surprise

Holly Willoughby shares surprise secret behind her thick and glossy blonde mane and reveals slew of EPIC hair fails

HOLLY WILLOUGHBY has revealed the secret to her glossy blonde locks – she doesn’t use shampoo.

The glam mum-of-three has one of the most famous barnets on British TV, and the fact that she doesn’t get in a lather over it is something even the most slovenly among us can get on board with.

Holly Willoughby has revealed the secret to her glossy blonde locks – she doesn’t use shampoo Source: Instagram
Holly has one of the most famous barnets on British TV Source: Instagram

In fact, Holly reckons skipping the suds helps keep her tresses thick and shiny.

And that’s not the only hack the down-to-earth presenter has in her locker — she’s also got a go-to look up her sleeve for when she’s hungover.

In an exclusive chat, Holly said: “In the summer, I tend not to even shampoo my hair, ’cause I try not to take any of the oils out of it. I just condition it.

“But I’ve had hair fails. When you’re a blonde, you have to be really careful. Chlorine is a b*****d.

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“My natural colour . . . it’s like a dirty blonde, so once I was brunette then tried to go blonde again and it went green.

“Then I had to put red in it, and obviously I was, like, ‘Just go to the hairdresser’s, you silly cow’. Like, ‘No, no, I can fix this [at home]’. I’ve always been a bit like that, where I will experiment and try things.”

Refreshingly honest Holly even admitted she had hair extensions put in for added volume as she launched her firm Wylde Moon’s new body cream and wash range with Beauty Pie this week.

She revealed: “The first time I had my skin pigmentation lasered off, I was really shocked at what you’re left with.

Holly said: ‘In the summer, I tend not to even shampoo my hair, ’cause I try not to take any of the oils out of it. I just condition it’ Source: hollywilloughby
Holly added: ‘My natural colour . . . it’s like a dirty blonde, so once I was brunette then tried to go blonde again and it went green’ Source: Shutterstock Editorial

“Because it goes really brown and then it kind of flakes off for about a week later, so you just look like you’ve been in some horrendous kind of sunburnt situation.

“My beauty sin is I remember, back in the day, wearing brown lip liner and concealer on my lips. Nowadays, if I’m hungover or tired, an [eyeliner] flick and a red lip, always.”

There’s hope for us all . . . 


Holly with Leigh Francis and Fearne Cotton on Celebrity Juice Source: Handout

HOLLY reckons her TV pal Leigh Francis will make a great campmate on I’m A Celebrity — because he’s “not an a**e”.

After The Sun revealed he had signed up for the latest series, Holly told me: “The thing about Leigh is that he’s pretty resilient.

“I know he’s always played a character [Keith Lemon], but I know him as Leigh and  . . . what you see is what you get.

“He won’t be one of those people that has to go in there and try and keep up some sort of facade for ages.

“He will just be him through and through and he’s just a really great guy.

“I think people will see that. He’s not an ae, you know, he’s just a really lovely person.”


Kanye’s kidding around

Kanye West with kids North, Psalm and Saint Source: Getty

KANYE WEST had a rare smile on his face as he had an even rarer photo snapped with all four of his children.

The rapper, now known as Ye, posed with his eldest North, who was sporting long blue hair, at his Yeezy Season 01 runway show in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

They were joined by his other daughter Chicago, as well as sons Saint and Psalm.

Meanwhile, their mum Kim Kardashian was in New York, where she was photographed out for dinner with actress Jennifer Lawrence.


U2’s Bono and Adam Clayton on Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio Breakfast Show Source: Supplied

BONO has opened up about U2’s last-ever collaboration with Dolly Parton.

The frontman and bandmate Adam Clayton spoke to Chris Evans on his Virgin Radio Breakfast Show and admitted they didn’t know just how ill she was when they recorded new single Torn.

Bono said: “I didn’t even know she was into our band. She was being really sassy and everything you’d love about her.

“Because we’d taken this song in a very different direction, she sends this quite emotional note, having finished the vocal. She says, ‘Just so you know, I’ve always loved your music. I’ve always loved you, and I will always love you.’

“I could feel a puddle about to happen. She’s taking the piss, because that’s her song! . . . And we knew she was ill.

“And I just didn’t know that she was so sick. And she sang this, honestly, like she sang herself somewhere else, for sure.”

New single Torn is out next Friday.


