Ricky

ARIANA Grande has hard-launched her romance with her on-again-off-again ex Ricky Alvarez just days after announcing plans for a “public break.”

The hitmaker shared two snaps in her latest Instagram round-up with her former beau.

She told fans recently that she would be withdrawing from the spotlight once she finished her current run of gigs on September 1.

In her most recent post, the American singer gave fans a glimpse into her busy life on her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

She shared a series of mirror selfies, pictured work days, nights out with her friends and the times she spent cuddling with her pooches.

But, amid the chaos Ariana dropped two cosy photos with her ex Ricky, 35.

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Her former backup dancer could be seen with one of his arms wrapped around her as they got ready to leave the house.

While their faces were cropped out of this snap, she posted another where he can be spotted despite it’s blurry aesthetic.

Ariana, 33, can be seen clinging on to her man and cuddling up to him as they posed in the mirror.

She and Ricky previously dated 2015 and 2016 but it now seems the pair are officially back on after years apart.

Ariana soft-launched their rekindled romance back in July as she changed a line in her famous breakup song Thank U, Next.

The song lyrics read: “Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh,.”

Making some tweaks to the words, Ariana sang the second half as: “We always find our way back.”

This comes after Ariana announced she’d be taking a “step back from visibility” following growing fears for her health.

The Dangerous Woman singer’s dramatic new look has left fans concerned for her wellbeing over the past few months.

Online speculation only grew with the unveiling of her Petal music video, which was released last week.

In the clip, she plays a rising young star battling the highs and lows of the showbiz world.

The video became a huge topic of conversation all over the world – and it wasn’t because of her song.

Soon after the Petal video went live a representative for Ariana confirmed she would be “taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour,” via People.

Despite insisting onstage that her break from the spotlight was planned “a long time ago” she axed plans to star in the West End revival of the classic Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George.

It’s also been rumoured that she’ll no longer be taking part in the press tour for her upcoming movie release Focker-In-Law.

Josie Gibson failed to hold back on her line of questioning during the latest instalment of This Morning as she asked Ricky Gervais about his relationship

ITV’s This Morning made for hilarious viewing on Friday (August 7) as Ricky Gervais was interviewed on the famous blue sofa.

The 65-year-old appeared on the daytime programme to discuss his new Netflix show, Alley Cats, with presenters Paddy McGuinness and Josie Gibson. But after briefly talking about the new animated series, Josie questioned Ricky on other matters.

Talking about his character Gus in Alley Cats, Ricky mentioned that he is similar to the animated feline because he dislikes people. Stating that he prefers to stay indoors instead of socialising outside, Ricky said: “It’s my favourite thing!

“It’s couch, me, girlfriend, cat, wine, Netflix.” He added: “Honestly, just to get up and go on tour, I’ve already been paid so I’ve got to do it.”

Josie then probed: “Have you not married Jane then. Is she still your girlfriend?”

To which Ricky awkwardly replied: “Yeah. Yeah – we do everything. We are married, really. But just not in the eyes of God.”

With Josie responding: “Right, okay!”

Ricky and his long-term partner, Jane Fallon, have been together for more than four decades, having started their relationship in 1982 after meeting while studying at University College London.

Over the years, the couple have built successful careers of their own. While Ricky became one of Britain’s most recognisable comedians, actors and writers through projects including The Office, his partner Jane has established herself as a bestselling novelist.

Reflecting on their early years together, Ricky has spoken about the modest flat they shared in London’s King’s Cross, recalling that it was all they could afford at the time. Despite their humble beginnings, the couple have remained by each other’s side as their careers continue to flourish.

Ricky has often praised his partner for inspiring his work, and their relationship has remained strong throughout his rise to international fame. Although they have been together for over 40 years, the pair have repeatedly said they have no plans to marry or have children.

Speaking to The Daily Mail in February 2018, Jane told the publication: “We’re not married because neither of [us] are fussed. I think if one of us really cared then we would probably do it but it’s not really been anything that either of us have ever really needed.”

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.

