Category Entertainment News

GK Barry, the co-host of Influencer and I’m A Celeb, faced a lot of criticism after making a number of X-rated remarks during the Women’s League Cup draw, but her co-host has come out in force to defend her.

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Influencer GK Barry found herself in hot water this week after furious fans slammed her ‘chaotic’ Women’s League Cup draw stunt, but now her Loose Women co-star has rushed to her defence.

The Women’s Super League were forced to apologise after complaints flooded in over Barry’s “unprofessional” behaviour during the live-streamed draw. The 26-year-old, who also appeared on I’m A Celebrity last year, was chosen to host the event with partner Ella Rutherford, a midfielder for Portsmouth, in the hope she could encourage some new viewers for the games with her huge online social media following.

What was meant to be a fun and lighthearted TikTok performance by Barry, whose real name is Grace Keeling, quickly descended into chaos. Her humor failed to appeal to viewers, and there were technical difficulties during the drawing, which also didn’t have any on-screen graphics. Barry, who is well-known for her crude banter, has recently received a lot of negative online comments, with some calling her “insulting” and “unprofessional.”

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At the start of the draw, GK Barry jokedly into her backside, “I’m going to give it a shake and a spank for luck, a bit of fun.” She then made a joke about “lesbians handling balls” and concluded the conversation by saying, “Even if you’re a lesbian, get a footlong.”

But it was the joke about Tottenham that had casued the most backlash, where she said “what do we think of Tottenham?” – an anti-Spurs chant popularised by Arsenal fans. She then drew Tottenham’s ball out of the bag before putting it back in and saying: “Am I allowed to do that? I’ve done it now, it’s too late. Oh I picked up the same ball.”

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The criticism for her jokes came quickly, with people calling it an ‘insult’ to women’s football – but with over 4.1 million followers on TikTok and 1.3 million on Instagram, it’s clear GK Barry still has a huge amount of support online.

One person who quickly jumped to her defense after the scrutiny was her fellow Loose Women co-star Denise Welch. Replying to a clip posted on Instagram by ITV news about the backlash Barry and her partner were facing, Welch commented: “For goodness sake!!! Don’t book Grace then!!! It’s exactly what she does. She’s never going to be a regular football pundit!! It’s like booking Alan Carr and complaining he was too camp!!!”

WSL Football has since apologized to Tottenham, and video clips of the draw have since gone viral online, leaving many women’s football fans speechless. Who on earth believed that a “social media influencer” and her girlfriend would be doing the drawing? One user wrote on X as an insult to female footballers of all ages and their organizations. While another person declared, “This is illogical. I find it hard to believe this is even real.

Since she was 13 years old, the radio host has made this significant decision.

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Amanda Holden has claimed her one major diet choice, followed by millions around the world, has given her great health for the last 40 years. Adopting this popular diet may have slashed the star’s risk of serious chronic conditions and kept her looking and feeling younger as a result.

As reported in Women’s Health, Amanda has previously said that she believes her vegetarian diet has kept her ‘healthy by default’. The star has been following the lifestyle since she was 13 years old.

Now, at 54, the mum-of-two has committed to the way of life for over four decades. Her mostly plant-based approach includes some firm favourites like “avocado, chickpeas and quinoa salads”. Amanda’s choice to turn vegetarian was down to her concerns about animal welfare, having previously said: “The best thing you can do for animals is to just leave them off your plate”.

Women’s Health added to its report that, on social media, Amanda has shared that she enjoys hard-boiled eggs with a drizzle of Marmite. She urged fans to try the odd combo, and said: “I don’t understand why everyone thinks this is a gross thing to do. This is my favourite thing to do.”

The Britain’s Got Talent judge and Heart radio presenter has claimed in the past that she does occasionally eat fish, technically making her pescatarian rather than a full vegetarian. However, the rich volume of healthy fruits, vegetables and other plant-based ingredients leads to an overall healthy approach to nutrition, although the busy mum does claim that she won’t restrict anything that gives her pleasure.

What varieties of vegetarianism are there?