Blazing year for Cara

Cara Delevingne was dolled up for a far more demure night out than a sweaty rave in this chic blazer dress and scarf Source: Getty
Cara gave Jordan Firstman a kiss to on the red carpet Source: Getty
Cara Delevingne in a scene from Club Kid Source: AP

SHE plays a party promoter in new film Club Kid but Cara Delevingne was dolled up for a far more demure night out than a sweaty rave in this chic blazer dress and scarf.

Cara, wore the ensemble to the Los Angeles premiere of the film, which won’t hit screens here until January.

It tells the story of party animal Peter – played by Jordan Firstman who she gave a kiss to on the red carpet – whose life is turned upside down when he is forced to care for a ten-year-old son, who he didn’t know he’d had.

It’s been a busy year for Cara, who released her debut album Not Normal in September following a lengthy summer tour.

And she’s recently been back on set for the upcoming erotic thriller Non Compos Mentis, in which her character finds herself in a love triangle with two men played by Liam Hemsworth and Sam Worthington.

She’s a lucky lady.

KATHERINE’S READY FOR FESTIVE FUN

Katherine Jenkins has recorded a seasonal rendition of Heaven Is A Place On Earth Source: Supplied

CHRISTMAS has come early with a flurry of new festive songs out today, led by Katherine Jenkins who has recorded a seasonal rendition of Heaven Is A Place On Earth.

The Welsh mezzo-soprano’s cover of the Belinda Carlisle hit is the soundtrack to this year’s Marks & Spencer Christmas advert, and she appears in the clip as a singer at a fete.

Olivia Rodrigo has dropped her track Take Me Home (4 Christmas) and NECTAR WOODE has released her festive ballad, Only Want You.

Away from the jingle bells, Slayyyter has released her song Hey Boyyy and Poland’s 2026 Eurovision entrant Alicja has returned with the appropriately titled She’s Back.

For something rockier, check out Cage The Elephant’s Make It Easy, from their newly announced album Dying In Reverse, which will be out on February 5.


LEWIS CAPALDI has confirmed his performance at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard will be the last time his fans can see him before he takes a lengthy break.

Speaking ahead of the event, taking place at London’s O2 Arena on the first weekend in December, Lewis said: “I need to go away and make new music so it feels like a nice fitting tip of the cap.

“It feels fitting that it’s at Jingle Bell Ball. I’m very excited.”


OZZFEST TO KEEP OZZY’S LEGACY ALIVE

Ozzy Osbourne’s Back To The Beginning concert will be brought back for a one-day extravaganza at The National Bowl in Milton Keynes on July 10 Source: Getty

OZZY OSBOURNE’s Back To The Beginning concert was one of the highlights of last summer, and the late rocker’s legacy will continue to live on with the return of Ozzfest.

The hard rock festival was first held two decades ago – and next year, it will be brought back for a one-day extravaganza at The National Bowl in Milton Keynes on July 10.

The line-up will be announced in the coming months but if Back To The Beginning is anything to go by, it’ll have some belters on board.

It had been hoped the event could take place at Villa Park in Ozzy’s hometown of Birmingham, but construction work prevented it.

The rocker’s widow Sharon said: “Ozzy was the first to launch his own traveling metal festival, and Ozzfest will always remain an important part of Ozzy’s legacy.”

LITTLE MESS, JES

A feud appears to have broken out between Jesy Nelson and the father of her twin daughters Zion Foster Source: Shutterstock
Jesy appeared to take a swipe at the R&B artist by liking a comment online which said: ‘How deadbeats be convincing new women they’re a good dad’ Source: Shutterstock

A FEUD appears to have broken out between Jesy Nelson and the father of her twin daughters Zion Foster.

Fans of the couple, who split in January, noticed Zion sharing a reel on his Instagram account from a man who posted a video about “Dad’s who don’t get access to their kids”.

It comes just weeks after former Little Mix singer Jesy appeared to take a swipe at the R&B artist by liking a comment online which said: “How deadbeats be convincing new women they’re a good dad.”

The pair, whose twins Ocean and Story were born with genetic muscle-weakening condition SMA Type 1 in May last year, had previously been on good terms but pals told me it’s turned “very messy”.

A friend added: “It’s a very sad situation. Jesy and Zion have very opposing views on who is at fault and they cannot see eye to eye at all. Those close to them want them to come together and focus on their children.”

