Category Entertainment News

With many students left worried by their exam scores, Clarkson Farm’s Jeremy Clarkson has shared his annual A-Level results day post in the hope of easing their minds, but it’s left people divided

Jeremy Clarkson has stirred up a mix of reactions with his latest A-Level results day post, boasting about the helicopter landing pad he’s installing in his garden. The Top Gear legend shared his thoughts on social media just as students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland were receiving their A-Level results this morning.

While the pivotal day brings excitement for students ready to leave college and sixth-form behind, it also comes with high anxiety. Some students have been left gutted, not achieving the grades they hoped for, which can impact university placements and job prospects, overshadowing their dedication and study efforts.

Clarkson, known for his annual reassurance tweets on A Level and GCSE results days, isn’t bashful about his own lacklustre academic performance. Despite his poor exam results, the 65-year-old Amazon Prime star of Clarkson’s Farm often highlights how well things have worked out for him regardless.

In a tweet posted at 8.11am this morning [August 14], Jeremy quipped: “If your A level results are disappointing, don’t worry. I got a C and two Us and here I am today, installing lights for a helicopter landing pad in my garden.”

The tradition of Clarkson’s A-Level results day tweets goes back to 2014, providing a source of solace for many students facing the stress of the day.

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Commenting on the post, one individual said: “Every year without fail this makes me laugh. “Been waiting for this,” another chimed in.

“Always love this time of year,” someone else remarked. One person commented: “Like clockwork! But good message! There are different types of talents and formal education doesn’t capture all.”

Yet some seem weary of hearing the same cringy annual post, while others pointed out that Jeremy didn’t exactly start from scratch.

His parents, Shirley and Eddie Clarkson, amassed a family fortune with their business, Gabrielle Designs, creators of the beloved Paddington Bear toys. This afforded Jeremy the privilege of private education.

“Same joke for about a decade now,” one commenter noted. Another quipped: “Hardly born into poverty in the first place, squire. you were never really going to struggle.”

Someone else highlighted: “Oh Jeremy I know you don’t know any different but that’s not how it works for most people. Luck is an element often underestimated.”

Another added: “Congratulations, Jeremy! But don’t forget that a helicopter represents academic excellence, just like your supercars do. Let’s encourage academic excellence, which gives society all the skills it needs to survive.”

One more observed: “It was a different time back then, but the moral of the story stands. The fact is, the majority of high achievers in school end up doing pretty average jobs making a tiny bit more than the average person but still having more debt.”

Clarkson’s post coincides with a record-breaking year for UK degree course acceptances, which have seen an increase of 3.1 per cent.

Debenhams has slashed the price of hundreds of watches, including it’s ‘beautiful and sophisiticated’ gold timepiece by over £300

Debenhams is throwing a massive sale on men’s and women’s watches, slashing prices by up to 9% on glamorous models.

And the latest bargain we’ve spotted from the retailer is a huge discount on the Akribos Faceted Brilliance Elite 36mm Quartz Fashion, down from £395 to £36.68, with shoppers hailing it as ‘beautiful’.

This Debenhams timepiece boasts a polished two-tone ion-plated case and bracelet, offering a ‘refined and versatile’ aesthetic. Customers will also be drawn to the faceted grey crystal bezel that ‘catches the light’, surrounding a silver glitter dial adorned with diamond markers.

According to the website, this timepiece makes a ‘statement’ of ‘grace and sophistication’. Additional perks include a jewellery clasp measuring at 16mm wide and the watch’s overall water-resistant quality.

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A similar option is the NIBOSI Women’s Watch Analog Rose Gold Quartz from Amazon, priced at £23.99, reports Birmingham Live. Available in nine colours, this watch features a diamond encrusted face and stainless steel case with mineral glass for scratch resistance.

Meanwhile, the Debenhams watch face features a sparkly, encrusted appearance, with the entire piece completed with an ‘elegant’ twisted-link bracelet.

And if the gold isn’t to your taste, you can also snap up the Akribos watch in silver and rose gold.

