Category Entertainment News

A theme dedicated to YouTube star, MrBeast opened in Saudi Arabia this week and a British couple were amongst the first guests to arrive were a British couple who shared their thoughts on social media

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A British couple who were among the first guests to enter the new Beast Land theme park in Saudi Arabia have shared their thoughts on the attraction, which opened its gates for the first time on Thursday (November 13). MrBeast – real name, Jimmy Donaldson – joined the video streaming platform as a 13-year old in 2012 and today has more than 450 subscribers – more than any other YouTube content creator.

His huge success, particularly amongst younger viewers has seen his stock rise to $1 billion according to The Economic Times, with his wealth boosted by his business exploits including food brand Feastables and the MrBeast Burger. Ebonie Platfoot took to TikTok after visiting the attraction in Riyadh.

“We’re some of the first people to enter her at Beast Land’s Beast Arena,” she began in a video. “It’s so cool… we actually saw MrBeast himself.”

Ebonie then shared footage of the star addressing the crowds and encouraging guest to “play the games”, which have been designed to simulate some of his most popular “challenge” videos on YouTube.

In a follow-up clip, meanwhile, Ebonie provided her followers with a tour of theme park as she immersed herself in all the interactive attractions it has to offer. “The Beast Arena has so many games you can take part in,” she said, highlighting a 50m-high bungee jump and a cash-grab challenge.

“There were so many games you can take part in,” Ebonie enthused. “You can buy a wrist band with all the games included [allowing guests to compete against each other on a leaderboard] or if you just want to enter and enjoy Beast Land to experience it then it’s only £25 per person.

Ebonie also advised that the park is full of Feastables food and limited edition merchandise at “very affordable” prices. “As well as the games that were inspired his show, there are also carnival games, rides and so many food stalls,” she closed. “It was so much fun and just being here was such a good vibe – I definitely recommend checking it out before it ends in 45 days.”

Writing in response, some fans of MrBeast questioned the theme park’s location. One slammed: “So he made his fortune in America.. Promotes an amusement park in a country 99% of his fans aren’t going to be able to go to or afford.”

A second person penned: “This celebrity worship has got to stop, this feels so dystopian.”

Whilst a third criticised: “I can’t imagine being a kid and finding any of this fun or whimsical. It looks like a corporate expo or car show or something.”

However, one TikTok user who was also in attendance hailed: “A special night, a fiery atmosphere, the best of Riyadh.” Another gushed: “It sounds amazing!”

And a third said of MrBeast’s success: “Crazy how he used to just be a kid with a friend and a camera, so awesome to see how far he’s come!”

Promoting the theme park on X last week, MrBeast, who is also a respected philanthropist wrote: “We built custom games modeled after our videos that don’t exist ANYWHERE else and will have the world’s largest prize wall.

“I didn’t want this to be like a typical theme park. Thought of things from first principles and created games I would love to play! Tons of original games created plus of course we have rollercoasters and rides.”

The Beast Land website adds: “Beast Land is a first-of-its-kind destination inspired by the world-famous challenges of MrBeast, where adventure, competition, and entertainment collide.

“Step into a fully gamified world filled with themed zones, high-energy games, and immersive challenges that make every visitor feel like a contestant in the ultimate MrBeast adventure.”

BBC Radio 2 star Sara Cox has been married twice and has opened up about her two wedding days, admitting that her first marriage was a ‘disaster’

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Sara Cox has candidly admitted “that had been a disaster” in a frank confession about her first marriage. The BBC Radio 2 presenter married DJ Jon Carter in a low-key ceremony at Finsbury register office in North London back in 2001.

The couple followed this with a formal ceremony in Ireland, five months after they initially announced their engagement.

However, by 2005, the pair decided to part ways. Two years on, Sara found love again with marketing executive Ben Cyzer.

