Star

PinkPantheress broke out in 2021 with a series of charming and inventive singles that placed her high, breathy vocals over skittering beats built around easily recognizable samples. It was as though the English singer and producer were trying to insert herself into pop-music history from behind a laptop in her bedroom — which is pretty much what ended up happening.

In 2023, her song “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” a collaboration with Ice Spice, went to No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100; several months later, she landed a song on the hit soundtrack of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” Last year she went on the road as an opening act for Olivia Rodrigo, and now she’s nominated for her first two Grammy Awards: dance/electronic album for this year’s “Fancy That” and dance pop recording for the project’s opening track, “Illegal.”

With nine songs in only 20 minutes, “Fancy That” maintains the TikTok-era economy of PinkPantheress’ early work. It’s also full of samples from the likes of Underworld, Basement Jaxx and Panic! at the Disco — one reason, perhaps, the singer, 24, describes it as a mixtape rather than an album. (An accompanying remix set, “Fancy Some More?,” features appearances by Basement Jaxx, Kylie Minogue, Sugababes, Ravyn Lenae and Groove Armada, among many others.)

Yet “Fancy That” showcases an expanding emotional palette too — it’s by turns funny, wistful, horny, melancholy and unimpressed. She spoke about it over matcha lattes in Los Angeles, where she lives when she’s not back home in London. “If you’re a musician, it’s sold as the place to be,” she says of L.A. “I was trying not to like it, but I really do.”

You’re enjoying the city despite yourself.
I think for me, it was just a case of: When I’m comfortable somewhere, I don’t enjoy exploration. What I know to be safe is where I stay.

Why?
It’s something with the way my brain works — I don’t think it’s a choice. My brain associates change — different environments and travel — with fear. I don’t go on holiday because of that reason. I find it very difficult because I genuinely don’t feel safe. Doesn’t matter where I am.

What do you do in L.A.?
I hang out with my friends. I get food. I do all the regular things. But it’s taken me years. When I first got here, I wasn’t like, Oh my God — the Hollywood sign! It was just like, Lemme find my footing. I think getting my house was when I was OK. I don’t like the stress of going out somewhere and being worried about how I come across to people.

If you’re at a restaurant, it’s hard for you not to think about the fact that someone might know who you are.
On occasion, if I’m not disguised well enough.

What are the disguises?
I think I’m gonna stop wearing my hair out in public.

So pop stardom — enjoyable or not?
It’s as absurd as everyone says. But it is 100% what I’ve always wanted to be. So I can’t complain now.

I mean, you could.
But I shan’t.

That would be poor form?
I’m a big believer of my words having an effect on everything I do going forward. So if I was to become comfortable complaining about my job — when I worked so hard to get here — then it’s gonna carry with me and it’ll come out in my behavior.

Do you drive?
I love driving. That’s another reason I like it here, because I can drive.

You like driving here more than in London?
I have a nicer car here. Well, actually, I don’t have a car in London anymore. The police took it.

Why?
Don’t know.

You must know.
I actually just don’t know. I literally got there and it was gone, and I was like, Fine. It was so cheap — like 2,000 pounds.

What kind of car was it?
A Peugeot 208.

In a recent interview with Zane Lowe, you named the people you called your blueprints: M.I.A., Kelela and Tinashe. All are well–regarded trailblazers, but none of them, I would say, is a pop superstar. That made me wonder: Do you want to be top of the pops?
I feel like in order to be top of the pops, I’d have to compromise a lot about my artistic choices. However, if the post-“Brat” era has taught us anything about music, it’s that you can actually be as experimental as you want, and if it translates, it will translate. So actually it’s not necessarily a recipe that’s too formulaic, as one would think.

Do I want to be top of the pops? I think that might be too much pressure. I don’t enjoy having to explain myself, and I worry that being big would make me have to explain a lot about myself. However, I do want to be well-regarded. I do want to be influential. And I do want to not have to worry, How well will this do? It’s less about top of the pops and more about having a very loyal fan base, which I prioritize above everything else.

I spoke with Lorde recently, and she told me she aches to be understood even though she wishes she didn’t. You said you don’t like explaining yourself. But do you feel compelled to?
I would say I definitely under-explained myself early on. And unfortunately that was a crucial error because — had I been on top of explaining my music and my musical mind from the jump — maybe now I’d be taken more as a producer. But because I didn’t, and because of the way I present myself, I do think people take me as more surface-level pop, and I’m actually not — I’m actually fully an art girl, like all the women I’ve mentioned.

So it’s kind of gone from not explaining myself to explaining too much. I hated that, too, because then it got people asking me more questions. Now I don’t want to explain anything anymore.

You’ve got the Sugababes on your remix album. Great example of an act that’s beloved in England but couldn’t get arrested in the States. Why do you think some U.K. acts cross over and some don’t?
If you have someone on your marketing team that prioritizes America, then I’m 99% sure you can always do it. I don’t think American people are put off by Britishness — I don’t think the music is too crazy for them to get it. The reason I did well in America was because I used a platform where the majority of users are American.