Yesterday Zion released a new song, which he said would be the “first and last time” he would say his piece.

On the track he raps that he is “hurt to the core”, before adding: “The real truth ain’t going to hit the surface, cause I aint going to put my babies through that.

“Got the receipts in my phone and notepad, why would I save myself and put my girls through that pain as well.”

I think it’d do Jesy and Zion well to step away from social media and sort out their issues behind closed doors.

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Glastonbury fans convinced ‘surprise headliner’ has been revealed by gap in world tour dates

GLASTONBURY fans reckon they’ve uncovered a major clue about a surprise headliner for next year’s festival.

The chatter began after rock legends U2 announced the UK and European dates of their massive new world tour yesterday, and eagle-eyed fans have already spotted a suspicious gap in their schedule.

GLASTONBURY fans reckon they’ve uncovered a major clue about a surprise headliner for next year’s festival. Credit: Getty
Rock legends U2 announced the UK and European dates of their massive new world tour yesterday, and eagle-eyed fans have already spotted a suspicious gap in their schedule. Credit: Getty

The Irish superstars, fronted by Bono, will perform at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 18 and 19, 2027.

But their next scheduled concert isn’t until June 30, when they head to Berlin’s Olympiastadion in Germany.

And the 11-day gap between shows just happens to include Glastonbury Festival, which returns to Worthy Farm from June 23 to 27 following a year off.

The coincidence has sent fans into a frenzy, with some convinced U2 could be preparing a secret appearance on the famous Pyramid Stage.

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Meanwhile, speculation is already mounting over who will top the bill at Glastonbury 2027, with Harry Styles being on the wish list Credit: Getty
Sam Fender is also rumoured to be performing at the festival when it returns next year Credit: Getty

Taking to Reddit, one fan wrote: “I’ve just seen they are performing in London 18th and 19th June, then off to Germany on 30th. Maybe just a gap to add more shows or a glasto gap?”

Another replied: “Was literally about to post this.” A third insisted: “There’s no way they wouldn’t headline. They could do the secret pyramid set on the Saturday (the Foo Fighters / Pulp set).”

U2 previously headlined Glastonbury in 2011, having been forced to pull out of their original 2010 appearance after Bono underwent emergency back surgery.

Their newly announced Greatest Show On Earth World Tour will take the band across Europe, with stops including Stockholm, Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam and Milan.

Meanwhile, speculation is already mounting over who will top the bill at Glastonbury 2027, with Harry Styles, Sam Fender, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and Rihanna among the names linked to the festival.

Organiser Emily Eavis has confirmed all three Pyramid Stage headliners have already been booked, although their identities remain under wraps.

She has also ruled out Madonna and Oasis, despite previous rumours suggesting both acts could make an appearance.

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Fed Delivers an October Surprise on Strategy, Not Politics

The FOMC will reduce interest rate-setting meetings starting in 2027 to allow more time for policy discussions.

The Federal Reserve steered clear of a political October surprise but delivered an unexpected shift in monetary policy strategy.

After announcing that the Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, decided, as expected, to maintain the federal funds rate between 3.75% and 4%, Chairman Kevin Warsh announced that the body would introduce a monetary policy strategy meeting that would not vote on the federal funds rate or issue a policy statement, replacing one of its eight policy-setting meetings beginning in the autumn of 2027. It expects to replace a second policy-setting meeting with another strategy meeting in 2028.

The move aims to get monetary policy right, said Warsh. “It involves assessing near-term development at timely, regular, and information-rich intervals. But it is equally important that we reserve time and space as an intellectually diverse group for strategic deliberations, for thinking anew about big questions, looking over longer-term horizons, and focusing on the left side of the decimal point.”

The move would reduce the cadence of the FOMC’s policy meetings, “but does not rule out possible inter-meeting policy moves because of potential exigent circumstances,” said Kenneth Kim, a senior economist at KPMG. “Chair Warsh mentioned that this had occurred during the Global Financial Crisis.”

Warsh also announced that the five task forces he commissioned during the first month of his tenure on Fed communications, the Fed’s balance sheet, the use of existing data sources, inflation frameworks, and productivity will deliver their findings by year-end.

On November 16, the Productivity and Jobs task force plans to hold a field hearing to examine productivity’s implications for jobs in the near, medium, and long term.

