show biz

AFTER referring to her new record I Know Too Much as a “divorce” album earlier this year, Ellie Goulding’s fans were convinced it was about the her marriage split.

But after having a sneak preview of her upcoming record, some might think she’s crooning about another break up, which became public earlier this week.

The Burn singer is taking legal action against her old team TaP Management.

And it’s little wonder Ellie is saying she’s so miffed.

To keep it brief, Ellie signed with Ben Mawson and Ed Millett — whose previous clients have included Dua Lipa and Cruz Beckham — in 2018.

She claims they failed to disclose that TaP’s parent company, HNOE, was partially, then fully, owned by Live Nation.

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During her seven years with TaP, Ellie signed agreements with Live Nation for tours and merchandise, plus a documentary film which she argues financially benefited Mawson and Millett.

Ellie pumped in almost £4million as part of those deals, unaware her managers had a vested interest.

When I first listened to I Know Too Much — which I think is Ellie’s most powerful body of work lyrically — I immediately connected the dots to her ex-hubby Caspar Jopling.

The couple, who have a five-year-old son, split in 2024.

But now I know about her row with TaP and looking back over my notes, it seems some of it could have been influenced by Ellie’s experiences in the music industry.

This is Ellie’s first album since Higher Than Heaven hit No1 three years ago.

And she’s already hinted that she opens some old wounds on the record, saying of her new album’s title track: “It’s probably the most honest song I’ve written. It is what it is. I know too much.

“It’s tongue in cheek but it’s also some kind of comment on my life so far and music. I couldn’t think of a more apt title for everything I was singing about.

“I do know too much. Way too much.”

I’m sworn to secrecy on the album, which comes out on September 4, and would be strung up if I gave too much away.

But if you take a quick glance at the lyrics to Black Prada Dress, the single Ellie released earlier this year, you’ll see what I mean.

“I heard what you said, just as I was tasting freedom,” Ellie sings at the top of the track.

“Don’t want the pills, but you kinda make me think I need ’em.

“I’m tryna be a Hollywood baby, cause you made me think that London hates me.”

Intriguing. The gloves are off.

PHOEBE BRIDGERS received the worst 32nd birthday gift on Monday – appendicitis.

he US singer, who is set to top the album charts tomorrow with Lost Weekend, has had to postpone intimate shows in Kingston, Brighton and Bristol.

She told fans: “I got appendicitis for my birthday. But I’ll make it up to you!”

Phoebe got a boost from Taylor Swift who bigged up her record to her 273million Instagram followers.

Tay wrote: “Haven’t been able to stop listening. This album is an absolute triumph in every way.”

ROBBIE WILLIAMS has teamed up with Ukrainian DJ and producer Miss Monique for single Beauty In Us, which they performed for in Ibiza at the weekend.

He said the track, out on September 18, is “inspired by our different but equally defining experiences of electronic music and clubbing in Stoke-on-Trent and Kyiv . . . from the Nineties to the 2010s.”

YOU could be in Guy Ritchie’s next movie.

A walk-on role in one of the upcoming films Guy is directing is up for grabs as Children With Cancer UK puts on its most showbizzy auction yet.

You could bid for afternoon tea with EastEnders’ Natalie Cassidy, or a Picasso painting and VIP festival tickets. While Mel C, Katherine Jenkins and Jack Whitehall are offering meet and greets.

It is all to raise funds for groundbreaking research into the prevention and treatment of childhood cancer, as well as support for affected families. The auction runs from today at 8am until Friday.

• See thereallybigauction.com.

Maura’s totes gorgeous

MAURA HIGGINS looks absolutely fabulous in her latest major fashion campaign – seven years after Love Island changed her life.

She is the new face of Guess as it launches its Allegra bag – which she modelled in this photoshoot as she opened up about her upcoming stint on America’s answer to Strictly, Dancing With The Stars.

Maura, who will start on the show on September 15, told Grazia: “Confidence isn’t something you magically wake up with every day.

“I still get nervous. But I trust the people around me to help me feel my best once I’m on set or in front of a camera.

“Dancing With The Stars is definitely a different kind of pressure because you’re learning something completely new every week and have to perform live to an audience of millions watching, but that’s also what makes it exciting.

“Growth only happens when you push yourself a bit.”

Matt’s date tops the bill

THE MOLOTOVS’ MATT CARTLIDGE looks to have found a Hollywood love interest after growing close to actress Kathryn Newton.

The notoriously private rocker was reluctant to be drawn on their relationship, but his bandmate sister Issey let slip the pair met on The Jonathan Ross Show.

Londoner Matt took the Big Little Lies star to LA’s Beverly Hills Hotel, and one thing he wasn’t quiet about was the cost.

Chatting to him at King’s Cross Summer Sounds, in partnership with Lightroom, home of David Bowie: You’re Not Alone, I asked how much it came to, and he said: “For an omelette at the Beverly Hills Hotel?

“Omelette –  ham and cheese, two coffees and pancakes, but she got all the add-ons, you know, like strawberries. It was $80 – way more than I wanted to spend, mind you.”

The band go on tour next month and there are still tickets for their show at London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum on September 26. That should help pay for the second date.

Joan makes Billy Ray’s day

NOW here’s a holiday snap I didn’t think I’d see.

Elizabeth Hurley and her director son Damian, posing in the sunshine with her boyfriend Billy Ray Cyrus. . . and Dame Joan Collins.

Liz shared snaps on Instagram of their surprising trip, revealing they joined Joan and her husband Percy on an “enchanting holiday” at their home in St Tropez.

Superstar Joan still manged to look super cool in the pool with Liz, who also posed in a chic summer dress.

The most-liked comment on Liz’s post said: “Billy Ray hit the jackpot.” I couldn’t agree more.

Weeknd’s fireworks fall flat

By Jack Hardwick

WITH 129million record sales and a seriously big budget behind him, expectations were high as The Weeknd took to the stage at Wembley Stadium.

From the get-go, it was clear that money was no object, thanks to a giant cross-shaped stage with a 40ft silver “sexy robot” in the middle.

But after a cult-like opening with 30 cloaked dancers, I have to admit things all felt a bit samey.

He’s spent four years touring the world and The Weeknd’s vocals were flawless throughout the two-hour spectacle.

The mammoth 38-track set was punctuated with hits including Can’t Feel My Face, Star Boy and Save Your Tears, before building to a finale including Blinding Lights and his Swedish House Mafia collaboration Moth To A Flame.

But once you get over the giant robot and the stage shooting out pyrotechnics, things all start to blend into one.

Maybe we’ve been spoiled by the high standards of pop shows in recent years but I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed as I left.

And I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, either.

THEY say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but it appears it is when you look over the fence of Mark Wright’s Essex mansion.

The former Towie star has come under fire from fans for his very healthy looking lawn – despite the region’s new hosepipe ban after multiple heatwaves.

Essex and Suffolk Water introduced a hosepipe ban earlier this month as a result of a lack of rain this summer.

Under a temporary use ban, customers cannot use a hosepipe, sprinkler, or pressure washer for various activities, such as watering plants or filling up hot tubs.

However, Mark took to Instagram earlier this week to share a video of himself relaxing in his outdoor pool, with his green garden grass seen behind him.

As he sipped on cocktails in the clip, Mark was sharing his at-home drinks recipe with fans.

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However, fans were more confused over his garden than his homemade mojito.

One user commented below the video: “Amazing grass considering a huge hose pipe ban and much of Essex not have basic water access ATM. Man of the people I see”.