Shoppers can’t seem to get enough of this bargain watch, as one glowing review read: “Beautiful watch as described on the website, recommended.”

One BirminghamLive shopping writer commented: “This watch is ultra-sophisticated and classy, perfect for a neutral outfit. I would love to don this on a glam night out with friends, the three colour options pair well with any outfit. The twist-link bracelet makes for an easy wear so I can let the watch hang for comfort.”

Not everyone was as impressed with a critical reviewer stating: “Horrible watch cheap and tacky.”

If you’re looking for other watches to shop, Abbott Lyon’s popular watch from the Stacey Solomon is officially back in stock.

The 39-year-old TV presenter – who started losing his locks in 2009 and resorted to using hair loss spray, then tablets to try and reverse the balding

Ore Oduba says hiding his hair loss when he did Strictly Come Dancing was “hard but absolutely necessary”.

The 39-year-old TV presenter – who started losing his locks in 2009 and resorted to using hair loss spray, then tablets to try and reverse the balding – took desperate measures to hide his bald patches when he took part in the hit BBC Latin and ballroom dance show in 2016.

Taking to Instagram to share a timeline of his hair loss journey in a picture carousel on Tuesday, Ore wrote next to his Strictly publicity shot: “Hiding my hair loss during Strictly was hard but absolutely necessary.

“I’d visit my trusted barber every Friday night so my hair and hairline was tight and tidy, my fibres did the rest.”

The star and his professional dance partner, Joanne Clifton, 41, won Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.

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And Ore could not have his head in his hands to react to the shock of winning as the star feared he would have messed up his hair.

Captioning a photo of him reacting to winning Strictly Come Dancing in the same photo carousel, Ore wrote: “My mind fully emptied from the shock… but I still had the wherewithal to know not to touch my hair when I had my head in my hands for fear it would look messy or out of place on camera.”

Elsewhere in the photo carousel, Ore admitted he feared losing his TV career if he had shaved or gone bald in 2019.

Captioning a red carpet photo of him, the star explained: “It’d been nearly 10 years of hair insecurity and I was desperate to just shave it off.

“But here’s the really sad thing … I didn’t know any bald presenters on TV (that hadn’t been actors or pop stars before, I see you Marvin Humes and Ross Kemp!) and I was SURE I’d never get a job again if I went shaved or bald.”

And Ore also revealed in the photo carousel that he would ask picture editors to “colour in my hair” so people would not notice his bald patches.

Captioning a publicity shot of him taken in 2015, Ore revealed: “My TV profile was starting to rise, and by now I’m pretty adept in my hair ‘system’ routine.

“I was even confident enough to ask photographers/editors to ‘colour’ in my hair so you couldn’t notice even when you zoomed in pictures.”

The product has been formulated alongside dermatologists and plastic surgeons and has been praised for delivering ‘firmer’ skin and ‘taking away’ wrinkles

After Kim Kardashian’s ’facial shapewear’ went viral and sold out in record time last week, those conscious of their ‘double chin’ and ‘jowls’ have been on the hunt for effective, more affordable ways to firm their neck and jawline without cosmetic procedures. Beauty guru Nadine Baggott has hailed one product as the ‘gold standard’ for helping combat sagging ‘turkey neck’.

The 60-year-old appeared on This Morning to host an anti-ageing segment, recommending a range of tricks, gadgets and products that offer a ‘lifting’ or ‘smoothing’ effect on the neck area. One of her top recommendations was the RoC Derm Correxion Retinol Firming Serum Stick (£39.99).

She told Emma Willis and Andy Peters: “If you’re going to start using skincare on your neck, I’m going to recommend the gold standard, which is a retinol. I like this one because it’s RoC. It happens to be in a stick and that makes it easy to use. You can run it on any bit you want — knees, elbows. I just think it’s a really gold standard product.”

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Developed with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, this serum stick promises a ‘non-invasive lift’ for the face and neck, tightening ‘in seconds’. It contains ultra-firming THPE, antioxidants, and RoC’s award-winning retinol to ‘boost elasticity for younger-looking skin’.

