Despite rumours that he is the next James Bond and years of Hollywood success, Idris Elba has revealed surprise plans for retirement from acting to focus on another career
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Idris Elba announces plan to retire and focus on another career
Idris Elba has shared plans to retire from acting. Despite being one of the highest grossing actors and rumours he will be the next James Bond, the 53-year-old has expressed a desire to pivot to another career. In a Q&A at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia on 10 December, Idris shared that he wanted to hang up his acting hat and hoped his fans wouldn’t be “mad” at him.
“I’m hoping that my fan base as an actor isn’t made at me,” he said whilst promoting his new short film Dust To Dreams. “But eventually, I want to transfer to be a director fully. I’ve been acting for a long time. I love it still, but I think directing allows me to flex slightly different muscles and just be a part of the set in a different way. I really enjoy it.”
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Idris directed his first feature film, Yardie, in 2018. He’d previously done a TV short, Rebellious Soul: The Musical, making Dust To Dreams his second short and third directorial film. He also has three films that have not been released yet, including one called Above The Below, which he also stars in.
The Thor actor is one of the top 20 highest grossing actors, as his films, including several Marvel projects and a biopic about Nelson Mandela, have grossed over $9.8 billion at the global box office.
In recent years, Idris has also been tipped to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond. He even suggested he would say yes to the role if it was offered to him, even if it’s not something he’s actively pursuing.
Talking to Vanity Fair in 2019, he said: “James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character, that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey. Of course, if someone said to me ‘Do you want to play James Bond?,’ I’d be like, Yeah! That’s fascinating to me. But it’s not something I’ve expressed, like, yeah, I wanna be the black James Bond.”
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In the same article, he said he was “disheartened” by the backlash to Bond rumours. He shared that he found it troubling that some people thought he couldn’t do the role, which has so far been played by white men, purely because of his race. Idris added that the backlash meant taking on the role would be a “difficult position to put myself into”.
Brooklyn Beckham has been involved in a public feud with the Beckham family but it looks like dad David is keen to make up with his eldest son
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The Beckhams have been involved in a family feud(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
David Beckham has sent an emotional message to his son Brooklyn amid their ongoing family feud. It’s thought that the former footballer’s latest post could be an olive branch. The public feud has been going on for months now, with the majority of family members sharing social media posts connected to the row. However, the latest post could be an attempt to make up before Christmas.
David took to his Instagram stories where he shared a photo of himself alongside wife Victoria, 51, and children Romeo 23, Cruz, 20 and Harper, 14, celebrating his MLS title in Miami. But he also posted a throwback snap of himself with Brooklyn, 25 after winning the same cup as a player with LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012.
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He captioned the snaps with: “License to cry.” Some have thought that the latest post could be an olive branch to Brooklyn before the festive season comes to an end.
Last week, Brooklyn’s youngest brother shared his own post that looked like he was also trying to end the feud. Crus posted an old photo to Instagram of himself with Brooklyn, his other brother Romeo and his dad David.
Next to the sweet snap, he wrote: “Love you guys.” This is the first time Cruz has shared a photo with his brother since the feud first arose.
The week before, Cruz took to his social media again where he shared a message hinting that he wants to put the family rift behind him. Alongside a selfie, Cruz wrote: “Life is too short to be silence, at least talk it out,” with a crying face emoji. Some thought that the message could have been a plea to Brooklyn to reach out to him to sort things out.
Mum Victoria is also said to be desperate for the family to all make up as soon as possible. The fashionista posted on her Instagram stories to post a video from her mum’s Jackie’s home, where all the grandchildren’s Christmas stockings are up on the mantlepiece.
Brooklyn has his name embroidered name on his very own stocking. Speaking to the camera as she panned over the decorations, Victoria said: “So I’m here at my mum and dad’s house and look how cute.
“They’ve got all of the grandchildren’s stockings up ready for Christmas.” The exact reason for the family fall out has never been revealed.
Brooklyn has kept his distance from him family members as he has missed several milestones since they have stopped talking.
Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz didn’t attend David’s 50th birthday earlier this year. They also missed the premiere of mum Victoria’s Netflix documentary and also her big Paris fashion show.
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One of the big events Brooklyn missed but David’s knighthood celebrations. He also didn’t share a message congratulating his dad on his big achievement when the honours list was announced.
Ann Cleeves, who has created the books behind the hit TV series Vera and Shetland, has joined Queen Camilla for a brand new project aiming to find the country’s top reading champions
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Queen Camilla(Image: Getty Images)
Queen Camilla is breaking down snobbery in reading – and in turn it’s helping those struggling with their mental health, according to the best-selling author behind the Vera and Shetland books.
