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Linda Robson opened up about working with former Birds of a Feather colleague Pauline Quirke as she admitted there was one aspect of the job Pauline “wasn’t a fan” of

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Actress Linda Robson admitted her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke “wasn’t a fan” of one thing in particular.

Pauline, 66, sparked huge public support when it was announced she was suffering from dementia earlier this year, triggering her retirement from acting.

She is most synonymous with Birds of a Feather, the BBC sitcom she co-starred in with Robson and Lesley Joseph. Pauline played Sharon Theodopolopodous in the popular programme, but she apparently did not enjoy the live shows.

Speaking to Bella, Linda, 67, said: “We did a thing where we did Birds of a Feather for years and years and years. We’d do a group hug, and then we’d do a group pelvic thrust.

“Any new cast members coming in, we’d include them and do a group pelvic thrust. We had little routines like that.

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“Pauline used to get herself in a state, she hated doing the live show and touring around the country, she wasn’t a fan of that. I think she felt safer in the TV studio.”

Birds of a Feather ran from 1989 to 1998 on BBC One, before it was revived from 2014 to 2020 on ITV.

It comes after Linda shared an emotional update about her friend and former colleague as Pauline continued to battle against dementia.

She appeared on BBC Breakfast alongside Pauline’s son Charlie, who is about to embark on a 140km trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK following her diagnosis.

Linda has known Pauline since they were 10 years old when they attended the same theatre school. The pair are still meeting up despite her condition.

The actress said: “We met up about three or four weeks ago at a restaurant.

“It was so lovely. She was just giggling, and just really enjoying it, she ate everything as well. I left there happy because she was happy, and I knew they were looking after her really well.”

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Charlie started his mammoth trek yesterday (Monday, December 8) and is set to finish on Friday (December 12). It will see him visit. places from Pauline’s past before finishing at the family home.

Speaking out Pauline’s son, Linda added: “I’ve known him since he was in the womb, really, he’s a good boy.

“There’s so many people now that get dementia now, my mum for instance had it really, really bad and it’s the worst thing ever I think.’

Charlie added: “We’ve got to raise awareness for it, and this trek is about my mum’s career and her life, and it’s just nice to be here with Linda, and get the ball rolling with the trek.”

The Virgin billionaire, 75, announced last month that his beloved wife and partner of 50 years had passed away

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Heartbroken Richard Branson has shared an update with followers after the death of his beloved wife Joan. The Virgin billionaire, 75, announced last month that his wife and partner of 50 years had passed away – saying she was “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world”.

Yesterday he issued an update thanking fans and adding: “We’re the kind of family that now just want to celebrate Joan and the wonderful life she lived.” Richard and Joan married in 1989 on his private Necker Island and had three children – Holly, Sam, and Clare Sarah, who died after four days – as well as five grandchildren.

Posting two pictures of him and Joan together, Richard wrote: “Thank you to everyone who has shared such kind messages about Joan. Our whole family are so touched by the outpouring of love. It brings us great comfort and it means so much to us all. We’re the kind of family that now just want to celebrate Joan and the wonderful life she lived.

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“I feel so fortunate to have met her all those years ago. She was just a joy to be around – as so many of your messages reiterated. Sending big hugs to everyone who has been in contact. And to anyone who has lost a family member recently, our thoughts (and Joan’s thoughts, I’m sure) are with you as well.”

The post was liked tens of thousands of times with followers including Natalie Imbruglia sending their best wishes. The singer wrote: “So much love to you and the family Richard… love all the happy, funny stories shared of Joan. So much Joy!!! She is one in a million.”

Announcing Joan’s death on 25 November this year, he wrote a short message that read: “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.

“She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x.”

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Richard later opened up about a strange coincidence that saw them able to spend her final days together after ending up in nearby rooms in the same hospital. He explained: “Holly, Sam and I are all together now, doing our best to smile through the tears and to focus on all the good things Joan brought into our world. There are so many.

