Category Entertainment News

This time five years ago, Linda Lusardi lay in hospital, preparing for her own death after becoming one of the UK’s first Covid patients. She has recalled the horror of watching her limbs ‘ turn blue ‘ as she felt her ‘ organs fail ‘

This time five years ago, Linda Lusardi was faced with the unimaginable prospect of preparing for her own death.

Lying in hospital as her weight plummeted and her limbs turned blue, the iconic pin-up was warned that her chances of surviving Covid were ‘slim’. But channeling her famous feisty energy, glamorous Linda, 66, fought back and is delighted to have lived to see the day when she could draw her first pension.

“I just got my first pension payment. I’ve got money going into my bank without having to do anything. The state pension’s not bad, that will pay for my shopping, the other private one will probably just about pay for my electricity bill”, she said.

In her younger years, Linda, who married former Coronation Street actor Sam Kane in 1988, worked tirelessly to save for retirement, but the last few years have marked a subtle withdrawal from the spotlight.

“I think nearly losing your life puts things in perspective. I do work but I take plenty of time at home,” said Linda, who recently turned down a big money job to spend time with her family.

“You get past a certain stage and you think ‘ I am who I am’. There’s more important things than work. I do still get asked to be photographed in bikinis – I did it at 50 and swimwear at 60 – but not so much now, and life’s too short to be worrying about what you look like too much.

“Obviously I like to look as good as I can and I do have tweakments, but it’s not the be all and end all to look young any more. I’m not young.”

But while she might have wound up her modelling work, mother-of-two Linda is about to embark on a new adventure as the DIY internet sensation no-one saw coming. From tiling and caulking to wallpapering and woodwork, Linda has traded her make-up bag for a tool box and amassed 134, 000 followers with her handyman skills.

And it is that passion that could tempt her out of semi-retirement. “We’ve had interest both from TV and a couple of publishers. It’s looking like it will happen. I think they’ve seen the interaction I’ve had on Instagram,” she said.

” Honestly, the interaction I get for the DIY stuff is so much higher than pictures of me all done up going out!

It all started during Covid when professional work on her kitchen was halted and she was forced to cook on a camping stove. She decided to renovate the kitchen herself, and daughter Lucy, 28, encouraged her to share her progress online.

One video of her water jetting her patio had an incredible four million views. Linda’s inspiration was her late dad Nello, a master craftsman who managed shop re-fits, including Harrods ‘ food hall, and while watching him she would ask questions and help him at home.

“I’ve got a lot of his tools, which I still use”, she said. “Over the years I think I’ve made and saved more money from doing up homes and selling them at a profit than I did from being a nationally-recognised model.

” I project-managed two houses and watched craftsmen thinking ‘ why are they doing it like that, I could do it better’. I just thought ‘ Well, I’ll give it a go’, and then did a lot myself.

“I didn’t talk publicly about it while I was modelling, but tradesmen would come round and see me on the floor in the bathroom and they would be like ‘ What? Have you done that? ‘

” I don’t know if that’s because I was a woman or because it was me, covered in grout on the floor. I only started putting it on Instagram a few years ago after Lucy said ‘ You should put that on there mum, people won’t believe what you can do – people your age don’t get down and dirty and do all that’.

Now the proud owner of a Milwaukee caulking gun – a gift from her husband – Linda has refurbished her en-suite and is now working on her downstairs toilet. She is also on-call for DIY projects at Lucy and 26-year-old son Jack’s homes. “My dad would be so proud”, she added.

However, despite her new project, said she’s not done with the stage just yet and will continue to do panto on the condition it’s alongside her daughter Lucy at the Blackburn Empire Theatre this Easter.

“I’m going to struggle to learn my lines on this Easter panto, because it doesn’t come as easy now. I’ll only do panto with her now”.

Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has opened up about his time on the dance show and revealed he often finds himself trying to make the ‘ right choices ‘

Gorka Marquez has revealed that despite his glittering career, he often struggles with juggling that and his family life. The professional dancer joined the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 and over the years has been partnered with the likes of Alexandra Burke, Katie Piper, Maisie Smith and Helen Skelton.

But while the dancer may appear the picture of happiness at work, he admits that it can be difficult when it comes to juggling his family life and career. “Let’s be honest, it’s not easy,” he exclusively told the Mirror before explaining: “It’s about making the right choices. When I was in my 20s, it was just about me, me, me. It’s easier because you kind of don’t have anything to worry about more than yourself. When you have a partner and children, sometimes work is great. I always say, there’s a difference between living for work and work for living.

” Now when I work, I work for living and have a good life with my family and kids. The only thing we cannot get back is time. Time flies and kids grow up very quickly. It’s about making the right choice, I’m saying no to things because as amazing as it could be, you need to work out if its worth it being that far away or for a long period of time away from the kids and miss so many things that will never come back.

