Pop singer Charlotte Church is heading into the eerie Scottish castle to play Celebrity Traitors with other famous contestants, and her previous spats might help give her a steely edge
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The pop singers got into a very public row
Singer Charlotte Church is set to return to our screens tonight as she joins the star-studded Celebrity Traitors cast.
And judging by her legendary real-life spats with fellow celebs, she’ll certainly be able to hold her own at the dreaded round table.
The Classical BRIT Award winner, now 39, shot to fame three decades ago with her stunning vocals aged just 12. The child singer branched into pop music in 2005, and sold more than 10 million records worldwide, seeing her amass a staggering fortune of £25million by the time she was 17.
Now Charlotte enjoys a very different life to her singing hey dey, veering away from the spotlight while raising her children and running a wellness retreat in rural Wales.
READ MORE: Celebrity Traitors cast in full as show returns with huge twistREAD MORE: Celebrity Traitors fans ‘work out’ which favourite will leave first in surprise twist
Her pop career wasn’t without drama, however, as she once got into a bitter spat with iconic noughties group, Girls Aloud. The band were undisputed queens of sass back in their day, engaging in verbal battles with the likes of Lily Allen, Boy George, All Saints and Simon Amstell.
But their most ferocious clash was with Church after Cheryl Tweedy accused the ‘Voice of an Angel’ singer of imitating their sound with her 2005 pop track, Crazy Chick. Cheryl even dragged Charlotte’s then-boyfriend Gavin Henson into the fray, once seething: “I don’t know who she and her scabby boyfriend think they are. He looks like a girl and she’s not even gorgeous.”
Charlotte hit back, saying: “Look love, when you can sing f***ing Ave Maria, then you can have a go.” The situation escalated further when Cheryl took a swipe at Charlotte’s Walkers crisps campaign. “Stuffing her face? Very appropriate,” she remarked, labelling her adversary “a nasty little piece of work with a fat head.”
Charlotte retaliated by calling the band “five dogs without b*lls” and threatened to punch Cheryl if they ever crossed paths. “I think she just needs to grow up and get a hobby – golf or something, but stop having a go at me ‘cos it’s getting pathetic,” she fumed. “First of all, it was quite funny – but now it’s just pathetic and I’m going to knock her out if I ever see her.”
I’m A Celebrity alum Nadine Coyle also joined the argument, labelling the Welsh singer as “pathetic”.
“She can keep saying things about us as long as she wants but we’re not bothered. She’s got no vocal style – anyone can sing the songs the way she does. There’s nothing special there,” she retorted, according to author Jen Crothers.
Eventually, they made peace with Cheryl attributing the disagreement to miscommunication, while Charlotte confessed she was ‘bored’ of the conflict.
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Charlotte is set to join the likes of Jonathan Ross, Stephen Fry and Kate Garraway on this year’s celebrity version of The Traitors, hosted by the formidable Claudia Winkleman.
A source told The Mirror of the new series: “There will be a huge mix of personalities – and ego sizes. Seeing how it all works out is going to be fascinating. The team making the show are expecting it to be quite different to the regular version because the celebrities will be less motivated by the prize fund but care far more about how they come across.
Pete Wicks has opened up about his ‘awkward’ return to the Strictly Come Dancing audience after he was seen sharing a passionate kiss with former professional partner Jowita Przystal
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Pete Wicks admitted to feeling ‘awkward’ in the Strictly audience (Image: WireImage)
Pete Wicks confessed he felt “awkward” sitting in the Strictly Come Dancing audience when he turned up to cheer on his mate Vicky Pattison.
The reality telly favourite made it to the semi-finals last year alongside dance partner Jowita Przystal. Pete got everyone talking when he and Jowita shared a steamy snog on stage in front of a packed O2 Arena last month.
Their romance has set tongues wagging, with cameras constantly focused on his face throughout the evening as he settled into his audience seat to back former Geordie Shore favourite Vicky, who’s taking part in the 2025 series.
Chatting on his Staying Relevant podcast, he revealed to co-host Sam Thompson: “I got so awkward. Bear in mind I wasn’t drunk either. I was driving so I was sober. So I was even more awkward.
