Category Entertainment News

Good Morning Britain’s Richard Madeley says criticism early in his career felt ‘painful’ but now believes it’s ‘fair comment’ if someone has a negative comment about him

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Richard Madeley confessed “I hate them” as he made a blunt admission about fellow TV presenters. The Good Morning Britain presenter says he realised he was “bulletproof” from negative publicity early in his career.

He told Busted star Matt Willis that he believes presenters “shouldn’t take themselves seriously”. Although Richard, who began his television career at Granada Reports in the 1980s, admits criticism was “painful” when he started out.

Richard though says he now believes it’s “fair comment” when someone says something negative about him. It comes as he admits there are some presenters he “hates” for no reason.

Speaking on the On The Mend podcast, Richard said: “And you know, if there is a negative [comment], at first it’s quite painful. It takes a little while to get used to, but after a while, if somebody wants to say, I think Richard Madeley is a p***k, well, that’s called free speech and fair comment.

“I mean, there are presenters on television who I don’t know personally, but I see, and we’ve all got our sort of our hate figures that I see when they pop up, sitting at home, and I hate them. There’s no logical reason for it at all, but I think, ‘I can’t stand that so and so’ so I’ll turn over.

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“If I’m allowed to think like that about a TV presenter, well then anyone’s allowed to think that way about me. So you mustn’t take yourself seriously.”

Richard recently made a personal confession on GMB when talking with commentators Kwasi Kwarteng and Ayesha Hazarika. The trio were discussing the news that 10 million points were added to driving licences last year.

Richard said: “I’m going to make a confession now, it’s not a big deal, but whatever.”

The presenter then revealed that he had six points on his driving licence, adding: “Both because of speed cameras. One for doing 34 mph on a dual carriageway at four thirty in the morning when it was a 30 mph [zone], I didn’t realise that.

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“And one for doing 24 mph in a 20 mph zone at four thirty in the morning. And I have to say, I don’t mind being fined because, yes, I have broken the limit inadvertently, but to get three points on a licence, as well, seemed a bit harsh.

“I only say this because Co-op Insurance has done a survey and they’ve announced the results this morning. A surge in drivers has been caught by speed cameras, a huge, huge rise.”

The conversation left Richard wondering if we’re “over-penalising” drivers who commit “minor infractions”. Kwasi added: “My view on this is that those 20 mph speed limits are almost impossible. You’ve got to be very, very careful.”

Sports star James Haskell is known for his professional rugby union career before splitting from Chloe Madeley two years ago

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Former rugby union ace James Haskell admits he has a “mad body transformation” since splitting from Chloe Madeley, dubbing it a “midlife glow-up”. He reveals he has lost weight to get ripped and had a hair and teeth makeover too.

James, 40, says: “People have used the words ‘midlife crisis’ or ‘a cry for help’ – I say ‘midlife glow-up’. “And it’s gone down extremely well ‘across the board’. I have never had more heat in my life, if you get my drift. It’s harder to go home on my own at the moment!

“I joke, of course. I am not that kind of guy – but if I was then it would almost be unfair.” James lifts the lid on single life, two years on from his marriage breakdown, in new book Reloaded – The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, a spin-off from the podcast he hosts with Mike Tindall and Alex Payne.

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The ex-England flanker, who won 77 caps for his country, says: “A lot has gone on since the last book we wrote, including me turning 40. I celebrated with a mad week in Ibiza, which was like a cross between The Hangover and the last days of Rome.

“Some people broke so hard that they felt the need to leave early. I’d wake up and see a note next to my bed – ‘Sorry can’t do this any more’.

“Turning 40 wasn’t at all depressing, it was non-stop laughter, exactly what I wanted. “Physically, I’m a strange mismatch between outwardly looking half-decent and crumbling underneath.

“I’ve had a bit of a mid-life glow-up … and I reckon I might even be a six out of 10.” He shed nearly three stone, going from 19st 5lb to 16st 12lb, after linking up with Roar Fitness, run by former British speed skater Sarah Lindsay.

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James says: “I loved the torture of doing it, and it was the best shape I’d ever been in. I was absolutely shredded and looked almost like a bodybuilder, minus the severe bronze lacquer. I mean, I did get tanned – just not that insane tan they all get.” When he is not working – and not enjoying time with his and Chloe’s daughter, Bodhi, three – he ends “up wasting an enormous amount of time and money dating”.

He says: “I’ve never really been a fan of dating apps. I much prefer meeting people in person. There’s an art to chatting someone up, that mix of charm, nerves and risk.

“I actually enjoy the jeopardy of it: that little thrill of not knowing whether they’ll say yes, no, or completely shut you down.” Women, he says, “don’t quite realise just how nerve-racking it is”.

He goes on: “Most women never hit on men, so they’ll never know the feeling of walking up to a group, heart pounding, trying to deliver a line that isn’t terrible. Sometimes it lands, sometimes it crashes and burns and either way, it takes guts.”

James says he did try to get on to the so-called “celebrity” dating app Raya – but failed. He reveals: “After 97 referrals, I still couldn’t get in. I’ve no idea what I did wrong, but perhaps they’re simply excellent judges of character. It’s probably for the best that they’ve kept me out.

