Category Entertainment News

It’s been the topic of the music industry for years, but the Blur and Oasis feud has finally come to an end with Dave Rowntree praising both Liam and Noel Gallagher

Dave Rowntree has heaped praise on Oasis despite their rivalry with Blur. The Britpop legends had been at loggerheads for years and often engaged in a tense war of words. But ahead of Liam and Noel Gallagher finally taking to the stage this week, their ongoing feud has now come to an end.

The two siblings, who are no strangers to a tense war of words, left fans heartbroken when the band split in 2009 and since then, hadn’t spoken until they finally announced last year that Oasis would be reforming. Noel and Liam often took aim at one another in various media interviews and social media digs.

But almost 15 years to the day since their split, fans were left in a state of shock when a post emerged on social media confirming their reunion, with a tour kicking off this Friday. But now, their feud with Blur has ended, with Dave offering an olive branch to the Manchester legends.

READ MORE: Oasis have released new tickets for UK tour – how to buy yours if you missed out

“It’s going to be fantastic,” Dave said of the upcoming Oasis Live’25 tour. But while he’s excited at the thought, he wasn’t best pleased about the cost of some tickets, with sales site Ticketmaster going into “surge pricing” due to the extraordinary demand from those hoping to purchase tickets.

Speaking to AFP, Dave added: “It’s a two-edged sword, isn’t it? On the one hand, I’m really glad that they’re out on tour. Think of all the economic benefits… On the other hand, it’s a shame that good tickets are now so expensive. ” And confirming the end of the feud, he revealed he had purchased a ticket but is now unable to go.

“I had to give it to a friend of mine,” he said. The news comes after Liam took to social media to respond to speculation that he and Noel are currently rehearsing at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff ahead of their first show on Friday night.

Social media went into meltdown on Monday night as the sound of Cigarettes and Alcohol was heard blasting out of the waterfront stadium. Liam responded to a video of the apparent sound checks on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday.

He wrote: “Mmm I’m not sure about the vocals there too aggressive he really needs to take a chill pill man he’s just so angry all the time I don’t know who he thinks he is as far as I’m concerned he’s just a bigmouth from up north. “

When asked by a fan to seemingly “confirm or deny” if it was him rehearsing, Liam replied on the platform: “I’ve been in my pool all day doing under water farts so it’s defo a recording from rehearsals unless there’s 2 of me which I’m absolutely 1 million per cent here for well there for as well. “

Ahead of the biblical gig on Friday, the Mirror revealed just days ago that the band, which includes Liam, Noel, new drummer Joey Waronker and guitarists Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, are gearing up to ensure they sound their best on the tour.

A source told us: “With a new lineup and it being such a huge first show, the boys will do some songs inside the venue too. Some tours would start with a smaller show or take a week or two to get into the groove again. “

They went on to say that the brothers want each show to be “massive”. The source continued by saying: “But there is no time for that and also Liam and Noel want every night to be massive. ” Our insider went on to add: “This is such a huge comeback show and they are taking it very seriously. It all points to it being an incredible comeback tour. “

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson went Instagram official with Zara McDermott as the pair’s blossoming romance continued as they enjoyed a weekend at Glastonbury together

Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott looked very much a happy couple as they showcased their love at Glastonbury over the weekend. And now the new romance has made its way to being Instagram official as the One Direction man shared a sweet snap.

Louis, 33, shared a photo of himself and Zara, 28, in his Instagram reel from this year’s festival. Captioning the post: “Glasto 25,” Zara also gushed in the comments: “Best weekend ever. “

In the upload, Zara and Louis were seen posing with a group of pals before a gig. Louis was seen wearing a red baseball cap, baggy t-shirt with Hopeless romantic on the back and black trousers while holding a drinks cup.

Zara stood close to her man in a white crop top and black trousers. She paired it with black shades and a black baseball cap.

The duo had also been spotted taking in the Prodigy’s set at Worthy Farm on Sunday. While Zara looked a bit more subdued during the high-tempo performance of Fire Starter, the former One Direction star appeared to let his hair down.

