The Sun Newspaper

SHE’S one of the biggest stars in the world, but Kylie Minogue is dreaming of the simple life this Christmas.

Sitting down with Bizarre as she counts down to the big day, the I Should Be So Lucky singer reveals there are no diamonds on her festive wishlist.

Instead, the singer dreams of being invited to a good old-fashioned office Christmas party.

Her new festive album, Kylie Christmas (Fully Wrapped) — out on Friday — even has a track dedicated to the often messy annual do.

On the innuendo-filled song, Office Party, a sultry Kylie can be heard saying: “You know, I’ve never really been to one, but I hear they are lots of fun. So tell me, can we go to one?”

When Bizarre’s Jack questions if Kylie has really never been to an office do via her record label, or if it’s simply artistic licence to make a good song, the chart-topper laughs: “I’ve not! It’s coming from my perspective as I wrote it.

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“We’ve had office parties but it’s backstage somewhere. I’ve never worked in an office so it’s kind of like a fantasy for me.”

After we joke that she’s really glamourising the mundane nine-to-five that most people endure, Kylie giggles: “I appreciate it’s the day-to-day but it’s kind of, like, everything changes at the office party.

“One of the countries we went to on the Tension Tour, the work visa magically puts everyone in a suit. It was hilarious to us but that planted a seed in my mind that for our party, we need to all rock up in grey suits.”

Fair enough, we hear you loud and clear, Kylie.

Seeing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and way to win some serious brownie points at work, Jack quickly invited Kylie to our own bash.

Sadly she had to politely decline as she will be back home in Australia by the time The Sun kicks off the celebrations.

But Jack promised to do a rendition of Can’t Get You Out Of My Head on the karaoke in her honour.

It might be just as well she’ll miss the do if previous years’ excesses are anything to go by.

This time, Jack has been put on a four-drink rule, while Amir from the newsdesk has never truly recovered from 2023’s party.

Also on Kylie’s new album is XMAS — the record’s lead single, which is a collaboration with Amazon Music.

Kylie tells us the track, inspired by the Village People’s 1978 hit YMCA, has been a decade in the making.

She explains: “The song comes from 2015. I was at Soho House in Berlin, it was summer on the terrace and we’d just done the first Christmas album. We’d had a couple of glasses of wine — it wasn’t Kylie Wines back then — and it came to us like YMCA but XMAS. I’ve been sitting on the chorus for ten years.”

The song comes from 2015. I was at Soho House in Berlin, it was summer on the terrace and we’d just done the first Christmas album

Kylie Minogue

The video for the single will be out later this month and sees Kylie perform the famous flying dance move from 1987 film, Dirty Dancing.

Despite being a dancing pro, Kylie feared she would never be able to pull off the move.

She admits: “I was a bit scared as I’ve never done it before. It was a fantasy moment. I was told not to overthink it.

“We did a couple of practices before we did the main one. The thing is, you just need to trust the other person.

“The first one I got up, but I overshot it. The second was fine. The third one was good. The bruises were worth it the next day,” she laughs.

As for her own Christmas plans, Kylie will see in the big day back home in Australia.

Worked relentlessly

She says: “I will probably be tucked away, planning a BBQ. I love a cold Christmas, though. You will see on Fully Wrapped, I am very influenced by a British Christmas.

“I think it can be too hot and we are doing other things in Australia. We celebrate, but it’s different here. Any Aussie will tell you that.”

Next year will see Kylie step back from the spotlight, having worked relentlessly for two years, racking up two UK No1 albums and a 66-date world tour.

But that doesn’t mean she’s putting her feet up.

I will probably be tucked away, planning a BBQ. I love a cold Christmas, though. You will see on Fully Wrapped, I am very influenced by a British Christmas

Kylie Minogue

Kylie says: “It feels like I haven’t stopped. It’s been a gigantic year but I imagine I will be making music just for the love of it and maybe banking some things.

“I could happily be in the studio most of my time. I love it. I find it just gets richer and more satisfying.

“Doing the Christmas album in my breaks of the Tension Tour was maybe not so wise, but I love it.”

Keen not to get fans’ hopes up for a new Kylie record in 2026, she adds: “I don’t know about releasing. I think I should just do the background work . . .  maybe.”

Honestly Kylie, we adore your work ethic and the amount of music you’ve given us recently, but if you want to put your feet up when you’re back in Oz, we totally understand.

XMAS ON HIGH IN No1 RACE

KYLIE will be Spinning Around in excitement now her festive single XMAS, above, has officially entered the race for Christmas No 1.

Last night, the Official Charts revealed the track has jumped 55 places in the midweek charts – leaping from 64 to nine.

Insisting she’s playing down any idea she could nab the top spot, Kylie said: “I’m not counting on it.

“It would be crazy but that’s definitely parked to one side for me.

“I am just happy that ten years have passed since my last Christmas album and we are all here still going.”

KYLIE fans looking for early Christmas presents are in luck.

A Kylie pop-up shop is coming to London’s Battersea Power Station this Friday.

Open all weekend, it will offer gifts such as signed test pressings and limited-edition vinyl.

I SHOULD BE SO PLUCKY  

KYLIE has done things in her career the rest of us can only dream of.
But she’s never cooked a turkey.

The singer admits she leaves the cooking to sister Dannii and brother Brendan.

She said: “I’ve never cooked a turkey, though I have roasted other things. But I’m not a natural. It’s not my natural habitat, no.”

She adds: “My brother and sister are very present in the kitchen.

“I’m there, I’m sous chef and I’m available for anything that needs doing.

“But everyone’s families are like that, aren’t they? You know your place, don’t rock the system, don’t rock the boat. We all just want to get through Christmas.”

I’M on Cloud Nine, floating blissfully between infinity pools and saunas, with panoramic views of a perfectly still lake.

I am at the Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa Hotel in the Lake District.

The rejuvenating adventure promises to refresh my senses and entire being. It does.

I hop between the two-tiered heated outdoor infinity pools and explore three sauna set-ups – eucalyptus, salt and natural mineral – then move between a number of pools at different temperatures.

Finally, I meander over to the bar, where I find an enticing range of cocktails, mocktails, beers, soft drinks and upmarket snacks.

Luckily, my luxurious suite at the hotel’s Winander Club is only a short plod away, behind and above the main hotel with views of mighty Lake Windermere.

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Those staying in The Winander Club area of the hotel not only benefit from fancy rooms with luxury additions such as freestanding bath tubs, they also enjoy exclusive dining spaces.

You won’t be short of decent food options in the hotel, though, even if you are staying in the main area.

There’s fine-dining cuisine at the W Restaurant and chunky ciabatta sandwiches and bar snacks in the very cosy public bar.

My favourite, however, was the popular Blue Smoke, with its centrepiece wood-fired grill.

Think steaks, fish served whole and maple-glazed salmon fillet all dished up with The Blue Smoke’s special chunky chips and slaw.

I’m still dreaming about my starter of butterfly king prawns, which were the size of fingers of Bownessie Monster – the myththical creature said to inhabit Lake Windermere.

Visitors could easily spend a weekend holed up in this cosy spot but the real highlight of the hotel is its location in the rolling Cumbrian countryside.

After a hearty full English brekkie – special mention to the very tasty Cumberland sausages – I got ready to explore the charms of Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere.

But be prepared to queue if you want to take a boat trip across Lake Windermere.

Most depart from Bowness, serenely gliding over the water alongside the paddle boarders and private boats.

If that doesn’t take your fancy, this time of year is great for a stroll.
Autumnal hues

As I strapped on my walking boots and struck out up the fells, I soaked up the glowing autumnal hues on the hills.

Ambleside is also well worth exploring.

This busy but quaint town has many upmarket shops and boutiques alongside local businesses ranging from homemade-chocolate stores and lambswool outfitters to traditional watering holes.

There’s even a Michelin-rated restaurant in the cellars at The Old Stamp House where Lake District bard William Wordsworth once worked as Distributor of Stamps.

As the sun began to set over Windermere, trimming the hills with a fiery orange, it was back to the Winander Club for a sundowner.

The perfect way to end a day.

GO: Standard Willow rooms at The Low Wood Bay & Spa cost from £216 per night.

