Iron Maiden rocker Bruce Dickinson has revealed the surprising reason behind his decision to take up fencingCredit: GettyBruce has told how he used the sport to help him fend off sex-hungry groupiesThe rocker spent months training with Team GB and represented a semi-pro club – and was once an outside contender for the OlympicsCredit: Getty – Contributor
Run to the Hills singer Bruce — worth about £100million – was at one point ranked No7 in the UK and an outside contender for the Olympics.
He tried fencing as a teenager and then took it up as a hobby in 1983 to distract himself from the temptations of sex, booze and drugs after finding fame.
He spent months training with Team GB and represented a semi-pro club.
Asked why he picked up the blade, he told Classic Rock mag: “I was busy sh*****g everything that moved and none of it was healthy.
“I remember something that (The Who guitarist) Pete Townshend once said about groupies — ‘The moment you realise you can click your finger and manipulate people into having sex with you, that’s the moment you’re going down the slippery slope’.
“You can’t believe women are throwing themselves at you. You think, ‘Well this is nice’. And it is. It’s f*****g great. But there’s a dark side to this.
“Where do you stop? When does it become a prop, like alcohol or cocaine?
“So that’s when I started doing extracurricular activities like fencing.
“I was thinking, ‘I’ve got to do something to keep my brain clean’.”
Bruce, also a qualified pilot who flies Iron Maiden’s private 747 on tour, still takes part in fencing competitions for his age group.
The band has sold more than 130million albums since forming in London in 1975.
Dame Judi Dench has revealed a worrying update amid her ongoing health battleCredit: GettyThe 90-year-old previously told how she ‘can’t leave home alone’Credit: GettyThe former Bond actress, who suffers from age-related macular degeneration, has told how she can’t see anymoreCredit: Rex
Macular degeneration is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting more than 700,000 people.
AMD is an eye disease that can blur an individual’s central vision.
According to the National Eye Institute, age-related macular degeneration “happens when aging causes damage to the macula – the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision.”
The disease does not cause total blindness, but it can make everyday activities difficult.
LIFE-CHANGING
Judi has been candid in addressing her worsening health battle.
During an interview on Trinny Woodall’s Fearless podcast, Dame Judi says “somebody will always be with me” when she leaves the house.
She continued: “I have to [have someone] now because I can’t see.
What is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
DAME Judi Dench has spoken openly about her diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Yet what is it?
Macular degeneration is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, affecting more than 700,000 people.
It first affects people in their 50s.
AMD is an eye disease that can blur an individual’s central vision.
According to the National Eye Institute, age-related macular degeneration “happens when aging causes damage to the macula – the part of the eye that controls sharp, straight-ahead vision.”
The disease does not cause total blindness, but it can make everyday activities difficult.
In a study of more than 500,000 people, scientists from the Hubei University ofMedicineinChinafound a link between instant coffee intake and the risk of dry AMD – one of the forms of the sight-robbing disease.
In contrast, groundcoffeeand decaffeinated brews bore no links to AMD.
“And I will walk into something or fall over.
“I’m always nervous before going to something.
“I have no idea why. I’m not good at that at all.
“Not at all. Nor would I be now.
“And fortunately, I don’t have to be now because I pretend to have no eyesight.”
Dame Judi made her professional debut in 1957 with the Old Vic Company and is now referred to as one of Britain’s best actresses.
After landing roles on TV and in movies from the late 50s, she has starred in a plethora of big titles, with IMDB crediting her for 120 on-screen productions.
Some of her notable roles include Chocolat, Notes on a Scandal, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Philomena and Iris and also her role as “M” in several James Bond films.
She’s a ten-time Bafta winner including winning Best Actress in A Fine Romance (1981) in which she appeared with her late husband, Michael Williams.
Judi has also been nominated for six Oscars and won one of these as Best Supporting Actress for Shakespeare in Love in 1998.
She has also won seven Laurence Olivier Awards and has a further eight nominations under her belt for her professional theatre work.
She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1970, and a Dame of Order of the British Empire in 1988.
Dame Judi told how she can’t see theatre shows any moreCredit: GettyYet she told how she hd been keeping up to date with pal Celia Imrie’s progress on Celeb Traitors via word of mouthCredit: BBCThe screen queen has told how she can’t leave the house unaccompaniedCredit: Rex
A new report has revealed the large sum of money owed to the unpaid Manchester Pride artists and venues.
Back in October, the charity behind the long-running LGBTQIA+ festival made headlines after various performers revealed that they hadn’t been paid for this year’s event, including Drag Race UK star Saki Yew.
“It’s gone too far. As performers, we’re used to waiting for money, but there’s no communication and no answer. A lot of performers are starting to give up hope of being paid,” Saki told BBC Newsbeat in October.
Drag Race UK star Zahirah Zapanta and Adam Ali echoed similar sentiments, with the latter publishing a letter on behalf of other acts who were awaiting payment.
Following immense backlash, Manchester Pride’s Board of Trustees released a statement on 16 October, revealing that they were in “the process of determining the best way forward” with their legal and financial advisers.
A week later, the event’s board of trustees confirmed that Manchester Pride had started the “legal process of voluntary liquidation.”
“A combination of rising costs, which are affecting the entire events and hospitality industries, declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format aimed to challenge these issues, along with an unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride, has led to the organisation no longer being financially viable,” they wrote in a statement released on 22 October.
“The Manchester Pride team have now handed over the details of suppliers and artists who are owed money to the liquidators who will be handling the affairs of the Charity and contacting everyone,” the board concluded.
Now, a new financial report from KR8 Advisory has revealed the staggering debt Manchester Pride had accumlated before they went into voluntary liquidation.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the charity owes £1.3m to performers, venues and suppliers.
Included in the extensive list are 182 companies and individuals who are reportedly owed between £30 and £330,329.
Manchester Pride was also unable to pay the £47,330.40 bill for first aid charity St John Ambulance, the £330,329 fee for Mayfield Depot, nor the £167,892 price tag for security firm Practical Event Solutions.
The event’s headliners, Nelly Furtado and Olly Alexander, were also left unpaid, with the former owed £145,775.75 and the latter £48,000.
In addition to their debt, the report gave further insight into the events leading up to the charity going bust.
Following lower-than-expected ticket sales, Manchester Pride directors allegedly sought out legal advice at the start of September.
They also attempted to dig themselves out of their financial hole by exploring “rescue proposals” such as the Mardi Gras event at Mayfield Depot.
“But as delivery of the festival drew closer, the pace of ticket sales did not accelerate as expected,” the document revealed.
The charity, which reportedly entered 2025 with “challenging circumstances,” also sought help from Manchester City Council, but after weeks of deliberation, the authority declared that they were unable to assist.
Amid their attempts to save the charity, organisers were also waiting to see if they had been selected to host EuroPride 2028, which would have garnered “significant grant funding and sponsorship support.”
When Ireland was selected over Manchester, the board called an emergency meeting to discuss additional solutions before agreeing to put the organisation into liquidation.
