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April 19, 2025

David Beckham’s birthday bash fears – as friends call for ‘intervention’

As tensions between the Beckham clan deepen, sources say Brooklyn’s attendance at his dad’s 50th birthday isn’t guaranteed

David Beckham’s plans for a harmonious gathering for his 50th have been hampered by family tensions(Image: Getty Images)

The riddle of missing Brooklyn Beckham deepens, as we can reveal a fallout in the family that could see him skip his dad’s big birthday. The news follows weeks of whispers that fresh trouble was brewing, putting Brooklyn and wife Nicola at odds with the rest of the Beckham clan again.

One source close to the family is calling for an “intervention” to ensure David’s eldest is at his dad’s 50th in under two weeks’ time. The source tells: “There’s been a huge fallout. As things stand, Brooklyn is not coming over for David’s party. Something drastic needs to happen – there needs to be some kind of intervention.”

READ MORE: Fears Brooklyn Beckham’s feud could ‘destroy’ dad David as ‘family is everything’

Victoria celebrated her 51st birthday this week with husband David, son Romeo and daughter Harper – but appeared to be shunned by Brooklyn(Image: Instagram)

With celebrations galore for the Beckhams over the past few weeks, there has been one person missing at every event. Brooklyn, 26, was nowhere to be seen as the family gathered to mark dates like his Spice Girl mum Victoria’s birthday and his dad’s pre-birthday party in the US.

There have been no well wishes sent from Brooklyn and Nicola to the rest of the Beckhams, and vice versa – a family who usually post frequently about each other.

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Cue shouts of a feud, which insiders say has been sparked by a row over brother Romeo’s girlfriend, Kim Turnbull. She is said to have dated Rocco Ritchie, son of Madonna and Guy Ritchie, and a friend of Brooklyn’s – and big brother disapproves of the relationship.

Brooklyn and Nicola party at Coachella festival

Brooklyn and Nicola partied their troubles away at Coachella festival instead of celebrating his mum’s birthday with family(Image: @nicolaannepeltzbeckham/Instagram)

The source says: “It’s opened up old wounds. Tensions between the Beckham-Peltzs and the rest of the family have simmered since their wedding. Things got back on track – but this has really got people’s backs up. ”

Rumours of a feud grew after Brooklyn and Nicola’s 2002 wedding, after Nicola claimed she had wanted Victoria to design her wedding dress but the plans were shot down. The actress instead wore a Valentino gown in Florida in April.

She told Grazia US: “I was planning on wearing Victoria’s wedding dress and I was truly so excited to be able to wear a design that my future motherin-law created. I thought that was so beautiful and such a beautiful story. “

But the heiress, whose father is billionaire Nelson Peltz, added: “A few days went by and I didn’t hear anything. [Then] Victoria called my mum and said her atelier couldn’t make it. “I spoke to my mum and was like, ‘Unfortunately, this can’t happen, so what’s the next step? ‘”

The Beckham family in happier times, celebrating Victoria’s 50th last year(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Brooklyn added: ‘To be honest, my wife is my first priority and I never want to see her upset ever. “

The magazine interview is said to have caused a stir with the Beckhams. Showbiz insiders also noted Nicola and Posh scarcely communicated on social media and Brooklyn had barely seen his parents since the wedding.

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None of the family sent their best wishes publicly to the couple on their third anniversary last week. Brooklyn then blanked his mum on Mother’s Day and on her birthday, and swerved his dad’s early birthday bash in Miami last month, which included guests such as football legend Lionel Messi and former supermodel Cindy Crawford. Romeo took on the role to give a speech, which nearly brought David to tears.

David’s 50th is on May 2 and he is said to be planning an intimate celebration with his nearest and dearest. Will Brooklyn be there? We’ll have to wait and see…

April 19, 2025

Leaders Bath edge past Exeter in scrappy game

By 234Radio in News, Sports News

Getty Images

1 hour ago

49 Comments

Gallagher Premiership

Exeter 24 (10)

Tries: Yeandle, Brown-Bampoe 2 Cons: Slade 3 Pens: Slade

Bath 26 (26)

Bath showed their defensive mettle with a close-fought 26-24 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

Despite holding an early lead through Jack Yeandle’s effort, Bath’s power game proved too much for the home side, with a penalty try and efforts from Niall Annett, Josh Bayliss and Will Muir contributing to the Premiership leaders’ healthy half-time lead.