You mean TikTok. Did you use TikTok because that was the platform you were good at or because you knew it was the platform with the broadest reach?
I had no idea how it worked — I just thought about what has the most reach. I’m a child of the internet. I’ve always been online.

What’s bad about the internet?
There was a time when I would have said nothing.

At what age?
Sixteen — even older, honestly. The whole push of generated stuff has made it so unbelievably different. Back when I was on the internet, you wouldn’t have to second-guess any post you saw.

Whereas now you have to question whether something is real or AI.
Is this propaganda or is this not? That’s bad.

Is TikTok still fun?
I don’t really go on social media at all, so I don’t know.

You just make your posts —
And dip. Or I interact with people that help me towards my craft. People that make fan edits, I love it, so I’ll interact with them. But I don’t really scroll.

Did someone say to you, “Listen, you need to stop scrolling”?
No. I actually have no vices, so I didn’t have a problem with it.

Everyone’s addicted to scrolling.
Hell no — I’m not. If I want to stop something, I can stop right now.

Do you drink? Smoke weed?
I can’t do any drugs. I get drunk once or twice a month, and that’s my limit. I make sure to count that.

Why no drugs?
I’m a hypochondriac.

What are you afraid of happening?
Dying. Also, it’s just not enjoyable for me. When I get drunk, that’s the best amount of chaos I can experience in my inner self.

Dying?
Too much coke could kill you — cause an arrhythmic heart. And as I’ve said, if I fear something, I’m not gonna step foot towards it.

“I don’t think American people are put off by Britishness,” says PinkPantheress. “I don’t think the music is too crazy for them to get it.”

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Who said no to being on the remix album?
No one said no. But I don’t ask people that I know are gonna say no — I just refuse to ask them. There was one person that was like, “Oh, I saw this too late” [makes “Yeah, right” face]. And one person didn’t reply. Maybe two people didn’t reply.

Were your feelings hurt?
No. Yeah. Maybe. When it comes to features and everything like that, I very much understand — I get how the mind of a singer works. I think people that get hurt are maybe not putting themselves in their shoes.

Surely you’ve said no to people at this point.
It’s a horrible feeling. And I try and make it work as much as possible. But sometimes it just doesn’t make sense. The vibes are off.

Have you heard the Lily Allen album?
Yes.

Thoughts?
Really good. And earnest.

She’s just laying out all her business.
She’s a Brit — that’s what we do.

Are Brits essentially earnest?
I think there’s something in our music that’s extremely earnest. That’s why you get someone like an Adele or someone like a Raye right now. You can feel them bleed. They’re bleeding out onto the stage — bleeding out onto the pieces of paper.

Beyond what we’ve talked about, I know virtually nothing about your personal life.
Exactly.

Whereas now I know a tremendous amount about Lily Allen’s. What do you make of that impulse to dump everything out into the world?
What I love about Lily Allen is that she’s always been very honest from Day 1. She’s an open book in interviews — she’s an open book everywhere. It works for her because it makes her very personable and makes her music all that more enjoyable because we feel like we’re actually experiencing her as a human being.

I would love to be that earnest. I simply don’t think I’ve gone through half the amount she’s gone through in her life. Because I fear so much, I end up not being in very exciting or controversial situations, and that could translate as boring. But I wouldn’t say I was a boring person. I relish in the mundaneness of interacting with others and the excitement of being myself. I’m actually obsessed with myself. When I’m with my best friend, we’re just so fun together. Other people, they’re like, “The f—?”

You’re on Coachella next year. You’ve talked about festivals not being your ideal performance venue.
I’m definitely better now, for sure. Two years ago, I was pretty s—.

What’d you learn from the tour you just finished?
Oh, a lot. I learnt that I’m in control of my body. I learnt that I’m in control of pretty much every element when I’m onstage. One thing I’m realizing as I talk is that the reason I don’t like drugs is because I like full control. When I’m onstage, for some reason, I always imagine that I’m gonna lose control — I’m gonna have to faint or have to run. I don’t know why, but that’s my biggest fear with performing, and hence why I’ve always been quite nervous.

But doing that tour made me realize that I can choose if I want to have a good time right now. And I chose to have a really good time — it was a really fun experience. I’m still learning how to dance. I’m still learning how to look good onstage. I think I’m built in quite a funny way, which makes me look long. And when you’re shaped in a long way and you have long limbs, you look bad at dancing.

You’re taller than I expected.
Every single person says that.

Why do we all think you’re going to be shorter?
My voice is quite high. I also think I shrink myself — less in physical ways and more in how I portray myself. I’m not like [shouts], “I’m here!” I’m more like [whispers], “I’m here.”

Former Lionness Karen Karney, Reality TV personality Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke will battle it out this weekend at the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 live grand final

“It’s not about the Glitterball trophy… it’s so much bigger than that,” says former Lioness Karen Carney ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing final this weekend.

Viewers have watched Karen go on quite a journey over the 13 week series, transforming from shy ex-footballer into elegant ballroom dancer.

Karen, 38, is now favourite to win the show over her fellow finalists George Clarke and Amber Davies, though she’s already taken one title in being the first football star in 21 years to make it to the end.