While Manchester Pride has been embroiled in financial issues, it’s not the end of the long-running festival.
In a statement, the Manchester City Council confirmed that “a new chapter” for the festival will take place in August 2026.
“The council will play a full and active role in bringing together the LGBTQ community to help shape how the city moves forward to ensure a bright and thriving future for Manchester Pride,” the council added.
THE UK will be getting a brand new theme park in 2026 – but it won’t have your typical thrill rides.
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, is the UK’s largest live action outdoor theatre production and next year it will launch Kynren – The Storied Lands, a new daytime historical theme park.
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A new historical theme park will be opening in the UK next yearCredit: Kynren
Set to open in summer 2026 in County Durham, the theme park will immerse visitors in multiple live shows and experiences that “span millennia”.
Phase One of Kynren – The Storied Lands will reveal The Lost Feather and four other live-action shows and immersive experiences, including Fina, a Medieval horse show, a viking show and a Victorian Adventure with characters from the past.
There will also be The Legend of the Wear which will transform a lake into a stage, where the Lambton Worm myth will be brought to life with water stunts and special effects.
In the future, the theme park will have even more shows, as well as educational content and themed experiences inspired by Robin Hood, Excalibur and the Tudors.
As a whole, the attractions will form the UK’s first live-action historical theme park.
Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren – The Storied Lands, said: “2026 is going to be an unforgettable year.
“Not only will our award-winning night show return, but we’ll also open Kynren – The Storied Lands a unique new experience that brings history, heritage and myth to life on a scale not seen anywhere else in the UK.”
The news follows the announcement that Kynren – An Epic Tale of England is set to return next summer, with tickets now on sale.
Located in Bishop Auckland, the show involves more than 1,000 cast and crew members and mass choreography, combat, horsemanship, stunts and fireworks – all on a seven-and-a-half acre stage.
The show takes spectators on a journey of 2,000 years of history from Boudicca’s rebellion to Viking invasions, Norman conquests, Tudor drama and even Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
The show lasts 90 minutes, beginning at sunset and ending when the stars are out.
It will run every Saturday evening between July 18 and September 12, 2026.
Tickets cost from £30 per adult and £20 per child.
Children under the age of three, are free.
If visitors book their tickets now, they will also unlock an ‘Insider Pass’, which gives them priority access for tickets to the new Kynren – The Storied Lands when it opens next summer.
Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse, who visited this year’s show, said: “If you’ve never heard of Kynren in Bishop Auckland, Durham, you’re not alone.
The theme park will feature a number of immersive experiences and showsCredit: Kynren
“Over an hour and a half, scenes that tell the tale of our homeland, history and heritage come to life across the 7.5-acre outdoor stage.
“The 1,000 professionally trained volunteers might be amateurs, but this incredible cast put on one of the best shows I’ve seen, one that really has to be seen to be believed.
“My boys aged 12 and 10 were absolutely enthralled by the evening’s entertainment from start to finish.
“The whole event is epic – from Viking ships rising from the water to the recreation of a magnificent stained glass window in the spray of a fountain.
“Battle scenes, stunts, celebrations, historic moments, lines from Shakespeare – it’s sometimes difficult to know where to look at there’s so much to take in from one moment to the next.
“It was such a high-quality performance, I’d say it rivaled a live Disney show too.”
Blake, 28, also has a real estate background and seemed completely smitten with the reality star. He even proposed to Emma, but she soon ended the relationship.
Now, the O Group agent has confirmed she is back together with Blake, despite her friends’ concerns.
Opening up to Tudum, she explained: “If I really cared about making myself look good, I would’ve stayed broken up with him or would’ve said, ‘Nope, we’re not together.’
“But ultimately, with relationships, there’s back and forth — and I think that that’s OK to show.”
Diving into why she reunited with her ex, Emma continued: “I had a realization at the reunion that I was [thinking too much] about what other people think.
“If I want to go spend time with this person, why am I so concerned about what everyone else is going to say? After the reunion, I went to go see him, and we’ve been traveling and been together ever since.”
During the reunion, Emma revealed she was back in contact with Blake.
It also came to light that Emma had “lied” to Chrishell about going to the Bahamas for Blake’s birthday, which has played a part in souring their friendship.
The duo were at a Beyoncé concert when Emma abruptly left.
Chrishell revealed: “You [Emma] told me that you were going to Boston to see your family and that’s why you had to leave early. That’s what you told me.”
She went on to add: “The next day she shows up in the Bahamas with Blake.”
The 44-year-old claimed she disliked Blake because the relationship causes Emma to “flake” on their friendship.
But Chrishell’s disappointment didn’t end there, the actress also claims Blake has problematic views.
Back in May, a fan took to Instagram and asked Chrishell: “What’s happening with you and Emma? Hot topic on Reddit.”
She responded: “Ask her about her MAGA bf who told me pronouns are dumb and that he likes to use the N word. I just can’t with that. Too old to allow that in.”
The social media comment sparked online conversation and press coverage which didn’t exactly paint Emma in a favourable light.
During the season nine reunion, Chrishell opened up about the post, claiming Blake revealed his views during a conversation in her kitchen.
“He told me proudly [that] he openly uses the N-word. He thinks that people [who] don’t sing lyrics with all the words, he thinks they are the ones that are too woke,” she explained.
Emma, who was there during the chat, fired back with: “He never said the word woke. He never said that.”
She went on to explain that Blake expressed that “he’s friends with a bunch of rappers and they try and get him to say it [the N-word] and he says no”.
Emma also argued that Chrishell’s post was not an accurate representation of what Blake said, and that he never voiced any political views.
Selling Sunset Season 9 is streaming now on Netflix
A MAJOR airline has revealed plans to restart UK flights – and you might just get the best sleep onboard.
Air New Zealand last had flights between the UK and New Zealand back in 2020.
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Air New Zealand has said they want to relaunch flights between London and New ZealandCredit: Getty
However the route – which went via Los Angeles – was axed during Covid.
The London-Auckland route first launched in 1982, and was the first commercial airline to welcome a royal when the Queen broke with tradition in 1995 to travel onboard.
And now the airline’s new CEO has revealed future plans to start up again, alongside a number of routes in India.
Nikhil Ravishankar told local outlet Stuff: “Places we would go tomorrow if we could, and we want to get there as quickly as we can, would be London [and India] – those are places that we know New Zealanders are interested in being connected to.
“I think all three of those are equally important for us, but India and London are top of the list.
“There are a lot of reasons why New Zealand should be connected to the United Kingdom – it’s a very, very important, almost a cultural highway for us, and so we need to get that route up and running.”
It isn’t clear when this could restart, or where the airline will connect via.
Due to the long nature of the flight – often taking around 24 hours – connections are often in destinations such as Singapore or Hong Kong.
If it does restart, its good news for passengers as Air New Zealand is the only airline in the world set to have bunk beds onboard.
Launching in early 2026, the Skynest will include six bunk bed sleep pods that both economy and premium economy passengers will be able to book.
Each bed can be booked for a four hour slot, and will have new pillows, sheets and blankets per passengers, as well as earplugs, charging points and a personal light.
