Category Entertainment News

Strictly Come Dancing star Ross King is reported to have had a secret romance with a ‘high profile’ and ‘glamorous’ BBC presenter following the end of his marriage to Brianna Deutsch

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Strictly Come Dancing is known to ignite passion and romance amongst some of its contestants on the BBC show, but it’s now been reported Ross King enjoyed a secret romance with an unidentified BBC presenter years before his show stint.

Lorraine presenter Ross, 63, is reported to have had the under-the-radar fling following his split from his ex-wife Brianna Deutsch, who he was married to from 2015 until 2022.

It has been claimed Ross’ ex-wife reportedly feared the romance started before they filed for divorce, but it has been insisted that there was no crossover between his marriage and the casual romance.

READ MORE: Telling signs show Strictly’s Wynne Evans is in bitter fallout with Katya JonesREAD MORE: Strictly’s Thomas Skinner fears daughters, two, face life-changing diagnosis after seizures

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A source has claimed: “They had been friends for a while, but nothing happened until long after he and Brianna were separated.

“They kept it out of the public eye because of their profile. Neither of them wanted the pressure of people talking.”

“Afterwards, Brianna questioned whether there was crossover and obviously had her suspicions. But Ross is very clear things only became romantic after his marriage had broken down,” they added to The Sun.

However, the romance is said to have “fizzled out” and now Ross is “happy dating” his gorgeous new girlfriend Bridget Siegel, 43, who has even been seen supporting him on the Strictly sidelines.

Things are said to be “going well” for Ross in his new relationship, following the breakdown of two previous marriages. Ross, who is partnered with Jowita Prystal on Strictly, was previously married to Charley King from 1999 to 2006 and Brianna Deutsch from 2015 until 2022.

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Ross has been having a ball on Strictly, but admitted he almost backed out of his dance after receiving a record-low score.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Ross revealed: “At least I can say I got a 10 on Strictly Come Dancing in my first week,” with a laugh.

On his first live performance, the judges marked him the lowest since Quentin Wilson took to the floor back in 2004 and scored eight. However, while he told us he “got through it” he found the routine so difficult he didn’t know if he’d get through it.

Ross admitted: “At one point I thought I may have to put my hands up and just say ‘maybe this is not for me’.

“I was disappointed because I had done it better. And I think the slide was a little bit slippier than I realised. As we were dancing, Jowita was actually going, ‘Are you OK?'” Ross, 63, was extremely happy to get to the end. “But I did genuinely have fun. For me, it’s a TV show, it’s not a competition.”

Despite receiving a record-low score, Ross is still in the competition and will dance again this evening alongside Jowita.

Molly-Mae is riding high with ahead of the second instalment of her hit Amazon Prime doc – but there is something that still keeps her up at night when she thinks of the future

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Molly-Mae Hague has sparked fresh speculation about her and Tommy Fury, admitting that while she and her fiancé might be back together, their future is far from certain. Speaking on the trailer for the eagerly awaited second series of her Prime Video reality show, Molly-Mae: Behind It All, the star gives fans a glimpse of the challenges ahead, saying, “Tommy and I are back together, yes. But I never know what tomorrow is going to bring.”

The new season will focus on her flourishing business empire, but is also expected to delve into the highs and lows of her relationship with Tommy, which dramatically broke down last year amid the boxer’s struggle with alcohol abuse. Despite the couple appearing to be back on track after reuniting in May, a source tells OK! that Molly-Mae, 26, is still haunted by the past.

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“Molly is worried that things will go wrong again. She’s scared Tommy can’t give her what she needs, consistently, and the uncertainty can be tough,” our insider tells us. “She hoped that getting back together would make things feel normal, but it’s not always that simple.”

Teasing the new series – which drops on 18 October – on Instagram last week, the star hinted at the drama ahead, writing, “I’m so excited for you all to see what’s been going on behind the scenes. Things have been crazy!”

The trailer also shows Molly-Mae in mum mode, looking after her and Tommy’s 21-month-old daughter, Bambi, as she juggles parenting with her career as an influencer. “The balance, at the minute, of work and Bambi is just so full on,” she says. “We’ve got the busiest summer yet coming up. I’m absolutely exhausted.”