“Fate has a strange way of working. As many already know, I’d come off my bike in India and hurt my shoulder. Joan was recovering from her own back injury in hospital in England. In the way life sometimes surprises you, I found myself moved to a room just down the corridor from her. We laughed together about how typical it was of us to end up on the same floor, like love-struck teenagers delighted to find each other again.

“We had a lovely lunch that day. She was in positive spirits and getting stronger. She smiled at me, that radiant smile that lit up her whole face, the same smile I fell in love with the very first moment I saw her, half a century ago. Then suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly. And thankfully, I was right by her side. It brings us all great comfort to know we were together.”

The businessman later shared a picture of a picture of Joan in a monastery in Bhutan saying he was “incredibly touched” by the gesture. Richard wrote: “Thank you so much to everyone who has been in touch and shown so much love for Joan and our family over the past few days. It means the world to us.

TV presenter Claudia Winkleman has accepted an MBE from the King today as she was joined by her proud husband at Windsor Castle.

Claudia and her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly were both made MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours for their services to broadcasting. Just weeks after the announcement, the duo announced that they will be leaving the BBC dance show after fronting it together since 2014.

Claudia donned an all white suit for the occasion along with a pair of matching stiletto heels and a headband over her signature glossy locks. As she collected the honour, Claudia was seen cracking a joke with King Charles whose wife Queen Camilla is a known fan of Strictly. Claudia and Tess were both sent personal letters from the Queen after their MBE’s were announced, with Tess calling her visit to Windsor Castle ‘the proudest day of her life’.

Claudia was joined by her film producer husband Kris Thykier and her mum Eve Pollard. Claudia and Eve – a former editor of the Sunday Mirror – posed to pictures together in the castle grounds following the service.

Claudia began her career as a TV and radio presenter fronting a range of BBC TV shows including Comic Relief and The Great British Sewing Bee. She went on to present a range of programmes on BBC Radio 2 until 2024, including the comedy quiz series Hot Gossip, the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show and Claudia On Sunday.

After jointly receiving their honours, Claudia and Tess’ last appearance on Strictly will be the Christmas special, which will air on December 25. Last week the BBC confirmed that Claudia’s second reality series The Traitors will return to screens on New Year’s Day.

Former cabinet minister Dame Penny Mordaunt, who played a prominent role during the King’s coronation in 2023, joined Claudia at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. She was made a dame for political and public service.

Claudia’s MBE comes weeks after co-host Tess was given the same honour in November. Speaking after her ceremony, Tess said the King put her ‘nerves’ at ease.

She said: “This is probably the greatest honour of my career and it still feels quite surreal to be honest with you. I’ve been working in television for 25 years, and it’s a job I absolutely love to do. It was a real privilege to be in a room of people who have made a difference in their communities, who have built incredible careers. It was a very inspiring environment.”

She added: “His Majesty put me at ease – I was quite nervous. We talked about the show and I know the Queen enjoys it. She sent me a letter of congratulations when I received the MBE which meant the world.”

She added: “He (the King) thanked me for the work I have done for his charity as well – the King’s Trust.

“We talked about the funds that it’s raised and how many young people’s lives this has made a huge difference to and I’m very proud to be an ambassador of this charity.

“It’s just incredible to be welcomed into a royal residence by a member of the royal family – the King, no less – and to have such an honour bestowed upon you is something that you don’t take lightly.

“I will never forget this day for the rest of my life. It’s for my family as much as it is for myself.

“If I could dedicate it to anyone, I would dedicate it to my late dad because he’d be so proud of his daughter meeting the King, in a castle.”

Speaking about her forthcoming departure from Strictly, she said: “I love the show, it’s wonderful and it’s just fantastic to have worked on it for as many years as I have. It’s been such a great opportunity to work with incredibly talented people. Obviously for me, there’s no show like it.

“I will miss it but I’m quite looking forward to a lie-in on Saturday morning – and new ventures in the new year.”

Asked who will replace her, she said: “I have no idea, it’s not up to me.

“I’ll be watching at home with Claudia – we’ll be watching the launcher together!”

