England goalkeeper Mary Earps faced backlash this week over negative comments made about former teammates. In response, two time Euro-winning defender Lucy Bronze says that male footballers would not be subject to such forensic scrutiny as women
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Lucy Bronze says female players tend to be scrutinised more than their male counterparts(Image: Getty Images)
Lioness Lucy Bronze has defended ex-England goalie Mary Earps over criticism she has received for making negative comments about former teammates in her explosive new book.
Paris Saint-German goalie Earps spoke out about goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and team coach Sarina Wiegman in her autobiography All In, saying Wiegman was rewarding “bad behaviour” by reintegrating Hampton into the Lionesses squad in 2023. .
But right-back Bronze, 34, says male footballers would not be subject to such forensic scrutiny, telling The Mirror: “Female players are constantly under a magnifying glass. In a football team you have a group of 20-30 players – there’s no way everyone will think the same things. There are different personalities – and there is high pressure.
READ MORE: Hannah Hampton’s captain refuses to defend her as Lionesses pressed on Mary Earps ‘gossip’
“Men are solely judged on their ability and their lifestyle to a certain extent, but only if it’s a huge headline. Generally, for most of the popular female footballers, there’s a constant lens on what we’re doing – on and off the pitch.”
Manchester-based Lucy, who plays for Chelsea and England, won the UEFA Women’s Champions League five times – three times with Lyon and twice with Barcelona. She is rumoured to be dating Ona Batlle, the Spanish full-back.
Open about her 2021 diagnosis of ADHD and autism, she says of growing up: “I struggled to make friends. I was hyperfocused as a child and I always felt different to others.
“There were parts of my younger life where I was teased and bullied at school, for being a tomboy too. It was hard.
“Sport was my way of connecting with people when I couldn’t otherwise. That environment gave me somewhere I could be competitive and be obsessed with something. It gave me a safe space.”
Showing true grit, Bronze – who has twice been in the Euro-winning side – played the entire 2025 tournament with a fractured tibia.
She says: “It’s the first time maybe anyone has been able to prove that they’ll actually do anything to play for England. People may say that ‘they’d play with a broken leg’, but I’ve actually done it.”
She has her childhood to thank for her staying power.
“My first home was a one bed, a little flat above a corner shop: mum, dad, my brother and me. We never had a lot of money, we made the most of what we’d got,” she says.
This week Bronze made history by being named in the Fifpro Women’s World XI – a global football award decided entirely by professional players – for a record eighth time.
But she still has one major ambition, adding: “Winning the World Cup has been at the top of my bucket list ever since I put on an England shirt. I’ve managed to do everything else apart from that.
“Before we won the Euros, I said I’d trade every single trophy I’d won in my life to win one thing for England. Obviously, we’ve won two Euros now… well I’d trade those two Euros for a World Cup.
“The men’s England shirt has a star above it because of 1966, when the men won. In 2019 we had our own women’s shirt designed for the first time, and the star went missing – I want that star back.”
*Lucy Bronze has partnered with Barclays LifeSkills and National Numeracy to support Number Confidence Week
READ MORE: Chloe Kelly wows in see-through dress as fellow Lioness stars go to war over book
Married at First Sight UK star Ella Morgan has spoken out about what Strictly Come Dancing has failed to do in over twenty years of its time on the BBC, as the show is rocked by another scandal
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(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I)
As Strictly Come Dancing is rocked by yet another scandal, one TV star has slammed the show for a massive failure to do one important thing in its 21 year history.
Married at First Sight UK star Ella Morgan made history as the first trans bride to be on the show. As such, though the show is eleven years younger than Strictly Come Dancing, which began in 2004, it has done what Strictly has not – included trans representation.
Talking to Mirror ahead of Trans Awareness Week, Ella explained that while she loved seeing La Voix compete on the show in drag, she would like to see a trans person get the opportunity as well. “I love having La Voix on there, she’s an amazing drag queen, but it would be nice if after 21 years we could have trans representation on that show.”
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She explained that the show is doing amazing things for showing diversity among its contestants, but that it needed to start doing the same for the trans community too.
“It’s not to push a narrative,” she added. “There are loads of children with Downs Syndrome that have someone to look up to through Ellie Goldstein. Trans children deserve that too.
“We don’t go on these shows to constantly talk about the trans narrative, we just simply want to show that we are there. We exist, just like everyone else who gets the opportunity to be on these shows.”
This comes as the show is rocked by another scandal. Strictly has been hit by many scandals in recent years, including some regarding the show’s famous ‘curse’. The Strictly curse refers to a situation where a celeb and their pro dance partner start a relationship, causing the break-up of one or both of their prior relationships.
It was revealed recently that there is a video of a married celeb kissing his pro dancer whilst backstage. The video was supposedly taken by someone working on the show and saw the pro sit on her celeb partner’s lap before the two kissed.
