Strictly Come Dancing pro Nancy Xu ‘upset’ over launch show ‘snub’ from producers

Strictly Come Dancing made its first appearance for its new series last night, and Nancy Xu, the star, is said to be “incensed” by what producers have described as a “snub” this year.

Nancy Xu is among the pros who are back for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Professional dancer Nancy Xu is said to have found it “really jarring” not being given a celebrity partner on Strictly Come Dancing this year. The pairings for the latest series were unveiled in last night’s pre-recorded launch show.

Nancy, 34, who joined the BBC show in 2019, is one of the pros without a partner. It was revealed during the launch that Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas and Neil Jones will just be part of the group dances too. Gorka Márquez had already announced that he wouldn’t have a partner.

Although it’s the first time that Nancy hasn’t had a partner on the main show in five years, it marks the second time that she’s not reunited with a celebrity from a Christmas special. Her partners from the last two festive specials have both returned for the main show but partnered with other pros.

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Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu, both in bright green outfits, dancing on Strictly Come Dancing in a bowling themed routine.
Nancy Xu (right), pictured with Shayne Ward (left), who was her celebrity partner on the main series of Strictly last year, hasn’t got a partner this year(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire )

She danced with Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in last year’s Christmas special, with them runners-up in the competition. Harry is back for the main series this year, but he has been partnered with Karen Hauer instead.

Similarly, Nancy won the festive special in 2023 with former EastEnders cast member Jamie Borthwick but they weren’t partnered together when he later returned. He was paired with Michelle when he competed on the main show last year.

A source told the Sun that Nancy is “upset” to have been “benched again” after a “brilliant run” with Harry in the special. Before referencing Jamie having also returned with a different partner, they said: “It’s not the first time it’s happened and she’s said she thinks there may be some kind of deeper issue she’s not aware of.”

The source claimed that Nancy “understands” that pairing her with someone she’s already danced with would result in an “advantage.” She claimed she is unsure about why she doesn’t have a partner, though.

They went on to mention Nancy having competed with Shayne Ward on Strictly last year. The source said: “She is absolutely incensed by it all and has said she can’t work out what she’s done to make producers snub her – especially because she did so well with [Shayne] last year.”

Nancy Xu and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey dancing together on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2024.
She had been partnered with Harry Aikines-Aryeetey in the Christmas special that aired at the end of last year but he’s not paired with her for the new series(Image: BBC Studios/Guy Levy)

According to the source, Nancy “loves” the show and “gives it her all” in her first two years on Strictly. They remarked, “So it has been really jarring for her to be left out in the cold again for this series.” According to the source, Nancy has been talking with coworkers about the situation and is “not happy” when she tells people backstage.

Prior to the launch episode, it was reported that Nancy and Luba wouldn’t have celebrity partners this year. A source had told the Sun that they were “disappointed” but acknowledged that not everyone is able to have a partner, adding that the pros on the show are “grateful for the gig”.

Some fans shared disappointment over Nancy not having a celebrity partner this weekend. They reacted to the news in the comments section of a post promoting the launch show that she shared on Instagram yesterday.

Sad you don’t have a partner this year, one person wrote in response to her. one of my favorites. Another fan shared their thoughts by saying, “Gutted you’ve got a celebrity this year,” in a message to Nancy earlier this weekend.

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PDP Let Rivers People Down, Says Ann-Kio Briggs

Ann-Kio Briggs, a Rivers Elders Forum member, claims that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has abused the trust of Rivers State residents and Nigerians.

She claimed that the party’s inaction had caused the state’s residents to experience protracted political crises.

Read more about Rivers People’s Agreement with Tinubu by Ann-Kio Briggs here.

She lamented on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics about the state’s political developments that, despite Rivers residents’ longing for the PDP since 1999, the party has failed to rise to the occasion when it was most important.

“We have always voted for the PDP, including myself, for the PDP, so I feel let down by the political party as a stakeholder and elder,” said the elder.

The PDP would not have been where it is today, according to Briggs, if they had intervened and done what they should have done right away, not just in Rivers State but as a political party so well-known in the Niger Delta.

She claims that the PDP allowed internal divisions and power struggles to erode its influence. She further claims that Rivers State’s political situation had been worsened as a result of the party’s negligence, causing the state to deal with consequences that might have been avoided.

Intervention by Tinubu

The Rivers elder distanced herself from such sentiments, saying that politicians may have their own reasons for being appreciative. Governor Siminalayi Fubara has publicly commended President Bola Tinubu for bringing about peace in the Rivers.

No, even the President will be aware that not everyone in Rivers State will be forever grateful to him, or even Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister, and all the politicians, in fact.

He claimed that both the APC and PDP have contributed to the deepening of the crisis, noting that “he is the politician, and I am not as happy or grateful to the APC party as the governor is.”

