Category Entertainment News

Jamie Laing has opened up about feeling “really lonely” at a point during his stint on Made in Chelsea, revealing that he “rejected” his family and grew distant from friends

Jamie Laing has opened up about what inspired him to move out of reality TV, revealing that he felt “really lonely” and “rejected” his family at one point during his time on Made in Chelsea.

The presenter, who starred in the E4 reality show from 2011 until 2021, appeared on the Shameless podcast to chat about his reality roots. Opening up on how doing reality TV changed him as a person, the 36-year-old admitted that being on the show made him become “slightly hedonistic”.

“I think what happens when you do a reality show and everything is based around you, you become slightly hedonistic,” he said. “You think you’re the be-all-and-end-all in lots of different ways and my priorities were like, ‘Ok I want to film this TV show and be whatever on this show, and focus all on that.’

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“In our twenties, we are quite selfish, we’re just finding ourselves out. But if you add a little bit of some-sort of fame, earning a bit of money, it then goes to your head a bit and I think I was a bit of an idiot for a few years.”

He added: “I kind of rejected my family, I never saw my family. My relationships with my amazing friends became a bit fractured. I was a bit selfish.”

His situation finally hit home when his best friend and flatmate Georgie told him that she didn’t want them to live together anymore.

“I was living with my best girlfriend at the time, Georgie. She was best woman at my wedding. She’s the best,” he said. “I’ve known her since I was 13 years old. We were living together and I was extending our apartment for another year. She was never in the show.

“She said, ‘I don’t want to live with you anymore, Jamie.’ She said, ‘I think you want different things to me. I think at this age we are now, some people are going to go up top and some are going to stay here. I don’t want to stay drinking and having fun and doing these kind of things. I want to achieve lots of things and explore and have lots of adventures and start stuff.'”

Jamie said that he began to feel “really lonely” as a result and kept “letting people down” – including his Candy Kitten business partner Ed Williams. “I missed another meeting and I made up an excuse why I couldn’t make it. He said, ‘I think we should talk about how we work together.’ He’d never said that. He was finding it tricky.

“I’m letting people down, my best friend doesn’t want to live in the same space as me because she feels like we’re not going anywhere. I’m feeling a bit lonely and I haven’t seen my family as much. I thought, ‘I need to just change this.'”

Jamie ultimately decided to change his priorities after going to a Taylor Swift-themed spinning class – and now his career has come a long way since his Made in Chelsea days.

He went on to compete on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, having originally joined the line-up the year before but being forced to pull out due to an injury. In March last year, he replaced Jordan North on BBC Radio 1’s Going Home show and hosted alongside his now-wife Sophie Habboo for a few weeks while co-hosts Katie Thistleton and Vick Hope took maternity leave.

Shameless’ In Conversation with Jamie Laing is now available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

‘The texture is gorgeous – you can apply it with just your fingertips”

Lisa Snowdon has become an untapped source of beauty info, and we’ve been paying her Instagram channel our full attention. This week, she took to the app to share the news of a beauty launch with her followers, noting it as the perfect buy for autumn when you want your post-summer skin to look fresh and not thirsty.

The launch in question is Rodial’s Cream Blush collection, which features two new shades of flattering blushers to suit a broad range of skin tones. Trialling them for a Reel, Lisa says: “Look how creamy! The texture is gorgeous. You can apply it with your fingertips – the pigment is so gorgeous and strong.”

Rodial’s Blush Drops have been a cult favourite for ages, so it’s no surprise the brand is expanding the collection just in time for autumn. Launching this week, the new Cream Blush shades– a pretty rose and a vibrant coral– are made to give every complexion a fresh, seasonal pop. Think of them as an instant lift for your cheeks, without looking cakey.

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The formula itself is seriously impressive. Lightweight, creamy and very blendable, it glides on easily and buffs into the skin for a smooth, radiant finish. Because of its light and radiance-boosting formula, it’s the perfect pick for anyone with ageing skin, since the product won’t settle into lines or give a chalky, drying effect.

The application is also super flexible. Like Lisa, you can use your fingertips for a soft, natural flush or grab a blending brush to work it into an airbrushed, polished finish. If you’re always dashing out of your house in a rush or doing your makeup on the go, this will be perfect for you.

Tom Skinner is one of the celebrity contestants set to take part in this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside plenty of other well-known faces

Thomas Skinner has revealed the “bizarre” details of JD Vance’s controversial barbecue. The Apprentice star attended an event with the US vice president back in August which surprised many of his fans.

Thomas is best known for previously running a market stall before going on the iconic show and rising through the ranks. However, he is also set to be on the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.