“I, for one, am keenly interested in refining my own views on that question, but the task force decided that they wanted to hear from more people as part of their undertaking,” said Warsh.

Keeping Politics at Bay

Warsh also knocked down any suggestion that politics affected the FOMC’s decision to maintain the federal funds rate six days before the U.S. congressional mid-term elections.

“I just spent two days with my colleagues upstairs, and didn’t hear an utterance about politics,” he said. “I didn’t hear a reference to politics, elections, or what’s happening in the next week or so.”

When asked whether he or the Federal Reserve Board would be involved in the White House’s Nov. 5 closed-door hearing on allegations of mortgage fraud involving Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, Warsh replied, “Not to my knowledge.”

Future Hikes

Although the FOMC unanimously supported September’s 0.25% hike in the federal funds rate, October’s decision to maintain the rate showed slight division. Fed Gov. Lisa Cook and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland President and CEO Beth Hammock each voted for a 0.25% increase.

That division moves the FOMC closer to raising rates at its December meetings, said Kim. “If you look at market probabilities for December, they’re currently at an 84% chance of a rate hike. I think those dissents are in line with what the market is factoring in will happen at the next FOMC meeting.”

Rob Daly covers the economy and fintech. He can be reached at rdaly@gfmag.com

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Tiffany Pollard opens up on music future after surprise Zara Larsson collab as she spills all ahead of Big Brother stint

TO some, Tiffany Pollard is the ultimate reality queen, gracing Celebrity Big Brother and many other shows with her own explosive brand of drama.

But it is less well-known that she is now a recording artist as well, thanks to a cheeky sample on Zara Larsson‘s track Hot & Sexy.

Reality queen Tiffany Pollard is now a recording artist Credit: GC Images
The TV star has a cheeky sample on Zara Larsson’s track Hot & Sexy Credit: WireImage

Tiff — who dubs herself the Head Bitch In Charge, or HBIC — speaks the refrain “beautiful, fly, hot and sexy” on the pop princess’s empowering song.

Speaking for the first time about the collab, Tiffany said: “Zara is multi- talented, and for her to come for the HBIC to honour a track blows my mind.

“I was in that studio. It was like I was Beethoven because I wanted to get it right and iconic just for her.

“I was dedicated to the piece and a lot of people dance to it, so we’re happy.”

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The track from Zara’s multi-platinum album Midnight Sun was even played during last week’s Victoria’s Secret catwalk.

But we’re not going to see Tiff on tour with Zara any time soon.

She revealed: “I don’t want to crush dreams or anything like that, but our girl is going to handle it. I’m not gonna be on tour — I got bad knees, honey.”

Tiffany’s back on the reality beat as she begins a stint on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother — a decade on from her career-defining appearance.

Fans will remember her spats with Gemma Collins and the “David’s dead” misunderstanding when housemate Angie Bowie was told her ex-husband had died, but Tiffany thought it was David Gest who had passed away — until others found him asleep in bed.

Today Tiffany heads into a divided house, with the self-proclaimed “hierarchy” of Rochelle Rackham and Philip Regan facing accusations of bullying — but she is ready to take them on.

The outspoken American said: “It’s Halloween week and I’m gonna put the whore in horror.

“I’m gonna listen to people, I’m gonna have an authentic experience but I don’t want to be on my best behaviour.

It’s been a decade since Tiffany’s career-defining appearance on Celebrity Big Brother Credit: Channel 5
Tiffany now begins another stint on ITV’s Celebrity Big Brother Credit: Shutterstock

“It’s called the hierarchy? The king and the queen of the house? Oh, please. It’s time for me to knock down the bricks.

“I only go around this life one good time and I want to make sure I’m living it authentically.

“I don’t want to quiet a voice of something that should have been said.

“I have a lot of people who are betting on me to be real and to just say what it is.”

Tiffany will also make time while staying in the UK for some of her favourite British pastimes — including watching Towie, Hollyoaks and tucking into our good old fish and chips.

Just hours before heading on to Big Brother, she said: “Bring all that vinegar. People are so nice here.”

We’ll see if she feels the same following her stint in the spy-on-the-wall house.

  • Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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Huge pop star secretly joins Aitch as surprise guest judge on The Voice in ‘no brainer’ decision after Sir Tom Jones axe

Christmas has come early for me because two of my favourite artists, Aitch and Tom Grennan, have teamed up for a telly collab.

