The Sun Newspaper

WE stroll along the soft sand, taking in the afternoon sun as the shallow waters wash over our feet.

Ahead of us, kids are tucking into ice creams, and along the harbour wall, a crowd is at the ready with crabbing lines, dangling them one by one into the sea.

Here in Weymouth, on Dorset’s south coast, you get traditional amusement in, well, spades.

It is the quintessential Victorian resort, although its popularity dates back further, to King George III, whose first of many visits was in 1789 after doctors recommended sea bathing for his health.

In those days, he would not have been able to enjoy the Pirate Ship or spinning Paratrooper now found on the sands.

Nor could he have sunk a cold beer from the many bars and restaurants along the esplanade.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

He might, however, have been able to enjoy a donkey ride, a traditional seaside treat that’s still on offer here.

I was staying at The Ocean Guesthouse, just steps from the main beach — and its quirky nature (and owner) set it apart from the crowd.

Hotelier and former Londoner Maxine Gilroy has previously appeared on Channel 4’s reality B&B competition Four In A Bed where she was likened to TV characters Pat Butcher and Peggy Mitchell.

Her loud and infectious laugh backs that up and it most definitely adds to the cheer of the place.

Stepping into her guesthouse is like stepping back in time. Every wall, tabletop, windowsill and mantelpiece features antique objects, as varied as voodoo-esque dolls, telescopes and ship steering wheels.

Many of them have come down the generations from her grandparents’ vintage shops round the capital.

Our room had a ship theme, which was fitting considering it has a lovely bay window with harbour views.

Being in such a prime location means it’s easy to potter around the town, with plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs on your doorstep.

For sheer portion size, a large cod and chips from Bennett’s fish and chip shop could probably do Mum, Dad and a couple of little’uns. It was pretty tasty too.

Or if you’re keen for a fancier version of this seaside staple, Catch At The Old Fish Market offers a fine dining experience with a tasting menu of fresh-caught local seafood.

For a proper good pint, the Old Rooms Inn sits just across the river from The Ocean Guesthouse and is reachable by Town Bridge, which opens up every so often for boats to pass. I’d recommend taking the novelty route and making the two-minute crossing by row boat.

For a more lengthy jaunt in the water, Weymouth And Portland Boat Trips offers hour-long adventures.

As the name suggests, we travelled from Weymouth quayside to Portland — which despite being an island, is connected to the mainland by Chesil beach.

Known for its quarries and white Portland limestone — which was used to build the likes of Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s Cathedral and the British Museum — Portland is a gorgeous place to spend the day with shallow coves for swimming and sunsets to die for.

Keep your eyes peeled for the harbour — you may recognise it as the location that hosted the sailing events at the London 2012 Olympics, and regular contests still take place there.

On our journey, we saw Team USA practising windsurfing in preparation for the 2026 iQFOiL World Championships, which took place this month.

If you prefer to stick to dry land, then Nothe Fort, a ten-minute walk from the guesthouse, is a must.

Built in the 1860s, the building is as fascinating as what’s inside.

Kids will love it too, even if they aren’t into history — there are ramparts and tunnels to explore, military outfits to try on and cannons fired from the parade ground.

Exhibitions run throughout the year and special events take place during October half-term, too, with daily “mouse hunts”, spooky bingo and pumpkin golf.

Even King George III would approve of that.

LILA Moss stole the show at H&M’s London Fashion Week show.

The star proved the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree as she followed in her mum Kate Moss’s heeled footsteps and took to the runway.

I’m told despite being one of the biggest names at the event and being the daughter of an industry legend, Lila refused to have any special treatment.

In fact, sources tell me Lila has secretly been battling vile treatment at shows over the past year due to her nepo-baby status.

She’s told pals how she has been given “icy treatment or totally ignored” behind the scenes as she battles to carve out a career in her own right.

A source said: “Lila was booked in the standard way, just like all the other models.

MOSSY ON ROCKS

Lila Moss stuns in sexy swimsuit as she proudly shows off diabetes monitor

MOSS-T BEAUTIFUL

Lila Moss, 23, looks just like Kate as she strips to underwear for snaps

“She didn’t ask for any special treatment due to her status—in fact, it’s the opposite.

“Over the past year, she’s confided in pals that many other models give her the cold shoulder or totally ignore her altogether.

“She’s not said these words, but essentially it’s jealousy—people judge her and brand her a nepo before they have even met her.

“Yes, being Kate’s daughter has opened a lot of doors, but Lila wants to be successful in her own right.

“There have been many times over the years where backstage she is left all on her own.”

Lila is the daughter of Kate Moss and magazine editor Jefferson Hack.

In 2018, she was snapped up by Marc Jacobs to front his Marc Jacobs Beauty range.

In 2021, she made her Fashion Week debut by walking for Miu Miu at Paris Fashion Week.

Speaking in 2022, Lila admitted her mum tried to put her off modelling.

She told British Vogue: “My mum always put me off.

“She was always like, ‘If you wanna do it, you can, but I wouldn’t recommend it’.

“When I was younger, she was scared that I’d fall into the same trap, I think.”

Kate has previously spoken candidly about the pressures of being a model.

She told Vanity Fair in 2012: “Nobody takes care of you mentally.

“There’s a massive pressure to do what you have to do.”

DAVID Walliams’ entire children’s book catalogue has been dropped by publisher HarperCollins.

The author and TV star, 55, was let go by the company last year after it had been reported that he “harassed” young female staff.

A junior employee had complained about Walliams’ conduct, prompting an internal investigation.

HarperCollins will now phase out physical copies in bookshops before removing ebook and audiobook versions.

His back catalogue of titles includes Billionaire Boy and Gangsta Granny.

In December 2025 the publisher said it would not publish any new titles by Walliams, saying it “takes employee wellbeing extremely seriously”.

IN-BETROTHED

Inbetweeners wedding shock as spoiler pics reveal lad is getting married

JAB ROW

Katie Price flogs controversial fat jabs that are BANNED for human consumption

Bosses at a Waterstones festival also cut ties and the BBC said it had no projects “directly involving” him.

Walliams began writing after finding fame as the star of BBC comedy Little Britain.

He went on to sell more than 60million copies, starting with 2008’s The Boy in the Dress.

In November 2022, Walliams quit as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent after lewd comments about contestants were leaked.

He apologised for the “disrespectful” remarks but later sued BGT makers Fremantle and secured a big payout.

A spokesman for Walliams had said in December: “David has never been informed of any allegations raised against him by HarperCollins.

“He was not party to any investigation or given any opportunity to answer questions.

“David strongly denies that he has behaved inappropriately and is taking legal advice.”

TOMORROW night in Philadelphia, Ed Sheeran is expected to return to the stage for the first time since the biggest crisis of his career began.

Venues and promoters removed rapper Macklemore as the opening act on his US tour for voicing pro-Palestinian views on stage — prompting a legion of musicians, many of whom were British megastar Ed’s friends, to publicly turn against him over the past week.

This evening at Lincoln Financial Field, Ed will perform to 60,000 fans alone, with just his guitar and his trusted loop pedal, after Irish singer Aaron Rowe and Danish group Lukas Graham pulled out as support acts.

Irish folk group Beoga have performed with Ed on every night of the Loop World Tour — but they have also withdrawn, along with Billie ­Eilish’s brother Finneas, who was due to open six of Ed’s south ­American dates later this year.

“The world feels like a very lonely place for Ed right now,” an insider tells me.

“He couldn’t have done more to change the situation. He genuinely tried everything. This pile-on has been awful.”

IN-BETROTHED

Inbetweeners wedding shock as spoiler pics reveal lad is getting married

JAB ROW

Katie Price flogs controversial fat jabs that are BANNED for human consumption

I’m told dad-of-two Ed, 35, is ­planning on pushing ahead with the concert this evening before taking a view on the remaining ten dates across the US before his shows in South America.

My insider explained: “He wants the tour to continue for fans.

“They will have spent a lot of money on travel and hotels and will want to see him perform.

“The plan is to see how it goes tonight and then Ed and his team can take a view on whether they will carry on or not.”

Last night local action groups Philly Palestine Coalition and Shut Down D&Z confirmed they would be demonstrating at the train station closest to the venue.

Police said they would be increasing patrols in the area and were dispatching extra officers to the area around Lincoln Financial Field before the concert starts at 8pm.

