple have been together since meeting on Big Brother last year, and do long distance between London and L.A.

Chris wasn’t the only famous face to be left feeing down over the result, with Sam Thompson also taking to his Instagram Stories to rant about the loss.

While die-hard football fan Ross Kemp was all smiles as he got behind England before the game – shouting and kissing his England shirt in a topless video before the semi-final kicked off.

He then couldn’t contain his excitement when England scored the first goal of the game in the 55th minute, sharing a second video.

But the energy was much less on the other side of the game, with Ross radio-silent since the loss.

David Beckham – who was at the game and got booed by Argentina fans when he popped up on the big screen – described the loss as a ‘heartbreak’ in a social media post.


Love Island fans think they have figured out exactly why Ellie Chadwick left the show before the latest dramatic scenes on the hit ITV2 dating show have even aired

Love Island fans think they have figured out exactly why Ellie Chadwick left the show. The real estate videographer, 24, had been taking part in the hit ITV2 reality dating series and was enjoying a blossoming romance with Finley Maddock but it all started to go wrong when he fell for a bombshell who entered the villa.

It recently emerged that her decision to quit the programme all together reportedly stemmed from hearing the results of a viewer poll for favourite boy and favourite girl, and, in dramatic scenes set to air tonight, viewers will find out exactly what happened – but bosses have already teased the action with a clip posted to YouTube and Instagram.

In the preview clip, host Maya Jama tells the contestants: “The public have been voting for their favourite girl and favourite boy. The Islanders with the fewest votes will be at risk of being dumped from the villa tonight,” as the stars all look on in shock and horror as they await their fate.

Maya adds: “The girl and boy with the fewest votes are…” before the trailer cuts off, creating suspense for it all to play out in Thursday night’s episode. Now, fans are sure that Finely was the one who got dumped by the public and Ellie chose to walk out shortly after.

In the comments section on social media, one fan said: “Marta, Jordan Elicia and Finley get voted off. Ellie walks,” whilst another said: “Ellie would’ve won if she just binned Finely!”

A third wrote: “Finley likely is gone to the vote so Ellie left walked out of the villa, the rest is up to guesswork but we can make educated guesses as to who is at risk.

Last night, the contestants had to play a brand-new game called If You Know, You Know, in which they all adorned blindfolds and headphones. When their phone vibrated, each couple had to make their way to a podium to read out a controversial statement and then guess who it was who said it in the first place.

One couple read out the claim that “One half of this couple is secretly bored but too polite to admit it” and it was then that Finley said he was “a bit bored.”

The dramatic scenes aired shortly after it was reported that Ellie had walked out of the villa for good, and shocked fans instantly took to social media to predict it was the catalyst. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “Finley has said he is bored of Ellie ??” and another said: “I don’t want to believe Ellie self-evicted for a man who literally said he got bored of her.”

Another said: “Omg Finley said that and they were all in ears to take Ellie back woow see how they are all in each other’s business but will be coming for Julia!”

Another wrote: “Oh was that boring comment to do with why Ellie left?” and a fifth said: “Finley said he’s bored with Ellie! That boy just keeps humiliating her!” On Facebook, one fan explained: “The received a statement that said this couple is one sided and one person is bored, which Finley had said to Kav in private apparently and it never came out, Ellie was clearly upset.”

Another replied: “OMG that heartbreaking for Ellie” and left a sad face emoji to emphasise how they felt. Just before the episode aired, it was reported that Ellie chose to quit the programme altogether, reportedly stemming from hearing the results of a viewer poll for favourite boy and favourite girl, even though she was not dumped by the public.

A source previousky said: “Viewers have seen Ellie threatening to leave across recent episodes, so the news of her now quitting won’t feel like a surprise.

“But in real time, her and Fin reconnected at the recoupling a few days ago so her decision to now leave is a shock. Viewers will see the dramatic action play out in an episode soon.”

The reality star had threatened to quit before, when it looked like Finley had begun to take an interest in Elicia Bailey. In Tuesday night’s episode, she was apparently back together with him, but that was all filmed days ago, and now Ellie has actually left.

Speaking to The Sun, the source added: “The whole fallout of the vote was electric and is going to make for amazing TV. Everyone was devastated that Ellie left, and viewers will definitely be left scratching their heads.”

* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

A MUCH-LOVED family attraction park has opened two new themed-hotels.

Gulliver’s World in Warrington, near Manchester, has a pirate-themed hotel and then a second hotel that is fairytale-themed.

The Enchanted Castle Hotel and the Pirate Ship Hotel will feature 32 rooms in total.

Inside the Pirate Ship Hotel, the rooms will sleep four people each and include an en suite.

On the other hand, the Enchanted Castle Hotel will have fairytale-themed rooms, suitable for up to five people each.

Gulliver’s World hopes to eventually open hotels at all four of its resorts.

Read more on travel inspo

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

Craig Clews, resort director at Gulliver’s World, said: “We are so excited to be launching our new accommodation as we know our guests will be wowed by what is on offer at the Enchanted Castle and Pirate Ship Hotels.

“The popularity of our short break stays continues to increase year-by-year, so this investment in our park helps to meet that demand and also provide families with even more options for cost-effective, family breaks here in the UK.”

The Warrington resort is already home to a number of different accommodations including tipis, safari lodges, Swizzels sweets-themed rooms and Nerf- themed rooms too.

Then inside the park, visitors can enjoy over 25 rides and attractions, including rollercoasters and play areas.

And tickets cost as little as £15.25 per person when you book online.

One recent visitor said that it was a “great day out for a young family”.

Another added: “This place is amazing for the younger thrill seeker. Loads for the kids to do and without having to queue as well.”

Love Island fans were left “heartbroken” for Ellie Chadwick after it was reported that she had quit the series for good after a tumutlous romance with Finley Maddock

Love Island fans were left “heartbroken” for Ellie Chadwick after it was reported that she had quit the series for good and the reason why appeared to emerge during the latest episode.

The real estate videographer, 24, had been taking part in the hit ITV2 reality dating series and was enjoying a blossoming romance with Finley Maddock, but it all started to go wrong when he fell for a bombshell who entered the villa.

During Tuesday night’s episode of the series, Maya Jama told the Islanders they were to play a brand-new game called If You Know, You Know, in which the contestants had to wear blindfolds and headphones.

When their phone vibrated, each couple had to make their way to a podium to read out a controversial statement and then guess who it was who said it in the first place.

One couple read out the claim that “One half of this couple is secretly bored but too polite to admit it” and it was then that Finley said he was “a bit bored.”

The dramatic scenes aired shortly after it was reported that Ellie had walked out of the villa for good, and shocked fans instantly took to social media to predict it was the catalyst.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan said: “Finley has said he is bored of Ellie ??” and another said: “I don’t want to believe Ellie self-evicted for a man who literally said he got bored of her.”

Another said: “Omg Finley said that and they were all in ears to take Ellie back woow see how they are all in each other’s business but will be coming for Julia!”

Another wrote: “Oh was that boring comment to do with why Ellie left?” and a fifth said: “Finley said he’s bored with Ellie! That boy just keeps humiliating her!” On Facebook, one fan explained: “The received a statement that said this couple is one sided and one person is bored, which Finley had said to Kav in private apparently and it never came out, Ellie was clearly upset.”

Another replied: “OMG that heartbreaking for Ellie” and left a sad face emoji to emphasise how they felt. Just before the episode aired, it was reported that Ellie chose to quit the programme altogether, reportedly stemming from hearing the results of a viewer poll for favourite boy and favourite girl, even though she was not dumped by the public.

A source said: “Viewers have seen Ellie threatening to leave across recent episodes, so the news of her now quitting won’t feel like a surprise.

“But in real time, her and Fin reconnected at the recoupling a few days ago so her decision to now leave is a shock. Viewers will see the dramatic action play out in an episode soon.”

The reality star had threatened to quit before, when it looked like Finley had begun to take an interest in Elicia Bailey. In Tuesday night’s episode, she was apparently back together with him, but that was all filmed days ago, and now Ellie has actually left.

Speaking to The Sun, the source added: “The whole fallout of the vote was electric and is going to make for amazing TV. Everyone was devastated that Ellie left, and viewers will definitely be left scratching their heads.”

* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

The story of Dan Tana’s, in many ways, is the story of Los Angeles.

In 1980, Dan Tana’s burst into flames. At the time, the Tana family was vacationing on a remote Yugoslav island when a telegram arrived: “The restaurant burned down. Call me, Pearl,” recalls Katerina Tana, one of Dan Tana’s daughters.

Dan Tana flew back to Los Angeles, expecting charred remains. Instead, he found handwritten signs taped to the restaurant’s door: “Rebuild it. This is our home. Don’t change a thing,” recounts Katerina.

News of the fire reached musician Linda Ronstadt, who swore that Dan Tana’s served the best plate of spaghetti in the world. The rock star became the immigrant-run restaurant’s unlikely patron saint, calling on her relationship with then-Gov. Jerry Brown to help clear the way for its reopening. Just six weeks after the fire, Dan Tana’s welcomed customers again, even without a roof.

“They open up the restaurant with no roof on it. There’s no air conditioning unit. It was the hottest day,” says Katerina.

Oddly, the fire ushered in a new era for Dan Tana’s — a rebirth, even. Like Los Angeles, the restaurant endured by reinventing itself. “In a weird way, he rebuilt better than he ever could have, because if the restaurant hadn’t burned down, it might not have lasted this long,” Katerina says.

