Category Entertainment News

Former Top Gear presenter and Phoenix Nights star Paddy McGuinness will spend Christmas with his ex-wife Christine, following the finalisation of their divorce in 2024

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Paddy McGuinness has revealed that he and ex-wife Christine will be spending Christmas together, following their split in 2022. The couple shocked fans when they announced they would be divorcing, but despite an expensive and lengthy legal process, the pair still co-parent amicably and live together in the family home.

The former couple share their three young children – twins Leo and Penelope, 12, and daughter Felicity, nine. The family has been open about the children and Christine all being diagnosed with autism, and so having all the family together over the festive season is important for dad, Paddy, 52.

Former Take Me Out presenter and comedian Paddy has opened up about his plans for Christmas. He revealed that, despite being an unusual situation for many, having both sides of the family together is normal for his clan.

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When asked if he would be spending Christmas with his ex, he told The Sun: “Of course, because both of our families are our children’s relatives. Our children are always happy to see all of our family.

“Luckily for us, it’s a nice vibe in our household, so there’s never anything where the children feel anything negative whatsoever.” He added that, like most separated parents, he and Christine simply want “what’s best for the children.”

Despite being aware that it “can’t always be like that”, Paddy is thankful that their situation is so amicable, after spending 15 years with his ex Christine. After the family has visited the children, they have a “quiet one” on Christmas Day, as that’s what his kids prefer.

Meanwhile, Christine. 37, recently opened up about how difficult the last couple of years have been for her, admitting she “couldn’t cope with all the changes”. Speaking to the Mirror in August, she explained: “This year has been difficult, I’ve just come off my ADHD meds after being on them for the past year after I begged my doctor for help.

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“I just couldn’t cope with all the changes with the divorce, the amount of attention around my personal life and having to think about my children and how all of this is going to affect them.” The reality TV star decided to quit Channel 4’s Celebs Go Dating in May this year after two weeks, realising she felt it was too soon to be dating publicly.

She has been debating whether to remain in the spotlight or if it would be better for her kids if she were to step away from showbiz for good. She added: “I’ve had to think if I am in the right industry, and if I can continue. It may be what I enjoy and love, but when i think about my children and how the attention is going to affect their lives I have questioned it and if it’s right for me.”

Although Christine has said she may never reveal what actually led to her breaking it off with Paddy, she opened up to Celebs Go Dating experts Anna Williamson and Paul C Brunson about her divorce. Speaking on the show following a difficult first mixer, she was asked by Anna: “What happened around the break-up and who initiated it?”

Appearing to suggest Paddy had made ‘mistakes,’ Christine said: “Anyone can make mistakes, but I think the trust was broken,” she explained. “I’ll always love him, he’s the father of my children. and I think he’s the only man that I’ll ever love.

“A lot of people make mistakes and mess up, and when you’re in a couple who is quite well known in the industry, obviously, then everyone knows your business. He was getting a really, really difficult time in the press,” she continued – although she didn’t expand on the ‘mistakes’.

To clarify, celebrity dating agent Anna asked: “Because of that?” Christine replied: “Yeah, and I didn’t like that. It was a lot for him and I just really wanted it to stop. So it was me that said ‘enough is enough.'”

Opening up about her guilt, Christine continued: “So, in some ways I suppose I still carry that feeling of, ‘Well it’s my fault because I ended it,'” as Paul looked on in shock.

Speaking about their relationship to the cameras, Christine said: “We had an amazing 15 years, we really did. The last couple of years, things just weren’t quite the same. I think once the respect isn’t quite there anymore, it’s time to leave.”

Amy Schumer has announced that she and her husband, chef Chris Fischer, have decided to end their marriage after seven years together

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Amy Schumer has revealed that she and her husband, chef Chris Fischer have split after seven years of marriage.

The actress, author and writer shared news of the impending separation via social media on Friday.

“Blah blah blah Chris and I have made the difficult decision to end our marriage after 7 years,” Schumer posted. “We love each other very much and will continue to focus on raising our son. We would appreciate people respecting our privacy at this time.

“Amicable and all love and respect! Family forever.” Schumer and Fischer tied the knot in February 2018 in Malibu, California. Their son arrived in May 2019.

The pair appeared together on the Food Network programme “Amy Schumer Learns to Cook” and the HBO limited series “Expecting Amy,” which chronicled her challenging pregnancy.

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Schumer has previously stated that her Hulu comedy-drama “Life & Beth” draws from her own experiences and was influenced by her relationship with Fischer. Schumer’s breakthrough into Hollywood stardom came with the 2015 Judd Apatow film “Trainwreck.”

She has demonstrated her comedic talents through touring and streaming television specials. This year, she starred in and co-penned “Kinda Pregnant,” playing a baby-obsessed single woman who pretends to be expecting.