Thermal journey spa packages cost from £60p.

See englishlakes.co.uk.

I WATCH the sun slowly drop away behind the sandy horizon, as the sky transforms into a dozen magical shades of yellow and orange.

My tour group had decided to make a quick photo stop ahead of our dune-bashing tour in the Qatari desert, with aptly named driver Basham.

And we were so glad we did.

This is my first time visiting the Middle East and a 4×4 excursion across the vast sands is the perfect start to my stay in Doha, Qatar’s capital.

After soaking up the sunset, I’m led back to my huge vehicle by Basham who spends the next 30 minutes putting both car and passengers through their paces.

It’s an exhilarating experience, soaring over the ridges of the tall dunes and veering towards the edges of sandbanks at ferociously high speed.

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Doha certainly isn’t short of action-packed day trips for adrenaline junkies.

If the dune-bashing isn’t your thing, visitors can also get their kicks at Doha Quest, an indoor theme park that is home to more than 30 rides and attractions including the world’s tallest indoor rollercoaster Epiq Coaster.

If you’re more of a sun worshipper, the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park at the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort will be the place for you.

There are 30 thrilling slides and rides here, although the lazy river is the most addictive in my opinion — I could spend hours bobbing around on the water, floating serenely around the park.

But if you prefer an adrenaline hit, there are spine-tingling rides here, too.

I swear that I saw some airtime on the Whizzard Mat Racer, a sheer-drop slide that sends riders plummeting towards a blue foam mat.

Qatar isn’t just about thrills and spills, though.

The Middle Eastern country is also a hub for major sporting events, including Formula 1.

Experiencing the Qatar Grand Prix up close is a must for any petrolhead — and I was able to do just that through a package booking with Qatar Airways, a global partner of Formula 1.

Affordable luxury

The airline rolls flights, hotel and F1 tickets into one, making it much easier for Brits who have maybe never visited Qatar before.

I relished every second of watching drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris speed around the circuit, lap after lap.

You can be sure that I jumped at the chance to go on a pit-lane walk, too, which took me past the teams’ garages where I could take hundreds of pictures and videos.

And you would be a fool to miss out on a tour of the track in a huge open-top truck before the race gets under way — I was able to feel all the twists and turns that the racers would be experiencing during the race, although at an admittedly much slower speed.

After all that excitement, I was grateful that my hotel, the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, has just over two miles of private beaches, where I could flop on a sun lounger with fantastic views over the glittering Arabian Gulf.

Even the most basic room here feels luxurious, thanks to the huge wooden headboard towering behind the plush bed, a spacious sofa area where holidaymakers can relax to the max after a day of snoozing by the pool, and glass double doors opening on to a large balcony.

That’s the real highlight of Doha — luxury has a much more affordable price tag. Rooms here cost from around £188 with breakfast, which considering the quality and detail is impressive value.

The food is high-end, too. For classic Qatari and Middle Eastern flavours, head to the on-site Levantine restaurant, where you can pick up some excellent kofte for under £20.

If you’re looking to really push the boat out, though, the Raffles Doha hotel will blow your socks off.

Rooms cost from £335 per night here, but this is still a a lot less than most other hotels in the Raffles chain, including The OWO in London where rooms can cost just shy of £1,000 per night.

Raffles Doha occupies half of the prestigious Katara Towers. These U-shaped buildings are a symbol of Qatar’s national seal, representing traditional scimitar swords.

It’s the height of luxury, from its grand lobby all the way through to its suites and restaurants — and the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion.

Decked out with hardwood floors, mirrors and golden motifs, my spacious suite was a luxurious haven — and even came with a personalised butler service.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offered fantastic views over the Arabian Gulf and, if you can brave the morning heat, a warm brew on the terrace is the perfect way to start your day.

I was too focused on heading to downstairs to eat at L’Artisan, a restaurant that whips up the very best breakfast omelettes I’ve ever eaten.

You might want to keep food to a minimum if you’re heading out dune-bashing, though.

MODEL Hailey Bieber drinks in her success on a bed to celebrate a year in which she sold her beauty business for $1billion.

The mum of one, 29, also posed in a swimsuit for GQ magazine after it named her Tycoon of the Year.

Hailey confessed: “I always said that I would never sell the company unless it was a billion dollars.

“But of course when you hear that it’s a real thing and the number is real and that’s a real situation being put in front of you, it’s definitely like, ‘Whoa. Okay.’

“It is very cool.”

Talking about life as a mother, she added: “I’ve become a lot more of a homebody than I used to be.

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“I just don’t feel like I’m really missing out on much anymore.”

Her firm Rhode was bought in May and she is now working with pop star hubby Justin, 31, on his fashion brand.

She said: “It’s obviously really fun . . . to do anything with the person you love.”

Justin’s brand Skylrk launched in July.

TALENTED Emilia Jones and Daisy Edgar-Jones share more than a name — they are starring in a film together as sisters.

The English actresses will play Irish migrants who escaped the devastating potato famine to tough 19th century New York in drama Bad Bridgets.

BAFTA-winning Emilia, 23, is currently on screen in a reboot of 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger future world classic The Running Man.

Daisy, 27, got her big break in TV series Cold Feet as Olivia the daughter of David and Rachel played by Robert Bathurst and Helen Baxendale.

She was recently seen in the 2024 storm chase movie Twsiters and starred opposite Gladiator II hunk Paul Mescal in romantic drama Normal People,

The new film takes inspiration from best selling historical book Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem, and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women by Irish professors Elaine Farrell & Leanne McCormick.

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Aged eight, Emilia’s acting career began in 2010 when she appeared as Jasmine in the film One Day.

She then made her professional stage debut in the musical Shrek alongside Amanda Holden.

The actress is best known for her lead role as Ruby Rossi in the Academy Award-winning 2021 film CODA for which she has received a Bafta nod for Best Actress.

LIVE the alpine dream in a national park, says writer Siobhan Ludlow.

The Yorkshire Dales is the perfect destination for great views and tranquility.

THE PAD

Can’t make it to the Alps this season?

Soak up views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park from the cosy Swiss Ski Station Pod at Catgill Farm instead.

This beaut is decked out with cute alpine touches and comes complete with a ski-lift gondola to sip tipples and snuggle up in, a wood-fired hot tub and a three-in-one fire pit/barbecue/pizza oven.

Lap up more lush countryside vistas from the master bed, while kids will love the bunks.

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From spring, Cat’s Kitchen serves up frothy cappuccinos, £3.50, and bacon butties, £5, alongside giant Jenga and Connect 4, and there are walks aplenty from the doorstep.

Don’t forget to pop by to pat the farm’s friendly alpacas, too.

EXPLORE

You’re only a 15-minute walk from the Bolton Abbey estate and majestic Priory ruins, which date back to the 12th century.

If you’re brave enough, take on the stepping stones across the River Wharfe, then follow the fun “welly walk” with its obstacles and balance beams.

Travel back in time (which your tummies will thank you for) with a full English aboard a vintage steam train on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.

Tickets cost from £25 for adults, £20 for kids (Embsay boltonabbeyrailway.org.uk).

Later, get your history fix exploring Skipton Castle and its pretty castle woods.

Entry costs £10.70 for adults, £6.90 for over-fives (Skiptoncastle.co.uk).

Meanwhile, a five-minute walk from Catgill, Hesketh Farm Park is brilliant for little ones, with its giant sandpit, tractor rides and plenty of animals to pet and feed.

Tickets cost £8 for everyone over two and it reopens in spring (Heskethfarmpark.co.uk).

REFUEL

Reward yourselves for hikes with a mouth-watering côte de boeuf with triple-cooked chips, seasonal greens and red wine jus, £95 for two people, at The Devonshire Arms, just 15 minutes’ walk away (Thedevonshirearms.co.uk).

Meanwhile, Tea On The Green in Bolton Abbey village offers great coffee and traybakes, but the soup with a home-made cheese scone, £9, is an absolute winner (Teaonthegreen.org).

And don’t leave Yorkshire until you’ve been transported to ’50s America at nearby Billy Bob’s Parlour.