They were also joined by his sister Lottie, 26, and her fiancé Lewis Burton. Of the occasion, a source told The Mirror: “Louis was loving The Prodigy. He dragged her along to the Other Stage and had a ball dancing to their hits. Zara danced along before leaving hand in hand with Louis before the set ended.”

The latest image is the first time Zara and Louis have shared a snap together online. But Zara has now met the singer’s family and posed for pics, showing the pair are ready to continue their blossoming romance in the public eye.

The pair first struck up romance rumours earlier in the year after being photographed on a cosy date in Suffolk. The moment in March came just a short time after Zara’s split from her long-term boyfriend Sam Thompson.

Sam recently admitted to “panicking” ahead of a possible run-in with Louis at Soccer Aid last month. With the pair’s potential meet gaining a lot of attention, Sam admitted he felt a wave of panic at the thought of a potential run-in.

The former Made In Chelsea man revealed he was caught off guard months ago when asked how he’d feel sharing a pitch with the One Direction singer. He said: “I panicked and thought, ‘I don’t have this. “

Speaking on his Staying Relevant podcast, he continued: “So I said, ‘It’s not about me and Louis. It’s not about who’s dating who – it’s UNICEF, it’s charity. ”

”Everyone’s here for the same reason: to raise money. And if he’s got anything about him, which I’ve heard he does, he’ll say the same. ”

Sam and Zara called time on their relationship for good in December. They had initially met in 2019 after she shot to fame on Love Island. Despite breaking up briefly, the pair got back together before calling it quits after five years together.

READ MORE: FatFace’s ‘cool’ summer dress that ‘doesn’t crease’ and will ‘pack well for holidays’

Singer Jessie J has shared a health update on social media after undergoing a mastectomy following her breast cancer diagnosis and has said she is ‘positive and grateful’

Jessie J has provided her fans with an update on her health almost two weeks after having a mastectomy. The Price Tag singer, 37, underwent surgery 11 days ago after she had announced that she had been diagnosed with “early breast cancer”.

She has been open and honest with her fans about her own experiences and regularly takes to Instagram to share her journey. And in her latest update, the songstress has revealed she was “feeling a little out of it” during her recovery, but insists she is “positive and grateful”.

Taking to her Instagram Story on Tuesday, Jessie uploaded a photo alongside her two-year-old son, Sky. She wrote: “For those asking for a health update. l am 11 days post surgery. I’m good.

“Missing being an active Mum / human the most. But it’s been nice to slow down and Sky is having a blast with Nanny and Grandad. It’s still uncomfortable / a little painful but l can handle that. I’m doing my exercises and taking all the healthy things. I have been trying to eat super clean. “

She went on: “I have stopped all pain meds. Just not my thing. Also like to feel how it feels so I don’t overdo it.

“I have now done a [poo emoji]. Still have my drain. Anyone else who has had this, did you feel like you are walking around one of those dog / duck toys.

“I carry mine on the floor when l’m home so the gravity can help the drain. Hoping it’s out by the end of the week. I am feeling positive and grateful. “

Shortly after, she took to the platform again to add: “If you do see me out, sitting in a park or coming out of a doctors appointment or eating or walking or anything, and I am seem a little out of it. I am.

“It’s not personal. I don’t have what l usually have to give energy wise, understandably. I will get there. It’s a slow road. For now l am taking it easy. Enjoying the slow vibes and staying positive. “

Jessie’s surgery came weeks after she had performed at the Summertime Ball. During her performance she told the 80,000 strong audience that this would be the last performance before her surgery.

She explained: “Today, this show is my last show before I go to beat breast cancer! So it’s so special to me you have no idea. I feel so special to be from the UK, to be an honest person and say how you feel.

“This is my last show before go treatment and all the things It’s the most special thing and I’m so grateful for this life, for you guys, for my career, to my, my son. My partner, my parents. My family, my band, my crew. “

She added: “We are so lucky, we have so much to live for, so much joy, so much, so many things to do. “

READ MORE: FatFace’s ‘cool’ summer dress that ‘doesn’t crease’ and will ‘pack well for holidays’

If you’re after a new perfume for summer but aren’t keen on the large number of beachy, coconutty, sun cream-like scents that fill the beauty aisles at this time of year, then we’ve found the perfect alternative.