“The grass is looking nice and green 😂,” said a second.

A third wrote: “FYI everyone else has a hosepipe ban?! ?”

“Picture of your house with luscious green grass going around social media while every surrounding bit of land is dead?

“Let all the farmers put their cattle on your land and eat the grass!! They are struggling,” slammed another.

Mark and his wife Michelle moved into their £3.5 million mansion in 2022, after spending years building it into their dream home.

Skins star Mike Bailey has left fans stunned with his dramatically different appearance

The actor recently made a rare public appearance.

Former Skins star Mike Bailey has left fans gobsmacked after appearing virtually unrecognisable during a rare public appearance, and it’s not just his looks that have changed dramatically.

Gone is Sid Jenkins’ trademark floppy brunette hairstyle, replaced by a cropped blonde look on the now 38-year-old actor.

Fans of the show were left astonished by how different Bailey appeared during an appearance on the NSN podcast in March.

One fan remarked: “Took me some time to figure out this was Sid, ahahah,” while another concurred: “I can hear Sid but I can’t see him.”

A third person observed: “bro that is NOT the same person,” with another commenting: “So odd seeing him w blonde hair and not swoopy brown bangs a beanie and glasses lol.”

A final viewer remarked: “Can’t tell if I cant recognise him because it’s been nearly 20 years, or because he doesn’t have his hat on.”

Bailey first captured audiences’ attention back in 2007 when he portrayed the much-loved Sid in the cult teen drama. Mike, then just a teenager himself, featured in the opening two series of the show’s seven-season run.

His co-stars included Nicholas Hoult, Dev Patel and Daniel Kaluuya, who have all since carved out stellar Hollywood careers. Yet Mike opted for a completely different path, stepping away from the entertainment industry entirely.

The Bristol native traded acting for teaching, discussing his career change during a 2017 Radio Times chat.

“I kind of thought ‘what the f**k am I doing with my life?’ and ended up getting in a conversation with the wife a couple of years ago and decided that those who can’t act teach,” he revealed, reports OK!.

“10 years ago I never thought I’d still be talking about it, but [Sid] still does pop up every now and again.”

While his acting stint was relatively brief, Mike did appear in several productions, including the documentary 1066: The Battle for Middle Earth and the film We Are the Freaks. He now looks back fondly on his Skins experience as “a collective positive memory”.

But it’s his teaching role that truly resonates with him. During his appearance on the NSN podcast, he enthused: “I love it, it’s the best job I’ve ever had.”

Mike reflected on his varied career, saying: “It’s one of those things, you know those cliché things, I go into work each day and it’s completely different. It literally is.”

Skins is available to stream on Disney+

LILY Allen has described herself as a ‘porn enthusiast’ in a very candid new interview.

The singer, who split from her husband David Harbour last year, also revealed she suffered an awkward blunder with her new boyfriend when it came to X-rated sites.

In February, Lily confirmed she’s in a new relationship with Jonah Freud.

And while she is hesitant to speak about the romance publicly, Lily has opened up on her bedroom preferences in a very open new interview.

Talking about her opinions on porn, she told Perfect Magazine: “There have been times when I’ve been a porn enthusiast. I’m not currently in one of those periods.”

Admitting she recently had a blunder with new beau Jonah about porn, Lily continued: “However, I did try to get on to Pornhub the other day because my phone was connected to the Bluetooth speaker [backstage at a show] and I thought it would be really funny while everyone was getting ready to go to the toilet and put porn on and everyone would think I was secretly watching it in the toilet.

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“But the wifi wouldn’t allow me to go on any restricted sites, so I couldn’t do it.

“And then I was in bed with my boyfriend later and when he asked me to Google something, Pornhub came up on my search history and I tried to explain but it just didn’t sound very believable.”

Lily added that she wasn’t embarrassed but was “annoyed” her other half didn’t believe her.

The singer confirmed her relationship in February after being spotted with Jonah several times.

After being asked who the last person she texted was in an interview, she replied: “My boyfriend.”

However, she didn’t expand further on the romance.

It comes after she split from husband David Harbour last year.

It is reported Lily turned detective after growing suspicious that her hubby was cheating and caught him out on Raya — the same app where she met him in 2019.

LITTLE Mix star Perrie Edwards has revealed that her beloved dog has died after 14 years.

The singer, 33, took to her Instagram to pay tribute to her sweet “fury baby” Hatchi that she adopted back in 2012 with ex Zayn Malik.

Perrie shared a number of sweet snaps of herself and the adorable Pomeranian as she confessed that her heart was “completely broken”.

The pooch helped her through some of the “hardest moments”, celebrated “every milestone” with her and even went on tour with the Little Mix girls.

Perrie wrote: “My Hatchi. 14 years with you, and somehow it still could never have been enough.

“You weren’t just my dog. You were my fur baby, my little shadow, my companion and one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given.

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“You were there beside me through every chapter and every milestone of my life.

“Through the happiest moments and the hardest ones. You licked away my tears when I cried, made me laugh when I needed it most, and every morning you would look at me with that little smile that made me feel like I was your whole world.

“And you were such a huge part of mine.

“We lived so much life together. You came on tour with Little Mix, travelled the world with me, came on our holidays to Portugal, sat in the best restaurants eating steak like the little prince you were.

“Wherever life took me, you were part of it.

“I hope you knew how loved you were, Hatchi.

“I hope you knew that everything I ever did for you was because I wanted to give you the happiest, fullest, most beautiful life I possibly could.

“You gave me 14 years of unconditional love, loyalty and memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

“My heart is completely broken knowing I won’t see your little face in the morning, hear your footsteps, cuddle you or have you following me around anymore.

“The house and my heart already feel emptier without you.

“Thank you for growing up with me. Thank you for being there for every version of me.

“Thank you for licking my tears, for making me smile, for loving me so completely and for being my best little friend for 14 years.

“I would choose you in every lifetime.

“Sleep peacefully my beautiful boy. I hope wherever you are, there’s endless steak waiting for you.

“I will love you and miss you forever, Hatchi. My first baby, my fur baby, my little companion. A piece of my heart went with you.”

Many rushed to the comments section to share their loving thoughts with Perrie.

Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall said: “Oh Hatchi.”

Love Island’s Chris Hughes wrote: “ahhhh man so sad, rest up Hatchi.”

Comedian Alan Carr added: “So sorry!!”

Perrie has owned a number of pets over the years.

She adopted Travis the French Bulldog in lockdown, and she also owns a Golden Retriever called Polo.

Some of her other pets include Prada the cat, Benji the cat and Teddy the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier.

HAYDEN Panettiere’s on-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson has been spotted for the first time since her shocking death.

Brian, 37, looked solemn as he stepped out on Wednesday in a hat, sunglasses and hoodie in his native Greenville, South Carolina – close to where his on-off girlfriend Hayden died on Sunday at just 36.

Brian has been keeping a low profile in recent days, and has not made a public statement since her death.

Brian and his brother Zach were at the Greenville rental apartment when Hayden was discovered unresponsive in a “possible overdose” on Sunday afternoon.

In a police report obtained by The U.S. Sun, cops said Zach walked into the apartment after 1 pm to find Hayden unconscious on a chair in the living room.

Brian was apparently asleep in another room at the time of the horrific discovery.

One of the brothers called 911, and an emergency medical team rushed to the scene.

