sparks

A GROOVE Armada gig has sparked a surge in hearing checks. 

The Superstylin’ hitmakers headlined a one-off event exclusively for over-50s that saw music fans take action for their hearing health to be in with a chance of securing tickets. 

The initiative, from Specsavers, saw more than 50,000 people complete a free three-minute online hearing screener before being entered onto ‘The Testlist’ a club guestlist exclusively for the over-50s across the UK and Ireland. 

Among the over-50s who took the hearing screener, 75 per cent were told a check-up with a hearing expert could be worthwhile, while 25 per cent received results in the good-to-fair range. 

The exclusive gig took place at Phonox in Brixton, London, last night, marking the first time Groove Armada have played the venue. 

It followed further research of 2,000 adults which found 47 per cent of over-50s say some of their happiest memories revolve around the music they love. 

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While 21 per cent would attend more live music events if experiences were designed with their generation in mind.

Helping put that into practice was University of Derby’s associate professor of electroacoustics, Adam Hill, a live sound engineer and chair of the Healthy Ears, Limited Annoyance (HELA) Initiative. 

He is also a supporter of the ‘Listen for Life’ campaign championed by the Night Time Industries Association and was enlisted to oversee safe listening measures. 

Working closely with the venue, Dr Hill assessed the sound system’s performance, identified a dedicated quiet zone and conducted staff training. 

During the event, sound levels were assessed and free hearing protection was provided to all attendees. 

All these measures ensured that the event aligned with the World Health Organization’s Global Standard for Safe Listening Venues and Events. 

Andy Cato, one half of the dance music duo, said: “We’ve been making and playing music for decades. For most of that time, the attitude to volume was the louder the better. Loud is exciting after all. 

“As we approach our 30th birthday, still in DJ booths and still with lots of music to make, it would have been nice for there to have been greater awareness around enjoying the dancefloor experiences we all love whilst looking after your hearing. 

“It’s nice to see this collaboration with Specsavers spreading the word and making a check-up for your ears as normal as one for your eyes.” 

His bandmate, Tom Findlay, added: “When music’s been such a big part of your life, you don’t want to take your hearing for granted. It’s something I’ve come to appreciate more over the years, and I know what a difference taking care of it can make. 

“The great thing is, it doesn’t mean changing the way you enjoy music, just being a bit more aware of it. 

“And the fact that over 50,000 people took the online hearing screener to be part of this gig is fantastic. 

“It’s a brilliant way to get people thinking about their hearing, while bringing everyone together through music.” 

The poll of 2,000 adults also found 75 per cent of over-50s are still attending live music events, but 44 per cent have experienced ringing in their ears after a show. 

Another 22 per cent have walked away from a venue with muffled hearing after a performance. 

But 61 per cent added the availability of hearing protection would be important or essential when choosing where to go to enjoy live events. 

Jo Cammell, from Oxfordshire, was one of the fans who secured a place at the Groove Armada gig after completing the free online hearing screener. 

Now in her 50s, she returned to Brixton, where she last saw the dance music duo perform in 2004 while six months pregnant with her son Tom, alongside two lifelong friends. 

Jo said: “Music has always brought our friendship group together. We started going out dancing in the early 90s and we’ve not hung up our dancing shoes yet. Nothing beats hearing music live. 

“Superstylin’ has always been our tune, so coming back to Brixton to see Groove Armada more than 20 years after the last time feels incredibly special. It’s a reminder that dance music isn’t just for the young and that you’re never too old for a great night out. 

“Taking the Specsavers hearing screener was really interesting because it made me stop and think about how important my hearing health is for the first time, so I can continue enjoying live music for years to come.” 

Big Brother fans weren’t impressed with one star’s actions during the latest episode

One Big Brother star has sparked backlash after their comments in the house.

The hit reality series returned to screens on Thursday (October 15), ahead of the next eviction. Yasmin, Twinks and Rob will all face the public vote on Friday night (October 16). Yasmin notably received a killer nomination this week, while Twinks and Rob each received six nominations from their fellow housemates.