“The problem is, most of the time I date just to have something to do, and it can be quite soul-destroying.” Although the star says he has no intention of settling down with anybody any time soon.

He says: “I’ve pretty much conceded that my life needs to be slightly chaotic. But what that chaos will look like over the next few years is difficult to say.”

In 2023, he and Chloe – daughter of TV stars Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan – announced their separation in a joint statement. They wed in 2018.

In his new book, James confesses crushing rugby injuries make it hard to keep up with his little girl. He says: “I struggle just to walk properly. I used to have good days and bad days, but now it’s just bad days. I’m due to have an operation… I can’t pick Bodhi up sometimes.”

And he has said of the new book: “It’s a rollercoaster of emotion, fun, stories you have never heard. “Me, my world ’s falling apart but I am still smiling.”

Strictly Come Dancing front-runner Vicky Pattison isn’t keen on a recent rule-change but, she says, BBC bosses are ‘really behind it as a format and it ‘isn’t going anywhere’

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Bosses on Strictly Come Dancing have produced a change to the format this year. But Vicky Pattison, who has been going from strength to strength in the competition isn’t too happy about the most recent change.

In earlier series of Strictly, the couples were divided into two groups, with each one containing a pair who were in the dance off.

But this year, there’s an announcement on the Sunday episode for all the couples who are safe, while the “final four” wait to hear their fate in the second announcement.

On her Get a Grip podcast, Vicky and pal Angela Scanlon had a very mixed view of the rule change, saying felt “vicious” and “awful”, but also accepting that it might help to “level the playing field” for contestants.

Vicky added that she had gone to Strictly bosses with her objections: “I’ve sort of expressed how spicy I think it is. They’re really behind it as a format. It isn’t going anywhere.”

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Angela replied that she did understand the reasoning behind the rule change:

“With the dance off, what you end up having is the first cohort that are through and the one person who gets potentially an hour, depending on the run of the show, to get their head around being in the dance off, to have a little run through, to like get themselves in the game.

“And then you have the second cohort. So the second person revealed in the dance off is literally like a slap in the face and then get out there and do it.

“It’s very difficult. So this evens the playing field a little bit for the people who are in the dance off.”

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Vicky, alongside her professional dance partner Kai Widdrington, was nowhere near the danger zone last week, but says it’s inevitable that she’ll have to face the “awful” ordeal at some point: “I know at some point, you know, I’ll have to be in a dance off or whatever it is. I think it’ll be it’ll be terrifying.

“It will just be awful, she added. “As we all know, I don’t, deal with nerves very well or pressure. So I’m not looking forward to it.”

Naga Munchetty is reportedly facing a formal investigation following allegations of ‘bullying’ behind the scenes on BBC Breakfast, as her future on the programme remains in doubt

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Naga Munchetty is facing a formal investigation by the BBC, according to reports. The presenter has been accused of bullying behind the scenes on BBC B and will now be fully investigated.

In recent months, the programme has been surrounded by allegations of being a toxic workplace, with a string of claims made against Naga, who also presents on BBC Radio 5 Live. The allegations surrounding the 50-year-old were previously “under review,” but last week, this was escalated.

Sources claim that Naga’s position on the programme may now be in doubt following the departure of Deborah Turness, who was Head of News until she stepped down amidst the Donald Trump speech furore. Deborah had allegedly “protected” members of the talent team, including Naga.

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“The Naga situation has been an albatross around Breakfast’s neck since June, when the endemic bullying at MediaCity was first exposed by The Sun,” a source told The Sun. They added: “Whilst others have been cleared, the review on Naga has done the opposite — with further complaints against her.

“They had no choice but to take things from the slightly softer ‘under review’ to formal investigation.” BBC News claims that an HR adviser from PwC is helping the corporation, looking into the culture of the show.

Tim Davie, who has since resigned as BBC director-general, and BBC board chairman Samir Shah vowed in April to “draw a line in the sand” after an independent review found some “well-known names” were “not being held to account for poor behaviour”.

The workplace culture review, led by management consultant Grahame Russell from Change Associates, was launched in the wake of the furore over disgraced former newsreader Huw Edwards.

Allegations relating to Naga vary from allegedly hitting out at an intern for spreading Marmite on her toast incorrectly, and making an unwanted sexual remark to a female colleague.

Naga also allegedly hit out, claiming her porridge was “too hot” and she wasn’t a fan of blueberries, which had been used as a topping. BBC Breakfast boss Richard Frediani had also faced accusations of bullying before Naga and her co-anchor, Charlie Stayt, faced claims. The complaints about Frediani were not upheld. Stayt is said to remain “under review”.

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Sources have claimed that Deborah and former Director General Tim Davie had “pandered” to some talent. The source went on to claim that people had allegedly been “protected” by Davie and Turness but may now be “fearful” for their future at the license-fee-funded corporation.

Naga earns between £355,000 and £359,000 for her role on the early morning news programme. Her pay band has increased over the last year, as she previously earned between £345,000 to £355,000.