But it seems he is known across the globe as JD Vance insisted that Thomas went to his barbecue when he visited the UK this summer. Tom explained that despite being a “market trader”, he was never going to say no to the invite.

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The Times reported that Thomas said: “I’m basically a market trader, mate. But if the vice-president of the USA invites me over for a barbecue and he sends his Secret Service in an armoured car to pick me up, I ain’t gonna say no, am I? Bosh! I’m right there!”

The barbecue was held in the Cotswolds and featured other well-known names such as James Orr and MP Danny Kruger.

Thomas began his career as a market stall holder who went into the pillows and mattresses business before, in 2019, becoming famous as a contestant on The Apprentice.

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Speaking how the event went, Thomas said: “James Orr is one of the most educated geezers I’ve ever met and we share a love of English history. But then ‘’ve noticed JD Vance following me on me socials and I’m like, ‘What’s this?’

“He sent me a DM saying, ‘I love the positivity you send to the world. You’ve got great energy. I’m coming to England for a holiday. If you’re free — no work, nothing political — I’m having a barbecue and a beer if you’re around.'”

He then went on to explain that the trio were “on the beers” while eating steak in the Cotswolds. Despite being a political figure, it seems that Vance was taking some time off his job as Tom said that their topic of conversation was “bizarre”.

“It was a bit bizarre because nothing political was discussed. Really it was mostly how West Ham United are doing and how cheese is much better in England than America. That’s one thing we’re getting right: Vance loves our cheese,” he said.

Thomas is set to change the boardroom for the ballroom as he will be appearing in the Strictly launch show next Saturday 20 September. He is due to go up against several other famous faces in a bit to lift the glitterball trophy.

Other stars who will be on the latest series will include Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison and Lewis Cope among others. It’s not yet been announced which professional dancer Thomas has been partnered up with or what their first dance will be.

Strictly contestant Thomas Skinner has revealed how much he is being paid to appear on the BBC show ahead of the BBC One series’ 2025 launch next Saturday night

Thomas Skinner has lifted the lid on what he’s being paid to appear on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, while also reflecting on the past mistakes that almost stopped his career before it started.

The 34-year-old, who first rose to fame on The Apprentice with his cheeky “Bosh” catchphrase, is among the new crop of celebrities taking to the BBC ballroom this autumn. The Essex businessman has told The Times: “I’m getting ten grand for Strictly but seriously, I’d do it for a tenner.”

Skinner went on to insist that money is not his motivation for appearing on the show, adding: “It’s an absolute honour.”

The revelation comes after a turbulent week for the TV star, who made headlines after walking out of a Strictly press day at Elstree Studios.

Reports say he only sat through two interviews before abruptly leaving. Skinner later addressed the incident on Instagram, saying he spotted personal messages on a journalist’s phone that made allusions to his past which left him feeling uncomfortable.

“In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard. I felt it was best to step away and gather myself,” he explained. “I’m sorry I picked up someone else’s phone and I don’t even know if the journalist realised their messages were visible.”

The father-of-three didn’t clarify what exactly the journalist was discussing that rattled him, but in his a recent interview with The Times, he confessed to having a rap sheet.

Back in 2012, Skinner was charged with handling stolen goods after being caught with nearly £40,000 worth of Body Shop products and diazepam tablets.

He was handed a suspended sentence and 300 hours of community service, which he partly served at a Cancer Research warehouse.

Looking back, he admitted in the interview: “I’d get offered loads of gear in pubs or on the stall; I didn’t check everything. But yeah, I’ve made mistakes.” Despite the setback, Skinner insists the punishment forced him to turn his life around.

He remembers spotting unsold dolls in the warehouse, buying them, and reselling them on his market stall to raise extra funds. “What? I gave a sizeable donation to Cancer Research an’ all,” he joked.

But his criminal record left him convinced he had no chance of breaking into TV. It was only thanks to his wife, Sinéad, that he ever applied for The Apprentice.

“She’s my absolute rock that helped me turn my life around,” he said. Skinner became a fan favourite on the BBC reality show, later building a social media following during lockdown.

But his career has not been without controversy. Last month, he caused a stir after meeting US vice president JD Vance for a family barbecue.

Some viewers have questioned whether he fits the values of Strictly. However, Skinner has no time for those who are concerned about his right wing affiliations.

The BBC and Thomas Skinner’s representatives have been contacted for comment.