Stories like these fill the pages of “Everybody Came to Tana’s,” the late restaurateur’s memoir, which chronicles the outlandish journey that carried a young immigrant from communist then-Yugoslavia to the helm of one of Los Angeles’ most adored dining institutions. Dan Tana died last year at age 90, but his legacy lives on — inside the restaurant and now in his own words.

On a summer afternoon, his daughters, Gabrielle and Katerina, sit at the Sunset Marquis bar, recounting their father’s remarkable life — particularly his championing of soccer and his contributions to the sport. With the World Cup now unfolding across Los Angeles, the sisters say they can’t help but feel his presence. “One of his big wishes was to be here for this year’s World Cup. That’s why I know he’s here,” Gabrielle Tana says. “He was very instrumental in L.A. getting the World Cup. Our father was constantly helping connect people,” says Katerina.

In the final years of his life, Tana became determined to tell that story, working with writers in Serbia and eventually a ghostwriter, Todd Gold, who requested no credit; the resulting memoir feels wholly told in Tana’s voice. “Our father, for years, was talking about how he wanted to tell his story,” says Gabrielle. “He was always pinching himself about the life that he had — the stories, the adventures, and his luck.”

Tana had an unusual path to becoming the restaurant owner of the renowned Hollywood red-sauce hideout. Born in present-day Serbia, Tana’s early life was marked by political oppression under Communist rule. His father, a restaurateur, spent years as a political prisoner.

Gabrielle and Katerina Tana with their dad at Dan Tana’s, circa 2001.

(Suzette Van Bylevelt)

“When you live in a country where political powers are constantly in play, when you own a restaurant, you’re the person who’s hosting somebody who’s having a dangerous conversation,” explains Katerina. From an early age, Dan Tana’s mother made Dan promise not to end up in the restaurant business.

Instead, Dan Tana became a soccer star, touring Europe with Red Star Belgrade before eventually escaping to Belgium — a decision that would set him on the unbelievable path to Canada and then Los Angeles, where he would serve a stint managing a nightclub called Peppermint West and even launch a modest acting career with the help of Natalie Wood.

The chapters follow the restaurant’s improbable success, offering extraordinary anecdotes, such as how a Yugoslavian immigrant happened to open a red-booth, comfort-food Italian restaurant. The answer? Hiring Mussolini’s private chef. “It was one of two chef options that he was given by his partners: Dan Reeves and Clarence Dan Martin, who funded the soccer league. [Dan Reeves] also bought the restaurant,” says Katerina.

Beyond dispatches from his red-and-white-checkered tablecloth joint and name-dropping, Dan Tana’s memoir outlines his significant contributions to soccer. Throughout his life, he maintained deep ties to the international soccer community, supporting Red Star Belgrade long after he retired from the sport. “He became an evangelist for the game because he thought it was a game that this country would appreciate,” says Katerina. “Football was always the biggest love of his life.”

Craig Susser, left in black, has been greeting patrons at Dan Tana’s for decades.

(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Last November, when England faced off with Serbia for the World Cup qualifying games, the stadium held a moment of silence for Dan Tana’s passing. “There were people within the game who really wanted to acknowledge his contribution to the game,” says Katerina.

“A good restaurant has a good bar, and a good bar has ghosts,” reads the introduction. For Dan Tana’s, as far as ghosts go, they comprise a who’s who of Hollywood royalty. Johnny Carson once called it his favorite restaurant. Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Marilyn Monroe and other A-list stars were known to haunt the bar.

Even with its reputation as a watering hole for Hollywood’s biggest names, Dan Tana refused to pander to celebrities. “Everybody was treated the same. He never wanted the restaurant to be full of celebrities. He wanted to make sure that there were doctors, lawyers and teachers,” Gabrielle says. “He was almost a democratic socialist in that way.”

A revealing anecdote from the early pages of the book: Tana turned away Barbara Sinatra’s offer to buy out the restaurant for a night for Frank Sinatra’s birthday at $25,000. Tana refused. It wouldn’t be fair to his regulars. Frank Sinatra never set foot in the restaurant again.

Sonja Perencevic and Dan Tana attend the restaurant’s 50th anniversary party in Los Angeles in 2014.

(Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)

In many ways, Tana was one of Hollywood’s quiet power brokers, earning influence through humility and respect rather than status. In 1972, mysterious mafia members came into the restaurant to ask Tana to procure early-screening tickets for “The Godfather.” Naturally, Tana obliged. The mafia returned to report they loved the now-classic film.

The proximity to the Troubadour also made the restaurant a hangout for up-and-coming names in rock music. “He fed so many of those musicians. He wouldn’t charge them. These were kids that had nothing,” says Gabrielle. She recounts a night when musicians from the Troubadour celebrated the end of the Vietnam War at Dan Tana’s; the event went undocumented, lost to history.

Rock stars aside, the place is a writer’s joint too. Eve Babitz — who was a close friend of 93-year-old Deanne Mencher, who still makes the cheesecakes at Dan Tana’s — was known for socializing at the restaurant. “If you got hungry, you had to walk over to Dan Tana’s. Tana’s was delicious and evil — all that garlic,” Babitz once wrote in her semi-autobiographical novel, “L.A. Woman.” Screenwriters, journalists and famed L.A. writers Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne were also known to frequent the restaurant.

In fact, Gabrielle and Katerina attribute the restaurant’s early colossal success to a Los Angeles Times review. It was 1966, and the restaurant was struggling. Art Ryon, a columnist at The Times, happened to stop at the restaurant before a screening at the Writers Guild of America and ordered mushrooms. “The L.A. Times made the restaurant,” Katerina says. “The next day there’s a line around the block, and my father has no idea what happened.” Tana was informed that he received a rave five-star review in The Times. Success soon followed.

Chicken Parmesan from Dan Tana’s.

(Jakob Layman)

The next generation of Hollywood — including comedy stars like Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller and Chris Rock — has continued the tradition. “SNL” cast member James Austin Johnson expresses his fondness for the restaurant. He discovered the restaurant after hearing Ed Begley Jr. rhapsodize about it. “The first intrigue is finding out who Dan Tana is,” says Johnson. “It has a West Hollywood mystique, like Chateau Marmont — like when Hollywood, the place and the business were all the same.”

Johnson loves restaurants that feel preserved in time. “It’s the idea that you can build something right the first time and then preserve it, so that people can be a part of your good idea when it happens,” says Austin Johnson.

Gabrielle and Katerina credit the enduring appeal of Dan Tana’s to its persistent lack of pretentiousness. The atmosphere evokes a Sinatra-era simplicity. “I think celebrities felt safe. They weren’t photographed, and they would be left alone,” says Gabrielle. The restaurant has kept its dim pink lights, which Gabrielle notes, “made everybody look good.”

The food has also remained consistent, with large portions and comfort food. “It’s not fancy, but it’s the best chicken Parmesan,” says Gabrielle. Over the decades, Dan Tana was approached about expanding the restaurant and opening second locations. He always refused, the restaurant’s humility always mirroring the man behind it. The restaurant, which felt like an anomaly, could not be replicated. “He always said: if I knew what I did right, I would do it again,” says Katerina.

Dan Tana’s originality continues to capture the city’s attention, its legacy now preserved in a memoir and carried on by its new owners, Mihajlo and Sonja Perenčević, who were friends of Dan Tana. Within its pages, the reader becomes one of Dan Tana’s beloved ghosts. “In a town that’s always trying to be something that’s not, it’s not trying to be anything,” says Katerina. “Dan Tana’s is longevity in the midst of ephemera.”

Connors is a culture journalist in L.A. She covers books, food, entertainment and offbeat Los Angeles. She’s currently at work on a book of essays about tourism in all its forms.

The full line-up for Celebrity Hunted on Channel 4 has been released, with stars from Strictly Come Dancing, EastEnders, Love Island and more battling the Hunters.

Celebrity Hunted is officially returning to our screens, with a fresh batch of stars going on the run to help raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.

More than a decade after the first series of Hunted aired on Channel 4, the hit show will be returning to our screens very soon – as a string of famous faces will become fugitives in August.

EastEnders icon Brian Conley will be competing with his daughter Lucy, while Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu are also hoping to go unnoticed by Ray Howard and his “elite team of Hunters”.

Love Islanders Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran will be taking part, beside JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan, and presenters and siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas. Comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smythe also make up the line-up.

The celebrity pairs will have to “vanish into mainland Britain, cutting themselves off from the lives – and the fame – they’ve always relied upon. For 14 relentless days they must stay hidden, think fast and trust no one because the moment they leave a trail, the hunt is on.

“In a world where almost every movement leaves a footprint, can these celebrity fugitives escape the glare of the spotlight and remain under the radar, or will the Hunters bring every fugitive into custody before the 14 days are up?”

While Hunted first aired in 2015, the celebrity version began two years later – The Wanted singers Jay McGuinness and Siva Kaneswaran outwitted the Hunters to take home the crown in 2017.

The most recent season aired at the beginning of last year, with Christine McGuinness and Duncan James defeating the Hunters.

Shedding light on the upcoming season of Celebrity Hunted, which will begin filming next month, Factual Entertainment Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 Ian Dunkley said: ”When celebrities go on the run and are forced to engage the help of us mere mortals, chaos and comedy inevitably ensue.

“Hunted down by a motivated team of police and security professionals, this series reveals what it takes to remain hidden when everybody knows what you look like.’’

Matt Bennett, Director of Programmes for Shine TV, added: “Celebrity Hunted is the only TV series – alongside its cousin, Hunted – which continues to remind us of the powers of the state in an entertaining and engaging way.

“This is our most ambitious series yet, beginning with a breathtaking aerial launch amongst the skyscrapers of London, then a daring escape at the end of the run for any who evade capture… with a great deal of entertaining mischief in between.”