A determined Chiefs’ renaissance saw Paul Brown-Bampoe power over for two tries early in the second half, but Bath clung on for their 12th victory of the season.

In slippery conditions it was the home team who struck first, Henry Slade firing between the posts following an early Bath infringement.

But that lead did not last long.

Shortly afterwards, Ben Spencer pirouetted his way over the line despite the attention of Dafydd Jenkins, following successive Bath phases in the Exeter 22.

With the ball held up, referee Anthony Woodthorpe ruled that the Welsh international was offside when making the tackle and awarded the visitors’ a penalty try. Jenkins also received a yellow card for his troubles.

But following a scrappy passage of play the Chiefs were back in the lead.

Jack Yeandle powered his way over from close range following a Chiefs’ free-kick in the opposing twenty-two, as Bath were slow to adjust their defensive line.

Niall Annett then restored the lead for the visitors, one they were never to relinquish; the hooker driving over from the maul following a line-out deep in the Chiefs’ half.

Having gained superiority in the trenches, Bath’s flowing attacking game came to the fore for their third and fourth tries.

The talismanic Russell was in the thick of the action and having broken the Chiefs’ defensive line following neat interplay with Tom de Glanville and Miles Reid, Bayliss was able to stride over the line untouched.

A rugby player in white and blue carries the ball as an opponent, in black, attempts to tackle him around the ankle. A team mate in white and blue appears to the left.

The game swung in Exeter’s favour early in the second half, with Josh Hodge’s magnificent break in the midfield freeing the deserving Brown-Bampoe for their second try.

Bath had lost focus following injuries to Muir and Max Ojomoh and Exeter seized on the malaise with Brown-Bampoe scoring his second to put Chiefs within two points.

Rob Baxter’s men were then presented with a golden opportunity to take the lead.

With Bath aimlessly kicking the ball away, Hodge broke down the wing, before being forced to kick ahead. Ruaridh McConnochie looked to have the ball covered, but knocked on in the in-goal area, gifting Exeter a five-metre scrum.

Bath Head Coach Johann van Graan told BBC Radio Bristol:

“A really good game of rugby, two sides going at each other – they went up 3-0, we replied, they replied, then we hit a purple patch, but fair play to Exeter, they fought back after half-time.

“I’m really proud of the group, we’re tough to beat. That scrum on our tryline, we turned that over and closed down the game – so five points, they all count the same, big win for us in our season.

“We’ve been dominant, with big scores, in the last few weeks. This was a tight one, but we came through this one also – you’ve got to win in many different ways, we won a tough one today. “

Exeter head coach Rob Hunter told BBC Radio Devon:

“It was one of those games that I don’t know how to feel about, I think it’s a good sign that I’m so gutted we didn’t win that – we’ve gave ourselves every opportunity to.

“We grew into the game and everyone’s working really hard to get better, a totally different attitude out there, its fantastic – we’ve got much to learn, but Bath are a great team to learn from.

Exeter: Hodge, Hammersley, Slade, Hawkins, Brown-Bampoe; Skinner, Cairns; Sio, Yeandle, Street, Tuima, Jenkins, Moloney, Capstick, Fisilau.

Replacements: Norey, Blose, Roots, Vermuelen, Vintcent, Armstrong, Haydon-Wood, Rigg.

Yellow card: Jenkins.

Bath: De Glanville, McConnochie, Ojomoh, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer; Van Wyk, Annett, Du Toit, Richards, Ewels, Bayliss, Reid, Green.

Replacements: Dunn, Obano, Stuart, Molony, Hill, Schreuder, Bailey, Barbeary.

The TV presenter, famous for hosting Good Morning Britain, was diagnosed with the disease two years ago this year, but he says there has been an incredibly positive and emotional side to the scare

Nick Owen was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago(Image: BBC)

Nick Owen says “hundreds” of men have told him his cancer ordeal made them get themselves tested – with some saying the decision saved their lives.

It is two years this month since the TV news presenter was diagnosed with the “extensive and aggressive prostate cancer”. He didn’t have any symptoms but when a blood test in April 2023 showed slightly elevated prostrate-specific antigen (PSA) results, his GP insisted he saw a specialist. That led to diagnosis and surgery.

Nick’s decision to go public about his diagnosis led to greater awareness of the disease and a surge in men getting tests. A record 55,033 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, with a 25% rise in cases between 2019 and 2023.