A vegetarian is someone who avoids eating any kind of meat, poultry, fish, or seafood. Their typical diet consists of a wide range of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

Some people (lacto-vegetarians) may include dairy products in their diet depending on their beliefs or preferences. Others may opt to become more vegetarian, such as flexitarians who primarily consume plant-based foods but occasionally switch to meat or fish, and pescatarians who still consume fish.

Alternately, people may adopt a much stricter diet, or veganism. This prohibition includes all animal products, as well as items for daily life like avoiding particular cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and clothing items.

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What advantages does going vegetarian have for your health?

When done in a secure and consistent manner, removing fish and meat from your diet may provide a range of health advantages. With fewer reported cases of obesity, studies suggest that eating primarily plant-based may be healthier.

It can also affect how you feel on the inside, aside from how you look. People who live a vegetarian lifestyle are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, according to research.

Higher dietary intakes of vegetarian foods are associated with better skin health, according to research. These foods contain a number of plant-protection compounds called polyphenols, as well as skin-supporting nutrients like vitamins C and E, which may contribute to skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.

Shoppers can get their hands on a candle, body wash, and a Christmas stocking that can’t be purchased thanks to Jo Malone’s Black Friday deals, which include some seriously freebies.

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Jo Malone approaches saving differently this Black Friday. Instead of cutting costs by using a discount code or a site-wide saving, it’s giving customers the option to pick up some incredible free items instead of picking up their favorite products.

The free items include a candle, a hand and body wash, and the pièce de résistance; a festive Christmas stocking that can’t be bought anywhere. The three freebies can be picked up when you shop anything on the Jo Malone website or in-store, with a minimum spend threshold having to be reached before the free items are added to your cart.

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Customers must spend more than £140 at Jo Malone to receive the free full-size Body &amp, Hand Wash, valued at £35. You can get this low price with items like the Cypress &amp, Grapevine Cologne Intense ($164 for 100ml), and the Twelve Days of Christmas Ornament Collection ($80).

You can, of course, combine items like body lotions, candles, and other fragrances until you’ve reached the £140 mark. However, you’ll also be able to receive a number of other freebies if you spend just £50 more.

You’ll also receive a free travel candle, which costs £28 for a 65g candle, as well as a limited edition, limited edition Christmas stocking that cannot be purchased. The stocking is not available separately, but it features Jo Malone’s signature black and white diamond print.

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That means the only way to get your hands on it is as part of the brand’s Black Friday offer, with the £190 spend getting you all three items added into your basket. To make sure you don’t miss out on either of the offers, you’ll need to use the discount code MERRY at checkout, and is only valid until Wednesday December 3, so you’ll need to be quick to take advantage of it.

Other beauty retailers have also created their own Black Friday promotions, with LookFantastic offering up to 30% off most items and an additional 5% off when you use the discount code SAVE5. This is a great time to buy those Christmas presents because you can also save up to 50% on perfumes and fragrances.

Brands like Gucci, Armani, and Ralph Lauren are all available on The Perfume Shop’s website, which means 20% off everything. Some products are also eligible for a “WOW” discount, which reduces prices 50%.

Jessie J, the singer and The Voice star, is best known for her long-running, impressive musical career, but it seems like she is considering pursuing a career in something else.

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Jessie J, a singer, has a brand-new opportunity to shine in a challenging role. The pop singer is the most recent celebrity to sign up for CBeebies Bedtime Story.

The mum-of-one will be reading a story to viewers on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer. She will be reading an inspiring story which is about hope and being resilient.

Jana Curll’s book My Path is read by Jessie as she reads it. A little snail navigates life’s twists and turns in the story. Even when their future seems uncertain, the book encourages young readers to accept challenges and persevere even when their future is uncertain.

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Jessie said in a statement about her CBeebies appearance that she “follows our very own special path, which can lead us in many directions. I’ve come to this CBeebies Bedtime Story, where my path led me.

We might encounter bumps along the way and some significant mountains, but I tell myself, “keep going Jess!” and I hope that’s what children and adults alike take from “My Path.”

At the conclusion of her appearance, she continued to leave a sweet message. Every path is unique, so choose yours, and keep going, she said. A big, beautiful adventure is what life is all about. Choose a fulfilling life, make the most of magic, and live your best life.