According to the brand, it increases firmness by 90% immediately after use, with 100% of users seeing improved skin elasticity after one week. It’s dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and fast-absorbing, making it ideal for quick application.

RoC Derm Correxion Retinol Firming Serum Stick

£39.99

Buy here

Other products on the beauty market offering similar results include the Prai Ageless Jawline Serum, which is £22 at M&S. Powered by a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, vitamins C&E, and peptide, Uplevity, the ‘game-changing formula’ helps skin defy gravity for a more sculpted and lifted appearance.

For those who prefer a cream to a serum, Trinny London’s The Elevator is a popular choice. As well as working to smooth, firm and restructure for a visibly lifted, defined neck and décolleté, the £69 formula also contains encapsulated alpha arbutin to help prevent and visibly fade dark spots.

Because the RoC formula uses retinol, it’s recommended for evening use and should be used every other night, gradually increasing frequency. Retinol can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so it’s always important to wear SPF during the day when using potent formulas such as this one.

The product has been met with glowing reviews from users of all ages. One said: “I bought this item a week ago and I love how it glides on with a silky, non sticky application. It’s super easy to use and perfect if you’re in a rush and don’t have a lot of time. I noticed my skin felt firmer almost straight away. I can’t wait to see the longer term effects.”

Another added: “I’m almost 69 years old. I love Roc products. It took wrinkles away! Would you recommend a product with Roc that I should start using for my brown spots.”

“I am in shock at how well this works,” wrote a third. “It goes on smooth and adsorbs well, not greasy. I’m 62 and get tons of compliments on how great my skin looks since I started using it.”

Some haven’t seen the results they’d have liked, while others have found the packaging to be frustrating. One said: “I used this product for 2 months, every other day. I liked the way to felt on my skin and the scent. Unfortunately I didn’t really notice a difference in my skin.”

Another added: “I really like this product but I barely use it because flecks of the packaging come off on my hands and face and I can’t get them off without scraping. Please change the outside paint on the container.”

Another five-star review read: “This really works. I have wasted so much money on products. I used this and my jowls started to disappear within two days. I have one small wrinkle on my forehead and it’s faded.”

Another wrote: “This product really helped firm up under my neck I was starting to feel like a turkey and considering cosmetic surgery till I tried this product. ROC has always had a very good reputation for having good products.”

Bindi Irwin has given an update after she was rushed to hospital in the US for emergency surgery earlier this year, and said she finally has some ‘answers’ about her health

Bindi Irwin, the 27-year-old daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin, has given her fans a crucial health update after undergoing emergency surgery in the US earlier this year. In an emotional Instagram post, she revealed that she is “finally feeling better” following her procedure and now has some answers about her long-standing battle with endometriosis after “waiting 13 years.”

In May, Bindi was rushed to hospital in severe pain while visiting the US with her mum, Terri Irwin, and brother, Robert Irwin, for the annual Steve Irwin Gala in Las Vegas. She had emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix, and during the operation, she also received further treatment for her endometriosis.

In an Instagram post shared this week, the Australian native said she is “genuinely healing” after an astonishing 51 endometriosis lesions were removed along with a “chocolate cyst”, which is a type of ovarian cyst filled with old blood.

She penned: “13 years of fighting for answers. 51 endometriosis lesions, a chocolate cyst, and my appendix were all removed across two surgeries with @seckinmd. My hernia from giving birth that was unzipping – was taken care of.

“I can FINALLY say that I’m feeling better. Genuinely healing. I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain. Slowly, slowly gaining my strength back.”

Bindi went on to say she “felt ashamed” as a teenager when she was told the pain she experienced was “just part of being a woman”, and is committed to campaigning for women’s health to be taken seriously.

She continued: “I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognise myself again. I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult being told that my pain was just part of being a woman. I felt lesser. I felt hurt. I felt weak. That is not ok.

“Young girls and women shouldn’t feel alone with pain in the driver’s seat of their lives. We need to take away the stigma of talking about women’s health. It’s time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale.”