While police said Zach was extremely emotional as the first responders attempted to save her life, Brian apparently did not shed a tear until Hayden was officially declared dead an hour later.

Brian told cops Hayden regularly took a “bag of medication,” and a long list of redacted prescription names were included in the police report.

Now, the tragedy’s fall-out is unfolding for Brian and his family.

Police arrived to Brian’s grandmother’s home on Wednesday morning.

“Greenville Police officers responded to a call for a welfare check at a home belonging to Brian Hickerson’s family on Wednesday morning,” police told The U.S. Sun in a statement.

“The call is unrelated to the Hayden Panettiere death investigation and did not require an incident report.”

But TMZ reported earlier on Wednesday that a criminal investigation has been launched into the death.

According to the outlet, the investigation was triggered because Hayden’s death was “unexpected.”

Hayden and Brian have a long, tumultuous history since first meeting in 2018.

In May 2019, Brian was arrested for domestic violence.

According to the LAPD, cops were called to Hayden’s Los Angeles home after a heated altercation on May 2 at 2:30 am.

“Right off the bat, I noticed that she had bruising on her eyelids, a swollen face. She did have marks on her neck, the left side. When I continued to talk to her she removed the sweater that she had on. I saw bruising on both her arms,” the responding officer said.

The case was ultimately dismissed.

But on Valentine’s Day 2020, Brian was arrested again for domestic violence while the pair was vacationing in Wyoming.

Hayden told officers he threw her and then punched her in the face.

Soon after this arrest, Hayden released a statement to fans.

“I am coming forward with the truth about what happened to me with the hope that my story will empower others in abusive relationships to get the help they need and deserve,” she said.

“I am prepared to do my part to make sure this man never hurts anyone again. I’m grateful for my support system, which helped me find the courage to regain my voice and my life.”

Brian ultimately was sentenced to 45 days in jail.

Despite her harsh words, the couple was spotted back together again in 2021, with Hayden insisting she “forgave” him.

Three months before her death, Hayden said she was happy and healthy, and it was reported Brian was in her rear-view mirror.

A source told TMZ the pair was secretly together during this time.

Coronation Street fans are worried for Brody Michaelis amid his dodgy dealings with Idris Nazir after a violent scene on Wednesday, with fans predicting a sad fate for the teen

Fans fear a death twist is on the way for one Coronation Street teen, after they crossed baddie Idris Nazir on Wednesday.

After some dodgy dealings with Idris over recent weeks, Brody Michaelis exposed Idris to his love interest Leanne Battersby. Revealing all about the poker night and the fact he’d risked her money in the process, Brody left Idris furious.

Idris had hosted a poker night at Leanne’s restaurant in secret. He then used the £5,000 she leant him, which he claimed was a loan for something, on the poker game. With the help of Ollie Driscoll, Idris fixed the poker game so that Ollie won, and dodgy businesswoman Fiona lost.

With Ollie winning thousands of pounds, most of it went to Idris. But the fact he’d chosen Ollie for this task and not Brody, who is keen to impress his boss, left Brody upset, and he got drunk.

As Brody confronted his boss about Ollie, Idris realised he’d had alcohol. Idris called Brody “sloppy” and a “bad liar”, saying this is why he chose Ollie. A rejected Brody then took his revenge.

As Leanne showed up at the restaurant after the clean-up, Brody dropped Idris in it by confirming the poker night. He told Leanne about the winnings too, making it clear that Idris had used her money.

A furious Leanne told Idris not to bother joining her later before storming out. As Brody laughed, Idris went over to him and attacked him. Pinning him against a wall, he grabbed him before slapping and then grabbing his face.

Idris said: “Think you’re a big man, do you? I don’t care who your dad is. If you ever cross me like that again, you’ll regret it.” He then threw Brody over, telling him to get out.

Fans watching the scenes were worried it was a hint of what is to come for the characters. With Brody tipped to take some time away later this year, as actor Ryan Mulvey works on another project, fans are fearing he could be killed off.

While his exit is only thought to be temporary, fans believe Idris’ true colours have been shown, and Brody could get caught up in dark scenes. A fan said: “I think Idris will kill Brody.”

Another viewer theorised: “I think Brodie’s going to end up asking too many questions or double crossing Idris and that’s how he leaves.” Another fan thought he’d live, but still be facing trouble thanks to Idris.

The comment read: “I can see him going to prison for a while, if the actor is leaving.”

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

EXCLUSIVE Emmerdale’s Joe Tate actor Ned Porteous told the Mirror that the huge wedding week will impact the whole village, and could signal a new era for the ITV soap

Emmerdale’s Joe Tate actor Ned Porteous has teased the big wedding week could be a “new era” for the ITV soap.

With stunts and tragedy teased, the wedding of Joe and his bride Dawn Taylor [Olivia Bromley] is set to end in disaster. With Dawn planning to flee with her ex Billy Fletcher [Jay Kontzle], Ned told the Mirror that Billy may need to watch.

He said: “I’ve always assumed that with a character like Joe, there’s one thing that he holds closest to his heart. The one thing that you can’t buy, and that’s love and family.

“It’s the things that he holds really dear. As a man who is outwardly volatile and dangerous, and unable to regulate his emotions, if you were to take the final thing tethering him to a life of moral good, what could that man then be capable of?”

Ned warned that as the wedding arrives, Joe may have something up his sleeve. He told us: “Well, we don’t know whether Joe already knows about Dawn and Billy.

“He could be formatting some serious revenge, or he could be completely oblivious, but we do know that Joe is capable of anything. So we’ll see.” It’s safe to say the consequences of the big week will be far-reaching.

Ned said: “It’s going to affect everyone in the village.” Ned also told us what fans can expect from the week of episodes, suggesting a new era for the soap was on the way.

He commented: “It’s a higher quality version of Emmerdale. Emmerdale is already fantastic as a show, it’s the best job I’ve ever had, but the amount of work that has been put into these episodes, and on this block and on this unit.

“The episodes that we’ve all been part of, there is a feeling to it, not just in thematic vibe, but also the quality of the cameras that we’ve been using. It is going to look and sound and feel very different, and hopefully, this could be the start of a whole new era for Emmerdale.”

Ned also addressed Joe’s deadly feud with his uncle Caleb Miligan, which is a huge part of the big week. Asked if things would get dangerous, Ned said: “Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I mean, he’s taken his kidney, we’ll see what else he manages to take!”

Asked who may come out on top, Ned coyly revealed: “I wouldn’t mess with either of them, to be honest. But, we’ll see. Ned loves the rivalry between the Tates though.

He said: “I have only ever enjoyed playing scenes with Will Ash where we’re at each other’s throats. The character that he plays, and this power dynamic between us, has been so much fun as an actor to play. So, I’m welcoming as much of that as possible, I’m really enjoying it.”

Emmerdale’s big wedding week begins on Monday 24 August on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

ISLA Fisher has revealed she ended up in hospital with a broken toe after falling over in her £820 Louboutin heels.  

The actress, 50, took to Instagram to share snaps as her night out took a turn for the worse, documenting her experience with medics. 

Confessions of a Shopaholic star Isla still managed to look every inch the star despite her surroundings and flashed her pins in a sparkly minidress. 

Ever the professional, she was still wearing one of her pricey heels while a doctor checked her toe over. 

Alongside her upload, Isla wrote: “They said ‘break a leg’. I broke a toe.” 

Fans rushed to comment on the post, with one writing: “Broke a toe, she’s ready.”

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Another said: “Sounds like that toe needs a spa weekend.”