Kids will have a riot in the brilliant playgrounds, and you’ll all love its Round The Campfire fluffy pancakes, £10.25, topped with rocky road and Kansas toffee-crunch ice cream, toasted marshmallows, mallow fluff and shards of cinder toffee.

Oh, and not forgetting the dollop of hot fudge sauce, too (Billybobsparlour.com).

BOOK IT

Stays in the Swiss Ski Station Pod at Catgill Farm cost from £189.99 per night (Catgillfarm.co.uk).

THE bodyguard who inspired the Minder TV character Terry McCann has died aged 75, it was revealed last night.

Michael “Danny” Francis was a former boxer and one-time drug dealer.

The Londoner guarded stars including Paul McCartney, Cher and members of Led Zeppelin and Kiss.

McCann — played by the late Dennis Waterman in the 1980s — was based on his combination of brawn and charm.

Millions of ITV viewers loved the fictional bodyguard and his wheeler-dealer boss Arthur Daley — the late George Cole.

Gary Webster, 61, and Lex Shrapnel, 46, later played other minders in reboots of the hit show.

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Waterman wrote of Francis in his autobiography: “If push came to shove, boy could he sort things out.”

Francis is survived by his wife June — who he married in 1970 — and their three children.

The show was set in working-class west London and was largely responsible for introducing the word “minder” into British slang.

Minder brought London’s criminal underworld to millions.

Waterman left the role in 1989 after his seventh series

He even sang the theme tune for the iconic telly show.

IT’S 11pm and I’m at the all-night cafe in pyjamas and slippers, unsure whether to order six or eight chocolate-chip cookies.  

The lady next to me, by contrast, is dressed in a glamorous ballgown and buying an espresso. 

Peering down into the Piazza below — my eight cookies in hand — I spy a lively crowd who are throwing their best shapes to dance music at the silent disco. 

A cruise is like no other holiday. 

While I was preparing myself for a girls’ night in, with room service and a movie, other passengers were rolling out of glitzy restaurants and heading off in search of late-night fun in the Piazza or pouring out of the theatre after another West End-style show. 

Couples were taking a stroll around the outside deck in the warm Mediterranean air and the casino’s bright lights were still drawing in crowds.

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Where else can you get such varied fun rolled into one small(ish) space? 

That’s why, when it came to deciding our girls’ trip this year, a voyage on the high seas came out on top.

My work pals and I can’t take credit for coining the girls’ trip at sea. 

More and more women are swapping long weekends sipping pina coladas in Marbella for action-packed sailings. 

And major cruise lines, including Princess Cruises, have begun flogging packages designed solely for female groups — championing the on-board shopping and sleek bars and the appeal of the multiple destinations in one trip. 

Princess Cruises’ Suzanne Korff says: “It’s the ultimate girls’ trip — the perfect blend of luxury, laughter and adventure, all with incredible value.”  

It’s certainly true that cruises offer more bang for your buck — a huge perk in a time when people are more cash-strapped than ever.

My week’s Mediterranean sailing on board Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess cost my pals and I around £900 per person.

When we weren’t pounding the sunny streets of Palermo in Sicily, or gobbling up pizza in Naples, we were aboard the 21-deck ship soaking up the sun.  

That included not just our flights and cabin, but all of our food and all the entertainment — from Broadway musicals in the large theatre to Celtic bands in the traditional Irish boozer. 

When we weren’t pounding the sunny streets of Palermo in Sicily, or gobbling up pizza in Naples, we were aboard the 21-deck ship soaking up the sun.  

And there were plenty of places to gather for a good dip and gossip.

There are two sparkling pools on the Lido deck, complete with plenty of loungers, as well as a fantastic Wake View pool with infinity edge overlooking the back of the ship. 

Mixologist tricks 

For those chillier, early-morning swims, the indoor/outdoor pool in the glass-ceilinged Dome was perfect — again with plenty of places to chill with your pals. 

Those wanting to really up the ante can splash out on a suite, which will give you access to the Sanctuary Club.  

Think your ultimate Mediterranean beach club but with a chilled, tranquil atmosphere and cushioned beds and loungers, scattered between hot tubs. 

There’s also a decent-sized pool, as well as a bar that can whip up all manner of cocktails, including an excellent frozen daiquiri.

Some afternoons, a DJ or live singer appear, perfect to lull you into a serene snooze while you tan.

But the highlight of this exclusive zone is undoubtedly the prosecco wall.

Several times a day, during the afternoon, guests are encouraged to ring a large bell protruding from a plant-covered wall.

Moments later, a hand will emerge from the shrubbery, as if by magic, clutching a complimentary flute of prosecco for the bell-ringer.  

On sea days, the magical wall even serves up mimosas from 9.30am to 11am. 

Of course, drinks can be delivered directly to your sunbed. Food can be ordered anywhere within the Sanctuary Club, too, so you really needn’t lift a finger. 

But with 30 restaurants and bars on board, you would be mad not to dine around.  

Among complimentary options are Soleil and Eclipse dining areas, each serving a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner in a grand two-level setting.  

For something more casual, The Eatery is Sun Princess’ take on a buffet, where you can flit between Mexican, Italian, American and almost every other cuisine imaginable.  

Elsewhere there’s sushi, pub grub and a gelateria, all included in the price of your cruise. And that’s before you get to the specialty joints, for which guests pay extra.  

Spellbound, created in partnership with American arts venue Magic Castle, is a speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar where mixologists perform tricks. 

The teppanyaki restaurant is well worth the dosh. Sat at a horseshoe-shaped bar, around a huge steel griddle, we watched as our chef turned dinner into a show — tossing eggs with a flick of his fish slice and transforming an omelette into a snake that slithered before our eyes. 

The magic did not end there, though. What makes this cruise ship truly stand out lies behind an unassuming door on the eighth deck.

Spellbound, created in partnership with American arts venue Magic Castle, is a speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar where mixologists perform tricks. 

Welcomed into a cosy, low-lit room with a flickering fireplace and panelled walls covered in black-and-white photographs, we were transported back in time to the roaring Twenties.

We were listening as an ominous voice recalled the story of a family of magicians — when suddenly the wall ahead slid open, revealing a hidden bar. 

Every detail within, from paintings that follow you while you walk, to the ghost of a pianist who even takes song requests, has been carefully schemed. 

And the sorcery doesn’t end there. Smoke-billowing cocktails are accompanied by card tricks — leading up to a grand finale that will have you gasping in awe. 

Not even the sunrise view from our cabin balconies could top that magic. 

GOOD evening, Miss Ruth, house Bubbles?

Yes please, I tell my lovely waiter Noor.  

My seven-day cruise around the English Channel was getting off to a sparkling start — and I felt pampered from day one. 

The cruise was for the over-50s and I soon discovered that you don’t have to be young to have fun.  

Many of my fellow Boomers told me they return to Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience to take in “the warmest welcome at sea” again and again. 

Ambassador, launched four years ago, specialises in no-fly sailings from home ports including Tilbury, Essex, just an hour’s drive from home for me. 

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Its Ambience ship has capacity for 1,400 passengers, so it’s smaller and less crowded than many of the mega-liners of today.  

Our ports of call were all places I had on my wish list. Fowey in Cornwall, the Isles Of Scilly, Guernsey in the Channel Islands and Honfleur in France. 

The food on board was exceptional. On the first night I enjoyed a special of steak and lobster for a small extra cost, served by waiter Adie.

He and Noor felt like friends by the end of the trip. After dinners, drinks in one of the many lounges or bars beckoned, or even a quiz, ending the evenings with a theatre show. 

My Expedition Drinks Package took away any worries about a drinks bill at the end of the trip. 

On the first day at sea I swam in the seawater pool — nippy but refreshing. But there are lots of other ways to relax too, including spa treatments. I was treated to an excellent Indian head massage.  

On the first of two formal dress-up nights I was lucky enough to dine with Captain Hugh Maynard, who was great company.  

For more laid-back, buffet-style meals, Borough Market serves fish and chips, roasts, curries, stir fries, salads and more.

I also loved the luxury of dining in the upmarket Sea And Grass restaurant. The seven-course tasting menu was fabulous.  

Saffron is another speciality restaurant for curry fans. Worth paying a little extra for. 