“You can find another job or make money somewhere else but sometimes, quality time and time with family is not worth half the price”. Away from the dance floor, the Spanish native admits the show completely changed his life.

Just one year after he joined the show, he met former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson, who was partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec. The couple went on to become engaged and now share two children, daughter Mia, six, and son Thaigo, who is two this year.

“Strictly is one of those things that happens in the life of someone and you think it’s a job and an opportunity for your career”, Gorka exclusively told us. He added: “It could be but in my case, it’s beyond that.

” I got the opportunity to do Strictly which led me to meet Gemma, which now means I have a beautiful family. We are happy together, we have two beautiful kids and Strictly’s still part of my life, it’s something that brought my job to meet Gemma and create a family. Without Strictly, I wouldn’t be what I am now, professionally and personally – I’m very grateful.

“Strictly is the best show on telly, who doesn’t love Strictly”? Gorka continued: “It brings entertainment, music and dance and it also has a good story because every celebrity brings their own journey, their own story. Everyone can relate to any of those journeys – that’s why this show is so successful and has been running for many years”.

Through fits of laughter, Gorka said: “The dancers are incredible, especially the Spanish one – he’s so good”! This year, Gorka is making his Soccer Aid debut playing for World XI – which he teased could cause some rivalry as his fiancée Gemma is a celebrity supporter for the England team.

“I’m so excited, it’s something I watch on the TV, it’s a big opportunity to raise awareness and money for a good cause”, Gorka said. He went on to say growing up, football was his main love and to now be able to play alongside some of his footballing idols at Old Trafford is a “dream come true”.

Aiming big, Gorka wants Roberto Carlos on his team. “He is from Brazil so he could play on my team”, he joked. He went on to explain that growing up, he had the number three on his football shirts – the same number which he will be playing with on June 15.

He said: “That was Roberto Carlos’ number, he was a left back and I used to play left back. Funny story, it was the World Cup of 1998, I was eight-years-old, they were playing and lost against France, I asked my dad to shave my hair like Roberto Carlos. I went to the barbers and asked for the proper bald head, I wanted to be like Roberto Carlos. I’m a big fan of Manchester United, class of 92 was amazing. I think if I could play with them, I would probably play against them, Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney, David Beckham.”

But, if Beckham did appear on the line-up, Gorka admits he wouldn’t be able to contain himself. “I would probably be fan-girling like ‘ Come on David, ‘ I would let him score”. Now, Gorka lives just down the road from Old Trafford and admits he cannot contain his excitement to step out onto the pitch.

Speaking from Manchester’s Hotel Football overlooking the Theatre of Dreams, he said: “Playing football in the Theatre of Dreams, I’m very excited to play in the stadium where I’ve watched players I idolise and support. I remember the first time that I stepped into Old Trafford, they allowed me to go to the bench and sit on the bench and be on the pitch. I was starstruck.

” When you go to Old Trafford, even if you’re not a fan of football, you appreciate the atmosphere, the passion and now to step onto the pitch and play, I bet someone will ask me to dance on the floor. I said if I score, I’m going to go to the corner and dance. I will do the dancing if I score.

“I think I should wear sparkly underpants, if I score, I take them out and dance with someone. Anything to raise money for children”. But Gorka admits he wishes Gemma was playing so he could play against her – “I would be tackling her all the time”, he laughed. Since Soccer Aid kicked off in 2006, over £100 million has been raised for UNICEF, which is part of Gorka’s decision to sign up for the game.

“That situation with children, when it comes to hunger or not having basic things like water, food and clothes, since I became a dad, it makes you appreciate it more”, Gorka said. He continued: “For children to have a basic education, just a bed to sleep, somewhere to be warm. I think being part of this means a lot, I know how much it will help children. I know how vulnerable and sensitive children are, we need to take care of them. They are the future.

” You see children suffering and struggling and it’s not their fault, it’s a consequence that they get dragged into it from bad choices and situations in their countries. They’re so vulnerable, anything that we can do is good. “

The match takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester, with adult tickets priced at £20 and juniors from £10. Tickets are available now on the Soccer Aid for UNICEF website.

Lily Allen’s best friend Miquita Oliver has opened up about going through a secret abortion -and how she felt like she could take time away from her TV job

Lily Allen’s best friend Miquita Oliver, 40, has opened up about her ‘secret abortion’. The star revealed that she had the abortion at 24 – with the termination taking place the day before she was due to present the Fashion Rocks event on T4 – in which Lily was performing.

Opening up on the pair’s Miss Me? podcast, she said: “All these popstars would come and sing with a brand, but I’d had an abortion the day before. It was really quite serious and I was only 24”.

