Category Entertainment News

Biffy Clyro’s James Johnston has announced he’s quitting their UK and European tour but despite the news, the bass player said he did feel there was “light at the end of the tunnel”

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Biffy Clyro bass player James Johnston has pulled out of their UK and European tour citing “mental health and addiction issues”.

The 45-year-old posted a statement on the band’s instagram page and other social media platforms explaining his decision. The Scottish band are due to start their tour on 9 January in Belfast and will continue to perform over the summer with dates in Australia and New Zealand.

James wrote: “I am heartbroken to let you know that I will not be joining the band on the upcoming tours. For some time, I have been living with mental health problems which have led to addiction issues that I have kept concealed for a long time.

“This has caused significant problems for myself and everyone around me – the time has come to properly address my illnesses and deal with them.”

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He went on to apologise to frontman Simon Neil and his twin brother Ben – the band’s drummer – and thanked them “for their continued love, patience, support and understanding throughout this time”.

He added: “I have recently started to receive the professional help I need and would like to reassure you all that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

James went on to say their “dear friend” Naomi MacLeod, a session bassist, will step in for the band for the new tour. In response to the Instagram post, there was an outpouring of support from fans.

Biffy Clyro are due to play the biggest show of their career next year which will see them headlining London’s Finsbury Park in July. They are a Scottish rock band that formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire in 1995. They made a chart breakthrough with their fourth album Puzzle, released in 2007. Puzzle became not only the band’s first Top 40 album, but it also powered all the way to Number 2.

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According to the official charts Biffy scored their first UK Number 1 album with 2013’s Opposites and further Number 1s followed with 2016’s Ellipsis and A Celebration Of Endings in August 2020.

Their international breakthrough came with 2009’s Only Revolutions – which went platinum in the UK and received a Mercury Prize nomination. Their latest album Futique was released in September and is the band’s first LP in four years.

If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk

A past Britain’s Got Talent winner showed off his new look as he gets ready to wow crowds during the pantomime season, 17 years after finding fame as a teen

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A former Britain’s Got Talent star looks almost unrecognisable 17 years after winning the ITV competition. George Sampson stunned the judges and British public with his amazing dance routines in 2008 aged just 14.

He quickly went on to gain success in the West End before trying his hand at a music career. He also released a DVD before his professional link-up with Simon Cowell came to an end almost a year after winning BGT.

He changed career paths again as he appeared on the small screen in acting form. He starred in StreetDance 3D and eventually landed roles in Waterloo Road and Emmerdale.

READ MORE: Guy Ritchie and Madonna reunite for son Rocco for first time in 17 yearsREAD MORE: Davina McCall reveals Big Brother wedding ring after secret marriage to Michael Douglas

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Now, he is preparing for another panto season this winter. He is starring in the production of Sleeping Beauty at the Rhyl Pavilion, alongside Sherrie Hewson. Fellow BGT star Jon Courtenay is also among the cast.

And it was a picture of him as a prince that showed his differing appearance. He was seen with his royal cape and long hair. It’s far from his first pantomime appearance, too. He has previously taken on classics like Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Robin Hood and Snow White.

Now 32, George also showed off his impressive moustache in a recent snap on Instagram. George was seen with his hair slicked back and wearing glasses and a Grinch jumper as he cuddled into his dogs. He captioned his upload: “Christmas jumpers with my babies.”

And fans were quick to comment on his image. “Why am I cutting onions?” wrote one user. Another added: “Omg cuties.”

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In George’s private life, he has previously candidly disclosed undergoing three hair transplants. He had bemoaned his receding hairline on This Morning in the past and admitted o spending £9,000 on the first two surgeries.

And during a heart-to-heart with then hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford he revealed his satisfaction with the results. He told them: “I’m so happy. It’s difficult. I still get hundreds of men messaging me about it.”

The dancer described the struggle of facing baldness while feeling youthful: “I felt like an old man with a babyface, I had to wake up and look in the mirror and think I hate my hairline.”

