Category Entertainment News

M&S: Dress the Nation host AJ Odudu looked chic as ever in a versatile jumper and vibrant mini skirt, and fans were immediately in love with her outfit

AJ Odudu has had ITV viewers desperate to know where to buy her fluffy cream knit this week, after sharing an ‘elegant’ outfit on social media. It comes as the star returned to TV screens as the latest season of M&S: Dress The Nation kicked off on Monday evening.

The programme features nine hopefuls battling it out for a coveted position as a fashion designer with the retail giant. In the opening episode of the new series, the Lancashire beauty joined Vernon Kay alongside M&S Woman Director Maddy Evans and guest judge Jade Jagger, looking autumn ready in a skirt and jumper combo.

We hunted down the outfit the 37-year-old wore for the show, and it’ll come as no surprise that her jumper was, indeed, from high street retailer Marks and Spencer. She wore the Alpaca Rich Crew Neck Jumper from the retailer’s Autograph line – a collection renowned for its high-end statement pieces.

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Crafted from 77% alpaca wool, the retailer describes it as ‘luxuriously soft and sumptuous’, available in ivory or, for those seeking a splash of vibrancy in their wardrobe, a cornflower blue option. Crafted in a regular fit with a timeless crew neckline, it’s available in five sizes from extra small to extra large.

It features ribbed detailing at the neck, cuffs and hem for a refined finish, and has been praised as ‘good quality’ by customers, with one noting: “Useful style will work with lots of outfits.”

Alpaca Rich Crew Neck Jumper

£100

Buy here

The star posted an image of her ensemble on social media, with admirers instantly smitten by her attire, writing beneath the post: “Where is your jumper from it’s gorgeous AJ,”, “Delightfully elegant AJ,” and “You looked sensational tonight like always.”

However, the jumper carries quite a hefty price tag at £100, reports Lancs Live. For those looking for something more budget-friendly, this H&M oversized mohair-blend jumper comes in at £84.99.

Similar to M&S’s offering, it’s available from XS to XL, with the material blending wool and mohair. The design boasts dropped shoulders, long sleeves and ribbed edges for a smart finish, and is offered in three shades: cream, dark beige and light pink.

Even more affordable is this Topshop knitted premium alpaca crew neck boxy jumper in ivory, reduced to £69 from £85. It’s available in four sizes, with customers praising it as ‘warm and cosy’ – although one reviewer did mention it was ‘way too big’ in their feedback.

There are countless ways to wear a cream crew neck jumper, but we adore how AJ paired hers with a vibrant green mini skirt and kitten heels, flaunting her pins. Whilst her skirt is unfortunately unavailable online, her chic court shoes are available in every size from three to eight, and are priced at £40.

The jumper would also complement denim beautifully for a sophisticated casual appearance, but there’s equally the choice to match it with smart trousers for work, or a leather midi skirt for an evening occasion.

Layer it over shirts and let the collar peep through, or wear over a satin slip for romantic evenings – it truly is a versatile piece.

Following a video of AJ sporting the ensemble being posted to the Marks and Spencer official Instagram page, one user captured it perfectly, writing: “The return of Slay J Odudu”.

The Duke of Sussex recently paid a visit to Ukraine – and while en route he stopped by a roadside Polish food van, where staff and customers were completely oblivious to who he was

Prince Harry is recognisable across the globe, but staff at a Polish food van had no idea who he was when he paid a visit there just last week.

The Duke of Sussex dropped by for some fast food as he travelled through a Polish village on the border of Ukraine on 11 September.

He was on his way to Kyiv at the time, following his brief four-day stay in the UK. But when he stopped at the roadside food van, neither the staff nor the customers knew who he was.

Staff reportedly said that no one asked Harry for selfies or autographs, while the owners told Polish newspaper Fakt: “He was the most famous customer we didn’t know we had.”