Speaking on going to work the next day, she continued: “I didn’t say, ‘ I know, why don’t I call in and say ‘ I’ve had an abortion and I can’t move from pain, ‘ I thought ‘ you can’t do that to Fashion Rocks, who is going to host the T4 coverage? ‘”

She then spoke about the “next level cramps” she experienced while walking around London’s Royal Albert Hall. Miquita then revealed how she was “so embarrassed and so scared” that her ex wouldn’t want to go out with her anymore, which is why she kept it to herself.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Miquita would be teaming up alongside Simon Amstel for the first time in 19 years after an early noughties stint. The pair were aged just 16 and 21 when they rose to fame on old music show Popworld.

They went on to front the T4 show on occasion, but called it quits in 2006. At the time, Alex Zane and Alexa Chung replaced them as their careers went separate ways.

The pair then joined forces once again as he covered for Lily on the pair’s Miss Me? Podcast. It came after the singer revealed she would be taking a break from the show as she dealt with her marriage breakdown with Game of Thrones star David Harbour.

It came after Miquita claimed Simon would ‘ never work with her again’. Speaking to Metro in 2022, she revealed: “Simon will not work with me again. I don’t know why.

” He’s like, ‘ It was brilliant. Let’s just leave it there’. And I’m like, ‘ Yeah… but we were so good’. “

As well as Simon, Miquita was also joined by singer Mabel and rapper Jordan Stephens as they also covered for Lily during her time away.

Childhood best friends Miquita and Lily began their Miss Me? Podcast in March last year – where viewers hear the pair discuss their lives and plans for the future.

Will Smith has used his infamous Oscars 2022 slap on Chris Rock as inspiration for his new music, with the actor rapping about the incident on his upcoming album

Will Smith raps about his infamous Chris Rock slap as his new album is teased. Using the Oscars encounter from three years ago to inspire music on his upcoming release, Based on a True Story, his opening track on it begins with “Will Smith is cancelled,” before the actor starts rapping with lines including “I heard he won the Oscar but he had to give it back.”

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air star, 56, won the Best Actor Oscar in 2022 for his role in King Richard, but his altercation with guest presenter Rock, 60, took the headlines. Millions watched as the Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It singer took issue with a joke made by the comedian about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith, 53.

He compared her hair to shaven headed character GI Jane, despite Jada having publicly said she suffered from the hair loss condition alopecia. After Chris cracked the joke, Will leapt onto the stage and slapped the presenter, saying “keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth”.

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The actor walked on stage and slapped Rock before continuing to shout from his seat.

Chris Rock and both Will and Jada had a decades-long working relationship before the awards. Chris had appeared on Will’s hit show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1995 and they co-starred together in the mockumentary Torrance Rises in 1999.

They were also seen hanging out together at awards shows in the nineties, and Chris presented Will with a Kids’ Choice Award in 2005. Jada, meanwhile, starred with Chris in the Madagascar animated movies, and the pair often walked the red carpet together promoting the films.

Chris had even joked about Jada and Will at a previous Oscars, in 2016. He commented on the fact that Jada had said she was boycotting the ceremony, saying: “Jada said she’s not coming, protest. I was like, ‘Isn’t she on a TV show?’ Jada’s going to boycott the Oscars? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited!”

Later that evening he had a dig at Will, too, who had not been nominated for his acclaimed performance in drama Concussion.

“It’s not fair that Will was this good and didn’t get nominated. You’re right. It’s also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for Wild Wild West, OK”? he said, referring to the comedy adventure widely considered Will’s biggest flop.

Since the infamous 2022 slap, Chris Rock has scored a series of successes. He starred in Netflix’s first live comedy special, Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, which was nominated for multiple awards, and featured a few digs at Jada and Will. He has also written and directed the movie Misty Green, due for release later this year.

Four months after the Oscars, Will apologised to Chris in a YouTube video. “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out,” he said.

“So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk”.

He also told TV host Trevor Noah that: “There’s many nuances and complexities to it, you know, but at the end of the day, I just — I lost it. You just don’t know what’s going on with people and I was going through something that night. Not that that justifies my behaviour at all”.

Geordie presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were excited to join the Newcastle United team on their Carabao Cup parade as they celebrated a historic first domestic trophy win in 70 years

Geordie duo Ant and Dec were swarmed as they arrived at St James’ Park ahead of a historic day for Newcastle United. The TV presenters were announced as special guests at the huge celebrations after the Toon Army’s monumental Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool.