I can exclusively reveal that the good pals secretly recorded scenes together for next year’s series of The Voice.

We can exclusively reveal that the good pals Tom Grennan, above, and new judge Aitch have secretly recorded scenes together for next year’s series of The Voice Credit: Getty
Aitch invited his long-time pal Tom Grennan to guest judge on The Voice, with the pair’s friendship making the collaboration a no-brainer, according to our source Credit: Getty

New judge Aitch, who has been shooting the 2027 show in Salford in recent weeks, invited Tom down to ITV studios to film the Battle stages of the popular competition.

And Tom’s guest role went down so well with producers, they are now eyeing him up as a full-time coach in the future.

My source said: “They have been friends for years, so it was a no-brainer for Aitch to give Tom a call and invite him to be a guest judge.

“While he has never appeared on reality TV, Tom has worked his way up from the bottom, so knows how contestants are feeling.

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“Sometimes, guests are quite wooden, but Tom really impressed bosses with his time on the show. They are now talking about him possibly becoming a regular coach.”

Earlier this month, fans watched as will.i.am brought Cheryl out of her self-imposed retirement to help him pick his final three.

Meanwhile, in pre-recorded scenes which aired last weekend, fellow coach Kelly Rowland drafted in Delta Goodrem.

In 2023, Aitch revealed on Instagram that he had recorded a “banger” with Tom, although the song is yet to be released.

Earlier this month, fans watched as will.i.am brought Cheryl out of her self-imposed retirement to help him pick his final three Credit: ITV
Meanwhile, in pre-recorded scenes which aired last weekend, fellow coach Kelly Rowland drafted in Delta Goodrem Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

But, back in February, Aitch gave fans a taste of the track, called Home, after streaming it live on social media.

A source added: “Tom and Aitch actually have a couple of songs together.

“But they are still working out when best to release one.”

Tom was due to return last night with the release of his comeback single, Wrapped In Gold, from his upcoming fifth album, which is due out next year.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed that one of their collaborations ends up on there.

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Why The O2 is a surprise rainy day out for families

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A child in a blue flight suit and red helmet indoor skydives with an instructor in a red suit at iFLY London, Image 2 shows A smiling boy stands with his arms raised in a neon-lit tunnel that recedes into the distance, Image 3 shows A young boy smiling in a booth at a restaurant, with bowls of ramen on the table in front of him and a wall covered in colorful sticky notes behind him

AS a live music lover, I have visited London’s The O2 – the UK’s most popular live entertainment venue – numerous times in my adult life.

But with my primary school aged child? Despite living half an hour from the venue, I’ve never even considered it as a day out. 

There is so much to do at The O2 even for families

Until that is, I took my son to iFly Indoor Skydiving over the summer holidays and we had a whale of a time. 

Swapping my O2 beer goggles for mum goggles, I suddenly became acutely aware of all the other activities the massive dome offered, outside of huge concerts and bar-hopping. 

So we boomeranged back there during a rainy weekend to try out yet another one of their kid-friendly attractions – Activate. 

Activate bills itself as a ‘live-action gaming adventure,’ with nine different interactive game rooms featuring a bunch of activities for all ages and skill levels. 

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In the laser room, we dodged moving laser beams to reach a target, in the hoops room we had to sink a certain number of basketballs in the hoop, in the grid room we pranced across a lit-up dancefloor, and in the strike room we aimed balls to blast asteroids out of the sky. 

The best thing was every activity took max two minutes, so you were never waiting longer to get into your next game. 

During our session, which costs from £22.95pp for 60 minutes, there were families with kids my son’s age, groups of ten year olds, mums with teenagers and twenty-somethings who’d come for an afternoon out, because you can set the level at each room before you enter. 

It was the same when we visited iFly. In our group of seven, there were two tweens, a 16-year-old and a twenty-something couple on a date alongside my seven-year-old son and I. 

And we all had an equally brilliant time. 

While anyone aged 3 to 93 is welcome at iFly, you do need a degree of bravery because you have to get inside a huge, glass wind tunnel that sends air upwards at speeds of 120mph to 165mph, and attempt to do your best flying squirrel impression.

My son was captivated by the activities

The wind is STRONG. So strong that you simply have to flop forwards as you enter the tunnel.