Reports have claimed the release of the clip could implode a long-standing marriage and cast a shadow over the show. It has also been called a “PR nightmare” by some.
There have also been multiple reports of misconduct allegations over the past few seasons of Strictly, resulting in axings. Back in 2023, professional dancer Giovanni Pernice received the boot following claims made by his celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington, which he denied, though some of the less serious claims were upheld in an investigation. Graziano di Prima left the same year after Zara McDermott claimed he “hit, spat at and kicked” her.
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Strictly is currently midway through its 2025 series. While La Voix continues on the show, Ellie Goldstein was voted off in week six, after finding herself in the dance off against Balvinder Sopal.
Elsewhere in the interview, Ella told us she felt there wasn’t nearly enough trans representation on TV in general. While she loved Zelah Glasson’s run on Big Brother, she was “a bit sad that there’s no one trans on Celebrity Traitors”.
Davina McCall has revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer six weeks prior – and has undergone surgery to remove it. The 58-year-old took to social media today to share that the disease had been caught “very, very early” after she found a lump in her breast.
Speaking in a video to fans, Davina said that she discovered a lump in her breast on the set of ITV’s The Masked Singer after being encouraged to check by a sign in the toilets at Lorraine’s studio. “I just wanted to tell you I have had breast cancer, I found a lump a few weeks ago and it came and went,” she said.
“One morning I saw it in the mirror and I thought, ‘I’m going to get that looked at.’ So I had a biopsy and found out it was indeed breast cancer,” she added. “I had it taken out in a lumpectomy nearly three weeks ago and the margins, they take out a little bit extra, they check the margins and the margins are clear.
Davina has revealed that an operation has successfully removed the cancer and that she’ll be undergoing radiotherapy as “kind of an insurance policy” ( Instagram/davinamccall)
“It was very, very small so I got it very, very early which is incredibly lucky. But I am so relieved to have had it removed and to know that it hasn’t spread.
“My lymph nodes were clear, I didn’t have any removed and all I’m going to do now is have five days of radiotherapy in January as an insurance policy. Then I am on my journey to stop it from ever coming back.”
Davina went on to thank everybody at the Royal Marsden hospital who treated her as well as her “brilliant kids”. She continued: “An extra special thanks to Michael – it’s been a lot. I was very angry when I found out but I let go of that and I feel in a much more positive place now.
“I think my message is – get checked if you’re worried, check yourself regularly. If you are due a mammogram then get it done and I have dense breasts and I had a mammogram in August. I was postponing the ultrasound, I just couldn’t find time to do it – don’t do that.
“Get the ultrasound and thanks for watching. I’m sending all a massive hug.”
The ex Big Brother host’s famous friends shared supportive messages in the comment section, with DJ Fat Tony posting a row of hearts before writing: “I LOVE YOU X.” Meanwhile, writer Eliza Day wrote: “I love you so much.”
Amanda Holden commented: “Sending you so much love.” Gabby Logan added: “Sending you loads of love.”
Davina’s health setback almost a year after the TV star was diagnosed with a rare benign brain tumour which required neurosurgery. The surgery on the colloid cyst proved to be successful and recent scans showed no sign of recurrence.
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Celebrity Traitors came to an end on Thursday night which saw comedian Alan Carr win the first ever celebrity version of the hit series, however Joe Marler fell at the last hurdle
Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler has announced he is taking on a new project while also taking a swipe at Nick Mohammed. The former rugby player took to his TikTok page to share a funny video while informing his fans about his next job.
Posting to social media, Joe filmed himself as he received a phone call – however he wasn’t best pleased with who was on the caller ID. It said Nick Mohammad, who betrayed him at the final roundtable by banishing him.
As he read his phone, Joe said: “Nick Mohammad? Nah,” before throwing his phone aside. The logo for his new show Joe Marler Will See You Now then flashed up on the screen.
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Joe and Nick formed quite a friendship on Celebrity Traitors as they were both Faithfuls. However, the friendship didn’t end too smoothly as in the final episode, Nick then ended up voting Joe as a Traitor.
Joe was devastated by his friend’s move and has been joking since that they fell out over it. Marler was left seething as a last-minute betrayal saw Nick Mohammed and David Olusoga vote him out, leaving Alan Carr to claim the entire prize pot for himself.
Alan was one of the three Traitors alongside Cat Burns and Jonathan Ross. Jonathan was voted out by the Faithfuls earlier in the series but Cat managed to make it to the final.
However, Joe can consider himself one of the show’s real winners as his soaring popularity looks set to open more doors for him following his retirement from rugby.
The 35-year-old previously presented the podcast Joe Marler’s Things People Do, but revealed last month he was leaving the show after five years.
Now, however, he is set to make a swift comeback to podcasting, with his new project unveiled just moments after Thursday night’s finale aired.