She has championed raising awareness about endometriosis, a condition that required her to have her womb and appendix surgically removed in 2021.

Fischer received a 2016 James Beard Foundation book award for American cooking for “The Beetlebung Farm Cookbook: A Year of Cooking on Martha’s Vineyard.”

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Amy and her estranged husband have often been seen without their wedding rings over the course of the last few months. A source previously told PEOPLE that Amy and Chris Fischer are “working through normal issues” in their marriage. Earlier this month, Amy took to Instagram to reiterate the pair “are still married”.

Earlier this year, Amy revealed she was left vomiting and bedridden after she tried to use Ozempic – a diabetes medication – in an attempt to lose weight but it reacted to her genes. Although some people use Ozempic to aid weight loss, it is not licensed for this and should only be used by people with diabetes to aid their symptoms.

Sharing her experience on The Howard Stern Show, Amy confessed: “I have this gene, GDF15, which makes you extremely prone to nausea, which is why I was so sick during my pregnancy. So, I tried Ozempic almost three years ago and I was like, bedridden. I was like, vomiting — and then you have no energy.”

However, years later she admitted to that after quitting the GLP-1 drug, she tried taking Mounjaro, a different version of the type 2 diabetes drug.

In August, the actress revealed she had to undergo an operation following a past surfing incident. She said it had ‘been killing me’ as she struggled with severe pain. She again took to Instagram to share the news, posting a snap of herself using a walking aid.

At the time, she explained to her millions of followers that she had to go under the knife due to the past injury. She said: “Since my surfing injury back in the day my L5 has been killing me. Today I got a laminectomy! It’s a short recovery and when I’m feeling better I will buy a bra!”

And she also confessed to a horse riding incident shortly before her op. After taking her son riding, she said: “I took a deep breath and got my 44 year old, bad backed a** right back up on that horse and rode and trotted and it sent a message to those (riding students) and myself.”

EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and professional partner Julian have fought into the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final after surviving five dance-offs, and this Hollywood musical star has taken notice of the pair

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Strictly Come Dancing’s most resilient couple have done it the hard way, but Balvinder Sopal and her professional partner Julian have finally danced their way into the semi-final – and now even a Hollywood superstar knows exactly who they are.

Balvinder, 47, best known to millions as Suki Panesar in EastEnders, has become one of this year’s most talked-about Strictly contestants after repeatedly surviving the dreaded dance-off and refusing to let setbacks derail her journey. The actress and first-time Strictly pro Julian have faced the dance-off an extraordinary five times, more than any other couple this series, earning a reputation as the competition’s ultimate fighters.

And while the pressure has been intense, the pair admit the outpouring of support following last weekend’s emotional performance has been overwhelming – including a message relayed from Hugh Jackman via a mutual friend.

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“I’m still trying to process it,” Balvinder laughs. “He asked how we’d got on and my friend messaged me saying, ‘He knows who you are.’ I’m working on getting that message sent to me – ideally on video!” The semi-final milestone still hasn’t quite sunk in for either of them, with Balvinder admitting the reality only hits in small, surreal moments.

“We’re honestly still in disbelief,” she says. “It feels completely surreal to be standing here talking about the semi-final after the journey we’ve had.” That journey reached an emotional peak last weekend when Balvinder was left in the spotlight alone at the end of her dance, prompting an explosive reaction from the audience and visibly moving the actress to tears.

Reflecting on the moment, Balvinder explains that it was the crowd’s response that first overwhelmed her, before the judges’ comments finally broke through her emotional defences.

“Julian leaving me in the spotlight was such a generous thing to do, and we had spoken about it in rehearsals, but I don’t think I realised how big that moment would feel until it happened,” she says. “Listening to the applause and then hearing the judges say things I’ve never heard said about me throughout this competition was incredibly overwhelming.”

It was judge Motsi Mabuse’s words about the emotional toll of repeatedly fighting back from the dance-off that ultimately tipped Balvinder over the edge. “When she talked about how demoralising it must be to keep coming back and fighting every week, it all just hit me,” she admits. “It was like a release – just relief pouring out.”

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Despite the repeated dance-offs, Balvinder and Julian insist they never allowed themselves to become bitter or defeated, instead choosing to embrace the narrative of being the competition’s fighters. “At a certain point, we just had to accept that this was our journey,” Julian explains. “Every series has a couple who has to fight for everything, and this year that’s been us.”

The mindset shift proved crucial, with both agreeing that once they stopped fearing the dance-off, they were able to enjoy the competition more fully. “No one is going to give this to you,” Julian adds. “We had to go out there, claw for it and give absolutely everything every single time.”