And a third added: “You still look amazing.”

Earlier this year The Sun revealed Isla was dating South African ex-player Larry Cohen, 38, following her divorce from Sacha Baron-Cohen.

Meanwhile Ali G comic Sacha, 53, who finalised a £120million divorce from Isla last June after 13 years of marriage, was seen swapping numbers with US influencer Kelsey Calemine, 27, in Los Angeles, last year.

Isla has three children with Sacha — Olive, 18, Elula, 15, and Montgomery, ten — and previously spoke candidly about their split and having to forge a new identity as a single woman.

She told New Beauty magazine: “I’m not going to lie, it’s been a really challenging time. 

“I definitely feel like there’s something about the divorce club that anyone in it understands in a way other people don’t.”

VOGUE Williams has joked that husband Spencer Matthews is no longer interested in sex as she enters the final weeks of her pregnancy.

Speaking to Joanne McNally on their My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast, the 40-year-old admitted she had not taken kindly to the apparent turn of events.

“I’m trying to look good today because I don’t think Spenny fancies me anymore,” Vogue confessed.

Her podcast co-host Joanne McNally jokingly replied: “Of course he doesn’t! You’ve been married for ages now, come on!”

Laughing off the comment, Vogue continued: “No, because I think our fun times are over, if you get me. I’m too pregnant now.

“I don’t want to. I was just being a nice wife and a good participant.

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“But then when he was like, ‘Yeah, well, you’re really pregnant,’ I was like, ‘Excuse me? Sorry, are you not into it anymore?’

“And he’s like, ‘Vogue, you’re giving birth any minute now.’”

Later in the podcast, Vogue described having to get up for yet another trip to the loo during the night.

“What part of me do you not find attractive?” she joked.

Pregnancy can cause women to need the toilet more frequently as the growing baby puts pressure on the bladder.

Their producer Joe then offered his take, saying: “I can’t speak for the whole male population, but I suspect on his part there comes a point where you’re sort of thinking more about the presence of a baby than the woman herself.”

Vogue hit back: “Well, do you know what, Joe? People are mad for pregnancy porn. Loads of people fancy pregnant people.”

Spencer and Vogue are expecting their fourth child, a baby boy, this autumn.

They are already parents to sons Theodore, seven, and Otto, three, as well as daughter Gigi, five.

The Grand Tour is back for a new series, the first since former Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May stepped down

The Grand Tour is back in a matter of days – and there’s the perfect mix of drama and fast cars for fans of the hit Prime Video show.

The show – previously fronted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May – has had a complete refresh, with trainspotter and secret petrolhead Francis Bourgeois replacing the iconic trio alongside James Engelsman and Thomas Holland, who are behind the popular YouTube show Throttle House.

The Grand Tour will see guest appearances from Clarkson, Hammond and May as Bourgeois, Engelsman and Holland travel across the globe in search of the most unique vehicles on our roads.

In the first series, the team will tackle some big motoring questions, such as what’s the most unbreakable car in history and can you travel across Colorado undetected in a trio of Japanese microcars.

F1 World Champion Jenson Button also makes a special appearance in the trailer, whilst it also shows the trio head to Malaysia to see all about the country’s rich car culture as well as how little someone can spend on a sports car without it immediately blowing up.

In the new series, they travel through Angola in track-cars, which are quite unsuited for the job. They even test out the greatest American cars including the the Ford Mustang GTD, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, and $2.75m, 2000-horsepower Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution Evolution against a bunch of fighter jets.

Francis Bourgeois said of joining the show: “Since completing the filming of the series, I haven’t stopped replaying every moment in my head. It has made me laugh, made my heart race and my stomach turn…remembering the tent I shared with Thomas and James filled with sulphuric farts whilst Angolan jackals snooped around outside. It feels as though it was a dream but knowing we will get to share our adventures soon makes me so incredibly excited!”

James Engelsman added: “We took on the West African Desert. We contended with fighter pilots. We even decided to challenge an entire nation’s legal system by protesting from the mountain tops. In doing so, the three of us learned our true strength: How to accept defeat gracefully.”

Thomas Holland shared: “I figured someone would be there to hold our hand the whole time. Nope. We were on our own in some absolutely wild environments in very, VERY questionable cars. What did we learn from this experience? Only that we have very poor decision-making skills. When you watch in September, expect a good laugh. And maybe a few butt clenches…”

The Grand Tour will launch all six episodes exclusively on Prime Video on Friday 4th September.

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WARNING – DISTRESSING CONTENT: New Netflix documentary Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing, investigates the story of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, who was found dead in his truck in 2024

John Barnett worked for Boeing for 32 years before turning whistleblower and dying in mysterious circumstances.

New Netflix documentary, Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing, explores the story of Barnett, who publicly condemned Boeing’s safety processes before he was found dead in his truck. He was in the process of testifying against the company.

From 2010, Barnett was employed as a quality manager at the North Charleston plant, which built the longhaul 787 Dreamliner, before retiring in 2017 on health grounds.

After Boeing merged with a former rival McDonnell Douglas, several former Boeing employees alleged the company started focussing more on increasing profits rather than safety and quality.

Barnett told the Today Show before his death: “From day one, it’s just all been about schedule, and hurry up, and just get it done. Push a plane out. We’re behind schedule. We don’t have time to worry about issues that y’all bring up.”

He alleged there were severe production and safety flaws such as defective oxygen systems and metal shavings near critical wiring on the 787 Dreamliner program.

Just before he left Boeing in 2017, Barnett filed a complaint against the company, accusing bosses of retaliating against him for raising safety concerns. He was outspoken on the issue with journalists – and in 2022 appeared in acclaimed director Rory Kennedy’s investigative film Downfall: The Case Against Boeing.

But then, on March 9, 2024, Barnett was found dead in his truck with a gunshot wound to his head.

Deeply affected by Barnett’s death and ongoing concerns about Boeing’s safety culture, Kennedy reunited with her team to produce the documentary sequel, Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing, which is being released on August 19, 2026.

Speaking to the Guardian about Barnett’s death, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kennedy said: “I was horrified and heartbroken. I spoke to his mom pretty immediately after we had heard that news. She said to me, ‘We need to make sure John’s story gets out there,’ and that was a big part of why we decided to revisit this.

“I’ve never done a documentary follow-up in this kind of way, but we all felt that Boeing is such a big company, and we all fly these airplanes all over the world. I don’t want one of these planes falling out of the sky, and I feel like I have a lot of inside knowledge and also connections to understanding what’s going on inside of Boeing, and I just felt like we’ve got to stay at this.”

Details of the circumstances surrounding Barnett’s death came to light when his mother sued Boeing in a wrongful death suit in March 2025. The complaint alleged that Barnett was subjected to a campaign of harassment, abuse and humiliation after he raised concerns about safety issues. It further claimed that the conduct of the company was “the clear, foreseeable cause” of his death. In September that year, Boeing settled the lawsuit, agreeing to pay at least $50,000 to Barnett’s mother, who, in return, agreed to drop her claims that the company contributed to her son’s death by suicide.

The complaint contained a copy of Barnett’s suicide note, and the annexes presented the full police report concluding that he died by his own hand.

In conversations with Fortune in March 2025, the family’s longstanding counsel Rob Turkewitz added further details on his client’s last hours.

He said that on the evening of March 8, 2024, Barnett left the law offices of Boeing’s outside counsel in Charleston after testifying for two days in his OSHA case against the company. OSHA rules make it unlawful to retaliate against a whistleblower.