“I didn’t know what to do. So, I went over the top and I started shouting ‘Yay!’ And then I thought, why am I doing that?” reports Wales Online.
“I’ve seen the clip, and I look f*****g mental… I look possessed.”
Pete made his way back to the BBC’s Elstree Studios as an audience member for this year’s opening live show.
Jowita has been matched with TV and radio host Ross King, and Pete seemed to confirm his relationship with the Polish professional dancer following their passionate kiss at the O2.
Pete has backed his mate Vicky, who’s been partnered with Kai Widdrington, to go far in this year’s series.
He revealed: “I have never seen anyone so f*****g nervous. There were tears. There was all sorts before before she’d even f*****g got there.
“She is scared of her own shadow the f*****g woman. It is mental. But she absolutely smashed it out of the park.”
Pete is confident that Vicky will continue to impress on the dance floor, stating: “I would bet my house that she’s not going anywhere. That’s the first stage completed. You weren’t the first out.”
According to Pete, Vicky has a natural talent for dancing. He revealed: “I know Vic well. And the biggest problem she’s going to have is nerves… I saw her dance before the live show. She’s actually a good dancer.”
Before her performance, Pete encouraged Vicky by saying: “You’ve already f*****g surpassed anything I f*****g did. Imagine how nervous I was. I can’t dance… But you can actually you’ve actually got something to back this up. So you just need to go out and do what you’ve done before.”
Vicky followed his advice and scored an impressive 24 points for her foxtrot to Sam Fender’sRein Me In. However, a less successful salsa to Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers resulted in former Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner being the first celebrity to be eliminated this year.
YouTube sensation LadBaby – also known as Mark and Roxanne Hoyle – open up as they ready themselves for their first year as roving reporters for the Pride of Britain Awards
Viral sensation LadBaby were “blown away” when they were given an access-all-areas pass to this year’s Pride of Britain Awards. YouTubers Mark and Roxanne Hoyle will be keeping their 13 million followers updated on everything that happens on the red carpet, in the green room and backstage, as roving reporters at the glittering Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, with P&O Cruises.
“It’s a real honour to be asked,” says mum of two Roxanne, 41. “From the first time we ever went to the awards in 2021, to now being part of the Pride of Britain family – we’re over the moon. We always love meeting the winners and their families. It’s just such an incredible night. It makes us genuinely happy being there.”
The pair, who have been spreading joy with their prank videos and string of Christmas No.1s since launching their YouTube channel nine years ago, say they still get starstruck when celebrities approach them.
“Last year Alison Hammond came up and she went, ‘I love you guys, I watch your videos all the time’, which was sweet,” smiles Mark, 38. “I think we’re a bit of a guilty pleasure with some people!”
But for Trussell Trust ambassadors Mark and Roxanne – who were once nominees themselves for raising £200,000 for food banks – meeting the Pride of Britain winners and their families is the ultimate honour.
“When you meet all of the kids who have gone through some real hardships, they’re just wonderful humans,” says Roxanne. “It’s so inspiring.”
“It’s always so sweet though, when you see the people win and they’ve done literally life-changing things or have saved people’s lives, they just stand there and shrug their shoulders and go, ‘oh, anyone would do it’,” adds Mark. “That’s what’s so very humbling and lovely about the people who win.”
LadBaby’s followers are already clamoring to be let in on all the action. “I want to show them Carol Vorderman ’s dressing room, backstage, what the toilets are like,” says Roxanne. “I want to get in that kitchen and see if I can get the chef to put sausage rolls on everyone’s menu,” laughs Mark.
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Mark and Roxanne are the latest in the ever-growing Pride of Britain hosting team. They’ll be joined on the night by red carpet livestream presenters Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson, correspondent and podcaster GK Barry, and adorable 2024 Child of Courage winner Florrie Bark, nine, who will be offering thirsty celebs a cup of tea on the carpet.
And there’ll be more surprise celebrity guests than you can shake a stick at, as the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson put in a special appearance for the extraordinary winners.
