Nicole Scherzinger

Robbie Williams headlined the World Cup 2026 closing ceremony alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini

The World Cup 2026 closing ceremony dazzled audiences around the globe ahead of one of the most anticipated finals in recent memory, as Spain prepared to face Argentina for football’s greatest prize.

Robbie Williams headlined the spectacular pre-match entertainment, taking to the stage alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Italian superstar Laura Pausini to set the scene for a historic occasion.

The star-studded ceremony served as the perfect curtain-raiser before Spain and Argentina kicked off in the World Cup Final, with millions of fans tuning in from across the world to watch the spectacle unfold.

Yet while the occasion was steeped in sporting drama, many viewers found their attention drawn elsewhere — specifically to Robbie Williams and the bedazzled blue tracksuit the Angels hitmaker chose for his moment in the global spotlight.

Within minutes of his set getting underway, social media was awash with reactions, with some fans struggling to even recognise the pop icon.

“I didn’t recognize Robbie Williams,” one viewer admitted, while another marvelled, “love seeing Robbie Williams.”

Others were simply fixated on his bold fashion choice. “I’m feeling the @robbiewilliams bedazzled track suit…,” one admirer wrote.

Some fans were also struck by a rather unexpected resemblance. “Robbie looks a bit like Paulie from The Sopranos,” with another joking, “Why has Robbie Williams come dressed as Donald Trump reports the Daily Star.

Someone else added, “Robbie Williams is absolutely brilliant before the start of the World Cup.”

Elsewhere, for the first time in World Cup history, there was a half-time show featuring performances by Madonna and Justin Bieber.

While some viewers were loving the performances, especially from Madonna, other fans, including pundit Wayne Rooney, were not as keen.

When asked what he thought about the star-studded performances, Wayne replied with such honesty.

“I’ll be honest, mine (highlight) was when it finished. I like a lot of those artists, but I thought it was c**p,” he said.

“I did, honestly. It just didn’t get me going. I want the football to come back on.”

PUSSYCAT DOLLS have cut their ticket sales in half across some of their UK gigs following their reunion tour axe. 

Back in May, the trio were forced to scrap their North American shows after failing to sell enough tickets. 

The girl group, featuring Nicole Scherzinger, 48, Ashley Roberts, 44, and Kimberly Wyatt, 44, are due to launch their comeback later this year. 

There are eight scheduled tour dates set up and down the UK for fans to enjoy but it has now been revealed that the price for four of them have been discounted. 

The sale is a part of a promotion for the AXS 2026 Summer Sale, and includes shows in Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle and London. 

The sale will run till July 15, giving fans time to grab the discounted tickets but having slashed ticket prices before it remains unclear whether this will boost sales. 

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For their tour across the pond, the girls struggled to sell tickets despite cutting prices to $30, and several dates still had as much as 80 percent of the seats available. 

They had planned 33 dates across the US and Canada, starting in Palm Desert, California, on June 5. 

Rehearsals were delayed and had not formally started before the plug was pulled.

They then went on to announce the news in a group statement, they said: “When we announced the PCD Forever Tour, we hoped to bring the show to fans across the world.

“After taking an honest look at the North American run, we’ve made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to cancel all but one of the North America dates.”

But speaking about the Europe and UK leg, they added: “We are putting everything into making this show a true celebration of the music and the memories.”

The European leg of the PCD Forever tour is due to begin in Copenhagen on September 9.

And Insiders have insisted their ticket sales have been far better in Europe than in North America, with shows in Warsaw and Paris already sold out.

The cancellation was another setback for the girl group, who also cancelled their last reunion tour.

They announced in 2019 that they were launching a comeback as a five-piece along with former members Carmit Bachar and Jessica Sutta, with shows across the UK, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand.

However, it was delayed due to Covid and was eventually axed due to a disagreement between frontwoman Nicole and the band’s founder Robin Antin, on which they reached a confidential settlement last September following a lawsuit.

The Dolls, who had eight Top Ten hits including No1s Don’t Cha and Stickwitu between 2005 and 2009, announced their return as a trio in March when they dropped their new single Club Song.

Death in Paradise fans instantly recognised the star behind drug lord Miranda Priestly.

Death in Paradise fans were swift to work out where they’d seen drug lord Miranda Priestly before.

Death in Paradise returned tonight, Sunday, June 28, on BBC One for a classic instalment of everyone’s beloved cosy crime drama.

This time round, DS Florence Cassell (portrayed by Josephine Jobert) assumes an undercover position as the nanny for Miranda Priestly (Victoria Ekanoye), a formidable drug lord.

It fell to Florence in this two-part special to penetrate Miranda’s drug operation, but BBC audiences couldn’t help being distracted by the star playing this week’s antagonist.

Who is Victoria Ekanoye?

Death in Paradise welcomed actress Victoria Ekanoye to play Miranda Priestly in the two-part special which originally broadcast three years ago.

Before her guest appearance in Death in Paradise, Ekanoye enjoyed a two-year spell in none other than ITV’s Coronation Street as Angie Appleton.

Internationally, Ekanoye is perhaps best recognised for portraying Rachel, the devoted confidante and aide to Elizabeth Hurley’s Queen Helena in The Royals.

Some of her other most prominent screen roles have included Girl Taken, The Turkish Detective, Doctors and The Worst Witch.

However, before she shifted her focus to television, Ekanoye launched her career in musical theatre, performing in the West End’s The Lion King as Queen Sarabi and Nala.

She has also tried her hand at singing, appearing in the 2019 series of The X Factor: Celebrity, where she competed in the “Over 31s” category.

The 44 year old was represented by judge Nicole Scherzinger and finished in 11th place.

Ekanoye has a number of exciting projects in the works, including the forthcoming BBC drama The Split Up, which serves as a spin-off of the hugely popular legal series The Split.

Furthermore, the actress is set to appear in a romantic drama called As Bad as Me, as well as An English Christmas Wish, which is anticipated to land later this year.

Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.