Barnett was giving his account of how Boeing allegedly violated its own policies and procedures, and FAA rules, during his seven years as a quality inspector at the North Charleston plant.

He’d delayed a trip back to his home in Louisiana to finish his deposition the next day, which was a Saturday. Videos cited in the police report show Barnett leaving the hotel around 8:30pm, and getting in his orange Dodge truck.

When Barnett failed to show up the next morning for his final round of testimony, Turkewitz called the Holiday Inn to conduct a welfare check. It was then that a hotel employee saw Barnett slumped in the front seat of his vehicle.

Charleston police arrived to discover Barnett barefoot and clutching a Smith and Wesson pistol in his right hand. His right temple showed a bullet entry wound, and an exit wound appeared in the back of his head.

On the seat next to Barnett’s body lay a message written on a single page of a red-covered notebook, with sentences written in all directions.

It contained phrases including: “America come together or die!!! Pray that the motherfk…ers who destroyed my life pay!!! I pray that Boeing pays!!! Bury me face down so that Boeing and their lying ass leaders can kiss my ass.”

Elsewhere: “I can’t do this any longer!!! F-k Boeing!!! Family and friends, I love you’ll [sic].”

“To my family and friends, I found my purpose! I am at peace! I love you more John/Mitch Barnett aka Swampy Fununcle Mitch.”

The complaint also included a heartbreaking email that Barnett sent Turkewitz in 2021, which read: “I can understand the direct costs that we can establish, ie lost pay, bonuses, etc. What I’m struggling with is how do you restore a person’s overall outlook on life? I used to be a very happy-go-lucky guy who loved his job and the products he built. I had a very positive outlook on life. Boeing absolutely destroyed my outlook on life. What is a person’s ‘outlook on life’ worth? How to put a price on that?'”

Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing is scheduled to debut on Netflix on August 19, 2026 .

For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch

MATCHBOX 20 frontman Rob Thomas accidentally smashed his bandmate in the head with a metal microphone stand in a nasty gig incident.

Footage of the moment shows a pumped up Rob swinging the stand around, totally in the zone, without realising his guitarist Paul Doucette is stood dangerously close behind him.

As he swings it a final time before releasing it, it clips his pal in the back of the head, forcing him to leave the stage.

Rob, 54, then tells the Illinois crowd: “Every night I’m over here and I’m throwing this god damn thing around… oh I went, it nailed him, yeah we nailed him hard.

“My best friend in the world and I think I almost killed him and I feel really bad about this.”

Paul, 53, returned to the stage with a smile on his face and a glass of wine in his hand.

He said: “How many times have I told you not to throw that f**king thing? I knew it was only a matter of time.”

The veteran rock band have been together since the mid-90s but have only put out two albums since 2002, the latest being Where the Light Goes in 2023.

They are best known for emotional ballads like Push, 3AM and Bent — their first number one hit.

Frontman Rob is perhaps best-known for his 1999 single, Smooth, with Carlos Santana which became the second best-selling record of all time.

His debut solo album topped the Billboard chart in 2005, led by the hit single Lonely No More.

The singer, who is a dad-of-one, has been married to his wife Marisol since 1999, bucking the lothario stereotype attached to rock frontmen.

“Other than the needle drops, this is probably my favorite part about making ‘Beef,’” says creator Lee Sung Jin of the show’s episodic title cards, which in Season 2 marry historical paintings with abridged quotations from authors and poets. For the finale, which sees its two feuding couples (Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton) swept up in a seemingly inescapable fight for survival, the paintings of Giuseppe Arcimboldo’s “The Four Seasons” matched with the title “It Will Stay This Way And You Will Obey,” a reference to a passage in Marion Woodman’s “Coming Home to Myself: Reflections for Nurturing a Woman’s Body & Soul.” “It’s almost prisonlike because these very prominent faces of literally nature have created this wall that the title is stuck in. We wanted to express the cycles and how the four seasons come for you no matter what,” Lee says, alluding to the season’s central idea that people often repeat the same destructive habits. “The final shot is homage to the Buddhist concept of samsara. It was important for us to allow the audience to take a moment after all the craziness of the season to think about their own lives, think about society at large … and depending on where you are, come to your own conclusion.”

THEY’VE been soaking up the Ibiza sunshine, while wrapping their arms around one another like two lovesick teenagers at a beach rave.

So it’s only natural that fans have begun asking whether former glamour model Katie Price, 48, and party king Wayne Lineker, 64, could be embarking on a new romance after a trying year for Pricey – who ditched her wedding ring for the Ibiza bash.

Pictured on a sunbed at the O Beach Ibiza last week, with Katie wearing a barely-there bikini, the tactile displays of affection between the two showbiz veterans had everyone asking the same question: what on earth is going on here?

Indeed, one insider told me: “It certainly got everyone talking. Naturally people started to wonder if there could be a romantic spark between the pair.

“While many questions have been raised about Katie’s husband Lee Andrews and the reality of his finances, Wayne is the real deal.

“He’s raking it in with all his Ibiza businesses and he’s not ashamed to show off the rewards of his hard work.”

It’s no secret that Katie’s love life has been a rollercoaster of late.

After a whirlwind romance and shock January wedding to Dubai-based businessman Lee, recent months have brought a storm of drama.

Self-proclaimed “millionaire” Lee is back in a Dubai prison for unpaid debts and Katie has voiced her frustration to The Sun’s Clemmie Moodie over the “ridiculous” drama surrounding him.

Wayne, brother of football legend Gary Lineker, is known as a party boy, and many wondered if the newlywed was seeking comfort in his famously welcoming arms.

After all, he has a taste for models – with his past girlfriends including model Danielle Sandhu and the late Love Island star Sophie Gradon.

But before anyone starts buying a wedding hat for another Pricey trip down the aisle, we can reveal the real truth behind their close connection.

According to those close to Katie, the pair are strictly platonic and the tactile body language is simply the result of two larger-than-life personalities who love letting their hair down together.

“Katie and Wayne are just brilliant mates, plain and simple,” a close insider spilled to us last night.

“People look at the photos of them cuddling up or whispering during the eclipse, and because it’s Katie, they instantly assume there’s a massive romantic scandal brewing.

“But honestly? It’s completely innocent. They just get each other.”

My source continued: “They are both veterans of the showbiz scene and they both love a massive party.

“When Katie is in Ibiza, Wayne is her go-to guy. He treats her like royalty and ensures she has a great time.

“There is zero romantic spark there. She sees him like a fun, cheeky older brother who knows exactly how to throw the best parties.”

Katie’s recent trip to the Mediterranean wasn’t just a wild solo getaway to escape the exhausting Lee Andrews saga back home. It was a fun-filled adventure for her beloved eldest son Harvey, 24, who joined her on the Spanish island.

And it’s actually Wayne’s bond with Harvey that has cemented his status as one of Katie’s most treasured pals.

Harvey, who has Prader-Willi syndrome and is also autistic and blind, was also at the sprawling Ibiza resort dancing away to his favourite tunes.

For protective mum Katie, seeing the entrepreneur go out of his way to ensure her boy had a spectacular time meant the absolute world.

“Wayne is absolutely brilliant with Harvey, and that’s the fastest way to Katie’s heart. Not romantically, but purely as a loyal friend,” my insider revealed.

“Wayne rolled out the red carpet for them and even made sure he had his favourite meal of Spaghetti Carbonara.