“It feels weird and I can’t quite believe it but I’m really proud,” says Karen. “What I learned from being an athlete is that things are over very quickly. One minute I was a 17-year-old footballer who burst onto the scene, allegedly, and the next I was old and retired and couldn’t move. Life goes very, very quick. I’ve tried to enjoy every second.”

Following her decision to retire after a spate of injuries at 31, Karen suffered a total crisis of confidence. “I couldn’t figure out how to fix that,” she says. “For five or six years I felt crushed. But I always thought if I could ever get the opportunity to throw myself into what I felt would be a safe environment then I’m taking it. I always knew in my heart Strictly would be that thing. Every Saturday I’d watch it at home and I’d fall in love with the dancers and enjoy their journeys and I’d forget about everything else. I thought if I ever got the privilege to join it would help me and it absolutely has.

“It’s rebuilt my confidence and this is by far the happiest I’ve ever been. I’ve smiled like I never have before, and I’m forever grateful to the show and to Carlos [partner Carlos Gu] for that. I feel I have a responsibility to give it everything I’ve got because I know when I was sitting on the sofa Strictly helped me. I have to give that feeling back to everyone at home.”

Viewers have seen Karen thrive on the show, as she jokes she’s been ‘living her best life’ in sequins and feathers.

“I hoped the show would be everything I dreamed of and it’s absolutely smashed it and surpassed it. I’ve drummed with the band, I’ve got a signed photo of [costume designer] Vicky Gill and I’ve had one of my outfits signed. But I’ve also been naughty and nicked my Peaky Blinders hat,” confesses Karen, admitting she swiped the flat cap from her Brummie inspired Argentine Tango, a dance she will recreate for the judge’s pick in the final. “I never thought I’d do it again so I took it as a memento. Now I’ve got to find it in the house again for Saturday.

“That dance was a turning point because we dipped for about four or five weeks until that. This number was about representing Birmingham for me. I said to myself, ‘You cannot let your city down girl. You’ve got to dig deep, fight for this and you’ve got to represent.’ I walked in on a Monday and I was like, ‘Right I’m in character and I’m ready to go’… and Carlos laughed at my serious faces.”

Despite their obvious banter, it’s clear nobody is a bigger champion of Karen than her partner Carlos who has had a front row seat for the huge change in the sportswoman.

“In the beginning when I met her, she was not confident and insecure.,” recalls Carlos. “But we all saw that Waltz where she became a princess. It was one of the best moments in my life to see her like that. She was so beautiful.”While Karen has undergone a journey of self-belief, for fellow finalist Amber, Strictly has been an often emotional and challenging battle with the public’s perception of her. After being accused of being ‘too confident’, ‘too polished’ and ‘too good’ for the show, Amber’s previous stage experience – appearing in hit shows including 9 to 5: The Musical and The Great Gatsby musical – seemed to be the very thing that sabotaged her.

Despite huge praise and high scores from the judges each week, Amber is the only finalist to have been in the dance-off this series.

“I didn’t know what my purpose was on Strictly until I realised that I was getting a lot of negative comments for being good,” she says. “I can’t believe I have to say this in 2025 but being ambitious as a woman, being confident, having dreams and working hard does not mean you are stuck up. It doesn’t mean you are arrogant. I want to change that. It shouldn’t even be the narrative.

“I’ve had lots of people say, ‘I can’t warm to her’. It’s because they don’t want to warm to me. That’s it. At the end of the day, I come from a small town in north Wales and I have worked so hard because I love what I do.”

Defending her place in the competition, Amber says: “I was given this opportunity… nobody was going to decline Strictly as a Strictly fan.”

Amber, 29, had been a last minute sign up after fellow ex Love Island star Dani Dyer withdrew to injury days before the launch.

“Getting to the final was never on my bingo card,” says Amber. Asked if she could see herself take home the trophy, she replies: “What is the definition of winning? For me, even just getting that phone call to be on the show I felt like I’d won.”

Revealing what she’s learned from the experience, Amber says: “Whatever you care for in life, go for it with two hands and don’t undermine yourself to make other people feel comfortable, because that’s not what we’re here for.”

For professional dance partner Nikita Kuzmin it’s been a dream to be paired with a celebrity with Amber’s skill.

“It’s just outstanding to see your partner shine,” he says. “I’ve found it exciting to do things on the show that have never been done before because the show’s been going over 20 years and to create new things and to think outside the box… And then when you have people like Amber, who are light, can do everything that you ask of them then why not go for it?”

While the finalists are gearing up to compete in front of an audience of millions this Saturday night, content creator George will be one of the first to admit he started as one of the lesser known names on this year’s line-up, despite having two million followers on TikTok.

“It’’s a completely different world to what I’m used to. I’m used to performing into a camera that’s [close up to] my face and I can cut out all the rubbish bits. Unfortunately, I can’t do that on the dancefloor,” says George, 26. “This is something my family can properly understand. They’ve always been supportive but this is different.”

Being on the show has also brought George to the attention of a whole new fan base. “It’s weird to walk down the street now,” he says, revealing he’s approached by grandmothers asking for selfies to youngsters calling his name. “And screaming teenage girls,” adds his partner Alexis Warr. “I block that out,” insists George.