A curtain will be able to be closed to offer some extra privacy.
They were initially set to launch in 2024 on flights from New York to New Zealand but have since been delayed.
While prices are yet to be confirmed, it was previously suggested that the four hour sessions could be between NZ$400-$600 (£173-£260).
However, you can only book one slot per flight – so make the most of the four hours.
Air New Zealand is launching bunk beds onboard next yearCredit: Air New ZealandIt also currently has the Skycouch which lets you turn economy seat into a bedCredit: Air New Zealand
Otherwise there is also the Skycouch, where you can turn a row of three sets into a lie flat bed.
Rather than pay for three seats, passengers can buy two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch, with then includes the third seat.
Passengers don’t need to buy three seats – instead, you pay for two seats and then upgrade to the Skycouch which automatically includes the third seat.
Prices start from £104 each way.
In the mean time, Brits can fly to New Zealand with other airlines such as Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Flights include stopovers in Dubai, Singapore, Doha and Hong Kong, respectively.
ONE of Spain‘s most popular airports with Brits is getting a multi-million pound upgrade in time for the nextsummerholidays.
Palma de Mallorca Airport is undergoing a massive modernisation project.
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Palma de Mallorca Airport is getting a multi-million pound upgradeCredit: GettyNew passport gates have been introducedCredit: Palma de Mallorca Airport
Costing €500million (£440million), one of the biggest upgrades is the new security area which has 44 check in lines.
It also has new state-of-the-art equipment so it means you can leave your electronics and liquids in your hand luggage.
Just make sure they are still under 100ml each as those rules are still in place.
Both Module A and Module D have been upgraded, with the former having a new retail area and walkways linking the terminals, as well as more departure gates.
This also includes 40 new digital passport gates for departing passengers.
Other upcoming changes include upgraded check in counters to allow space for more passengers, as well as more baggage reclaim belts and security checkpoints.
And a new retail area with shops, bars and restaurants is in the works as well, which connects Modules A, B, C and D.
The works are expected to continue until the end of next year, although most of the tourist-facing upgrades will be finished before the summer season.
Aena’s vice-chairman Javier Marín said around 70 per cent of the project is currently complete.
Palma de Mallorca Airport welcomes more than 30million passengers a year, with a record 33.3million last year.
And new flights have launched to the airport this year, including from Glasgow Airport with British Airways and from Leeds with easyJet.
Earlier this year, Ryanair also revealed a huge £1.2billion investment in the airport, with 80 new routes this summer.
The EES system will also be rolled out at Palma Airport this month on November 19.
It’s not the only Spanish airport undergoing a major upgrade as part of a €13bn (£11.3bn) investment plan across the country.
All eyes are on Beijing as the Communist Party of China (CPC) convenes to outline the next five years. These meetings take place amidst heightened trade tensions with Washington and mounting domestic challenges. This fourth plenary session of the CPC Central Committee, known as the “Fourth Plenum,” is a pivotal political event in the country, shaping future policies. The four-day closed-door meeting aims to finalize China’s new Five-Year Plan for 2026-2030, an economic and political roadmap outlining the priorities of the world’s second-largest economy for the coming years. Approximately 370 members of the Central Committee, led by “Xi Jinping,” are participating in the meeting, with expectations of changes in some leadership positions, although details of these changes may not be revealed for several days or weeks. The full details of the plan are expected to be announced during the annual session of the National People’s Congress in March 2026. Perhaps the most important things for the Chinese leadership at the moment are stability, legitimacy, and continued support. Therefore, it is crucial that they demonstrate their ability to improve the quality of life, as this is the cornerstone of their legitimacy in the eyes of the Chinese people.
Many objectives of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) have come to fruition. The assessment of the key economic and social development achievements under the 14th Five-Year Plan, according to my view, is very positive, especially since they have global impacts in many aspects, such as economic growth, new quality productive forces, high-level opening-up, green transition, technological innovation, international cooperation, cultural and academic exchange, etc.
As China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) draws to a close, the country has achieved a number of notable accomplishments, including fostering a resilient economy and making tangible strides in technology, manufacturing, economic reform, sustainability, and innovation. The country’s strategic plan has supported the country’s high-quality development, contributing to national progress across various sectors in China. China’s five-year plans are strategic guidance documents that chart the country’s development path over five years and form the overall framework for national planning. China will continue its 15th five-year plan in its opening-up and reform process to achieve more balanced and comprehensive development.
China’s 15th Five-Year Plan will cover the period from 2026 to 2030. Planning began in December 2023. The plan aims to achieve General Secretary Xi Jinping’s goal of doubling the size of the economy between 2020 and 2035. The recommendations of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) outlined several actionable plans and programs for the national economic and social development of the People’s Republic of China. These plans focus on innovation-driven growth, low-carbon development, and urban-rural integration while deepening social inclusion and addressing the problem of population aging.
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was held in Beijing from October 20 to 23, 2025. A total of 168 members and 147 alternate members of the Central Committee attended the plenary session. Members of the Standing Committee of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and responsible comrades from relevant departments attended as observers. Some comrades from grassroots units and a number of experts and scholars who were delegates to the 20th CPC National Congress also attended as observers. The plenary session was presided over by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, and “Xi Jinping”, General Secretary of the Central Committee, delivered an important speech. The plenary session heard and discussed a work report delivered by Chinese President “Xi Jinping”, in his capacity as General Secretary of the CPC, commissioned by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, and approved, after consideration, the “Proposals of the CPC Central Committee on Compiling the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development.” President Xi Jinping made explanations to the plenary session on the draft of the “Proposals.”
The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will be held from October 20 to 23, 2025, to discuss proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for China’s Economic and Social Development. China has achieved significant achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan, both domestically and internationally. In the new plan, it will continue its pursuit of high-quality development and strengthen international cooperation to achieve a more prosperous shared future.
The 14th Five-Year Plan focuses on achieving high-quality development, encompassing key areas such as scientific and technological innovation, the green economy, improving living standards, and balanced regional development. China’s achievements during this period were not limited to domestic matters but rather extended their impact to the entire world.
This year, 2025, marks the conclusion of the implementation of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025). Chinese authorities recently reviewed the most significant achievements made during this period, a development that received widespread attention from the international community. China’s achievements in innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan represent a global model of scientific and technological self-reliance. Not only did it increase spending on research and development, but it also succeeded in transforming knowledge into a sustainable, productive, and economic force. This reflects a strategic vision that has made China a leader in the fields of artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and modern communications. Giant Chinese companies, such as Huawei, Alibaba, Xiaomi, and BYD, have become symbols of this transformation. They have not only succeeded in building global brands but also established integrated innovation systems that blend scientific research with practical application.
