Category Entertainment News

When he heard about little Felix, who we met on day one of our Mirror Christmas appeal for Lifelites, pop star Olly Murs was compelled to get in touch

As pop sensation Olly Murs told Mirror Christmas appeal hero Felix Forbes that he was blown away by the youngster playing music with his eyes, his family were overcome with emotion. The star delivered the special message after hearing about Felix, 13, who has rare neurological condition Miller-Dieker Syndrome, cannot walk or talk, and uses clever sensory and assistive technology to play music with his eyes, using a device called an Eyegaze.

He loves to play his favourite tracks alongside his dad, Dan, and their love of music is something that bonds them together. The Troublemaker singer, who shot to fame on the X Factor in 2009, was so moved after seeing a video of Felix and Dan playing music together, that he reached out to record a special Christmas message to the youngster.

READ MORE: ‘Our child was locked in his body until incredible gift opened up his world’

Olly said: “Felix, it’s Olly Murs here mate. Listen, you are so inspiring. Music is so important, to be able to express yourself and bring people together. And the fact that you are able to make music using only your eyes is truly incredible. Honestly, I am blown away. The video of you and your dad was amazing, it was so emotional. It was such an incredible watch. So, I’m sending you all the love this Christmas, I hope you and your family have the best time.”

When Felix and his family were shown the video, it was an incredibly emotional moment for all of them. Dan, 43, told the Mirror: “I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. We were totally shocked and overjoyed to receive the video from Olly – it’s made our Christmas.”

Last week we launched our Mirror Christmas appeal in aid of Lifelites to ‘Unwrap the Magic of Christmas’ for thousands of children like Felix. The campaign aims to raise vital funds for them to experience the wonder of life-changing technology, including the Eyegaze.

When the Mirror reached out to Olly, he wholeheartedly threw support behind what is such a brilliant cause. Felix, Dan, and mum Alex, 44, gathered at Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales, where Felix and his family receive support – and we surprised them with the video.

The whole family were there, including Felix’s sisters, Lottie, 10, and Maggie, five. They were expecting to see the annual hospice pantomime. On arrival they were taken into the hospice family room by Katie Simmons, Children’s Rights and Education Practitioner at Tŷ Hafan and the video from Olly Murs was played on the Lifelites Tilt and Touch Table big screen.

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As the Heart Skips A Beat hitmaker, 41, appeared on the screen saying: “I hope to see your talent in person next year. I’m sending you all the love in the world. Have a super Christmas and I’ll see you soon,” the family were overcome with emotion and total surprise. Dan said; “Actual Olly Murs, I can’t believe it, how amazing that Olly Murs has reached out to Felix. Felix and I love playing pop and rock tracks so to get Olly Murs sending a personal message was out of this world. He’s a superstar! We were all so excited, Alex was emotional as well as Felix’s sisters.”

Olly then went on to offer his support for the Mirror Christmas appeal and the incredible work done by Lifelites. Lifelites currently reach 15,000 children with life-limiting conditions. The charity provides seriously ill and disabled children the chance to play, create and communicate, using the power of assistive and sensory technology. This includes the iClick Switches, Magic Carpet, PODS sensory tent, Eyegaze and Cosmo Switches.

There are still 85,000 children without access to Lifelites. By donating to our appeal, Mirror readers can help thousands more receive this life-changing technology, enhancing the life of a seriously ill or disabled child and help them make the most of the precious moments they have with their families.

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Alex, who was visibly moved by the video from Olly Murs, said: “For Olly to spend time thinking of Felix is just incredible, it’s so kind of him and the whole family is just so blown away by it. He is a musician but plays music with his hands and sings but he was genuinely moved that Felix was playing music with his eyes, that was plain to see.

“Felix gets so much out of playing songs with his dad, so it meant the world that Olly reached out. To hear him say Felix’s name was amazing. He’s now a dad himself so I know when you become a parent things do affect you much more and it was clear Felix’s story and video had made him emotional.”

Felix was introduced to the Eyegaze and Soundbeam, which enables users to play musical sounds, at the age of seven and the tech has turned his life around. He was diagnosed at just a few months old and the family were told he would not live past infancy. However he has defied the odds to become a teenager.