Our first stop was Fowey in Cornwall and The Lost Gardens of Heligan. We also passed author Daphne du Maurier’s former home in this very pretty town — no wonder Dawn French bought a house there too.  

Cute puffins 

The subtropical Lost Gardens are about 40 minutes from Fowey. Giant ferns, palm trees and exotic plants dominate on the 200-acre site created in the 18th and 19th centuries.  

Our next stop, and my favourite of the trip, was the Isles of Scilly.  

As the ship sailed past the outer, uninhabited islands, they were swathed in mist, making them look more mysterious.  

Our last stop was in Honfleur in Normandy. Popular excursions included Monet’s house and gardens, the D-Day beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry.

We dropped anchor outside the harbour of the biggest island, St Mary’s. There are five inhabited islands and over 140 smaller uninhabited ones and rocks here. 

We were picked up directly from the ship for a wildlife tour onboard an open-decked vessel of the St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association. Over an hour and a half we spotted Atlantic grey seals and an array of birds, including cute puffins.  

Other guests had chosen a boat trip to the island of Tresco to see the spectacular subtropical gardens there. This small taste of these stunning islands — with their white, sandy beaches and clear, turquoise seas, more like the Caribbean than Cornwall — will definitely lure me back. 

Next stop was Guernsey. Docking in the capital St Peter Port, I did a spot of VAT-free shopping along the town’s pretty cobbled streets.  

Other passengers chose to discover the island’s wartime history or its beautiful landscape by vintage bus.  

Our last stop was in Honfleur in Normandy. Popular excursions included Monet’s house and gardens, the D-Day beaches and the Bayeux Tapestry, but a simple stroll around this beautiful place is a delight.  

With its timber-framed houses and pretty Old Harbour and cafes and restaurants lining the quays, it is perfect for a lunch or just a beer. Also worth a peek is the 15th-century Saint Catherine’s Church — the largest wooden church in France.  

Leaving France on the last night of my cruise, I had plenty of special memories — and plans to make for my next sail-away adventure. 

POP princess Sabrina Carpenter has the making of a great queen, says a butler who taught her how to behave like a royal.

Grant Harrold gave the US star etiquette lessons before an awards bash.

He said the Espresso singer “rolled her eyes” at the start but was “very natural”.

Footage unearthed by The Sun shows Sabrina, then 18, learning to serve afternoon tea.

She also balanced books on her head to improve posture.

Grant, who worked for the then-Prince Charles from 2007 to 2011, said the stunt ahead of the 2017 MTV Awards was more “Downton Abbey than Mean Girls”.

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He added: “She’s very chilled, laid-back and didn’t act like a superstar.

“If we could’ve got her into a tiara, she’d have been up for it. She began eye-rolling at the start. She wasn’t too sure.

“Her curtsy was a bit too theatrical. Perfect for one of her shows, not for meeting the King. But she was very natural. I didn’t have to confiscate anything. She was very good about her phone.

“She could pass at the Palace quite easily.

“I can see her getting along with William and Kate, and the King.

“She’s charming, confident, assertive. She’d make a future great queen. A few etiquette lessons and she’d be there.”

Sabrina was joined by US comedians the Dolan twins at a London hotel — perfecting the skills of pauper-turned-socialite Eliza Doolittle — Audrey Hepburn in 1964 film My Fair Lady.

Now 26, Anglophile Sabrina recorded much of new album Man’s Best Friend in the Cotswolds.

And she posed with a sparkly Union Jack on her tour in March.

Do you have a similar story? Email [email protected]

ROBBIE Williams looks specs-tacular in glasses weeks after saying he fears fat jabs are ruining his eyesight. 

The Rock DJ singer, 51, wore chunky white frames at a London club on Thursday.  

Robbie, whose debut solo album was called Life Thru A Lens, was out with wife Ayda Field, 46, and daughter Teddy, 13.

She is the eldest of their four kids, and they were out in town after the premiere of festive film Tinsel Town in Leicester Square.  

Teddy — full name Theodora — makes her acting debut in the Sky Original film with Rebel Wilson, Kiefer Sutherland and Danny Dyer.  

Speaking on the red carpet, Robbie said he was “super proud” of her. 

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Earlier this month, the star, who has been using Mounjaro, said: “I was quite an early adopter of the jabs but what I’m also noticing is that my eyesight’s not very good. 

“It’s been blurry for a while now, and it’s only getting worse.

“I don’t believe it’s age; I believe it’s the jabs.” 

His comments come after a study revealed a link between Semaglutide, the active ingredient in some fat jabs, and an eye condition which causes blindness.

“I went to an American football game the other night and the players were just blobs on a green field in front of me.

“And I was like, ‘What the f*** is happening?’.

CELEBRITY psychic Sally Morgan has threatened a rival with legal action — for using the stage name Psychic Sal.

The TV medium’s lawyers have warned Sally Cudmore to stop using the title or face court action.

They claim Sally, 74, dubbed Britain’s best-loved psychic, has trademarked Psychic Sally, Psychic Sal and Sally Psychic.

But mum-of-three Sally, 54, told The Sun last night: “To be honest, I didn’t see this coming.

“My name is Sally. It has been since birth. I didn’t borrow it, steal it, trademark it, or contact Sally Morgan for permission.”

She said her family had been doing readings for four generations and jokingly blamed her mum for her name, saying if she had foreseen it “perhaps she would have chosen Janet”.

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Sally, from Eltham, South London, has appeared on Loose Women and This Morning.

She calls herself Psychic Medium Sally Cudmore and uses the handle @psychicsal100 on TikTok.

She said: “How can anyone confuse me with Sally Morgan?

“She is years older than me and looks nothing like me.”

Sally Morgan’s lawyers want her to stop using names such as Psychic Sally, Psychic Sal or similar and make a public statement over the confusion.

And her spokeswoman said: “She is acting in the best interest of her loyal followers to prevent further confusion caused by Sally Cudmore. She is protecting her professional name.”

A FLURRY of new cruise ships have taken to the ocean waves in recent weeks, giving cruise fans even more choice.

From the adult delights of Celebrity’s fifth Edge class ship, Xcel, and Virgin Voyages’ latest Brilliant Lady to the family- friendly fun onboard Star Princess and Disney Destiny, there is plenty to please all ages.

LISA MINOT takes a look at the latest liners to set sail.

CELEBRITY XCEL: I’m just back from a fantastic sailing exploring this lovely new ship and can say it is one of my favourites for adults who love a little bit of luxury in a relaxed setting.

The ship has seven reimagined spaces onboard.

Bazaar is a new multi-level space that transforms depending on the ship’s destinations.

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While in the Caribbean, you can expect entertainment, food and crafts inspired by the tropical islands.

When it moves to the Mediterranean in summer 2026 it will reflect the European ports of call.

I loved the new Bora restaurant on the top deck beside the Roof Garden and the retro games in The Attic.

The main pool has had a real upgrade and keep an eye out for the PhotoBooth — it promises a lot more than just a selfie!

See celebritycruises.com.

VIRGIN BRILLIANT LADY: Virgin Voyages’ fourth ship set sail this autumn, adding to the line’s signature adult-only sophisticated cruises for party people.

The 2,770-passenger ship has had some enhancements over its siblings, including a larger pool and the new Roundabout enlarged atrium.

The ship is also the first in the fleet capable of transiting the Panama Canal, with some new cabin types having smaller balconies to accommodate it.

Other highlights include brand new shows, a new supper club with an interactive dinner-and-a-show experience and retro karaoke lounge with private booths.

See virginvoyages.com.

DISNEY DESTINY: Spider-Man swings off the side of Disney Cruise Line’s latest luxury liner — and that’s just the start of the fun onboard this family-friendly ship.

The 4,000-passenger vessel is the seventh in the fleet and the first to feature a new theme, with exclusive encounters with a host of Disney’s favourite heroes and villains and unique entertainment not found on its other ships.

In a departure from its previous cruise ships, the theming is more immersive, with a Marvel-inspired Grand Hall, new restaurant Pride Lands: Feast Of The Lion King — promising dinner and a show — and a new Broadway-style Hercules show.

There’s a new bar based on the Haunted Mansion theme park attraction, too.

See disneycruise.disney.go.com.

