success

Princess Andre reveals plan to quit UK after soaring success

Influencer and reality TV star Princess Andre shares all about her famous family, dating and making a name for herself

Her reality show, The Princess Diaries , is one of ITVX’s biggest hits, with the third series clocking up a staggering four million streams since its July release. Now, having conquered TV, Princess Andre has her sights on beauty with the launch of her own make-up range, By Princess, out this month.

Despite being the daughter of two of the UK’s best-known stars, Peter Andre and Katie Price, the 19-year-old says she is determined to carve out a career in her own right. And it looks like she’s succeeding.

“It used to be, ‘Oh my God, you’re Peter Andre and Katie Price’s child,’” says the star, who has more than a million Instagram followers. “Now it’s like, ‘Oh my God, you’re Princess.’ It’s really nice. Obviously, my parents brought me up in the industry, but now I’m building my own lovely fanbase and I’m getting my own community.”

Living her life in the glare of the spotlight is nothing out of the ordinary for the ambitious teen. Since she was a baby, Princess has grown up being photographed and filmed.

She was born on 29 June 2007, just over three years after her parents met in the Australian I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle. During the couple’s turbulent four-year marriage, the pair were rarely out of the spotlight, starring in a succession of reality shows and appearing on countless magazine covers.

So for Princess it’s very much a case of “been there, done that”, and when we ask about recent snaps of her and Love Island hunk Harrison Solomon at a Halloween event – and the whispers that they’re dating – she doesn’t flinch.

“It’s not true… the rumours are really funny,” she laughs. “Me and Harrison are part of the same management, so we were at an event together with lots of other people. We get on really well, but there’s no romance there.” So is she dating anyone?

“No, and do you know what? I’m really busy working so I don’t have time for a boyfriend at the moment,” she says. “In the future, I’d love to have a partner, but it’s not my main interest right now.”

This will be music to the ears of her notoriously protective dad Peter, who once joked that he’d like her to become “a nun”.

Princess says, “My dad is protective, but at the same time he knows I’m an adult. We have a great relationship and so much fun together.”

She is close to both her parents and, as she tells us, “They have very different personalities, but I love them both.”

Princess and her brother Junior, 21, recently moved viewers when they shared their upset over their mum’s past when appearing on her Sky docuseries, Katie Price: Nothing To Hide . Blinking back tears, Princess told how she would hug a scented blanket, sobbing, when her mum wasn’t there, while Junior said Katie simply “wasn’t being a mum” during that time.

Thankfully, things have since changed for the better.

“Me and Mum get on so well – she’s a different person now,” Princess assures us. “I think people hold on to the past quite a lot and I’m really proud of how she is trying to turn her life around. I genuinely have a good relationship with both my parents.”

Princess and Katie share a love of horses and enjoy spending quality time together at the stables.

“I’ve ridden since I was three years old,” Princess says. “Some of my earliest memories are of my mum putting me on a horse, and in the summer we love to ride. We’ll spend a few hours together at the stables.”

Princess also has a close relationship with Junior, with whom she’s currently starring in the hit BBC travel challenge show, Celebrity Race Across The World.

Touchingly, she describes him as her “best friend”, but chatting to her today, it sounds like shared past trauma may be partly responsible for helping strengthen their bond.

In 2018, the siblings were caught up in a terrifying carjacking incident in South Africa while filming their mum’s reality show, My Crazy Life . The attackers were never caught, and local police said they were lucky to escape. Unsurprisingly, the incident had a lasting effect on them both.

“I did have some counselling around that time,” says Princess. “Even now there are certain things I avoid. I don’t like being alone anywhere, ever, and I don’t like driving at night, or getting out of my car at night. And there’s something that you’ll see on Race Across The World . I had a moment of panic.”

She adds, “I feel like counselling has helped, but I’m a person who likes to keep things to myself, so I don’t like talking to people about how I feel. I also feel like, growing up, you learn to deal with things and how to cope.”

One of the things that makes Princess feel safe is being surrounded by her brothers and sisters – and the noise and familiar chaos that comes with that. She lives with dad Peter, 53, stepmum Emily, 37, and three of her seven siblings – Amelia, 12, Theo, nine, and Arabella, two.