He also referred to part of his scalp as a “landing strip of bare skin” and gave a nod to football icon Wayne Rooney’s own hair restoration, saying Rooney’s decision had inspired him. Additionally, George opened up about being diagnosed with alopecia, attributing the condition to stress, heredity factors, and the strain of performing head spins in his dance routine.

As well as his hair, George has changed his appearance with his inkings. George has created quite the visual impact with his tattoos. Once the poster boy for clean-cut youth, he has shifted gears and now shows off his full tattoo sleeves.

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A stateside soap legend has died aged 78 his shocked family has confirmed. Anthony Geary had played the part of Luke Spencer on General Hospital for over four decades.

His performances led to him receiving a record breaking eight Daytime Emmy accolades. It’s claimed the star died after complications from a scheduled operation he had three days prior.

And his death is said to have been a huge shock to those close to him. “It was a shock for me and our families and our friends,” his husband said.

“For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband,” Claudio Gama told TV Insider. At the time of his death, Anthony had been living in the Netherlands with Claudio.

Anthony initially got his break on General Hospital after reluctantly signing a 13-week contract. Speaking of the moment he agreed to executive producer Gloria Monty’s request in a 2007 interview for the Television Academy Foundation, he said: “In my first meeting, I said to her, ‘I hate soap operas,’ and she said, ‘Honey, so do I, and we’re going to change all that.”

And together the pair did just that. Anthony went on to mould the role of Luke, a hitman with ties to the mob, into one of the show’s most iconic characters.

He initially made his debut on the show in 1978. He left the show in 2017 after making appearances on 1,995 episodes.

Elsewhere, Anthony appears on the likes of Starsky and Hutch, Murder, She Wrote, and It Takes Two. He revealed he was retiring from Hollywood in 2015. It was then he decided to move to Amsterdam with his husband.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly at the time, he said: “I’m excited to raise the curtain on act 3, to reinvent myself in my new home to pursue whatever opportunity there may be. It’s an exciting prospect to me.”

Born in Utah in 1947, Anthony’s birth name was Tony. He decided to change it in 1978 and told People in 1980: “I had a happy childhood, and my family was always close.

“But early on they realized I wasn’t of this earth, that I wouldn’t follow my father’s lead. . . . In school I was always an artistic loner.”

Fans shared messages of condolence on social media following the news. One Twitter/X user wrote: “Tough year for General Hospital fans.

“We lost two legendary leading men this year: Tristan Rogers and now Anthony Geary. Both left an unforgettable mark on Daytime TV. RIP Tristan and Anthony.”

Another added: “Luke and Laura will always be an iconic couple. Robert and Luke are together again in heaven. Rest in peace Anthony Geary #anthonygeary #GeneralHospital.”

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Rocco Ritchie’s parents have buried the hatchet to put on a united front at their son’s trendy art exhibition in London

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It was the picture of happy families, as Rocco Ritchie proudly shared a picture of his famous mum and dad, Madonna and Guy Ritchie on Instagram on Monday after they reunited on Friday night for the first time since 2008 to support him at his art exhibition, entitledTalk Is Cheap.

The historic reunion, which happened at a studio warehouse in Soho, showed the exes standing either side of their 25-year-old son, and posing in front of his critically acclaimed artworks, which seemed to be depictions of his parents. Taking to social media, Rocco, 25, spoke of his pride at seeing his parents in the same room looking content to show him their support, following a famously messy custody battle over him in 2016.

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He wrote: “It’s obvious why some people might hold judgement against me, I don’t blame them. However, I am proud to be who I am, but I’m even prouder to have both of my parents together in one room supporting me. The work should speak for itself, that’s why the show was called Talk Is Cheap.”

Madonna and TV and film director Guy, who were married from 2000 to 2008, had a famously tumultuous relationship over the years, but it seems they’ve decided to bury any animosity for the sake of their budding artist son and were seen chatting amicably at the artsy event.