READ MORE: ‘Prince Harry’s bombshell interview guarantees bitter reality for Prince William’READ MORE: Prince Harry shows true feelings on William feud with ‘high risk’ move days after UK trip

It’s thought that employees only realised that the Duke had visited their venue when they saw it in the newspapers. One staff member said: “My friend was shocked. ‘What do you mean a prince? He only ordered fries?’ If he ever comes back again, we’ll treat him to a burger or casserole.”

While Harry kept a low-profile on his way to Ukraine, he certainly managed to make headlines once he’d arrived. In a sit-down chat with The Guardian, the Duke insisted that his “conscience is clear” following his revealing memoir Spare.

He said: “I don’t believe that I aired my dirty laundry in public. It was a difficult message, but I did it in the best way possible. My conscience is clear.

“I know that [speaking out] annoys some people and it goes against the narrative. The book? It was a series of corrections to stories already out there. One point of view had been put out and it needed to be corrected.”

READ MORE: Prince Harry’s cryptic comment about King Charles as he hints about his health yet again

The Duke further shared how his wife, Meghan, always told him that truth ‘is the most efficient way to live’, explaining: “She said, ‘Just stick to the truth.’ It is the thing I always fall back on. Always. And if you think like that, who would be stupid enough to lie? It takes up too much time and effort.”

His comments came just days after a short meeting with his father, King Charles, their first meeting since February 2024.

The rising actress comes from a famous family

Disney Channel’s Electric Bloom is now available to stream on Disney+, and viewers might spot a familiar name on the cast.

The musical comedy, which landed on streaming today, follows the rise of a young three-piece girl group.

Its official synopsis reads: “Electric Bloom follows the three members of the now mega-famous pop group, Electric Bloom, as they look back and tell the story of their band and friendship, starting with the day they all met in high school.

“The girls go on a journey to becoming the biggest band in the world and the best friends in the universe.”

The band is made up of Posey Penelope Parker (played by Lumi Pollack), Jade (portrayed by Carmen B. Snachez) and Tulip, depicted by Ruby Marino.

If Ruby’s name rings a bell, you may recall her supporting roles in ABC’s hit sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, or the 2017 comedy How to Be a Latin Lover.

However, it’s more likely that viewers recognise her as the daughter of Emmy-nominated actor-director Ken Marino and TV producer Erica Oyama.

Who are Ruby Marino’s parents?

Ruby’s father Ken is best known for fronting the American sitcom Party Down, which starred A-listers including Adam Scott and Jenifer Garner.

The 56-year-old actor’s most recent roles include Henry Hollinger in Netflix’s The Residence and Charles Lavoie in ABC’s crime drama High Potential.

On the other hand, his wife Erica spends more time behind the camera. She is best known for serving as a writer and producer on Netflix’s hit teen drama Never Have I Ever.

The pair have also collaborated on films such as How to Be a Latin Lover, which gave their daughter her debut acting gig.

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Ruby’s second role in Fresh off the Boat was also alongside her parents, with Ken playing a supporting role while Erica served as a consulting producer.

The Hollywood couple’s romance dates back to the early 2000s, where they met on the set of the Jimmy Kimmel show and went on to tie the knot in 2005.

Reflecting on their first encounter, Erica told LA Weekly: “We met at the very first Jimmy Kimmel show.”

The 44-year-old star added: “I was just there with my friends trying to see Coldplay but there was this big party after the show and Ken happened to be there. It was a crazy Super Bowl party so now we always celebrate Super Bowl Sunday as our anniversary.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales were on hand to greet President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump as they landed in Windsor, with the two very different couples enjoying a personal catch up before the pageantry began

An expert has shed light on an ‘intimate’ chat between the Trumps and the Prince and Princess of Wales, as the two couples reunited in Windsor.

Prince William and Princess Kate were on hand to welcome President Trump and his wife, Melania, as they disembarked Marine One after landing in the grounds of the Windsor estate, ready for the second state visit to the UK.