Matt Tebbutt has shared his honest reaction to Ricky Gervais’ raunchy new Netflix comedy series, Alley Cats.

Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt didn’t mince his words as he called Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix show “filth”.

Matt was back for another instalment of his much-loved cooking show on Saturday (August 1) and was joined by chefs Sam Evans, Shauna Guinn and Justin Tsang, while Olly Smith shared his expertise on drinks. Actress and comedian Kerry Godliman was also in the studio kitchen, discussing her previous work and upcoming projects.

Kerry, who has worked alongside actor Ricky Gervais in shows such as Afterlife and Derek, will now be lending her voice for the brand new series of Alley Cats. Showcasing a clip of the show to those in the kitchen and fans at home, Matt was clearly impressed.

But he quickly added that, although the Netflix show is a cartoon, it is not suitable for younger audiences. Matt said bluntly: “And that is the only clip we can show, because it’s filth!”

Kerry agreed and replied: “Oh yeah, there is a lot of filth. But that is a sweet clip.”

Matt added: “Yeah, it’s not family viewing. Unless you have teenagers.”

According to The Guardian, Alley Cats centres on a group of stray cats who spend much of their time lounging on a sofa inside a run-down house, passing the time by watching television. Leading the gang is Gus, an overweight ginger tom voiced by Ricky Gervais, whose loud, cynical outbursts and dismissive views usually dominate every conversation.

Also among the feline cast is Ponce, played by Tom Basden, a well-groomed pedigree cat with a more sensible outlook. Despite often being the voice of reason, he’s frequently mocked for being neutered.

Completing the trio is Puke, voiced by David Earl, an unkempt and crude character known for his outrageous remarks and bizarre stories, including one particularly shocking anecdote involving a hedgehog.

According to reports, the show, which is set to land on Netflix, August 7th, is filled to the brim with sweary banter, which has lead creator Ricky to beg viewers to not be offended.

As reported by the Mirror, Ricky said: “It would take a very special kind of person to complain about what a fictional cartoon cat thought of something, but it will happen.

“Please don’t be offended by anything these characters say or do. They can’t help it. They’re cats. So sometimes, they’re ****s.”

Saturday Kitchen airs Saturdays from 10am on BBC One.

RICKY Gervais banked £16.2million from his sell-out 80-date live Mortality tour, accounts show.

The Brit comedy legend, 65, raked in £311,500 a week for the stint.

It meant the 2025-26 financial year was his best earner to date.

His firm, Red Lion 99, has £17.9million in assets and he has another £33.9million in his TV and film firms listed on Companies House.

Gervais will earn even more from a new nationwide tour, Legend, which starts this autumn.

Yet the Reading-born star is known to be disinterested in wealth.

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He once said: “People ask me why I dress like a tramp.

“And I say, ‘My clothes are clean and comfortable.

“Who am I trying to impress?’

“I don’t wear £50,000 watches. I don’t collect cars. I can’t drive.”

“Nothing gives me more of a buzz than to help an animal. I don’t get excited about things.

“I’m not a hippie or communist, I think money’s for the safety of your family and friends, and you can’t take it with you.”

Ricky Gervais today marked the 25th anniversary of the hit BBC sitcom with a countdown of his favourite 25 David Brent moments.

Ricky Gervais has crowned David Brent’s dance his favourite moment of The Office – but admitted it could have left him needing hospital treatment.

The co-creator of the show, along with Stephen Merchant, has marked the 25th anniversary of the hit BBC sitcom with a countdown of his favourite 25 David Brent moments.

In a specially curated retrospective on his YouTube channel Gervais had a training role play scene, Brent’s song Freelove Freeway and the dance by Brent as his top three.

Speaking about the crazy dance and how the scene was made, Gervais revealed: “It probably is the most famous single thing I’ve ever done, and when we had to do that, that’s three takes cut together, the first time they laughed, the second time I laughed, and then the third one we got to the end, and and then just cut it together in the edit using people looking like bewildered, but it sort of looked like one take.