Popular British fragrance brand Jo Malone London has just dropped its latest collection for summer, and it’s just divine. The Raspberry Ripple collection is, as its name suggests, inspired by the classic ice cream flavour, and inspired by nostalgic childhood trips to the great British seaside.

While a full-size 100ml bottle of Raspberry Ripple Cologne costs £128, you can buy a travel-friendly 30ml bottle for £59 from the Jo Malone website and Cult Beauty (and both come topped with cute candy-striped bows).

READ MORE: ‘I reach for this £25 body mist over my pricey perfumes – it’s the perfect summer scent’

READ MORE: Meghan Markle’s go-to dewy face cream launches new lighter version ‘perfect for summer’

Jo Malone London describes this new summery scent as “A scrumptious raspberry ripple ice cream. Sharp-scarlet juices of lush raspberries and redcurrants swirling through white musk. Vivacious and enticing,” with a top note of redcurrant, a heart note of raspberry, and a base note of white musk.

As Raspberry Ripple Cologne only dropped today, customer comments about it are yet to build up, but there is one five-star review already on the Jo Malone website, which calls it “another best ever”.

“I bought this as soon as it was launched via the early pre-sale, so blind without smelling. I’ve done that with my last few limited edition scents, which have all been excellent,” the shopper wrote. “This is no different and does not disappoint and I love it! Fruity and sharp but with a lovely background hint of subtle musk of some sort! Not too sweet but reminds me of summers and ice creams, It’s very distinctive and for me, lasting well. I just love it! The packaging is also lovely, another JM triumph. I’m a big fan! “

Our beauty editor Laura also had a sniff before it launched, and says, “I’m not normally one for fruity fragrances, but this is utterly irresistible. It’s much more tart than sweet, and transports me to a particular moment or memory more than any other perfume I’ve ever smelt. A definitely summer hit. “

If, however, beachy, salty fragrances are more your summer scent vibe, you should definitely check out this £25 body mist that’s been getting me so many compliments recently; I’ve even ditched my pricier perfumes for it.

For something similar to this but with a bit more staying power, you could also try Jo Malone London’s new Beach Blossom Cologne, £86, or the cult classic Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche Skinscent, which currently has 25% and is down to £43. 50.

Balamory, which starred the likes of Julie Wilson Nimmo as Miss Hoolie, is set to return after the BBC announced last year that it had commissioned two new series for CBeebies

A cast member from the original Balamory has announced that they will be part of the pre-school show’s return on CBeebies. It comes after the BBC announced plans for a “reboot” of the show, which is said to be getting a “revamp”.

It was announced last year that Balamory would be revived more than 20 years since it last aired. The broadcaster said at the time that the reboot is expected to launch in 2026 with the first of two new series that it had commissioned.

The BAFTA-winning show, which launched on the BBC children’s channel in 2002, focused on the fictional island community off the coast of Scotland. It ran for four series before coming to an end two decades ago in 2005.

It included Julie Wilson Nimmo, now 53, who played Miss Hoolie, among its cast. Miss Hoolie, who acted as the narrator of each episode, was introduced as a nursery teacher and remained the lead character throughout.

Julie has now confirmed that she will be back for the new series of Balamory. She shared the news in response to a fan who asked about the prospect in the comments section of a post about the actor doing yoga on Sunday.

The fan asked in the comments section on Instagram over the weekend: “Are you going to be in Balamory reboot?” Julie, who liked the comment, addressed the prospect in a reply. She simply responded to the fan: “Yup.”

It was previously suggested by the BBC that the new series will feature characters from the original show, as well as introducing a host of new residents of Balamory. No casting details were included in the initial announcement, though.

Balamory had been filmed in the village of Tobermory. It was announced last year that the new series will either be filmed in the same location or elsewhere in Scotland, with the prospect of Rothesay mentioned at the time.

Julie returned to Tobermory at the end of her BBC Scotland show Jules and Greg’s Wild Swim, in which she toured wild swimming locations with her husband Greg Hemphill. She teased then that she felt emotional being back.