Jasmine Reilly, a spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department, said last night: “Our officers are talking to Ed’s team to make sure all appropriate measures are taken.”

A second source told me: “A nightmare scenario is if unrest begins inside before or during the show. It’s a possibility because of the heightened emotions with everything that is going on right now.

“Naturally Ed and his team’s concerns are for the safety of the people inside and outside the venue.”

Tonight’s gig will take place 15 days after Macklemore lit the touchpaper under Bad Habits hitmaker Ed.

The rapper — real name Benjamin Haggerty — played his pro-Palestinian protest song Hind’s Hall in New Jersey before telling the crowd: “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so I could stand up in ­stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine.”

The next day he stood on stage again at the MetLife Stadium and declared: “To all of my Jewish brothers and sisters: criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.”

Two days later, the Israeli-American Council published a ­petition calling for Macklemore to be removed from Ed’s shows.

On September 8, Jewish singer Pink ramped up emotions when she shared a statement on Instagram with her 11.7million followers.

She blasted Macklemore for going on stage “in front of a stadium full of music-loving families, with violent images from a war on the screens, dedicated a song to the movement of his choice, and then took the mic to tell all of the Jews in the stadium that it wasn’t about them.”

Three days later Macklemore was removed from Ed’s tour. US promoters Messina Touring Group said that it had been notified by venues on Ed’s US tour that they “will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the line-up.”

In a statement calling Ed a “brother”, the rapper said: “Nothing I’m writing here is out of spite or because I want to tear down his character.

“But as I told Ed multiple times on the phone, our friendship can’t change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened.”

Macklemore explained that Ed had told him billionaire Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots American football team and their Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, would not allow him to play the two dates there on September 25 and 26.

Macklemore added: “Ed was in a f***ed-up position.

“His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before.

“He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with. I told him that if those words were more ­offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those ­people stood and where I stood.

“But he couldn’t get past his public-facing, ‘I don’t take sides.’ ”

The next day Ed addressed the ­situation in a statement to his 47million Instagram followers and revealed the lengths he had gone to in a bid to get everyone back on board.

He said he had spoken to “activists on both sides” as well as the owners of stadiums to find unity and that he was “appalled” by the conflict.

Ed added: “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care.

“Macklemore coming off the tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.

“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work.”

Explaining his decision to remain apolitical, he said: “There is a ­reason I do not use my professional platform for politics.

“My audience includes young people, often children, of all backgrounds.

“Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum. I respect Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes in.

“However there is room for multiple approaches to the same end: peace.”

He concluded: “I have spent this week trying to build bridges, to find a solution, and unfortunately I was unable to do so.

“I know who I am, both as a person and as an artist, and those who know my heart know my values too.”

Despite his attempts to make amends, Ed was left flattened the following day as the artists on his tour started to pull out.

In a statement, Irish group Beoga said: “To play in venues that silence anyone advocating for Free Palestine is simply not an option for us.”

Pro-Israeli billionaire Kraft then came out fighting in Ed’s corner.

Shortly after Macklemore announced he was donating his $1million fee for the tour to humanitarian organisations providing aid to Palestinians, Kraft said Ed had been in touch before asking to match a donation he had made.

Kraft said: “I have dedicated much of my life to building bridges between all people.

“I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.

“Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.

“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

Kraft also pointedly recalled Macklemore’s stunt in 2014, where he performed on stage in a costume which featured anti-Semitic tropes.

Macklemore apologised and said he did not mean to offend anyone but conceded the outfit could have looked like a “Jewish caricature”.

In the days prior to tonight’s show, high-profile stars have waded into the row, including British singer Paloma Faith, Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder and Formula 1 champ Lewis Hamilton.

The controversy also spilled over into politics, with US senator ­Bernie Sanders blasting Kraft.

The Democrat wrote: “In the United States of America, billionaire stadium owners should not be able to silence artists because they speak out on political issues.

“Today it is the genocide in Gaza. What’s next? If they can silence one artist, they can silence anyone.”

Since his statement, Ed has not spoken and is, insiders tell me, “staying focused” on the hours ahead of the concert.

A source said: “Ed has never faced anything like this before.

“It’s been devastating. He is trying to do the right thing by everyone. Sadly that isn’t always possible.

“As he said in his statement he has his own views on the conflict.

“Just because he has not been public in speaking about them, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t care or hasn’t actively been helping in whatever way he can.”

SUPERSTAR Ed Sheeran quietly donated £1.5million to aid in the Middle East ongoing conflict amid the fallout from Macklemore being removed from his Loop tour.

The four-time Grammy Award winner asked US stadium owner Robert Kraft to match his donation to bring aid to the region.

Rather than publicize the generous move himself, Ed’s donation has come to light after Macklemore publicly challenged Robert to match his own £750,000 ($1 million) donation to Palestinian organizations.

Taking to Instagram, Robert wrote: “Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.

“Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

Ed’s huge donation comes after 15 years of supporting countless charities around the globe.

FLED SHEERAN

Ed Sheeran tour chaos as ALL support acts drop out over Macklemore controversy

back in da house

Ali G movie mocks Ed Sheeran & reveals ‘new’ Julie replacing Kellie Bright

He teamed up with Médecins Sans Frontières across both his Mathematics and Divide tours to help raise money for some of the world’s most conflict-torn states.

The charity provides humanitarian medical care—focusing on projects in conflict zones and in countries affected by endemic diseases.

The fallout comes after Robert Kraft took the unprecedented move to ban Ed’s support act Macklemore from performing at his Gillette Stadium near Boston.

The rapper had used previous support slots to call for a “Free Palestine” on stage and flashed up images of Gaza.

As well as referring to the war as “genocide,” Macklemore also dedicated a song to pro-Palestinian protesters.

Macklemore took to social media to slam the move, prompting a global backlash.

In his statement on Tuesday, Ed, who has tried to keep out of politics all his career, said: “I am appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

“The suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy. There are too many wars across the world causing immeasurable pain, none of which should be tolerated.”

He added: “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”

KELLY Osbourne fears her son will become an addict like she and her father Ozzy were.

The TV personality, 41, used alcohol and drugs from 13.

She said it was to “numb that pain” she felt after becoming a child star.

Her rocker dad struggled with addiction for decades.

And the mum of Sidney, three, said: “I do believe it to be a genetic disorder.

“It’s something I even worry about with my son.

Read more on Kelly Osbourne

KELLY’S PAIN

Kelly Osbourne lifts lid on meltdown she suffered after dad Ozzy’s death

ROCK BOTTOM

Kelly Osbourne reveals she relapsed & drank again after dad Ozzy’s death

“I never want him to go through what I went through. Ever.”

Kelly leapt to fame on reality TV show The Osbournes.

She told the We Need To Talk podcast that she took drugs and drank not because she “wanted a party” but to cope.

She said of her woes: “I went to bed one night.

“And then I woke up and I was the most famous 16-year-old in the world. It didn’t make sense.”

Ozzy died last year aged 76.

LOOKING to bag a bargain at sea? Now is THE time to embark on a booking.

The UK’s annual CLIA Cruise Week runs until Sunday and there are great deals to be had.

After a record 2.54million Brits headed up the gangway in 2025, it is time to join the party.

Nigel Thompson shares his pick of the offers to book now.

EASTERN CARIBBEAN – 14 nights from £1,349pp

JET away from selected UK airports on November 13 to join P&O’s newest ship Arvia in Barbados for a round-trip visiting Martinique, Saint Kitts, Tortola (British Virgin Islands), St Maarten, Antigua, Saint Lucia and Grenada.

Includes transfers and gratuities — and on applicable Select Price bookings up to December 17, get extra on-board spending up to £350 per cabin.

GO SI

Spain’s tiny island that thousands of tourists visit – but you won’t have heard of

SANDS GOOD

I found a UK beach with crystal clear water & no crowds that felt like Greece

See pocruises.com.

PORTUGAL, MOROCCO & MEDITERRANEAN – Seven nights from £449pp

SAVE £111pp on a winter warmer itinerary on Celestyal Discovery, sailing from Lisbon (overnight) to Tarragona (for Barcelona) via Tangier, Valencia, Majorca and Sete.

Soft drinks, wifi and gratuities are included, although flights cost extra. Departs on December 12.

See celestyal.com.