“Because I’ve always grown up in a busy household where there’s constantly people around, it makes me feel safer when it’s not just silence,” she explains. Coming from such a big family, Princess also has her sights set on a large brood. “I either want two or four kids,” she says. “And lots of animals. I like good chaos. I sleep better when there’s noise going on.”

Of her siblings, she’s particularly taken with Peter and Emily’s youngest daughter, Arabella.

“I adore her so much,” she beams. “She is the cutest little thing, like a doll. It’s weird for me, because the age gap is like 18 years. It’s like having my own child, but I don’t actually have to help with changing nappies.”

With Princess’s profile soaring, the brand deals are flooding in. She’s already worked with some big names and now she’s gearing up to launch her very own beauty brand, By Princess.

So now she’s earning her own income, how does she spend her money?

“Quite a lot of Louis Vuitton, that I save up for,” she laughs. “But I also wear high street – I like mixing it up. But I think Junior and my dad have knocked some sense into me, as my main focus now is saving up for a house, rather than splurging on things I don’t actually need. I have looked at flats in London, but to be honest, I don’t see myself living in the UK permanently when I’m older. I picture my life abroad – somewhere hot.”

Her beauty venture is already generating a buzz on social media and Princess is understandably proud to have created her own independent brand.

“It has taken over two years to build,” she reveals. “When it first came around, I was quite unsure, because I thought, ‘This is scary, to have my own products.’ I was only 17 when I made the decision, but I was also really excited because it’s always been my dream to have my own make-up brand. I designed the products with an amazing team behind me and we made sure they are suitable for all skin tones and colours.

“It was also so important to me that the range is affordable – which is why every product is £12 – not tested on animals, and makes people feel good about enhancing their natural features through make-up, rather than changing themselves.To have a lovely community of fans, and my own make-up brand launching in Boots stores across the country, is a dream come true. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. I’m also excited to do some signings too when it’s launched, so I can meet my fans face to face.”

With her own TV show and now a beauty brand set to launch, what’s next?

“I want to properly get into brand ambassadorship,” Princes says. “I like fashion and make-up and I really want to go travelling, too.”

How about a pop career, like her dad?

“Weirdly, I do see myself in the music industry, but I just don’t have time right now,” she shrugs. It seems whatever she decides to do, Princess is doing a great job of shaking off the “nepo baby” tag and is now being seen by the public as a talent in her own right.

She says, “There are a lot of comparisons, always, but now I’m standing on my own two feet.” By Princess is launching on boots.com and in selected stores from 17 November. byprincess.co.uk

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History making Big Brother winner is unrecognisable after huge £70k success

Big Brother continues to deliver plenty of drama and chaos as viewers are once again invested in another series

Big Brother’s first ever winner is looking almost unrecognisable decades on from their £70k success.

The hit social experiment has once again returned to screens, bringing with it plenty of drama and chaos as regular people from across the UK move in to the iconic house where they will live for several weeks.

However, before the reality show made its iconic return to ITV, Big Brother had originally launched on Channel 4 screens back in 2000, before making its way to Channel 5 during its third series in 2002.

There has been plenty of iconic moments throughout Big Brother, with the show remaining a firm favourite amongst viewers as housemates face brutal tasks and weekly evictions. But as a brand new series continues, with the new housemates hoping to leave their mark, we have taken a look back at the show’s first ever winner, including his most iconic moment.

Who won the first ever Big Brother?

Craig Phillips was the first ever contestant to win Big Brother UK back in 2000, making history from the launch show. The then-builder from Liverpool saw his life change after 64 days in the iconic house, winning a staggering £70,000 cash prize.

At just 28 years old at the time, Craig became a firm favourite in the Big Brother house where he stayed alongside Nick Bateman (then known as ‘nasty Nick’) as well as Melanie Hill. His success also continued when he won a National Television Award for Best Live Television Moment of the Year.

What did Craig Phillips do with his Big Brother prize money?

After winning the £70,000 cash prize, Craig decided to put his winnings to a good cause, donating it to his friend Joanna Harris who had Down’s Syndrome, to pay for her heart and lung transplant.