You can catch the full Pride of Britain Awards when the show airs at 8pm on October 23 on ITV.
TFI Friday was the chaotic show that tore up the rule book – but what happened to all the stars after the show was axed in 2000? Here, The Mirror takes a look at what came next for the iconic show’s main stars…
TFI Friday was the bonkers programme that ripped up the television handbook.
The mad Channel 4 show, which kicked off in February 1996, became essential viewing thanks to presenter Chris Evans’ mayhem. Dreamt up by comedy genius Danny Baker, TFI Friday epitomised 1990s defiance with its cutting-edge and groundbreaking concepts.
Whether you were having a quiet night in or heading out on Friday evening, it was the essential programme at 6pm.
The crowd gathered around a bar where celebrities had to stroll up for chats in the boozer-style setting – grabbing a beverage from Andrew the Barman. Meanwhile, a string of incredible performers took to the studio stage including Aerosmith, David Bowie, Kylie Minogue and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
However, with the anarchic programme breaking barriers, it frequently found itself embroiled in scandal. Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder cursed during a chat on the second episode of the opening series, then continuously bellowed the F-word during a live broadcast a month afterwards.
Additional legendary scenes featured Kylie Minogue kissing Geri Halliwell, Noel Gallagher quipping about “casing the joint” and Ewan McGregor declaring the Tory government had “f***ed everything up”.
Tragically it all finished in December 2000, though the programme was temporarily brought back for one series in 2015. So what are all the personalities from TFI Friday doing these days?
Chris Evans
Author and broadcaster Chris Evans was the programme’s leading light but following the programme’s decline, he passed on presenting responsibilities for the final series to a roster of celebrity guest hosts including The Spice Girls, Sara Cox and Elton John.
When TFI Friday was cancelled, he carried on hosting Virgin Radio’s breakfast programme but his deal was cut short in June 2001 after he repeatedly failed to show up for work.
Evans launched UMTV in August 2002, his own radio and television production firm, but battled to achieve strong viewing figures.
In September 2005 he permanently joined Radio 2 and enjoyed success with his Saturday afternoon and Drivetime programmes. He took over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show from Terry Wogan in January 2011 then departed once more for Virgin Radio in September 2018.
He became Top Gear presenter in June 2015 on a three-year contract but stood down after just a year following criticism from viewers over his presenting approach.
Back in 2016, Chris was compelled to defend himself against ‘bullying’ allegations dating back to the 90s when he worked on The Big Breakfast. Evans found himself at the heart of claims he ‘bullied’ colleagues and supposedly made one female producer on his Radio 2 programme cry.
Former co-host John Revell alleged Evans was “out of control” and BBC executives were “scared to confront him” as he urged BBC chief Tony Hall to suspend him.
In Evans’s defence, the BBC responded by stating there was nothing to investigate and other accusations regarding his behaviour on Top Gear were “completely untrue”. At the time, they said: “There is nothing to investigate as the accusation that Chris’s behaviour has fallen below the standards required of BBC staff since taking on Top Gear are completely untrue – something we have made clear a number of times.”
Chris’ mates insisted he was the victim of a “spiteful witch hunt” as part of a smear campaign to wreck his career.
Directly addressing the accusations, Chris told The Sunday Mirror: “All these bullying claims and other allegations are just ridiculous. “I’m not a bully. But of course if you sling enough mud, some will stick to the wall.
“Is it hurtful to see your wife – or your children – upset? Of course it is.”
In August 2023, he was diagnosed with skin cancer but given the all-clear just eight weeks later. Chatting on his Virgin Radio show during Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Evans shared that he had been diagnosed with the early stages of skin cancer. He reassured listeners that it was caught swiftly, making it “as treatable as cancer can possibly be”.
“I’m now sporting a proud scar. I’ve got my scar on the back of my calf,” he said. “I love my scar, because the scar led me to a sunnier tomorrow, and I’m still in that tomorrow today, and it’s a wonderful place to be.”
Danny Baker
Danny Baker was the brains behind TFI Friday. The comedy scribe, radio presenter and all-round entertainer went on to host the breakfast radio programme on BBC London 94.9 from 2002 to 2012.