Ann Cleeves, whose novels have been turned into two hit drama series that have captivated viewers on ITV and the BBC, has hailed the Queen for her love of books and championing reading as a way of escaping everyday life. The novelist, who is working on her latest book in her crime detective series Vera, which saw Brenda Blethyn play the character in the long-running ITV drama, has long advocated the emotional benefits of reading for pleasure.
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It echoes the work of Camilla, who is known for her love of reading, and set up her Queen’s Reading Room initiative, which initially started with her recommending some of her favourite books and authors.
Ann has met Camilla, most recently at Clarence House earlier this year – and now she has been invited to join the judging panel on a new project – the Queen’s Reading Room Medal.
And speaking to the Mirror, the celebrated author says it’s wonderful Camilla is “doing away with” a certain type of ‘sniffiness’ when it comes to reading and enjoying books.
She explained: “Her Majesty obviously loves books – and what I admire the most is that she doesn’t necessarily pick classics or literary fiction. She’s just as happy to read a good murder or read something that the rest of us would read as an escape.
“In the past, there has been a bit of snobbishness around reading, and I think it’s brilliant that the medal and everything Her Majesty has said has been around ‘if you’re having a good time with a book, it’s a good book’.
“Popular genre authors that literary reviewers may have been a bit sniffy about, she has been doing away with that kind of snobbery, which is wonderful.”
Camilla announced the launch of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal earlier this year, which will be a national honour awarded annually to people who support storytelling in their local communities.
It is a spin off from the Queen’s Reading Room, a charity she founded following the success of her Instagram book club during the pandemic. It has since grown into a global hub for reading advocacy, with a podcast, research initiatives, and an annual literary festival drawing tens of thousands of visitors.
Nominations for the Queen’s Reading Room Medal are open until the end of the month and include people who have set up community reading groups, improved access to local libraries, donated books to those in need, or organised local literary festivals.
Ann is on the judging panel along with other leading publishing and literary figures – with Camilla understood to be delighted to have the best-selling author among those taking part in the project.
The author explained: “It is an honour to be asked to do something by Her Majesty and also I saw it as a way of getting the word out there and celebrating those people and volunteers, who go in and maybe read to stroke victims in hospitals or people set up reading groups for teenagers in their local libraries.
“It doesn’t matter. It is not about reading being some kind of chore or feeling we have to do, it is just sharing that immense pleasure in losing yourself in a story.”
Ann combines her busy writing schedule with helping to run the north-east-based Reading for Wellbeing organisation, which promotes reading as a way of supporting mental wellbeing, which caught the eye of Camilla and the Queen’s Reading Room chairity.
The author set up the organisation after experiencing for herself how getting lost in a book can help in times of struggle.
The organisation works with local GPs, who can refer patients who may be struggling to join one of their reading groups, where participants read for pleasure before joining together to discuss what they’ve read.
She explained: “Reading has seen me through some tough times. I had cancer when I was in my 30s and then my husband had bipolar disorder and until he was properly diagnosed that was quite tricky, balancing that with two kids.
“But what really got me through those tricky times was reading. And I thought, let’s see if this works. If it works for me, it might work for other people. Reading for Wellbeing then started.
“Reading is not about literacy even – it’s about losing yourself in a story and people can do that if they are listening to audio books or if they’re reading graphic novels – and something I often say is if you’ve got lots of depressed and angry thoughts rattling around in your head, it is really lovely to get inside someone else’s head for a bit. And when you’re reading, you can see the world through other people’s eyes.
“At one talk I did, one woman part of our group talked about how she had been going through a bad time in her life because her husband had died and her mum had died and she said in the past, I would have gone along to my GP and asked for some anti-depressants, but now I’ve got the group I don’t need to. I go along, I read a book and I chat to my friends.”
Vicki Perrin, the CEO of the Queen’s Reading Room, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Ann Cleeves as a judge for The Queen’s Reading Room Medal. Her extraordinary storytelling has captivated readers worldwide, and as founder of Reading for Wellbeing, she understands the profound ways reading can transform and enrich lives.
“Her insight will be invaluable as we celebrate the wonderful volunteers who go above and beyond to champion books and reading in their communities.
“We are thrilled to have Ann join our distinguished panel of judges as they honour those making such a difference through the joy of reading.”
Visit thequeensreadingroom.co.uk/the-queens-reading-room-medal for nominations, which are open until December 31.
Looking for a makeup artist-approved foundation that ‘does not budge all day’ and won’t break the bank? This cult-favourite makeup marvel is currently up for grabs for a whopping 25% off
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Cult-favourite foundation that ‘stays put all day’ gets price axed by 25%(Image: Getty)
Whether you’re a die-hard devotee of this iconic foundation by beauty powerhouse Estee Lauder, or you’ve been itching to give it a whirl without splashing out the full price, you won’t want to miss this limited-time offer.