According to the official Craig Phillips website: “He had begun raising money with friends for Harris sometime before entering Big Brother, raising only small amounts of money towards the £250,000 needed for her operation in the USA, but within 6 days of winning he achieved the target required for her life saving operation thanks to public support and generous donations from celebrities.”

Craig has worked closely with a variety of charities, often taking part in fundraising events such as abseiling one of London’s tallest buildings as well as sky diving.

Where is Craig Phillips now?

Since his Big Brother success, Craig Phillips has far from faded from the spotlight. He has gone on to build a successful career as a property developer, DIY expert and television presenter, famed for popular shows such as 60 Minute Makeover and Trading Up.

He has also not been a stranger to reality TV, having raised £40,000 for charity from Back to Reality as well as appearing on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway

Fans may not have realised he turned his attention to music, releasing a charity single for Christmas 2000, which reached the charts, raising tens of thousands for the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Right now though, the former Big Brother winner lives in Spain with his family having also launched the Mr & Mrs DIY TV channel alongside wife Laura.

Craig Phillips’ most ‘iconic’ Big Brother moments

Arguably his most iconic moment was his confrontation with Nick Bateman, then nicknamed Nasty Nick. After Nick was seen breaking the rules, Craig gathered the housemates calling for an intervention before going face to face with his co-star.

Another iconic moment was causing mass panic on Ultimate Big Brother when he gate crashed and staged an eviction.

With millions of people tuning in to the live final, Craig made history winning the first ever Big Brother series as he stepped out to a huge crowned, later earning him the National Television Award.

Speaking to Channel 4 back in 2020, Craig was asked what it was like winning Big Brother as he replied: “This is a question I’ve been asked thousands of times and if I am being honest it’s so hard to answer! Because it was and still is the most surreal moment and experience, I’ve ever had!

“It was the ultimate combination of emotional highs as well as a scary situation to be in – once I’d stepped out the door I started to live a life that most people dreamed of having, almost the entire country knew my name and appeared to love me!

“Every A-List celeb I chatted to became my friend, people and companies were paying me obscene amounts of money to be associated with them, I had bodyguards that chauffeured me around day by day and we changed hotel every night for month and months!”

Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

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Why Gemma Collins could be ready to rival Holly Willoughby after success of Sky documentary

GEMMA Collins could be on years to come and could take inspiration from Holly Willoughby.

That’s the opinion of our showbiz expert, who has reported on Gemma since she first broke through on Towie in 2011. 

Gemma Collins’ recent success could see her become an even bigger TV powerhouse Credit: Alamy
The Sun’s Fay Leyfield thinks that Gemma Collins could become like Holly Willoughby Credit: Unknown

From a car saleswoman to a media millionaire, Gemma, 45, has become a cultural icon and has now diversified with a documentary on her fertility and relationships struggles for Sky.

But speaking on Showbiz Fix Uncut, our weekly showbiz podcast, our Showbiz Features Editor Fay Leyfield thinks The GC has a lot more to give. 

Fay said: “Gemma is very selective about her work and she’s made some really savvy choices and not just put her name to anything.

“She is not going anywhere and will on TV for years to come. 

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Our expert think Gemma could follow in Holly’s footsteps Credit: YouTube/@Holly Willoughby Together
Her recent Sky doc showed fans a new side of her Credit: Sky UK / NavyBee

“Do you know what would be really good for Gemma is her own YouTube style chat show like Holly Willoughby.

“You know, like, those magazine style shows, she does a bit of cooking. She loves cooking as we’ve seen in her programme.

“Fashion, she’s always loved fashion.

“Hair and makeup, celebrity pals. She’s got loads of them. Like Fat Tony in the documentary, that’s been lovely to see that friendship. 

“Her future maybe won’t be traditional telly, but I don’t think she’s going anywhere.”

We discuss Gemma’s amazing career on this week’s show, which you can find on The Sun’s video hub Showbiz Fix: Uncut | The Sun  or The Sun Showbiz YouTube.

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‘Digger’ could add to Warner Bros.’ box office problems

Tom Cruise is one of the bankable stars in Hollywood. But his pull may not be enough to lift his upcoming film “Digger” from a likely hard fall at the box office this weekend.