He also penned a three-volume autobiography, which served as the foundation for his BBC sitcom Cradle to Grave in 2015. Close pals with former England striker Gary Lineker, the duo have collaborated on their own podcast, Behind Closed Doors.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer and underwent months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. “I was very ill. I barely had the energy to heave myself over in bed,” he told the Guardian. “They told me: the good news is the prognosis is optimistic, the bad news is that, other than bone marrow, it’s the most gruelling of times – and that’s how it proved. My head had to have the radiation. If it’s in your body, it’s fine, but if it’s in your mouth, you can’t talk or eat and there are various other disgusting conditions that come with it… You’re not conscious, virtually, for three months.”
Frantic about how he would cover his bills during treatment, he called his old friend Chris Evans, who immediately lent him £30,000. “Chris did it in a heartbeat. I had no savings, so I borrowed money off Chris, and I’ve since been able to pay him back because we’ve remortgaged the house. But that was my overriding concern. It’d be the first thing that anyone who’s self employed thinks – what am I going to do?” He has since been given the All Clear.
Baker was embroiled in a racism row in May 2019 when he posted a picture of a chimpanzee with the caption: “Royal Baby leaves hospital” after the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan’s baby.
Following the Twitter furore he was axed by the BBC. Baker admitted it was “one of the worst days of my life” and said he was “paying the price for this crass and regrettable blunder”.
In an apology tweet, he wrote: “But it was a genuine, naive and catastrophic mistake. There is of course little media/twitter traction in such a straight-forward explanation. The picture in context as presented was obviously shamefully racist. It was never intended so – seriously who on earth would ‘go there’?”.
He added: “Anyway I am now paying the price for this crass and regrettable blunder and rightly so. Probably even this final word from me will extend the mania. (‘Dog whistle’ anyone? ) I would like to thank friends on here for their kinder words and once again – I am so, so sorry.”
Will MacDonald
Evans’s television partner Will ‘Wiiiiill’ Macdonald actually doubled up as a producer behind the scenes. The crowd would gesture towards Will and cheer his name whenever he appeared.
Reflecting on his favourite TFI memories in 2015, Will said: “Memory’s quite strange when it comes to TFI Friday. Right now, there are lots of people around the office watching old tapes and there’s a whole bunch of stuff I can’t recall at all.
“Apparently I laid in a bath of hot water for an entire episode but have no recollection of it whatsoever. We were in such a bubble, it all came thick and fast and was fuelled by alcohol, so there’s a startling amount I can’t remember.
“It’s a bit like childbirth – you look back and have fond memories but conveniently forget the pain involved.”
Following the programme, Will became executive producer for ABC’s My Kind of Town, Swinging and more recently Made in Chelsea.
Andrew ‘The Barman’ Carey
Andrew the Barman was a firm favourite amongst countless viewers. He served beverages to celebrity guests whilst positioned behind the studio bar.
In 2012, reports emerged that Andrew had flogged a pub in Belsize Park, north London for an eye-watering £2 million.
During speculation about a comeback, Andrew declared it would be a “great idea” to resurrect TFI Friday and quipped about adding “a few extra noughts” to his wage.
Therefore he felt “shocked, disgusted and disappointed” when Channel 4 chiefs failed to invite him back for the rebooted series.
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“I think it’s disgusting that they did an anniversary show, and ran clips from the original series, but did not see fit to invite me or any of the other regulars from the series,” he told the Irish Post in June 2015.
“They had a bar there on the night but they didn’t invite me and I’ve no idea why.”
The Prison Service has issued a statement after former Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins was stabbed to death in jail.
The paedophile rock star, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sex offences, was attacked with a knife on Saturday morning, sources have confirmed. Emergency services were sent to the prison in West Yorkshire but Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Prison Service spokesperson said in a statement: “We are aware of an incident at HMP Wakefield which took place this morning. We are unable to comment further while the police investigate.” 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.