The special message from Olly Murs is a brilliant end to what had been a tough year for the family as this time last year Felix had been very ill. His parents brought him to Tŷ Hafan for end of life care, but in an incredible turn of events, the youngster rallied and was allowed home in time for Christmas. Alex said: “Last November Felix became very unwell and was rushed into hospital, doctors then told us he wouldn’t make it through the night but so we decided to take him to Tŷ Hafan but as soon as he reached the hospice, where he has been supported since he was a baby, everything changed and he rallied and recovered.

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“Despite everything he is a happy boy who loves to play games and music using the Lifelites technology, it gives him a sense of connection.” At the end of January, Felix and his family got to meet the Princess of Wales, who was announced as a patron for the hospice, and he stole her heart. Dan said: “After everything it’s an amazing end to the year. Who’d have thought that a year on things could be so different.”

The Mirror thanks Olly Murs for his incredible contribution to our Christmas appeal. Olly says: “I was blown away seeing Felix playing songs with his dad, just by using his eyes. What an amazing young man he is. This tech is incredible and for it to allow kids like Felix to be part of the music they love is so cool. Music should be for everyone, regardless of abilities, so this appeal for Lifelites is really important and I hope everyone will get involved. I look forward to seeing Felix playing more songs next year.”

Rob Lightfoot, CEO of Lifelites, said: “Music brings people together, and Lifelites technology makes the joy of music accessible for Felix. It’s incredible that Olly Murs has seen Felix and Dan playing and reached out with this message. As someone who has built a career through music, and as a father, Olly understands how important it is to give all children the chance to express themselves.’

Unwrap the magic of Christmas

Donate today and unwrap the Magic of Christmas for seriously ill children. Donations from Mirror readers will be used to provide seriously ill children access to life-changing technology that will enable them to play, communicate and have fun in ways that would otherwise be impossible.

• Donate online HERE
• Text MIRROR to 70085 to give £10. To donate without receiving further updates, text MIRRORNOINFO. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message, and you’ll be opting into hearing more from Lifelites.
• Donate by post: Send cheques made payable to Lifelites to Lifelites, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ

READ MORE: ‘My daughter started her periods aged just 5 due to a rare illness – technology is a lifeline’

Dakota Johnson played the alleged mistress of Lily Allen’s husband David Harbour – known to millions of fans as ‘Madeline’ thanks to her biting West End Girl album

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Dakota Johnson stunned fans by joining Lily Allen on Saturday Night Live (SNL), where she kissed the singer while appearing as ‘Madeline’ in a bombshell performance of song Tennis from her West End Girl album.

The performance marked Lily’s first appearance as the show’s musical guest in 18 years.

Lily, 40, sang tunes from her hit album – released in October – that details grim details from her split with Stranger Things actor David Harbour. During the final song, actress Dakota made an a cameo as the infamous Madeline.

The singer references David’s extra marital affairs and his mistress ‘Madeline’ – although the name is understood to be a pseudonym.

Dakota was behind a curtain delivering the song’s spoken-word verses, explaining her side of the story to Lily in a series of texts.

At the end of the song, Dakota moved from a curtained off bed to the front of stage with Lily giving her a kiss on the cheek as they met.

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“He told me that you were aware this was going on and that he had your full consent,” she said. “If he’s lying about that, then please let me know. Because I have my own feelings about dishonesty.” At the end of the song, Johnson revealed herself by stepping from behind the curtain, approaching Allen, and planting a kiss on her cheek. The episode was hosted by English actor Josh O’Connor.Earlier, Allen performed her first song of he night, Sleepwalking, dressed in silk nightwear against a bedroom-styled stage backdrop.

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The record, described by Allen as a blend of “truth” and “fantasy”, saw the pop star explore a broken sexual “arrangement”. Allen last appeared on the long-running sketch comedy show in 2007, on an episode hosted by actress Drew Barrymore. All 14 songs on her new album were written by Allen, in collaboration with her musical director Blue May.

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The SNL performance caps off a huge year for Allen, who just last month announced a string of new live dates to her sold-out tour. Allen, who will perform her new album West End Girl in its entirety, will now also appear in Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and Cardiff, along with several other towns and cities in June. The original tour dates were announced last month, with all 13 shows quickly selling out.

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Peter Andre has backed Australia’s social media ban for teenagers and warned that the ‘dangers are so real’ online for children as he hopes that other countries will follow suit

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Peter Andre has publicly backed Australia’s decision to ban teenagers from using social media as he warned of the “dangers” children could face online.