After Angryginge won I’m A Celebrity… Get Met Out of Here! , 2025 could be the year two social media stars win the biggest reality shows on television.

“It’s good to have that representation,” says George. “Congratulations to him and fingers crossed for me!”

The final is also the last time Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will front the show after announcing their exit, with emotions set to run extra high in the ballroom this weekend.

“We’re aware of how big a part of Strictly Tess and Claudia are and it’s a privilege to be able to be a part of one of their seasons let alone their last one,” says George. “Even after one series we’ve realised how inclusive and loving they are. We’ve known them for 13 weeks but it feels like longer and they genuinely care about us. You can tell why they’ve been a part of the show for so long.”

Strictly Come Dancing: The Final, Saturday, BBC One,7pm

HARRY Potter star Jessie Cave has opened up on an “awful” two years with boyfriend Alfie Brown after the pair’s secret split.

The actress, 38, told of the “terrible” time, which also “massively affected” her own career and self-confidence in a lengthy Instagram message.

It came after actress, comedian, author, and cartoonist Jessie, best-known for her role as Lavender Brown in the Harry Potter franchise, launched a podcast with stand-up Alfie, also 38.

He began performing stand-up in 2006 and is known for his work at the Edinburgh Festival and Next Up Comedy series.

He is the son of composer Steve Brown and impressionist Jan Ravens who was “cancelled” in 2023 after old footage showing him using a racist slur in 2015 emerged.

The performer has since apologised.

Marital Mayhem

Jessie Cave reveals secret split from Alfie Brown and admits break-up fears

‘WHY DO WE GO?’

Disgusted Harry Potter star Jessie Cave spots ‘balls of mould’ at soft play

Now Jessie – who revealed their previous secret split earlier this year – has let slip the detail of their rough time period on social media.

She uploaded an image of their son watching Alfie’s stage show on the TV followed by various snaps showing her man doing his day job.

Yet her emotional caption revealed the reality and she put: “My boyfriend was what is/was called ‘cancelled’ in 2023 on the day our youngest son Becker turned one.

“It was the beginning of a terrible year, two years, actually longer…. I won’t make this about me and tell you how AWFUL it has been to watch the person you love most in the world go through so much pain, public shaming and humiliation – or even how it has massively affected my career and self-confidence too – because he has just put his comedy special about it the whole thing out on YouTube, and it’s getting a brilliant and entirely well deserved response… though it’s not been easy at all to get it out there.

“I’ve watched him hide away and overthink, lose himself. I watched him do Edinburgh shows in tears at midnight, as he first worked the show out, a few months after everything disintegrated.

“I’ve watched his whole life change in the last three years, losing not only his career but with the shocking deaths of his great friend and director Adam Brace and his wonderful dad Steve Brown… two of the most vital and supportive people to him.

“I’ve watched as people we thought we could trust betray him. I’ve watched as the theatre we used to love and who we both worked with for over a decade cover up posters of him and act like cowards.

“I’ve stood by him for it all as I will stand by him forever.

“But I think the saddest thing of all is that I’ve watched him shy away from gigs when it used to be that being onstage was the most natural thing in the world to him.

“I tried to pick photos from during that time for this post but they were all too bleak. But I like the ones I’ve chosen as he looks so uncertain and scared, yet determined to find a way forwards onstage, telling jokes.”

In a brighter note, with Alfie’s The Last Cancelled Comedian show now available for free on YouTube, she added: “Everything is much better now.

“He’s back onstage again, we are close to happy (if you listen to our podcast you might know what I mean).

“I find the show very hard to watch, though I’ve seen it over 10 times. I think it’s incredible and I would love people to watch it.

“Thank you if you already have. I love you Alfie.”

LOVE STORY

In 2012, Alfie and Jessie first crossed paths at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they were both performing stand-up.

Two years later, the two were set up on a date through a mutual friend.

They went home together but didn’t see each other again – until four months later when Jessie discovered she was pregnant with his child.

They welcomed their son, Donnie, in October 2014, followed by their daughter 2 years later.

SPLIT SHOCK

In 2018 the couple went through a complicated breakup – as recently revealed on their brand new podcast Before We Break Up Again (BWBUA)

In February, on the show’s release, the hosts jokingly declared that it will run “from now until we break up again.”

Speaking with The Sunday Times, Jessie revealed that she’s not sure if the pair “will remain a couple for ever”.

In October 2020, they had a second son, and by December 2021, they announced they were expecting their fourth child.

AMY Schumer and her onetime best friend, fellow comic Nikki Glaser, are embroiled in a secret feud, The U.S. Sun can report.

Sources have said Golden Globes host Nikki, 41, has quietly distanced herself from Amy, 44, and the two are now no longer speaking.

The feud comes at the worst possible time for Amy, as she battles the fall-out from her marriage ending.

A source close to the stars exclusively told The U.S. Sun that Nikki – who is set to host the Globes again in January – has quietly parted ways with the onetime superstar.

“Amy and Nikki used to be attached at the hip, but you don’t really see them together anymore,” the source claimed.

The insider said that Nikki – who used to give glowing interviews about her friendship with the I Feel Pretty star – is sick of walking on eggshells around Amy.