Whilst arriving into the village, she told her husband on the docuseries, which aired last year: “This is magical. ” She added: “I actually feel really emotional. ” Julie, who later took photos with fans, then said: “I’m pure welling up. “

Speaking about the reboot, Julie said: “It’s the craziest and best news ever that Balamory is coming back. I seriously think this is bigger than the Oasis reunion. Everyone I know loves the show and has been missing it. “

When the BBC first announced the revival last year, it said that the new series will be set in the fictional Balamory, with stories “centred around a nursery school and their teacher. ” It added that it’s interested in “some” of the original characters being included alongside “a host of new faces”.

Kate Morton, Head of Commissioning 0-6 for BBC Children’s and Education, said at the time: “A whole new generation will discover and enjoy Balamory as we bring families together with this new update for CBeebies. It will be a real treat for parents who grew up with the show to now introduce their little ones to the brightly coloured world getting to know a host of old and new characters together.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Olivia Attwood uses this viral setting spray to lock in her make-up ahead of filming

Nigerian documentary filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson has revealed that his decision to pursue a career in nonfiction storytelling was once met with scepticism, even from friends, before his recent global recognition.

“I remember when I first said I wanted to make documentaries, my friends thought I was half crazy. They were like, ‘What does that even mean? ’ ‘What’s the model behind that? ’ I couldn’t really explain it — I just knew I loved nonfiction, real stories, and unscripted TV.

“I love these real stories and I felt happy doing them. So I was like, Look, man, I’m just happy doing this. So I’m going to do it. And years later, we’re telling the kind of stories that we want to tell, how we want to tell them and putting them on these, you know, platforms,” Benson said in an interview with Channels Television entertainment.

Fast forward to 2025, Benson made history as the first Nigerian to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary at the News and Documentary Emmy Awards in New York City.

The winning film, Madu, co-directed with Oscar-nominated Matt Ogens, tells the inspiring story of Nigerian ballet dancer Anthony Madu.

“I see myself in Anthony. Pursuing a dream that is seemingly unachievable, but you put your heart to it and, you know, let time and chance and all of that take care of the rest,” Benson said.

‘Nigerian Stories Matter’

The Disney Original Documentary Madu was honoured at the ceremony held at the Palladium Times Square, where it also received a nomination for Outstanding Direction (Documentary).

It shone in the arts and culture category, beating entries such as As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial, Butterfly in the Sky, Hollywood Black, and King Coal (POV).

The 44-second viral video that inspired the film showed Anthony, then aged 11, dancing barefoot in the rain in Lagos. It garnered over 16 million views online, leading to a scholarship offer from the Elmhurst Ballet School in the UK.

READ ALSO: Kachi Benson Wins Emmy For Disney Documentary ‘Madu’

Reflecting on his surprise win, Benson said, “It wasn’t something I was expecting, because when they mentioned all the nominees, I was shocked. But I always see wins like this not just as personal victories but for the entire Nigerian documentary filmmaking community.

“It shows our stories matter. We can tell them on the biggest platforms and hold our own. I hope this inspires someone to say, ‘If Kachi can do it, then I can too. ’”

Nigerian Doc Filmmaking Funding A Challenge

Benson used the platform to call for greater funding access for documentary filmmakers in Nigeria, describing it as the biggest hurdle in the industry.

“The biggest challenge for doc filmmakers in Nigeria is just access to support and funding to tell the kind of stories we want to tell,” he said.

“That’s something I’m really committed to right now—whether it’s training or figuring out ways young filmmakers can access funds, no matter how little, to pursue their dreams. ”

He stressed that not every production needed a big budget and said he was already in talks with stakeholders like iREP founder Femi Odugbemi on how to make documentary filmmaking more accessible.

“It shouldn’t revolve around only a certain group who have access. The more filmmakers we empower, the better for the ecosystem — and the better for Nigeria. Who knows what the next guy could do to put us on the map? ” he said.

Benson also revealed that his latest documentary Mothers of Chibok — the sequel to his Venice Lion-winning Daughters of Chibok — recently won three major awards at the Encounters South Africa International Film Festival, including Best Documentary, Best Feature Documentary, and the Al Jazeera Prize.