Naked Gun star Ed Williams has died. His granddaughter, Stephanie Williams, confirmed that he died on October 2.
She revealed that Williams, who played Ted Olson in ABC’s Police Squad, died aged 98 in Los Angeles. Williams, born Edwin Wallace Williams on November 26, 1926, he died just days after his former Father of the Bride co-star Diane Katon, who died aged 79.
Before moving to LA in 1955, Williams had a successful career in theatre and radio productions. He later began teaching speech classes at LA City College, which led to his casting as Olson on ABC’s Police Squad!
In a 2017 interview with Matthew Worley of the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, Williams reflected on his career, stating: “I made up for lost time and got a fairly decent part to start coming back into acting.” Police Squad! first hit the screens in March 1982 with a series of six episodes, before transitioning to Paramount Pictures with The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.
Ed (left) died in Los Angeles, his granddaughter ha confirmed ( Paramount)
There was a staggering 24-year period when Ed didn’t audition for any roles, stating: “I do not approve of professors that go out and moonlight and make a lot of money on the side and neglect their classes. That used to make me mad to hear that.”
As his teaching schedule began to free up, the actor seized the chance to plunge back into the industry. “I felt like the [guy] who’s been trained to be a surgeon, but he didn’t quite get in the operating room. I wanted to get in the operating room.”
Fans have since taken to social media to pay tribute, with one writing: “RIP Naked Gun’s Ted!” A second added: “#RIP Ed Williams, perfect as lab scientist Ted Olson on ‘Police Squad!’ and the original ‘Naked Gun’ films. As a teacher, he had put aside acting for 24 years. ‘I do not approve of professors who go out and moonlight and neglect their classes,’ he said.”
“Rest in peace, Mr. Williams,” commented another. Ed’s co-star Diane died from pneumonia, it was recently revealed. The Annie Hall actress passed away on 11 October at the age of 79 and her family have now revealed her cause of death in a new statement, in which they thanked fans for their “extraordinary” messages of support.
Diane’s family told People magazine: “The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11.”
The family suggested those who wanted to pay tribute to the Godfather star could make a donation to one of her favourite causes.
They added: “She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.”
It was previously reported that Diane’s health had “declined very suddenly” before her death. A source told People magazine: “She declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her.
“It was so unexpected, especially for someone with such strength and spirit. In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening.”
In March, Diane put her “dream home” in Brentwood, California, up for sale, despite previously vowing to stay there forever, and she was no longer regularly seen in the area walking her dogs.
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Corrie actor Jimmi Harkishin has been on the cobbles for 26 years. But did you know he modelled his characted on a famous sports player turned prime minister?
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Jimmi Harkishin has been playing Dev on Corrie for 26 years.(Image: ITV)
Fancying himself as a suave ladies’ man, Corrie corner shop entrepreneur Dev Alahan has been entertaining everyone from his kids to the women he woos as his character Dev Alahan – and there have been many- for more than a quarter of a century.
Actor Jimmi Harkishin’s comic timing – especially since his romance and marriage to crystal-loving Bernie Winters (Jane Hazlegrove) – is supreme. And now, in a hilarious interview, Jimmi reveals how he modelled Corrie’s golf-loving Dev on former “Lion of Lahore” Imran Khan.
Not at all happy with the soap team’s vision of Dev as a Brummie businessman, he decided to add his own unique glamour to the smooth-talking character, by modelling him on then Pakistan cricket hero Khan – turned Pakistan Prime Minister, who is now in jail for corruption.
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Jimmi, 60, tells The Mirror: “When Dev first joined the show I got this breakdown which said, ‘Dev was born in Birmingham, went to Birmingham University. I then got the script and a week before I am due to film I get all method on myself. I did the accent but thought ‘I can’t do it like that. I can’t do it like I am from Birmingham. I can’t do it. It is not cool.’ Anyone from Birmingham I apologise, but I could not do it.