They arrived with their respective partners – Madonna, 67 with toyboy Akeem Morris, 29 -and in a vintage Versace outfit and sporting the same platinum blonde hair and oversized sunglasses as she had the last time they were all snapped together. The Gentleman director Guy, 55, attended with his wife Jacqui, 42.

Rocco built up his career as an artist under the pseudonym Rhed, preferring to gain recognition for his work rather than his famous parents – but he has since dropped the moniker for some of his exhibitions.

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But it wasn’t just Rocco’s parents adding the A-lister glamour to proceedings – action man Jason Statham, who has worked with guy several times and his model wife Rosie Huntington-Whiteley were also seen arriving at the event.

It was revealed in March 2016 that Madonna had given in to her ex-husband over custody of Rocco, then 15 – with reports at the time suggesting she had admitted that her son preferred to live with his dad.

The battle began the previous December, when a teen Rocco, who had been with his mother on her world tour, to fly home to the UK to be with his dad.

Rocco then defied the pop icon’s pleas – as well as an order from a New York court – to return to her home in the States for Christmas, preferring instead to stay in Britain with Ritchie.

Madonna was said at the time to be ‘utterly bereft’ and, as part of the peace deal, she demanded a series of assurances that she will retain some parental influence over her only natural son.

Guy – who was awarded a £50 million divorce settlement, had claimed at the time that Rocco needed ‘his space and freedom’.

It was revealed last week that TV presenter Davina McCall had tied the knot with long-term partner and fellow celebrity Michael Douglas in an intimate London Ceremony

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Davina McCall has revealed her Big Brother inspired wedding ring after secretly tying the knot with Michael Douglas. It was reported last week that the TV presenter has married her celebrity hairdresser partner in a London ceremony.

The couple said I Do in front of their closest friends and family, just three months after getting engaged. Davina has now showed off her new ring at a charity event. Alongside singer Beverley Knight, Davina gave a glimpse of her eye-shaped ring for the first time. The new piece of jewellery features a silver band and an eye shaped gem which many think represents her Big Brother hosting role.

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READ MORE: Jeff Brazier posts statement after split from wife and on-air outburst at Ruth LangsfordREAD MORE: Davina McCall’s ‘angry’ response to devastating diagnosis as she says ‘it’s been a lot’

She was the presenter of the iconic show for nine series since 2000. Davina also hosted five celebrity series of the show and became well known for her “do not swear” catchphrase. Davina and Michael got married last week in London. It has been said that they chose to keep the celebration low keys before going to their friend’s wedding the next day as well.

The Sun reported that a source said: “Their wedding was perfect, exactly what they wanted. They chose a small venue close to their home, and just invited about ten of their friends and relatives to be there with them.

“It was very intimate and everyone who attended is very special in their lives. They’ve been through a huge amount in recent months, with Davina’s health, and it just felt right to formalise their marriage. They didn’t see the point in waiting.

“The next day they just carried on with life as normal, and as coincidence would have it they were guests at another friend’s wedding day. So they went as a married ­couple for the first time and happily showed off her wedding ring. It was the perfect weekend.”

Davina chose to steer away from a traditional wedding dress as she instead went for a long white faux fur coat for the special occasion at Marylebone Town Hall last Friday.

Davina looked stunning in her wedding look as she wore a matching lace hat, lace tights and heels. Meanwhile, Michael looked smart in a bright blue suit.

Michael and Davina were friends for years before their relationship turned romantic. They first crossed paths at Hertfordshire’s Elstree Studios when Davina was the presenter of Big Brother.

However, they then discovered there was something romantic between them after Davina’s 17-year marriage to Matthew Robertson, the father of her three children Holly, 24, Tilly, 22, and Chester, 19, came to an end in 2017.

Michael popped the question to his now-wife just three months ago when they were on a romantic holiday in Ibiza. The pair didn’t want to wait too long until they made things official.