FRANCE, SPAIN & PORTUGAL – 14 nights from £1,115pp

ADULTS-only Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition sails a no-fly Easter trip from Tilbury, Essex, on March 24, 2027 visiting Honfleur, Le Verdon (for Bordeaux), Vigo (for Santiago de Compostela), Cadiz, Malaga, Lisbon and Leixoes (for Porto).

Use code CLIA10 during Cruise Week to get ten per cent off, with up to £400 on-board credit per cabin also on offer.

See ambassadorcruiseline.com.

RIVER NILE, EGYPT – Seven nights from £1,279pp

SAVE £778 per couple on a Tui River Cruises all-inclusive round trip from Luxor, flying from Gatwick on October 20.

Tui Bahareya will have overnight stays in Luxor and also call at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan.

Passengers get two included shore excursions, 25kg luggage allowance and transfers, with tips and service charges covered.

See tui.co.uk/river-cruises.

WEST MEDITERRANEAN – Six nights from £2,835pp

BOUTIQUE brand Explora Journeys’ Explora II departs for Malta from Barcelona on March 14, 2027, with 30 per cent discounts on offer.

Visit La Spezia (for Pisa/Florence), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples and Sicily (Syracuse), with passengers enjoying benefits such as nine culinary experiences, in-suite dining, unlimited drinks, wifi, spa access, wellness activities and gratuities.

Flights extra. See explorajourneys.com.

RIVER MAIN, GERMANY – Four nights from £675pp

IT is never too early to start thinking about Christmas — and you can get a festive fix on a four-night sailing aboard Viva Cruises’ Tiara, departing on a round trip from Frankfurt on December 14.

The itinerary ticks off Wertheim, Wurzburg and Miltenberg and comes with a £100 flight credit offer, selected premium drinks, one complimentary high tea, welcome bottle of prosecco, wifi and gratuities.

See viva-cruises.com.

MEDITERRANEAN & PORTUGAL – Nine nights from £2,515pp

GOT cash to splash? Grab a half-price luxury voyage on adults-only Oceania Sirena, sailing on January 4, 2027 from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Lisbon via Livorno (for Pisa/Florence), Genoa, Nice, Marseille, Barcelona, Alicante, Motril (for Granada), Cadiz and Lisbon.

The deal includes a balcony cabin, speciality dining, gratuities, wifi and either wine and beer by the glass or shore excursion credit.

Flights extra. See oceaniacruises.com.

RIVER RHINE AND DUTCH WATERWAYS – Seven nights from £1,299pp

SAVE up to £750pp on an all-inclusive voyage from Rotterdam (overnight) to Mainz, Germany, aboard Saga River Cruises’ Spirit of the Rhine, departing on October 26, 2027.

En route, it visits Zaandam and Arnhem in the Netherlands and Germany’s Cologne and Rudesheim.

Bonus extras include flights, nationwide return chauffeur service to the UK airport, transfers, excursions, wifi and gratuities.

See travel.saga.co.uk.

ALASKA & CANADA – Seven nights from £1,404pp

THE Last Frontier’s glaciers, mountains and wildlife await on a Holland America Line round trip from beautiful Vancouver.

Koningsdam sails on May 1, 2027 and visits Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan with scenic cruising along the Inside Passage.

Cruise Week extras include £25pp deposit, alcoholic drinks package, one night’s speciality dining, $100 shore excursion credit, premium wifi, $100 on-board credit and pre-paid gratuities.

Flights are extra. See hollandamerica.com.

GUY RITCHIE is casting the net wide for the third series of The Gentlemen – in the hope of Baggin’ two huge Hollywood superstars.

Insiders have told me the hotshot director is trying to sign up Lord Of The Rings actors Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom for the hit Netflix show.

If he pulls off the move, it would reunite Orlando, who played Legolas, and Elijah, who starred as Frodo Baggins, two decades on from Peter Jackson’s hit film trilogy.

A source said: “The Gentlemen is the hottest TV show in town and Guy has big plans for the third series.

“Elijah is being courted to appear as a villain, while Orlando is also one of their key casting targets.

“For Lord Of The Rings fans working on the production, the idea of having Frodo and Legolas back together would be amazing. No deals are signed yet, but discussions are ongoing.”

BOXING CLEVER

Stormzy wins big on gambling tables during wild Las Vegas boxing trip

LAKE PANIC

Becky Hill ‘almost drowned’ after ‘getting into difficulty’ in ‘risky’ lake vid

And those aren’t the only actors that Guy is lining up for a part.

Prince Harry’s wife Meghan’s name is being bandied about as a potential star of the third instalment.

And it seems Guy’s show needs a bit of a Hollywood rocket to give it a boost.

Streaming figures for The Gentlemen’s opening weekend of the second series were 50 per cent down on the initial run of shows, with 6.7million views in the first four days it was available to watch.

Season two saw Theo James reprising his role as aristocrat-turned-drug kingpin Eddie Horniman alongside Kaya Scodelario, who plays ice-cold crime boss Susie Glass.

Love Island host Maya Jama made her acting debut in the second series after being cast as mob wife Aisha.

And she is definitely back for the next run, admitting she loved working with Guy on set. Maya said: “He’s very personable and he would be like, ‘Yeah, you’re doing well’, and reassure me, which was really nice.

“He’s just really involved and kind of a genius to watch, because everyone’s practising their lines and then he says something that’s way better than the original.”

MODEL Bella Hadid gives fans a lift as she grabs some dumbbells for a gym workout.

The US beauty, 29, showed off her physique in a black crop top and grey shorts for high-end athletics brand Alo, a favourite among celebrities.

In another shot she stretched out in black shorts and matching cutout top.

Displaying her toned biceps, she said: “Health is wealth, baby!”

Earlier in the year, the newly-single model put her ex behind her in a mini denim playsuit.

The star was promoting her latest collection with Miss Sixty.

CIAO, BELLA

Braless Bella Hadid’s perky chest pokes out of wet see-through T-shirt in river

BUSY BODY

I worked as Michael Jackson’s bodyguard – taxi tactics fans used to get to stars

She had said she was keen to work with the denim brand because she lives in jeans when she isn’t working.

Bella explained: “I love denim. When I’m not working, it’s always jeans, my belt with my buckle on it, and a button-down (shirt).”

It follows her split from cowboy tycoon Adan Banuelos, 37, at the beginning of the year.

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

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

Hadid made a dramatic hair change a year ago when she swapped her signature brunette hair for a bright shade of platinum.

She recently appeared in FX horror series The Beauty.

Viewers were left shocked as her character met a grisly end in an opening scene.

MY childhood summer holidays began and ended with me squashed into a hatchback car with tents, campbeds and pool floats, as my family travelled to Europe for a week’s camping.

The only luxuries were a wine and cheese evening (for my parents), the morning croissant run to the bakery on site (my sister and I) and our mains-powered coolbox (my dad).

Oh, how the world of camping has changed since then.

This summer, a school-mum pal and I took our kids to one of the top-rated sites of camping specialist Eurocamp — and 5* Les Prairies de la Mer, on the French Riviera, just 15 minutes from St Tropez, could not have been more different from those breaks of my early years.

This huge beachfront site even has its own spa, that bakery on site, which also features seven kinds of fresh bread, a seriously glam pool and a supermarket stocking about 30 different types of rosé wine.

Oh, and some of those wines were just 4.50 euros a bottle — and perfectly drinkable.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

There are also further delights — a petting zoo, small fairground, two beachfront bars and restaurants, a hair salon and an inland bar that plays really decent live music every night.

If you can hack the heat, there are plenty of sporting activities, too, from sailing and archery to tennis and football.

I could lie and say I did all of the sports — but I didn’t.

In 35C heat in May, with three seven-year-old boys in tow, most days we pinballed between pool and beach, fairground and playground.

The huge, lagoon-shaped beachside pool, with its own palm tree, is a joy in itself — and only more so for its stylish bar, serving enormous pitchers of rosé for six euros, and French fries.

But it would be criminal to visit the French Riviera and not explore.

Les Prairies de la Mer is next to Port Grimaud, a car-free seaside town with waterfront Provencal-style houses that each have their own mooring for a boat.

You can see why the place is nicknamed the Venice of Provence.

We had a great time wandering the streets and visiting the Sunday market, which sells everything from local olives to honey and flowers.

The campsite also lays on a land train (€10 adults and €6 kids) to the medieval hillside village of Grimaud where you will find cobblestone streets, a 12th-century church and an even older ruined castle, all with great views over the surrounding countryside.