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

Love Island fans have taken to social media with celebratory posts as original couple Lola and Sean chose to self-dump after a public vote and a feud with Julia

Love Island fans have decided shared their shock after Lola and Sean, who have been together since the beginning, dumped themselves from the villa. Fans, who had been pushing for the couple to leave amid a feud with Julia, were excited to see them head out of the villa.

Taking to social media after the couple volunteered to leave, one fan said: “SEAN AND LOLA TAPPING OUT I DID NOT EXPECT THIS #loveisland #loveislanduk.”

“Wait they actually dumped Sean and Lola?? wtf oh my goddddd #loveislanduk,” said another.

Many felt that it was time for the couple to leave with one viewer sharing: “It was honestly their time to leave.” Others were a bit more ecstatic, with another saying: “War is over, Lola and Sean are gone.”

A third said they were “so happy” Lola had left the villa and hoped she would look back at her feud with Julia and how her behaviour, which included telling Julia to “be scared” to talk to her and refusing to join a peace chat amongst the girls, could be seen as “nasty”.

A fourth jokingly said “Pack those bags angel”, referring to the nickname Lola gave everyone. Meanwhile, several mentioned the England World Cup win from Saturday and implied Lola and Sean leaving was on the same level. “What a time to be British,” said one fan.

But some were on Lola and Sean’s side, respecting them for taking the decision to leave. As one fan said: “Fair play to Lola and Sean they weren’t actually playing a game and left. The other couples would NEVER.”

A second said that “no one deserves to be done dirty” the way Lola and Sean had been and that they hoped Lola really had found love, as she thought she had. A third said they respected the couple for leaving when the point was to get to the end as a couple and win the prize money.

The exit comes after a public vote. At the end of Friday’s episode, Julia and Lorenzo were voted the favourite couple. This came after several episodes of strife between Julia and Lola – Casa girl Julia had briefly hit it off with Sean, and when Lola found out she was livid.

Fans slammed Lola for her reaction to Julia, with many saying it was overly harsh and even Sean telling her not to be “petty” when she wanted to say Julia was only in the villa for “air time”.

So when a vote came up for fans to pick their favourite couple, they rallied behind Julia and voted her couple the best. The bottom three were Lola and Sean, Mica and Samraj and Martha and Jordan.

In Sunday’s episode, Julia and Lorenzo were told to pick a couple to send home, but before they could, Lola and Sean stepped forward to volunteer to go home. They said they’d found what they wanted and were happy to head home.

Lorenzo teared up as he agreed to send Lola and Sean home. Sean later said that it would’ve felt “selfish” for him and Lola to stay when they’d been together since the start and were already exclusive.

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

KATIE Price has revealed an explicit photo confession during a chat with Love Island Aftersun host Joe Baggs. 

The former glamour model, 48, was speaking to Joe, 29, to promote her Sky documentary series Nothing To Hide. 

Former Gogglebox star Joe fired off a series of 90s trends to Katie and asked her if she would bring them back or ditch them. 

When he suggested disposable cameras, the mum-of-five suggested she’d used them to snap naughty photos back in the day. 

She said: “Nowadays, because you’ve got your phone, I think people take more explicit photos. 

“With a disposable, you have to be careful and remember you have to take them somewhere like Boots. 

tatt’s a lot

Katie Price dons bikini to show tattoo collection but ditches wedding ring

FEUD FIGHT

Vogue Williams reveals ‘threatening’ message Katie Price’s husband Lee sent

“So someone is going to look at your pictures. So someone like me is definitely not having a disposable. 

“I don’t want to bring them back.”

It comes after Katie revealed she’ll be starring in a reality show with fourth husband Lee Andrews.

Katie married self-proclaimed millionaire Lee in Dubai in January, just days after meeting him in person.

She stood by her man when he recently spent time in Dubai’s Al Awir jail, where he was held over unpaid debts. Katie said on the Reign podcast this week: “There will be a documentary coming out about Lee, and he knows it.

“He’ll be appearing in it and yes, there is scandal around me — there always is. Not only now, there’s years of it.”

Heard about that fresh new wave of horror dominating the box office and charming even the snootiest of critics?

“Evil Dead Burn” — less an inferno than a partly scorched reheating — isn’t that. Director Sam Raimi’s original 1981 “The Evil Dead,” filmed in the Tennessee woods by a bunch of hyperactive dreamers, has since morphed into a monolithic franchise that mainly serves to keep the lights on. Some foundational elements remain: wobbly camera sprints through the forest, demons with a smiling love of bodily destruction. But the house feels dormant.

Sébastien Vaniček, a French filmmaker of vigor if not vibrancy, is the fourth director to pick up the series, now on its sixth installment. It’s hard to know from his palette what thrills him, or if he sees colors at all, given the film’s muddy, deadening grayscape. (A softly falling snow, almost mocking of the action to come, is a nice touch.) Vaniček knows where his movie needs to end up — a sloppy showdown in a home with a lot of power tools lying around — but sometimes he lingers, adding transient curiosity to a serviceable story.

A tense family coalesces around the memorial of its eldest son, cut down in the prime of what seems like an argument-leaden life. Mainly, we focus on Alice (Souheila Yacoub), his bruised foreign-born widow, a black sheep among them who doesn’t have any words to offer at the service. Already, they all hate each other, but what they don’t know is that younger failson Joseph (Hunter Doohan), a wannabe writer, has been busy going through his grandfather’s notes concerning the Book of the Dead, unwittingly summoning vicious spirits to a fractious dynamic.

These people shouldn’t be around each other, but whereas a mightier movie like “Hereditary” would simmer that grief into a boiling pot of bad behavior, “Evil Dead Burn” has something more obvious and darkly funny in mind. The spirits (we call them Deadites in this universe) slip into a human host, we see a telltale contraction of the irises, and it’s off to the races.

The gore comes like a tide, shockingly for a mainstream studio wide release. Vaniček is clearly inspired by the extremity that has marked so much horror from France over the last two decades, in notorious exports such as “High Tension” and “Martyrs.” But it’s also show-offy and ill-considered: When a family dog receives a furious fork-stabbing, it’s hard to know who the film is for. Elsewhere, heads are exploded by guns, cleaved and gashed, though not so irretrievably that a possessed couple can’t enjoy a long lip-lock (“You haven’t kissed me like that in years,” a partner says, her mouth bloodied).

As it goes on, “Evil Dead Burn” itself feels possessed by a kind of narrative impatience: Can’t we just get to the good stuff? Raimi was capable of shapelier storytelling than this. These reboots in his name — on which, it should be said, he is a producer — somewhat demean his legacy by reducing “Evil Dead” to a viscera delivery device. I can’t say the audience I saw it with was particularly juiced.

But a loopy grandma (Maude Davey), stricken with dementia, gets her licks in via a brutally deployed fountain pen that is notably not used for writing. There’s a hint in that. This movie is not for those who want anything beyond a steak served blue.

Chunky platform sandals, fitted baby tees, butterfly clips on perfectly crimped hair, brightly patterned skirts and tons of sparkles. Pure Y2K-fueled nostalgia filled the Kia Forum on Wednesday night in celebration of all things Hilary Duff.

• Share via Close extra sharing options

Duff graced the stage at the Inglewood venue as part of her Lucky Me tour, her first global headlining tour in nearly two decades. And her fans couldn’t have been more thrilled. The pop singer and actor, who released her sixth studio album “Luck… or Something” in February, performed two back-to-back sold-out shows.

Before the final L.A. show, we caught up with fans to talk about their outfits (many of which were inspired by Duff’s most famous roles such as Sam in “A Cinderella Story” and the title role in “The Lizzie McGuire Movie”), the memories her music brings up for them and why her work still resonates with them. Here’s what they had to say.

(Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times)

Tristan Hallam, 36, of Chicago

Tell us about your outfit.

This is my wedding dress that I had stuffed in a suitcase. She’s been in a suitcase for 10 years, and I still fit into her, which is nice. People ask me why I keep stuff and this is exactly why: You might get divorced and use it as a costume. My outfit is inspired by “A Cinderella Story.” It’s my favorite Hilary Duff movie. She plays diner girl Cinderella. She disguises herself with a mask and a L.A. Dodgers cap. I did have a tiara, but I didn’t bring it because I didn’t want to be too much. So I figured, you know what, why not buy an apron and a little black crop top, and rep L.A.

I have a tattoo of her signature. It’s a little faded because it’s like 10 years old, maybe older than that now. It was at a book signing at Barnes and Noble at like the Grove or something. I asked her if she would initial my wrist, and I got it tattooed the same night. I literally drove to the tattoo shop on Hollywood Boulevard with my arm out the window because I’m so clumsy and I didn’t want to smudge it. Then the next time I saw her, she asked me, what did your parents say? I said, “My mom asked me how long I kept the Sharpie on so long.”

How long have you been a fan?

I think I was like 8 or 9 years old when I saw “Casper Meets Wendy” for the first time. My grandma took me to like a K-Mart or something, and told me that I could get any movie that I wanted. Then I was into “Lizzie McGuire,” but as soon as Hilary started doing all her like movies and independent work, obviously the music is great. I used to live in L.A., so I went to a bunch of her book signings. I’ve done a lot of meet and greets for her concerts, and right now I’m traveling around. I’m going to 18, technically 19 shows now, and I’m gonna see her in New Zealand, Australia and some other places. I’m actually really excited because one of my friends, I met her in a Hilary Duff fan club chat room in 2005 on MSN Messenger, and we are still friends, so we are going to a ton of shows together.