China’s five-year plans have always been an effective tool for driving progress across all sectors. According to my analysis as an Egyptian expert on Chinese politics and the policies of the ruling Communist Party of China, China’s 14th Five-Year Plan is described as “diverse, innovative, and open.” I expect China’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan to continue prioritizing technological innovation, artificial intelligence, social welfare, scientific research, the digital economy, and carbon reduction. China’s development model is unique, with its sole goal of ensuring the prosperity of the Chinese people, under the motto “from the people, for the people.” Taking effective measures and prioritizing the protection and improvement of citizens’ livelihoods have been key factors behind China’s rapid development. This Chinese development model has become an inspiring example by transforming human capital into an engine of growth.
Based on the previous analysis, perhaps what most caught my attention during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan is the significant Chinese focus on the innovation sector at the forefront. Over the past five years, the country’s total investment in research and development (R&D) has reached record levels. By 2024, China’s R&D spending will have increased by about 50 percent, or 1.2 trillion yuan, since the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), according to China’s National Development and Reform Commission.
Good Morning Britain star Kate Garraway has revealed which of the Celebrity Traitors stars opted not to be a part of the WhatsApp group after filming had finished
Kate Garraway has revealed which Celebrity Traitors star refused to be part of the WhatsApp group(Image: BBC)
Kate Garraway has revealed which of the Celebrity Traitors stars has refused to join the WhatsApp group. The Good Morning Britain host, 58, is one of several who signed up to the first ever celebrity edition of the hit BBC game show, and while she’s still in touch with the likes of Tom Daley, Charlotte Church, and Alan Carr, one famous face from the programme doesn’t appear to want to chat.
The journalist explained that the chat is currently ‘popping off,’ as the celebrities react to themselves on screen and learn of various fates after their own time on their programme. Last night, viewers watched as Jonathan Ross became the first Traitor to be banished from the castle, and the former talk show host admitted on Friday’s Halloween special of Loose Women that he had no idea what was coming next.
But Kate has now revealed that the star who declined an invitation to join the WhatsApp group chat is someone who has been integral to the format of the show.
The former GMTV host explained that it was Claudia Winkleman, who has been the host of the whole programme since it first aired on BBC One three years ago. Kate explained: “The WhatsApp group is popping off all day and night, actually. It’s brilliant. We invited Claudia to join the group because we all adore Claudia obviously. But she said no.”
Kate explained that the Strictly Come Dancing host was insistent that the contestants needed a place that was ‘just for them’ now that filming is done and they are getting to see the things they didn’t see whilst the series was in production as all the action plays out on screen.
Speaking to The Sun, she added: “She said you need a place that’s just for you guys now that you’re out and you know what’s going on. Because obviously, you know, there’s so much that I didn’t know that I’ve learned by watching it – all the comments that are made when you’re not in the room.”
Early on in the series, Alan Carr ‘murdered’ singer Paloma Faith in shock scenes and rumours have swirled that the pair are no longer on speaking terms, but Kate insisted that she ‘doesn’t really know’ what is going on thee.
What’s more, Jonathan was said to have come to blows with actress Ruth Codd behind the scenes, but Kate explained: “We’ve had one time where we’ve all got together – not everybody could make it – but Jonathan and Ruth were there together and seemed fine to me.”
When it comes to former Chatty Man host Alan, who is a traitor alongside singer Cat Burns, he recently spoke out about the current status of his friendship with New York songstress Paloma during the latest episode of his Life’s A Beach podcast.
He was joined by DJ Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, who directly asked him: “Aren’t you mates with Paloma?” before Alan replied: “Well, I was…”
Alan then explained that the pop star, 44, disregarded him as a ‘real friend’ when he killed her off, but he had to remind her that that as the whole point of the show to began with He added: “She said, ‘If you were a real friend, you wouldn’t have killed me.’ But I said, ‘I’m the Traitor! The show’s called The Traitors – it does what it says on the tin!'”
Alan then spoke of the fan reaction to the viral moment, and reminded them as well that he was doing as he was supposed to. He added: “There’ve been a few little TikToky things where she says I’ve let her down because I killed her in plain sight. It’s like going on Naked Attraction and being told, what, I have to take my knickers off? You know what you’re signing up for!”
Despite the apparent fall out, Alan then revealed that he is going to make it up to Paloma. He said: “I’m going to take her out for dinner. I love her. I’m such a big fan of her and she’s the best – but no one wants to be murdered first on a show. I panicked!”
NBCUniversal owner Comcast is indeed interested in some of Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets.
On a Thursday call with analysts to discuss third-quarter earnings, Comcast President Mike Cavanagh suggested the Philadelphia giant might bid for certain Warner assets, primarily the Warner Bros. film and television studios and its streaming service HBO Max.
Comcast isn’t looking to acquire the entire company or Warner’s large portfolio of cable channels that include CNN, TBS and Food Network. Instead, Cavanagh suggested that Comcast’s interest would be more narrow.
He noted that NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. have compatible businesses. Comcast wants to grow its studios business and its struggling streaming service, Peacock, which lost $217 million during the quarter.
“You should expect us to look at things that are trading in our space … It’s our job to try to figure out if there are ways to add value,” Cavanagh told analysts.
But he added a note of caution, saying the company didn’t feel that a merger was “necessary.”
“The bar is very high for us to pursue any [merger] transactions,” he said.
The Warner Bros. Discovery auction comes amid deep turmoil in the industry. Traditional entertainment companies, including Warner and NBCUniversal, have long relied heavily on cable programming fees to boost profit but consumers have been scaling back on pay-TV subscriptions amid the move to streaming.
To address that challenge, Comcast is spinning off its cable channels, including CNBC, MSNBC, USA and Golf Channel, into a separately traded company called Versant. That process is expected to be complete this year.
As part of the transition, the liberal-leaning MSNBC is changing its name to MS Now and dropping the peacock from its network logo, reflecting its pending exit from NBC, which will remain part of Comcast.
Cavanagh suggested that Comcast would not double down in a declining cable channel business that it was already exiting.
But Warner has other compelling businesses, including HBO and its Warner Bros. film and television studio. The Warner Bros. studio has released a string of movie blockbusters this year, including “Superman” and “A Minecraft Movie.”
Warner and NBCUniversal are investing in their respective streaming services but both lag Netflix, YouTube and Walt Disney Co. in terms of subscribers and engagement. Peacock has 41 million subscribers; the service has lost billions of dollars since Comcast launched it five years ago.
To shore up Peacock and the NBC broadcast network, Comcast has doubled down on sports, including striking a $27-billion, 10-year deal for NBA basketball, a contract that kicked in this month with the new season. (Nielsen ratings for the inaugural NBA game on NBC last week were strong — nearly 5 million viewers).
Most analysts believe that Ellison’s Paramount is in the best position to win Warner Bros. Discovery. They point to the Ellison family’s determination, wealth and political connections. Tech titan Larry Ellison, who is backing his son’s bid, is the second-richest man in the world behind Elon Musk, and President Trump views the elder Ellison as a good friend.
In contrast, Trump has displayed a dim view of Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Brian Roberts, in large part, because of Comcast’s ownership of MSNBC, which Trump has accused of being an arm of the Democratic National Committee.
The tension has led observers to conclude that Comcast would face a stormy regulatory review process with Trump overseeing the Department of Justice, which would likely perform an anti-trust review of any major transaction for Warner Bros. Discovery.