But I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a big grin on my son’s face as the moment he first flew off the ground, which only got wider when he opted for the special “High Flight” add-on, where the instructor took him on a spinning flight, 40 feet up towards the top of the tunnel.

Each session lasts around a minute, and everyone in our group got four sessions as part of their package (although that might change depending on group size), with the opportunity to add a High Flight to each of their goes in the wind tunnel, which cost £15 a pop.

It’s well worth doing the add-on at least once if you can afford the extra cost, as unless you’re planning on jumping out of a plane anytime soon, this is the closest you’ll ever come to flying high above the ground.

There are plenty more family attractions at the O2 too, especially the famous roof climb – with a special ‘Halloween Up at The O2 climb’ scheduled for on October 31.

But there’s also Oxygen Activeplay trampoline park and Clip N’ Climb, plus later this year they’ve got Guinness World Records London opening – the first permanent entertainment venue from Guinness World Records.

If all that fun makes you hungry, there are stacks of restaurants offering kid-friendly food – from pizza and burgers for the less adventurous eaters, to Mexican, Brazilian street food and Chinese hotpot.

We opted for Maki and Ramen, a chain inspired by the ramen shops of Japan.

As well as an extensive sushi menu, they serve up very good bowls of steaming ramen – we opted for their signature pork tonkatsu with a side of beef (my son) and the tofu hell ramen with a side of kimchi (me).

If you visit during the week, you can also take advantage of their £18 lunch deal that gets you a main, side and drink.

We popped next door to Haute Dolci for pudding, sharing two of their signature gelato sundaes garnished with warm chocolate cake, fondue chocolate and crushed Ferrero Rocher.

Stuffed to the brim with noodles and ice cream, my son was unusually compliant about a trip to the O2’s outlet shops.

You won’t go hungry here either

The venue has a number of high street brands like Nike, Adidas, Kurt Geiger and Whittards offering up to 70 per cent off RRP, and I managed to pick up a couple of dresses for a significant discount and a pair of Nike trainers for my son for £20.

Great fun, great grub and great shopping in a totally rainproof destination? We’ll definitely be back.

Only problem now is my son’s keen to go to a gig now too…

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Macron makes surprise Saudi visit as France secures extra diesel supplies | Energy News

French president meets Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh to discuss energy, security, and infrastructure as cost-of-living protests rage at home.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Riyadh on a surprise “solidarity” visit, making him the first Western leader to touch down in Saudi Arabia since the Houthis intensified their attacks this month.

The unannounced trip comes as Saudi Arabia agreed to supply extra diesel to France “for as many months as necessary”, the Elysee Palace told the AFP news agency on Wednesday.

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The visit aims to “demonstrate France’s solidarity with the kingdom in the face of the attacks carried out by the Houthis against its territory, and to continue efforts undertaken on securing and diversifying hydrocarbon supplies”, the French presidency said earlier.

The diplomatic push follows days of rioting in France, fuelled by the cost of living, especially as the US-Iran war and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have kept energy prices high.

Faced with criticism of his Gulf tour at home, Macron told reporters he was just “doing his job” in a bid to “ease tensions” over petrol prices, one of the causes of social unrest in France.

“There must be no sign of febrility,” he said. “I am fulfilling my role. I am at my post.”

Macron met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi capital, and the two agreed to consult on expanding security cooperation and on infrastructure projects to bypass the blockaded strait, the palace said.

It did not say how much extra diesel Saudi Arabia would supply.

Macron’s Gulf tour

The deal follows pledges secured earlier in Macron’s Gulf tour. The presidency said on Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates had committed to about 100,000 tonnes a month, with a further 100,000 tonnes monthly to be secured in Bahrain.

Together with Saudi deliveries, France now has commitments for 295,000 tonnes a month, just more than 10 percent of its consumption, it said.

Meanwhile, France is also sending military assets to Saudi Arabia, under an earlier agreement, to help protect the Red Sea port of Yanbu, which has come under attack from the Iran-backed Houthis, an armed group also known as Ansar Allah (Arabic for Supporters of God).

The United Kingdom also announced on Tuesday that it would deploy fighter jets to help shield the kingdom. Both countries say their support is purely defensive.

Analysts say the moves protect Saudi oil exports that matter to Europe’s energy markets and bolster the Gulf alliance as the US shows reluctance to offer direct military help. They also carry risks, analysts say, potentially drawing the two European states into the protracted Saudi-Houthi conflict.