Why does her work still resonate with you today?

The fact that we’re around the same age, there’s been a lot of relationship similarities. I don’t have any kids, but the struggles with family, with your dad, with your siblings. She’s got some songs that are more mature and relatable for people our age. People who have gone through ups and downs in relationships, struggles with family and figuring out who your real family is, not just by blood but who your chosen family is. I think that’s really important.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

Leilanie Martinez, 30, of South Gate

Tell us about your outfit and the inspiration behind it?

It’s my quinceañera dress. It’s supposedly very traditional to wear a white dress, like young women coming of age. For mine, I wanted to wear something that I didn’t see a lot of people wearing and I was very firm that if I didn’t find the love of my life, I was going to wear a white dress and this was my moment. My quinceañera was such a precious time. It really was a labor of love, and I think it’s one those memories I hold very near and dear. I think it’s an ode to her history, her legacy.

How long have you been a fan?

I remember I was 5 and I was running around in my neighborhood, playing with Barbies and watching “Lizzie McGuire.” I’m here today with my neighborhood and childhood friends. We used to watch it together and now we’re reliving our nostalgia and childhood.

Thinking back on when you first fell in love with her work, why does it still resonate with you today?

There’s a lot of power in her being a woman and she’s going through so many milestones that a lot of people my age are going through like having children and growing her career. Sometimes I think people “wash out” and I think it’s wonderful how she’s combating that narrative in so many ways, and that people are out here supporting her. I think there’s a lot of beauty in being able to be together as young women and relive some of these memories, but also cheer her on as she continues developing further.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

Crystal Chesher, 33, of Mar Vista and Isabella Sanchez, 33, of Culver City

Tell us about your outfit.

Sanchez: We’re channeling “The Lizzie McGuire Movie.” My actual name is Isabella. She gives more Lizzie vibes and I give more Isabella vibes. It’s funny because I’ve literally saved [looks] of Isabella and Lizzie on my Pinterest board and I’ve always wanted to dress up like this. It’s not 100% of what I wanted, but it’s giving what it’s supposed to.

How long have you been a fan?

Chesher: Since I was little. I remember watching “Lizzie McGuire” since the age of 10 at the very least so I’ve been growing up with her movies and shows. She’s definitely my idol.

Sanchez: Same. Growing up, I was bullied so she was a very big part of me being more positive about myself. I can relate to her and she really helped me. It just feels full circle to be able to see her at 33 when I wanted to see her when I was like 10.

Thinking back on when you first fell in love with her work, why does it still resonate with you today?

Chesher: She has a heavy influence in the LGBT community as well especially with the [anti-gay speech campaign]. I loved that. With her movies and her music, it’s all relatable and it resonates with you, the lyrics, the storyline and even her new album that just came out.

Sanchez: She’s just that girl. I’ve never even met her, but I feel like she’s so genuine and real and she’s always stayed consistent with who she is. She’s not like your typical celebrity. She’s just awesome. I’m literally probably going to tear up seeing her on stage.

(Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

Lucca Petrucci, 33, of Santa Monica

Tell us about your outfit.

This is a last-minute choice. It’s very like ’70s or retro. I feel like I’ve seen her wear something like this. I’m wearing wide-legged pants, Doc Martens, platform, new haircut, facial. The inspiration for this fit was elegant pop star like confidence, grounded, a baddie. I’m a baddie who knows my worth and that’s what I wanted to embrace. I feel like she’s like doing that. She has a lyric that’s like ‘I look in the mirror, like I’m a bad b—.”

How long have you been a fan?

Since third grade. I thought she was my crush, but I think I just wanted to be her. So many of my core childhood memories are with her.

Why was tonight a non-negotiable for you?

I wanted to experience with my bestie and her sister. I feel like as a kid I didn’t allow myself to fully embrace it because it would be too girly, too much, too gay. So I feel like as a 33-year-old, I’m reclaiming that experience. I’m so excited just to hear everybody in the Forum sing “So Yesterday” and “Come Clean.” She has always been my number one pop star, to this day, and I’ve never seen her perform.

Why does her work still resonate with you today?

I feel like, especially when she was on “Lizzie McGuire,” she was figuring out who she was, but was open to being her authentic self. So I think that just like hit me when I was like in third and fourth grade, like figuring out myself. I felt so seen by her, and her music just brings back like such good feelings. Younger version of me, life wasn’t always great, but, I don’t know, she made things better.

(Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times)

Liv Guardado, 8, Priscilla Cruz, 38, Ava Guardado, 10 and Jezelle Velasco of Costa Mesa

Tell us about your outfit.

Cruz: We went thrifting for the first time for this. I’m plus-size, so thrifting is not easy in my size, so we did what we could. We got some overalls from Goodwill. And then we got some cowboy boots because we just wanted to be comfy.

Velasco: I probably stressed the most. I ordered so many pieces and it just kind of came together. I think the nails took the longest. One of my friends did my nails. It took some time but we got it done.

How long have you been a fan?

Velasco: Probably since I was their age. I never got to go to a concert, so this is my first time seeing her live.

Cruz: I definitely got inspired around middle school. I had a friend who was like Lizzie, and I was the best friend, Miranda. People would always say I was Miranda. I was a little older than [my girls], but I definitely have kept tabs on her life, and we love her.

Why does her work still resonate with you today?

Cruz: It definitely feels like memories and home when you think of her music from back then. And now she’s obviously stepped into a different phase of her life, and it matches where we’re at in our phase too so it’s nice.

Velasco: It just brings back the nostalgia from back when we were younger and now being parents, and being able to relate to her and her new music.

(Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times)

Paige Beard, 34, and Tayler Nelson, 27, of Bakersfield

Tell us about your outfits.

Beard: I was supposed to be wearing purple and she was going to wear green, and we were going to do the Isabella and Lizzie look at the end of “The Lizzie McGuire Movie.” It turned out more pink, but we ran with it.

Nelson: I was all about that performance, so I was like green. Gotta go green. We’ve been planning for a while, like two months.

How long have you been a fan?

Beard: I’ve been a fan for a long, long time, probably since “Casper Meets Wendy.” I was also a really big “Lizzie McGuire” fan, so I got into her acting as well as her music.

Nelson: Same. I was all about the Cinderella movie though, so it’s probably been 10 years for me.

Why does her work still resonate with you today?

Beard: I was telling my sister that I really liked “Lizzie McGuire” because it was one of the first times I saw somebody’s inner dialogue acted out in cartoon form. It showed me that I’m not too much. She’s a little bit older than me and I see her crying on stage and I’m like “OK, it’s OK.”

Nelson: “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” was a big turning point for me. I just loved how she expressed herself with what she wore and how she acted. I feel like I understood her in different ways. I enjoyed the dancing and the singing for sure. She felt free and I’m like, “Dang, I want that.”

(Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times)

Freddy Lopez, 38, and Raymond Lockwood, 36, of San Bernardino

Tell us about your outfits.

Lopez: Just a ’90s vibe. I guess a little old-school.

Lockwood: The outfits are a little last-minute because we were like we should’ve done diner girl [from “A Cinderella Story”] or one of her other movies, but we chose the little cartoon character from the show.

How long have you been a fan?

Lopez: I’ve been a fan since “Lizzie McGuire” and her movies.

Lockwood: For the past 20 something years. We grew up watching “Lizzie McGuire” and got introduced to Hilary Duff when she started singing.

Why was tonight a non-negotiable for you?

Lopez: We don’t know if she’s going to come back after this, so you’ve gotta take every opportunity. There’s other artists who cannot come back to perform right now. So when she said I’m coming back, we had to.

Lockwood: We’re healing our inner child. As a kid, we didn’t know she was having tours or we couldn’t afford to come out. Now, we’re like we don’t have to ask our mom and dad for anything.

Why does her work still resonate with you today?

Lockwood: For me, it’s being a teenager, watching the “Lizzie McGuire” show and watching the movie and then learning her songs. My favorite song is from the movie, “What Dreams Are Made Of.” It’s just us getting to live back in the past and kind of understanding it a little bit more. As a kid, our dreams are not what they realistically are today. I ended up becoming a nurse. As a kid, I didn’t sit on the couch like “Oh, I’m going to be a nurse,” but that’s what my dream ended up being.

(Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times)

Stephanie Rodriguez, 32, High Desert

Tell us about your outfit.

If you ask my fiancé, I was hunting for outfits and last-minute I was like, “I’m just gonna order something on Amazon.” When I saw this, I was like, “That’s it.” Total nostalgia with “13 Going on 30.” We went shoe shopping at the South Coast Plaza over the weekend. The metallic is pulling it all together and the butterfly clips.

How long have you been a fan?

Probably since I was like 8 or younger, pretty much very much obsessed. All of my holiday gifts were Hilary Duff. I had her K-Mart home products. Any magazines she was in, I got. Any outfits that I could try and replicate, I would. My first Hilary show was either Wango Tango or a Jingle Ball with KIIS-FM, so it was just a festival with a bunch of different artists but I went specifically for her.

Why does her work still resonate with you today?

I think a lot of us feel like we grew up with Hilary, so all of her music resonated with us then, and now, now that we’re older, through relationships or divorces or motherhood. It’s pretty cool to see just how we’re all kind of growing up together. The first time I think I found out about her was at the Glendale Galleria. I was recently telling my fiancé that my dad had me on his shoulders because she did a meet and greet and the entire mall was packed.

(Kayla Bartkowski/Los Angeles Times)

Kelsie Wagner, 35, of Temecula and Tyler Walsh, 35, of Long Beach

Tell us about your outfit.

Wagner: I’m channeling Lizzie McGuire. My favorite part is the butterfly clips.