“I started panicking and asked if I could have a word with the producer Jane Macnaught, who gave me the job. I just thought I could not do all this ‘ducking and diving’ stuff. At the time, there was this sportsman and all the women thought he was dead hot and he was Imran Khan, the Lion of Lahore. He was the captain of the Pakistan cricket team and he had this mane of black hair and used to whack the balls out of the park.
“He used to talk with like a Bombay chic accent. So I went to see Jane and I started talking like that and she said ‘What are you doing?’ This is true. And I said ‘Birmingham? Imran Khan, Lion of Lahore….fantastic. He is drop dead gorgeous.’ But the producer said ‘If I wanted to hire Imran Khan I would have cast him’. She said to me ‘Go home and do what you want with the character,’ And now, 25 years later, I am still at it.”
Thankfully, Jimmi’s portrayal of wacky ladies man Dev has been a hit with Corrie’s army of fans ever since his first appearance on the show back in November 1999. His arrival marked a turning point in his career, having previously enjoyed life on the stage and cameos in hit TV shows such as Casualty, Medics, Jonathan Creek and The Bill.
And Jimmi hit the ground running. His portrayal of lothario Dev won him an army of fans, including the late Queen Elizabeth II, who once left him speechless when he was invited to a gala evening at Buckingham Palace. Jimmi says: “I once got invited to the Palace. I asked the Corrie press office if anyone else had been invited and they said it was just me. There was a phone number on the invite and it turned out to be the Master of Ceremonies and he said ‘The (late) Queen and Prince Phillip request your company’.
“I did not know what to say other than ‘Where do I park?’ They sent a police escort to drop me off at the front of the Palace. I went into the throne room but there were no other actors. It was for about four hours. I was introduced to Prince Phillip and he said ‘Are you one of us…or one of them?’ I said ‘I am one of them’ and he said ‘So am I.’ And I am still waiting for my knighthood guys.”
According to the actor, royalty are not the only people he has impressed. Jimmi, who was born in Paris to an Indian father and Italian mother, came face to face with the Mission Impossible and Superman star Henry Cavill during a random day out once in the French capital, as he sat quietly one day enjoying a coffee along the River Seine.
He laughs: “I am just going to make some space for the names I am about to drop. Dev is known around the world. How do you know you have arrived? Well, a few years ago I was in Paris and it was a beautiful spring afternoon and I was sitting having a cafe au lait and my friend said ‘Jim, who is the guy behind you? He looks really familiar’.
“I looked and I saw it was the guy who plays Superman. I just thought ‘be cool and say nothing’. Then, after about five minutes, Clark Kent paid the bill and as he left he went ‘Alright Dev?’ When Superman knows who you are, you know you have done it.”
And, although he never made it to Hollywood himself, Jimmi says he played a small part in Oscar winner Denzel Washington’s success. Back in 1988, the pair starred together in the movie For Queen & Country, which saw Washington play Reuben James, a black British former Falklands paratrooper, who joins the Army to escape the poverty of inner city London.
But, although Jimmi only enjoyed a smaller role, the actor claims it was he who Washington turned to for acting advice on set. Speaking at the An Audience with Coronation Street evening in Manchester, Jimmi reveals: “Denzel had come over and it was my first movie called For Queen & Country. I had two days on that working with him.
“This was before he became massive. He was lovely and I was sitting in the trailer one day waiting for my cab to take me home and there was a knock on the door. I opened it and there was Denzel. I said ‘Hi Denze. What’s up?’ He said ‘Can I just just borrow you for a couple of minutes? I know you are going home’.
“I said ‘Yes sure. Come on spot it out.’ Anyway he came in and sat down and said ‘look, I have been watching you work for the past couple of days and I think you are amazing. The thing with me is that I really want to be a big film star. A massive renowned award winning film star.’ He said ‘Do you have any advice?’ So I gave him some…and that’s it.”