The much-loved Double Wear foundation by Estee Lauder, a best-seller for several years and boasting an impressive 4.8-star rating on Lookfantastic’s website, comes in a whopping array of over 60 shades.
This makeup marvel, which typically retails at a substantial £39.50, provides medium to full coverage. Its formula is infused with SPF 10 to shield your skin from harmful UV rays. Even better, thanks to a cracking deal from Lookfantastic, it’s now dipped below £30.
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The Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation is currently up for grabs for £28.85 at All Beauty, £29.63 on Estee Lauder’s own site, and Lookfantastic.
According to Estee Lauder, this Double Wear foundation keeps oil at bay all day, leaving you with a shine-free complexion. It even claims to be sweat, humidity, and transfer resistant, making it a must-have in your makeup bag.
Boasting up to 24 hours of longevity, this lightweight foundation promises to stay true to colour whilst delivering an airbrush finish, creating effortless, natural radiance that’s ideal for both everyday wear and glamorous evening looks.
Enhanced with SPF10 defence, this versatile formula works to soften imperfections and even out skin tone, whilst helping to visibly reduce unwanted shine for enduring, freshly-applied results without any greasy residue.
This foundation has earned bestseller status for good reason, accumulating thousands of rave reviews from delighted customers.
One buyer beams: “As an MUA this is a staple in my kit! It does not budge all day!”
Further praise comes from this shopper who says: “First time using this and I’m blown away. Why did it take me so long to try? My old foundation didn’t last all day, so read other reviews on this one, and it’s a winner! The coverage is 10/10, longevity is awesome, the finish is smooth, and my texture has improved while wearing it.”
Another happy customer enthuses: “This is the foundation I wear daily, for work, events, errands, etc, it stays put all day, even without powder on top. Will always repurchase, the best!”
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Though one shopper does knock one star off, saying: “Have used double wear for years. It’s always been my go to having an oily complexion. I recently introduced primer to my routine and have had to experiment a little to get it right as it can make the foundation cake and show any dry/textured areas if not done right.”
As David Walliams looks ahead to a lonely Christmas, a PR expert has shed light on the transitional period he faces, against a backdrop of lost friendships and shifting tastes in comedy
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Could a ‘redemption arc’ be on the cards for David Walliams?(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Once the toast of talent show television, David Walliams is now looking ahead to a lonely Christmas, and a PR expert warns he could be in for a “brutal reset”.
While discussing his new children’s book, Santa & Son, the former Little Britain star spoke about spending Christmas Day away from his 12-year-old son, Alfred, whom he co-parents with ex-wife Lara Stone.
David, 58, shared: “I don’t have him for Christmas. I was thinking a bit about sometimes the pain you feel as a parent when you don’t have your child at Christmas.”
This comes at a transitional time for David, three years on after disparaging off-camera comments he made about Britain’s Got Talent contestants were leaked. This included one incident where he referred to a pensioner as a ‘c***’ while filming the 2020 series.
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Comedian and writer David apologised for the “disrespectful comments”, which were made during filming breaks, and subsequently announced his departure from the long-running ITV show, where he’d been a fixture for ten years.
Remarking upon this relatively quiet new chapter in David’s career, PR to the stars Mayah Riaz told the Mirror: “When it comes to David Walliams, this is a classic case of a public figure going through a period of reset. Fame can be incredibly loud, then suddenly very quiet, and that shift can feel brutal.”
With the dust from the initial controversy somewhat settled, David is reportedly still rather distant from his old showbiz pals, including his once-close friend, Simon Cowell, whom a source claims he no longer speaks to “at all”. But what effect will this distancing have on his future prospects in the limelight?
On this note, personal branding expert Mayah reflected: “The distance from Simon Cowell is interesting because that relationship once acted as a powerful engine for David and his visibility.
“When a star steps away from a partnership like that, it is not just a personal shift. It has a ripple effect on their public momentum, too. Losing that sort of alliance will have the industry wondering what the next chapter for him will look like.”
Of course, audience tastes have changed dramatically since the first episode of Little Britain first aired back in 2003, and jokes, particularly those which feel as though they might be punching down or otherwise insensitive, are viewed through a much different lens.
Indeed, back in 2020, the BBC removed Little Britain from iPlayer altogether after citing that “times have changed” since it was first broadcast. Both David and his co-star Matt Lucas expressed regret at the time for portraying people from other races, including sketches which saw them using Blackface.
According to Mayah: “The comedy world has changed so fast, and I’m not sure many performers were ready for that. What audiences once brushed off as cheeky or edgy now lands very differently. I think David was hit hard by that shift.