Walsh: This is from Company D, which is a discount store for Disneyland. I was like let me get the biggest shirt and make it into a dress, but I’m wearing shorts — it’s still appropriate. I have like six authentic Disney pins here. This is about $200 on my hat. I was like I have to do something that represents. It’s a big hobby, pin trading, that I picked up in 2023. Then I wore my Lisa Franks. I figured I would channel everything from the ’90s and 2000s.

How long have you been a fan?

Wagner: Whenever the “Lizzie McGuire” show came out.

Walsh: I remember going to sleepovers with all of my friends and we would do Lizzie nights. I was on a soccer team and on Saturday nights, we’d go watch the newest episode. It was just so fun because I feel like I had a little clan that loved Lizzie. We went to her concert at the Grove together and it was back when you paid $50 to get in. We were front row and we like smelled her. It was wonderful.

Why does her work still resonate with you today?

Wagner: For me, especially her new album, she talks about marriage, relationships, motherhood, so it’s still relatable in that sense of that stage of life that we’re in.

Walsh: For me, it’s just nostalgia, because I’m not married, I have no kids, like I’m that fun aunt. And I will say, like, because she goes to Disneyland a lot, so I luckily got to meet her too. I asked her for a picture, and she’s like “Yeah, of course, honey.” It’s the most embarrassing photo of me ever though.

Wagner: I told her she should get it printed and wear it to the concert.

Walsh: I should have.

The fifth Strictly Come Dancing star has been revealed for the upcoming BBC series, following in the footsteps of Chris Appleton, Delta Goodrem, Dani Dyer and Lacey Turner

The fifth star to be announced on Strictly Come Dancing’s line-up has been revealed as Love Island star Cach Mercer.

Cach rose to fame on last year’s series of Love Island, winning the public vote to be crowned the 2025 male champion. He won alongside Toni Laites, who now hosts spin off show The Debrief with Shakira Khan and Yasmin Pettet.

With almost 50 million likes on TikTok, he has earned a legion of social media followers for his posts showcasing his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves. Cach also works as a model and DJ, and is an ambassador for a young persons’ mental health charity.

Following the news, he said: “I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!”

The show has already featured a Love Island winner, as series three champion Amber Davies made it to the final last year. Love Island finalist Tasha Ghouri also took part in Strictly and made it to the final as well.

Meanwhile, Dani Dyer, who won series four, was supposed to take part last year but had to pull out. As she has already been announced as part of the line-up for this year’s Strictly, Cach’s participation marks the first time two Love Island winners will go head to head.

The BBC have been announcing their celebrity line-up for the show since the middle of June, much earlier than their usual release which comes around mid-August.

However, there’s a lot of ‘new’ this series, with five professional dancers stepping away and another five taking their place. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have also gone and three presenters – Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdecombe – will replace them when the BBC show returns later this year.

It comes after celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton was confirmed to have signed up to the show. He counts Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Sofía Vergara, Ariana Grande, and Katy Perry as his clients.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

Lacey Turner – who plays Stacey Slater on EastEnders – was the first to announce she was joining the show. She said: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”

Dani Dyer, who had to withdraw last year after an injury, is also back. “I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!” she said.

Singer songwriter Delta Goodrem shared: “I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor! I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!”

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

MAYA Jama sent her fans wild in a tight leather dress as she swapped the Love Island villa for America.

The popular presenter, 31, is currently over in the States and has been sharing her trip to New York, where she is appearing on US TV shows.

Love Island host Maya is known for her sexy looks, and her latest one in the Big Apple didn’t disappoint.

Taking to her latest Instagram Stories, the stunning star showed off her tight leather dress in a mirror selfie video.

The racy outfit clung to her tiny figure, and she completed the daring look with knee high boots.

In the next clip, Maya told fans that she felt she looked “very Matrix”.

STATESIDE STAR

Maya Jama stuns in snakeskin co-ord as she explains Love Island absence

HUNGRY EYES?

Newly-single Maya Jama cuddles up to hunky chef outside his London restaurant

In the final slide, the excited star could be heard singing Alicia Keys’ song, New York, in the back of a car, as she headed into Times Square.

The newly single star, who recently split from Ruben Dias, 29, is in New York to appear on US chat shows.

Yesterday, Maya was on Good Morning America for her first ever television interview stateside.

Once again, she pulled out all the stops in a leather mini-skirt and top co-ord, paired with high heels.

Maya used the TV appearance to reveal why she has been seen much less in the Majorcan villa during the current series of the ITV2 show.

It came after fans noticed the host had been in the ITV2 villa much less this series, so the GMA hosts quizzed her on it.

Explaining her absence, she said: “It’s not up to me, it’s up to the producers that you need to speak to!

“I think this series has just had so much drama that they didn’t need me to intervene, it’s been so entertaining, so wild – as usual.”

It comes after Maya responded to fans asking where she had been, as one joked she was on a “zero hour contract”.

She said on Instagram: “Jokes aside it’s not up to me how often I enter the villa.

“I wasn’t even on a break, I love it over there.”

During her US TV appearance, Maya was also quizzed on Celebrity Traitors, which she filmed recently.

Although she couldn’t give too much away ahead, she said: “This is the first time I’ve ever been a contestant and not a host. And I can’t say much, because it’s Traitors – you’re not allowed to say anything.

“But I’m excited! We’ll see how I act. It’s the biggest, one of the biggest shows in the UK, and in America also.

“It’s so much fun, whether you’re a traitor or a faithful, what an experience to get to do that. So, yeah, fingers crossed it goes well.”

Strictly Come Dancing is back for a brand new series and there’s some celebrities already signed up for the hit BBC show

Strictly Come Dancing is back for a brand new series and some famous faces have already signed up.

The BBC show is returning this year with a brand new look after hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down. Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdecombe have taken over hosting duties in a new look for the show.

Also, five professional dancers will step in to replace the five that have departed. Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Michelle Tsiakkas have all departed the show in recent months.

Here’s a look at the line-up so far – and who might be rumoured for the show.

Lacey Turner

EastEnders actress Lacey – who plays Stacey Slater in the BBC soap – was the first celebrity to sign up for the show this year.

Speaking about joining the show, she said: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!

Dani Dyer

Love Island star Dani Dyer was forced to exit the competition last year due to injury but is back this year again with a bang. She was supposed to appear in the last series but an ankle injury before it kicked off meant she had to pull out.

“I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!” she said.

Delta Goodrem

Eurovision singer Delta Goodrem has signed up for the new series and is “absolutely thrilled” to be on the show.

“I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor! I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!” she said.

Chris Appleton

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton was announced as a contestant on the new series of the BBC show. The stylist to the stars counts the likes of Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry as his clients and friends.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new,” he said.

“I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.”

Other rumoured stars

There have been a lot of names thrown into the mix for this year’s Strictly. Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters is the latest celebrity to have reportedly signed up.

Known for her role as Gwen West in Gavin & Stacey, Melanie has also starred in Hollyoaks and had guest roles in a string of shows including Doc Martin, Casualty and Beyond Paradise.

TV and radio presenter Roman Kemp is also in the mix. During an appearance on The One Show, Emma Barton – who plays Honey on the BBC soap – was chatting with Alex Jones and Roman Kemp about the upcoming series after her own successful stint on it.

As Alex announced Lacey joining the show, she asked her co-star Emma: “Have you spoken to her? How is she feeling?” Emma then replied: “She’s such a gorgeous wonderful woman and the audience are going to love her.

“And I’m so proud of her because it’s nerve-racking, isn’t it. And it’s scary.” Emma then went on to say: “Roman you know as well” but he quickly stuttered as he said: “I have never done it. I’ve never done it.”

Olympian Sarah Storey is also rumoured for the show and “really excited to be learning a new skill”.

“She is obviously very competitive and hopes to give the contest her all, while letting viewers get to know her personality. She’s also keen to embrace the glamour of the show and is looking forward to getting dressed up,” a source said.

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

MAYA Jama looked stunning in a snakeskin co-ord on Tuesday as she arrived in New York to appear on US television.

The Love Island presenter, 31, used the TV appearance to reveal why she has been seen much less in the Majorcan villa during the current series of the ITV2 show.

The star donned a mini-skirt and top co-ord for the appearance, paired with black court heels, as she left her brunette tresses sleek.

She appeared on Good Morning America for her first ever television interview stateside, and divulged on the current season of Love Island on the show.

After Love Island fans noticed Maya has been in the ITV2 villa less this series, the GMA hosts quizzed her on it.

Explaining why she has been seen less, she said: “It’s not up to me, it’s up to the producers that you need to speak to!

VILLA REBOUND

Love Island drops HUGE clue Charleen & Mara could make surprise villa return

LIAM’S LETTERS

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate sobs as she reads old letters from late star

“I think this series has just had so much drama that they didn’t need me to intervene, it’s been so entertaining, so wild – as usual.”

It comes after Maya responded to fans asking where she had been, as one joked she was on a “zero hour contract”.

She said on Instagram: “Jokes aside it’s not up to me how often I enter the villa.

“I wasn’t even on a break, I love it over there.”

During her US TV appearance, Maya also touched on her recent stint filming Celebrity Traitors.

While she couldn’t give much away ahead of the show airing, she did say: “This is the first time I’ve ever been a contestant and not a host. And I can’t say much, because it’s Traitors – you’re not allowed to say anything.

“But I’m excited! We’ll see how I act. It’s the biggest, one of the biggest shows in the UK, and in America also.

“It’s so much fun, whether you’re a traitor or a faithful, what an experience to get to do that. So, yeah, fingers crossed it goes well.”