We also made it down to glamorous St Tropez, famed for its annual film festival.

The place is worth a visit just to ogle the huge yachts in the marina, wander the old town and eyeball the rich tourists who head to upscale shopping street Rue Francois Sibilli for high-end stores such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Hermes.

But my favourite day was when we rented a speedboat — through SamBoat, an app that bills itself as “the AirBnb of boats”.

It allows you to search locations, near where you are holidaying, for more than 50,000 chartered boats and yachts, that come with or without a captain.

We opted for a large speedboat that could take up to 12 people, as it could pick us up from the neighbouring marina — and it was super-easy to book.

The speedboat hire was 380 euros without a skipper, otherwise 630 euros.

We opted for the latter and, if there are 12 of you, this works out at just over 50 euros a head — not bad for a day on the water.

We bought cheese, wine, cakes and other goodies beforehand, at the marina supermarket, then toured the beautiful coastline before mooring in one of the many bays, where we swam, played on lilos and generally had the best time.

On the way home, we stopped off in the St Tropez marina to check out again the beautiful people and yachts.

This fabled French town is also the setting for the upcoming fourth series of TV hit The White Lotus, expected to air next year — and this corner of France is a serious magnet for celebrities.

Indeed, on our flight alone there were THREE famous faces.

Glamour girl Kelly Brook was in Business Class with actor husband Jeremy Parisi, while Pixie Geldof and sister Tiger Lily Hutchence-Geldof roughed it with us in Economy.

They were all (like us) taking advantage of British Airways’ newest route from London City Airport to Toulon-Hyeres in the South of France, which operates twice-weekly during the summer months.

The seaside city of Toulon is a taxi ride away from St Tropez and other A-lister holiday destinations such as Grimaud and Sainte Maxime.

Or if you don’t have deep pockets like the celebrities, there is a coach to St Tropez that leaves twice daily from the airport and costs 2.50 euros per person.

It also stops at a number of other holiday destinations en route.

It took us nearly all the way to our Eurocamp site, from where it was just a ten-euro cab ride.

So, plenty of spare cash for the lashings of rosé.

A GIANT glittery guitar hangs next to bright pink awnings and a huge sign that reads: “Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel”.

The 12-storey building was one of the music icon’s final projects — and while she won’t get to see it open following her death at the age of 80 last month, it will ensure her legacy lives on in Nashville.

Parton was heavily involved in the creation of the 240-room hotel, which is a glittering addition to the Tennessee skyline and an absolute must-visit for fans.

It opens to the public on September 29, and I was one of the lucky few granted a first look.

A number of Parton’s costumes will be exhibited in the lobby in a nod to Dolly’s Life of Many Colors Museum on the third floor, where interconnected digital screens tell a 15-minute story of her life.

General manager Shannon Foster says: “We are expecting ­people to walk in even when they’re not staying here. We want everyone to feel welcome.”

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Hotel guests will encounter more moments of magical discovery as they move through the elegant building, where song lyrics are etched on to doorframes.

Guests can choose from four room categories — even the most basic of which has the wow factor. But those with cash to splash can spoil themselves with a night in the Acoustic Suite, which is completely geared up for songwriters.

Its living area comes with a keyboard, while drawer liners adorned with Parton’s famous quotes add a personal touch.

The most heartwarming element of the hotel, however, are the Six Sisters rooms on every floor.

“When the designers asked Dolly what she wanted most in the hotel, she replied that she’d always wanted to share a room with her five ­sisters,” Foster explained.

The result is a touching tribute to the Parton family bond — a suite with three double beds separated by candy-stripe curtains and a washroom with two showers and toilets.

The rooms are connected by a ­living area in the middle with a curved sofa, a side table painted with each sister’s favourite flower and a chandelier decorated with the siblings’ birthstones.

Foster considers the second floor to be the heart of the operation, though, with guests taking a lift up to a gold sparkling desk to check in.

Parton’s Live — cosy seating around a stage, and bar space ­created to showcase upcoming talent — sits opposite.

But the jewel in the hotel’s crown looks likely to be the late-night lounge Jolene’s, on the top floor.

It will open daily from 5pm and serve punchy cocktails, and a food menu to suit.

A spectacular view over Second Avenue and the Cumberland River — where the famous 4th of July fireworks take place — means Jolene’s will, arguably, have the best seat in the house for the celebration.

The hotel may be opening a month after the singer’s tragic death but her touch is everywhere.

It’s in the diamante trim on bottle-green barstools, in the corset lacing on the back of a pink ­velvet chair and in the words etched into the corner of a mirror.

“Dolly approved every single rendering that became a reality,” Foster said.

“The hotel is Dolly’s gift to Nashville.”

Parton’s influence on her spiritual home is undeniable and if you plan to visit, it’s well worth exploring beyond the hotel.

Her star in the Music City Walk of Fame Park, near the hotel, remains encircled with floral tributes.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, opposite the park, has been running a special exhibition about the music legend for the past 17 months.

Dolly Parton — Journey of a Seeker is due to end in October but the singer is honoured throughout for her music and activism.

Parton, whose Imagination Library has gifted over three million books to children worldwide — unwittingly entwined her identity into Nashville when she debuted at the Ryman auditorium at the age of 13.

She would not have known she would return to that very stage bigger and brighter each time.

And she definitely would not have dreamed that some day, she would own a hotel just three minutes away from the auditorium.

This is Dolly’s parting gift to Nashville. And it’s worth working 9 to 5 to bag yourself a room.

IT’S totally transparent how Baywatch actress Brooks Nader turns heads as she has a night out in a see-through dress.

The 29-year-old finished off the look with black high heels.

The US star, who made her name as a swimsuit model, was in New York at an event as part of Fashion Week in the city.

Brooks, who also features with her sisters in reality show Love Thy Nader, is a lifeguard in the reboot of TV series Baywatch, which will air next year.

Earlier in the week, The Sun also revealed the star attended a CDFA event to kick off New York Fashion Week, and was spotted in the glam outfit on the night out.

Brooks opted to wear a sheer black dress made entirely from lace, which hugged her curves.

SHEER DELIGHT

Brooks Nader stuns in risky outfit as she goes braless in see-through top

LACY LADY

Brooks Nader stuns as she flashes her boobs and bum in see-through lace outfit

Her matching underwear cheekily peeked through under the fabric.

Brooks also ditched her bra for the occasion, baring her figure for all to see.

She finished the look off with a pair of black high heels and left her hair loosely flowing in a subtle wave down her back.

This isn’t the first time Brooks has been bold with her fashion choices.

Less than two weeks ago she ditched her underwear again in France in a sexy white gown.

Brooks wore a white, T-shirt cut backless dress in the City of Love, which featured high cutouts on the sides of her hips and bum.

A large bruise was visible on her left buttock.

AS I sit on the train from London Kings Cross to Skipton, my stomach lurches.

I am about to spend the weekend with 16 complete strangers and I’m nervous. In fact, I’m really nervous. The introvert in me wants to fake a stomach bug and slope off home.  

But as soon as I stumble out of my carriage to meet the first arrivals from Outdoor Adventure Girls, a community for women who love hiking, adventure and getting alfresco, my nerves calm as upbeat chatter fills the space.

And by the time dinner rolls around – a tasty veggie lasagne served with garlic bread, at our digs The Kettlewell Hostel – the women are already starting to feel like friends, which is lucky really considering I’m sharing a room with one of them (Thekettlewellhostel.co.uk). 

Hill Start 

The next morning, we don’t let the rain dampen our enthusiasm as we head off to quaint Malham village, 40 minutes’ drive away, to begin our guided 5-mile circular hike.

We’re led by a fully qualified hill leader, the knowledgeable Ginette, and as we walk, we get to know each other better – the youngest in the group is in her early 20s, the eldest in her 60s, and many are trying a walking weekend for the first time.  

LISTEN UP

I stayed at Virgin’s first English hotel that feels more like New York

STELLAR SPOT

Inside £740million spaceship-like museum that’s FINALLY opening after 16 years

The hike, with its breathtaking vistas across the Yorkshire Dales National Park, takes us around four hours, snaking up past Malham Cove, a 70-metre high, gently curving cliff of white limestone made famous by Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1, and on to Gordale Scar, a magical hidden limestone gorge.

And for the hardy among us – I am the only taker – there is an opportunity to take a refreshing and invigorating dip in Janet’s Foss, an idyllic waterfall along the route (Yorkshiredales.org.uk). 