‘DIFFICULT DECISION’

Amy Schumer and Chris Fischer split after 7 years of marriage

“All of a sudden, Amy became very woke in the sense that you can’t say anything in front of her without her getting offended,” the insider explained, adding that the women no longer respect each other’s style of comedy.

“They just don’t like each other’s stuff anymore.”

A separate source summed up: “They stopped being close because Amy got weird.”

The second source also claimed Amy’s other former dear friend, Rachel Feinstein, has also quietly cut out Amy from her life.

The U.S. Sun reached out to Amy, Nikki and Rachel for comment, but did not hear back.

BEST FRIENDS

Nikki, who was featured on Amy’s former Comedy Central show Inside Amy Schumer, gave several interviews about their friendship over the years.

In one interview with US Weekly in 2015, Nikki said: “She’s like the type of person that you’d be like, ‘Oh my god, I want to be best friends with her,’ so it’s like a miracle to me when I hang out with her…I’m like, ‘Do you know I’d be stalking you [if we weren’t friends]?””

In a post the following year, Amy called Nikki her “main chick,” while plugging her show that was about to be released, Not Safe With Nikki Glaser. 

HEARTBREAKING DIVORCE

The friendship fall-out comes at a tough time in Amy’s personal life, as she announced last week she is splitting from her husband of seven years, celebrity chef Chris Fischer, 45.

“Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years,” she said on Friday, December 12.

“We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son,” Amy wrote, referring to their six-year-old son, Gene David Fischer.

The comedian then added that their separation was not caused by her recent weight loss, despite rumors that have been circulating in recent weeks.

“We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time. [It’s] not because I dropped some lbs and thought I could bag [a] basket [sic] and not because he’s a hot [James] Beard award-winning chef who can still pull some hot tail.

“Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever,” Amy concluded her post.

The U.S. Sun also recently reported in November that the star was having difficulty selling the $12.75 million Brooklyn townhouse the couple share, even after significantly reducing the asking price.

Death in Paradise star Don Gilet has opened up on returning to the BBC drama for the Christmas special

Death in Paradise star Don Gilet has expressed his delight at reprising his role, admitting “It was great to come back”.

The actor, 58, joined the BBC drama as DI Mervin Wilson last year, following in the footsteps of previous stars such as Ben Miller and Ralf Little.

Now, he’s eagerly awaiting the 2025 Christmas special and shared his feelings about returning to the role, confessing it was “slightly daunting”.

“It felt good. Slightly daunting, but in a positive sense because you want to do the same again, if not better,” he revealed in a BBC interview ahead of his return. “I jokingly describe it as the second album, the first album went really well, but you can’t rest on your laurels and be complacent, there’s still more audience out there to win over.”

He continued: “So, I went out to Guadeloupe with a renewed appetite. It was great to come back and reconnect with the characters and the actors,” reports the Express.

Discussing what fans can expect from the festive special, Don promised “plenty of humour, but even more heart”.

He elaborated: “It pushes and pulls emotionally and comedically in equal measure. Mervin faces far more antagonism, and things are a lot more challenging for him, especially now he knows there’s a half-brother out there to find.

“But you can still get cosy, sip your Baileys and enjoy another great Death in Paradise Christmas special,” he added.

The forthcoming special presents one of the team’s most perplexing cases yet, as a victim is found dead in a swimming pool on Saint Marie, whilst the murder weapon was locked away in a drawer back in England at the time of the killing, leaving detectives completely stumped.

This comes as Don recently spoke candidly about the “pressure” of filling the boots of previous stars as the latest detective on the show.

During his stint on BBC The One Show on Monday (December 16) evening, he confessed to Alex and co-host Roman Kemp: “I feel the pressure doing this. I’ve said this before, it feels like the second album, you know the first one went well, I was the replacement like a replacement Doctor Who and people have their favourites prior to that.

“So there’s always this sense of ‘well is he going to be as good as…’ are people going to switch off, but luckily no one has switched off yet but you’ve got to come back and do it again and better so I’m not resting on my laurels.

“I do feel a bit pressure but it’s an enjoyable pressure. I love coming back and doing more of the same but with something a bit extra.”

Death In Paradise Christmas special airs on BBC One on Sunday, December 28 at 8.30pm.

Simon Cowell is making a second series of his boyband documentary to follow December 10 as they try to make it big.

It means the group’s brand new fans will have a front row seat to everything that’s happened since cameras stopped rolling on The Next Act.

The six-part series followed Simon through auditions and recording studio bootcamp as he selected seven boys for the group.

The second run will pick up where it left off and show December 10 heading to Nashville to record new music, prepare for launch and take their first steps towards fame.

Simon Cowell: The Next Act has dominated the top three on Netflix since its launch last Wednesday.

A source said: “There was a quiet hope that a show about finding a boyband would be as popular now as it was back in the days of The X Factor, but everyone has been thrilled by the reception because of course the whole world of entertainment has totally changed since then.

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SI’S PAIN

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“Following December 10 for a second series is a no brainer.

“They’re rocketing online and already have a strong fan base, and a camera crew has been following them pretty much since series one wrapped.”

