Archive November 9, 2025

This former footballer married his childhood sweetheart in 2005 and has since welcomed three children and has now made a move into the horseracing world

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An England footballer was seen looking completely unrecognisable at his daughter’s birthday bash this week. The sports legend dressed up in a Hulk Hogan costume while he celebrated his youngest daughter’s 18th birthday on Saturday.

The former footballer was best known for being a striker for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United, and Stoke City, as well playing for as the England national team.

Michael Owen retired back in 2013 and has since made a move into horse racing as a breeder and owner. He has also worked as a sports pundit and commentator since his retirement from football.

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Michael was worlds away from his usual look as he wore his American wrestler costume for the special event. He completed his look with a blonde wig and moustache.

The star was joined by his whole family for the 18th bash. Love Island star and eldest daughter Gemma looked as glamourous as ever as she dressed as a flapper girl in a metallic dress.

She went all out for her costume as she wore a pair of long black satin gloves, pearl necklaces and a rhinestone headband. Meanwhile her mum Louise dressed as Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

The mum-of-three looked stunning in a simple but elegant black dress which she teamed with sunglasses, black long gloves and pearl necklaces.

Son James was seen dressed as a jockey while birthday girl Emily stole the show as Marilyn Monroe. She went for her iconic white halterneck dress look as well as a blonde curled wig.

The celebrations come as Gemma looked loved-up in holiday snaps with her horse rider boyfriend Red Morgan this summer. The former Love Island star Gemma made her first public appearance with Red at Wimbledon back in June.

Red is the son of entrepreneur Steve Morgan, 72. Steve is known as the founder of construction business Redrow, which lists Michael among its celebrity clients on its website.

Steve – whose net worth is estimated to be £915 million, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2024 – shares his son Red and a daughter with his ex-wife Fiona Boustead.

Reports of Red and Gemma being in a relationship came when a source told the Mirror a few months ago that they have known each other “for a long time”.

The pair, who both have links to North Wales and Cheshire, are said to have spent much time together since reconnecting last year.

The source told us: “They have been friends since school age and are from the same area so have known each other for a long time.” The source continued: “Their mutual love of horses means they are often seen at the same equestrian events and have mutual friends on the equestrian circuit.”

The Strictly Come Dancing contestant and Gladiators star has opened up about how the health issue could impact his performances on the popular BBC One show alongside Karen Hauer

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Strictly Come Dancing star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has revealed his concerns that a health condition he has suffered from for his entire life would “work against” him on the BBC show.

After finding fame while competing for Great Britain in the Commonwealth games, in more recent years, Harry has made his name competing in Gladiators under the name Nitro.

However, during an appearance on the Parenting Hell podcast, he told hosts Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe how he felt fearful that a medical issue could affect his chances in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Looking back over his time on Strictly, including a stint on 2024’s Christmas Special, Josh, who was also part of the festive episode, observed how Harry would excel at the routines that require greater physical strength, but joked he might be “too stiff for the romantic numbers” due to his muscular physique.

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In response, the 37-year-old said: “These are things I’m scared of. These muscles are actually going to work against me.”

He then opened up about a health condition that he has suffered with since birth: “I’ve actually got a deficiency of myostatin. That’s one of the reasons why I build muscle a lot. So that is just a genetic makeup.”

Myostatin deficiency is when the body struggles to produce myostatin protein, which in turn results in heavily increased muscle mass and small amounts of fat around the body. Therefore, it is common for people who have low to no myostatin in their body to have larger than normal muscles.

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The condition is said to be extremely rare, with some estimates suggesting that as few as one in four million people have been diagnosed with it.

However, despite his medical condition, Harry has been impressing fans with his performances in the competition, with the athlete and his dance partner Karen Hauer performing an American Smooth last night.

Unfortunately, the judges were left divided over their routine, which saw the couple score just 30 points, meaning that they finished second from bottom on the leaderboard.

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Away from the competition, Harry boasts an extremely impressive sporting career, having competed for team GB at the Olympics, as well as winning several European and Commonwealth relay gold medals.

The fashion retailer has discounted the popular velvet blazer in a special offer

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With Christmas nearly upon us, the party season will soon be underway. Shoppers searching for festive looks are loving a ‘glamorous’ velvet blazer on sale at Marks & Spencer. The high street fashion retailer is a favourite with many shoppers, thanks to its stylish ranges, and the chain could have a new crowd-pleaser on its hands.

Reviewers have heaped praise on M&S’s Cotton Rich Velvet Waisted Tailored Blazer, and it’s currently on sale for £64 from £80. The product description states: “This velvet blazer has a silky-smooth feel and a flattering shape.

“The cotton-rich piece is cut to a tailored fit, with added stretch for comfort. A double-button fastening and cinched waist provide a sleek silhouette. Finished with two front pockets for your essentials.”

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For shoppers looking for something different, M&S’s current offers include a £40 Single Breasted Blazer, a £48 Tweed Sparkly Collarless Blazer with Wool, and a £56 Satin Waisted Blazer.

Elsewhere, Next is selling a £48 Black Embellished Stud Ruched Sleeve Occasion Blazer, Monsoon sells a £95 Mila Single Breasted Velvet Blazer Blue, or Boden offers a £179 Stamford Velvet Blazer.

For shoppers interested in the Cotton Rich Velvet Waisted Tailored Blazer, M&S reviewers awarded the blazer an average rating of 4.6 out of five. The blazer is available in sizes 6 to 24, and customers report that it is true to size. While the blazer received lots of positive reviews, not all customers were impressed.

A happy reviewer wrote: “This is a beautiful velvet jacket. Well made, flattering shape, great material. Goes beautifully with velvet trousers. Also looks great with jeans. Great buy.”

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A second buyer said: “Unbelievable quality – thick luxurious velvet with a fabulous lining and cut – a great bargain at the price and I love the silver buttons as I wear silver jewellery and home can look very bling!”

But someone else with criticisms said: “Sleeves are far too long. The length of the jacket was perfect. The overall fit was good. So I paid to have the sleeves made shorter. This adds a lot onto the cost of a jacket that will probably only get worn over Christmas and New Year.”

Another shopper thought: “Glamorous jacket let down by the buttons. Stunning velvet, well fitted jacket with good length sleeves. Only downside being the cheap looking buttons.” A different customer with some negative feedback added: “Really like this jacket.

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“Well fitting. It’s a good shade of black too. The arms are possible a little shorter but that’s good for me. The only thing I didn’t like are the buttons. I’ve changed them and it looks much better in my opinion.”

Meanwhile, a customer with mixed thoughts said: “Nice jacket, well fitted, good quality for the price, will be wearing this over the Xmas season as will go with jeans as well as dresses. Fits on the slightly smaller side for me (size 14) so wearing it over bulky tops might be a issue.”