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Macron’s surprise ‘solidarity’ visit to Saudi Arabia | Emmanuel Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron made an unannounced stop in Riyadh to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his ongoing Gulf tour. The surprise visit comes amid increasing attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.

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Cheryl Tweedy makes surprise The Voice UK coaching debut as she ‘saves Saturday night TV’

Cheryl has made a surprise early return to The Voice UK and is set to appear in Saturday night’s episode for the Battle Rounds, joining long-time friend Will.i.am as his assistant coach

Cheryl has made her debut on The Voice UK as a guest mentor. The chart-topper has given fans a first glimpse of her new role as a coach ahead of the show’s 2027 series.

The Girls Aloud star, 43, appeared in the latest episode as the ITV singing competition continues its Battle Rounds, joining her longtime friend Will.i.am to help him decide which contestants deserve a place in the semi-finals.

Cheryl was confirmed as a coach for the next series last month, replacing Sir Tom Jones on the panel. Her appearance this weekend will give viewers an early taste of what to expect when she officially takes up the role. The singer arrived alongside Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am, 51, looking stylish in a red tasselled leather jacket and light blue flared jeans.

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The pair embraced as they reunited for filming, having worked together on music projects over the years. Will revealed that he had been trying to have Cheryl join him for the last 13 years. Cheryl knows exactly what it takes to make it in the music industry, having found fame after being selected for Girls Aloud on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.

Speaking to Team Will, the Call My Name songstress said: “I’m so excited for you. You couldn’t be in better hands than you are with my man Will. Will and I have collaborated a lot over the years, so we know what it’s like for two very different artists to come together. I wish you all the very best for what you’ve got today, and I’m excited to see you all!”

Reflecting on her own experience, having found fame on Popstars, Cheryl said during a solo interview: “I have stood in the shoes that the contestants are standing in, and I know what it feels like to perform in this environment. You’ve just got to know that you’re good, or you wouldn’t be here.”

And fans were overjoyed to see Cheryl back on screens. One said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Cheryl looks amazing, oh my gosh.” “CHERYL ON #TheVoice Saturday night TV is SO back,” said a second. “Ah I’m buzzing,” commented a third. A fourth exclaimed: “So excited.” “I’m excited to see Cheryl and Will back together,” commented another.

Her appearance marks a return to television after a lengthy break from the spotlight following the death of her former partner, Liam Payne, in October 2024.

The singer had largely stepped back from public life in the wake of the tragedy, making her new coaching role a significant career move. While Cheryl once dominated the music industry and became the first female artist to have five records debut at Number One, her last single, Let You, was released in 2019 and peaked at Number 57 on the Official Charts Company.

Prior to this, her last album, Only Human, which peaked at Number 7, boasted the singles Crazy Stupid Love and Only Human, and was released in November 2014.

Cheryl’s appointment is part of a wider shake-up for The Voice UK, with Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon confirmed as the show’s new presenters. The pair will take over from Emma Willis, who is moving on after landing a presenting role on Strictly Come Dancing.

The Voice Australia coach and current Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Delta Goodrem, is helping Kelly after spending eight seasons on the Aussie edition of the programme.

Also, Danny and Tom were joined by their McFly band members Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd as they tried to win The Voice UK two consecutive years in a row following their success with AVA in 2024.

Last Saturday (October 3), the final round of the blind auditions aired, and the coaches finalised their teams, which consist of eight acts each.

Team will.i.am is made up of Diogo Ferreira, Sonna Rele, BMG, Triple Threat, Teodora Sava, Naná Aldrin-Quaye, Ardú, and Bella Popera. Team Kelly has Monique Nicholson-Porter, Ray Gelato, Lascel Wood, Aaren James, Cris Quammie, Samantha Udeke, Turah Sadiq, and Jessica Beth.

Cate McHugh, Vadé Amãlia Estradas, Harry Linacre, Eric & Jensen, Dakari Love, Molly J, Robbie McMinn represent Team Sir Tom and Ellie Harney, Ross McGuire, Ciiara Nyx, Finlay McKillop, Jack Algar, Frank Raven, Regan Preece, Adam Tucker have joined Team Tom and Danny.

The coaches and their advisors will now work with the acts to try to help them secure their place in the competition but not every act can progress.

The Voice UK returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday, October 17 at 8.35pm

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