“He makes Harvey feel so special, safe, and included in all the fun. Katie is endlessly appreciative of that.”

This supportive dynamic is especially poignant for the mum-of-five, given the well-documented absence of Harvey’s biological father.

Former Premier League footballer Dwight Yorke has played no part in his son’s upbringing, leaving Katie to deal with all of Harvey’s very complex needs on her own.

“It genuinely breaks Katie’s heart that Harvey’s real dad has never done a thing for him, so when she sees men like Wayne stepping up just to be kind, patient and supportive, she is so touched,” the pal explained.

“Wayne doesn’t have to go out of his way for Harvey, but he does it because he has a big heart. That’s why Katie is so loyal to him. She will defend their friendship to the hilt.”

So, while the pictures of them cosying up under the sun might scream new romance to the untrained eye, the reality is far sweeter.

It is clearly a feeling shared by Wayne, who took to Instagram to pay tribute to Katie.

He wrote a “special message” to the businesswoman, writing: “We’ve certainly had our moments over the years, you more than anyone knows that.

“We’ve faced obstacles, made mistakes and sometimes been our own worst enemies.

“But through it all, there’s one thing I believe we’ve always shared: our two hearts and our genuine love of helping other people.”

With the baggage of her recent marital woes weighing heavily on her mind, Katie wanted a place to let off steam with her son.

And the O Beach did not let her down. The club’s waitresses, wearing skimpy outfits, added to the upbeat party vibe, showing off their best moves on the stage and holding up cards spelling ‘Harvey’ as partygoers chanted his name.

Harvey looked over the moon and threw his hands up in the air with joy.

“Katie knows exactly what she’s doing,” our insider laughed. “She knows people will talk when she wraps her arms around Wayne in a tiny bikini. But she doesn’t care anymore.”

Whether her husband Lee, who remains in Al Awir prison, will be equally nonchalant remains to be seen.

From the outside looking in, Dakota Fanning — as a household name for roughly two decades and an actor with an enviable list of credits — might seem to exist in the usual celebrity bubble, insulated, as far as possible, from quotidian inconvenience. But she is also a busy professional with a relatable dependence on takeout and delivery, and one who follows the news.

“I’m in a panic over this lettuce situation,” she admits, referring to the cyclosporiasis outbreaks. “What is everybody doing? That’s all I can think and talk about. What do you mean I can’t eat lettuce? What am I supposed to do? I’m not ordering salads. We’re not talking about me cooking. I’m not worried about that.”

For now, perhaps the solution is to return to her “stomping grounds” and eat sushi “anywhere on Ventura Boulevard” after a hike of Fryman Canyon — her ideal day-off itinerary. (That seems fairly lettuce-free, right? Maybe stick to sashimi.)

After all, it’s how Fanning ended up as “a Valley girl” that led to this Zoom call with the actor: Fanning, now 32, first moved to California to pursue work as a child actor and has been a steady presence in film and TV ever since. And 25 years on, she’s still celebrating major milestones. “I’m enjoying where I am and not taking it for granted,” she says. “I’m trying to enjoy the moments that I can, be present for them and try not to move through them too fast.”

Speaking with The Envelope from New York City, where she just landed from Paris to continue filming an untitled thriller for Apple, Fanning jokes that she is working with “half a brain” from jet lag, but feeling grateful and energized about her busy year. She recently wrapped her first onscreen collaboration with sister Elle, the Kristin Hannah adaptation “The Nightingale,” and received Emmy nominations for her supporting performance in the twisty “All Her Fault” and as a producer on “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” under the Fanning sisters’ Lewellen Pictures banner.

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“This has not been a year with a lot of time off,” she says. “You can’t plan for it; you have to take advantage of it when it appears.”

Fanning was on set in Europe on Emmy nominations day. “I had just rehearsed and was waiting for them to set up and got the news of my sister and [‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’], and that was really exciting. And then ‘All Her Fault’ and Sarah [Snook] and then myself. It was just a wonderful surprise.” Fanning adds that she is genuinely honored by the nominations, no matter how trite it may sound. “I don’t know why it became a cliche to say it’s an honor to be nominated, but it’s a hundred percent the truth.”

When asked how she’s planning to attend the ceremonies, plural, given the fact that her nominated categories will be presented at both the Sept. 14 televised ceremony and the not-for-broadcast events of Sept. 5 and 6, Fanning says she’s still figuring that out. “I don’t know, we’ll see. It’s up in the air, but it’s lovely to think about.”

How does she feel about the TV Academy’s surprising change? “There were a couple statements from SAG and from the Directors Guild, from the Writers Guild, and my agency that I’m represented by, UTA, had some thoughts, and I tend to agree with those thoughts,” she says. “So I think I’ll just leave it there.” (The joint statement issued by SAG-AFTRA, DGA and WGA called the academy’s decision a devaluation of “the contributions of the talented people the Academy is meant to honor. An awards show dedicated to recognizing excellence should not reduce recognition for the artists whose work gives it meaning.”)

Regardless, the actor looks forward to celebrating with both productions. “If you’re lucky to be there as a nominee, it’s exciting to just feel what that feels like [in the room] and be excited by that. It’s not a feeling that gets old.”

In the Peacock thriller “All Her Fault,” Fanning relished the opportunity to work within a starry ensemble including Sarah Snook, Michael Peña, Jake Lacy and more, as well as getting to explore and express female rage through her character, steady yet overworked mom Jenny. “People connected with the mystery of it, and I think audiences love trying to figure out what’s going to happen or who did it,” she says. “A lot of women have really responded to Jenny … they felt validated in her struggle and her rage. And I took a lot of inspiration from the women in my life [to play her].”

Fanning with co-star Sarah Snook in “All Her Fault.”

(Peacock)

In an email, “All Her Fault” executive producer Minkie Spiro, who directed the first four episodes, praised Fanning’s ability to be fully prepared but flexible with her performance. “She remains completely alive to whatever unfolds in the moment. Watching her play Jenny, I was constantly struck by how much she could communicate without announcing any of it — wit, exhaustion, anger and vulnerability could all pass through a single look. The camera doesn’t just capture Dakota performing; it captures her thinking, and that is what makes her work so compelling.”

Fanning’s true Hollywood story is of the more rare and idyllic variety. Her acting potential was “discovered” after the final performance at a weeklong summer camp at an Atlanta playhouse, when an instructor told her parents their daughter “seemed to really enjoy and understand [acting] in a different way than some of the other kids” and suggested she start going out for commercials. The Fannings moved from Georgia to Los Angeles not long after that.

“I knew it was a job, but I didn’t really think about it in that way. It was something that was just fun, I liked the way it made me feel,” she says of her early work. The young star held her own with memorable gut-punch performances opposite Sean Penn in 2001’s “I Am Sam,” for which she won a Critics Choice Award (the youngest-ever winner at age 7), and three years later with Denzel Washington in “Man on Fire.” “It was all kind of instinctual. I didn’t really take any classes,” she says. “I’ve learned a lot from people I’ve worked with. I’ve learned so much, but it’s been more on the ground.”

Fanning says she’s always surprised by the projects fans refer to when they approach her. “If it’s a girl my age, it’ll probably be ‘Uptown Girls’ [a 2003 coming-of-age drama with Brittany Murphy]. But if I had to pick one that sort of [gets mentioned] across the board, it’s ‘Man on Fire.’ That’s a lot of people’s favorite. And I totally understand. Denzel freaking Washington, Tony Scott. It’s such a good movie. It’s so sad, it makes me cry.”