Molly-Mae and Tommy met on Love Island in 2019, where their romance captured the nation’s hearts. Since then, they have become one of TV’s most high-profile couples, going on to welcome Bambi in January 2023.

Later that year, they were engaged, after Tommy got down on one knee in Ibiza. However, there have since been several bumps in the road and in August 2024, they sensationally parted ways, with Tommy later confirming that his drinking contributed to the split.

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In a tell-all interview with Men’s Health magazine earlier this year, he said, “We broke up because I had a problem with alcohol and I couldn’t be the partner that I wanted to be any more.”

Despite whispers suggesting a third party might have been involved, the star stressed that infidelity was not a factor in the break-up and branded the rumours “completely false”.

Tommy hit the bottle after a hand injury left him unable to box. Opening up in his BBC Three docu-series, Tommy: The Good, The Bad, The Fury, he said, “I couldn’t train, box, lift weights… that was all gone. I‘d lost my whole identity, lost my life.”

He went on to reveal that he would down 20 shots a night, adding, “I used to drink to get blackout drunk and that is what led to me not being the ri

ght partner to Molly.”

Despite the challenges she’s faced, the mum-of-one – who earlier this month made her Paris Fashion Week catwalk debut – has continued to build her brand and is rumoured to be worth an estimated £6 million.

The Prime Video trailer highlights her work on her clothing line, Maebe, as well as her modelling commitments and public appearances. But our source says that despite her many successes, Molly-Mae still struggles with the pressures of living her life in the spotlight.

“Molly is really proud of how far she’s come and is trying not to get sucked in to the negatives,” says our source. “This is a really exciting chapter and a big time for her. She is really proud of what she is achieving in her career. The people around her are making sure she remembers how amazing this all is.”

Described as “raw, relatable and inspiring” by Prime Video, the new series of Behind It All also promises to reveal “the insecurities and hopes of a young mum balancing fame and family”.

Last week, Molly-Mae shed more light on what fans can expect in a Q&A session on Instagram stories. “You guys know I’ve always shared highs and lows of my motherhood journey and it wasn’t going to be any different with this,” she wrote. “I want everyone to see another layer in the doc and to share the things I normally struggle to share.”

She also said that Bambi had “kept the film crew entertained” during shooting and when asked to name her favourite episode, warned that number three is “intense”.

With filming taking place over several months, Molly-Mae has vowed to give a warts-and-all view of her home life, promising a glimpse of the “drama that I normally deal with in private”.

And despite voicing her fears that her and Tommy’s future won’t be “plain sailing”, she has previously hinted more kids are on the cards. “The dream is still the same… that we will all be happy in that house together and have more children,” she said at the end of the previous series. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for us.”

Series two of Molly-Mae: Behind It All drops on 18 October on Prime Video

Darren Jefferies played Sam “O.B.” O’Brien in Hollyoaks from 1997 to 2008, before returning to the soap in 2016

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Hollyoaks star Darren Jefferies looks completely different from his beloved soap character after his final exit in 2017.

The 43-year-old performer joined the Channel 4 drama as Sam “O.B.” O’Brien in 1997, swiftly winning over viewers with his on-screen chemistry with Max Cunningham, portrayed by Matt Littler.

The Hollyoaks duo experienced plenty of highs and lows throughout the series, including a major falling-out over Clare Devine, portrayed by Gemma Bissix, before mending their relationship.

Yet when besotted Max discovered romance with Steph Dean (Carley Stenson), their joy was short-lived following a devastating mishap that left O. B devastated, reports the Manchester Evening News.

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During July 2008, Max and Steph’s big day finally came, but catastrophe struck when the bridegroom shoved his younger sibling, Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins), away from an oncoming vehicle.

Max was struck by the motor driven by intoxicated rival Niall Rafferty (Barry Sloane), and despite Tom, Steph, and O.B’s desperate attempts to rescue him, he died.

O.B was shattered when his closest mate passed away in his embrace, prompting him to abandon the village permanently and seek a fresh start in London.

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During 2016, Darren made a comeback as the cherished O.B to the programme, but departed once more in 2017.

Discussing his character’s temporary return at the time, Darren remarked: “Being back without Max will be strange for O.B.”