The ban, which came into effect overnight last Wednesday, means that children under the age of 16 in Australia are no longer allowed to have social media accounts. Some campaigners said such a ban could lead to bad actors targeting children in other online spaces, such as gaming or messaging platforms.

Pop star Peter, 52, who has Junior, 20, and Princess, 19, with ex-wife Katie Price but is now married to Emily Andre and has Millie, 11, Theo, nine, and 20-month-old Belle with her, grew up in Australia and threw support behind his home country’s decision.

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Writing in his new! magazine column, he said: “Australia has implemented their social media ban for under 16s, and it’s great. When people ask me if it’s a contradiction that I’ve had my kids on social media, we have to remember that when social media first started, we were all new to it. We didn’t know the pitfalls of it.

“Now, we’re seeing what AI can do; that’s why our youngest children are not on it. I fully support the ban. I know that’s not what kids under 16 want to hear, but it will do them so much good. I hope the rest of the world catches on. The dangers are so real.”

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Australia has announced that all citizens under 16 will be banned from using social media. From December 10, the Australian government requires platforms to deactivate all accounts for under 16. These platforms must take “reasonable steps” to prevent users from holding an account until after they turn 16, or face a fine of up to $49.5m (£24.5m).

Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Kick are named as the apps to be included in the ban. However, the Australian government has said the list is dynamic and other platforms could be added if kids flee to one that hasn’t initially been included and raises similar concerns as those posed in the banned apps.

Platforms will need to decide how users’ ages are verified, but have required that requesting ID cannot be the only form of age check. Reactions to the ban have been varied. Some believe it’ll be “ineffective” and others believe the apps that have been banned aren’t “essential” anyway. One wrote: “I hate the ban, I’ll have to fake my age. Hope the government didn’t see that.”

A petition against the ban said it would be “unfair and harmful” for Australian teens, citing a loss of online safe spaces and future opportunities, privacy risks and increased loneliness for young people.

“Instead of banning social media, the government should teach digital safety, promote healthy online habits, and make platforms more responsible. Young people deserve to be part of the digital world safely and with their voices heard,” the now-closed petition read.

However, on TikTok, responses seem to be positive, especially from users across the world. One wrote: “I’ve been online since I was 10 and I’m 23 now. I fully support this. I’m certain I’ve been messed up in many ways from this. Thank you Australia, from Canada.”

However, on TikTok, responses seem to be positive, especially from users across the world. One wrote: “I’ve been online since I was 10 and I’m 23 now. I fully support this. I’m certain I’ve been messed up in many ways from this. Thank you Australia, from Canada.”

Another commented: “They should do this everywhere in the world.” “Genuinely best law ever, I’m 18 and my brothers are just too young for social media, literally unnecessary!!! I was too young too,” a third typed.

A fourth wrote: “As a Gen Z who accidentally discovered so many weird things on the internet, I’m so glad this is happening. I wasn’t protected from social media as a child and it wasn’t fun so I feel like 16 is the perfect age.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were reportedly ‘tipped over the edge’ during the final Christmas with the Royal Family, leaving them certain they needed to make their ‘own path’

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When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle last celebrated Christmas as part of the Royal Family, they were reportedly left ‘furious’ over a snub by the late Queen Elizabeth in her annual address. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex sensationally quit their royal duties in January 2020, after one particular moment was the “final straw” for them just weeks earlier.

In 2019, Harry and Meghan, with seven-month-old Prince Archie in tow, spent the festive period in Canada with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and they were allegedly ‘tipped over the edge’ during the late Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas broadcast. As the monarch addressed viewers, family portraits were clearly visible on her desk, however, one was missing as there was no picture of Meghan and Harry with their then-newborn son.

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In the book Finding Freedom, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand claimed the Sussexes believed the Royal Family were “conspiring against them” with the move, as they said the couple felt they had “long been sidelined by the institution and were not a fundamental part of its future”.

They wrote: “One didn’t have to look further than the family photos displayed during the Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day. In the Green Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, where the Queen delivered her address, viewers glimpsed photos of the [Waleses] and their children, Charles and Camilla, Prince Philip, and a black-and-white image of George VI.