STAR PRINCESS: The second of Princess Cruises’ Sphere-class ships, Star Princess builds on the success of Sun Princess.

The 4,000-passenger liner features an expanded O’Malley’s Irish Pub, one of my favourite venues onboard the ship.

There’s more than 30 dining and drinking options, including a new expanded speciality dining restaurant Love By Britto.

The top deck features a new multi-sport court with facilities for pickleball and basketball as well as a splash pad.

New shows include the circus-themed Illuminate! and love story Meridian, both taking full advantage of the theatre’s in-the-round staging.

And the popular Dome entertainment venue, which transforms from day to night, plus the multi-level Piazza are both returning favourites.

See princess.com.

BELLA Hadid brims with confidence as she anticipates the sweet smell of success from her new perfume.

The US supermodel, 29, wore a large titfer as she fronted up in a plunging white top and no bra to launch her fifth fragrance for her own brand, Orebella.

And it was hat’s off as she posed almost topless while clutching the golden bottle containing her new product.

She’s not short of naked ambition.

Her cowboy boyfriend Adan Banuelos, 37, would approve.

Bella and Adan have been saddled up together since October 2024, after being spotted on a date in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Rumours that Bella Hadid was dating Adan first spread in autumn 2023.

The two made things Instagram official the following February.

Bella shared loved-up pictures of Adan and herself on Valentine’s Day 2024.

Adan is an accomplished horse rider, and trainer.

He said of Bella last year: “I didn’t know God made ’em like that.”

THE race to crown the Christmas No1 will get under way in two weeks.

And a dark horse, or should that be lovable bear, has entered the fray.

Paddington has become a major contender with song One Of Us, which is actually sung by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, who wrote it for the new Paddington The Musical in London’s West End.

He has stiff competition in what is looking set to be the most closely fought contest in years.

Martin Talbot, chief executive of The Official Charts Company, said: “The vision of Paddington taking on this year’s diverse gaggle of new festive chart contenders, alongside seasonal classics from The Pogues, Mariah Carey and Wham!, will be something to savour.”

The winning song will be revealed on The Radio 1 Chart Show just after 5.30pm on December 19.

Lee Phelps, from bookies William Hill, said: “Wham! are our odds-on favourites to be Christmas No1 for the third year running.

“They’ve been popular in the betting and are now as short as 1/2

“Kylie Minogue is the only other single-figure price at 11/2, while Together For Palestine take third spot in our market at 12/1.

“At 14/1, Taylor Swift joins Alison Limerick and Mariah Carey to top the charts on Christmas Day for the first time in the UK.”

Associate Bizarre Editor Howell Davies casts his eye over the contenders . . .

• Odds provided by William Hill. See the full market at sports.williamhill.com.

Paddington and Tom Fletcher — One of Us

6/1

AS one of the nation’s favourite characters, Paddington has topped the box office multiple times.

Meanwhile McFly’s Tom Fletcher has scored seven No1 singles. Now they are joining forces with One Of Us, written by Tom for Paddington The Musical.

The video, which is out today along with the song, sees them appear together at Paddington train station in London and had to be filmed under the cover of ­darkness to keep the secret.

The full soundtrack to the musical will be released in March ­following rave reviews for the stage show.

Wham! — Last Christmas

1/2

WHAM!’s hit about a seasonal break-up, set against jingle bells, has reached No1 for the last two Christmases.

When it was first released in 1984, it was pipped to the top spot by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?.

It’s the third best-selling single in UK history and was already the highest ­charting Christmas song on last Friday’s rundown, when it was at No19.

The profits originally contributed to famine aid in Ethiopia, but in recent years George Michael’s estate has been dividing the proceeds between a series of other charity groups.

Roland Gift — Everybody Knows It’s Christmas

66/1

THIS number from Fine Young Cannibals frontman Roland Gift started off as a bet but has since racked up more than 86,000 views online.

It fuses glam rock with a festive, jingle bell ball and is being released on CD and 7in single, as well as streaming and download services, in a bid to boost sales.

Roland told The Sun: “It started out as a bet with my mate, who’s a big Slade fan.

“He said if I could write a Christmas song that was a hit, he’d give my car a free service and new tyres. I hope this song brings a bit of warmth, a smile and maybe a bit of that Christmas magic your way.”

Kylie Minogue — Xmas

11/2

SHE released her album Kylie Christmas in 2015 and now the Aussie star is back to spread joy with a savvy link-up.

Her new song Xmas is ­exclusive to Amazon Music, meaning it can only be downloaded there or played through its streaming service.

But it’s a clever move, because it is among the first tracks to be played when people ask their Alexa devices to play Christmas music.

The last two years have seen Tom Grennan’s It Can’t Be Christmas and Sam Ryder’s You’re Christmas To Me finish in second place in the festive chart because of the power of Amazon.

Alison Limerick — Where Love Lives

14/1

THIS track has swelled in popularity since a cover by Labrinth featured in this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert.

Alison Limerick’s pulsating house tune was originally released in 1990. It peaked at No9 in 1996 but recently re-entered the charts at No44.

Now it is being tipped to rise far higher as the TV ad gets more plays.

Alison said: “Music has always had the power to bring all kinds of peeps together, but I hope this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert will give those who see it a new, emotional connection with the song.”

Denise Welch — Slayyy Bells

100/1

THE firm festive outsider this year is actress Denise Welch with her borderline-unlistenable offering.

The track has been released as a tie-in with choc brand Celebrations – 30 years after she hit No23 with a cover of You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.

Denise, whose son Matty Healy is lead singer for The 1975, said: “I love Christmas, but sometimes I want to shake things up a bit. We don’t always have to have turkey or play charades. We can celebrate this special holiday our way.

“This remix, apart from being cool, catchy and a sure- fire hit, is all about ­having fun.”

Mariah Carey — All I Want For Christmas Is You

14/1

AS the Queen of Christmas, Mariah is never far from the charts at this time of year.

All I Want For Christmas Is You was first released in 1994 and has returned to the Top 40 every year since 2007.

It is an unabashedly joyful belter, complete with bell chimes and lyrics about ditching a desire for materialistic gifts.

It topped the charts in 2021 and remains a strong contender for Christmas No1, finishing last year at No3.

In the US, it is even more ­popular and has been the ­festive No1 for the past six years.

Taylor Swift — Opalite

14/1

SHE already has five No1s to her name and has spent the same number of weeks at the top with The Fate Of Ophelia. But Opalite, another track from her The Life Of A Showgirl album, is poised to become a competitor after The Sun on Sunday revealed she had flown to London to shoot a festive video.

She hired out a shopping centre in ­Croydon to film the scenes, with the video believed to include cameos from singer Lewis Capaldi among others.

An updated version of Opalite is expected to be launched alongside the video, just in time for Christmas.

Together For Palestine — Lullaby

12/1

THERE have been plenty of Christmas songs for good causes. Now Together For Palestine are hoping to raise funds with their ­charity single Lullaby.

Musicians including Neneh Cherry, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Brian Eno, Bastille frontman Dan Smith and Celeste have joined forces with Palestinian musicians to appear on the track, which is a reimagining of a ­traditional Palestinian lullaby.

Speaking about the song, out on December 12, Eno said: “We have a real shot at landing Christmas No1 – and turning that moment into vital life-saving support for Gaza’s families.”

“LADIES and gentlemen, the Rolling Stones!”

For decades, those six simple words have heralded the arrival on stage of the world’s greatest rock and roll band.

The announcement most likely paves the way for the raw, staccato thrill of Start Me Up, followed by at least two more hours of music mayhem.

It is the moment when all the work put in by the band’s creative director and lighting designer, Patrick Woodroffe, comes to fruition.

Since the 1982 tour supporting the Tattoo You album, Woodroffe and his team have been tasked with shining the spotlight on the Stones — literally.

It has been their job to showcase the swagger of Mick Jagger, the laid-back riffing of Keith Richards, the playful interaction of Ronnie Wood and the effortlessly cool drumming of the late Charlie Watts.

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Woodroffe

We know ever-energetic Jagger struts across cavernous stages in front of vast crowds, but Woodroffe says: “Keith once told me that Mick could perform on a coffee table, and it would still be great. Our job is simply to provide a setting in which he can work.”