Mum of three Kate beamed in burgundy as she and husband William greeted POTUS and the First Lady in Windsor’s Walled Garden. Meanwhile, courting controversy as ever, President Trump broke protocol mere moments after stepping onto royal soil, bringing his left arm up to hit William on the arm during their handshake.

A few words were then exchanged before the group made their way across the grass and towards where King Charles III and Queen Camilla were waiting for the full pomp and pageantry to commence.

Now, a lipreader has revealed what really went on in the brief conversation between these two very different couples.

READ MORE: Donald Trump UK visit LIVE: President laughs with King Charles at lavish welcome

Speaking with the Daily Mail, lipreaders divulged what was said during this ‘cordial’ greeting, which saw President Trump slap William on the arm in a familiar way, asking, ‘Hello, my friend, how are ya?’ Turning to Kate with a compliment, the 79-year-old added, ‘Hello, beautiful, so beautiful.’

It was then that heir to the throne William placed a hand on Kate’s back, gesturing for everyone to make their way across the lawn. President Trump then asked the future king about his children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, to which William replied: “They’re well and at school. The new term started a couple of weeks ago.”

President Trump continued: “We’re blown away. It’s been a while since you chatted with me.” Turning to Kate with a jovial tone, William quipped, “He has missed our little chats”, before telling Trump, “We can talk now you’re here on a visit”.

As told to the publication by ‘The Lip Reader’ Nicola Hickling, Trump responded: “We have lots to catch up with, and there’s been lots of changes”.

Kate and William were also seen commenting on “the way they hold hands”, in reference to Donald and Melania.

This comes as Melania, 55, showed a slightly different side during her cheery reunion with her ‘pen pal’ King Charles, giving a rare smile as they greeted each other. In her 2024 memoir, Melania revealed that she unexpectedly bonded with Charles during their initial meeting in New York in 2005. It’s understood that the pair maintain their friendship through old-fashioned written correspondence, finding common ground through their passions for architecture, gardening, and the arts.

According to Melania, she enjoys an “ongoing correspondence with King Charles III”, clarifying that she and her husband “exchange letters” with the King “to this day”.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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Robert Redford passed away this week at the age of 89, and while his career spanned decades, some people are just discovering they actually know him from a famous meme

Hollywood legend Robert Redford passed away peacefully in his sleep this week at the age of 89. He leaves behind a film legacy that not many can match, with a career that spanned decades and saw him grace screens as both an actor and director. He had one directing Oscar to his name for the 1980 film Ordinary People, and in 2002, he was awarded the lifetime achievement Oscar for his contributions to cinema.

Redford is most known for his roles in timeless films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, The Way We Were and Out of Africa. But even if you’ve never seen any of these classics, you might have seen Redford somewhere else without even realising.

People online are only just realising that Redford is actually the face of a well-known meme – and it’s one that has been attributed to a completely different actor for years.

The meme is known as the “Jeremiah Johnson Nod of Approval” which features a man with long blonde hair and beard nodding as the camera slowly zooms in on him. It’s usually used as a reaction image to indicate a form of approval.

The short clip, usually shared as a GIF file, features Robert Redford dressed as the titular character of the 1972 film, Jeremiah Johnson. However, the star is often mistaken for an entirely different actor – Zach Galifianakis.

Following the sad news of Redford’s passing, the X account Know Your Meme posted it and said: “Robert Redford, dead at 89, leaves behind a cultural imprint that stretched from the silver screen to our computer screens.”

And commenters were left gobsmacked, as many had no idea the image depicted Robert Redford.

One person said: “Today years old, finding out that’s not Zach Galifianakis.”

Another wrote: “I thought that was Zach Galifianakis?!”

The Know Your Meme account then responded: “You and everyone else.”

Robert Redford’s passing was first reported on Tuesday (September 16) in a statement from Redford’s publicist, Cindi Berger, chairman and chief executive of talent agency Rogers and Cowan PMK.