However, her co-anchor, Charlie, who has been on the show since 2014, is paid within the £190,000 salary bracket, half of what Naga earns for the show.

But her team are said to be approaching competitors for a new role. These are said to include LBC and Sky News, with Naga open to new opportunities.

Complaints against Naga were sent via the BBC’s Call It Out Scheme, which was launched after the scandal surrounding former MasterChef stars Gregg Wallace and John Torode.

On Friday, a BBC spokesperson told the Mirror: “We do not comment on individual HR matters.”

The Mirror has approached representatives for Naga Munchetty.

Peter Crouch has admitted he is “useless” at one thing in his relationship with Abbey Clancy as he conceded he made his wife “cry” when she was “pregnant and emotional”

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Peter Crouch, the former England footballer, has confessed that he once made his wife Abbey Clancy “cry” due to his poor gift-giving skills.

The 44 year old sportsman has been wedded to the 39 year old ex-model since 2011, after first crossing paths in 2006 following his transfer to Liverpool. The pair are parents to four children.

Despite their long-standing relationship, Crouch confessed that he’s still “useless at buying presents”, especially with Christmas on the horizon. He once upset his wife by choosing the wrong present.

In a chat with The Times, he revealed: “I am useless at buying presents. I got Abbey an expensive handbag and it was completely the wrong colour.

“She was pregnant and emotional at the time and told me that I didn’t know her. She actually cried. I’m notoriously bad,” reports Wales Online.

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“I once bought her the same jacket every Christmas for three years. I’m working with Debenhams now, so I’ve got no excuse.”

The father of four also shared his fondness for The Celebrity Traitors.

The inaugural series of the celebrity edition of the popular programme concluded earlier this month, with TV host Alan Carr emerging as the victor.

However, Crouch is uncertain about whether he would ever participate in the BBC show. He stated: ” I absolutely love The Celebrity Traitors, but I don’t know if I could go on it. I’d be a traitor – being a traitor is the one.”

This comes after Abbey expressed frustration at her husband, saying “he’s got the cheek” as she criticised one of Crouch’s habits.

The couple regularly discuss the ups and downs of their relationship on their podcast, The Therapy Crouch. During a recent episode, Abbey expressed concerns she might be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

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This led husband Peter to propose that the 39 year old mother-of-four should “save up and go on a nice holiday”. He said: “I don’t want to spend money on anything, but holidays I do.”

Peter continued, claiming there’s “nothing he really likes to spend money on”. However, the couple’s podcast producer Ross jokingly interjected that he splashes out on Abbey.

This prompted Abbey to fire back with a pointed remark about Peter’s extensive wardrobe. She said: “Did I tell you he’s got like 50 polo necks from Tom Sweeney, and that’s just on one rail. When I was cleaning out his wardrobe and they’ve all got the tags on.

“He’s got five of the same jumper in the same colour and he’s got the cheek to say, ‘I don’t spend anything’. I reckon there’s about £10 million of clothes in that wardrobe.”

Former Love Island star Amber Davies is currently taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing and is hoping that she makes it through to the final

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Amber Davies has finally revealed the truth behind her close friendship with Nikita Kuzmin. The West End star has been impressing the judges week after week and is certainly in with a chance of getting to the final.

Viewers have noticed that she and professional partner Nikita have formed a close friendship over the weeks and now Amber has opened up about their relationship.

Amber was a last-minute addition to the show after Dani Dyer was forced to pull out due to injury. However, she has made up for it as Amber has been towards the top of the leaderboard every week.

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Amber has previously said how happy she is to have paired up with Nikita and has said that he is a “dream” to work with. She got a call on the Friday before the launch show so the pair only had 24 hours to rehearse their first routine.

Speaking to The Sun, Amber has delved into what makes their friendship so special. She said: “Nikita is a dream to work with. What was unique to us as a couple was that we had to skip a million steps.

“I met him on the Friday, and we were dancing live on the show on the Saturday night in front of millions. I had to trust him immediately. But I instantly knew I was in safe hands. He believes in me more than I believe in myself.

“He tells me: ‘I absolutely know I can push you and you can do this.’ I’ve gained so much knowledge from him.” Last week saw Nikita and Amber impress the judges and the public once again.

They managed to score an impressive 38 points out of a possible 40 for their dazzling disco-infused salsa to You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester.

This put them in second place on the leaderboard for the week. The pair have been hit by Strictly curse rumours over the last couple of months but both of them have denied this.

Nikita has been in a relationship with girlfriend Lauren Jaine, 24, since 2023 while Amber has been with fellow West End star boyfriend Ben since they met on the set of Back to the Future: The Musical in 2022.

The West End star – who is about to take on the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical – shared a post to Instagram thanking her boyfriend for all of his support.

Amber gushed: “I couldn’t do any of this without you by my side @benj0yce. Thank you for going above and beyond every single day, picking me up when I’m down and being the loudest cheerleader when we celebrate.”

Loved up Amber continued: “Always dinner on the table after rehearsals & extra plasters ready when my feet need them. I am genuinely the luckiest girl in the world and I don’t tell you enough how thankful I am, I have won in life with you. I love you with all my heart.”