Ahead of the interview, Maya took to Instagram to share some snaps to her Stories.

“Going on live American TV for the first time, ABC and Good Morning America. Wish me luck,” she wrote over a mirror selfie in her hotel.

Junior and Princess Andre give a joint interview as part of a new series about the life of their mum Katie Price.

The emotional children of Katie Price have broken down in tears as they recalled how their mother’s drug use meant she was unable to look after them properly and left them feeling “lonely” and unloved.

Junior, 21, and Princess, 19, have grown up in the spotlight since their parents Katie and Peter Andre split up when they were very young. And they’ve also dealt with the fallout afterwards which saw Katie struggle to cope and at one stage turn to cocaine to try to deal with her problems.

Junior says: “I remember missing her so much. This one time in particular, I was in her bed waiting for her to come back, and I woke up probably 3:30am to some loud noises, and I see her come in the room, and I’ll never forget the look on her face, she was obviously on stuff, right?

“I could see it in her eyes, and I was.. it scared me, because I’ve never seen my mum look like that. She’s there, but she’s not there, you know.”

Junior adds: “She wasn’t in the right headspace, she really wasn’t. And she wasn’t being a mum, she wasn’t being the mum that I knew from when I was a little boy.

“The amount of love she gave me was so immense that that’s what I missed so much. Mum was on drugs, and she could not look after us, and that is the reality of it. She couldn’t.

“And then I got fed up. I clocked on that this was a very unhealthy environment, and I needed to get out. I did leave. I think I was about 14 or 15, Thank God that my dad was stable, because that’s the house that I went to and gained my sanity back, you know.

“While I was wishing and hoping that my mum would come back and turn herself around. It made me feel like I wasn’t good enough, because she wasn’t fixing herself for me.”

His sister Princess says: “She’d give me a blanket, and she sprayed all her perfume on it, and that was like that was my, my attachment to Mum. So I remember after school I used to go home and just feel so like lonely in a way. I used to just cuddle to the blanket and just cry.”

She adds: “I stayed. I always wanted to be there for her, and I always wanted to show her that, like, she has me, she has us, but she didn’t understand that at the time, because she was so hooked up in her own problems.”

The pair, who break down in tears in the joint interview, also say they had to learn how to fend for themselves including making microwave meals and “looking after each other”. In a new Sky documentary series, Katie also is open herself about her drug use in the past. It came around decade after her split from husband Peter Andre in 2009, and coincided with a series of failed relationships including a troubled marriage to Kieran Hayler who she wed in 2013.

“It was the only thing that blocked everything out,” Katie says of drugs thinking back to the worst period of her life. It will take out that pain, it will take out any worry, it will take out the noise.”

She was regularly using cocaine and staying out late and not putting her family first. Looking back she says: “When I hear what the kids, how they saw it, it breaks my heart. But they were still always looked after, I still had people around me looking after them, like helping me.

“But that’s not good enough. Kids need their mum, kids need their mum’s love, their mum’s hugs, and I thought I was given that, but obviously I wasn’t. It must have been horrible for them, horrible for them, and I’m just sorry to them that I put them through that and thought I was doing the best I could with them, but what could I have done?

“I was unwell. I couldn’t even look after myself. I was more than rock bottom. I didn’t want to be. I wanted to die. I felt worthless, suicidal thoughts all the time.”

After one night of taking drugs and drinking, she crashed her car whilst feeling suicidal in September 2021. At the crash scene before being taken to the hospital, and then a police station, she had told her mum she “wanted to be out of it”.

“I remember when they put me in a cell it was like peace. Peace and quiet. I found that quite comforting. It is quite sad to think that,” She recalls.

Thankfully she also credits six weeks in The Priory after this incident with saving her life and helping her to learn to look after herself in a better way. Her relationship with Junior and Princess has improved as a result.

The new documentary covers the whole 30 year career of Katie, beginning as a glamour model who at her peak could command six figure fees for photoshoots or appearances on shows like I’m A Celebrity, where she met Peter Andre in 2004.

But since then she has been made bankrupt and is less in-demand to be on TV.

She is currently married to Dubai businessman Lee Andrews and her family express their shock on screen at the fact she again married someone in January she had known for just weeks.

On the documentary her stepdad Paul Price recalls a conversation he had before her fourth marriage.

“I said what’s she going to Dubai for? ‘To see a bloke’. I said ‘what’s the catch?’ And then we find out she’s getting married. I said ‘you’re off your head’. And then the geezer is in the paper pretending to be a millionaire.”

Asked if he was angry with her, Paul replies: “100 percent”.

Son Junior adds: “This is the most silliest stupidest thing, marrying a guy she doesn’t even know. This is my mum, this is what she does.”

Her mum Amy Price ends the film with a simple dream that her daughter will fine happiness and less drama in her life at some stage as she gets older.

Amy says: “In some ways, she’s still like a child. But she’s a good daughter. I hope she really does find someone to love and be happy.”

* Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, a four-part Sky Original series, will be available on Sky and streaming service NOW on 8 July.

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

ROSS Kemp has shared another passionate video raving about England in the World Cup.

The EastEnders star made headlines last week for his hilarious reaction to Harry Kane scoring the winning goal against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Now he’s gone and done it again, this time sharing his excitement over England‘s win against Mexico in the World Cup.

In a video posted to Instagram, Ross screams to his phone camera about Jude Bellingham scoring two goals while wearing an England football shirt.

The star says: “Come on England, come on England. You just keep it calm.

“Keep it calm. Go… two!!! Come on England.

CRACKING UP

Watch Olly Murs’ hilarious impression of Ross Kemp’s World Cup celebration

HAVING A BALL

EastEnders fans in stitches at Ross Kemp’s passionate reaction to England win

“Shut them up. Shut that crowd up, shut everybody up.

“Come on England, come on England. Jude, Jude, Jude, Juuuude. I love you. Love you.

“Keep cool heads, keep cool heads and we will shut them out.”

Fans watching the video thought it was just as funny as the last time and took to the post’s comments section to share their delight.

One user said: “Ross Kemp for next England manager.”

A second shared: “Love a Ross Kemp update.”

A third added: “Love your enthusiasm, come on England.”

It follows Ross’ passionate declaration about Harry Kane, which has since been parodied by Olly Murs.

The star ranted: “Yes! Yes! Harry Kane! Harry Kane!

“That’s what we’re talking about. Great changes made – a massive difference. Come on, England! Close it down. Close it down!”

Punching the air in triumph, he went on: “Four minutes! Four minutes! Plus extra time!”

Looking out of breath, the actor added: “My God, why do you do this to me? Come on, England!”

Harry scored two goals in nine minutes during the match, delivering England to a 2-1 win and sending the Three Lions to Mexico City.

The Love Island villa welcomed Movie Night as secrets were exposed, but viewers ‘spotted’ a problem

It didn’t take long for fans to flock to social media with their complaints.

Fresh drama erupted in the Love Island villa on Sunday evening (July 5) as the notorious Movie Night descended upon the ITV2 reality programme.

The twist enables the Islanders to assemble in the garden and view a giant screen displaying video footage from across the series. It’s during this event that private discussions are laid bare and startling romantic encounters are completely unmasked.

It provides the contestants with an opportunity to uncover whether their partners and romantic interests have been wholly honest, and discover what fellow Islanders have been remarking about them while they were away.

This year’s Love Island Movie Night sparked especially heated rows, particularly for the boys who stayed faithful following Casa Amor yet still snogged and chatted up the bombshells.

The selection for the Movie Night footage featured scandalous headings such as ‘The Affair’, ‘Mamma Mica’, ‘The Princess Jasmine Diaries’ and ‘Samraj Like It Hot’, reports OK!.

It was ‘The Affair’ that thrust Jasmine and Lorenzo’s developing bond into the limelight, leading Kavan to announce, “It’s all there, the affair is clear”. Yasmin also wasted no time in telling Lorenzo, “You don’t have a leg to stand on”.

Mica was next to appear on the big screen, and she promptly faced criticism as the islanders witnessed her burgeoning romance with Samraj unfold. The jaw-dropping scenes left Priya doubting everything as she confessed to other islanders, “I look like a mug all the time.”

‘Samraj Like It Hot’ once more placed Mica and Samraj at the centre of attention, courtesy of their developing romance. As Mica tried to justify herself, Priya remained unconvinced and said, “That’s so dishonest of you.”

Yet Mica and Samraj weren’t the sole islanders to come under fire as Kavan drew parallels between his and Jasmine’s situations following their choices during Casa Amor.

Immediately standing her ground, Jasmine told Kavan, “I did not do the same thing”, which didn’t land well, and the friction escalated.

Despite all the expected fireworks, some Love Island fans grumbled as the ITV programme broke for adverts just minutes into Movie Night.

Heading to X, one Love Island fan exclaimed: “Hydration break and ad break at the exact same time, alright man #loveisland.”

A second stated: “A break!? Seriously!? #loveisland #loveislanduk”, while a third chimed in: “BREAK ALREADY?? #loveisland.”

“Break after break after break, this is why there’s so much unused footage, mate #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUK,” commented one viewer.

“AFTER A 10MIN AD BREAK?! ANOTHER ADVERT?!!! ITV R U TAKING THE P*** ?? @ITV #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUK,” asked another, while another echoed the sentiment: “Did we not just come back from a break?! #loveisland #loveislanduk.”

Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX

EastEnders is set to welcome a new face to Walford later this summer as Casualty’s Jason Durr makes an appearance and is set to strike up a close bond with Linda Carter

EastEnders is set to welcome a Casualty legend in the coming weeks. Actor Jason Durr, who starred in the BBC medical drama as David Hide, will be making his first appearance in Walford later this summer.

