Sir Elton John has been thinking of his death and how he hopes to be remembered once he passes away.
The 77-year-old music legend has endured a number of health issues this year – having been seen walking with a cane at Derek Draper’s funeral in Febraury, more recently revealing he lost his power of vision due to illness, and more recently still revealing he has been battling a nasty infection. While the star retired from touring last year following the conclusion of his epic five-year Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour, he is still planning to release records and to keep busy in other ways.
This month, Sir Elton was unmasked as TIME magazine’s Icon of the Year, and he reflected on being a father while speaking at an event connected to the award. The Tiny Dancer singer has been married to Canadian film producer David Furnish since 2014, and together they are parents to sons Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11.
Despite selling over sold over 300 million records worldwide and being a champion of gay rights and the fight against AIDs, the star has a more modest hope that he will be remembered for his family life. Elton and David were in a civil partnership in 2005 and advanced to marriage once this was legalised in the UK – with the couple being one of the most famous same-sex parents in the world.
The singer hopes to be remembered as a great dad ( Getty Images for EJAF)
Speaking to PEOPLE at his TIME Magazine honours, Elton explained: “On my gravestone, all I want it to say is, ‘He was a great dad.” It is not the first time the star has made this claim – and he is shown reflecting on his mortality in the Disney+ documentary film Elton John: Never Too Late.
The documentary film about his life was co-directed by The September Issue filmmaker R. J. Cutler as well as the star’s 61-year-old husband David. Footage in the film reveals that Elton has been considering the end of his life and how his sons will miss out on having him in their lives for key events. He admits that he wishes he could live forever, but appreciates that this is fanciful. He is shown stating: “They think about my mortality. They worry about my mortality. Not so much David, but me… [My sons] love their daddy, so they want me to be around forever, [and] I would love to be around forever.”
The star also considers how he might not live to become a grandfather. He is seen saying: “I want to see them have children and get married. I don’t think I’m going to be around for that. Who knows? You never know. So that’s why I want to use the best time — the best of my time — while I’m around. Time together is so wonderful and so precious.”
Following the premiere, Sir Elton revealed what he wants to have written on his grave after he dies. Speaking to Variety around the release of the documentary, Sir Elton also reflected on his gravestone preferences, stating: “On my tombstone, I don’t want it to say he sold a million records. I want it to say he was a great dad and great husband.”
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to California, they forged a brand new life, leaving behind the formalities they were once used to.
Whilst Meghan’s home turf is the sunshine of California, for Harry, it meant a total break from pretty much everything he had ever known – and a whole new environment to which they had to adapt their family life as a couple. Since leaving life as working royals behind, the Sussexes have not been shy about airing their grievances with some of the other royals and have opened up repeatedly about the struggles they faced as a family living in the bright spotlight that is constantly trained on the House of Windsor.
Despite how quickly the pair seemed to settle into the rhythm of things in California, some habits die hard – particularly when it comes to the festive season. Prince Harry has revealed that there is one aspect of a royal Christmas that he still keeps up with his family in California, when he and Meghan celebrate the festive season with their two children: Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 ( UK Press via Getty Images)
Harry made the admission that he keeps this tradition up in his memoir Spare, when he described his and Meghan’s first festive season in their new home. “It was Christmas Eve,” the Duke of Sussex wrote, “We FaceTimed with several friends, including a few in Britain. We watched Archie running around the tree. And we opened presents. Keeping to the Windsor family tradition.”
The royals have exchanged their Christmas presents on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day for nearly two centuries, and it is a nod to their German heritage, where this is the normal custom. This tradition is said to have been instituted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – Victoria’s husband was German and also helped popularise the use of Christmas trees in the UK, another imported custom.
Whilst Harry has been keen to stick with his family’s custom of exchanging presents on Christmas Eve, one member of the Royal Family is reportedly keen to switch this up and thinks the practice is “weird.” As reported in the Daily Beast, Princess Kate isn’t totally sold on the gift exchange happening out of line with the rest of the country and is keen to change this tradition in the future. “Kate has always found the presents on Christmas Eve thing weird,” a source said to the publication.
“It is definitely going to be got rid of when they are officially running things. I imagine it will continue this year at Sandringham in some shape or form but everything is going to be much more relaxed and have a middle-class flavor at Anmer Hall. You can bet your bottom dollar they will be doing proper presents for each other and the kids there on Christmas Day.”