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“Noticeably absent was a photo of Harry, Meghan, and their new baby, Archie.” The authors explained the Palace’s reasoning behind the snub, as royal sources insisted the photos were chosen to represent the “direct line of succession”. However, Omid and Carolyn said Harry and Meghan felt it was “yet another sign that they needed to consider their own path.”

During the 2019 Christmas period, the royal couple missed the Queen’s pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace and were not present for the traditional royal family gathering at the monarch’s private Sandringham estate on Christmas Day.

It was the second time Prince Harry has missed spending December 25 with his immediate family, the first being when he was on a tour of Afghanistan while in the Army in 2012.

In 2020, the couple decided to step back from life as senior royals and moved overseas to America, where they still live today with their children Archie and Lilibet.

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A year later, the couple sat down with Oprah Winfrey in a 2021 bombshell interview where they discussed their reasons for quitting royal life, while also hurling damning revelations and accusations at the Royal Family.

Since then, relationships between the Sussexes and the Royal Family have been fractured, especially after the release of their Netflix docuseries in 2022, followed by Harry’s memoir Spare in 2023, and a string of candid jabs at the Firm during public appearances over the years.

Gemma Collins has given a candid update on her feelings towards Christmas after her mother Joan’s recent health issues, as she looks forward to 2026

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Gemma Collins says she’s “not feeling Christmas one bit” in a candid update. The former The Only Way Is Essex star has admitted she can’t wait for this year to end as she shared her festive struggles.

The reality star has confessed she isn’t looking forward to the holiday season due to her mum’s poor health. Thankfully now Gemma may be able to get into the festive spirit, after her mum was allowed to return home from hospital.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror recently, she said: “I’m not feeling Christmas this year. I don’t feel that there’s any magic in the air. My mum’s in hospital at the moment. Until she’s home, I can’t really think about it. I am not feeling Christmas one bit.”

Whilst her mum is now doing better, Gemma is struggling with one other thing this festive season. Admitting it’s been tough for her to see everyone so ‘over the top’ on social media, Gemma wants people to keep it real.

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“Thankfully I feel that it’s become, this year, just very grotesque – so much over-the-topness on Instagram. People are losing the meaning of Christmas. It’s about who you’re spending time with and who’s around your table, not the presents. I think everyone needs to calm themselves down and remember what Christmas is actually about,” she said.

For Gemma, Christmas is all about her family and loved ones – as she prepares to wed her fiancé Rami Hawash next year.

Favourite Christmas memory? I think it’s always about being with your loved ones. For me, I’ve always cherished family and quality time, so it’s never about the presents for me. I think people do really need to remember that it is about who you spend the time with.

Earlier this week, Gemma revealed that her mum was finally coming home after five weeks in hospital with pneumonia.

Taking to social media, she shared: “This day I will never forget. Thank you to EVERYONE AT BROOMFIELD Hospital the LAST 5 weeks from reception to tea lady to Physios doctors nurses its an Absolute MIRACLE.

“Thankyou to everyone Whos come up to me contacted me prayed for my mum ! Ive been blow away by the amount of people who hugged me in the shops and everyone who would ask me how mum is I APPRECIATE you more then you will ever know. My Closest friends people Who cooked me dinner the lovely Lambas it meant so much. GOD is GOOD @nhsengland.”

In a plea to others, she added: “Please make the most of loved ones this Christmas not the presents not the matching pyjamas, just who is round the table,” as she reminded people to focus on their loved ones this festive season.

In partnership with Gemma Collins, AliExpress See the Signs 11.11 campaign encourages shoppers to tune into symbols of renewal and self-belief, whether that means manifesting goals for the year ahead or recognising the right moment for a savvy buy.

Weight-loss injections have sparked rapid transformations among the famous, but experts warn that the after-effects are becoming harder to ignore

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The rise of celebrity weight-loss injections shows no sign of slowing – but the after-effects are becoming harder to ignore. From Hollywood red carpets to UK TV studios, rapid weight loss has become the defining body trend of the decade, with famous faces leading the way. Serena Williams has spoken openly about using weight-loss injections, while a growing list of stars have sparked speculation with dramatic transformations in a matter of months.

But now, as the pounds continue to drop, experts warn that the impact on the face is catching up – and some celebrities are starting to sound the alarm. Singer Robbie Williams recently admitted he experienced serious health concerns after using weight-loss jabs, while fans have expressed worry over the increasingly gaunt appearances of stars, including Meghan Trainor, who has discussed her dramatic weight loss publicly.