But his arrival in Albert Square will see him cross paths with local businesswoman Linda Carter [Kellie Bright], and it’s fair to say that the pair will see sparks between them both. Durr is taking on the role of Clive, a local councillor, when things start to heat up in the Square.

Local residents will be joining forces to save the Community Centre, Walford’s hub, which is at risk of redevelopment. Linda, who’s known for not shying away from airing her thoughts, leads the charge as things start to heat up.

But while planning to save the Community Centre, she and Clive strike up an instant friendship as he backs the campaign. But both Linda and Clive soon realise that there is more than just a feeling of friendship between them both.

Speaking about joining EastEnders, Jason said: “Few shows command their place in the national conversation quite like EastEnders, so I’m delighted to be joining the cast as Clive Masters.

“Working with the wonderful Kellie Bright has been an absolute joy and pleasure from day one. All the cast, crew and production staff have been incredibly generous, welcoming and good humoured. I’m excited for audiences to meet Clive and see what’s in store.”

And it’s set to be an exciting time for Linda, who has endured her fair share of heartache in recent years. Her soulmate and husband, Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), died after Janine Butcher’s (Charlie Brooks) secrets were unravelled, resulting in a feud on the coast. She also battled alcoholism and murdered Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), following a fight at the Queen Vic as she attempted to save her best friend, Sharon (Letitia Dean).

The Mirror understands that Jason has already started filming his scenes, which will air later this summer. His role comes three years after Jason walked away from Casualty, having left Holby City three years prior.

His character, David, left Wyvern’s emergency department after the death of his colleague, Robyn (Amanda Henderson). At the time, Jason said he was planning to spend more time with his family, as well as explore other opportunities in the industry. His role was open for a possible return in the future.

Confirming his exit on social media, he shared a snap of himself, alongside the caption: “After 6 yrs playing the wonderfully complex #NurseDavidHide @bbccasualtyofficial I’ve hung up my scrubs.

“I’ve forged firm friendships, learnt to pronounce Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty & had my squeamishness thoroughly challenged! Here’s to new adventures (hopefully with less blood & guts).”

Over the course of his time on the show, Jason’s character David was at the centre of a string of huge storylines. One included the death of his teen son, Ollie, who, with a friend, Rob, set out to carry out a mass shooting at their school.

He’s also appeared in the likes of Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Above Suspicion and Shakespeare & Hathaway.

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

On a recent summer day at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, students ambled through yawns, braces and acne into their creative writing class. The day’s lesson tackled “style,” that elusive, ultra-subjective choice of expression.

“Who was the first author you encountered to do something different on the page?” asked the teacher, Clarke E. Andros.

They named Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein and Lemony Snicket before moving on to a précis of Joy Williams’ flash fiction. “These stories are weird — she’s weird,” Andros warned.

In some ways, high school looks much the same as it did 20, even 100 years ago: sleepy eyes either light up or glaze over when a teacher poses a Socratic question. Nervous laughs and unexpected insights emerge as young people use stories to make sense of themselves and the world around them.

(Fingerprint; Penguin Classics; Pantheon)

The idea of the “Great American Novel” took shape in the aftermath of the Civil War, when a fractured nation looked to literature to define itself. As classrooms evolved, so did the canon that reflected America’s changing identity.

But the syllabus today is at a tipping point. Forces — some visible, some harder to see — are upending literature and education itself. American students are in a decade-long reading recession, while fewer students are reading for pleasure than in previous generations.

Reading scores among high school seniors are at their lowest in decades, according to federal testing data, while schools across the country are grappling with how to respond to waning attention spans and artificial intelligence. The Los Angeles Unified School District has begun a course correction, voting to limit student use of laptops and tablets during class — the first major American school system to do so.

We spoke with five high school English teachers across the city — three from LAUSD, one from a charter and one from a private school — to find out what literature belongs in today’s classroom, and which stories can help us understand America, past and present.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Raquel Olvera, Roosevelt High School, Boyle Heights

What books in the American literary canon are you teaching (old and new)?

In 11th-grade American Literature, as part of the LAUSD-approved Odell curriculum, we read four book options: “Friday Night Lights,” “Beloved,” “The Great Gatsby” and “The Warmth of Other Suns.” For my 10th-grade World Literature course, I like “Antigone” and “Things Fall Apart.” I also teach “In Cold Blood,” using it to explore Americans’ fascination with true crime and what the genre reveals about race, gender, class and the justice system.

(Simon & Schuster; Sky Publishing; Vintage)

What’s one work from the canon adults should revisit today?

“The Great Gatsby.” When I read it in high school, I wasn’t engaging with its undercurrents of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, gender or sexuality in the way I do now. Its themes of power, wealth, consumerism and American identity remain as relevant as ever.

What are English teachers up against in the classroom in 2026?

Besides large class sizes and underfunding, I think public educators are largely battling apathy. Students and young people aren’t engaging with books like they used to. A side effect of that is a lack of empathy and curiosity. At the very least, you can model what it means to be a reader and a writer, and hope that years later, students remember that one nerd English teacher who showed them what humanity can look like.

Schehrezade Lodhy, Da Vinci Schools, El Segundo

What books in the American literary canon are you teaching (old and new)?

Students really enjoy Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” — it’s all about the human condition and cancel culture, forbidden love and lies and deceit, with witches in the forest. In poetry, we explore a range of American voices, from Walt Whitman and Langston Hughes to Amanda Gorman, and sometimes even song lyrics. I also use “The Moth: Storytelling” podcast when students are working on personal essays. The goal is to make literature, poetry and storytelling as accessible as possible. At a charter school, we have quite a bit of autonomy with what we teach.

What’s one work from the canon adults should revisit today?

James Baldwin’s “Giovanni’s Room” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” I read Baldwin a few summers ago, and that was quite an education for me. Unfortunately, some of the content is a bit too mature for high school, but I do talk about Baldwin a bit in my classes when we cover African American authors.

(Reader’s Library Classics; W. W. Norton & Company; Simon & Schuster)

What are English teachers up against in the classroom in 2026?

Artificial intelligence, big time. I really pared back technology in my class, and we’ve pivoted back to paper and pencil. Going into my 18th year of teaching, my biggest goal is re-creating that experience of thinking critically for oneself and studying literature through a critical lens. We’re in this era of going back to the basics. With decreased attention spans, teachers are being forced to become even more creative. It feels like we’re reinventing ourselves every year.

Aiden Brown, John F. Kennedy High School, Granada Hills

What books in the American literary canon are you teaching (old and new)?

From an educationally traditional background, I still believe in canon disruption — mixing the new and old. In American Lit, I’ve taught “Their Eyes Were Watching God” 11 times now. It’s a hard one to get on the first try because the vernacular is so particular, but when we read it physically while also listening to the audiobook, it’s such a great novel to hear. I pair it with bell hooks’ “All About Love.” I teach “Macbeth” from a performance-based lens, making it less intimidating. My favorite book is “Frankenstein,” written by a teenage girl who invented science fiction. My ninth-graders’ favorites were “Fahrenheit 451,” “The Odyssey” (Emily Wilson translation) and “Persepolis,” a graphic novel about a girl discovering punk rock and rebelling against the established order.

What’s one work from the canon adults should revisit today?

All of the lonely young men need to reread “The Great Gatsby,” and anyone freaked out by the state of the world should read “Parable of the Sower.” One quote from the book hangs on a poster board in my classroom: “A community’s first responsibility is to protect its children — the ones we have now and the ones we will have.”

What are English teachers up against in the classroom?

Teenagers are still the funniest people on the planet. As the world around them becomes more atomized, I find that they’re increasingly interested in connection. In the classroom, we are seeing skill loss and a decreased ability to focus on a task. I don’t think that’s just because of AI or the pandemic — it’s also phones, screens and the world kids are growing up in. One thing teachers seem to agree on is a return to pen and paper.

Clarke E. Andros, Crossroads School, Santa Monica

What books in the American literary canon are you teaching (old and new)?

A newer addition I would recommend is “Hunger: A Novella and Stories” by Lan Samantha Chang. Especially in California, we have a lot of great Asian American literature, including works by Amy Tan, but I enjoy the writing level in Lan’s — it’s accessible to students but pushes them, all about intersectional identity and the first-gen experience. A lot of the Latino students I’ve taught in Los Angeles also connect with that book.

(Penguin Classics; Grand Central Publishing; Mariner Books Classics)

What’s one work from the canon adults should revisit today?

“Of Mice and Men.” Revisiting it today opens up deeper conversations about labor, social conciousness and power. Steinbeck creates a microcosm of American society, where disability, gender, race and class are all represented and shaped by an economic hierarchy. The characters are left navigating a world where people often turn on each other rather than challenge the systems around them. It’s novella-length, so you could read it in a Sunday morning.

What are English teachers up against in the classroom in 2026?

We’re up against systems that often prioritize ed-tech and third-party vendors over smaller class sizes and more teachers. When I was at LAUSD, it was clear from our superintendent — who just stepped down over his fraud investigation — was just in bed with tech. It’s hard for me to imagine the folks in power didn’t look at [the failed AI chatbot venture] and see it as a grift.

On the flip side, at hyper-competitive, elite schools like this, students are approaching high school with college in mind rather than with high school in mind. When students understand the value of the process, they’re less likely to look for an easy shortcut like AI.

Adam Tan, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, Mid-City

What books in the American literary canon are you teaching (old and new)?