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CBeebies and BBC iPlayer air CBeebies Bedtime Stories every weekday at 6:50 pm. The program assists families in managing their daily bedtime routine and inspires the entire country to read together.

Jessie’s most recent employment comes after she has made breast cancer-related claims openly. The singer, 37, had surgery earlier this year and is awaiting a second round.

While Jessie waits for a second operation later this year, she has delayed her No Secrets UK and European tour until 2026. She remarked about her diagnosis, “I’m just grateful for the lessons and, honestly, I’m grateful for the connectivity that has given me with so many cancer patients.”

“I wouldn’t have had the lovely conversations I have had,” she said. Additionally, I’ve grown up better as a parent and a better person. I’ve never given a damn about the little things.

She continued, “Some things don’t stress me out anymore because you just need to sit the f*** down when life turns into something you feel like you can’t control.” After having a mastectomy and discovering a lump in her breast in March, Jessica was diagnosed with cancer. She remarked, “I had my surgery with little downtime.”

She described it as a “weird time” and continued, “When I had cancer and no one knew.” One orange is now hiding under a bedsheet, and the other is after the baby.

It’s still funny, but it’s not. However, it’s also quite funny. But I’m actually appreciative that I made it through. And I almost have to turn around, and I still have a little work to do. However, we all will experience or have experienced a very difficult situation that we feel we must carry on our own.

Tony Christie, 82, a singer from Arlington, was given a dementia diagnosis in 2023. The Yorkshireman discusses the power of music to “unlock memories you think you’ve lost” in a moving manner.

Tony Christie, the renowned singer behind the hit song “Is This The Way To Amarillo,” was diagnosed with dementia two years ago. Tony, 82, has recently been working on a tour and an album, and despite receiving a diagnosis, he continues to perform and record.

The singer, who spoke exclusively to the Mirror, discusses how music can be used as a tool to support those closest to him who is diagnosed with dementia and how you can do the same.

“Christmas has always been about music in my family. The carols, the records playing in the background, the songs that remind you of people you love. But since my dementia diagnosis in 2023, I’ve learned something important: the music is still there, but getting to it isn’t always easy.

I’m one of the lucky ones. I still get to sing almost every day – performing keeps me connected to the songs that have been part of my life for decades. But when it comes to just sitting down and listening to music?

My wife Sue and my granddaughter Deià enter that area. Deià assists with the technology while Sue suggests the songs. They jointly operate it.

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Deià recently purchased The Ink Spots, which my father used to play when I was a child. Hearing that song once more gave me a profound sense of emotion. When dementia is present, music serves that purpose.

It brings back memories that you initially lost. It provides instantaneous connection. When anxiety starts to creep in, it brings calm. And most importantly, it makes you remember who you are.

But most people with dementia can’t access their music as easily as I can. Not because the music isn’t there, but because modern technology has left them behind. Music for Dementia’s research found that only three in ten family carers can stream music with their loved one.

Age UK found that six in ten internet users over 65 never use the internet to stream music or videos. I’m 82 so this does not surprise me! The generation that grew up with The Beatles, Elvis, Motown, rock and roll – are now locked out of it. That’s a tragedy.

A new Christmas ad called Give the Music Back was just released this Christmas by Music for Dementia, which highlights how technology is lulling older people.

The gift of music, which instantly brings connection and joy to the family, is the gift of a six-year-old granddaughter. I urge you to watch it. I’m more emotionally invested in it than any big-budget retail campaign.

The ad promotes the charity’s m4dRADIO station – an invaluable resource for families impacted by dementia. It plays non-stop music without ads, presenters or news across six channels, from the 1940s through to the 1980s and a Mix channel. It’s completely free and it’s well worth a listen. You may even hear the playlist that Deià and I created together!

Families gather at Christmas, and music is all over. However, they are left on the sidelines of their own Christmas if their parents can’t access the songs that mean something to them.

I’ve seen the potential of music. It brings back memories that have been lost and strengthens my family’s bonds over time. There is no need to invest a lot. The newest technology is not necessary. What you need is something straightforward, accessible, and made for older people.

