Category Entertainment News

Fern Britton rose to fame after appearing on This Morning, but it was in a look back to her 20s that she revealed an incident at a Royal event attended by King Charles

Former This Morning star Fern Britton has said that she received a punch to the kidney from one of the King’s protection officers when she met the monarch during her teenage years.

In the early 2000s, she shot to fame after co-hosting This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield, but she has recently looked back to her younger days when she was trying to find her feet as an actor.

In a chat with Tim Lihoreau on the Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? podcast, the 68-year-old revealed how she used to write letters to the then Prince of Wales asking if he could attend any of her shows.

While she admitted that she would always receive a response, it wasn’t until her 20s that she finally got the opportunity to meet the monarch while he was attending a money-raising event at Salisbury Cathedral.

But her once-in-a-lifetime moment didn’t go exactly according to plan after she claimed that she received a blow to the kidney as she approached His Highness: “There was one time when I did get a sort of kidney punch from one of his (King Charles’) protection officers, because I was getting a bit too close with a microphone when he went to Salisbury, because he was raising money for the Salisbury Cathedral spire to be refixed.”

And sharing more details on how the alleged incident unfolded, she explained: “I had a beautiful suit on and I was looking good.”

She continued: “I was in my early to mid-20s, and getting closer and closer and closer just to hear what he was saying to the crowd.”

The monarch then apparently glanced at one of his protection officers, and shortly after, she was struck. However, she admitted that she doesn’t think it was meant to be “that hard.”

Leaving her career in acting behind after leaving The Cambridge Theatre Company, she took her first steps into broadcasting in the 1980s when she took a local TV role in Plymouth.

While successfully landing a number of roles since then, it was in the 1990s that her career began to reach new heights.

In 1994, she was announced as presenter of Ready Steady Cook, but left the show shortly after becoming a full-time presenter on ITV’s This Morning, where she co-hosted until 2009.

Coleen Rooney has put her detective skills to use for a brand new job after her the clever way in which disclosed that Rebekah Vardy’s Instagram account was behind her leaked private information

Wagatha Christie star Coleen Rooney has landed a new job thanks to her cunning detective skills. The businesswoman is no stranger when it comes to figuring out the truth and her latest move has also seen her take a swipe at Arsenal.

Now, the 39-year-old is using her investigative skills once again – after she uncovered while trying to work out who was leaking private information from her social media to the public. Liverpudlian Coleen is starring in a new TV advert for Paddy Power in which she takes on a role working in Justice Refund, which sees her heading up a mock Investigation Department, taking on a wide variety of made-up cases.

One part of her new role sees her look in the viral catchphrase “nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” and the “latest referring conspiracy theories” by dozens of Arsenal fans, with one claiming that the “footballs are out to get” the players. It comes after David Beckham speaks ‘as a father’ in ‘family’ announcement after latest Brooklyn snub.

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But Coleen believes the dozens of fans are actually one person, putting on fake voices for the phone call complaints. The Justice Refund will see Irish bookmaker Paddy Power give cash back to those who backed Manchester City in the Premier League since 2011, despite a verdict on their alleged 114 FFP breaches still to be decided.

Paddy Power’s Justice Refund covers eight seasons and will see Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool fans come out on top. Over 100,000 punters had backed Manchester United to win the league in 2011/12, 2017/18 and 2020/21. Meanwhile, Liverpool were backed in 2013/14 and 2021/22, while Arsenal were backed in 2022/23 and 2023/24 – they will all have their stakes returned, despite the verdict surrounding City’s 115 financial charges to be decided.

City had been hit with the 115 charges over alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play in February, but this later rose to 130. Reflecting on the City investigation, Coleen said: “As the investigation is still ongoing, we can’t be sure that Man City have broken FFP rules.

“The uncertainty isn’t fair on fans and leaves only one reasonable cause of action. Paddy Power should just be sound and do the biggest Justice Refund of all time.”

“I’ve spoken to the airline and they said Nancy sang ‘Hey Soul Sister’, three times in a row,” after a Jet2 passenger claimed she was “booed off the stage” during karaoke, adding she “didn’t have a leg to stand on.”

Reflecting on the Arsenal allegations, Coleen added: “I’ve listened to the audio on those Arsenal complaints. It’s the lads from Arsenal Fan TV, putting on a different voice each time. You know, like in Mrs. Doubtfire.”

She added: “I’m looking at the data and you are correct, your team has been last on Match of the Day more than anyone else. No, I don’t think it’s a conspiracy, you’re just not very good.” She later added: “I’m looking at the phone votes here and it seems suspicious.

“A lad from McFly winning I’m A Celeb? Doesn’t seem realistic does it? You just called in to say how well VAR is being run and referees deserve more credit? That’s lovely, can I get your name? Howard Wobb? Great, let me just make a note of that, Mr. Wobb,” as she became suspicious.

Speaking of the new role, Coleen said: “Fans invest so much into football, emotionally and financially, and sometimes it feels like they don’t get much back. This was a fun way to shine a light on that, whilst actually giving something back to the people who make the game what it is.”

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.”

READ MORE:

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.”