Sons of Anarchy star Johnny Lewis, who once dated Katy Perry, strangled an 81-year-old woman to death and killed her cat then died himself in what was considered an accident

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Actor Johnny Lewis had gone to the legendary Writers’ Villa in Los Angeles, California, as part of a major effort to rebuild his life.

But it was there that his long path of destruction finally came to an end in the most harrowing, unimaginable tragedy. Lewis, then 28, inexplicably attacked a neighbour, killed his 81-year-old landlady and her pet cat, before falling to his death.

Just a few years earlier, fresh from starring in popular teen drama The O.C. he had dated Katy Perry.

His fall from grace was as dramatic as it was quick. Things really started to go downhill for the Sons of Anarchy star when he split up with his actor girlfriend Diane Gaeta in 2010, the same year their daughter, Culla May was born.

In October 2011, he suffered head injuries in a horror motorbike accident. Doctors recommended an MRI scan. Lewis’s dad also “pursued and encouraged psychiatric treatment for his son”. But Johnny refused both the scan and treatment.

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His behaviour became erratic. In January, 2012, he got into a fight, hitting two men with a bottle. He pleaded no contest to charges of assault with a deadly women. Six weeks later, he was accused of trying to break into a woman’s home, again pleading no contest.

Not long after, a probation official expressed concern for Lewis’s own welfare as well as that of those around him, citing mental health and drug problems. They said Lewis would “continue to be a threat to any community he may reside in”.

His family, in a bid to avoid a trial, pushed for rehab for either marijuana or alcohol addiction. At the beginning of August, 2012, he agreed to be detailed for “time served” with assurances he would spend just a few more days behind bars. He ended up staying in jail for almost two more months. During this time, both his physical and mental health declined.

On September 21, he was released. Five days later, he, his landlady and her cat were dead.

He had spent time at the Writers’ Villa, a B&B for aspiring actors, a couple of years earlier, so it made sense that he wanted to return there as part of his recovery plan. At the time, he was still reeling from a “long and painful” custody battle with Gaeta.

But police were called to the property after neighbours reported a violent rampage. Lewis had apparently jumped over a fence into a neighbouring house, attacking both a house painter and the homeowner.

According to witnesses, he introduced himself as “John, your new neighbour,” before the assault. When officers arrived back at the Villa, they discovered the body of Catherine Davis, the 81-year-old landlady affectionately known as the ‘Hollywood Hills Philanthropist’, inside the property with severe head injuries.

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Her cat was also found dead. Lewis’s body was discovered on the driveway below, after he either fell or jumped from the roof, garage or patio, according to LAPD reports.

Los Angeles Magazine later reported that police at the scene “noted that Lewis’s left eye socket was caved in” and that “his skull was smashed just to the left of centre”. Officers concluded he had plunged from either the second floor or the roof and died instantly.

Despite early speculation that substances may have played a part in his behaviour, the full autopsy report released in November 2012 revealed Lewis had no drugs or alcohol in his system. Toxicology tests showed no trace of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, psychedelic substances or anti-psychotic medication.

Authorities ultimately ruled his death accidental, stating there was no evidence he had been pushed or that he intended to take his own life. The coroner’s report stated: “Decedent died of a fall. We do not have definitive evidence that the decedent intended to kill himself.

“We also do not at this time have any evidence that he was pushed. Therefore, the manner of death is accidental.”

Criminal psychologist Lydia Benecke has suggested Lewis could have suffered from organic personality disorder, which was made worse by the head injury sustained in the 2011 accident.

In the aftermath, Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter shared a heartfelt message, describing Lewis as “an extremely talented guy, who unfortunately had lost his way”.

He added: “I am deeply sorry that an innocent life had to be thrown into his destructive path. Yes, it’s a day of mourning, but it’s also a day of awareness and gratitude. Sadly, some of us carry the message by dying.”