(David Urbanke / For The Times)

The film’s ending, she means, not the experience making it. “I think because I started acting so young and had these really pivotal, poignant experiences, it’s immortalized the memories. So when people ask, ‘Do you even remember doing “Man on Fire”?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, of course I do. What do you mean?’ I think about the memories with Denzel and with Tony, and getting to live in Mexico City for six months when you’re 9 years old is pretty spectacular.”

While Fanning continues filming the Apple series, helmed by showrunner Alex Cary (“Homeland”), alongside another stellar ensemble (one that includes Stellan Skarsgård and Grace Gummer), she’ll be promoting “The Sun Never Sets.” The indie drama also stars Jake Johnson, is directed by Joe Swanberg and opens in limited release Aug. 28 before going wide Sept. 4. “We filmed that in Alaska last June, and it was one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had in my life,” says Fanning. “I’ve never been camping, I’m not super outdoorsy, but in Alaska, it is so unbearably beautiful you can’t even believe what you’re looking at and you want to be out in it, on the water and on a mountain.”

In addition to getting more in touch with her outdoorsy side, Fanning added an unexpected skill to her résumé. “My character works in construction and I learned to drive and operate a bulldozer and a forklift,” she says with pride. “I loved every second.”

Fanning’s co-star Johnson told The Envelope via email he loved working with her, “first because she’s a great actor. She is present and unpredictable in scenes. She is real,” he shared. “But what I enjoyed most is being around her. I knew she was going to be talented, I didn’t know she was going to be so fun and funny. We became fast friends and she made the experience such a joy.”

Twenty-five years in, Fanning is just as fulfilled by the work as she was at the very beginning of her career. “It’s a job, but it’s also time in your life, days, months,” she says. “If you’re not filled by it in a real way that feels good, I don’t know how to do that.”

Which makes another upcoming industry milestone all the more meaningful: a permanent “place” on Hollywood Boulevard. “My sister and I are the first sisters to get stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Fanning reveals. “It’s a very ‘Whoa, what is happening?’ moment because I remember being 6 years old and coming to L.A. to see if I could get some commercials. I was a massive ‘I Love Lucy’ fan when I was little and Lucille Ball was my favorite. And so we went to see her star. That’s a big memory for me as a kid, so having that happen is insane. It will be a double star ceremony, and I’m so excited and can’t wait for that.”

(David Urbanke / For The Times)

Nearly every week, I pass a colleague in the office who taunts me with four words: “Count of Monte Cristo, Count of Monte Cristo,” as he shakes his head. He’s disappointed his favorite book didn’t make the cut of our 101 best book club picks list, which served as the 2026 LA Times Festival of Books curtain-raiser. I don’t mind the barb. There’s nothing more exciting than an impassioned reader — even when they’re wrong. I’m all for rallying around a book or author and debating their merits like it’s a sporting match. Our book lists, after all, aren’t meant to be final verdicts. They’re invitations to read more (and, maybe, better).

To compile our expansive list we surveyed more than 200 bookish luminaries — along with a few zealous book club members. Our readers had their own ideas for their top book club picks, many of which we deeply considered. Here you’ll find some of our worthy Los Angeles Times reader selections.

“Fahrenheit 451” by Raymond Bradbury

“A favorite book my book group read and discussed is ‘Farenheit 451.’ It was fascinating to see what the past thought the future might bring,” reader Margaret Hardy writes of the 20th century classic. “In terms of technology and control by the government we are seeing today what Bradbury was thinking about in 1953. We felt that the future was found in the past. It was a chilling read.” Equally chilling is that the book often shows up on banned books lists — not unlike in its narrative.

“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi

“You missed ‘Homegoing’ by Yaa Gyasi!” reader Melanie H. writes of the critically acclaimed Ghanian historical fiction novel. “My book club read it and I was enthralled. I can’t stop thinking about it ever since. The amount of research and empathy into every single character and era Gyasi put into this story is incredible. It altered my brain and to this day I tell everyone about this book.”

“Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin

Reader Roxanne Yahner writes, “It is beautifully written, elegant and eloquent, and there is no preparing anyone for the sheer inexorable force of Baldwin’s language. This novel expresses the personal — and historical — grief of two gay, perhaps bisexual, men as they explore their sexuality at a time and place where such behavior was dangerous. The reader aches for these men and feels their grief. Some in our book club were disturbed by this novel, but all agreed they were deeply moved by it.”

“The Satanic Verses” by Salman Rushdie

Several readers wrote to us recommending Rushdie’s magical realist epic. “It’s such a complex, yet entertaining novel. We learned a lot about the tenets of Islam as woven into the story,” Ellyn Moscowitz shares about their book club pick. “It provoked great discussions about death, afterlife, religion in general and great character studies.”

“Geek Love” by Katherine Dunn

Reader Francesca Smithwick-Driver chose this as a book club pick in the ‘90s for her group and the 1989 National Book Award fiction finalist remains a favorite.

“[It’s] about a family who runs a carnival of ‘freaks.’ The story is told by an albino dwarf. There are strong themes about what it is to be normal, falling in and out of love with yourself — your family — and the world around you. Wonderfully written scenes about horrible things and beautiful things. I still remember the discussion of my book club — from ‘why in the world did you recommend this disgusting book’ to ‘what a book’ … I couldn’t wait to get back to it each time I put it down.”

“The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov

Reader Kate Karp, who has a cat who resembles a key character in this Russian classic, writes: “[It] turned out, no surprise, to have been the inspiration for the Stones’ ‘Sympathy for the Devil.’” She notes it also requires multiple readings to grasp all the subplots — but it’s worth it.

“Klara and the Sun” by Kazuo Ishiguro (and “Chain Gang All-Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah)

“I am terrible at book clubs because I have found that I am a very picky reader who simply will not read a book that I do not enjoy,” reader Mike Gascoigne writes. “That said, in a book club I did very much enjoy Kazuo Ishiguro’s ‘Klara and the Sun’ and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s ‘Chain Gang All-Stars.’ There was a lot to discuss about both titles including AI/robots, intellectual enhancements, climate change, reality television, prison reform/abolition and human nature.”

“All the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren

“‘All the King’s Men’ is a powerful summer read — a Pulitzer-winning novel that feels strikingly current,” reader Ken Muche writes. “Set in the 1930s South, Willie Stark’s political rise echoes modern demagogues, reminding us how easily power can blur truth. Even more important, the novel invites reflection on our own bad life choices — showing that taking accountability for one’s actions is the first step toward forgiveness, peace, and ultimately, a more grounded kind of happiness.”

(Grove Press / Black Cat)

“Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo

Reader Seth Kivnick’s pick is this work of fiction that co-won the Booker Prize in 2019, he notes that the compelling book describes the Black women in the British Isles who came from all walks of life and different countries. “[It] appealed to male and female club members.”

“Hell of a Book” by Jason Mott

“It’s good-humored without being comedy or satire but opens serious friendly discussions about contemporary problems,” reader Christine Almeida writes of the novel that won the 2021 National Book Award for fiction. “Our library-based book club talked about it for a solid 90 minutes without straying from what the book itself had to offer its readers.”

A brand new season of Love Is Blind UK has finally returned to Netflix

A Love Is Blind UK star looks completely different in an unearthed throwback snap.

Love Is Blind UK has returned for its third instalment, with a fresh group of singles taking to the pods in the hopes of finding their perfect match. As ever, they will go on blind dates, narrowing down their potential love interests along the way.