I’m A Celebrity star and Spandau Ballet sensation Martin Kemp has made a stunning admission about his career just days after finishing seventh in the hit ITV series

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I’m a Celebrity campmate Martin Kemp has made a candid career admission after leaving Australia.

Coming seventh on the ITV show, the Spandau Ballet heartthrob earned a reputation as the Camp Dad, counselling co-star Jack Osborne on screen and even treating campmates to a rendition of 1983 hit single Gold.

And in a new interview, the singer revealed why he joined the iconic show – and it wasn’t to “ boost his career”. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “I went in there because I love iconic television and I wanted to experience it.”

Then, in an astonishingly honest admission, he confessed: “I am at the end of my career.” The 64-year-old went on to say he is “happy” with where he is in his life and “no longer takes jobs that are just a springboard to the next”.

On the show, Martin treated viewers and campmates to anecdotes about domestic bliss with his wife, fellow 80s pop star Shirlie Holliman. The couple have been married for 40 years, and she greeted Martin as he walked across the bridge after lasting 20 days in the camp.

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He is not the first in his family to endure the bushtucker trials. His son, TV personality Roman Kemp, starred in the 2019 series and came in third. Martin credited his son’s time on the show with inspiring him to have a go.

He reflected on his long life in the spotlight, saying his “ego was big enough” that he “assumed [fame] would last for ever”. During long conversations around the campfire with rapper Aitch, 25, and YouTuber Angry Ginge, 24, the singer recalled his younger self.

Ginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, would go on to be crowned King of the Jungle.

The star also reflected on the distress caused by his 1995 diagnosis of two brain tumours. He recalls having “two years of living on the edge”. Martin underwent treatment with then trailblazing radiotherapy and has been living with a metal plate under his scalp since.

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Despite the life-threatening experience, he remains calm after the ordeal. He insisted that “it is amazing how quickly you accept everything,” and acknowledged that “we all live with mortality”.

Having shot to global fame alongside brother Gary in Spandau Ballet, Martin has been in the public eye since 1979. They released their first number one single, ‘True’, in 1983 and became the standard-bearers for the New Romantic movement.

The group first split up in 1990, before they announced a reunion tour in 2009. Their return was under threat in 2017, as lead singer Tony Hadley walked out. The remaining members limped on until cracks appeared in 2019, and the group disbanded.

Geordie Shore star, Holly Hagan, has spoken out about the heartbreaking loss of her sister, Darci, who tragically died in October, after a night out in Manchester

Holly Hagan has revealed her one big regret following the tragic loss of her sister, Darci, who died in October following an accidental drug overdose.

Darci, 19, was in a nightclub in Manchester when she took crystal MDMA – which she mixed into her drink – before losing her life just 48 hours later following a cardiac arrest.

Holly, 33, was incredibly close to her sister and told her followers she had been left “traumatised” following Darci’s passing. The Geordie Shore star, who recently revealed she was expecting her second child, has now opened up about a ‘red flag’ before Darci’s death in a heartbreaking admission.

READ MORE: Holly Hagan’s heartbreaking final act of kindness for sister after teen’s tragic deathREAD MORE: Leonardo DiCaprio reveals humble reason he always wears face mask in public

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Saying she wished she had reached out to Darci before she went to clubbing at the Warehouse Project, Holly told Married At First Sight’s, Paul C. Brunson: “For some reason that night and I don’t know why I didn’t, I wish I had messaged her, because we know what Warehouse Project is.

“I don’t know why I didn’t think to message her to say what you doing tonight, let me know what you’re doing tonight, let me help guide you.”

Continuing Holly said: “Because for some reason this night she decided to order, not a pill, but powdered MDMA. And as far as everyone knows and talking to her friends, this is the first time she’d ever taken it.

“She went out this night and she had one alcoholic drink and then from what her friends said she poured an amount from the bag into her drink.”

Pointing out that Darci ‘clearly took too much’ of the drug, Holly explained that Darci was sick before collapsing at the bar as an ambulance was called.

Praising the paramedics for getting Darci to Manchester Infirmary as quickly as possible, Holly revealed her heartbreaking last moments with her little sister.