Today, Jimmi says his love for Corrie is as strong as ever – as he continues to land massive storylines. Perhaps he will be best remembered for his passionate kiss with Deirdre Barlow back in December 2001, when he had a one night stand with the character, played by the late actress Anne Kirkbride, who died of breast cancer in 2015, aged 60.
The pair’s passionate encounter proved a massive hit with millions of viewers as it later spiralled into a love triangle between Dev, Deirdre and her onscreen daughter Tracy (Kate Ford) who went on to spill the beans to her father Ken (Bill Roache).
Looking back, Jimmi recognises that it is a storyline he will be forever remembered for and admits he was nervous with the pre-watershed bed hopping scenes he had to film. He said: “Anne was amazing and she had this sense of kind of chaos that followed her around.
“I was really nervous doing that scene. We had to do the bedroom scene. I said to her ‘about this scene…if I kiss you?’ She just threw all her clothes off and jumped into the sack. I was like ‘yeah, alright then.’ I got under the covers and she said ‘right, I think I’ll have to take my glasses off for this.’”
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Claudia Winkleman has been wowing us with her gothic style on Celebrity Traitors – and we’ve found a high street alternative to her £1,330 Alexander McQueen shirt
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Claudia Winkleman wore a shirt by Alexander McQueen last Thursday’s – and we believe we’ve found the exact one(Image: Claudia Winkleman Instagram/Harrods)
BBC’s hit series The Celebrity Traitors made a triumphant return last week, with Claudia Winkleman once again at the helm. With the show’s unexpected twists and turns fully gripping me, I was seriously obsessed with its stylish host’s new Traitors wardrobe – all thanks to the presenter’s stylist, Sinead McKeefry.
In keeping with the show’s eerie theme, it appears Claudia is swapping Strictly’s sparkles and her typical Traitors Highlands-inspired tartan and knitwear – for now – for a more gothic aesthetic. Flaunting dark monochrome outfits complete with frilly shirts, black capes and biker boots, it’s a look we adore.
For those looking to emulate her style, her wardrobe does seem to be brimming with designer labels (as suggested by Sinead’s tags on Instagram) – including what appears to be Alexander McQueen. We suspect his White Plissé Ruffle-Neck Blouse, priced at £1330 at Harrods, made an appearance in last Thursday’s episode, reports OK!.
Teamed with a black Alexander McQueen Wool and silk coat, black trousers, black boots, and a black merino wool turtle neck from Cos – sensing a theme here – the blouse’s standout ruffle sleeves and plissé neckline peeked through the coat adding a touch of drama. Not forgetting her iconic lace black veil.
Of course, not all of us are able or willing to splash out hundreds on Claudia’s shirt (even if it is currently on sale at Flannels for £429). So, I took it upon myself to hunt down a more budget-friendly alternative.
Mint Vevlet’s White Ruffle Detail Shirt
£99
Buy Now on Mint Velvet
This White Ruffle Detail Shirt from Mint Velvet, priced at £99, is a fabulous alternative with its dramatic ruffles on the cuff and front. Although it doesn’t feature an open neck like Alexander McQueen’s style, its striking ruffles would surely get Claudia’s nod of approval.
The shirt comes with a traditional collar and feminine scoop hemline, available in sizes six to 16. Crafted from 100% viscose, there are no reviews yet, but the care instructions do advise that it should be dry cleaned only – the only downside we can spot.
For a blouse with more of a plissé style in the cuffs, we love this Mint Velvet Cream Pearl Detail Blouse at £110. It boasts a pleated, layered cuff, a pussy bow neckline, military-inspired trim and pearl detailing.
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Paired with a structured blazer, her classic shapewear leggings (£58) and Bottega boots (£1,080), this blouse would look stunning on the fashion icon. It has sizes small, medium and extra-large in stock.