READ MORE: Vernon Kay breaks silence on beloved family member’s health ordeal and ‘major operation’

(Image: BBC)

The presenter, 77, remembers: “It was possibly the worst day of my life. But I’m still thriving, I’m still grateful. I’m feeling pretty well and glad to be where I am now. Hopefully I’m cancer free. I’m a lucky boy. ”

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He says he is constantly hearing from men who credit his honesty about his own condition with encouraging them to get tested and, in turn, with catching their cancer early enough to treat it. “Every week someone is writing to me to say hearing my story made them get a PSA test, they were diagnosed and having the operation,” he says.

“I was in our village this week and a man came up to thank me. He had a PSA test as a result of the publicity, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had the operation seven weeks ago. Like me, he had no symptoms. It’s constant. It’s happened hundreds of times. It’s breathtaking and emotional. I’m glad some good has come out of this. It’s vital that people get tested. ”

Nick says finding out he had cancer was the worst day of his life(Image: PA)

Nick came to national prominence in 1983 as one of the first faces to appear on breakfast television in Britain. Famous for his cringe-worthy puns, he is widely believed to be the inspiration for Steve Coogan’s spoof chat show presenter, Alan Partridge.

He co-hosted Good Morning Britain on TV-am with Anne and Nick with Anne Diamond, who also revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer two months after Nick’s diagnosis.

“Anne has been through a terrible time as well,” he says. “We have text conversations every now and then. We had the primary cancers for men and women at the same time. She is doing OK now. She’s back on television twice a week. ”

Nick and his former co-host Anne Diamond were both diagnosed with cancer in the same year(Image: EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS)

Nick, who was celebrating 50 years in broadcasting that same year, took time off work following his surgery and returned to presenting Midlands Today, where he has hosted since 1997, in October.

He says: “I still work two days a week, I’m slowing down. I’m 78 this year, I must be the oldest TV presenter! I love talking to people and being involved in the news room banter. I am the arch mickey taker and would miss that. I love the people I work with. ”

Looking back on his career Nick, who has four children and three grandchildren with first wife Jill and has been married to wife Vicki for five years, says that interviewing comedy legend Eric Morecambe was his standout moment.

Eric was a director at Luton Town FC, where lifelong fan Nick was chairman between 2008 and 2017. He says: “I used to see him in the director’s box at Luton Town FC when I was on the terraces and ended up getting to know him.

“Comedians are often quite low key when they are not performing. They are just normal people doing a job. Eric was a funny man. I asked him once: ‘You have three children? ’ and he answered: ‘I think so, I left early this morning. ’ He always had an answer.

And he says he still keeps in touch with another co-star from his TV-am days, Roland Rat. “I still speak to him now – or rather the guy behind him. He lives in the States now,” he says.

“I remember an awards ceremony for children’s achievements. I was chatting to a young boy with Margaret Thatcher next to me and the boy pointed at me and said ‘It’s Roland Rat’s daddy! ’ I don’t think Margaret Thatcher knew who he meant, but he had obviously seen us together on television.

“He was a bit rebellious and cheeky and it was great fun talking to a puppet. I was sitting on the sofa talking to a lump of cloth and the person who was working him was at my feet. Great memories. ”

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April 19, 2025

Late drama as Connacht fall short against Stormers

By 234Radio in News, Sports News

Inpho

Andy Gray

BBC Sport NI Journalist

1 hour ago

2 Comments

Stormers (26) 34

Tries: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3, Roos, Hartzenberg Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3 Pen: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Connacht (24) 29

Santiago Cordero had a last-gasp try ruled out as Connacht fell to a 34-29 defeat by the Stormers in Cape Town in the United Rugby Championship.

After Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who had earlier scored a hat-trick of tries, sent the Stormers five points clear with a late penalty, Cordero thought he had levelled the game with the clock in the red.

However, a TMO intervention ruled that hooker Dave Heffernan had impeded a tackle earlier in the play and the Stromers held on to win a pulsating fixture.

The win moves the Stormers into the top eight, which would secure a play-off, while Connacht jump into 11th with their try-scoring and losing bonus points.

A week after their 43-40 Challenge Cup defeat by Racing 92, which led to head coach Pete Wilkins leaving his role, Connacht were involved in another high-scoring thriller in Cape Town.

After Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored a superb opening try inside 60 seconds after darting through a gap, Connacht responded as Shane Jennings crossed out wide after good hands from the Irish backline.