She argued that the electorate is what has taught the most, not the politicians.

The electorate and the people of Rivers State have learned that we have rights that are much bigger and deeper than what politicians believe they have, in my opinion.

US children among five killed in Israeli drone strike on southern Lebanon

Lebanon’s health ministry claims that despite a US-brokered truce that was in effect in November, an Israeli drone strike has killed five people, including three children, in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil.

The strike injured two other people and struck a motorcycle, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA) on Sunday.

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Nabih Berri, the speaker of the parliament in Lebanon, claimed that their father and the three children, Celine, Hadi, and Aseel, were citizens of the United States. The attack injured the mother of the children.

Israel acknowledged that there had also been fatalities for civilians in the strike, but it claimed that one Hezbollah member had been killed.

Israel frequently attacks what it claims are Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, claiming to be preventing the Lebanese organization’s military resurgence following its conflict with Israel, which resulted in the deaths of most of its senior leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, its long-time leader.

“New massacre”

Is the Israeli entity in danger of becoming a Lebanese child? NNA reported that Berri inquired. Or does this person’s behavior actually pose a threat to international peace and security by killing without deterrence or accountability?

Nawaf Salam, the prime minister of Lebanon, claimed that Israel had committed “a new massacre.”

According to Salam, who previously served as the head of the International Court of Justice, “What happened is a blatant crime against civilians and a message of intimidation targeting our people returning to their villages in the south.”

Israel’s repeated violations of international law and international resolutions must be condemned by the international community in the most vehement terms.

After more than a year of conflict, Israel’s war on Gaza sparked another claim by Labour Minister Mohamad Haidar that the country had purposefully targeted the Lebanese population.

Because the south’s people’s will prevail over the criminal machine, Haidar claimed, “This plan will not succeed.”

The Shia Muslim organization has been under constant pressure from the US and Saudi Arabia, along with Hezbollah’s allies in Lebanon. Hezbollah will begin being executed, according to Lebanon’s army, which earlier this month presented a plan to the government’s cabinet.

Kourtney Kardashian debuts bold new look as she recovers from Covid

Kourtney Kardashian, 46, said she frequently feels like cutting her hair because of her Covid, so she has now made the decision to get new fringe and bangs ahead of Halloween.

Kourtney Kardashian is recovering from Covid-19(Image: Getty Images)

Kourtney Kardashian has debuted a brand new look as she recovers from Covid-19 – and her husband had a telling reaction.

The 46-year-old Kardashians star revealed she cut her hair, sporting a new fringe and bangs ahead of Halloween. The mother-of-four unveiled the new hairstyle as she posted two mirror selfies on Instagram, where she has 217 million followers.

She captioned the post “Witchy season,” followed by an emoji referring to scissors, and shared the following on Instagram: “I always feel the urge to cut my hair when I have Covid.” Travis Barker, the husband of Kourtney, expressed his adoration for his wife by commenting on her post with a hot face emoji.

READ MORE: Kourtney Kardashian praised by fans as she poses in underwear for unfiltered selfie

Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney has a new hairstyle(Image: Instagram / kourtneykardash)

A pumpkin and heart emoji were displayed next, along with the statement, “It’s about that time,” according to her brand Poosh. “So cute,” a fan said. Someone once said, “You Kourt, Bangs look fantastic on you!”

The reality TV star and her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick, who lives with Rocky and Travis, who plays drum for Blink-182, have three children. Landon, Alabama, and Atiana, Travis’ three children, are also in her stepmother’s care.

Kourtney has largely adopted a more natural approach, despite the celebrity’s famous mother and sisters’ openness to their various cosmetic procedures. Kylie surprised fans in June by revealing details about her breast implants, while her mother, Kris Jenner, 60, recently revealed a youthful look after a facelift.

Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian
The Kardashians star with her husband, Travis Barker(Image: Getty Images for The Met Museum/)

Kourtney herself has admitted to working as a boob at the age of 21, but frequently chooses to share photos of herself that haven’t been edited on social media. Fans praised Kourtney for keeping things real after she posted a few candid photos of herself on Instagram last month.

One supporter sums up Kourtney’s post, saying, “I love how unfiltered her content has become. It appears as though the Kardashians had used filters, posing, and lighting as a way to promote social media. Then they removed everything, leaving the rest of us to manually edit and filter their mess. What do you know? She’ll be better for it.

The post came shortly after Kourtney spoke out about a family member she had a difficult relationship with as a child during an appearance on her sister’s podcast, Khloé In Wonder Land. Looking back on her relationship with Caitlyn Jenner, she described her step-parenting style as “controlling” and “bossy”.

Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney regularly keeps her fans updated with photos and videos(Image: Getty Images for TAO Chicago)
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Kourtney recalled that Caitlyn would hang up the phone while I would be like, “I wanna call my Dad.” There would be yelling battles. She also claimed that Caitlyn had strict rules for her, adding, “Certain friends can’t come over.