Syirin Said, wife of Lostprophets guitarist Lee Gaze, has spoken out about how her life changed after the horrific crimes of paedophile rocker Ian Watkins were exposed
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Ian Watkins’ Lostprophets bandmates were unaware of his sick crimes (Image: PA)
The wife of Ian Watkins’s Lostprophets bandmate has shared how their life changed in the wake of the paedophile rocker’s horrific crimes being exposed.
Syirin Said, wife of guitarist Lee Gaze, says “friends vanished overnight” when Watkins’ history of child abuse was made public. She adds how she and her husband were left having to rebuild their lives.
Watkins was killed at HMP Wakefield on Saturday, with two inmates charged with murder over the alleged attack. Emergency services were sent to the prison in West Yorkshire, but disgraced rock star Watkins, 48, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ms Said, a former singer of Malaysian girl group M’Steen, has broken her silence, admitting that Watkins’ death has “brought back a lot of emotions and experiences”.
Watkins, 48, was jailed for 29 years in December 2013 with a further six years on licence, after admitting a string of sex offences – including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.
His bandmates, Lee Gaze, Mike Lewis, Stuart Richardson, Jamie Oliver and Luke Johnson, have always maintained they knew nothing about Watkins’ crimes. In 2014, Gaze said in an interview: “How could you know? How would you know? Who would disclose such a thing to five people, who between them have eight children? You just wouldn’t because they would be killed on the spot.”
Gaze’s wife Ms Said has not reacted to comments on social media regarding Waktins’ death. “I can’t believe I’m saying and posting this. It’s been over a decade and I haven’t said a word until now,” she wrote on social media.
“But seeing Lostprophets posts by people with zero context, zero empathy – not to the victims, the band members, their families, including mine – makes me speak up. I am not speaking on behalf of my husband or the band members. I am speaking on behalf of me, my family, my kids, and our truths.
“For decades my husband poured his heart and soul into writing epic songs, loved by their fans. His band touched so many lives positively when you think about Last Train Home, Rooftop, Burn Burn.”
Ms Said went on to recall how hurt her family were by his crimes, but also how comments about the rest of the Lostprophets bands deeply upset her.
“Our family had to rebuild from nothing, no support. These posts with no heart, no mention of the victims still healing or families like ours still hurting, trying to get by, it’s like we’re invisible again. This isn’t a trend. It’s our life,” she shared.
“I just want to thank those who messaged, called, commented, and DM’d with care and compassion. You see us, you appreciate what we went through, and we appreciate you. But if you’re posting just for likes, views, engagement with zero thought for the lives broken, please step back.
“Be kind. And perhaps I don’t know, acknowledge that others hurt too. And if you were hurt by this in any capacity, I hope you’re finding ways to heal, like we are.”
Watkins , 48, was jailed for 29 years in December 2013 with a further six years on licence, after admitting a string of sex offences – including the attempted rape of a fan’s baby.
The disgraced singer was arrested following the execution of a drugs warrant at his Pontypridd home on September 21 2012 when a large number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized.
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Analysis of the equipment uncovered Watkins ’ depraved behaviour. Watkins was previously taken to hospital after being attacked in 2023. At the time, police said his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
A source told the Mirror he had been taken hostage by three other inmates. And in 2019 he was jailed for 10 months on top of the sentence he was serving for child sex offences after he was found guilty of possessing a mobile phone in prison.
Beauty buffs on the hunt for a bargain can currently bag this 10-shade eyeshadow palette from YSL for a massive 50% less, thanks to this limited-time deal
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YSL beauty clutch full of ‘perfect and pigmented’ shades gets a 50% saving(Image: Yves Saint Laurent)
Make-up enthusiasts wanting to add a designer piece to their beauty bag without spending a fortune won’t want to miss this Lookfantastic sale, which has slashed to half price for a limited time.
Described as a couture eyeshadow palette that adorns the gaze with sensual glamour, this clutch from Yves Saint Laurent features ten beautiful shades that are perfect for creating any look from your everyday to a full glam beat.