“I sort of knew the type of thing I was gonna do. It’s totally improvised, obviously. I quite like the fact that it looked nearly real. Some of them looked a bit like dance moves, and I can’t believe how low I got when I did the crab, I couldn’t do that now.”

And anymore takes might have been dangerous. He added: “I remember after I filmed it, I was sat in a corner on a chair and they were fanning me.

“I was, I think I was the blobbiest I’ve ever been. I think I was like 14 stone, no muscles to speak of, just a blob, and you know, there was a small chance of heart failure.

“So, I think people were genuinely worried the way I was breathing afterwards. Tom Cruise jumps off buildings. Do I want to do a little dance? I’ll have go. It would f***ing kill me now. I’m glad I recorded it to show I did it once.”

The Gervais special is not the only celebration of the show, as the BBC also aired a programme called Remember… The Office.

On the second show Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook reflected on their time on the TV show. The pair spoke about how some of the scenes features small bits of improvisation which helped make them even more magical.

Freeman said: “The writing on it that they did was brilliant. But you only need to know us a little bit or know the process of it. We’re also in there, you know? It doesn’t mean it’s a co-credit. Doesn’t mean it’s improvised, but it’s nicely loose.”

Freeman, who played Tim, also said he had a good feeling about the show from the beginning.

He explained: “At the read-through, I remember thinking, ‘This script is really good, it’s brilliant’.”Despite huge success The Office was just two series long along with several Christmas specials. It inspired the award-winning US version, which ran for nine ­seasons

* The full countdown of David Brent moments is available to watch on Ricky Gervais’ YouTube channel.

Ricky Martin had to stop his concert Thursday in Montenegro after someone in the audience “discharged tear gas toward the stage,” causing an “abrupt” interruption to the show as fans retreated and got any needed medical attention, the singer’s publicist said in a statement posted on Instagram.

The show did go on.

“As a precautionary measure, Ricky Martin and his entire team exited the stage while security personnel and local authorities worked to contain the situation and ensure the safety of those in attendance,” the statement said.

“We didn’t understand what was happening,” one shaken Montenegran concertgoer said on Instagram during the outdoor show. “Suddenly, people started pushing each other, and we smelled pepper spray. Many people quickly covered their mouths and left the area. I don’t know if there’s still anyone in the area right now. I didn’t see what the police did. I can hear that the concert has started again, but I left the area. I hope everyone is OK.”

Whether the substance was tear gas — which, incidentally, is a powder, not a gas — or pepper spray is unclear. Both substances have similarly irritating effects, despite different ingredients. Tear gas is typically employed by law enforcement for crowd control while pepper spray is often used by individuals for self-defense, according to hazmat and crime-scene cleanup company Bio Recovery, which operates mainly in the American south. Both substances can disperse widely in the air.

Martin, 54, decided to resume the show once authorities said everything was back under control even though “members of the artist’s team advised against continuing the performance,” the publicist’s statement explained.

The headlining performance, which was part of festivities marking the 20th anniversary of Montenegro’s restored independence following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, came as the “Livin’ la Vida Loca” singer gets ready to embark on a European tour with dates in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czechia, Poland, Hungary, Istanbul and more from June into August.

Also Friday, Martin announced he would join the U.K.’s Heritage Live Festivals with a show Aug. 22 at the Royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk with Sugababes, Olly Alexander and Sophie Castillo. It will be his only U.K. show in 2026. Other artists appearing in Heritage Live shows in July and August include UB40, Lionel Richie and Eric Clapton.

“The rise of Latin music as a global force has been phenomenal, and we’re thrilled to welcome one of the true pioneers who helped bring it to a massive international audience,” Giles Cooper of Heritage Live Festivals told the BBC. “It’s set to be an incredible party.”

Martin, who hails from Puerto Rico, joined Bad Bunny’s all-Spanish halftime show at Super Bowl LX in February with a 30-second cameo in a scene invoking the cover of the latter singer’s album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” Clad in all white, Martin sat in a white chair and dove into “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii,” a ballad that implores Puerto Ricans, should the opportunity arise, to resist compromises that Hawaiians made when those islands became a U.S. state in 1959.