The lads officially began their journey today (mon) when they launched a new music video on YouTube – their cover of N*Sync’s Bye Bye Bye.

The group are Cruz, 19, Danny, 16, Hendrick, 19, John 17, Josh, 17, Nicolas, 16 and Sean, 19.

But there’s been another big character behind The Next Act’s success with viewers – the newly-minted Mrs Cowell.

Fans have loved seeing Lauren Silverman’s personality shine as part of the fly-on-the-wall scenes at home with Simon and their son Eric.

The source added: “The whole show has been a real boost for the whole family really, Simon is back doing what he loves and he’s been happy to reveal a little more about who he really is behind closed doors.

“Production firm Box To Box are back shooting the content for series two and it’s hoped Netflix will be on board to stream the next chapter of The Next Act.”

It comes after Simon told The Sun last week that he’s confident the boys will be a success.

Simon revealed December 10 had chosen the name themselves because it was the release date of the documentary

Iris eyes easy life

No wonder top model Iris Law is enjoying a lie down after a stellar year on the catwalk.

She has walked in Victoria’s Secret’s fashion show and fronted campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Knwls and Zara.

But Iris, the daughter of Sadie Frost and Jude Law, isn’t just taking it easy, she was reclining on the sofa for a shoot for Los Angeles-based fashion brand Casablanca.

She is one of the most in-demand women in fashion, so I’m sure we will see a lot more of her in 2026.

Thor-t I’d be actor

THOR superhero Chris Hemsworth became “obsessed” with being an actor at a young age. 

On the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast he said: “Once I locked into the idea that I was going to become an actor, it was an absolute obsession.  

“There was no doubt that was what I was going to do. There was a naivety about the reality of how difficult that was going to be.  

“But I guess it was sort of an escapism.” 

If you’re bored of the same old festive tunes, check out Christina Aguilera’s brand new festive album Christmas In Paris.

It was created in the French capital this year and celebrates the 25th anniversary of her album My Kind Of Christmas.

Lead single Someday At Christmas was recorded at the Eiffel Tower and the album is out now.

Judi hero Jagger rolls up

With a stellar acting career and a little black book packed with some of the biggest names in showbiz, it’s amazing to see Dame Judi Dench still gets starstruck.

Her friend Gyles Brandreth organised for Sir Mick Jagger to come on stage to surprise her as she was interviewed about her career, inset, at London’s Sondheim Theatre.

The former Bond actress was stunned by her idol’s appearance.

Sharing snaps of the moment online, Gyles said: “I’ve been working in the theatre for nearly 60 years and I’ve never known a moment quite like it.

“As a surprise, I invited Sir Mick Jagger on to the stage. Dame Judi Dench told me it was her dream to meet him.

“He was amazing: she was overwhelmed. Yesss.”

He added of the legendary Rolling Stones frontman: “He kindly made her dream come true. What a night.”

Huge congratulations to Essex lad Sam King who has just completed 79 marathons in 79 days for brain injury charity Headway UK.

I told you about Sam’s challenge last month after one of his pals got in touch to tell me about his feat.

And after adding five extra marathons on to his challenge, Sam has now set a new world record for the most consecutive ultramarathons run by a male – completing 79 in 79 days.

Sam took on the challenge to raise money for Headway UK, after they supported his mum when she suffered a life-changing bleed on her brain.

He’s now just short of his £74,000 fundraising target so if you want to get involved and donate, check out his Instagram @fatboysking.

Madge ‘n Guy reunite for Rocco

MADONNA and Guy Ritchie put aside their differences for the sake of their son Rocco.  

The former couple, who were last pictured together in 2008 – when they divorced – were proud as punch to support Rocco’s art exhibition in London. 

Anthony Geary, the Daytime Emmy winner who played half of “General Hospital’s” supercouple Luke Spencer and Laura Baldwin, died Sunday. He was 78.

“The entire #GeneralHospital family is heartbroken over the news of Tony Geary’s passing. Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for,” “GH” executive producer Frank Valentini wrote on Monday in two posts on X. “His legacy, and that of Luke Spencer’s, will live on through the generations of #GH cast members who have followed in his footsteps. We send our sincerest sympathies to his husband, Claudio, family, and friends. May he rest in peace.”

The actor died of complications a few days after having planned surgery in Amsterdam, the city he and spouse Claudio Gama called home, Soap Opera Digest reported.

“It was a shock for me and our families and our friends,” Gama told TV Insider exclusively Monday, saying that for more than three decades Geary had been his friend, companion and — for the past six years — his husband.

Geary notched almost 2,000 episodes on “General Hospital,” where he started as a cast member in 1978. Along the way he took a number of breaks from the show before wrapping up his “GH” career in 2015.

Even with those breaks, Daytime Emmys voters nominated Geary 17 times in the lead actor category. He took home the trophy eight times, in 1982, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012 and 2015.

Despite their plot line beginning with Luke drunkenly raping Laura — played by Genie Francis — only to have her fall in love with her rapist, their love story became insanely popular in the early 1980s, appealing to a younger audience and saving the series from cancellation. The characters got married in November 1981. The audience for the wedding, which aired over two days, was around 30 million viewers and remains the highest-rated soap opera event in history.