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Sure to bestow couture elegance, this Yves Saint Laurent’s Couture Colour Clutch in shade 5 Desert Nude delivers ten dazzling eyeshadows that are said to embody the scorching heat of the Moroccan desert.
Inspired by the timeless elegance that YSL is synonymous with, this luxury eyeshadow palette features a range of smoky nudes, edgy pinks, and warm beiges and browns to accentuate and highlight the natural sensuality of your eyes.
Infused with YSL’s exclusive pomegranate extract from Ourika Community Gardens, the light-infused formulas boast a wealth of textures, from satin mattes to radiant metallics. Housed in a signature YSL eyeshadow clutch, the palette “accessorises your complexion, bestowing unparalleled glamour to its wearer” according to the product description.
Normally costing a steep £115, beauty buffs can now pick up the clutch and the ten eyeshadow shades for 50% less, saving a mega £57.50 thanks to Lookfantastic’s current sale.
One shopper who adores this eyeshadow set leaves the following 5-star review: “Absolutely obsessed with this palette. The shades are a perfect range from everyday to a night out. I get so many looks from them. It’s also super pigmented!”
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If you don’t mind paying full price, you can find the same YSL eyeshadow palette for £115 at Sephora.
A woman has opened up about her encounter with disgraced Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins as she said she’s still physically stick over his requests of her and her daughter
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Ian Watkins was a convicted paedophile (Image: WireImage)
A woman has said she is physically sick when she thinks of what paedophile Ian Watkins requested of her and her nine-month-old daughter. The Lostprophets singer was jailed for 29 years for 13 horrific sex offences, including the attempted rape and sexual assault of children under the age of 13.
One of the infants was just 10 months old. Watkins was killed in prison over the weekend, and two inmates have been charged with his murder.
Now, a woman has spoken out after allegedly becoming besotted by Watkins until he made a demonic demand of her. The woman named Hannah said she wanted to get the singer to notice her on social media when she was a teenager.
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Watkins requested to see the 17-year-old naked on a webcam, but he allegedly turned his attention to her baby daughter. “I didn’t realise how much it has affected me – it’s really, really bad,” she said.
“It’s sickening really – it makes me physically sick,” Hannah told the Sun. She refused Watkins’ request to go on the webcam, but it didn’t deter him.
Hannah has claimed Watkins asked if she and her daughter would meet him, but she refused. Watkins allegedly asked if her baby would call him dad and if they “could be used as sex slaves”.
She said not long after her encounter with Watkins, he was arrested. A total of 27 terabytes of data storage from computers and devices found in Watkins’ possession of child abuse photos and films.
His heinous online library was encrypted, and the sick pervert used a reference to child abuse as his password. A former Wakefield inmate has said Watkins never showed any remorse and remained a ‘self-centred loner’ before he was killed in prison last weekend.
Insiders have said that after being locked up, his weight yo-yoed, and hair dye from the prison shop was the only thing keeping his thinning hair jet black. Yet, the proud paedo kept a deluded fan base of young women during his time inside.
He was reportedly even allowed regular visits from three ‘goth groupies’ and was spotted holding hands and giggling with his visitors. A sickened onlooker claimed they once saw him kissing one fan.
Watkins hoarded 600 pages of letters from different women, some including sexual fantasies. At his trial, the court heard that Watkins was a master manipulator and used his frenzied fan base of young women to gain access to children, including babies.
In 2019, Watkins had another 10 months added to his sentence for possessing a mobile phone in jail, which he used to contact a woman he was previously in a relationship with. The subsequent court case revealed grim details of his time inside.
Watkins used the phone to contact his former girlfriend, who first met him when she was 19. They had been in a relationship, but she cut contact in 2012.
Speaking about possible repercussions following his case, Watkins accurately predicted his own grim fate. “Chances are someone would sneak up behind me and cut my throat. It’s not like one-on-one. Stuff like that, you don’t see it coming.” In 2023, Watkins was brutally attacked by three other inmates and nearly died as a result of his injuries.