He continued: “But his death gave O.B a new perspective on life. I think he’s got more of a seize the day kind of attitude now.”

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Since his departure from the soap, Darren has maintained his acting career, making a cameo in the BBC series Doctors in 2017 and returning six years later to portray a different character.

In 2022, the former soap star made a comeback on the telly in the comedy series Brassic. Darren also featured in the short films Lone Wolves (2024) and I Know A Place (2023).

Off the small screen, Darren is also a shining star on stage, having appeared in several productions such as: The Borrowers in Lancaster, Abigail’s Party at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, and For the Grace of You Go I at Theatr Clwyd in Wales.

But Darren’s talents extend beyond acting, as he also works behind the scenes. He recently showcased his skills during a project for Everton Football Club.

Darren is also happily married to Stephanie, owner of a Fashion House Agency, with the pair tying the knot in Manchester in 2016. The couple are proud parents to two children.

Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has revealed doctors have warned his twin daughters may face a life-changing diagnosis as he shared an update on their health

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Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has shared an update on his twin daughters after they both suffered seizures and were taken to hospital this week.

The axed Strictly contestant, 34, revealed earlier this week on social media that his twin daughters Roma and Darla, two, were rushed to hospital for treatment after having two fits each.

Earlier this week, Thomas penned on X: “We are having a proper s**t time recently. My twins have spent all night in the hospital. Thank you to the wonderful NHS for looking after them. Back home with them now. They’ve both now had 2 fits each and it is so so scary.”

READ MORE: Strictly’s Alex Kingston reveals secret cancer battle and diagnosis after haemorrhaging on stageREAD MORE: Strictly star Thomas Skinner’s twins rushed to hospital after suffering fits in scary ordeal

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Thomas, who became the first axed Strictly contestant this year, later tweeted: “I hope you all had a wonderful Thursday. My kids are tucked up in bed, me and Sinéad have stuck a film on and relaxing. Thank you all the lovely messages, The twins are a lot better tonight. It’s a very scary time when the little ones have seizures. Good night & God Bless. Bosh”.

Now, Thomas has revealed fears his daughters, who were born prematurely weighing 3lbs each, may face a life-changing diagnosis. Thomas and wife Sinead are awaiting test results.

He has explained his daughters were unwell with a cold before their temperature suddenly rose and they both had ‘febrile convulsions’, one in the morning and the other in the evening.

The NHS states febrile seizures can “sometimes happen when a child has a high temperature”. They are “not usually serious”, but the NHS advises parents to get medical help if their child has a seizure.

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Thomas explained to The Sun: “They’re at risk because they were born prematurely weighing just 3lbs.

“A sudden rise in temperature can bring on fits in infants and they’re more susceptible.

“It can be linked to epilepsy so doctors have tested them and we’re waiting for the results, but we’re hopeful that’s not the case.”

Thomas added that his daughters are back home and “happy and playing” while also “getting lots of cuddles” but admitted the ordeal was “incredibly scary”.

After Thomas’ initial post, users on X were quick to share well-wishes in the comments. One wrote: “So sorry to hear that your beautiful girls have been unwell. I’m glad that the NHS were able to make them well enough to return home. Sending you all hugs xx”.

The scary new comes on the week his BBC Strictly adventure came to an abrupt end. He became the first contestant to be eliminated from the 2025 competition after landing in the bottom two with rugby player Chris Robshaw.

But he insists it’s not the end of his dancing adventure. On X, he said that he was “gutted” to be out of Strictly – having filmed his final interview on It Takes Two with Amy earlier in the week.

He said on Tuesday’s upload: “Happy Tuesday, you lovely people! Back where I belong, in my trusty Ford Transit van! Been up early, grafting away. Picked up a cracking parcel of men’s designer jumpers this morning, stopped by my local pub and sold a load already!

“Absolutely gutted not to still be on Strictly, but what an amazing experience it was. Met the incredible Amy Dowden and my whole family loves her. She’s an inspirational woman and a proper diamond.”

Princess Diana’s biographer, Andrew Morton, shared his feelings on Meghan Markle and what happened when she and Harry decided to give up their royal duties and titles

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Throughout her period as a working royal, Meghan Markle threw herself into numerous charitable endeavours and launched several crucial projects. She possessed a passion for promoting mental health awareness, fighting for women’s equality, and connecting communities – such as when she brought together Grenfell Tower fire survivors via the Together: Our Community Cookbook initiative.