That would be unwelcome news for Warner Bros., whose movies have largely struggled to connect with audiences this year, in contrast to 2025, when the studio ran up a string of hits such as “Sinners” and “Weapons.”

All of this comes as the studio braces for an uncertain future with Paramount Skydance’s $111-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery set to close on Tuesday.

“No single film is going to capsize the boat,” said Stephen Galloway, dean of the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University. “However, it’s coming at a precarious time because it follows a series of less-than-successful releases at the very moment when the Warner Bros.- Paramount deal has been greenlit, and everybody — no matter how high up — is terrified for his or her job.”

Matching the success of the 2025 film slate was always going to be a tall order, particularly when so many of Warner Bros.’ movies that year overperformed.

So far this year, the studio’s domestic box office haul is $437.7 million, representing about 5.6% of the total theatrical revenue in the U.S. and Canada, according to Rentrak data.

Last year, Warner Bros.’ total at this time was $1.8 billion, aided by back-to-back successes starting with “A Minecraft Movie,” which went on to become the highest-grossing movie at the domestic box office during that calendar year.

The studio currently does not have any film in the top 20 of domestic box office earners this year, which includes some holdovers from 2025, with Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” ranking at 21 with $84 million. Bets on films like Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride!” cratered, while DC Studios’ “Supergirl” misfired.

“Digger” is unlikely to turn things around.

The satire from director Alejandro González Iñárritu about an impending climate change apocalypse has divided critics, yielding very mixed reviews. Tracking predictions for the film’s debut have steadily trended downward and settled between $15 million and $19 million.

That would be a major miss, given the film’s production budget was about $125 million (not counting marketing costs).

“Digger” faces several hurdles. For one, the film has a major twist, which complicates its marketing and makes it difficult to tell audiences what it’s about.

Then there’s Cruise’s nearly unrecognizable performance as Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil tycoon whose drilling operations have led to the unfolding climate disaster. Clad in prosthetics with a head full of graying hair, Cruise is far from his usual stunts-heavy, bravado-filled roles, which could make his typical audience less likely to come out to theaters, analysts said.

“It has a lot of question marks,” said David A. Gross, who writes the movie industry newsletter FranchiseRe. “It doesn’t look like it’s heading for financial success.”

The film will have value to Warner Bros. beyond its theatrical reception. “Digger” probably will also make money through ancillary revenue streams such as premium video on demand and streaming, industry experts said. And if Cruise wins his much-coveted Oscar for his role as Digger, that is also a plus, Galloway said.

Beyond the fate of “Digger,” Warner Bros.’ theatrical business will be of prime importance to the combined Paramount-Warner company.

Last year, Warner’s studio business, which includes both film and television production, brought in $12.6 billion in revenue. This year, it’s projected to generate $11.1 billion, according to market expectations. On a positive note, Warner Bros. still has its animated “The Cat in the Hat” film releasing in November and the popular “Dune: Part Three” at the end of the year.

The prospects for Warner Bros. should improve next year, when the film and TV studios are expected to amass $11.7 billion in revenue, driven by strong titles including the sequel to “Minecraft” and a new “Lord of the Rings” movie, according to Bernstein research.

Aside from theatrical revenue, Warner Bros.’ film and TV properties have been key drivers of business to HBO Max and will also provide valuable content to Paramount+, particularly as the linear cable networks continue to decline.

“I would argue the studios are the very reason Paramount Skydance is buying Warner Bros.,” said Laurent Yoon, senior analyst at Bernstein. “Everything starts with the studios.”

The combined company is also legally required to release at least 30 films a year as part of a settlement agreement over antitrust claims with 12 state attorneys general, including California’s Rob Bonta. Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison has previously said the two studios would each release 15 films a year.

But the type of content the studios release could change after the merger is completed. Under film chiefs Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, Warner Bros. developed a reputation for auteur-driven, original stories, particularly after the success of the 2025 slate. Ellison’s slate has trended toward blockbuster fare.

The combined company will also face a massive debt load of more than $80 billion after the merger closes, meaning there may be greater pressure for future films to be hits.

“Ellison is primarily in the business of delivering blockbusters,” Galloway said. “That’s going to be even more important as he tries to right the ship of his debt.”

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