By early afternoon, we are all puffed out and head back to the hostel for a chilled paint-and-sip session where we tap into our inner artists to turn canvases into masterpieces.

I create a picture of my new kitten, Siggi, as a take-home present for my fiancé – with the help of a few glasses of prosecco.

Later, we round off the evening with a fun general knowledge quiz night and, for those who are game, a trip to the local pub The King’s Head just three minutes’ stroll away for a last glass of malbec (Kingsheadkettlewell.co.uk).  

The Grassington is greener 

The next morning, an early breakfast of yoghurt, fresh berries and toast with jam kicks things off, before we drive to the nearby market town of Grassington, home to bustling shops, cafes and a farmers market, to begin our second walk of the weekend: a 7km hike through rolling fields and past the picturesque River Wharfe.  

Handily, we finish up at The Fountaine Inn in Linton, where we tuck into a comforting roast of honey roast gammon with garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, maple roast carrots and parsnips, seasonal greens and a hefty Yorkshire pudding, £18.95 (Fountaine innatlinton.co.uk). 

Some 48 hours and a bunch of new friends later, I’m a hiking-weekend convert and make a promise to push myself out of my comfort zone more often. After all, that’s where all the best adventures start, isn’t it? 

STANDING confidently on the north-west coast of Ibiza, Amare cuts a striking presence — white-washed, tall, broad and surrounded by swaying palm trees. 

Deliberately designed to follow the bend of the bay, the 4-star hotel benefits from unbroken views of the bluest of oceans, and I just couldn’t get enough of them. 

I was visiting for a long weekend — eager to soak up everything the White Isle has to offer, but with some much-needed downtime, too. 

Amare Ibiza was just the ticket. 

Every sleek room has been thoughtfully designed with light fabrics and local limestone that bring subtle drama as well as specific music and fragrances.  

This isn’t style over substance, though. Handy USB ports sit next to the bed, balconies face the ocean so the views are always spectacular and rooms come with a mini-bar, meaning you won’t need to wander far for a drink after a wild night out at one of the island’s famous superclubs.

RIDE ON

All the UK’s best annual theme park & attraction passes that save families hundreds

CHEERS TO BIERS

Want to do Oktoberfest but not the trip to Germany? These are the UK’s best

I was staying in a “Keep The Secret” room, which had a smart design that maximised the space and allowed light to pour in. Whatever room they are staying in, guests are waited on hand and foot. But those after a more premium experience can book a room in the hotel’s “The One” category. 

This will give you access to a private lounge where you can enjoy complimentary drinks, as well as a robe, Molton Brown toiletries and a coffee machine. 

The invisible army of housekeeping and maintenance staff do an incredible job of making the hotel look great.  

And the food and drinks here was a highlight across the board. 

There’s a swanky rooftop for fine dining, a casual evening buffet and award-winning sushi — tuna sashimi and spicy margaritas are a match made in heaven.  

Breakfast is right on the money, too, and well worth waking up for.  

Although if you have stayed out until the early hours, fret not, as Amare has taken Ibiza’s lifestyle into consideration and the service runs until 11am every day. 

The buffet has manned stations for personalised omelettes, pancakes and waffles, and there’s every topping for toast you could imagine, plus pastries, yoghurts and fruit, all regularly replenished. 

Fancy a little hair of the dog? You can knock back a Buck’s Fizz with your brekkie, as well as the typical tea, coffee and juices. 

And when you’re ready to explore the island — whether by day or night — take advantage of the excellent concierge cab service. 

Regular boat taxis run to San Antonio, too — and they’re much cheaper than road taxis.  

The historic Old Town, with its winding streets, panoramic views and restaurants serving some of the best grub on the island, is just a 30-minute taxi away. 

And from the Old Town marina, you can head off to the island of Formentera for the day, or hire a boat to cruise around the bay.  

My group chose a classic sailboat and it was the perfect way to take in Ibiza’s distinctive rocky coastline and clear blue waters — and experience a side that most visitors don’t.  

Our skipper took us to a deserted cove, providing a chance to swim while lunch and drinks were prepared.  

It was a welcome moment of peace away from the usual crowds. 

What Amare does so well, however, is make it so very hard to want to leave. 

With those stunning sunset views every evening, as well as an excellent spa and free rooftop yoga sessions, this spot is undoubtedly the perfect antidote to Ibiza’s party side. 

I CAN’T say my weekends are usually spent dressed as a fox in the middle of a forest, springing about in an aerial bungee or learning Bollywood dance routines.  

But I certainly wish more of them were. 

I was at Camp Wildfire in Kent – a three-day festival that’s far from your average Reading or Glastonbury experience.  

A bit like an American summer camp but for grown-ups, Camp Wildfire incorporates outdoorsy activities like tree-climbing and paddleboarding with campfire singalongs – and, importantly, cocktails.  

Upon arrival, festivalgoers are asked to join one of four teams: Foxes, Badgers, Hawks or Squirrels.  

One pair of fluffy ears and face-paint whiskers later, I had made myself part of the Fox patrol. 

RIDE ON

All the UK’s best annual theme park & attraction passes that save families hundreds

CHEERS TO BIERS

Want to do Oktoberfest but not the trip to Germany? These are the UK’s best

Forget scouring a lanyard for your favourite bands’ set times – a weekend here begins by charging into a games arena with your new animal teammates to take on a series of Sports Day-style games like tug-of-war that will earn your team “Patrol Points”.  

You’ll fill your entire festival with your pick of 100 activities, from beekeeping to rifle shooting, all while collecting points for a grand finale at the end. 

I chose to begin with quad biking ­– I truly can’t think of a better wake-up call than riding into the breeze through the Kentish countryside, taking in whiffs of wild mint. 

Next came flower headdress-crafting, followed by a potion-making class that left me smelling of lavender and clutching some homemade skincare.  

By this point I was feeling like a total wilderness goddess, which gave me the confidence boost I needed to channel my inner acrobat for my final activity of the day: twirling on the aerial silks. All of this before 5pm left me in serious need of a drink.  

Thankfully, there are regular cocktail masterclasses, where visitors can learn to pour favourites like the perfect Pornstar Martini ahead of the nighttime acts. 

Evening entertainment at Camp Wildfire is some of the best I’ve experienced.  

Yes, there’s great music, with everything from Disney singalongs to reggae and techno dance tents.  

But there are also fabulous comedy acts, a board games bar and even an astronomy tent for stargazing. 

The music continues well into the early hours but with laser clay shooting first thing in the morning, I made sure to rest up.  

Precision was equally as important for pyrography, where I decorated a wooden coaster with a heated metal pen, although it was less critical for aerial bungee.  

If you’ve never jumped around in a giant harness, pulling Superman shapes and Spider-Man jumps, I highly recommend it – you’ll split your sides laughing and become more flexible, too. 

My final activity was a Burlesque class, where I managed to bag a Patrol Point, but sadly, it wasn’t enough for us Foxes to take the lead. 

That didn’t stop me cheering on the winning Hawk team at the dramatic closing ceremony, though, where all visitors are invited to enjoy an impressive drone show.  

We’ll get ’em next year, Foxes! 

• ULTRA-earlybird tickets for Camp Wildfire 2027 are live now and cost from £259pp for the weekend. Super-earlybird tickets go on sale from October 2 and start at £269pp.
• All tickets include general camping. For details or to book, see campwildfire.co.uk. 

HOPPING from place to place in a motorhome may not sound a particularly relaxing way to spend a week, compared to lying on a sun lounger at a resort.

But there’s a sense of excitement with a road trip that no fly-and-flop holiday could ever match.

The sheer adventure, access to off-grid locations and freedom to move wherever the wind takes you are something money can’t buy.

That’s why I dragged my wife and two kids (aged six and three) away from the beach for our first ever campervan voyage, through the West Midlands, rural Shropshire and the North Welsh countryside.

And it beat all of our beach holidays, hands down.

We were in a Swift Trekker 584, a beast of a motorhome that’s nicer than my house, with sleeping space for four people, a roomy bathroom and mini kitchen complete with oven and hob.

PAY-CATION

All 14 cities plotting new ‘tourist tax’ as Brits face paying HUNDREDS more

GRAND RAM

Treat yourself to sensational golf staycation for £169pp at Ramside Hall

From day one my boy fully embraced #vanlife, becoming a key helper in the not-so-glam, but necessary, daily tasks as we moved between driving, eating and sleeping — hooking up the electricity and water, ensuring things were properly stowed away and always making sure the toilet hatch was closed.