The housemates tackled another shopping task during the latest episode, as the house transformed into Big Brother’s body. The teams were given various challenges to determine who would be awarded the luxury shopping budget, while the losing side had to face basic rations.

Drama quickly ensued when Rochelle upset Harry during the task, leading to him storming out of the living area. Harry was supported by his fellow housemates as he broke down in tears in the bathroom.

But the tension didn’t end there, as Philip later shared his true feelings about Rochelle, who he has appeared to be close with in the house. During a whispered conversation in the garden, Philip told Lynx: “Lynx, I have wished for her to go.

“So, if she f****** goes, because it’s got that way now. I haven’t got no time for her. I haven’t, I’m telling you, I’m speaking honest with you. That’s why I have time in bed, because I want to stay away from her. And that’s no word of a lie that.”

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Philip went on: “Rochelle has said too much… And it’s funny what she kept saying to me and all. She’d say, ‘You’re my best friend in here.’ She said, ‘You’ll never turn on me, will you? Never turn on me.’ She kept saying that to me. She’s got too f****** much to say.”

Lynx added: “And it’s never-ending. And like you make such a pure soul like Harry get like that today, and then you come in the bathroom and make it about you. It’s just sometimes you just have to think about what you say.”

Philip continued: “See, she’s had a very privileged [life] from a child. I think she’s been spoiled, and I think she’s got away with everything. Everything she wants, she got. She never wants to listen about you, about your life, about your things. And do you know what? I’m not really interested and I don’t want to tell her.”

Lynx then said: “Since Sam went or like, when he was giving his reason to vote her, he was like, ‘All you talk about is me, me, me.’ God that stuck with me.”

Philip shared that Sam was “f****** right” about what he said, before concluding: “This is what she’s like. And come on, Lynx, she’s got on everyone’s [nerves]. She has. The ones [that have] gone and the ones [that are] here, she f****** has.”

Viewers were left speechless after hearing Philip’s comments, with many sharing their shock on social media. “Not a good look,” one person wrote on X.

Another added: “Wow can’t believe Philip’s now turning on Rochelle. I sense a downfall coming.” A third said: “Not Philip showing his true colours after that chat about Rochelle!”

A fourth viewer echoed the sentiment, saying: “Philip is giving game player, sorry not sorry.” Someone else similarly shared: “Philip turning on his ‘best friend’ is not what I expected.”

Big Brother is available to stream on ITVX

A quick recap of tonight’s dances:

Lacey danced a samba and the judges thought it was a strong dance but she needed to be a bit more out there. She scored 26.

Will danced a waltz. the judges thought he’d improved. As such, he cracked the mid-20s and went away with 25 from the panel.

Shaun went next, with a brief cameo from dad Ian Wright in the training video. Shaun did a quickstep that Craig said was “everything a quickstep shouldn’t be”. He scored the lowest of the night with 15.

Cach briefly held the top of the leaderboard after his Couple’s Choice. The judges, who gave him 31, said it was a joy to watch.

Jaime was next with a Viennese waltz. The judges felt she could have been better, but was still dancing nicely. They gave her 28. No one was prouder than her dad Ray Winstone, who left a video message.

Melanie’s charleston featured a cameo from Neil Jones. The judges were impressed with her personality, but less so with the dancing. She got 17.

Sarah used the school run to feul her paso doble anger and the judges were split on whether they enjoyed it or not. They gave her 20.

Delta soared to the top of the leaderboard with a salsa that scored 33, as she earned the first 9 of the series.

Lawrence failed to impress with his rumba, which only got 20, but did get a 5 from Craig, which Jowita was happy with.

Dani’s tango showed improvement and the judges rewarded her with 27.

Graeme’s jive brought a tear to Craig’s eye, as he reminde the judge of the late Len Goodman. he earned a 25.

John’s first latin number was a cha cha cha and failed to reach the heights of his week one foxtrot. He walked away with 20.

Bethany was next up with an American Smooth that Shirley thought was “extremely impressive”. She got 27.

And Tabby was last with an Argentine tango that fans thought should have topped the leaderboard. But she came in joint second with 31.