Give someone who has dementia access to their music if they are your friend. Listen while you sit together. Create a playlist. Install a voice-activated speaker, as Deià did for me. or tune into m4dRADIO.

Music is more than just entertainment. It is memory. It has its identity. Everyone should be able to access that. particularly at Christmas.”

Tony Christie is an ambassador for Music for Dementia. To request a free Yoto kit, visit musicfordementia.org.uk/yoto.*

The Bellissima air wrap styling tool comes with five attachments that smooth, style and create curls that ‘stay in all day’ has been slashed by £100 in Black Friday sale

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It’s officially Black Friday weekend, which means plenty of huge savings to get stuck into ahead of the festive season. Whether you’re hoping to snap up some Christmas presents whilst saving yourself money, or just want to treat yourself without breaking the bank, there’s plenty of great deals to be shopped.

One that caught our eye is the Bellissima Italia Prodigy Air Styler which has been given an impressive £100 price cut at Boots. Usually priced at £249, it’s now £149, and although we suspect the offer will last throughout Cyber Weekend, there’s no guarantee it’ll still be around once the savings event is over, so you might want to be quick if you want to snap it up.

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The Bellissima Italia Prodigy Air Styler makes a great Christmas gift for beauty lovers, or makes a great alternative to Shark’s FlexStyle if you’ve been looking for an easy-to-use tool to keep your hair perfectly styled during the festive season. If you have been holding out for the Shark version, however, now is also your chance to get it for less.

Currently the Shark FlexStyle Build Your Own Air Styling and Hair Drying System also has £100 off, slashing it from £269.99 to £169.99. However, not only is the Bellissima Air Styler £20 cheaper, but it also comes with an additional attachment.

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You get five different accessories with your multi-styler, including an air wrap curler, two round brushes, and an oval brush, which can create everything from effortless waves to sleek curls in minutes. The tool uses Ion Ceramic Hi-Pro technology to help keep hair sleek and frizz free, and minimises any damage caused by heat styling.

The Bellissima Italia Prodigy Air Styler uses airflow with five times the pressure of a standard hairdryer to cut down on the time spent styling. This not only saves you time in the mornings, but minimises how much time your hair spends being styled – another great way to prevent damage.

It’ll also check the temperature 50 times a second to stop it from getting too hot, and offers you three different air flow settings, three temperatures and the option of a cool shot, so you can pick the right combination for your hair type. The one advantage Shark has over this is that it lets you choose which four accessories you want out of a possible nine, so you can make sure every single one you pick is suitable for your hair type.

However the Bellissima Italia Prodigy Air Styler actually has a higher rating with shoppers, with Boots customers ranking it 4.6 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews, whilst the Shark one has a 4.3 rating from 742 reviews on the Shark website.

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Boots customers said about the Bellissima Italia Prodigy Air Styler: “I bought this for my daughter last year. It’s brilliant. Her hair is long and thick and when she uses this her curls always stay in all day.”

Another said: “This hot air brush is amazing and gives such a professional look! I researched for ages as to which to buy and so glad I went with this. The tongs wrap the hair around making it so easy to use and lots of other fab attachments!”

With a third raving: “I bought this last week and it’s AMAZING! Dries my (long and thick) hair within 10 minutes. Especially for this price it is the best out there! Additionally, this product simply looks beautiful and very aesthetically pleasing.”

In fact, the only negative review said: “This is probably a very good product, but I took one look at the size of the blow dry brush and curling barrels and knew they would be too big for my chin length hair. I returned the product unused.”

Another however praised: “LOVE THIS. Took a minute to get used to it verses a normal hair dryer. Lightweight and easy to swap the heads. I have long, thick hair (down to my hips) and it didn’t take longer than around 8mins to dry which is a record considering it doesn’t get as hot.”

Other great Black Friday deals on multi-stylers include the Beauty Works AERIS Multi-Styler which has been slashed from £220 to £154 over at LookFantastic. The retailer has also dropped the price of the BondiBoost Everlast Airstyler from £175 to £122.50.