We cheated a little by switching out motorhome staples like spag bol or soup for the occasional restaurant but, by the end, we’d fully mastered road-trip life.

Our first base was Llanberis, a stunning village at the foot of Snowdon offering brilliant hiking in the surrounding mountains and watersports at two lakes on its doorstep.

Ahead of arrival, we’d booked a pitch with Morris Leisure, a highly rated camping operator specialising in motorhomes and caravans, with parks across North Wales, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Its Llanberis Touring Park is ideally located, with direct footpaths to Snowdonia and a five-minute walk to the village centre.

Some pitches have electricity and wifi while others have fresh water, plus there’s a shower block and a laundry area.

And the best thing is, if you are motorhome novices like us, there’s an on-site shop crammed with anything you may have forgotten, plus caravan accessories and essentials.

After Wales, we made our way to the market town of Oswestry and Park Hall Farm (make sure to watch one of the hilarious pig races), then it was on to the Shropshire town of Shrewsbury.

Its high street is frequently named one of the best in the UK, so we had high hopes.

It didn’t disappoint. Rather than being overrun with vape shops, bookies and barbers, the main stretch was littered with Tudor architecture and chock-full of independent shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants, ­museums and galleries.

The place is buzzing and a pleasure to walk around.

Kids will love the Quarry Park for the splash zone, while budding young artists may prefer to get stuck into one of the workshops at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.

Or you can ditch the road for the water and book a trip along the river Severn with Sabrina Boat.

Prefer to travel by train? The ­Severn Valley Railway is a delightful experience and offers day trips through the rolling countryside, as well as special themed events.

Those visiting during October half-term will be able to book ­Halloween-inspired journeys from Kidderminster station, with scare trains for little ones as well as those aged 18 and over.

Our only regret was missing out on a film at Old Market Hall cinema, an independent screen sitting in a beautiful building dating from 1596.

It’s not just the destinations themselves that make a motorhome trip so magical, though.

Journeying along the A4086 and the A5 offered gorgeous scenery and rolling hills that kept us entertained for hours.

When we eventually dropped off the van, our home for the week, it was with a very heavy heart.

No motorhome trip will ever be stress-free and it does require a level of planning and organisation beyond your average resort holiday.

But the freedom can’t be matched.

And the memories from our motorhome will long outlive those from a Spanish sun lounger.

SHE’S in her eighth decade but Chaka Khan has no intention of slowing down. 

In fact, the legendary singer, 73, is about to release her 13th studio album, a record she describes as “ageless music”. 

Called Chakzilla, she believes it can connect with “everybody, every age”. 

And after 50-plus years of making music, when asked about her proudest achievements, the Grammy-winning star says: “My legacy is that I stayed alive and that I’m still here. That’s a big deal.” 

She is chatting from her home in Georgia where she is resting on her 80-acre farm before she heads back to the UK.  

Tomorrow she headlines Radio 2 In The Park in Stirling, a week before the release of her new album, her first in seven years. 

tough break

Huge music star wheeled out to support Bon Jovi at Wembley after breaking ankle

ALL AROUND THE WORLD?

Oasis tease new tour location with cryptic video – can you guess?

“I didn’t plan it, or anything like that,” she says. “It just happened. I was just working — you know, working hard with my band. 

“We were doing a lot of gigs, and that’s always fun. Everybody’s happy because they’re getting paid. And in that time, it just so happened that I met Sia.” 

Sia is the Australian singer-songwriter behind huge hits such as Titanium and Unstoppable, who Khan met through her sister and manager Tammy McCrary. McCrary is a huge fan of Sia, who became central to the album’s creation. 

“I didn’t have to work hard at all,” says Khan. “It was just easy for me and for her. She loves to write poetry and she’s a brilliant lyricist. 

“I haven’t met anyone like her ever. I’m just happy that she’s my goddaughter now.” 

The pair clicked so well creatively, they became family after Sia asked her to be her godmother and Khan agreed. 

“I’m just happy that we’re together and that we’re part of each other’s life,” says Khan. “I’m really, really blessed.” 

And it was this close relationship that started Chakzilla, with Sia bringing in celebrated producer Greg Kurstin to shape the album’s sound. 

Khan says: “Greg did some writing with Sia and when she played these songs to me, it was just the most beautiful thing. I mean, she gets me. She knows me. 

“And Tammy and I listened to the album a lot in the car. We keep playing it over and over again. We don’t get tired of it. 

“When I am not tired of listening to my own music, that says a great deal because I often get tired quickly. That’s deep. That’s a beautiful thing.  

“It’s fun for me to sing. All the songs are so good. My background singers and my band feel the same way. Everybody loves it. We’re feeling really special about this. 

“So, I think people are going to feel the same way and they’re going to discover songs they like. 

“They’re very sincere songs and very true about me. Heart Of Gold is the sweetest song and Dreamy Stuff is really true about me too. Curious Subject is another good one — because I am. That’s what my family is always saying about me.” 

That sense of fun also runs through the album’s title, Chakzilla, inspired by Khan’s lifelong love of monster movies.  

“I’ve loved horror and monster films my whole life,” she says. “I’ve been watching Godzilla and Mothra (the giant moth-like creature from the Japanese Godzilla films) since I was a little girl and I never got tired of them.  

“I loved the fact there were good monsters and bad ones — the ones that tore things up and the ones that fixed things. 

“So, I thought, ‘OK, I could be the Zilla that comes and fixes everything up. A positive monster, because I’m not a curlicue, I’m not a sweetie pie, so it works for me. 

“Chakzilla is something I really love.” 

The new record is packed with collaborations. The sultry Cool U Down sees Sia guest, while the joyous Boogie’s In My Soul has Snoop Dogg. The funky Bring The Party features Lenny Kravitz on guitars and vocals. 

“Sia told me she wanted to write a song called Boogie’s In My Soul and I thought, ‘Oh that sounds horrible’,” Khan says honestly.  

“Then I heard what she had in mind and thought, ‘This is brilliant’. She said, ‘All we need is a good rapper’. And I thought, ‘Oh yeah, I know just the guy’.  

“I really admire Snoop. He’s so smart and such a great guy, so it was perfect. And the words are brilliant. She says, ‘Show the world your light. Show the world of joy’. 

“I thought, ‘Yes, right on, sis’. It’s beautiful. It’s like old school.” 

Snoop opens the track with a playful nod to Khan’s 1984 Prince-penned hit I Feel For You, echoing Grandmaster Melle Mel’s famous “Chaka Khan” chant. 

Khan says: “Yeah, it sounds great, even though I’m so sick of that song. But it fits. It fits.  

“I’m just glad he’s not saying ‘Chaka, Chaka, Chaka, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan’, like the start of that record.” 

Straight-talking with a larger-than-life personality, Khan is refreshingly honest when asked whether it was fun making the video with the rapper. 

“No, I worked my ass off. Let me tell you that thing went on until the night.” 

Working with old friend Lenny Kravitz on Bring The Party was long overdue, she says, as he is someone who shares much of her outlook on life.  

“I’ve known Lenny for many years,” says Khan. “I have friends, but I don’t really have friendships in the way I’d like to because of the life I lead. 

“He pulled up some songs from an album he did over 20 years ago. It was some old rock and it was brilliant, and I sang on some of that old stuff with him. I guess he’s going to bring some of it into the future now. 

“So, he then played guitar and sang with me on this cut. It was great to bring in some friends that I love and do good work. 

“And Lenny lives a lot like I do. If I wanted to go and hang out with him, it would be easy and vice versa. We live in similar ways. 

“He’s living on an island (Kravitz, lives part of the year on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera), growing beautiful plants and food, with a great studio in the middle of it all. 

“He’s moved, like I am, by being in the real world and loving what God has put here for us.” Around four years ago, Khan left California for Georgia, where her grandma was from and where she lives a very different life. 

She says: “I came back to Earth, to the trees and lakes and plants, to real living, with no sirens and craziness around me. It’s brilliant. 

“I can look at the sky every morning when I wake up. I look at my lake every day, my animals, and I’m eating right. 

“My sister and I are in the middle of opening a plant-based restaurant, and I’m growing my own food. I’ve got greenhouses and I’m learning how to live on the planet and from the planet, rather than having to go to stores and buy crap.” 