With independent reading, memoirs are big, like “Crying in H Mart” and Sylvia Plath’s fictionalized “The Bell Jar.” Younger kids gravitate to “Musashi,” a celebrated epic based on a famous samurai. We have a lot of Korean American students here, so they like “Pachinko,” dealing with racism and the Korean population in post-World War II Japan. I’ll also throw in “The Bluest Eye.”

In ninth grade, we read “Slaughterhouse-Five,” “Of Mice and Men,” “The Thief and the Dogs” and “Romeo and Juliet,” with the film adaptations to use media literacy. In American Literature, the major texts are “The Great Gatsby,” “The Things They Carried” and “The Crucible.” We also read nonfiction articles, including pieces on AI and robots, while focusing on rhetorical devices.

(Blackstone Publishing; Knopf; Little, Brown and Company)

What’s one work from the canon adults should revisit today?

“The Catcher in the Rye” benefits from the distance of adulthood. It’s a novel about disillusionment and the search for identity, but when you revisit it, you also see that it’s very much a love story. I often encourage students to look for forms of love beyond romance — love for family, friends and fellow human beings. Even today, students can tell you that the biggest phony in the book is Holden himself. The novel reminds us that while literature may not have answers to the world’s problems, it can help us examine our wounds and find solace in art.

What are English teachers up against in the classroom in 2026?

A lack of accountability in the modern world. In general, we have a school district focused on 100% graduation rates, no F’s. [LAUSD] wanted everything on computer, and now they want less computer time, which is great, but not everyone at top management is on the same page. Teachers are often trying to balance what the district wants with what we know our students need.

What I try to instill instead is an intrinsic desire to grow as a thinker. How do you make sure students are reading without taking the joy out of it? A lot of us are going back to pen and paper. Despite all the concerns about AI, I still think the soul and spirit of young people is as strong as ever. The core is not rotting.

EXCLUSIVE: Rae Knopik, 31, was always determined to find out more about her Italian roots, and now she’s able to dive into her history further than she ever imagined after winning a €1 (86p) home in Troina with the love of her life

A couple managed to snap up a €1 (86p) home in Italy after finding love in the romantic country. Rae Knopik, 31, had always been determined to explore her Italian heritage, and now she’s able to delve into her roots further than she ever dreamed possible. The social media personality, who has amassed over 35,000 followers on Instagram eager to follow her adventures, opened up about how she managed to secure her dream home alongside her fiancé Declan Norrie, 31.

Rae, who is American, explained that her family originally hails from Sicily. Her ancestors ended up settling in the US when her great-great-grandmother and great-great-grandfather emigrated, despite her great-great-grandmother being reluctant to do so at the time.

Rae explained: “She never learnt English and never smiled in her family photographs. I found her so fascinating and I wanted to return to my Sicilian heritage.”

Eventually, Rae relocated to Florence, where she lived for a period of time. It was there that she met Declan, the man she is now set to wed.

“I met the love of my life when I was in Florence. Four weeks after meeting him, I was on a plane to Australia, and I’ve been here ever since,” she added.

However, when Covid struck, the pair began browsing the internet for travel videos while they were unable to venture far from home, and it was during this time that they stumbled across the €1 (86p) property in Troina. While it’s not something many people would seriously contemplate without a lot of thought, they simply thought “why not?” and threw their names into the hat.

After taking part in a series of interviews, they heard nothing for quite some time — but then everything changed in an instant.

Rae added: “They waited for about 12 months. We didn’t tell anyone about it in case the house didn’t pan out but, in May 2022, they said ‘you have won the house, would you like to come see it?'”

The couple flew over in June and snapped it up almost immediately. They later found out that roughly 60,000 people had entered for the property, meaning they had truly struck gold.

When asked about the condition of the property, Rae said: “We knew it was going to be a complete renovation. We didn’t know how long it’d been since someone had lived in the house.

“They clean it up, but you know it’s going to be a complete renovation. We didn’t even think we’d have running water so we were pretty pleased with the house.

“It was over 60 years since someone had lived in it. It is a complete renovation journey.”

The couple must now carry out a full overhaul of the property, entirely at their own expense. There are also certain conditions they are required to adhere to.

Renovation regulations, however, can vary considerably depending on the area when it comes to €1 properties. It’s therefore essential to thoroughly research the rules before putting in an application for any property.

She also pointed out that people can have the wrong idea about purchasing them. They are far from simple bargains, as Rae explained that a considerable amount of effort and money is required to make them habitable.

Nevertheless, Rae has ambitious plans for the property, and the couple are also planning to tie the knot in Italy, with some of the locals even intending to come along. For this young pair, they may well end up returning to the very place that sparked their whirlwind romance.

When asked to describe Troina, Rae said that as you drive towards it, it looks like “a castle in the sky”, adding that “it’s quite romantic”. She now hopes the home will be transformed into a stunning retreat for them to share with loved ones once the renovation is complete.

“I want my family to use it,” she added. “Me and Declan want to settle there at some point for months or even years, but I hope it will be used by my family.”

You can keep up with Rae’s journey on Instagram.

MAYA Jama has revealed she risked being arrested in Ibiza after she accidentally took something from a bar without paying for it.

The Love Island host, 31, shared a new vlog on her YouTube channel as her hairdresser got her ready for a photoshoot to be a cover girl on a magazine.

Her hairstylist divulged: “We were in Ibiza and the bar was closing and we were walking back to the hotel, but we took our glasses and then the Spanish lady, she was chasing us down the road.”

Maya added: “So we came and gave them back! Otherwise we would get arrested!”

The hairdresser expressed: “We’d get arrested in Ibiza and that’s not what we want.”

Maya told the camera: “They weren’t even proper glass cups, they were plastic.”

JAMA DRAMA

Maya Jama hits back at Love Island villa backlash as she sizzles in tiny bikini

MEAN GIRL

Love Island fans work out real reason Charleen cried as they slam villa girl

He continued: “We couldn’t take them and we didn’t know that at the time and then she was chasing us down the road.”

“It was quite funny but I’m glad we snapped out of it or else we would have got arrested for stealing plastic cups,” The Masked Singer star said.

“It wouldn’t even be worth it, we weren’t even doing anything cool.”

Her revelation comes after she headed into the Love Island villa to host the Casa Amor recoupling.

She turned heads in an incredible plunging black dress as she entered the villa for a second time this week.

Maya left fans applauding as she sided with a heartbroken Jasmine when Kavan came back to the villa with Charleen on his arm.

When Jasmine saw Kavan, who she was in a couple with, walk back into the main villa with the stunning Irish influencer – she was left taken aback and quite frankly, fuming.

After she processed the information, Jasmine asked Kavan if he had slept in bed with girls during Casa.

She also asked him if he’d kissed any girls outside of challenges.

His brother Aidan was quick to butt in, saying how he thinks this is a conversation for them to have in private.

“I’m allowed to speak to him. That’s who I was in a couple with,” Jasmine snapped at Aidan.

“Yeah, Aidan, let them two speak,” Maya then added in a stern voice.

Reacting to Maya’s hilarious snap back at Aidan, one person penned: “The fact even Maya’s sick of Aidan acting like the spokesperson.”

“Maya Jama is so real telling Aidan to let Jasmine and her couple speak. That’s a REAL ASS HOST,” said a second.

NEW YORK — A skyscraper-scaling daredevil told police that he and his girlfriend climbed the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurled a banner about love and peace because he wanted to “do something special” for their engagement, prosecutors said Thursday at the couple’s arraignment on felony reckless endangerment, burglary and other charges.

The couple, who go by Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus, said little as they left court, though Beerkus responded to a journalist’s question about the stunt by saying, “We believe in love.”

Authorities said the two — who were the subject of the 2024 Netflix documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story ” about their “rooftopping” exploits and budding romance — created not only a spectacle but also a danger by ascending the famed skyscraper’s broadcast antenna Wednesday.

After reaching the top, 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan, the climbers displayed a black banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace,” news helicopter video showed.

Then they collected the banner and descended to a slightly lower ledge, where an apparently successful marriage proposal unfolded. Nikolau posted images of the escapade on her social media accounts, including a photo that modeled an engagement-style ring above a bird’s-eye view of Manhattan.

Police waited about half an hour for the antenna to be powered down before Emergency Services Unit officers started ascending and eventually intercepted the climbers on their way down, according to the court complaint, which noted the danger to officers who climbed about 1,250 feet above the ground. The court document identified the two by their formal names, Angelina Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov.

“Skywalkers: A Love Story” follows Beerkus, now 32, and Nikolau, 33, as they make often unauthorized ascents of tall structures, sometimes posing as construction workers to sneak in.

The court complaint said police found a broken lock on a security door on the Empire State Building’s restricted-access 104th floor, which provides access to the antenna. The highest public floor is the 102nd, where there’s an observation deck. Going higher requires a key card, according to the court complaint.

The Empire State Building’s management has called the climb “unauthorized” but hasn’t answered questions about what interactions, if any, the daredevils had with security workers. Visitors to the skyscraper are screened and told not to bring large packages, sports equipment, costumes or masks, among other items.

Beerkus and Nikolau were released without bail, in accordance with New York laws that restrict when monetary bail can be set. Their attorney, Jason Krinsky, said outside court that once prosecutors provide evidence, he and his clients would assess it and determine next steps.

“What a way to propose — something you can only dream of,” Krinsky said. “So you’ve got to, you know, give him some credit for that.”

Other daredevils have climbed the antenna and other parts of the Empire State Building. Those ascents have largely been unauthorized, but actor and musician Jared Leto was allowed to climb up to the base of the antenna from the 86th floor in 2023 to promote a tour.

Peltz writes for the Associated Press.