Tony Dean Geary was born on May 29, 1947, in the town of Coalville, Utah, and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After studying theater at the University of Utah, he began his acting career with roles on shows including “Room 222,” “All in the Family,” “The Partridge Family” and “Mod Squad” in the early 1970s. “General Hospital” cast him in 1978, but not before he added shows including “Barnaby Jones,” “The Streets of San Francisco” and “Marcus Welby, M.D.” to his resume. He racked up dozens more credits in his career, but nothing that brought him the fame that “GH” did.

When Geary left “GH” for good in 2015, some former colleagues talked to The Times about working with him.

Jane Elliot, who played another Spencer love interest, Tracy Quartermaine, recalled in 2015 that she acted with Geary when he first screen-tested for the role that was supposed to be only a 13-week arc.

“It’s always awkward with an actor you don’t know,” she told The Times. “I was walking down this flight of stars, and I pass Tony, who is doodling on a piece of paper. He’s doing tic-tac-toe. I immediately know what kind of actor he is, doing something real in an unreal setting. I went up to him, put an O next to his X, and our relationship was established.”

“Tony’s friendship and guidance has meant the world to me,” said actor Jonathan Jackson, who was only 11 when he started on the soap as Lucky Spencer, Luke’s son. “He was always extremely warm and very present, there was nothing condescending in him. He never treated me like a kid. We clicked right away.”

The “Nashville” actor returned to the show after many years away to help Geary wrap up the Spencers’ story.

”When I found out he was leaving, I knew I had to come back,” Jackson said at the time. “He was great. Having those last scenes with me were everything I hoped it would be.”

Meanwhile, on Monday, co-star Genie Francis, who is still on “GH,” remembered her former on-screen love on social media.

“This morning I woke up and went into my husband’s arms. In my sleep, my life was flashing before me and I was afraid of death.” An hour later, she wrote on Facebook, producer Valentini called to tell her that Geary had died.

“I immediately felt remorse, I hadn’t spoken to him in years, but I felt his life end in my sleep last night, and with it a big part of me, and mine,” Francis continued. “He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind. As an artist, he was filled with a passion for the truth, no matter how blunt, or even a little rude it might be, but always hilariously funny. He was the anti-hero, always so irreverent, but even the most conservative had to smile. Working with him was always exciting. You never knew what might happen.

“He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life. I am crushed, I will miss him terribly, but I was so lucky to be his partner. Somehow, somewhere, we are connected to each other because I felt him leave last night. Good night sweet prince, good night.”

THE Rolling Stones have called off plans for a UK and European tour next summer.

It would have been their first string of live dates since their huge Hackney Diamonds tour in the US in 2024 – which sold almost one million tickets.

It’s understood the band – who’ve sold over 250 million records worldwide – were looking at plans to play huge stadiums across Europe and the UK after pulling the plug on dates in 2025.

An American music critic said Keith Richards, who turns 82 on Thursday, told his bandmates Mick Jagger, 82, and Ronnie Wood, 78, he couldn’t commit to the trek at this time.

They added: “The Rolling Stones had all the big promoters throwing loads of ideas and dates at them for next summer.

“But when they properly sat down to discuss the tour, Keith said he didn’t think he could commit and wasn’t keen on a big stadium tour for over four months.”

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A spokesperson said at the time: “The band were looking to tour earlier this year but couldn’t make it work either.

“It’s hard for their fans but The Stones will get back onstage when they’re good and ready.”

In September, Ronnie confirmed to The Sun that he was waiting on the nod on the 2026 tour dates.

He also confirmed they had been working on their next album, which was recorded at Metropolis Studios in Chiswick, west London.

Ronnie said: “You will be getting new music from the Rolling Stones with an album next year. It is almost done. ”

Their last album, Hackney Diamonds, came out in 2023 and was their first record of original material in 18 years.

The album went straight to No1 in the album charts and spawned hits including Angry, which had Sydney Sweeney in the official music video.

HOME And Away star Rachael Carpani shared a tragic post detailing her health struggles before her sudden death.

The Australian actress, 45, died after “a long battle with a chronic illness”, according to her heartbroken parents.

In 2021, she was rushed to hospital in Sydney after suffering from acute abdominal pain.

The issues caused Carpani, also known for her role in hit Aussie TV show McLeod’s Daughters, to even spend a few days in an intensive care unit before she was taken in for surgery.

She wrote at the time: “I was admitted to emergency with acute abdominal pain just over a week ago and spent a few days in the ICU.

“Was then moved to the surgical ward.”

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Carpani said the pain had existed for some time before her issues severely worsened all of a sudden.

She added: “Basically it was a case of me not listening to my body and the pain [I tend to work through pain!] and allowing myself to get quite ill.”

She urged all her followers to always take note of any health woes and to get them checked out as soon as possible.

In a now heartbreaking post from last year, Carpani shared images of herself posing for a photoshoot following a bout of surgery.

Alongside the smiling images, Carpani explained: “My first time back in front of a camera for a photoshoot two days ago.

“No hospital gown, no awesome surgery socks ….[have to admit I miss the comfort].”