It read: “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah – the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved. He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”

Among Robert’s huge achievements was founding the Sundance Institute, a non-profit that supports independent filmmakers. The Institute hosts the annual Sundance Festival, which is believed to be the largest independent film festival in the US.

Following the sad news, they said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our founder and friend Robert Redford. Bob’s vision of a space and a platform for independent voices launched a movement that, over four decades later, has inspired generations of artists and redefined cinema in the US and around the world.

“Beyond his enormous contributions to culture at large, we will miss his generosity, clarity of purpose, curiosity, rebellious spirit, and his love for the creative process.

If you’re looking for a cosy and comfy pair of slippers to see you through the autumn in style, but don’t want to spend a fortune on Uggs, we’ve found plenty of cheaper alternatives

Last year’s autumn and winter footwear of choice was undoubtedly theTasman slippers by Ugg, but with a £100 price tag, they’re not exactly wallet-friendly. As the trend for mini fleece-lined mules remains in vogue this season, we’ve been scouting for similar pairs that won’t empty your pockets, while balancing all the comfort and style you’d expect from the real thing.

READ MORE: Ranvir Singh ‘brightens mornings’ in chic floral mini dress from the high street

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1. Tan Stitch Detail Platform Slippers

Shop here for £15

Tu Clothing is offering this pair of tan slip-ons that seamlessly resemble the classic Ugg Mules, but with a much more affordable price tag of £15.

Touted as an on-trend addition to your seasonal footwear, this pair of slippers has a platform sole, fleece lining, and stitch detailing on the upper, akin to Ugg’s iconic style. They are made in a faux suede fabric for a premium look and feel. A staple choice for relaxing at home, these comfortable slippers are also ideal for running quick errands outside, thanks to their water-resistant rubber soles.

2. Women Tasman Tazz Slippers Ankle Boot

Shop here for £19.99

Coming in a similar brown shade to those sported by celebrities, these suede slippers boast a soft and fluffy sheepskin lining on the interior, for optimal comfort and cosiness and promise to keep your toes warmer as the temperatures drop. Meanwhile, the rubber soles are anti-slip, thanks to the water-resistant material, and are thick enough to keep the wearer stable and supported.

Also featuring grips on the bottom, these slippers are ideal for wearing inside and outside of the house, especially during the winter months when you don’t want to sacrifice warmth for style and practicality, but also don’t want your favourite slippers getting soaked.

3. ‘Zoe’ Aztec Faux Fur Slip On Micro Slippers

Shop here for £22.99

The Zoe Aztec Faux Fur Slip-On Micro Slippers usually retail for £34.99 – already a bargain – but shoppers can snap them up for an unbeatable price, for a limited time. The online retailer has slashed the price to £25, making them £75 cheaper than the Uggs.

Similar to the Tasman slippers, the Zoe shoes flaunt an eye-catching Aztec print and boast a convenient slip-on style. Keen fashionistas on a budget will be thrilled with the Ugg-style footwear, crafted from soft suede and cosy plush natural wool.

4. Risley Waterproof Flat Mules

Shop here for £35

Marks & Spencer shoppers will be thrilled to know that the massive retailer also stocks affordable alternatives to the autumn season’s must-have style, including this pair from Regatta.

Described as a pair of refined mules, these shoes are waterproof to keep them looking their best come rain or shine. They feature a slip-on design for easy on and off with a soft faux fur lining to keep feet cosy. Plus, much like Uggs, these beauties boast thick soles that have plenty of grip for indoor or outdoor wear.

5. BOBS Keepsakes Lite

Shop here for £40

The perfect pick for chilly evenings, the faux shearling-lined slippers are also a great alternative to UGG’s pricier Tasman II slippers, which cost £115.

Just like the UGG pair, Skechers’ BOBS Keepsakes have a slip-on, backless design that makes them easy to get on and off. They have a cosy lining and decorative trim around the edges. However, they are made from faux suede and faux shearling rather than the real deal, like UGG’s, which is why they have a more affordable price point.