Concerns about Comcast’s ability to get deals through the Trump administration may be overblown, Cavanagh said.
“I think more things are viable than maybe some of the public commentary [suggests],” Cavanagh said.
THE Wanted star Nathan Sykes has taken a swipe at bandmate Max George amidst bitter feud.
Nathan, 32,tied the knot with his girlfriend of six yearsCharlotte Burke earlier this month and broke his silence as to why his former pal was not in attendance.
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The Wanted star Nathan Sykes has taken a swipe at bandmate Max George following his wedding with Charlotte BurkeCredit: InstagramFeud rumours have recently reignited between Max and NathanCredit: Getty
Feud rumours have recently reignited inside the huge UK boyband following a wedding snub.
Nathan opted for an intimate celebration inviting just 61 of their closest friends and family, among them was The Wanted star Jay McGuinness.
But, Max was noticeably absent from Nathan’s wedding alongsideSiva Kaneswaran – Max and Kiva now have their own boyband The Wanted 2.0 together.
Following the wedding Nathan opened up about why Max and Siva weren’t in attendance, speaking to OK! he said: “We haven’t touched base recently, so I’m not sure they would have known the wedding date.
“With them being out in America at the time, we’ve not had the chance to [catch up], but I’m sure we will soon.”
He added: “We had a room full of people we’re comfortable with, so it was a really safe space and allowed us to relax.”
The band was first formed in 2009 by Max, Nathan, Jay, Siva and the late Tom Parker.
The group had massive hits between 2009 before it was disbanded in 2014, with plans to bring the boys back together.
But now it seems The Wanted aren’t reuniting, and Max and Nathan might not be talking at all.
Recently, fans on Reddit noticed that the pair unfollowed each other on Instagram, cutting off social media communication.
One wrote: “Not to sound parasocial or anything, but for some context, I have been a fan of The Wanted since 2012.
They added: “Couldn’t help but notice Max and Nathan unfollowed each other?
“I wonder if there’s any beef between them lol.”
Another fan replied to the Reddit thread, saying: “I’ve always suspected Max and Nathan had a falling out before they broke up the first time.”
A third said: “It’s a real shame because teenage me loved Nathan and Max’s interactions.
“I remember when Nathan used to comment on Max’s ig posts around 2 years ago.
“They haven’t followed each other in a very long time.
Nathan admitted him and Max ‘haven’t touched base recently’Credit: Shutterstock EditorialThe band was first formed in 2009 by Max, Nathan, Jay McGuiness, Siva Kaneswaran and the late Tom ParkerCredit: GettyMax George and Nathan Sykes unfollowed each other on InstagramCredit: Getty
PAULTONS Park has finally revealed the opening date for its much anticipated Viking Valgard land.
Valgard: Realm of the Vikings will be a “fully immersive Viking world bursting with all new adventures, epic discovery, and legendary rides”.
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Paultons new themed land will open on May 16, 2026Credit: Paultons
And the new £12million development is set to open on May 16, 2026.
Visitors will be able to head on Drakon – Paultons’ most thrilling rollercoaster yet with two inversions and a “beyond-vertical drop”.
There will also be Raven, which is the park’s Gerstlauer Bobsled ride reimagined and Vild Swing, which swings 12 metres high and is a first of its kind in the UK.
According to Paultons’ website, the land will be suitable for parents, older children and teenagers, with the new rides not for the faint-hearted.
James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, previously said: “We’ve opened two brand-new rides in the last two years and with the build of Valgard firmly underway, we’re excited to open a further three, bigger-and-better-than-ever-before rides, between now and summer 2027.
“Valgard promises an immersive, atmospheric, and action-packed experience for families and has been specifically designed to grow with our fans.
“The introduction of inversions and a vertical lift hill on Drakon certainly up the adrenaline levels at Paultons Park, but staying true to our roots, we haven’t forgotten about the little ones and there is something for all of the family in our new Viking village.”
Once Valgard: Realm of the Vikings opens, the theme park will boast over 80 rides and attractions across six themed worlds.
In March of this year, the park also submitted plans to build a new holiday village with a resort offering.
It would be located next to Valgard: Realm of the Vikings and would feature between 85 and 95 lodges, parking and its own entrance.
In May, the park then also released a 26-second trailer on YouTube for 2027.
The video doesn’t show much other than a wave washing over a giant ‘2027’ sign standing on a rock, but many fans have speculated that the park will be getting a new water ride.
One person commented: “It’s gonna be the long rumoured water coaster.”
Another said: “Judging by the clue being water, I think that the new investment for 2027 will be a Mack Rides Water Coaster.”
THE Sun’s travel editor Caroline McGuire recently visited the theme park, and here is what she thought…
Last week, a friend from the school gates and I decided to ignore the alert from the Met Office about high-speed gusts and still visit Paultons Park in the New Forest.
And it turned out to be an excellent decision, because the longest we queued for a ride was about four minutes.
And it was two minutes for popular rides Al’s Auto Academy and the Farmyard Flyer rollercoaster.
That fact alone makes this my favourite theme park in Europe.
Because it doesn’t matter how good the rides are if you’re waiting up to an hour for each one.
On the kids’ favourite rides, such as the Velociraptor and Cat-O-Pillar coasters, we were able to fit in about three rounds in 15 minutes.
Paultons is the perfect starter park for toddlers, and I first took my son there when he was two, lured by its famous Peppa Pig World.
He is in year 2 now, so has grown out of Peppa and moved on to the entry-level coasters, of which they have several.
So despite the yellow weather warnings, we spent the entire weekend outside, grinning from ear to ear.
Celebrity Traitors star Jonathan Ross has landed himself in hot water with show bosses after spilling behind the scenes secrets but is hasn’t stopped him revealing more
Jonathan Ross has been issued a warning for revealing show secrets (Image: BBC)
He has been working alongside Cat Burns and Alan Carr, killing off the Faithfuls while trying to remain undetected. Jonathan has so far been successful in keeping his true identity under wraps.
However, he has now revealed he actually let slip he was a Traitor in a moment that didn’t make the final edit. In a shocking confession, Jonathan revealed: “It’s nerve-wracking watching it for me.
“The round tables, of course, because a lot of stuff is edited out and I’m not allowed to talk about the stuff that’s edited out, which I can understand why.
“When I started talking about it last week, they sent us all a kind of list saying, ‘Just to remind you, these are the things in your contracts you’re not allowed to talk about.’
“So I’ll skirt around it as much as possible and not break any rules. But there’s a fairly comprehensive list, and most of it I can see is to protect the integrity of the game as a viewing experience for people, so it makes perfect sense.”
Jonathan confessed he didn’t think he played the fame well, while Clare Balding was approaching it “cleverly”. He added: “She – I think – had figured me out quite clearly and more so than actually appeared on the screen.
“On the Uncloaked episode where she sees it’s my name, she goes ‘oh I was going to go for him last night’ – because I’d actually said something to her the night before which I think made her think it was me.