Married At First Sight star JJ Slater has revealed that he barely speaks to anyone from his series in 2023 apart from just people from the show amid romance with Katie Price

Married At First Sight star JJ Slater has revealed that he’s only in touch with two of the stars from his E4 series. The reality contestant took part in the 2023 series – and while the intense show can makes friends for life, that’s not the case for JJ.

In fact, according to the reality TV star who is currently dating former glamour model Katie Price, he only keeps in contact with two of them despite being in a group chat with the men from the series.

His admission comes after he was spotted flying out to Türkiye with Katie to have his and hers surgeries.

In a recent interview with The Sun, JJ explained: “Not on a basis where we would message and check in with each other, apart from with Luke and with Terence.”

He added: “There is a boys’ group chat with all the boys in there. It’s pretty quiet now. It was lively at first, but now it’s just like, happy birthdays. Or if someone’s going out, they’ll be like, I’m here, if anyone fancies a beer, stuff like that. But on a day-to-day basis, no.”

When JJ first appeared on the show, he was partnered with Bianca Petronzi but it soon became obvious that he was unable to find a spark towards her.

And it was at this point, he found a connection with Ella Morgan.

Ella made history on the show as the first transgender female. The pair it hit off immediately but after returning to the series as a couple, they too couldn’t make it work and went their separate ways.

Soon after their relationship came to an end, JJ stirred the pot further as he started dating mum of five Katie, who once went by the name of Jordan during her glamour modelling years.

Katie and Ella had formed a friendship so it took Ella by surprise that Katie was now dating her ex.

Speaking to relationship expert Paul C. Brunson on his podcast We Need To Talk, earlier this year, Ella said: “It does make me laugh because you say I’m crazy, and I love Katie but you’re with her now? So, I just wasn’t the right person for him, we haven’t had any contact since the show.

The reality TV star added: “I haven’t seen him since the show. We were texting before the vow renewals and I knew he wasn’t feeling it. I didn’t get over JJ for, I’d say it took me a good six to eight months to get over him.

“I’m fully over him now and I wish him the best, I wish Katie the best, if they’re happy, they’re happy.”

On reflection, Ella believes their romance failed to stand the test of time due to the fact she was a transwoman and was concerned what his friends and family would think.

Ella added: “Looking back, was there that emotional connection? I think there was a lot of fancying and being sexually attracted to someone. Sometimes when there was no cameras, he said I was too loud for him. He said I’d go out for drinks and then take out my anger on him.”

The reality TV star went on to add: “I wasn’t the nicest and I think I was a hurt person and hurt people hurt people and that’s what I did. He was worried how the public would portray him and what his friends and family would think.”

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Rylan Clark and his co-host Rob Rinder have both spoken about how they feel about death in terms of their own mortality and those of the people they love

TV personality Rylan Clark has confessed his fears for his mum’s health after returning from a trip to India with Rob Rinder.

The 36-year-old and Rob, 47, were in the country filming their latest travel show Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India, which saw them exploring the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of India.

This follows a previous collaboration between the pair where they journeyed through Italy, during which their friendship flourished.

However, their travels have also led to deeper conversations about mortality. Speaking to Radio Times Magazine, Rylan revealed that the trip had made him more concerned about his mother’s health than his own.

He said: “I’m more worried about losing my mum than losing my own life. I feel like coming back from Varanassi was eye-opening. It made me realise I’ve just got to enjoy things I’m doing, and if I’m not enjoying it, then don’t f***ing do it.”

Rylan’s comments came in response to Rob’s own profound reflections on mortality, where he admitted his fear of death.

He confessed: “The dark shadow of death and fear of it is a present force and has always been for me. The looming idea it’s going to end. The unknown is the great terror.”

Despite the uncertainty of what the future holds, we can take comfort in reflecting on the past. In recent years, Rylan’s mum Linda has become a beloved figure on Celebrity Gogglebox, where she shares a sofa and her TV opinions with Rylan.

It’s his mum’s wellbeing that Rylan occasionally updates his Radio 2 audience about during his programme.

On one occasion, the former X Factor star had to step away from his radio duties to care for his mother.

He revealed on Instagram back in July: “Mummy Linda isn’t well sadly so I won’t be hosting the show tomorrow. Thank you to the emergency team at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Will keep you updated as she’s on the mend. She’s a trooper.”

Beyond talking about his mum’s health struggles, Rylan has also been open about his own medical issues after experiencing heart failure in the wake of his 2021 split from former husband Dan Neal.

Speaking to The Times, Rylan revealed how the health scare affected him: “The first thing I do is have a coffee, which has to be decaf after my heart failure four years ago. When I was getting divorced, I ended up in an ambulance twice.