The Stormers hit the front when Evan Roos crashed over off the back of a scrum, but Connacht drew level when Conor Oliver bundled over after more pressure in the 16th minute.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu had a stunning opening 40 minutes and grabbed his second try when he made a break and found back row Paul de Villiers, who returned the pass back inside which allowed the sprinting fly-half to score unchallenged.

The best try of the half came moments later when Feinberg-Mngomezulu again found himself in space. He chipped the ball over Piers O’Conor, collected his own kick and scored to complete his hat-trick and secure the bonus point for the Stormers.

However, Connacht refused to go away and Dylan Tierney-Martin rounded off a maul to pull a score back, and Jennings grabbed his second try of the game with the final play of the half, but Carty could only push his conversion wide as the Stormers held a two-point lead at the break.

The scintillating rugby by the Stormers continued after the restart when the South Africans powered into the 22 after a big break by Seablo Senatla, moved it quickly through the hands and Feinberg-Mngomezulu produced a ridiculous no-look pass out the back for Suleiman Hartzenberg to touch down in the corner.

The Stomers pressed for a sixth score but repeated infringements by Connacht near their own line saw centre Cathal Forde sent to the sin-bin.

However, Connacht held firm and it was soon 14 against 14 as Warrick Gelant was shown a yellow card as his attempted intercept went forward.

Connacht’s resilience was rewarded when Josh Murphy powered over but Carty could only strike the post with his conversion, and the Stormers led by two points with 13 minutes to play.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu landed a long-distance penalty to move the Stormers five clear, but there was late drama as Connacht came up just short of the line through Sean Jansen and Jack Auinger dropped the ball with the tryline gaping.

That was followed by the final play of the game when replacement Cordero danced over to level the game with a conversion to come, but the TMO ruled that Heffernan had stopped Roos from tackling Carty earlier in the play and the score was chalked off, much to the frustration of the visitors.

Stormers: W Gelant; S Hartzenberg; D Du Plessis, D Willemse; S Senalta, S Feinberg-Mngomzullu; S Ungerer; A Vermaak, AH Venter, S Sandi; S Moerat, R van Heerden; P de Villiers, M Theunissen, E Roos.

Replacements: JJ Kotze, V Matongo, B Harris, JD Schikerling, L Nel, D Fourie, P de Wet, B Loader.

Connacht: P O’Conor; C Mullins; D Hawkshaw, C Forde; S Jennings; J Carty; B Murphy; P Dooley; D Tierney-Martin; F Bealham; O Dowling, D Murray; C Prendergast, C Oliver, P Boyle.

Julian Benson, who was a professional dancer for over four decades, rose to fame as a judge on RTE’s Dancing with the Stars, and also appeared on Ireland’s Got Talent

Dancing with the Stars’ Julian Benson dies after lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Julian Benson, a former dancer, choreographer, and television personality, who has died at the age of 54. His family announced the heartbreaking news on Saturday as they wrote: “Julian passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and closest friends, after a courageous battle with Cystic Fibrosis. His strength, warmth, and sparkle remained with him until the very end. “

Known affectionately as Captain Sparkle for his flamboyant style, Julian became a household name nearly ten years ago as a judge on RTE’s Dancing with The Stars, following a successful career in dance spanning decades.

Despite being diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in childhood, Julian kept his condition private until an emotional revelation on The Late Late Show with Ryan Tubridy in 2018. He touched the hearts of the nation when he declared: “I have Cystic Fibrosis, but Cystic Fibrosis doesn’t have me. “

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Julian has died at the age of 54(Image: Kyran O’Brien)

Starting his dance journey at the tender age of four, Julian never allowed his illness to dampen his dreams, dedicating over 40 years to becoming a revered icon in the dance community.

Julian’s remarkable achievements will be forever immortalised, not least through the opening of Tranquility House a sanctuary offering solace to families of Cystic Fibrosis patients. Featured on Dermot Bannon’s “Room to Improve”, this project was made possible by donations from over 100 companies and individuals.

His family has expressed heartfelt appreciation for the teams at St Vincent’s University Hospital’s Cystic Fibrosis and ICU units, Beaumont Hospital’s transplant group, the care teams that looked after Julian, contributors to his foundation, and all those who offered their support during his extraordinary life.

Survived by his brother Adrian, sister-in-law Rachel, and treasured nieces and nephew, Julian left an indelible mark.

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In memoriam, Larry Bass and ShinAwil said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our wonderful friend Julian Benson. Our very own Captain Sparkle who brought so much joy, brilliance and talent to the world.