Kourtney lived with her father, Robert Kardashian, until his 2003 passing. Khloé acknowledged that, despite acknowledging that “no one could replace dad,” she had assumed that Caitlyn was “replacing” their father.

Chelsea consider Maignan again – Monday’s gossip

Chelsea turn their attention back to Mike Maignan, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler’s advice to Carlos Baleba, and Everton’s move for Sergio Reguilon.

Following Robert Sanchez’s performance against Manchester United, 27-year-old Spaniard Robert Maignan, 30, may be on Chelsea’s transfer radar once more in the coming year. Maignan, 30, is from France. Since his current contract expires the following summer, he is free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January. The Blues wanted him over the summer. (Daily Express)

Despite rumors of a move, with Manchester United interested in signing the 21-year-old Cameroon international in the summer, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has urged midfielder Carlos Baleba to stay put. (Daily Mirror)

Although former Tottenham Hotspur full-back Sergio Reguilon is said to prefer a return to his Spanish home country, Everton are considering a move for the 28-year-old. Football Insider

Should Spurs decide to pursue a winger in January, Ruben Vargas, 27, will remain on Spurs’ radar. Although a central midfielder may be the focus of boss Thomas Frank, the Swiss international is still a possibility further up the pitch. Football Insider

As Graham Potter’s workload grows following Saturday’s defeat at Crystal Palace, West Ham United is considering every managerial choice. (Sky Sports)

Gleison Bremer, a 28-year-old defender from Brazil and Juventus, is wanted by Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea. (Teamtalk)

With Liverpool and Real Madrid interested, Crystal Palace are expected to reject any offers for England international Adam Wharton, 21. Football Insider

Dayot Upamecano, 26, is a French defender who wants to join Real Madrid when his contract expires in the summer of next. (Spanish: Marca)

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Ed Sheeran buys £1m farm with ‘incredible man cave’ after US move 

Ed Sheeran, who reportedly has a secret purchase of a £1 million farm, decides to build a second “Sheeranville” in Suffolk with his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters.

Ed reportedly racked up a whopping £650million from his Mathematics tour(Image: GETTY)

Ed Sheeran has reportedly secretly bought a £1million farm, a stone’s throw from his country home in Suffolk, before he moves his family to the US to start his American leg of his tour.

Ed is said to have made a whopping $650 million from his Mathematics tour, which ended in August, and that he has made the decision to build a second “Sheeranville” close to where he is based.

According to a source, “He has decided to start a new Sheeranville close to where he lives.” He is very wise with his money. He has converted the land it once owned into a second home.

He’s likely to spend the majority of his time there, and he might even be able to get creative there. Barns are being constructed on the land, which Ed is busy converting. One of them is being used for recording.

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Ed Sheeran has reportedly secretly bought a £1million farm
Ed Sheeran has reportedly secretly bought a £1million farm(Image: Steven Sutton / SWNS.com)

Adding to The Sun: “There was also a piggery, which Ed has turned into the most incredible man cave. It’s got a bar, a gym, a pool table and a bowling alley, which is something he’s always wanted. There’s another barn which he is considering turning into a rehearsal space too, and there’s loads of room upstairs for an office and a library.”

Ed is reportedly restoring some of the fields so he can grow his own vegetables, according to the source.

Ed explained to his wife Cherry Seaborn and their two daughters Lyra and Jupiter that they are moving to the US for work purposes in an interview with the 2 Johnnies podcast. He then explained more about his home.

Ed is said to be ‘wise with his money’ and decided to create another ‘Sheeranville’ close to where he is based
Ed is said to be ‘wise with his money’ and decided to create another ‘Sheeranville’ close to where he is based(Image: Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

The singer-songwriter has written many of his hits and has resided in a $3.7 million estate with a gym, pool, tree house, and even a separate bungalow. However, the four-person family is about to depart for America right away.

Ed confirmed on the podcast that “I’m just about to move to America.” Perhaps the only person who will immigrate to America is me. I have a family and will be traveling there for a while, so I won’t be able to go in and out. We’re going there and making a decision.

The family of four are set to leave for America imminently
The family of four are set to leave for America imminently(Image: Billboard via Getty Images)

Ed releases his eighth studio album, Play, on September 12, having closed the doors on his Mathematics series. But his upcoming record will see him explore new territory, working with new collaborators and producers from across the globe, and delving into the sounds that made him one of the biggest musicians in the world.

Play will explore the melodies and various sounds of these cultures through borderless music, drawing inspiration from Indian and Persian musical traditions and making connections to Irish folk traditions.

Sheeran’s work, often biographical, has also seen him praised for his songwriting abilities. He has previously written for artists including One Direction and Niall Horan and written all of his own music.

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