Physically, however, the toll has been undeniable, with Balvinder admitting her body is now paying the price for weeks of intense training. “I’m basically held together with sports tape at this point,” she jokes. “My Achilles are hurting, my rib’s been sore, I’ve pulled my glute – it’s probably quicker to say what isn’t hurting.”

Yet she is quick to praise Strictly’s support system, stressing that both physically and emotionally the show has looked after them. “There’s so much care here – physios, welfare teams, people checking in on you all the time,” she says. “Knowing that support is there really helps your mental health too.”

Julian, meanwhile, has been praised by viewers for his calm, intuitive partnership with Balvinder during his very first season as a Strictly professional, but insists he has never focused on viewer loyalty or voting patterns. “All of that is completely beyond my control,” he says. “All I can focus on is being the best teacher and support system I can be for Bal.”

The pair were also left devastated by the departure of Lewis and Katya last week, admitting that as the competition draws to a close, the bonds backstage have only grown stronger.

“At this stage, Strictly really does feel like a family,” Balvinder says. “Whoever leaves, it’s heartbreaking. They were the cream of the crop. That dance off was insane. Lewis and Katya created history.”

With the semi-final now looming, Bal and Julian who danced the Waltz to Michael Buble’s ‘At This Moment’, the couple are determined to savour every remaining moment – whether or not Hugh Jackman’s message ever makes it to Balvinder’s phone.

“He hasn’t sent the video yet,” she laughs. “But the fact he knows who we are at all feels pretty magical.”

Justin Moorhouse has announced the death of his son, Barney. The Phoenix Nights star, who played Young Kenny took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news on Saturday.

Sharing a snap of Barney, the comedian, from Ashton-under-Lyne, said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.

“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him. He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.

“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up. I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps. I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad.

“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.” Justin’s daughter, Isobel said: “The best brother. I will miss you always, love you.”

Meanwhile, Barney’s close friend said on Justin’s post: “The best friend I could’ve ever asked for. It was only a few days ago we were having a daft conversation about being each others best men if we ever get married. Feel like I’ve lost my other half. Won’t ever be the same without him. The best person I ever knew. Love you all.”

Tributes have since flooded in on social media, with John Bishop saying: “Justin this is so heartbreaking. I remember the kind fun little boy who grew to be a man to be proud of . There are no words. All of our love goes out to all of you at this time.”

Sacha Lord added: “I’m so so sorry. During his time at WHP he was a kind, gentle, funny soul. My love and thoughts to Barneys family and friends. I’m in shock.” Omid Djalili replied: “This has crushed me. Your comedy family mourns with you tonight.”

Former Coronation Street actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson penned: “This is incredibly sad. You will be in my thoughts.” Journalist Nooruddean Choudry commented: “That thing about knowing he was loved is everything mate. May we all live our lives knowing we were loved, just as Barney did. Top guy. He was and is a credit to you and your beautiful family x.”

Comedian and actress Jessica Fostekew said: “Oh Justin. I can’t begin to imagine the agony you must be in – sending you all the love and strength in the world. I’m so so so sorry.”

Justin’s Looking for Eric co-star, Steve Evets penned: “Justin, my heart goes out to you and all your family and friends of Barney. I can never imagine the grief you all must be in right now and I know my words are meaningless to you all but please take my best wishes to you all at this terrible loss.”

Jen Brister added: “Justin, this is devastating. There are no words but sending you all the love.”

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Olympic heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill opens up about retirement from athletics, raising two children, and the body image pressures facing female athletes

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Nine years after retiring from elite athletics, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill remains one of Britain’s most adored sporting legends, known for her top performances on the track, not least her 2012 Olympic heptathlon gold.

Nowadays her life looks a bit different, as she works to inspire the next generation of sporting stars while enjoying “taking a step back” to embrace motherhood. In fact, to Reggie, 11, and Olivia, eight, her kids with construction site manager husband Andy Hills, her title means nothing.

Jessica, 39, says: “They don’t really care that I’m ‘Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’. To them I’m just Mum. Kids don’t really ­evaluate their parents through the lens of career achievements. One day they will, I’m sure!”

For the three-time world champion, it was important to step away from the track on her own terms.

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She says: “I retired when I wanted to retire. I was ready after the last Olympics [2016]. It was like… starting the next phase of my life.”

Yet the Sheffield native is aware not every athlete has such an easy ride when it comes to retirement. She says: “It can be quite a challenging time. Your whole life has been around training and performing, and then it suddenly stops.

“But thankfully for me, it was a smooth transition, and having my family and support network around me really helped.” And although the roar of the stadium crowds may be behind her, a huge part of her identity will always be tied to sport. Jessica says: “I always loved competing. What started as a hobby when I was a kid became my career, my job, and it was amazing.

“But now it’s nice to sit back a little, enjoy being a parent and explore new opportunities, like inspiring our kids to be healthy, happy, and active.” As a woman who has been scrutinised intensely – she has even been accused of being fat – body image is a topic she approaches with honesty.