“His attitude and outlook on life was ever inspiring and will continue to be thanks to his constant effort to better the lives of people around him, especially with the creation of the Julian Benson CF Foundation – his legacy will live on forever. Julian was one of a kind, and will be forever missed. The world lost a bit of sparkle today. “

April 19, 2025

Ferne McCann praised for honest confession about ‘saggy boobs and cellulite’ in bikini

By 234Radio in Entertainment News, News

Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann has been praised for her candid admission about body image while in a bikini as she urged fans to ‘choose self-kindness and self-empowerment’

Ferne McCann was praised for the candid message

Ferne McCann has been praised for making a candid admission as she rocked a green bikini while on a lavish holiday. The former TOWIE star urged others to “choose self-kindness and self-empowerment” in her honest post.

She wore a green two piece bikini while on a tropical beach as she filmed a ‘get ready with me’ clip. Ferne added pink floral earrings, patterned maxi skirt, oversized sunglasses, sandals and a straw hat.

The reality TV star, 34, looked stunning in the clip as she blew a kiss to the camera. Alongside the post, Ferne issued a candid message as she pointed out her ‘flaws’.

She then shared how grateful she is for her body and switched the narrative to praise her ‘flaws’ instead. Ferne said: “I’m grateful for my body and all that it does for me. “

The TOWIE star detailed her ‘flaws’(Image: Instagram/ @fernemccann)

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Detailing her ‘flaws’, Ferne commented: “My boobs are sagging & two different sizes. I have cellulite. My outfit isn’t on trend. My face is wonky. I have wrinkles round my eyes. “

In a powerful message, Ferne shifted the narrative as she continued: “Or… My boobs provide comfort for my baby. My cellulite is just a sign of a female body that moves and lives. My outfit reflects my own style, not a passing trend. My face is uniquely mine, perfect in its own way. My wrinkles are laughter lines from years of joy and living. “

She urged: “No matter who we are, whatever our age, shape, or story we all seem to find faults in ourselves that wouldn’t even exist for anyone else. So why do we naturally lean toward the negative thought about ourselves?

“We get to choose how we speak to ourselves. So let’s choose self-kindness and self-empowerment. ” The mum-of-two was flooded with supportive comments as Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison wrote: “You look so good. “

A fan shared: “You’re a beautiful PERSON. And that radiates outwards from within. ” This Morning’s Dr Zoe Williams commented: “Imperfectly perfect my beauty. ” Another gushed: “Love, love this! ! ! ! “

She was praised for sharing the candid message(Image: Instagram/ @fernemccann)

Just last month, Ferne was praised for opening up about breastfeeding her 20-month-old daughter and encouraging other mums to “keep going”.

The Dancing On Ice star admitted feeling nervous about sharing the update, as she said she was worried about what others would think of it. Posting a picture of her feeding Finty, Ferne said she was feeling the pressure to stop – but reassured other mums in the same boat that they weren’t alone.

Mum-of-two Ferne, who also has seven-year-old Sunday, wrote on Instagram: “Haven’t posted about my breastfeeding journey in a while, but I still get a lot of people asking if I’m still doing it. In complete honesty, I’ve been a bit nervous to share about it lately.

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“Even though I’m such a big advocate for breastfeeding, the truth is, I’ve been afraid of what people might think or say now that Finty is 20 months old. “

She continued: “I’m sharing this because if you’re like me and still feeding, and you’re feeling pressure to stop or wondering if it’s ‘not the norm’ to breastfeed past one, I just want you to know…there are plenty of mums still doing it. Keep going, mamma. However it looks do your normal. “

READ MORE: ‘I tried Treatwell and it made booking hair and nail treatments a breeze’

All posts by 234Radio

David Beckham’s birthday bash fears – as friends call for ‘intervention’

As tensions between the Beckham clan deepen, sources say Brooklyn’s attendance at his dad’s 50th birthday isn’t guaranteed

Leaders Bath edge past Exeter in scrappy game

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Dancing with the Stars’ Julian Benson dies after lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis

Julian Benson, who was a professional dancer for over four decades, rose to fame as a judge on RTE’s Dancing with the Stars, and also appeared on Ireland’s Got Talent

Ferne McCann praised for honest confession about ‘saggy boobs and cellulite’ in bikini

Former TOWIE star Ferne McCann has been praised for her candid admission about body image while in a bikini as she urged fans to ‘choose self-kindness and self-empowerment’