Followers responding to Bindi’s post applauded her for speaking out about endometriosis and championing the battle for women’s health, with many saying they are “proud” of her efforts.

One person said: “So proud of you for speaking up and sharing your journey.”

Another added: “I applaud you for raising awareness about this. It’s time women stopped being gaslighted about this and other women’s health issues. I’m glad you’re feeling better and hope the future is brighter and easier when your daughter is your age. Bravo, you!!”

A third stated: “So happy you are healing Bindi and sharing your journey to encourage discussion about this horrific disease.”

Bindi has previously opened up about her struggle to get a diagnosis for endometriosis. She revealed that she had been living with the condition since she was 13, but it took a decade before she underwent her first surgery.

Despite visiting numerous doctors and undergoing “every test you could imagine”, all results came back clear, suggesting she was a “healthy young woman”, despite the excruciating pain she experienced during her periods.

Former Pop Idol contestant Darius Campbell Danesh died suddenly at the age of 41 in August 2022

Darius Campbell Danesh’ ex-wife has paid tribute to the late singer on the third anniversary of his death.

The former Pop Idol contestant died suddenly at the age of 41 in August 2022 after inhaling chloroethane – also known as ethyl chloride – at his Minnesota apartment.

Three years on from the tragedy, 50-year-old Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge – who filed for divorce from the Colourblind hitmaker in 2013, after just over two years of marriage – has admitted she still misses him dearly.

Alongside a series of pictures of Darius, including one of the couple posing in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, she penned on Instagram on August 11: “Love and light always. Miss you today…. Sending love to the Danesh’s and everyone whose life he touched.”

According to his girlfriend, Darius had been “living with a broken neck” and an undiagnosed heart condition when he died.

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Lauren Cheek explained that an autopsy revealed that his heart was “twice the size” it should have been and that she believes he used the recreational anaesthetic to alleviate the pain.

She told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: “Darius was living with this heart condition that he didn’t know he had. So many things could have taken him, but this one thing did, and he died in his sleep.

“His mum told me they only found out after they did the autopsy. His heart was twice the size it was supposed to be, which was fitting, because that is genuinely how he was — he had so much love.

“The autopsy also found he was living with a broken neck, but he refused to get help or complain about it. I think he used (chloroethane) because he was in so much pain and he didn’t want to take pills, not even aspirin. That’s what killed him — the substance mixed with his heart and he couldn’t take it.”

Lauren went on to add that Darius – who shot to fame when he gave a memorable rendition of Britney Spears’ hit ‘…Baby One More Time’ on the ITV talent show Popstars before releasing a string of hit singles and eventually going on to star in the West End – had sustained his injuries whilst racing with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler and always “refused” when she urged him to see a doctor.

She added: “He was with Gerry (Butler) in Monaco for the Grand Prix and they slammed into a wall during a race with the Prince of Monaco. I don’t think it ever fully healed and then he rebroke it because he got hit by a car in London a year or two before he died when he was riding a bike.

“And then he got into a car accident with his dad in Scotland. D was in the passenger seat, his dad was driving and someone drove into them.

“He was always in pain and I would beg him to see the doctor, but he refused. He was trying to find a natural remedy.”

Refusing surgery

Darius was battling chronic pain in his neck as a result of two car accidents. The first occurred in Spain in 2010 when he suffered a broken neck. Speaking about the crash to HELLO! he previously told how he came just ‘three millimetres from death’. The singer had been on a lads driving holiday at the time and was on the motorway in sweltering heat. “Because of the haze, we didn’t see that there was a diesel spill on the road. Before we could work out what was going on, it was already too late,” he explained. “The car careered out of control on a bend, and we smashed into a wall at 70mph. My first recollection is my friend, the driver, asking if I was ok.”

He went on to say he remembered feeling a “sharp pain” in his neck before collapsing. Following the accident, Darius is said to have been offered an operation on his neck that could have proved life-changing, however, the singer and actor famously declined the procedure because there was a risk that it could impact his vocal chords.