Georgia has given Khan space, peace and proper time with her family.  

“I really am enjoying it,” she tells me. “I’ve never felt so happy to come home off the road before. 

“Touring is hard work. It always has been. But now I come home, close the gate and it’s really nice. My family can come and stay for a week or two and we get proper quality time together. 

“I just spent a whole month with all my grandchildren and great-grands. They wore me the hell out but I had the best time ever.” 

Last year Khan joined soul legends Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills for the historic Queens tour, which had extra dates in May this year. 

“It was an amazing feat that we finished it,” says Khan. “I took it on because I thought, ‘This is a one-time thing — Gladys, Patti, Stephanie and myself. A one-off. 

“It was an amazing show. It was tough because we were working like back in the day.  

“Stevie Wonder came to the opening night and sang with me, which was lovely. 

“We were really cool. Nobody was tripping, there was no drama. It was beautiful. And between the four of us, you could imagine how diverse the audience was. I saw families, I saw men bringing their sons. It was really special.”  

Earlier this year, I’m Every Woman — The Chaka Khan Musical opened in London starring Alexandra Burke as Khan.  

Did Burke nail the role? 

“What could Alexandra do wrong? She’s amazing. She’s really something. I didn’t realise she was already such a big star. She’s no joke. 

“I was amazed by her staying power. She and the whole cast had stamina like you’ve never seen.  

“Nia Hill, who wrote the book for the show, is an old friend. She knows me inside out. We’ve had very deep conversations, and she’s been there for me through some really hard knocks.  

“She would ask me which songs we should use, and I suggested songs that people don’t often get to hear. 

“That’s what I’m trying to do now, bring back songs I did years and years ago that I still love. 

“I’m going to do a show with that old stuff. Young kids today are so savvy, they know a good song when they hear one.” 

Khan’s admiration for younger generations also connects back to her own political awakening. 

As a teenager in Chicago, she was involved with the Black Panther Party and says the battles facing young people today feel both familiar and far broader.  

She says: “It was crazy then too, but in a different way. With the Panthers, the focus was mostly on fundamental racism. Today, it’s that and so much more that these kids are dealing with. My heart goes out to them because they’re not afraid. They’re fearless, beautiful beings and they get it. They understand what’s right and what’s wrong.  

“I’m really happy about young people today. I love that they’re not afraid, because fear will tear it all down.” 

With our time up, Khan says how much she is ready to return to the UK this weekend. 

“I love Scotland and love the big shows, I can’t wait. I’m going to play the favourites. Absolutely.  

“It’s important to keep the music going. I’m still here. Yeah, in every way.  

“We lost Prince, and the big stars like Aretha and Whitney. 

“There are not a lot of those musicians and artists like that any more. So, I’m enjoying that I’m still making new music and playing shows. 

“I’m up for the challenge. Absolutely, that’s how I live. That’s me. 

“I love that line, ‘I may be small, but I’ve got this’. 

“It doesn’t matter what size you are, it’s what you’ve got.” 

•  Chaka Khan headlines Radio 2 In The Park on Saturday night and the set will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer and Radio 2, and at 10pm on BBC Two. The album Chakzilla is released on September 18. 

CHAKA KHAN 

Chakzilla 

★★★★☆

SPICE GIRLS, Girls Aloud and Little Mix are just some of the huge girl groups who have ruled the charts over the years.

Now the next generation is ready to get in on the action.

Step forward Manifest — Turkey’s picture-perfect group, who are taking the world by storm.

Despite being yet to release a single English-language track, the girls already have 7.3million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

The group is made up of six amazing women: Sueda Uluca, Hilal Yelekci, Lidya Pinar, Mina Solak, Esin Bahat and Zeynep Sude Oktay.

And they have the backing of Dua Lipa, who personally invited them to perform as part of her Sunny Hill music festival in Kosovo earlier this summer, and has tipped them for greatness.

DUA LEAPER

Dua Lipa jumps for joy as she marks 31st birthday in Ibiza on 8th trip of year

TAUT & TANNED

Dua Lipa shows off bronzed body in a bikini as she sunbathes on girls’ trip

They said: “Dua was amazing. We really love her, and meeting with her was like a dream come true. We saw meeting Dua and playing her festival as a step to becoming global stars.

“She gave us some great advice and was keen for us to just remember to enjoy the show.

“She encouraged us to enjoy our time on stage and not worry too much. If we have fun, the fans have fun.”

Each member has their own distinct personality and style, and since being put together on a TV talent contest in Turkey last year, their popularity has skyrocketed.

Keen to take on the world, the girls invited Bizarre’s Jack to Izmir, on Turkey’s Aegean coast, to see them in action at their three-day festival, Manifestival.

He was blown away — not only by the vocals and the sharp choreography but by just how lovely the girls were backstage.

In their first UK interview, the group explained: “We have been manifesting ourselves to be a successful band for years. We have always believed we can do it and make it global.

“We believe people can manifest anything, so when it came to picking a name for us, as soon as someone mentioned Manifest, it stuck.

“We loved it. We didn’t want a name that was too cheesy.”

The group are putting in some serious hours to make themselves stars.

They explained: “We don’t have days off, we have hours. We are so busy, but that’s good. We are constantly in rehearsals.

“It only takes us one day to learn a dance but then we practise it over and over again.

“We want the show to be perfect. Sometimes we will practise a single routine for five days until it’s ready.”

Next month, Manifest will jet to the UK for their first ever headline show on British soil and, boy, are they starting big.

Leapfrogging smaller venues due to demand, they will headline London’s Wembley Arena on October 16.

As well as the gig, the girls are set to take part in a number of promo activities across the capital to show there’s a new band in town.

Admitting they still battle with nerves even though they have “made it” in their home country, the group said: “When we first started to perform, we were really nervous — it almost felt like you were having a heart attack from the nerves.

“But now it’s just excitement. Every time we perform, it’s still so exciting for us. It’s what we love to do.

“We have rituals to calm us down, and we pray to God before we take to the stage.”

In another sign Manifest are attracting all the right attention, they have also landed themselves a Netflix series which will show them on the road and take each member back to their home town.

Setting their sights as high as possible, the girls now hope they can emulate their Girl Power idols.

They added: “We would love to be as big as the Spice Girls; they are our inspiration.

“We have just recorded our first English song, which should be out soon, and we are coming to London.”

Take it from us, there are big things to come from Manifest.

Sam’s on £400m sales

SAM SMITH looked pleased as punch receiving this plaque celebrating the sale of 400million singles worldwide.

The Lay Me Down singer, whose latest album Hazel Eyes came out last month, beamed backstage at the London Coliseum.

Sam played the first show of an eight-night To Be Free residency there on Tuesday, and I’m sure this boost was most welcome before taking to the stage.

An ABBA Fab tribute

IN what I can only describe as the maddest musical mash-up I’ve heard of in a long time, Una Healy, Samantha Mumba, Duncan James and Antony Costa are teaming up for an ABBA extravaganza.

All Stars: The Music Of Abba is a new stage show ­celebrating the Swedish group’s biggest hits.

Across a 21-date tour, The Saturdays star Una, Samantha and the Blue bandmates will form a pop supergroup paying homage to the works of the chart legends, backed by a live band.

Further dates are expected down the line, but they will kick off in Croydon on February 26, before ­taking in shows in cities nationwide including Aberdeen and Edinburgh, Cardiff, Birmingham, Southend, Nottingham and Hull.

Tickets go on pre-sale from 10am today online at allstarsonstage.com.

SHAKIRA’S World Cup anthem Dai Dai with Burna Boy has surpassed one billion views on YouTube and made her the most-viewed female artist on the platform.

The achievement comes ahead of the launch next week of her sold-out 12-night residency at a purpose-built stadium in Madrid.

THE WEEKND has wrapped his 42-date After Hours Til Dawn 2026 tour, grossing £255million after performing in front of more than two million fans.

The gigs gave a massive boost to local economies and raised more than £1.6million in charitable donations for both the United Nations World Food Programme and the Global Citizen project.

Strike a pose Julia

JULIA GARNER is the spitting image of a young Madonna as she vows that the superstar’s biopic will be made.

The Ozark actress sported cropped blonde hair and a feathery gown in the October issue of Elle magazine after being cast in the film, which was canned amid budget rows.