Recognised for her charitable nature long before becoming Prince Harry’s wife took on important positions including serving as World Vision’s ambassador in 2016 and backing women in Mumbai’s slums to help them establish their own enterprises through the Myna Mahila Foundation. Considering her deep involvement in charitable work, it came as something of a surprise that she curtailed her royal duties so quickly.

And Princess Diana’s biographer, Andrew Morton, previously told The Mirror’s podcast, Pod Save the King, about Meghan and his thoughts on why she would have been a “natural royal” had she remained longer.

READ MORE: Prince Harry ‘horrified’ amid fallout from Meghan Markle’s shock Paris move

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Sharing his view, Andrew said: “The great tragedy, I think, is that Meghan and Harry didn’t give it long enough to see whether they could give it a go. They were on the out almost before the wedding music had finished.”

Reflecting on Meghan’s campaigning background, he added: “Meghan is a natural, I’ve got pictures of her when she was age 10 leading a march against the first Gulf War at her school. The local TV cameras turned up and she was there giving interviews.”

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Andrew voiced his frustration, declaring: “She spoke at the United Nations with Hillary Clinton. She had the great possibility of using her talent and her position to make a genuine change to the world. I don’t think she’s going to make such a change living in Montecito.”

The writer also highlighted parallels between Prince Harry’s magnetism and that of his late mum, Diana, remarking: “Prince Harry was and is a natural, he and his wife have got charisma and there is no denying that.”

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He continued: “People do respond to them in a very positive way when they meet him. There is obviously a lot of negativity surrounding their behaviour and their policies but Harry has always been someone who connects.”

Andrew also observed the resemblances in Prince Harry’s public engagements, commenting: “And when I see Harry kneeling down with his arm around some kid, I am just watching Diana. It transports you back 25, 30 years.”

He carried on: “Harry himself says that he never makes a decision without referring it to her in a spiritual sense.”

He also commended Diana’s influence on the Royal Family, explaining: “She marked a turning point in the way the Royal Family behaved and through her behaviour helped to modernise and make more human the Royal Family.”

He finished: “So it wasn’t big handbags, white gloves and standoffish. It was more touchy-feely than it had ever been in the past. So she made the Royal Family more relevant to modern times.”

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Earlier this week, Meghan and Harry made a rare joint appearance at a glitzy charity ceremony where they were named ‘Humanitarians of the Year’. Meghan was also commended as ‘a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist’ at the event. Meanwhile, the Duke’s work with mental health companies and his controversial tell-all memoir Spare were named among his achievements.

However, the couple were accused of stealing Kate Middleton’s thunder as their speech at the event was said to have clashed awkwardly with one of Kate’s projects. She championed the exact same plight in a passionate personal essay hours earlier, speaking about the “epidemic of disconnection”, warning others about the dangers of screen time and how it can impact a child’s development.

READ MORE: Shop Jowita Przystal’s ‘stunning’ and figure-flattering midi dress from Strictly It Takes Two

The DJ, real name Norman Cook, will mark 40 years on the road with colourful coffee table book of his life

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Fatboy Slim is lifting the lid on some of the best nights out and the secrets of his career through the years.

The DJ, real name Norman Cook, is launching a photo book and telling some of the crazy and celeb-filled stories of his life on the road as a musician and DJ. “It’s 40 years this year that I quit my day job and joined the circus. I thought about having a big party but this seemed better,” he said.

Called It Ain’t Over Until the Fatboy Sings and out next week it celebrates Norman’s years in showbiz and is a vivid celebration of indie, house, acid, and remix culture.

He has been in five bands down the years, including The Housemartins and Freak Power, but is best known behind the decks and as a producer.

Speaking about the idea of a book, 62-year-old Norman said: “Now there comes a point in your life, in your career, when people say, do you want to write an autobiography? This ain’t going to happen because I can’t remember the juicy bits and the other juicy bits I always say I can’t have published while my children and my parents are still alive.