In 2013, Sara and Ben said their vows. Speaking to The Times, the radio host recalled the dress she chose for her second wedding, describing it as a “1950s-style, knee-length and had a lace top”.

She opted for a gown that made her feel more comfortable than the one she wore at her first wedding, reports Wales Online.

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She elaborated: “I’d been married before and that had been a disaster and I was trussed up in a dress that wasn’t really me, so this time I wanted one that would suit me as well as my new husband did.

“We had the ceremony and lunch at the Langham [in London] with close family and friends, followed by a big rave-up a couple of days later. I wore the dress again and just kicked off my shoes and danced all night.”

Sara is now a proud mum to Isaac and Renee with her husband Ben, and also has an eldest daughter Lola from her first marriage. At 50, she’s undertaking a 135-mile run from the stunning Kielder Forest on the Scottish borders, finishing in Pudsey in Leeds.

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Sara’s Great Northern Marathon Challenge marks Radio 2’s most ambitious fundraising endeavour to date. The presenter has already collected more than £6 million, with high-profile supporters including Prince William backing her efforts.

Before embarking on the five-day trek, Sara said: “When they picked me to get Pudsey to Pudsey, I was honoured and horrified in equal measure – we’re talking 135 miles of hills, moors and blisters – but I am ready for the challenge, and I will absolutely be giving it everything I’ve got!”.

She added: “Pudsey has been part of Children in Need for 40 years this year, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by helping raise much-needed funds for children who need it most.”

During her journey, the Prince of Wales offered his encouragement, saying: “Sara, massive congratulations for what you’re doing. You’re so nearly there, just a little bit further, and I know the people of Pudsey will all come out and welcome you with huge open arms, big hugs, and hopefully, lots of your favourite crumpets. Keep going, you’ve done fantastically well, and the nation’s so proud of you.”

The sparkly top comes in sizes six to 24 and can be worn for plenty of festive occasions from a cosy Christmas day to glitzy work parties – and you can get it for 60p

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As we edge nearer to Christmas, nothing shouts ‘festive season’ like a glitzy top. While many fashion enthusiasts will want their festive attire to be as jolly as possible, many often prefer their tops to be a tad more understated and something that can be worn all throughout winter.

If you’re on the hunt for a jumper to add to your collection, Marks and Spencer’s Cotton Rich Sparkly Ribbed Top is just the ticket. It is suitable for virtually any occasion – whether casual or glitzy Christmas work dos, while remaining classy.

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The Cotton Rich Sparkly Ribbed Top comes in sizes six to 24, all of which are still available online. It costs £16 but I’ve discovered a way to nab it for less than £1 through TopCashback’s latest offer.

The money-saving site is offering its new members and new Marks and Spencer customers a free £15 sign-up bonus as well as cashback on any purchase of £15 or more. This brings the price of the Cotton Rich Sparkly Ribbed Top down to just 60p.

New TopCashback members who are already customers with M&S will receive a slightly reduced rate of cashback, making the sparkly top to 87p after all the discounts have been applied. All shoppers need to do to unlock the reduced price is to make their purchase through this unique link.

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The Cotton Rich Sparkly Ribbed Top is crafted in a timeless regular fit, featuring a simple crew neckline and long sleeves for added warmth. Its metallic fibres give it a striking look that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.

You can pair this top with jeans or wide leg trousers for a day at the office, or team it with faux leather leggings for after-work drinks. For an even more glamorous outfit, match the ribbed top with a mini or satin slip skirt and a pair of heels.

Meanwhile, Roman’s Bordeaux Diamante Long Sleeve Jumper is on offer for £28.80 instead of £32 when you use the discount code MORE. This stylish knitted jumper features a cosy funnel neckline and long sleeves, and is adorned with multicoloured diamantes for extra sparkle – perfect for the party season.

Alternatively, New Look’s £29.99 Black Embellished Neck Short Sleeve Top is another great choice. This black knit top blends a classic crew neck silhouette with diamanté embellishments for a chic twist on the short-sleeve jumper.