Although the Stones’ age-defying shows continue to this day, fans and casual observers alike are being invited to step back in time to 1990 for what the band calls “a bigger, louder and more immersive” experience.

From December 10, the fabled film, Rolling Stones — At The Max, returns to select IMAX and Cineworld venues across the UK.

‘Visual narrative’

First released in 1991 and now remastered, it captures the previous year’s Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tour in all its raging glory and is also notable for the final performances with the band of bassist Bill Wyman.

The film was shot in three European cities, London (Wembley Stadium), Turin and, less than two months before the reunification of Germany, East Berlin.

Using eight IMAX cameras, it was the first full concert movie to be shown on the giant screens and featured a typically storming set.

Rocking live staples were present and correct — Honky Tonk Women, Sympathy For The Devil, Street Fighting Man, Brown Sugar and the Stones’ favourite finale (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.

Jagger gives a vocal masterclass on mid-Sixties classics, Ruby Tuesday and Paint It Black, while Richards takes his customary turn at the mic for a rousing Happy.

There’s room for live rarity 2000 Light Years From Home, which first appeared on the Stones’ psychedelic 1967 outing, Their Satanic Majesties Request.

And for several tracks on newly minted Steel Wheels — Sad Sad Sad, Rock

And A Hard Place, and a wild, experimental sonic adventure called Continental Drift.

So, which songs in the live repertoire make for particularly dramatic visuals?

“Certain numbers are considered production numbers,” says Woodroffe.

“Sympathy For The Devil is a good example as is Gimme Shelter.

I met Mick for the first time that night in a tiny dressing room under the stage just before the show

Woodroffe

“These are powerful songs, typically longer than most, which allow time to build a visual narrative. For Sympathy, we set the stage on fire! Not literally of course, but smoke machines, flame effects and pulsing red lights give a pretty good impression of it.”

To celebrate the 2025 At The Max refresh, I’m speaking to Woodroffe about his association with the Stones, which stretches back to the early Eighties.

He recalls his initial dealings with Jagger and Co: “The first show I ever made for the Rolling Stones was at the Capitol Theatre in Aberdeen in the summer of 1982.

“It was also the first show for our musical director, Chuck Leavell. So he and I share the distinction of being the longest- serving Stones employees, something we are both very proud of.”

Woodroffe remembers a fateful encounter in that north-eastern corner of Scotland: “I met Mick for the first time that night in a tiny dressing room under the stage just before the show.

“His only direction to me then was, ‘Bright for the first numbers and darker for the ballads’. Not bad advice and something I have followed for the last 45 years.”

So, I venture, how involved have the band members been in the process of designing, lighting and staging a show?

He replies: “Mick and Charlie have been the most involved with helping our set designer Mark Fisher to develop designs for tours. But Ronnie and Keith have also been very aware of the stages on which they perform.

“Keith always refers to the stage as ‘The Office’.”

I always watch a Stones show in two very distinct ways

Woodroffe

Next, Woodroffe talks of the strong rapport he has built up over the years: “Much of the success of the relationship I have with the band is simply based on longevity.

“There is a real shorthand and understanding of what we’re all doing to create these shows, so communication is easy.

“But I’m also genuinely enthusiastic about my work and I think that probably has some resonance with the band.

“I’ve always loved their music — and having a job that allows me to be a part of their world is hugely gratifying.”

Over the years, Woodroffe has learned how to highlight the band in different settings.

“I always watch a Stones show in two very distinct ways,” he says.

“The first is to make sure that our part of it is right in terms of the lighting, the staging and the video content.

“The second is to understand the audience who come to watch the band — and that changes every night.

“An audience of 60,000 in a giant stadium in Tokyo is a very different beast from a club show in Paris or a run of shows at Madison Square Garden.

“It is how an audience acts, how they respond to the band emotionally and, more to the point, how the band responds to them.

“That is something that’s unique from show to show.”

This brings us to the challenges of staging the 1990 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tours with At The Max in mind.

Woodroffe says: “Stones shows are often filmed for either live broadcast or simply as a record of a tour.

“Each time, lighting and the staging is adjusted to capture the show on film but, for the IMAX project, we were in unknown territory.

“No one had done anything like this before and everything was different, particularly the cameras themselves, which were enormous and took three people to run them.

“The film cartridges also only lasted 12 minutes, at which point another three people had to reload the film canisters.

‘Huge spectacle’

“Unlike a normal video shoot where a TV monitor can show us instant results and can therefore be adjusted on the fly, the IMAX system had no facility for this.

“Instead, we would shoot something one night, the film would then be flown to the States to be processed, then flown back again to Europe where we would have to find an IMAX cinema near wherever we were touring.

A Stones performance is an interesting mix of huge spectacle — sound, light, video and pyrotechnics — with intimate performance where the heart and soul of this extraordinary band is there for all to see

Woodroffe

“Then we’d go to watch the rushes at one o’clock in the morning when the theatre was empty!”

Next, I ask Woodroffe how he and his team went about achieving the right atmosphere for such big screens?

He answers: “A Stones performance is an interesting mix of huge spectacle — sound, light, video and pyrotechnics — with intimate performance where the heart and soul of this extraordinary band is there for all to see.

“Getting that balance right is key to a successful concert and, on the IMAX film, we achieved that with real success.

“With all the talk of immersive experiences, At The Max is as immersive as it gets.

“You really do feel as if you were there and the Rolling Stones are performing just for you!”

Like the rest of us, the Stones and their production team are only human, so I’m keen to find out if things ever go wrong.

“Things always go wrong on some level!” says Woodroffe. “But it’s usually quite easy to hide them. Even something as obvious as a microphone going down can easily just be considered part of the energy of a live performance.

“But, in the 45 years I’ve worked with the band, we’ve never lost a show because of a technical issue.

“After all, that famous mantra ‘the show must go on’ applies to us as much as anyone.”

Woodroffe’s career goes back to 1973 and he has lit and directed shows for many artists who sit at rock and pop’s top table.

Among them are AC/DC, The Police, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Lady Gaga — but who are his favourite artists to work with, aside from the Stones, of course?

‘My soundtrack’

Woodroffe tells me: “All an audience ever wants to see from an artist or a performer is authenticity.

“However staged or considered or planned a concert might be, it is that connection between the artist and audience that matters — more than any special effect or fancy costume. And the Stones are nothing but authentic.

“I think Stevie Wonder is probably the one other artist that I felt the most connected to other than the Stones, which is of course ironic as Stevie has never seen my work.

“But his music was the soundtrack of my life and growing up. So, to be a part of interpreting that with light and colour, helping him to share it with an audience, was a privilege.”

Woodroffe reserves his final comment for the Rolling Stones, giving a clue to his strong and enduring relationship with them.

“I consider myself a fan and a friend.”

Like the rest of us, the Stones and their production team are only human, so I’m keen to find out if things ever go wrong.

I consider myself a fan and a friend

Woodroffe

“Things always go wrong on some level!” says Woodroffe. “But it’s usually quite easy to hide them. Even something as obvious as a microphone going down can easily just be considered part of the energy of a live performance.

“But, in the 45 years I’ve worked with the band, we’ve never lost a show because of a technical issue.

“After all, that famous mantra ‘the show must go on’ applies to us as much as anyone.”

Woodroffe’s career goes back to 1973 and he has lit and directed shows for many artists who sit at rock and pop’s top table.

Among them are AC/DC, The Police, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and Lady Gaga — but who are his favourite artists to work with, aside from the Stones, of course?

‘My soundtrack’

Woodroffe tells me: “All an audience ever wants to see from an artist or a performer is authenticity.

“However staged or considered or planned a concert might be, it is that connection between the artist and audience that matters — more than any special effect or fancy costume. And the Stones are nothing but authentic.

“I think Stevie Wonder is probably the one other artist that I felt the most connected to other than the Stones, which is of course ironic as Stevie has never seen my work.

“But his music was the soundtrack of my life and growing up. So, to be a part of interpreting that with light and colour, helping him to share it with an audience, was a privilege.”

Woodroffe reserves his final comment for the Rolling Stones, giving a clue to his strong and enduring relationship with them.

“I consider myself a fan and a friend.”