Queen Elizabeth – Harry’s grandmother – is said to have enjoyed the incredibly old tradition for a couple of reasons. First, she is said to have been a massive fan of Queen Victoria and admired her ancestor hugely, and secondly, as a devoted Christian, the former monarch preferred to keep Christmas Day clear to focus on the religious aspects of the holiday over the exchanging of material things.
Meghan kept up another important tradition from Harry’s family during their first Christmas in California, which must have helped him feel even more at home in their new life. When they swapped presents, she included a little gag gift for her husband—a Christmas ornament of the late Queen to hang on their tree.
Swapping smaller, often jokey presents, is another longheld Royal Family tradition – with Princess Kate once reportedly buying Harry a ‘grow your own girlfriend’ kit, long before he met his now-wife Meghan.
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Love has blossomed behind-the-scenes of Strictly Come Dancing between two professionals – with one that had been linked to her star partner.
Throughout the 2024 season the long-running BBC dance show there has been speculation that romance could have sparked between pro dancer Jowita Przystał, 30, and former The Only Way Is Essex star Pete Wicks, 36. There had even been rumours of a love triangle between the pair as Pete had also been linked to Love Island beauty Maura Higgins, 34.
But it appears this was a false flag – and the true romance behind-the-scenes of Strictly this year was between Jowita and fellow professional dancer Vito Coppola, 32. The Italian dance hunk was paired with Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, 53, during his time on the show – and they made it all the way to the final to land in second place.
But a report has suggested that Jowita and Coppola had eyes for each other while their toes were brushing the ballroom floor with their celebrity partners. It has also been teased that other relationships have developed behind-the-scenes of the show that have not yet been made public.
She has been romantically linked to fellow professional Vito Copolla ( Getty Images)
Vito and Jowita are said to be getting on like a proverbial house on fire ( BBC Studios/Robin Lee-Perrella)
Addressing the blossoming relationship between Vito and Jowita – who previously dated former Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice, 34 – a source told The Sun: “There have been several flings going on under the radar this year but people are talking behind the scenes.
“The chemistry on set is palpable. But Vito is very respectful of Jowita and has been trying to woo her all series. Now that her partner Pete Wicks is no longer around to distract her, Vito can finally take centre stage.”
The Mirror has contacted representatives of Jowita and Vito for comment – while a spokesperson for the BBC declined to comment on the reported romance. Saturday night saw comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and his dance partner Dianne Buswell, 35, win the 2024 season of the show – and the other contestants, dancers and judges have lavished them with praise.
In a message of support to the couple, Jowita wrote on Instagram on Sunday: “They did it… massive congratulations to @chrismccauslandcomedy and @diannebuswell our Strictly 2024 Champions. You inspired so many people, you shown us that anything is possible… thank you for all those beautiful moments you both created on that dance floor.”
Following a difficult year for Strictly – which saw accusations of abuse behind-the-scenes and lower than usual ratings – Jowita went on to defend the show and it’s place in her heart. She wrote: “Congratulations to all finalists, you should be so proud of yourselves. It was a pure joy watching you all dance!”
She added: “Last night was very emotional… and just reassured me why I do what I do. @bbcstrictly creates magic, dancing connect people and I feel grateful I can be part of it.”
Most of us would love to have our own bartender in our home to whip up our favourite drinks at a pub quality, whenever we fancy – but in most cases, that’s not a real possibility.
So, rather than investing time and a lot of mess in making the cocktails yourself, why not bag an automatic machine that can whip up your go-to tipple at the push of the button? And if that isn’t enough reason to add this gadget to your basket, it’s got over £100 off in this flash sale.
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Amazon slashes the Bartesian Cocktail Making Machine by a mega £110 in flash sale ( Amazon)
The Bartesian Cocktail Making Machine is currently sitting at an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon with over 8000 customer reviews. Normally retailing for a fairly steep £300, you can add this gem to your home bar for £110 less, thanks to this Amazon flash sale.
This gem promises easy and endless cocktail drinks from the comfort of home without the hassle of measuring or pouring. It is so simple: You just insert a cocktail capsule into the machine, select your preferred strength and press mix. That’s it.
The system draws the spirit from the appropriate reservoir and mixes your drink in seconds. This home gadget boasts all the benefits of a fully equipped bar without the time and expense of stocking up on all the needed equipment and ingredients to whip up drinks at home. All you need is your preferred spirit to add to your chosen cocktail.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or want to unwind after a long day, there’s a cocktail to satisfy everyone, thanks to the wide range of mixologist-made cocktail pods to try.