Julia insisted: “I think the movie has to get made. But we’ll see . . .”

She and Vogue singer Madge filmed for Apple TV show The Studio together earlier this year. Their spoof storyline is inspired by the Queen of Pop’s axed film.

Julia said: “She’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. Like actually. And people don’t know that.”

Peter’s spaced out in new film role

WHATEVER you think about Peter Andre, it’s safe to say he likes to keep his career varied.

Last year he played a gangster trying to secure his nan’s £35,000 care home fee in comedy film Jafaican.

Now, I’m told the Mysterious Girl singer is about to start work on his next ­production.

Insiders tell me his latest foray into the movie world will be Love In Space, which has a similarly hilarious plot.

It will tell the story of a young man who falls in love with a charming female ­scientist after being abducted by UFOs.

A source said: “Pete just loves acting and if the project feels right and he likes the script, he goes for it.

“This film is really futuristic and Pete will be filming at the end of this month in a ready-made spaceship.”

Popcorn at the ready . . . 

A Biggie break for Swayvo

ANOTHER nepo baby has bagged a major role in Hollywood.

The son of neo-soul pioneers D’Angelo and Angie Stone has been cast as Biggie in the upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic.

Swayvo Twain, whose real name is Michael D’Angelo Archer II, will star in the Universal Pictures movie called Snoop, which is being produced by the rapper himself.

Biggie, also known as Notorious B.I.G., was one of the biggest names in hip-hop in the Nineties and had a mutual appreciation with Snoop, despite the fact they were on either side of the East Coast-West Coast rap rivalry.

Jonathan Daviss will play the main man himself in the flick, which is due to hit cinemas next August.

Nirvana go for a gong

NIRVANA will be honoured with the prestigious Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs on September 27.

The gong is akin to a lifetime achievement award and has been won by Mariah Carey and Rihanna in recent years, with Nirvana being the first band to do so since Duran Duran in 2003.

They only released three albums before frontman Kurt Cobain died, but surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear are being tipped to attend, 34 years after winning the Best New Artist and Best Alternative Video prizes for Smells Like Teen Spirit.

The 2026 ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Madonna leading the nominations with 11.

In reach for Adela

WITH just one day of sales left, the battle for No1 is almost over but breakout star Adela is fighting for the top spot.

And it’s not just chart success she is hoping for but world domination, following the release of her brilliant debut album Prima on Friday.

More than a million videos have been made on TikTok using the audio for her single Ain’t In LA.

Now that single is set to enter the Top 20 tomorrow, plus A-lister Nicole Kidman has praised Adela after the Slovak singer named her next track after the actress.

Meanwhile, Adela has revealed her drive to become a pop star in the first place.

Speaking about her favourite Disney Channel show as a youngster, she told Bizarre’s Howell: “Hannah Montana’s where I first saw like, ‘Oh, you can sing and dance for a living and you can be a pop star. This is what that is like’.

“That’s literally where this all first began. For me, it was seeing that show and becoming obsessed with it.”

Of the show’s star Miley Cyrus, she added: “She’s like a mythical creature to me. I don’t think I can actually meet her.”

If Prima manages to clinch the No1 spot from competitors Kasabian, who she is just 332 copies behind, she will be the first solo female to go straight to No1 with her debut album since Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour in 2021.

And judging by Adela’s drive, talent and creativeness on this record, the world is her oyster.

HOLLYWOOD star Zendaya has become the big screen’s hottest heroine after her films raked in some £3billion this year alone at the global box office.

The 30-year-old actress has pulled in £1.8billion with Spider-Man: Brand New Day and £1.2billion with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey — with Dune: Part Three still to come.

It puts her ahead of every other leading lady in cinema in 2026 — with her annual income from movies alone estimated at tens of millions of pounds.

Zendaya plays MJ in the Spider-Man movies, opposite husband Tom Holland, also 30, in the title role.

The superhero extravaganza has become one of the biggest movies of all time.

She also stars alongside him and an ensemble cast including Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway in The Odyssey.

ALL GROWN UP

The Inbetweeners WAGs – from Strictly star’s sister to ex-glamour model

mini mol

Molly-Mae shows off incredible figure in matching swimsuit with daughter Bambi

The swords and sandals epic has itself become a massive summer hit and a box office phenomenon.

It easily grabbed the cinema top spot after its July 17 release, until the latest Spider-Man movie took the crown when it came out two weeks later.

Spidey stayed at No1 on the global box office throughout August — until The Odyssey knocked it off again last weekend, proving the pulling power of newlyweds Zendaya and Tom.

She began the year with her other release, romantic dark comedy The Drama, in which she starred alongside Robert Pattinson.

It made £97million worldwide.

And Zendaya is showing no signs of slowing down, with Dune: Part Three set to debut on December 18 and looking to be another massive hit, possibly grossing another billion dollars (£740million).

Dune: Part Two made a global gross of over £526million in 2024, growing from part one’s £303million in 2021. It is now likely the third instalment will skyrocket way past its prequel. 

It all comes as Hollywood’s leading lady just recently celebrated her 30th birthday after becoming one of the most influential young actresses of her time.

SHARON Osbourne has launched a High Court bid to remove her late hubby Ozzy’s long-term accountant as an executor of his will. 

Papers lodged yesterday show the rocker’s widow, 73, issued a claim against Colin Newman under a law used to remove or replace estate representatives. 

Ozzy died in July last year aged 76, weeks after a farewell gig with Black Sabbath in his home city of Birmingham.

His wife and two other executors, her niece Georgina Maszlin and assistant Melinda Varga, now want Mr Newman removed from administering his ex-client’s estimated £100million fortune.  

He had looked after the couple’s finances since before they married in 1982 and is one of the most senior money men in the UK music industry.  

Companies House records show he was a director of Ozzy’s main UK firm, Monowise Ltd, for years before quitting in April. 

SCREEN QUEENS

Olivia Attwood & Amanda Holden lead the NTAs glam as stars hit the red carpet

PAYING THE PRICE

Katie Price reveals NTAs nightmare as she’s ditched by glam squad

Sharon was appointed director last December, five months after Ozzy’s death, with the firm officially controlled by the “estate of John Michael Osbourne” — Ozzy’s real name.  

Judges can remove an executor for a variety of reasons, including if they have already been involved in the will but then later decide to step away.  

It is not clear if Mr Newman is contesting the application or if he has agreed to stand aside. 

He first met Sharon while working as a junior accountant for her father, notorious rock manager Don Arden.  

He is credited on several of Ozzy’s albums and they were long-term pals.  

The rocker is once said to have burst into his accountant’s Soho office swinging a dead rabbit and spraying blood on the walls.  

Ozzy also slept on a park bench opposite Mr Newman’s house in 1984 instead of going to the hospital where Sharon was about to give birth to their daughter Kelly. 

Mr Newman, 79, also acted as former X Factor judge Sharon’s literary agent. 

He and Sharon’s legal representatives were invited to comment. 

REBEKAH Vardy is to swap the dolce vita of Italy for Burnley FC after hubby Jamie joined the Clarets yesterday.

The Wag, 44, will have to pack up her glam dresses to make the move from their £2million villa in Salò, Lake Garda, where former England striker Jamie played for Cremonese last season.

He is returning to England on a deal to the end of the season.

It means he is likely to relocate to the Lancashire town — 137 miles north of the family home in Grantham, Lincs.

It is hoped he will revive the Clarets after a bad start to the season.

Jamie, 39, said: “This club has a proper footballing history and passionate fans who deserve a team that represents them and their town. I can’t wait to get going on the pitch and help the team move in the right direction.”

VARDY PARTY

Jamie Vardy ends Everton transfer links as free agent joins struggling Burnley

STEP TOO VAR

Vardy show insider lifts lid on what crew really thought of Mike Dean comments

Rather than move full-time to Burnley, it is expected Becky will remain at their Grantham home near to where their children, Sofia and Ella, go to school.

She faces a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Turf Moor to see Jamie in action.

Becky is a regular at his games and previously spoke about getting more nervous than he does during matches.

She said: “Jamie is so laid back about football, he doesn’t get nervous.

“The only time I get nervous is when he has to take a penalty.

“It’s anxiety-inducing and I’m always so relieved when he hits the back of the net.”

Becky faced a public backlash after losing her 2022 “Wagatha Christie” High Court libel case with Coleen Rooney, over leaked Instagram stories.