WOKE theatre chiefs have warned musical Jesus Christ Superstar will “include an onstage depiction of the crucifixion” when it returns next year 

Staggered fans have hit out at producers who have also seen fit to alert would-be watchers that the rock opera also has in it “some violence” and “imitation blood”. 

Tickets only went on sale yesterday for the work which will be staged at the London Palladium.

It will star Eurovision and “Space Man” crooner Sam Ryder playing the part of Jesus. 

It recounts the final week of Jesus’ life, from the perspective of his disciple and betrayer, Judas Iscariot.  

The original — condemned by religious groups for its “sympathetic” portrayal of Judas — opened in London in 1972 and closed in 1980 after 3,357 productions. 

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Gerald Dixon, an admirer of the musical, which includes hits “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Superstar”, was among those nonplussed by the warning attached to the forthcoming show.

He told The Sun: “What next? A warning that the hit musical includes catchy tunes?  

“This nonsense is enough to make anyone utter the Lord’s name in vain.” 

The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber show runs from June to September, with tickets costing up to £335. 

LW Theatres, London’s largest operator of musical theatres, was contacted for comment on the warning yesterday. 

FOR almost a decade, Stranger Things has had adults and kids alike cowering behind the sofa as a bunch of youngsters battle the evil Demogorgon and Vecna.

I’ve been scared out of my wits a few times but as the fifth and final series begins today, I have some very good news for fans of the hit sci-fi show.

Several spin-off projects are already in the works, I can reveal.

We will see more of the story unfold as inhabitants of the ­fictional US town of ­Hawkins, Indiana, venture into the mysterious alternate dimension The Upside Down.

Speaking at the London premiere, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed: “The world of Hawkins, Indiana and the Upside Down, it’s not over.”

There is already a stage show, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which has had rave reviews on London’s West End.

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And next year will see the launch of an animated series, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, featuring a new cast and taking place in the period between the second and third series of the main show.

But talks are under way about a series of other opportunities, including chances to explore individual characters.

A source said: “Stranger Things has been one of the ultimate success stories for Netflix — loads of people got subscriptions just to watch that.

“They know there is a massive appetite for more, so although now is the right time to end the main series, it won’t be the end of the story.

“There have been talks of a live-action spin-off as well as another animated project.

“But there is also a hope that individual characters could return to the screen in stand-alone shows.”

One person unlikely to take up that offer is Millie Bobby Brown. She played key character Eleven, who has supernatural powers.

Millie made it clear she is excited to snap up opportunities away from the show after so many years working on it.

The last series in 2022 ended on a cliffhanger with Max Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink, left horrifically injured after being attacked by Vecna.

We find out what’s happened to her and after watching the first episode a few weeks ago, I can confirm it’s still just as terrifying.

The first four episodes of season five drop today, followed by more on Boxing Day and the grand finale on New Year’s Day.

David Harbour is back as police chief Jim Hopper, the adoptive father of Eleven — despite an allegation of bullying on-set and accusations from his ex-wife Lily Allen that he was unfaithful.

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But his character only has barely nine minutes of screen time in the episode which features a brilliant soundtrack including Diana Ross’s Upside Down, and ABBA’s Fernando during a particularly gruesome scene.

Watching bloody fights between monsters and mortals isn’t usually how I spend my Christmas, but this year, I’ll be glued to it.

IS SHE a crusader or a Rebel without a cause?

That’s the question surrounding Rebel Wilson this week, as she stares down the barrel of yet another legal wrangling — while passionately claiming she’s a “whistleblower” fighting for justice.

This week, in a bombshell TV interview, the 45-year-old broke her silence on the legal battle she is fighting surrounding her feature film directorial debut.

The star, who was born and raised in Sydney, told 60 Minutes Australia she had been the target of “incessant . . . bullying and harassment” by the producers of her comedy musical, The Deb.

The producers are suing her for defamation, breach of contract and sabotage and the lead actress has also launched a lawsuit against her.

It comes just 18 months after Rebel accused Sacha Baron Cohen of inappropriate behaviour on the set of another production — which he denies — and eight years after a landmark defamation battle.

Now, with her star showing signs of waning Down Under, have the endless litigations and allegations destroyed Rebel’s career?

In the latest real-life drama, the producers of The Deb — Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden — launched their legal action after Rebel claimed they had embezzled film funds.

She also accused Amanda of sexually harassing lead actress Charlotte MacInnes on set.

Charlotte, who denies she made claims of sexual harassment, is suing Rebel for defamation after the latter implied she had “changed her story” and was backtracking to save her career.

Rebel says the producers’ complaints against her are “an attempt to sling mud at [her] reputation”, and that all the muck and mess surrounding the project has been her “worst nightmare”.

‘Smear campaign’

She is now countersuing the producers, accusing them of financial misdeeds, misconduct and coercion.

She claims she had been subjected to suppressive measures, saying: “They locked me in a room and forced me to sign documents. I was like, ‘This is like the KGB.’ ”

The producers vehemently deny Rebel’s allegations, which she initially highlighted in an Instagram video in July 2024.

In the original clip, Rebel accused them of “bad behaviour”, “embezzling funds” and of perpetrating “inappropriate behaviour towards the lead actress”.

She subsequently claimed it was Amanda Ghost who had taken things too far with Charlotte. Rebel alleged Amanda had “asked [Charlotte] to have a bath and shower with her and it made her feel uncomfortable”.

In an extra layer to the mudslinging, both Charlotte and the producers have also accused Rebel of being behind several websites allegedly created as a smear campaign, which have since been taken down.

What is very clear is that she is not as loved here in recent years as I think she expected to be

Eleanor Sprawson, a journalist based in Australia, on Rebel Wilson

These websites accused Amanda, who is of Indo–Trinidadian heritage, of being akin to “the Indian Ghislaine Maxwell” and referred to her as a “full pimp” who was “procuring young women for the pleasure of the extremely wealthy”.

Rebel has denied any involvement in a smear campaign or the creation of websites against her legal foes, claiming she was heavily involved in getting them removed.

The cases rumble on and Rebel remains undeterred.

Not only does she stand by her story and appears willing to fight to the end, she is also loudly promoting new projects on Instagram and is looking forward to seeing The Deb finally hit screens in Australia in January.

Rebel’s history suggests she is not someone to be provoked.

In 2016, Rebel — who found global fame in 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, before her scene-stealing turn as Fat Amy in 2012’s Pitch Perfect — set fire to the media landscape in Australia after launching a legal battle against Bauer Media.

In a landmark defamation case, Rebel sued the publisher over a series of articles published in 2015, that accused her of lying about her age, real name, and details of her upbringing, to advance her career.

Rebel said these stories had painted her as a serial liar and fraud, and had caused her to lose major film roles in Hollywood. She added that they had been perfectly timed to harm her as her career peaked post-Pitch Perfect.

Initially, the judge ruled in her favour, granting her $4.5million (£2.3million) — the largest defamation payout in Australian history — which she vowed to donate to charity and film projects.

But a later appeal saw the damages reduced to $600,000 — and Rebel was also ordered to pay 80 per cent of Bauer’s appeal costs.

While the appeal court upheld the initial verdict, it found the actress had not proved she had lost specific Hollywood roles solely because of the articles written about her. Another appeal followed — this time from Rebel — but the courts didn’t budge on the reduced payout.

Standing outside the High Court of Australia in November 2018, the actress told reporters: “To me, it was never about the money, but about standing up to a bully and I have done that successfully.”

Such a stance — pushing back against oppressors — is what Rebel has always argued she is doing. More so, perhaps, than the average celebrity — because, as time has passed, Rebel has continued to set the cat among the pigeons.

Last year, she hit the headlines again, as she released her  autobiography Rebel Rising — taking to Instagram to identify Sacha Baron Cohen as the unnamed “massive a**hole” that a controversial chapter of the book centres on.

The Borat actor had directed and starred opposite Rebel in their 2016 movie Grimsby.

Rebel claimed she had been pressured to perform a “lewd act” that was never in a script.

Reflecting on the filming process, Rebel alleged Sacha made repeated, inappropriate requests to her, like: “Just go naked, it will be funny”.

She said she had felt “bullied, humiliated and compromised”.