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She says: “In retirement, your body changes. I’ve had two children, but I’m still active. I love running, strength work, and staying fit. Sport taught me lessons that I carry with me every day.” Jessica is also passionate about passing on this important message to young athletes, particularly girls, and she advocates healthy eating as an ambassador for breakfast brand Weetabix. She advises girls: “Know who you are, be confident, and don’t take too much notice of what other people say. Your body is doing something incredible. Embrace that.”

The star is all too aware of the pressures faced by female athletes. She says: “Being a woman and an athlete can be… challenging. I had my son at the end of my career, and coming back to competing after having a child is a huge barrier.

“Things are improving but women still have more to consider than male athletes in the sports world.” Nevertheless, she is optimistic about the progress women’s sport is making on the world stage. She says: “It’s got so much better. We see amazing female athletes promoted, featured in campaigns. The Lionesses have raised the profile of women’s sport hugely, and athletics has stars like Keely Hodgkinson shining through. “Female sport’s in a really positive place.” Jessica still puts in the miles – this week she joined rugby legend Kevin Sinfield in Sheffield for his 7 in 7 ultramarathon challenge in aid of motor neurone disease charities. But while she loves watching fellow athletes compete in Strictly and I’m a Celeb, she won’t be signing up herself. She admits: “I’m way too scared of spiders to go into the jungle, and dancing every Saturday would terrify me! I’ll happily enjoy it all from the sofa.”

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is a Weetabix all-star and together they are on a mission to give Brits the best possible start to their day and help them achieve their goals – bix by bix.

The Rooneys’ Christmas lights can be seen by aircraft flying over, with the family known for spending thousands on their professionally decorated festive decorations

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Coleen and Wayne Rooney have reportedly spent thousands adorning their £20m mansion with Christmas lights, so much so that their decorations can be seen by aircraft. Having seemingly enlisted the help of professional decorators, the Rooneys’ festive displays are said to be visible from planes landing and taking off from nearby Manchester airport.

Former United star Rooney, 40, and his wife, Coleen, a star of I’m A Celebrity, have lived in their Cheshire home for the last three and a half years. Located in the county’s affluent Golden Triangle area, home to many footballers and celebrities, the sprawling mansion has been turned into a winter wonderland for Christmas.

Photos of their stunning home show the roof and spacious porch lined with thousands of fairy lights, with the garden brightly lit across trees, hedges and wreaths. The couple shares their incredible home with their four sons: Kai, 15, Klay, 11, Kit, 8, and Cass, 6.

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The family live in the luxurious house, which is said to boast a swimming pool, stables, wine cellar, library, cinema room and hot tub. Their home also has a full-size football pitch, complete with changing rooms and showers.

Wayne is believed to have paid over £4m to a Cheshire property developer to build the mansion, which, of course, has two lifts. The second lift connects to the basement floor, which sports a sprawling gym, pool, Jacuzzi and a cinema room.

This time last year, Coleen was just heading back following her stint in the I’m A Celeb jungle, after slumming it for weeks. But her doting husband had a sweet surprise waiting for her, having spent £10,000 on stunning Christmas lights, ready for her return.

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Despite being shot into the spotlight after her footballer husband hit the big time with United when she was just a teen, Coleen is an astute businesswoman and TV personality in her own right. Coleen Rooney reportedly secured the joint highest-ever fee in the show’s history when she joined last year’s series, following her high-profile Wagatha Christie court battle with Rebekah Vardy.

The WAG was rumoured to have pocketed £1.5million, and demonstrated her value as viewers voted to keep her in until the finale. She narrowly missed out on victory to McFly’s Danny Jones, whilst Reverend Richard Coles claimed third spot.

But the savvy start made a substantial investment in the global health and wellbeing brand, Applied Nutrition. This follows her ambassadorial role for the company’s popular collagen, vitamin, and protein products earlier this year.

A strong advocate for health and wellness, Coleen is leaving her glamorous WAG life behind to focus on her new venture. Liverpool-based Applied Nutrition is renowned for its high-quality products that have gained popularity among fitness enthusiasts worldwide.

She also launched her own range in collaboration with Applied Nutrition at the start of the year. An insider close to the deal revealed: “This move showcases her ambition and determination to transcend her celebrity status. Coleen is not just a pretty face; she’s a savvy businesswoman and could be about to make waves in a booming industry.

“The partnership with Applied Nutrition is a great move for her given the phenomenal growth of the company in recent years. Having her on board is a massive win for the brand too. Her involvement has certainly captured the attention of female fitness and wellbeing fanatics. The Coleen Rooney range being launched in January is set to be in high demand. There are big plans in place – watch this space!”