“So I am exploring visually my 40 years in showbiz, from The Housemartins through Beats International, Freak Power, and, of course, Fatboy Slim.“

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Helpfully for the book, Norman is a natural born hoarder, so many mementos and memories from his long and checkered career remain in his Brighton home including every lanyard and backstage pass he’s got, VHS and DAT cassettes of all his demos and thousands of flyers and photos.

There is also his obsession with smileys which even extends to a guest bedroom in his come absolutely covered in them on the walls and bookcases. “Not everybody can deal with waking up in a room like this,” he admits.

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Highlights go his rollercoaster ride include the first giant outdoor gig the Big Beach Boutique he played on Brighton Beach in 2001 to around 50,000 people.

He recalls: “I couldn’t believe that it was actually happening on the beach. I couldn’t believe that the sun was out. I couldn’t believe that the police allowed us to do it. And it was just the most beautiful thing.”

The second one in 2002 when he was one of the biggest DJs in the world, got out of hand as 250,000 people turned up. Looking back Norman said the safety officer warned him it could be “like two Hillsborough’s” if things went badly and any crowd surges caused people to be crushed.

The event passed with few arrests and a loved up and peaceful crowd, but one 40-year-old man died of a heart attack, and Australian nurse Karen Manders, 26, was fatally injured when she fell 25ft from the Kings Road promenade to the seafront below.

In the book Norman writes: “Eventually I managed to contact her mother and amazingly she tried to reassure me that it wasn’t my fault. She said her daughter had phoned her after the show to tell her ‘I’ve just had the best night of my life’, and thanked me for making her last night the happiest.

“But I still feel in some way I’m responsible because if it wasn’t for me she wouldn’t have been in Brighton that night. It is something that I will carry with me, always.”

Other random music highlights for him include meeting Madonna at The Hacienda after being invited up by a music and DJ crew he hung out with: “There was a breakdance crew and we became friends and one day they called up and they were going to be at the Hacienda and I went to see them. When we got there, we were sharing a dressing room with this singer from New York no one had heard of, who turned out to be Madonna. It was her first TV appearance in England. No photo of that sadly, would have been a great selfie.”

He also had a night out with Cher, but sadly doesn’t remember that one: “Basically someone said are you going to put the Cher story in the book and I said I have never met her.

“They said ‘I think you’ll find you have’. Then they showed me a picture and it turns out I did have a night out. It was in New York and a launch party for some record. Cher was guest of honour and we got very drunk apparently. This is not testament to Cher being forgettable but to my drinking. I am 16 years sober and this is one of the reasons why.”

Norman also taught Nicola Kidman to DJ at a Cannes film premiere of Moulin Rouge in 2001 and has the photo to prove it.

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“It was quite a surreal moment, marred only by her being appalled how sweaty my headphones were,” he says.

And another interesting night was DJ-ing at footballer Ronaldo’s wedding in Paris with guests including the Beckhams: “I don’t do many wedding but this is Brazilian fat Ronaldo. When he phones and says will you DJ and the Beckhams are here you say yes. But it is like any wedding, people don’t really know each other but two hours later everyone is drunk, everyone is dancing on each other’s shoulders and Ronaldo is snogging my face and his dad has his tie round his head.”

Before being a superstar DJ there were times making music when things were not looking so rosy, particularly when he was young and struggling to make ends meet.

“I’ve been so close to bankruptcy that my accountant was saying ‘I think you should declare bankruptcy’. I’ve then got a ppl cheque(music royalties) which cleared off the thing and I lived to fight another day, and then Freak Power happened.”

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Despite the ups and downs, father-of-two Norman says he wouldn’t change a thing and his son Woody is now following in his footsteps as a DJ.

And he also hopes youngsters will continue to go out and party hard, even if there are signs some young people prefer not to drink or hit the clubs.

“That is where you learn so much about life and have your first snog. I worried about that during the pandemic. A lot of people say kids are living online and not drinking as much or taking drugs. Both my kids seem to be taking to it quite well! Some people say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I blame the mother! It would be a shame because so much beauty happens in nightclubs and festivals and the dancefloor when you live outside the box. You fall in love and friendships are made.”

* Fatboy Slim’s new book It Ain’t Over Until the Fatboy Sings is out on Thursday and available to buy at fatboyslimbook.com