“And that wasn’t in the show because it didn’t lead to the roundtable but I think she was fairly confident it was me.” He added on his podcast with daughter Honey: “So you can imagine how delighted I was when she put Charlotte’s name down.
“She was doing it smart, because she knew she didn’t have enough people to support my claim yet and ‘if I say him and he is a Traitor, he may well murder me, so I’ll do this and then maybe keep me closer and get rid of me the next time’.”
Despite Jonahtan’s slip up with Clare, he has remained undetected by his fellow co-stars. On spin-off, Uncloacked, Stephen Fry was convinced Cat, Joe and David were the Traitors, but he got the shock of his life when he found out the truth.
“Jonathan?! FFS!” he said. “Oh he played a blinder, we knew he was a superfan, but he convinced me he wanted to be Faithful!”
“Alan?! What will Paloma say? Wow does he want to end the relationship?! Alan Carr, I don’t believe it! Two big dogs, and one small Cat!”
The writer of the Witcher books answered fan questions on the hit adaptations
The Witcher season 4 official Netflix trailer
The author behind the books which are the basis of Netflix series The Witcher has shared what he really thinks of the adaptation.
The fourth season is set to be released on the streaming platform, with eight new episodes available to binge from October 30. According to the synopsis, after the Continent-altering events of season three, Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri find themselves separated by a raging war and countless enemies.
As their paths diverge, and their goals sharpen, they stumble on unexpected allies eager to join their journeys. And if they can accept these found families, they just might have a chance at reuniting for good. The series is based on the works of Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.
Sapkowski’s Witcher books include two collections of short stories, five novels making up the main Witcher saga and two standalone novels. Season four is believed to be largely based on the publications Baptism of Fire and The Tower of Swallows.
The writer took part in a special AMA session on Reddit where fans were invited to ask him any question they liked. It took place in celebration of the latest English translation release of Crossroads of Ravens. The new book is a standalone novel that serves as a prequel for Geralt’s story.
Many fans have been welcomed to the world of the Witcher thanks to its adaptations. These include the live-action series on Netflix as well as the video game series developed by CD Projekt Red.
The third game, subtitled Wild Hunt, in particular was a runaway critical and commercial success. Its story served as a follow-up to the saga told in the original books.
It wasn’t long before one fan asked about Sapkowski’s current views on the adaptations. The writer previously admitted he allowed his work to be translated into a game because of the money offered to him.
Netflix have also released an original prequel series as well as an animated feature film Sirens of the Deep, which was based on one of Sapkowski’s short stories.
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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like House of Guinness.
Now, he has expressed his blunt view on all these adaptations. He explained: “I’ll put it this way: there’s the original and then there are adaptations. Regardless of the quality of these adaptations, there are no dependencies or points of convergence between the literary original and its adaptation.
“The original stands alone, and every adaptation stands alone; you can’t translate words into images without losing something, and there can’t be any connections here.”
He continued: “Moreover, adaptations are mostly visualisations, which means transforming written words into images, and there is no need to prove the superiority of the written word over images, it is obvious. The written word always and decidedly triumphs over images, and no picture – animated or otherwise – can match the power of the written word.”
ACTRESS Keira Knightly has revealed that she’s a Nepo Baby but despite family connections the star has insisted that you ‘still have to deliver’.
Keira, 40, sat down to speak on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast and made the shock confession about her family life.
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Keira Knightly has revealed that she’s a Nepo BabyCredit: PADespite her family connections the star has insisted that you ‘still have to deliver’ (pictured: Will Knightley, Sharman Macdonald and James Righton)Credit: GettyKeira Knightley mother Sharman MacDonald is a famous playwrightCredit: ReutersKeira sat down to speak on Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby podcastCredit: Happy Mum, Happy Baby
The actress is the child of TV star Will Knightley and her playwright mother Sharman Macdonald.
Keira has put down her Nepo Baby status to being within a family of ‘jobbing creatives’.
On the pod Keira was asked by Giovanna “if the whole Nepo Baby thing annoyed” her.
Giovanna continued: “I think it’s a really difficult subject when you’ve got parents who are working and they’re jobbing creatives. You know but you still have to deliver. You still have to have a talent.”
Keira replied: “I don’t know about annoyed, I think I am a Nepo Baby.
“I mean my first proper agent was because she was my mum’s best mate, and she’s still my agent today. So, I mean, I think it is true that there are connections that are made, and it’s true that within creative families, you know, a lot of the actors I know, it is generational.
“And I think partly that is because it is a lifestyle; it’s a way of life that is quite other from a 9-to-5 job.”
She was then asked: “So, do you think it’s more a case, that we have to change our view of how we perceive even the word ?”
“Well I don’t know about that. I think it’s a similar thing to quite often builders, I was doing a lot of work on my house recently, and it’s a family of builders,” Keira quipped.
“You know, building companies go through generations. Doctors tend to go through generations. You get a lot of lawyers, I think you grow up in a particular environment, and if you like the environment you grew up in you will gravitate towards that environment.
Giovanna added: “Though you don’t see a doctor whose dad’s a doctor and go, “Nepo Baby”.
“No, you don’t. I mean, but look, the entertainment industry is very loud, the noise around the entertainment industry and I think you know that going into it.
Speaking about her two children, whom she shares with musician James Righton, she added: “If my children, neither of them are showing any interest whatsoever, but if that’s what they choose to do, then that’s what they’ll have to deal with. And I’m sure they’ll have an answer to it.
“Ultimately, with every job, no matter what it is, you might have help through the door, which is not nothing. But unless you bring the goods, you’re going to be chucked out very quickly.”
The Hollywood star began acting as a child on television.
She made her breakthrough into films with the 2002 film Bend It Like Beckham, and achieved international fame in 2003 after playing Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean film series.
Her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in the 2005 romantic drama film Pride & Prejudice earned her critical acclaim.
She later became known for her roles as the heroines of other such period dramas as Atonement (2007), A Dangerous Method (2011) and Anna Karenina (2012).
One of Keira’s breakout roles was in the football film Bend It Like BeckhamCredit: AlamyKeira achieved international fame in 2003 after playing Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean film seriesCredit: AlamyHer latest hit role sees her play journalist turned detective in the Netflix drama The Woman In Cabin 10Credit: Getty
Grantchester star Robson Green has said he ‘burst into tears’ as he shared details of the final days of filming the last ever series of the ITV crime drama
Grantchester star Robson Green revealed there’s only five days left of filming the last ever series of the hit ITV show(Image: ITV)
Grantchester favourite Robson Green has revealed there are just five days of filming remaining on the final ever series of the beloved ITV drama.
The announcement came over the summer that the crime series would be drawing to a close after its 11th run.
The popular ITV programme features Robson, 60, as Detective Inspector Geordie Keating, whose character teams up with vicar Alphy Kottaram, portrayed by Rishi Nair, to crack cases in the Cambridgeshire village.
The series draws inspiration from James Runcie’s literary works.
During Tuesday’s This Morning appearance, Robson, who has been busy with another venture exploring the globe’s finest walking routes, spoke about Grantchester’s conclusion, reports Wales Online.