The victory marked Newcastle’s first domestic trophy in 70 years, sending fans on Tyneside into overdrive. Now, as the city comes to a standstill, they welcomed the Britain’s Got Talent presenters with open arms. The duo posed for selfies as fans swarmed them after they arrived at the club’s stadium in the city centre with cup fever ringing clear two weeks on.

And the TV stars took to Twitter /X to share their own excitement ahead of the day’s events from the Gallowgate End terraces. An excited Ant shouted: “Alreeeet,” at the camera before Dec said: “Hello cheesebags. Us here.”

Ant went on: “W’ere very, very, very, very, very excited today”, before Dec jumped in laughing: “That’s a lot of verys”. Ant added: “We’re very excited today”.

“We are going on an open top bus parade today with Newcastle United players and the Carabao Cup”, Dec revealed while Dec screamed in the background.

“Ant’s been screaming like a girl for most of the day”. As Ant couldn’t hide his excitement as his dreams as a fan of the team come true, Dec went on: “We’re going to be interviewing the players on the parade and then ending up on the Town Moor where they are going to lift the trophy in front of everybody and we’re going to enjoy the day”.

The Geordie duo revealed they will keep their fans updated on the way around, with Ant admitting he felt like he was going to faint as he beamed with ecstasy. “Oh, my legs are all jelly”, Ant added as he collapsed to the floor with Dec in fits of laughter.

The club had been in talks with Newcastle City Council and Northumbria Police during the week to organise the momentous event. The team bus was to depart from St James ‘ Park, travel through Gallowgate and Percy Street, and head towards the Town Moor.

In an official statement, the club said: “Newcastle United has confirmed further plans for the club’s Carabao Cup celebrations, with the team set to have a bus parade before an event on the Town Moor.

” Eddie Howe’s side will celebrate their recent cup win with a city centre open top bus on Saturday 29 March, which will start at St. James ‘ Park, before making its way to the Town Moor for the celebration event.

Extensive work and long-term planning behind the scenes have continued with Newcastle City Council, Northumbria Police, Freemen of Newcastle, the North East Combined Authority, NE1, Nexus and the emergency services. “

There is expected to be over 100, 000 fans piled into the Town Moor to watch the celebrations.

Comedian and former Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh has announced the birth of his second child, Casper, with partner Grace Adderley after the pair chose to keep the pregnancy a secret

Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh has revealed that he’s recently become a father again. The comedian, 38. took to social media to share the news of their new arrival, after keeping his partner Grace Adderley’s pregnancy under wraps.

The couple, who have maintained a low profile, welcomed a baby girl in February 2023. However, Seann seemingly confirmed they are now parents of two when he posted a photo on Instagram.

Alongside the image of his daughter covered in food, Seann shared, “My first five minutes of being left alone with Wylda and our newborn Casper. S*** just got real”.

Fans were taken by surprise when Seann later admitted he fainted during Grace’s first labour. The comedian revealed the news in a video from the hospital, expressing gratitude for the “amazing” hospital staff who helped them.

He also gave an amusing account of his own reaction to the situation, writing: “I passed out during the birth. Of course I did. The nurse’s response? ‘ Men. ‘ Fair”.

The comic has been in a relationship with dance teacher Grace, 32, since 2018. This is shortly after his controversial appearance on Strictly, where he made headlines for kissing his married dance partner, Katya Jones.

Seann and Grace first shared the pregnancy news during an Instagram Live while on tour. Seann also became a first-time dad shortly after finishing 5th on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2022.

Last year, Seann revealed that he still suffers from the after effects of his time on the BBC show where he was embroiled in a cheating scandal. When he appeared on the hit show, he was caught kissing his professional dancer Katya Jones and this caused a ripple effect of destruction.

Katya split from her husband and professional dancer Neil Jones, while Seann’s relationship with Rebecca Humphries also came to an end. Soon after news broke of the cheating scandal, Seann spiralled out of control and suffered with depression and panic attacks.

Seven years later, he is still not fully recovered. Speaking of his post-traumatic stress, he said in a recent interview: “I do not dance. What it is more actually is when you turn up to any car park or something, and it says, ‘ Strictly No Parking’. I still just go, ‘ Arghh’, every time I see it”.

In a candid chat with fellow comedian Russell Howard on his Wonderbox podcast, he added: “I can hear the word — like a dog hearing something — I can just hear the word strictly and I still go, ‘ Arghh! ‘”

Desperate to put the ordeal behind him, Seann decided to jump straight back into stand up shows and performing. But now on reflection, he admitted it was too soon. He continued: “I went back too soon — that’s for sure. You’ve got to kind of let audiences, or the public, almost let them get over it.

” But I wanted to kind of fight it. I didn’t want this thing that was happening to my life to take away the only thing that I had. “Seann rebuilt his life and in 2022 he quit alcohol and went on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – in the hope of changing public opinion.