“To see my sister, just 19, lying in that ward was absolutely horrendous,” the heartbroken sister told the Daily Mail.

“I opened the curtain, and I have never seen anything like that in my life. I hope no parent or sibling ever has to see anything like that.

“She had tubes in her nose, in her mouth, she had bruises everywhere from where they had cannulas wherever they could put a cannula, she had tubes, needles in her neck, she had blood pouring out of her nose.”

Holly then revealed that a scan confirmed that Darci was brain dead, and there was nothing more doctors could do for her.

Sharing her heartbreaking final act for her sibling, the mum-of-one said she went out in the middle of the night to buy pyjamas for her sister before making sure that her hair – including £800 extensions – was brushed ‘so that my mam wouldn’t see any knots’.

* If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.

Martine McCutcheon just shared her go-to shampoo that she uses after tap water ‘ruined her hair’ – and the £11 bottle soothes itchy, flaky scalps after just a single use

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The winter weather can be tough on our skin, and even harsher on our scalps. The lack of moisture in the air coupled with harsh winds, excess heating, and constant hat wearing can leave your scalp feeling itchy, sore and dry.

Other factors can also trigger scalp psoriasis, like hormones, genetics, or even the tap water you use, as Love Actually star Martine McCutcheon knows all too well. The actress recently became a brand ambassador for medicated shampoo brand Polytar, after revealing she swore by the brand’s Polytar Scalp Shampoo for helping ease her dry, sensitive scalp.

READ MORE: Boots just slashed 50% off this 5-star rated LED mask that makes a ‘big difference’ to your skin

READ MORE: Charlotte Tilbury fans race to buy gift set with 3 full-size lipsticks and free festive clutch bag

Martine shared that, after moving to London, she realised that the city’s hard water was causing endless issues with her scalp such as dandruff and scalp sensitivity. She said: “Dandruff and a sensitive scalp can be something you really worry about, especially when your hair is part of your job. I knew that because of what I do for a living, it was just another issue that I didn’t need coming back to haunt me. I’m so glad that I went back to Polytar and tried it, because it genuinely does make all the difference.”

According to Polytar’s Hard Water Hair Report, one in two Brits (52%) report experiencing dandruff, and residents of London, the South East, and the East of England are most likely to report that their local water affects their scalp health. It also showed that these hard water regions report the highest levels of scalp flare-ups and dandruff, with more than half of adults (53%) nationwide believing their local water worsens dandruff and itchiness. In London, that rises to 71%.

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To tackle it you can swap your shower head for one that filters water before it reaches your scalp, like the Hello Klean Shower Head 2.0 (£60 down from £75) or the Showery Water Softening Electric Shower Head (£29.99 down from £55). However, it’s much quicker and more affordable to switch up which shampoo you use – plus it means you can make sure wherever you travel to your hair and scalp are protected from hard water.

The Polytar Scalp Shampoo uses liquid concentrated antiseptic tar to help cleanse your scalp and treat all kinds of conditions like seborrhoea, psoriasis, dandruff and itching scalp. It also helps get rid of product build up, leaving your hair feeling ultra-clean and shiny.

It’s currently on sale at Superdrug, where it’s down from £10.99 to £8.24, with two five star reviews. One said: “Whenever my scalp feels ‘itchy’, I use this shampoo. Lovely clean hair! However it is a slightly medicinal smell, & a bit drying. I cannot use conditioner due to my age and increased risk of falls. So I use it first then use Dove shampoo for 2nd wash as it is creamy.”

Meanwhile you can find more reviews on Amazon, where it’s priced at £11.24 and has more than 5000 ratings. One said: “Very easy to apply, reduces itching and flakes from first use.”

Whilst another wrote: “Received today and used this evening , felt the difference after the first wash on my ears and the nape of my hairline ! first use and although it’s expensive for a small bottle ! IT WORKS ! no embarrassing itch at all!”

However some found it was less effective on their dandruff and dry scalp, whilst another said: “Helped with my itchy scalp. Slightly affected my hair colour.”