Other celebrities have been widely reported or rumoured to have used injections following rapid slimming, though many have never confirmed it themselves.

READ MORE: ‘No wrinkles’ says Medik8 fan after snapping up ‘instant glow’ skincare set

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And according to one of Britain’s most in-demand aesthetic specialists, the trend is leaving a visible mark. Roy Cowley – the man behind the faces and bodies of some of the UK’s best-known stars — says he is seeing a sharp rise in what’s become known as ‘Ozempic face’, a term used to describe the hollowed, sagging look linked to rapid weight loss.

Roy, founder of 3D Aesthetics, has worked with celebrities including Christine McGuinness, Amy Childs, Olivia Bowen and Danielle Lloyd, and says the problem has surged alongside the popularity of weight-loss injections.

“Robbie Williams is quite a famous one at the moment — and Meghan Trainor too,” Roy told us. “Really, anyone you see who’s had very rapid weight loss, generally it’s down to these Ozempic-type fat-loss jabs.”

He says the look is instantly recognisable. “It’s the gaunt appearance — sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, sagging skin and more prominent wrinkles. That’s really what defines it. The key thing to understand is that it’s caused by rapid weight loss. Any form of fast weight loss can create the same effect.”

According to Roy, celebrities were the first to set the trend — and the first to experience the consequences. “Everyone rushed to celebrate the weight-loss revolution,” he said. “But nobody stopped to think about the aftermath. Skin doesn’t always bounce back, especially when weight drops quickly.”

Weight-loss injections were originally developed to help people manage diabetes, and are now increasingly used off-label for weight loss. NHS guidance recommends losing around 1–2lbs a week, warning that faster weight loss increases the risk of muscle loss and loose skin.

“When weight comes off too fast, you don’t just lose fat,” Roy explained. “You lose muscle and volume in the face. That’s why people can reach their dream weight but feel older, tired and unrecognisable.”

He added that the emotional toll is significant. “I’ve had clients in tears. They’re slimmer than they’ve ever been, but they don’t like what they see in the mirror. That can be devastating.”

Roy says the aesthetics industry has undergone a dramatic shift. “Two or three years ago, fat-loss treatments were huge. Then everything flipped to injections. Now clinics are flooded with people asking how to fix loose skin, sagging faces and what’s being called Ozempic face.”

Having worked in the industry since 1989, Roy says he spotted the problem long before it hit the mainstream. I saw the skin-laxity crisis coming about a year before it peaked,” he said. “So I started building a solution before people even realised they’d need one.”

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The result is 3D ReFIRM, a non-invasive treatment designed to tackle the visible effects of rapid weight loss by combining radiofrequency skin tightening with electromagnetic muscle stimulation. “It’s like a pillow and a pillowcase,” Roy explained. “You shrink the pillow, but the case stays the same. You have to treat both.”

Roy says clinical trials show improvements of up to 80 per cent in skin firmness, with significant increases in collagen and elastin production over six months. Treatments typically involve several monthly sessions and start from £1,000, depending on the protocol. “This isn’t about chasing a quick fix,” he said. “There’s no single miracle cure. It has to be a combined approach — muscle, skin, nutrition and lifestyle.”

Roy, who has previously collaborated with Lord Sugar-backed clinics and worked with high-profile celebrity clients over decades, says demand has shifted dramatically. “In our clinics, fat-loss treatments used to make up around 60 per cent of bookings. Now it’s skin-tightening procedures. That tells you everything.”

He believes awareness is still lagging behind reality. “There’s a gap between people losing the weight and realising there is a solution for the loose skin that follows,” he said. “A lot of people only start looking for help once the damage is already done.”

Roy stresses that prevention matters just as much as treatment. “Gradual weight loss, balanced nutrition, enough protein, hydration and exercise all help reduce the risk,” he said. “Aesthetic treatments can support the process, but they work best alongside healthy habits — not as a last resort.”

As celebrities continue to drive beauty and body trends, Roy believes the conversation needs to be more honest. “The injections did what they were supposed to do,” he said. “But people deserve to feel confident at the end of their journey, not disappointed by what they see.”

And in true showbiz fashion, he had one final message. “If Robbie Williams is reading this — I’m here to help,” Roy joked. “Let me entertain you.”