The performer, who has starred in the programme since its 2014 debut, revealed to presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary: “We’re filming the final series, I’ve got five days left, I finish next Tuesday!”
Speaking about his Grantchester colleagues both past and present, he continued: “That’s the saddest thing about it all, I’m going to miss that family of wonderful people, I’ve got so many wonderful memories.
“If you watch Grantchester, I play a character Inspector Keating, and I wear this one suit. A brown suit. In every scene, in every episode, and every series and I hung it up for the last time on Friday.”
Discussing the poignant moment, Robson confessed: “I burst into tears!”
It comes as Robson, reflecting on the show’s conclusion, said during the summer: “From the very beginning, I have had the incredible fortune to be part of this extraordinary team of talented, passionate, and dedicated individuals who have become more than colleagues. They have become family.
“I have made friendships forged through shared laughter, challenges, and triumphs.
“The bonds we’ve formed extend far beyond the camera lens, and I know that they will endure long after the final scene within the Grantchester world has been filmed.
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey.
“Emma Kingsman Lloyd and Daisy Coulam…. from that very first day you gave me the extraordinary opportunity to be part of this experience..
“It has been an honour to share in the magic of Grantchester, and I am forever grateful for the memories, the friendships, and the love that this journey has given me. I hope I made you proud.”
This Morning continues on weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV X.
KATE Cassidy has revealed a new unseen video of Liam Payne after the singer’s sister took swipe at star.
Kate, 26, took to social media to share a sweet clip of her and Liam on holiday together before his tragic death last year.
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Kate Cassidy has revealed a new unseen video of Liam PayneCredit: TikTok/@kateecassKate has taken to social media to share a sweet clip of her and Liam on holiday together before his tragic deathCredit: TikTok/@kateecassInfluencer Kate had been dating the singer for two years when he diedCredit: Getty
The TikTok post showed Kate and Liam in a villa soaking up the sun and enjoying their private pool.
The camera panned to the topless One Direction star who is shown filming the video whilst he takes various snaps of Kate in a blue bikini.
The clip then cuts to another montage of Liam taking pics of the blonde beauty in a red two piece, Liam’s voice can be heard telling Kate how to pose.
She posted the video along with the song Apocalypse by Cigarettes After Sex.
In a moving tribute to her “little brother” on social media, Ruth didn’t hold back.
“Everyone only seems interested in the public side of this.
“Some sadly seem more interested in the fame they can gain off this, but on the human side people need to remember when they speak, there is a son without his Dad, parents without their child and I am lost without my brother,” she said.
Beforehand a video was shared by Kate of Liam lifting her up in a final dance before his death.
A heartbroken Kate posted the clip on her own social media showing the of the 1D singer attempting to hoist her up.
But her “last dance” with Liam was not the only post she has shared recently to mark one year since his passing.
She said: “I know Liam would want me to go. I’m not going to be doing anything on the 16th, I’ll be here in my apartment.
“I know for a fact I wouldn’t be able to commit to any plans on the 16th.”
It comes after Liam’s devastated sister Ruth took a swipe at Kate after she slammed people “using his death for fame”Credit: Roo0900/InstagramAn emotional video shows Liam lifting Kate up in a final dance before his deathCredit: InstagramThe unseen video shows a montage of Liam and Kate’s memories togetherCredit: TikTok/@kateecass
A son of conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly has publicly revealed that he is homosexual, while at the same time defending his mother’s political views and the Republican Party’s “family values” campaign theme.
“The family values movement is not anti-gay,” said John F. Schlafly, a 41-year-old attorney who lives with his parents in Alton, Ill., and counts among his clients the Eagle Forum, the conservative group founded by his mother.
“These people are not anti-gay. They’re not gay bashers,” John Schlafly said in a telephone interview Friday. “I hold my mother in very high esteem. She’s doing good work.”
He added that he “didn’t agree with everything” he heard at the GOP convention but insisted that “efforts to convey the (Republican) Convention and the platform and speakers as bigots and gay bashers is completely inaccurate. The concept of family values should not be threatening to gays and lesbians. Most gays and lesbians have good relations with their family, as I do.”
Schlafly was “outed,” or revealed to be gay, by QW, a magazine published in New York, two weeks ago. He confirmed his homosexuality in an interview published Friday by the San Francisco Examiner.
“I thought it best to set the record straight,” Schlafly explained. “The media was trying to push the angle that there was some sort of hypocrisy going on, which I felt was inaccurate.”
Phyllis Schlafly characterized the media’s interest in her son’s revelation as “obviously a political hit against me.” She declined to say when she learned her son is gay and added that homosexuality “is not a big subject around (the Schlafly family).”
As for her stand on gay rights, Phyllis Schlafly said: “There’s nothing about my position on gay rights that should be offensive to a gay unless he’s seeking some kind of preferential status.”
While John Schlafly said he did not think it was right for someone to be fired based on sexual orientation, he said he did “not support the so-called gay-rights agenda” and was not sure what he thought of the military’s ban on homosexuals.
In his remarks to the Examiner, he disagreed with one common contention of the religious right, that homosexuality is a choice. “You can say in some sense I choose to write with my right or left hand,” Schlafly said. “But the point is that it is such an automatic decision. That’s how I see homosexuality.”
He also objected “to anyone saying that being gay constitutes not having good moral character.”
Robbie Williams wants to open ‘a University of Entertainment’Credit: Getty
“I want to open a University of Entertainment,” Robbie, right, revealed. “I did notice nobody else is doing it.”
He said of the inspiration behind his dream school: “I grew up as a vaudevillian. That’s what I am. I am cabaret.
“I spent all of my youth watching my dad do cabaret and watching all of the acts that he would bring off and on stage — and how talented and hard-working they were, and how genuinely funny the funny acts were, and how genuinely amazing the vocalists were.”
Robbie, who left Take That in 1995 before launching his hugely successful solo career, added: “I arrived in 1995, after Take That, I want to be Oasis.
“I want to be Radiohead. Then, when I opened my mouth and my mind, I came out instead and I’m not cool. And you go, ‘OK, so what am I? Oh, I’m all of these people that I loved — Tommy Cooper, The Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise.
‘In a different place’
“The way they made me feel is how I want to make people feel.”
Robbie will be back on stage next year, kicking off a mini-tour in Glasgow on February 4, before playing three more intimate shows in Liverpool, London and Wolverhampton.
And until then, he said he’s going to be busy working on his new plans.
He told the Heretics podcast: “I’ve got so many fingers in so many pies, giving me so much to peruse. My ambition and my want and my need and my desire has not abated. But the oxygen I once had in my career, where I couldn’t miss every time I went to the table, has been taken away from me just because I’m an older pop star now.
“The rise was a long time ago, 1990 till, say, 2010.
“It’s only different as it’s different for everyone else lucky enough to have had my kind of career. I was the most played artist for ten years in a row.
“And, you know, thank you. I’ve had a nice run, but I’m in a different place now.
“And it’s not over. Where does all of that naked ambition and drive go?