It is unclear what surgery the actress was recovering from at the time.

In June 2023, Carpani also underwent surgery on her eyes.

She wrote on Instagram: “After a life with horrific short-sightedness, wearing glasses from the age of 5, I bit the bullet and got ‘eyeball’ surgery.”

She later confirmed it was phakic intraocular lense replacement which is a vision correction surgery where a permanent artificial lens is implanted in the eye.

In an emotional statement, the star’s parents announced her shock passing.

They said: “It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness.”

She passed away on December 7 in the early hours of the morning.

Her family has said the funeral will be a “private event”.

Carpani was best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the hit early 2000s series, McLeod’s Daughters.

She appeared on the show between 2001 and 2009 and earned two Logie nominations for her on-screen performance.

The Logies are Australia’s annual awards for television, celebrating Australian TV shows and personalities.

In 2007, Rachael was nominated for a Silver Logie for most popular actress, as well as the biggest award of the night, the Gold Logie.

She had also appeared in a number of films, including The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, Hating Alison Ashley and The Way Back.

More recently, she had a recurring role in hit Aussie soap Home and Away, playing Claudia Salini, an on-screen villain.

MONTY Python star Eric Idle has revealed the heartbreaking final conversation he had with Rob Reiner only hours before he was stabbed to death.

Idle said he spoke with a healthy and happy Reiner, 78, for over an hour on the phone as the beloved director opened up on his thoughts on the future.

Hollywood was left in shock after reports emerged that Reiner and his wife Michele, 68, had been stabbed to death at their home on Sunday afternoon.

Their troubled son Nick, 32, is now reportedly a person of interest in the double homicide investigation.

Daughter Romy, who lives across the street from her parent’s $13.5million estate, reportedly discovered the couple with fatal injuries consistent with multiple stab wounds.

Tributes have flooded in for Reiner and Michele since.

FINAL DAYS

Devastating last pictures of Rob Reiner & wife taken before couple found dead

British actor and comedian Idle led the way as he revealed his heartbreaking last talk with Reiner took place just one day before the suspected double murder.

Idle, who first met the When Harry Met Sally director over 50 years ago, wrote: “Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company.

I met him at his Dad’s in 1975. He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future.

“This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful.”

Investigations into the death of the Hollywood super couple are still ongoing.

Police rushed to the six-bedroom home just after 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon after an emergency call was reportedly made by Romy, 28.

LAPD Captain Mike Bland quickly confirmed the force are investigating an “apparent homicide”.

Detectives from the Robbery Homicide Division have now been assigned to the case.

LAPD Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters at the scene that investigations will continue throughout the night with multiple family members set to be interviewed.

He added that there was no sign of forced entry into the home.

No arrests have been made with no suspects named at the moment, cops confirmed.

Investigators are set to speak to son Nick about the horror stabbing, according to multiple sources who have spoken with the family.

Nick, who reportedly lives in LA, has rarely been seen publicly since he opened up about his struggles with drug addiction in 2016.

He admitted to first going to rehab at the age of 15 and said his addiction issues even left him homeless.

Romy had shared pictures of her dad on holiday just last week alongside the heartbreaking caption: “Thankful for family, health, and followers of any age.”

HOLLYWOOD ICON

Reiner, raised in the Bronx by comic father Carl, was a huge presence in the movie industry after more than five decades as a top director and actor.

He started his career in front of the camera where he played Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the iconic sitcom “All in the Family” for eight years.

He then moved into directing with his most notable projects including the 1984 cult classic This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride in 1987, and When Harry Met Sally in 1989.

In 1993, he was nominated for an Academy Award for “A Few Good Men,” which starred Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise and Demi Moore.

Reiner’s production company Castle Rock Entertainment, which he co-founded, also helped to create Seinfeld and The Shawshank Redemption.

He would move between acting and directing right up until his death.

His most notable role in the past 15 years was as Jordan Belfort‘s dad in The Wolf of Wall Street alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

This year he starred in both the critically acclaimed series The Bear and featured in the Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

Michele was also known for her work as a producer and photographer.

Her most well known project saw her take the photo of Donald Trump which appears on the cover of his 1987 book Trump: The Art Of The Deal.

Reiner and Michele had been married since 1989 and shared three children together.

They first met while Reiner was directing When Harry Met Sally.

TRIBUTES POUR IN

Tributes for the beloved Hollywood couple quickly flooded in after reports of their deaths were announced.

John Cusack, who starred in Reiner’s film The Sure Thing, said: “Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner – a great man.”

Actor Josh Gad described Reiner as “one of the greatest directors of our time”.

Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood later posted: “Horrified to hear of the passing of Rob Reiner and his wonderful wife Michelle.

“So much love to their kids and family.”

Dozens of mourning fans took to the streets of Brentwood to pay their respects to the couple.

Among them was Larry David and Billy Crystal, according to neighbours.

Reiner was also a political force through his Democratic Party activism.

He was widely appreciated for his work as an outspoken supporter for LGBTQ equality and early childhood development.

Former US president Barack Obama paid tribute to Reiner saying he and his wife Michelle were “heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele”.

Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described him as “creative, funny, and beloved” as she also paid tribute to Michele.