‘The boy who cried wolf’

While no legal action was taken by either side, Sacha slammed the claims as “demonstrably false” and argued that all evidence — including film footage, production notes and eyewitness statements — contradicted her account.

The book was published in its entirety in the US, but was partially redacted in the UK and Australia — with any mention of Rebel’s allegations against Sacha blacked out due to the legal risk of defamation.

In March 2024, Rebel railed against her suppressors, writing on social media that she would not be “bullied or silenced by high-priced lawyers or crisis PR managers”.

And now she is doubling down on that promise, thanks to her latest public battle.

So, where does that leave Rebel, who, ten years ago was considered to be one of Hollywood’s funniest women.

Eleanor Sprawson, a journalist based in Australia, where Rebel initially found fame, says the temperature has changed towards the actress in recent years.

“What is very clear is that she is not as loved here in recent years as I think she expected to be,” Eleanor explains.

“She was loved, way back 20 or more years ago when she was in a comedy series called Pizza, and I think people were excited for her when she took off in Hollywood.

“So when she presented a local show called Pooch Perfect, TV executives definitely thought they were on to a huge winner: ‘Local girl turned Hollywood star returning to do humble Australian TV’-type thing.

“But in fact the show bombed — and it bombed literally when people were locked in their houses because of the pandemic, with nothing to do EXCEPT watch TV. I think it proves that Australians have not taken her to their hearts.”

She adds: “She certainly did herself no favours by slagging off that old show Pizza in her memoirs. This show is very fondly remembered about a kind of class of people who don’t get much exposure on Australian TV in general.”

No one in the industry will want to work with her in the future if this behaviour is kept up. They’d be scared of legal issues or defamatory language

PR expert Quincy Dash

Meanwhile, Rebel could be seen as fighting causes that matter. In 2021, she donated $1million to the Australian Theatre for Young People.

She’s certainly combative, but has needed to be. In 2022, she came out as gay by posting an Instagram photo of her and her then girlfriend, now wife, Ramona Agruma.

Rebel revealed she’d had to “rush” her coming out after The Sydney Morning Herald contacted her representatives for comment on the new relationship

The actress also had to face constant scrutiny over her fluctuating weight, which — while she previously said made her the go-to funny girl.

But, as PR expert Quincy Dash tells The Sun, her litigious and provocative behaviour sometimes makes her seem like “the boy who cried wolf”.

He warns that “no one in the industry will want to work with her in the future if this behaviour is kept up. They’d be scared of legal issues or defamatory language.”

As it stands, Rebel is pushing ahead, and will next be seen in the Sky Original festive film Tinsel Town next month.

But as for her once-glistening career, she’s going to have to really ask herself: Does she really have a cause worth fighting for?

THE road to Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay’s wedding has been anything but smooth, with a family feud overshadowing their upcoming nuptials.

But I hear fans will soon see the couple in happier times, as their engagement do last December was filmed by Netflix for her chef dad, Gordon’s, docuseries.

They celebrated with friends and family, including Adam’s mum Caroline, who is not invited to their wedding in Bath next month as they are now estranged.

But the scenes are still expected to be part of Being Gordon Ramsay, which sees the chef juggling his personal life with opening five new London restaurants.

A source said: “Adam’s family were at the engagement party, when relations were much better.

“Things went downhill from there.

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“His mum was unhappy some of the family weren’t there and confronted Gordon at the event.

“Guests were made to sign non-disclosure agreements and hand in phones as the party was filmed.”

So many people I know are desperate to find out what really caused the fallout.

The show is due to hit Netflix in February, and I’m sure viewers will be glued to their screens . . . 

PUP IS PINKY SPICE

MEL B was radiant on the red carpet at The Beauty Awards, but I have a feeling her pet pooch is even more pampered than she is.

The Spice Girls star looked trendy in a cropped blazer, mini skirt and towering knee-high boots as she clutched her tiny dog Cookie as she arrived at the bash in London.

And she had clearly pushed the boat out to prepare her pup for the glitz and glamour of the evening, by dying the fur on her head pink.

Kerry Katona was also there and was snapped snogging her boyfriend Paolo Margaglione, who she met on Celebs Go Dating, while Ekin-Su Culculoglu looked fabulous in a white dress.

WHAT A HORROR, SCARLETT

PREPARE for a scare, as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Scarlett Johansson, will feature in the next Exorcist film.

She has joined the horror franchise for the upcoming movie, once again coming from writer and director Mike Flanagan.

He said: “Scarlett is a brilliant actress whose captivating performances always feel grounded and real, from genre films to summer blockbusters, and I couldn’t be happier to have her join this Exorcist film.”

The last film, 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer, had an underwhelming reception, but the hope is that having Scarlett on board will breathe new life into the franchise relaunch.

She certainly has form with relaunches, having been part of Jurassic World Rebirth earlier this year, which made $869million.

WICKED WEEKEND AT BOX OFFICE

ARIANA GRANDE and Cynthia Erivo’s hard work has paid off, because Wicked: For Good managed to conjure up magical box office takings at the weekend.

The movie raked in £17.8million in just three days, making it the biggest opening weekend in the UK since Margot Robbie‘s Barbie in 2023, which took £18.5m.

The figure is 30 per cent higher than the first Wicked film – which came out last November – and the highest ever opening for a stage musical adaptation.

Now it faces a fight to become the biggest film of the year, with hopes it will surpass Jack Black’s A Minecraft Movie, which has taken £56.4million in the UK since its release in March.

But there could well be more of Ariana’s Galinda on screens if fans get their way.

Wicked author Gregory Maguire has announced he is working on a prequel story about the character’s early life called Galinda: A Charmed Childhood, which will be published by HarperCollins next September.

That’s on top of his Elphaba prequel Elphie, which came out earlier this year.

Quizzed on the prospect of more films in the saga, director Jon M. Chu said: “Who knows? But that was never part of the equation. And I just finished this! I know Universal would want to do it, but that’s hard.”

OLLY ON PULL AT ALBUM BASH

OLLY MURS hosted the launch of album Knees Up at his favourite East London boozer.

And Bizarre’s Jack couldn’t resist getting behind the bar with him at The Birdcage in Bethnal Green to see who could pull the best pint.

While Olly declared his one a “thing of beauty”, Jack’s was a disaster – despite having worked at his local Spoons.

At The Birdcage, in Bethnal Green, Olly said: “We have spent a lot of time in this pub so it’s only fitting we have the launch of the album here with a quiz, games, karaoke, cake and darts.

“There’s always a moment to be a lad, right? And that’s what this album is about – I’m going back to my roots.”

COUNTRY music superstar Zach Bryan is ready to take the UK by storm with a series of massive shows here next summer.

The American singer will perform at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium on June 12, Edinburgh’s Murrayfield on June 14 and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on June 16 and 17.

Tickets go on sale next Friday at 10am.

WITH three No1 albums to his name, Dave has conquered the world of music and now he’s hoping to make you giggle, too.

The rapper, who went very serious on his latest hit record The Boy Who Played The Harp, has revealed he now wants to become a comedian.

In a new interview with The Face, Dave said: “I’m trying to get into stand-up comedy and one of my sketches is that I don’t know how to whistle.

“I’m inherently shy and introverted.”

Sometimes, that can make for the funniest people.

But when Dave’s not making music in the studio or writing gags, he is trying to create positive change in London – via social media.

He said he regularly sends messages directly to London mayor Sadiq Khan, suggesting how he can improve the capital.

Dave said: “I’m telling him: ‘Yo, this is what I think is going on’.

“Not everyone’s going to have a direct line to Sadiq Khan, but you can put a message out to your MP.”

OASIS have said “there will now be a pause for a period of reflection” after completing their reunion tour – but it sounds like Liam Gallagher is ready to go again.

When asked what he wants for Christmas, Liam said on X: “A European tour”.

He added: “There’s loads more classics we need to play for you when we go out again.”

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But when one fan said they were convinced a new album was on the way, Liam replied: “It’s not, I honestly don’t see the point, it won’t be as good as the old stuff.

“I’m quite happy singing the old stuff I’m not 1 of those w*****s that need to keep pushing it forward or sideways or backwards in some cases. Nostalgia forever.”