Back at Marks and Spencer, the Cotton Rich Sparkly Ribbed Top has yet to receive any reviews. However, one thing to bear in mind is its composition.

It’s primarily made from a mix of cotton and polyester, so those who prefer to wear entirely natural fibres might want to steer clear of this option, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Here’s how to claim the 60p M&S top:

• To claim the new member bonus, new members of TopCashback need to sign up via this link
• Search for Marks and Spencer and click ‘Get Cashback Now’
• Shop and checkout as usual
• Cashback will then track and appear in your TopCashback account within seven working days of your purchase

Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox has said the memories of enduring horrific bullying at school as a teen are motivating her to keep pushing as she runs 135 miles for Children in Need

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Sara Cox has reflected on the cruel bullying she endured as a child, and revealed how she finally got her own back years later, as she tackles one of her toughest challenges yet for Children in Need.

Sara is currently in the middle of her enormous 135-mile Great Northern Marathon for Children in Need, which involves running across Northumberland, Durham, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

She said thinking about “projects that help with kids who might be feeling bullied or anxious” is what motivates her to push through. The Radio 2 presenter previously spoke about her own difficult school years during an appearance on ITV ’s Lorraine in 2019.

In her memoir, Till the Cows Come Home, she recounts joining a new school at age 12 and being targeted almost immediately, which she said went unnoticed at first by the teachers.

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“The worst bit was they held my hands behind my back and shoved an ice cream in my face in the playground,” she told Lorraine Kelly. She added that when she initially reported what was happening, staff “didn’t really believe me because I was the new girl”, but a teacher eventually witnessed the ice cream incident and understood how bad the situation was.

She explained that the intimidation she faced was constant and often subtle. “It was that mild intimidation, being a bit worried about walking along the corridor in case you get tripped up, the whispering in class. It is horrible,” she said.

While speaking to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 last week, she described how two girls “just made my life hell”, with “accidentally on purpose nudging you as they walk past you in the corridor, or a little foot sticking out to trip you up.”

Despite the misery she experienced, Sara revealed she unexpectedly got the last word years later. Once she was a hugely successful Radio 1 presenter, she was contacted by one of the girls who had bullied her, asking for an on-air shoutout.

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“That says to me that she didn’t really realise the effect that she was having,” she said. Sara admitted that while on air, she dedicated an entire segment to how awful that period of her life had been.

She laughed: “I wouldn’t do that now. It kind of felt good at the time. It was perhaps a nice closure on it all.” Jeremy Vine asked whether those experiences gave her inner strength, and Sara shared that it has inspired her to take on a monumental fundraising mission for Children in Need to support other children who are going through what she went through.

The challenge has taken a huge physical toll on her, and Sara has admitted: “There’s an adjective short of ‘hell’… I’m so puffy, I’ve never seen my ankles look like this.” She added: “I just look like I’ve been in the wars. We’ve just got to push. Push, push, push.”

Despite the pain, she has now raised over £5 million, which Scott Mills revealed live on air. But behind the scenes, her exhaustion is clear. Speaking on Radio 2, Scott said: “Sara is really struggling…she’s worried about [finishing] and panicking that she can’t. Anxiety is high again.”

Jack Osbourne’s father Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne passed away earlier this year

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TV star Jack Osbourne’s stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! could serve as ‘therapy’ for him, according to singer Peter Andre. Andre, who took part in the third series back in 2004, explained that contestants experience significant ‘downtime’ between filming sessions, providing ample opportunity for self-reflection.

Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain (GMB) on Friday, Andre said: “I probably think that’s why someone like Jack Osbourne doing it is a good thing for him. I mean, I don’t know his reasons for doing it, but it probably could be a bit of therapy for him.

“Because it is just you, you’re in the wilderness. Yes, you’re surrounded by people, but there’s a lot of downtime, a lot of time that you’re on your own. And even though there are cameras everywhere, you can’t see them. They’re hidden, they’re camouflaged.”