Marler has been confirmed as the presenter of new video podcast, Joe Marler Will See You Now, which will see the former Harlequins forward “reimagined as an entirely unqualified yet oddly persuasive pseudo-psychologist” who will grill celebrity guests with a series of increasingly probing questions and bespoke personality tests.
The podcast will launch on Thursday, November 13, and will be available to listen to on BBC Sounds. It is produced by Folding Pocket, the same label that produces The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked.
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Marler also shared a post on Instagram about his new show just minutes after the Celebrity Traitors finale ended. Announcing the project, he wrote: “I am really excited to be launching a new podcast with a twist!
“Think Good Will Hunting meets The Goonies. I’ve always loved asking questions and learning new things. This new show lets me do it in the most surreal, unpredictable way. I can’t wait for people to see just how ridiculous, and surprisingly revealing, it’s going to be.”
Britney Spears has returned to Instagram after she sparked concerns with a string of bizarre posts following ex-husband Kevin Federline’s explosive memoir being published
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Britney Spears has returned to Instagram after a brief break
Britney Spears has made her return to Instagram after she deleted her account following a string of bizarre posts. The singer shut down her account just four days before and has now made her comeback sharing an image of herself in lacy lingerie.
Britney, 43, posted a screenshot of a video of herself in the saucy set, standing in front of a wardrobe with her trademark tousled blonde hair worn in a messy half up half down look. She also wore black mid-calf boots in the image.
Captioning the post she shared, “So much has happened this year, it’s crazy … I try to live within my means and the book, ‘Draw the Circle’ is an incredible perspective. Get your ballerina, circle, and own your boundaries. It’s incredibly strict and somewhat of a form of prayer but with so many endless possibilities in life, it’s important to do you and keep it simple.”
She then cryptically concluded, “I know there is a confusing side too. The devil is in the details but we can get to that later.” She then added shocked, crying laughing, and nose blowing emojis to the caption.
Her return to the platform comes after she sparked concerns following a series of bizarre posts on the app, as well as having a public argument with ex-husband Kevin Federline, 47. Relatives are reportedly growing increasingly worried about her recent online activity.
In recent weeks, she posted videos showing herself dancing with visible bruising on her arms. She has also shared mysterious messages about the two sons she shares with Kevin, Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19.
Last month, she uploaded footage discussing a “horrible” leg injury. She detailed how she had “fell down the stairs” and that her leg “snaps out now and then”. At the time, she wrote: “Not sure if it’s broken but for now it’s snapped in! ! ! Thank u god.”
In another troubling update recently, she stated she had experienced “brain damage”. Her fallout with Kevin came after he published his memoir, You Though You Knew.
In the book Kevin alleged Britney once “punched” Sean in the face. He further claimed that on different occasions, their sons witnessed her in their bedroom doorway “clutching a knife”.
Kevin and Britney were married between 2004 and 2007.
Kevin was eventually awarded full custody of their two sons. In his memoir, he stated that Britney’s 13-year conservatorship, which concluded in 2021, “brought stability when it was desperately needed”. He further asserted that since its termination it has become “impossible to pretend everything’s OK”.
He also warned, “Something bad is going to happen if things don’t change, and my biggest fear is that our sons will be left holding the pieces.”
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Britney strongly disagreed with her former husband’s remarks and in social media posts before deleting her Instagram account, she labelled his behaviour as “gaslighting” her. She also expressed feeling “demoralised” by the troubled dynamic with their children.
Playing ice-queen editor Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada in London’s West End means many people are scared to approach Vanessa Williams but that’s not always a bad thing says the Desperate Housewives actress
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Vanessa Williams before switching on the Oxford Street Christmas lights.(Image: Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)
“Many people are scared to approach me,” she laughs. “It’s actually quite good. It cuts out 50% of the people who would have! But once they realise who I actually am, that’s over.”
Currently playing ice-queen editor Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada in the West End to rave reviews, before that, from 2006 to 2010, she perfected her withering glare as Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty – another fashion boss who ran her glossy empire with a raised brow and an iron fist. So, it’s no wonder fans find her a little intimidating.
But, in real-life, she reckons women in power are no longer more ruthless than their male counterparts. “There are so many examples of women who are CEOs, governors, even presidents now,” she tells The Mirror. “Thank God those old stereotypes are disappearing. It’s incredible how much power and status women have achieved in the past 20 years.”
One woman who knows only too well about getting labelled is Vanessa’s close friend Hillary Clinton, once branded a “nasty woman” by Donald Trump, for her dogged drive and ambition.
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Hillary lives near Vanessa, 62, in her hometown of Chappaqua, New York, and they support each other’s careers. “She’s doing really well,” says Vanessa. “She hasn’t come to see the show yet, but her aide David has.”