They will only meet face to face for the first time if they decide to take their relationship to the next step and become engaged. Then, will they move in together and plan their wedding day, but for some, the process is not without its difficulties.

A synopsis reads: “Love is Blind: UK returns to Netflix for a third series which promises high drama, raw emotion and plenty of romance.

“The latest group of hopeful singles, each one searching for their Mr. or Mrs. Right, will step into the iconic Pods for a string of blind dates. From behind a wall, they are all hoping to form a connection so deep that they’re willing to put their hearts on the line by agreeing to marry without ever having seen each other.”

Now, eight episodes have been released on Netflix, with viewers having to wait until next week to find out who gets married, or who, if anyone has been left at the altar.

But as fans binge watch the brand new release, there is one star that appears to be unrecognisable in unearthed throwback pics.

Pilates Instructor Ciara Murphy, from London, is looking for someone who values her for “more than just her looks”. The now 30-year-old is a fan of the finer things in life and has been single for a year, having been cheated on in every relationship in the past.

Now, the star is looking for her forever love, hoping the pods will help her find the one. Exploring her connections, Ciara admitted on the show that she did in fact used to be a brunette, as she showed off her now-blonde locks.

Over on Ciara’s Instagram page, which she regularly posts selfies from her adventures, the star is known for her bright blonde hair, in recent snaps, but throwback pics confirm her natural colour.

In one post, from 2023, she can be seen smiling at the camera, with Christmas decorations in the background, captioning her post: “merry christmas.”

Whether Ciara finds love on the show though, fans will need to tune in to find out.

Love Is Blind UK can be streamed on Netflix.

Kaia Gerber says she had an exorcism after her parents believed she was “possessed” as a child.

While promoting her new FX series “The Shards” on the podcast “The Mitch Churi Chat Show,” the 24-year-old actor and model recalled her experience working with Ryan Murphy on “American Horror Stories” (co-created by Brad Falchuk).

Gerber played a teenage ghost in the 2021 “Horror Stories” spinoff trapped inside the historic Rosenheim Mansion, also known as the Murder House from the first “American Horror Story” season. Concerned about the spooky Los Angeles estate — which served a convent for nuns for half a century — Gerber said her mother, supermodel Cindy Crawford, gave her holy water to take on set.

“She was like, ‘I don’t want you to get possessed,’” Gerber said. “I was told I was possessed as a child.”

Gerber — who during the interview sat next to her co-star Homer Gere — shared that she was “haunted” her whole life.

“I do feel as though I attract beings from the other dimension, in a very casual and chill way,” said Gerber, who was also a cast member in “American Horror Story: Double Feature” (the 10th season of the FX anthology series) in 2021, where her character was involved in an alien abduction.

When questioned by host Mitch Churi if the actor-model had undergone an exorcism, she revealed that she “actually” did.

“They played a didgeridoo all over me. That’s how they did the exorcism,” Gerber said. “That actually did happen. I’ve never talked about it, but it actually did happen.”

The sacred wind instrument — which is created from a eucalyptus tree trunk or branch naturally hollowed out by termites — was developed a thousand years ago by the Aboriginal community in northern Australia and is often used in cultural ceremonies.

Some didgeridoo instrumentalists believe its low-frequency sound waves can foster a state of health and harmony for those in the Aboriginal community. An online search showed no info on it being used in an exorcism.

Regardless, the “Bottoms” actor revealed to the Australian podcast host she was “all healed” now that she was promoting the ’80s slasher TV series, which is based on the autofictional novel by Bret Easton Ellis centering on privileged high school seniors who are stalked by a killer known as the Trawler.

In response to her spiritual update, Churi said, “that’s the devil speaking, I don’t know who to trust.”

The latest episode of Olivia Atwood’s The Price of Perfection took an unexpected turn

The ITV presenter caught a mystery man’s eye.

Olivia Attwood briefly paused her ITV2 show, The Price of Perfection, to address a flirty encounter. The former Love Island star, 35, returned with the latest episode of her hit show on Tuesday (August 18) night.

This instalment focused on all things face lifts, and followed Olivia as she journeyed around London trying to uncover what treatments are available for young women looking to transform their faces.

But the presenter was interrupted when she visited a clinic where one surgeon was performing a full face and neck lift.

As she explained the procedure to the camera, a man with his face blurred walked by and seemingly shot a flirtatious look at Olivia.

Spotting his lingering look, the ITV host turned back to the camera and joked: “In your dreams, do you know what I mean?”.

She went on to add: “That’s honestly what it’s been like since I took my wedding ring off. It’s actually, it’s just like let me [live].”

The former TOWIE cast member was married to footballer Bradley Dack for just over two years, before they called it quits in January.

She has since found romance with fellow reality star Pete Wicks, with the pair publicly launching their relationship back in July.

Season 3 of The Price of Perfection is now streaming on ITVX, and the just-aired third episode features a cameo from TOWIE star Dani Imbert.

A synopsis for the instalment teases: “With so many techniques and brands offering to slice and sculpt our face, Olivia looks at the options the under fifties are looking at.

“At just 28, TOWIE’s Dani Imbert has a brow lift but is left unhappy with the results. Newly single Sophie tries a thread lift for a ‘snatched’ look. Amy, exhausted by the cost of facial maintenance having spent £150,000 on fillers, opts for a short scar mini facelift, a procedure with mixed online reviews.

“Olivia also joins a surgeon performing a full face and neck lift on business owner Brit, learning the real differences between SMAS and deep plane approaches, and what may have delivered Kris Jenner’s headline grabbing result.”

Olivia Attwood: The Price of Perfection is available to stream on ITVX

Witney Carson will be dancing for two on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.”

The professional ballroom dancer revealed her pregnancy Monday on “Good Morning America,” stating that although she’s excited for the experience, it is also “daunting.”

“I’ve never been this far along pregnant and competing on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’” said Carson. “I don’t know if it’s ever been done. So you guys will definitely see a big bump.”

The competitive dancer has two boys — 5-year-old Leo and 3-year-old Jet — with husband Carson McAllister. The two have been married since 2016.

The 32-year-old has competed on 15 seasons of the popular reality dance show. Last year, she took home the top prize alongside Australian conservationist Robert Irwin; in 2014, she took home her first Mirrorball Trophy alongside actor Alfonso Ribeiro.

In the coming season, Carson also revealed that she will hit the dance floor with comedian Guillermo Rodriguez, the Mexican talk show personality best known as a sidekick to Jimmy Kimmel on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

“It wasn’t on my bingo card to compete on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ and be four months pregnant, but I think that it’s a beautiful thing,” said Carson on “GMA.” “I want to feel empowered. I want to see what my body can do. And hopefully Guillermo could be right there beside me and we can work as a team.”

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the dancer revealed that she was “extremely sick” in her first trimester and “dropped out of things” that she had been contracted to participate in, but after discussing the matter with her husband as well as executive producer Deena Katz, she decided to continue with the competition.

Carson was first in the spotlight in 2012 during the ninth season of the Fox series “So You Think You Can Dance,” then joined the “Dancing With the Stars” troupe in 2013 for the 16th season. This summer, she made a special appearance as a guest judge on the spinoff series “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” where 12 up-and-coming dancers compete for a pro-dancer spot on the popular main series.

Season 35 of “Dancing With the Stars” will premiere with a two-night episode on Sept. 15 and 16.