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He then added: “The cameramen – you can’t talk to them, they won’t answer you[…] It brings a lot out of you. You’re just you, and there are no phones.”

Osbourne, whose dad, Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne, passed away earlier this year, revealed he was heading into the jungle to distract himself from recent events. He mentioned that his mum, Sharon, and sister, Kelly, would be ‘supportive’ of his participation.

Andre, who famously met his former wife Katie Price on the ITV programme, also confirmed the hunger experienced by contestants was the ‘real deal’. He continued: “Well, there’s only probably about three – maybe 400 people in the world that have experienced this. It’s an incredible experience.

“There are certain smells and sounds that you only know if you’ve experienced it. Hunger is one of those things that I had never experienced before, and for anyone that hasn’t experienced it, you genuinely get it there. It’s the real deal.”

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In light of this, Andre said he would advise new contestants against eating lots of food before entering the jungle. He went on: “The dreaded thing which I always tell them never to do, is to keep eating so much before you go in.

“Because you think well, ‘I’m not going to eat, so I may as well stock up’. But the problem is then your body goes into shock. So it’s actually better to get your body used to it.”

Osbourne will be joined in the Australian jungle by Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, model Kelly Brook, former England Lionesses footballer Alex Scott and comedian Ruby Wax.

The line-up is completed by rapper Aitch, real name Harrison Armstrong, social media star Morgan Burtwistle, who is known as Angryginge, EastEnders’ Shona McCarty, comedian Eddie Kadi, and Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley.

Regular presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will return to host the show in its 25th anniversary year. Last year’s series was won by McFly singer Danny Jones.

Over recent months Liz Hurley’s new romance with Billy Ray Cyrus has been in the headlines as the pair appear to be as loved up as ever

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The once ultra close bond between Liz Hurley and her son Damian is said to be under strain. The lookalike mother-son du are being on such good terms Damian even shoots his mother’s racy Instagram photos.

However, the relationship is said to have taken a turn with the pair reportedly spending less and less time together due to Liz’s red hot new romance.

Liz’s relationship with Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus is said to be going from strength to strength. While Damian also moved into his own property in Earl’s Court, west London, earlier this year which means he no longer lives with his mum.

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The Daily Mail reported that a source said: “They now go out without each other, and Damian is starting to carve his own path. I’ve even heard that they have butted heads on occasion.”

Despite rumours that they have grown apart, the pair have still been interacting on social media which has put these rumours to bed.

Just this week Liz shared a bikini pic and Damian was the first person to comment with five red heart emojis. In an interview last month, Hurley said she is hoping to make another film with her son.

She said: “Damian and I are developing a movie, also a pilot for a young adult TV show. I love working with my child. He works unbelievably hard. He writes all the time. I’ve got a script [of his] to read on my iPad for the flight tomorrow.”

Liz connected with her boyfriend Billy Ray when they met on set of a film back in 2021 when he was going through a divorce. It was reported that the pair spent the summer together at her house in Herefordshire.

The film they made together in 2021, Christmas in Paradise, didn’t receive many positive reviews but this didn’t get in the way of their romance.

Sources in America say that Billy Ray’s first wife Tish, who he was still married to at the time was suspicious about his friendship with Liz at the time. However Billy denied that anything was going on.

A source said: “They got very close on the set and seeing that they are together now is a slap in the face for Tish, but it also confirms that she was likely right about her suspicions. They never stopped being in contact.”

Billy Ray went on to marry another woman before getting into a relationship with Liz. He tied the knot with singer Firerose, real name Johanna Rose Hodges, in October 2023, before going on to split in May 2024.

It was earlier this year that Liz and Billy Ray announced that they were an item. They are now other seen on each other’s Instagram pages looking as loved up as ever.

The Mirror have contacted Liz and Damian’s reps for comment.