“He came from an era where the boundaries were looser, but now the cultural temperature is very different. Comedy has moved towards compassion and awareness, and he was caught in the middle of that evolution.”
However, Mayah believes there is still an opportunity for David to “write a new chapter for himself”, highlighting his talent for storytelling which audiences have long since admired.
Predicting a potential “redemption arc” ahead, Mayah considered: “I think there is always room for a comeback. The public can and do forgive, but they will want to see growth first. If David shows that he understands why the landscape has changed, he could easily write a new chapter for himself. People love a redemption arc.
“There is something very British about rooting for someone to get back up after a fall. Right now, though, he feels like a man in transition. It is a lonely place when the spotlight moves on, especially for someone who has lived inside it for so long. But isolation can also refocus a career.”
She continued: “Plenty of big names have stepped back, rebuilt quietly and then we see them return stronger. David is still a talented storyteller, and audiences have not forgotten that.
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“If he uses this quieter period to reintroduce himself in a more grounded and contemporary way, then a comeback is absolutely on the table. The door is never truly closed in this industry. It just depends on how he chooses to walk back through it.”
Do you have a story to share?Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com.Follow Mirror Celebs onSnapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.
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Kelly Osbourne has hit back at cruel trolls who commented on her weight and appearance following the death of her dad Ozzy four months ago
Kelly Osbourne has hit back at cruel trolls who have commented on her appearance after the recent death of her dad, heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne.
The 41-year-old took to Instagram to share that although she had received lots of “lovely” comments since Ozzy passed away in July at the age of 76 which had “really helped get through this time in my life since losing my father” – there had also been some “disgusting, horrible, mean and brutal comments”.
Some accused the grieving reality TV star of looking “ill”. While others have made comments on her weight loss. But in a series of video clips a defiant Kelly told her 4.3 million followers: “I am just here sat like, ‘What do you expect from me, what do you expect me to look like right now?’ The fact that I am getting out of my bed and facing my life and trying should be more than enough, and I should be commended for that.”
Addressing the trolls directly, Kelly said: “For example, you say I look ill. Well I am ill right now. My life has completely flipped upside down. I don’t understand why people expect me to bounce back and look like everything is just fine when it’s not.”
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Kelly continued: “I’m 100 per cent honest. I share my struggles with people and people share their struggles with me. They help me and I help them – but these mean comments are helping nobody. They’re just making you feel big and clever and like you’ve achieved something but all you’ve achieved is being a bully it’s sick, like your mentally ill.
“To everyone who is leaving these sick comments, you need to take a strong hard look at yourself because most of the things you are saying about me is how you feel about yourself.”
In another clip, Kelly said: “Another thing that’s strange is that you compare photos of me now at 41 years old to a picture of me when I was 18. People’s faces change when you grow older.”
But Kelly said the thing she found “most disappointing” about the abuse she had received was that the majority of comments were coming from “grown arse women”.
She added: “These are women that say they are counsellors, women that are mothers, women who look like they have weight struggles of their own. It’s devastating that women can’t support other women , they’d rather tear them down when their dad just died. It’s disgusting and i’ve had enough of it so go f**k yourselves.”
Kelly’s mum Sharon has also waded into speculation over her recent weight loss. Putting the record straight, she said: “She can’t eat right now – because she’s lost her daddy.”
Appearing on BBC Breakfast in a pre-recorded interview in her first TV interview since her father’s death, Kelly remembered her late dad and shared her grief. She shared: “It’s actually has been horrific. I’ve never ever felt anything like grief. I never realised that you could love someone so much.
“He worked so hard to do what he wanted to do most in this world and that was perform one more time and then he was ready to go. He made a mark on this planet that will never be erased.”
Ozzy’s beloved hometown of Birmingham paid tribute to the Black Sabbath star posthumously awarding him the city’s highest civic honour on what would have been his 77th birthday on Wednesday.
Talking about receiving the special honour Kelly said: “The fact that he has been recognised in such a way means so much to us because he loved this city, he loved Birmingham, he was a true Brummie through and through. And to be recognised, as I say, in such a way is just, it’s incredible.”
In July, fans from around the world descended on Birmingham to see Ozzy and Black Sabbath perform one last time in their final concert at Villa Park, just a few streets away from where Ozzy was born.
Kelly said: “I can tell you what he said afterwards. He turned around to my mum and he said, ‘I didn’t realise people liked me that much.’ He was the boy from Aston the entire time. He never realised just how incredible he really was.
“He went out doing what he loved most in this world and what he wanted to do before he left this planet was say thank you to his fans and have one more show and boy did he give one hell of a show.”
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