Lostprophets were a chart topping band that existed from 1997 until 2013 ( Redferns)
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. Analysis of the equipment uncovered Watkins’ depraved behaviour.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “At 9.39am this morning, police were called by staff at HMP Wakefield reporting an assault on a prisoner. Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
“Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are investigating and inquiries remain ongoing at the scene.” Watkins suffered severe injuries after being taken hostage in 2023. A source told us at the time: “He was found by officers after being held hostage and battered on Saturday morning. He’s in a life-threatening condition and there are fears he could die. If he survives, he’ll have been very lucky.”
It is understood Watkins was taken hostage by three other inmates. He is said to have suffered stab wounds and beatings before eventually being freed by prison officers around six hours later. Witnesses said paramedics worked to save his life in an ambulance outside the jail.
He has been killed behind bars ( Getty Images)
Watkins found fame and fortune as frontman for the rock band Lostprophets until he was unmasked as a drug-crazed predatory paedophile in 2013. He shocked the rock world after pleading guilty to the attempted rape of a baby and 10 other sex offences after preying on fans, including two who offered up their babies to be abused by their idol. Watkins was described in court as a “determined and committed paedophile”.
The court heard he plotted to abuse two babies with their own mothers in text and internet messages in which he spoke of his desire to “cross the line” and to intoxicate one young victim by blowing crystal meth smoke into the child’s face. And the judge heard details of a sickening 17-minute video shot in a London hotel room which showed Watkins perform a sex act on a child.
In 2013, the Welsh native pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to 13 child sex offences. He also admitted to the rape and sexual assault of a child who was under the age of 13. Watkins also admitted conspiring to rape a child, three counts of sexual assault involving children, seven involving taking, making or possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing an extreme pornographic image involving a sex act on an animal.
Sentencing Mr Justice Royce said the case broke “new ground” and “plunged into new depths of depravity.” He said Watkins had a “corrupting influence” and had shown a “complete lack of remorse”. He added Watkins posed a significant risk to the public in particular to women with young children.
Molly Moorish-Gallagher has given birth to her first child and revealed her newborn baby’s sweet name.
Liam Gallagher’s daughter announced her offspirng’s arrival into the world on Instagram this afternoon, sharing a selection of snaps of her new bundle of joy with her partner, footballer Nat Phillips.
“A message to you, rudy,” the new mum captioned the collection of pictures. Molly’s mother, Lisa Moorish was a proud nan as she commented: “That last slide!!! ‘IM RUDY I’M NEW’ My beautiful grandson.” Comments have since been limited on the post.
Molly announced her pregnancy in May on social media, sharing the exciting news alongside a pregnancy emoji, writing simply: “Bulking season.”
Molly Moorish-Gallagher announced Rudy’s arrivial on social media ( instagram/@mollymoorishgallagher)
Nat Phillips looked every inch the doting dad ( instagram/@mollymoorishgallagher)
Her announcement featured a touching video of herself and Nat, currently playing for Derby on loan from Liverpool, posing together as she lovingly cradled her growing bump.
Molly also shared a “mum” mug and shared a throwback snap of herself as a youngster caring for a doll. Nat was quick to respond to his partner’s announcement, writing: “Can’t wait, love you both loads.”
New mum Molly is the oldest of rocker Liam’s four offspring. Liam had a fling with her mum Lisa while involved with his first spouse Patsy Kensit, now 57, and remained distant from his daughter for several years.
Liam and Molly now have a close relationship ( Instagram/mollymoorishgallagher)
He’s reportedly rebuilt their relationship since 2018. Liam also has son Lennon Gallagher, 25, with ex-spouse Patsy and Gene, 23, with his second wife, Nicole Appleton, 50.
Liam – who is engaged to Debbie Gwyther – has his youngest daughter Gemma Gallagher, 12, with Liza Ghorbani.
Molly first began dating footballer Nat in 2021. She confirmed their romance the next year. Since then, Liverpool star Nat has discussed Liam, who famously backs Manchester City.
Addressing playing for a competing club, Nat told the Herald in 2023: “We’ve never really got into that. We have obviously met but only a few times.”
He continued: “Every time I’ve met him, he’s been fine with me, which is ideal as a son-in-law.”
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