New York born Vanessa is speaking before turning on the iconic Oxford Street Christmas lights in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity). The opposite to ice queen Miranda Priestly, Vanessa loves spreading festive cheer. She’s released two Christmas albums in the past and starred in the festive film, A Diva’s Christmas Carol, in 2000. “It is wonderful,” grins Vanessa. “This is my second year here for the holidays in London. I enjoy just the excitement of it, all the decorations of it all, and the tradition. I’m from New York, so we do Christmas big there. I would say it’s a little more quaint here.”
Her run at the Dominion Theatre has been extended until 18 April 2026 and she says: “I am doing eight shows a week at Devil Wears Prada, but in the past I’ve done many Christmas specials on television and stuff. So it’s a very familiar time, and it’s always one of my busiest times in terms of me doing concerts and stuff.” But with her family across the pond, it might be hard this year for them to visit in December. “I’ve got four kids and one grandson. So it depends on who is available as to if they want to fly in. And if not, well, we will get a holiday at the beginning of the year.”
The star, who has also enjoyed a glittering singing career, including her Grammy-nominated smash hit Save the Best to Last, shows no signs of slowing down in her sixties. There could even be a return to Desperate Housewives, the hit ABC drama created by Marc Cherry, that ran until 2012 and followed the scandalous lives of the glamorous women on a suburban American street called Wisteria Lane.
It starred Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Teri Hatcher as Susan Delfino, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis and, of course, Vanessa as Renee Perry. The series is reportedly set for a reboot, this time executive produced by Emmy Award-winning actress Kerry Washington. Vanessa, who joined the show in its later seasons as sophisticated party girl Renee Perry, says she still thinks positively about her time on Wisteria Lane.
“I do have fond memories of the show,” she says. “Mark Cherry, who was the creator and writer, just wrote a terrific role for me as Renee Perry. She gets all the laughs. She gets a chance to be free and zany, which I absolutely love to play. I have not heard any whisperings of us old girls coming back to Wisteria Lane, but if I got a call, it actually depends on who the team was. Mark conceived it and wrote it and wrote specifically for me and had that vision. So I would be just concerned about who the team was.”
When Desperate Housewives first aired in 2004, it became a worldwide phenomenon, known as much for its glossy suburban secrets as for the real-life drama rumoured to swirl around its leading ladies, with outlets often reporting on set rifts. But Vanessa is still close to Susan Delfino actress Teri Hatcher. “I see Teri,” she says. “I’ve been over here for almost a year and a half now. It’s been maybe two years. I saw her for her birthday. Her daughter Emerson came through the summertime. I think Teri will probably come in the next few months.”
While old friends remain close, Vanessa’s focus these days is firmly on her work. Married three times, first to music manager Ramon Hervey II in 1987, then to NBA player Rick Fox in 1999, her 2015 marriage to Jim Skrip came to a quiet end back in 2021. “I don’t know any Christmas romance that will happen anytime soon,” she admits. “But you know, I am at a stage now where I’ve got lots of freedom and I’m happy, you know, doing what I do.”
Mum to Melanie, 38, Jillian, 35, Devin, 32, and Sasha, 25, as well as grandmother to three-year-old Sunny, the star is also taking on a deeply personal new project about the scandal that changed her life. Raised by two music teachers, then studying for a music theatre degree, Vanessa first cut her teeth in showbiz via beauty pageantry – going on to be crowned as the first Black Miss America in 1983, aged 20.
Her historic reign was cut short the following year when unauthorized nude photographs were published without her consent in Penthouse magazine. She was forced to resign her crown and the controversy made global headlines, leading to an onslaught of racist and sexist abuse, including death threats. Vanessa has previously described the “pressure, shame, judgment” she had to cope with. She also lost acting jobs and faced ridicule on a vast scale.
But she didn’t let any of it stop her from making her mark on the world, and she is now making a documentary about what happened. “I’m working on a documentary, and that’s fascinating and exciting, but also exhausting,” she says. “Trying to get all the details right and tell the story, because it’s been 42 years, it’s a while. But in perspective, again, we just talked about how modern-day society receives and respects women and all the avenues that we have to achieve. You know, 40 years ago, it was a much different world. So that’s what I will be illustrating when I talk about my side of the story.”
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A career in the spotlight means she has sage advice for her daughters, two of whom have followed her into the music industry. “I’ve got two daughters that are singers, so they understand the rejection, the sacrifice, but also the elation you get when you get a chance to create,” she explains.
“So the advice is to keep doing what makes you excited, what you’re good at, and don’t be afraid to take any opportunity. As for what I do next, you’ll have to wait and see.” Knowing Vanessa’s remarkable ability to turn setbacks into comebacks and have smash hits across disciplines and genres, whatever she does, she’ll no doubt, ‘Save the Best to Last.’
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