“It goes into purpose. It goes into creating.”
If it ever gets off the ground, I’ll make sure to sign up for a night class.
Little Mix have reunited for a backstage snap, pictured Leigh Anne Pinnock with Jade Thirlwall and pregnant Perrie EdwardsCredit: Instagram/leighannepinnock
Leigh-Anne shared this sweet snap of them together, and one of my mates spotted them dancing and singing along to Angel Of My Dreams.
Jade, whose debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby, peaked at No3 when it came out last month, is now preparing to head Stateside in the New Year.
Let’s hope she can do what Little Mix couldn’t and crack America.
Jade kicks off a run of 14 shows in San Diego on January 30.
Fergie up fur reunion
IT looks like Fergie can’t decide if she’s too hot or too cold.
The Black Eyed Peas singer teamed this crop-top with a faux fur jacket as she performed at One Musicfest in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fergie teamed this crop-top with a faux fur jacket as she performed at One MusicfestCredit: Getty
The I Gotta Feeling singer wowed fans at the event in Piedmont Park, belting out some of her biggest hits including amazing 2006 single London Bridge.
Earlier this year, I revealed that Fergie had created a whole new music video for the track in the capital as part of Lena Dunham’s Netflix series, Too Much.
Fergie left the Black Eyed Peas in 2018, but I told you this summer that discussions are under way about a possible reunion with her bandmates Will.i.am, APL.DE.AP and Taboo.
I’d love to see this happen.
Jovi’s got the Midas Tuchel
I TRIED my hardest to make Jon Bon Jovi a Spurs fan when I hung out with him last week, but his legendary PR Alan Edwards – a die-hard Gooner – persuaded him to follow the reds.
Jon was obviously something of a lucky charm as Arsenal managed a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Bon Jovi met England boss Thomas TuchelCredit: Supplied
And the apparent snub is now the talk of the town.
Our source explained: “All people are still talking about what happened with Geri that night.
“She was seated away from Mel C and Emma, which seems weird given they were there to support Victoria. Inside the party she only seemed to talk to Victoria, too. It all felt rather frosty. No one has seen a photo of the four of them together either.”
And last week, The Sun reported the band – completed by Mel B – were planning on implementing a “rule of four”, to allow the show to go ahead even if Geri wasn’t on board.
A telly insider said: “Geri has been dragging her heels for almost a year now and the rest are keen to plough ahead, as next year marks the 30th anniversary of first single Wannabe.”
Get it together, Ginger.
UpBeat
THE BEATLES raked in £31.8million last year – thanks to their “new” final track Now And Then.
With four biopics in the pipeline and a new Disney+ documentary series, The Beatles Anthology, which is starting next month – I reckon this year will also bring even more bumper profits.
Cops get Raye on track
RAYE has revealed the police have found her stolen car – with her songwriting books on the backseat.
The Where Is My Husband! singer was forced to push back her second album after the thieves nicked her motor last year.
Raye has revealed the police have found her stolen carCredit: Getty
But now Raye is busy putting the finishing touches to the record after getting them back.
Appearing on Global’s Big Top 40, Raye, right, said: “It was a rollercoaster journey but what I didn’t tell people is that the police called me two or three months ago and said, ‘We’ve found your car.’
“Not only did they get it back but not one thing had been taken out of the car.
“All my songwriting books were there untouched.
“There was so much important stuff in there and when I was flicking through it I was like, ‘Thank God this has been returned to me’.”
Mark: I still get nervous
MARK RONSON has a load of hits to his name but has admitted he still questions if he’s any good every time he gets into the studio.
On Radio 2’s Tracks Of My Years, which airs all this week on Vernon Kay’s morning show, Mark said: “Every time I get into the studio with somebody for the first time, or even if it’s someone like Dua Lipa, or someone I’ve worked with a lot, it’s that combination of like, before the first day of school meets a blind date, meets every insecurity.
Mark Ronson still questions himselfCredit: Getty
“Am I going to think of an idea? Am I going to be able to deliver?
“I still have that and I know people might be like, ‘That’s ridiculous, you’re good, don’t worry about it’.
ONE of Scotland’s Wetherspoon pubs could soon house guests as it has been proposed that it turns into a hotel.
If approved the pub that’s in one of busiest areas in Aberdeen could have 29 hotel rooms an a beer garden.
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The Archibald Simpson Wetherspoons in Scotland is set to become a hotelCredit: JD WetherspoonThe chain is hoping to convert some of the floors into space for hotel roomsCredit: JD Wetherspoon
The boozer called The Archibald Simpson sits on one of the busiest streets in Aberdeen and could well become a place for city explorers to have a good night’s sleep as well as a beer.
It has a grand entrance with huge columns, and was designed by local architect Archibald Simpson – who also designed St Andrews Cathedral.
Built in the 1800s it was originally home to the Head Office for the North of Scotland Bank.
It later became the headquarters of Clydesdale Bank, before opening as a Wetherspoon pub in 2003, and could soon be a hotel too.
Earlier this year, the pub submitted proposals for development which would see its unused first and second floors being converted into 29 hotel rooms.
Inside would be comprising 21 double rooms, three family suites, two twin rooms and two singles.
It wouldn’t just be built upon though, as part of the project would require some demolition.
At the back, the pub’s rear extension would be knocked down to make way for a 51-seat beer garden to encourage al fresco dining and drinking during the summer.
On Tripadvisor, most of the reviews go on to compliment the pretty building. One visitor wrote: “Huge building high vaulted ceilings marbled pillars and tiled floors. Lovely bar.”
If the plans go ahead, it will join the other 55 Wetherspoon hotels across the UK.
The Archibald Simpson pub could get a huge beer gardenCredit: JD WetherspoonWeston-super-Mare hotel is right on the beach front and is in the CAMRA guideCredit: Alamy
One Wetherspoon pub that has been converted is The Cabot Court Hotel in the coastal town of Weston-super-Mare
All of the rooms are en suite with Freeview TV, tea and coffee making stations, and unlimited free Wi-Fi.
In the morning, visitors can head down to the bar to enjoy a Wetherspoons breakfast and classic pub meals at dinner.
The pub sits right on the waterfront, on Knightstone Road, so it’s in a great spot for anyone heading onto the beach or taking a walk along The Grand Pier.
WHO can say no to a Wetherspoons? And what if I told you the smallest one in the world is just as good as the rest, if not better.
Not only is it the smallest Spoons, but it is also in a rather bizarre location – a train station.
Of course, some UK airports have Wetherspoons, but I have never come across one in a train station before.
Sat at one end of Cannon Street Station in London, you will find the Sir John Hawkshaw, complete with just 42 tables.
Whilst that might sound a lot, compared to the usual London Spoons, this is considerably less.
And the obscurities about this spot just continue – if you need to use the toilet, well then you’ll need to head to the other end of the station and down a set of stairs.
For those who love to train spot, sit outside on the terrace, which is essentially like sitting on one of the platforms.
Despite its small size, the pub still features Spoons’ extensive menu and the service isn’t impacted either.