Currently reduced to £189.99, shoppers have been raving about this automatic cocktail maker. One 5-star reviewer beams: “Have been waiting for ages for Bartesian to be available in the UK, and as soon as I saw it launched I ordered one… I’m flipping over the moon! Drinks are fantastic and taste as if made by a bartender.. in the comfort of my home! Just hoping Amazon can bring to full cocktail range from the US, as not keen to get my friends to mail some over! None the less, glad standard drinks are available on Amazon UK.”
More love comes from this satisfied customer who gushes: “Mixes great cocktails with no fuss or mess left behind. Arrived with UK plug and well packaged.”
A third buyer shares: “My Partner just bought me this machine for my birthday. I love it!!! It’s very easy to set up, and now that it’s set up, it’s easy to use. We have tried the Long Island tea, the Cosmopolitan, and the margarita—all yummy. There is no mess and it’s not complicated. This is really a fun machine to have. it would be great for parties.”
It is worth noting that some customers have been slightly disappointed about the UK’s site not offering as large a selection as its US counterpart. This shopper writes, “The only downfall is the lack of flavours in the UK. America has loads. I’m hoping that these will be coming over here soon.” However, they still gave the device 5 stars.
If you’re looking for alternative places to shop, you can also grab this same machine directly from Bartesian or Currys. Both are still reduced to £199, but Amazon has one of the cheapest prices around.
Ruth Langsford has appeared to take a swipe at her ex Eamonn Holmes’ apparent engagement news, as the star tends to her mother Joan after she was rushed to hospital following a fall.
The couple shocked fans when they announced they were ending their marriage after 14 years. After being together for more than two decades, GB News host Eamonn has now moved on with new girlfriend Katie Alexander, recently admitting he can’t wait for his “tough year” to end.
But as Eamonn travels with his girlfriend, Ruth has more pressing matters on her mind. After jetting out to Australia solo to support her friend and Loose Women co-star Jane Moore in I’m A Celebrity, after Ruth returned home, her beloved mum was taken to hospital with a broken bone.
Appearing to take a swipe at the news her ex is already engaged, Ruth shared a video on Instagram showing her mum peeling vegetables at the kitchen sink. She wrote: “No dancing in my kitchen peeling the veg for my darling Mum this Christmas….she’s had a fall and fractured her pelvis! She’s ok…ish, no surgery required thank goodness but she needs rest and time to heal now.
Ruth will be spending Christmas caring for her mum Joan ( instagram/@ruthlangsford)
Eamonn was spotted with Katie the week before their Paris trip – she wasn’t wearing a ring ( n.c)
“She’s in hospital at the moment but I’m hoping to get her home soon. This time last year she fell and broke her hip but recovered well…she’s a very strong woman so I’m sure she’ll recover from this too.” In what seemed to be a dig at Eamonn’s recent news, she added: “Puts life and what’s important into perspective eh? Happy Christmas!”
The Mirror has contacted Ruth’s reps for comment.
This week, she also made a rare comment about her situation, when panellist Mariella Frostup was commenting on wedding etiquette. on Loose Women. Mariella said: “That’s a whole other subject isn’t it? How to divorce well,” to which Ruth quipped: “Oh tell me about it,” adding, “Anyway, funnily its now time for a break.”
Meanwhile, Ruth’s ex Eamonn and Katie, 42, took a Mediterranean cruise together in September, before being spotted in Paris recently. The trip garnered attention as Katie was seen wearing a sparkler on her engagement finger, prompting engagement rumours.
They were photographed outside the Louvre in Paris last week, with Eamonn in a mobility chair and Katie wearing a faux leather coat. The Sun reports that just the week before, Katie attended a West London carol concert with no ring in sight.
“Eamonn has been talking openly about his plans to marry Katie and has made it clear he wants to spend the rest of his life with her,” a source told the publication. “They’re already living together and he knows it feels right. They have a very strong connection and get on very well.”
They added that Katie has given Eamonn a “real lust for life” and that she looks after him. Former This Morning presenter Eamonn has suffered a series of health issues over recent years, following a hip replacement in 2016 that’s left him worried he’ll never walk unaided again.
Fearne Cotton has ditched her wedding ring as she was spotted out and about following her sad announcement of her marriage breakdown.
The 43-year-old took to social media on Friday to share the sad news that she and Jesse Wood were separating after 10 years of marriage. The couple share two children: 11-year-old son Rex and eight-year-old daughter Honey while Fearne is also a stepmum to Jesse’s older kids from a previous relationship: Arthur, 21, and Lola, 8.
They appeared to be the idyllic blended family, with the TV presenter still wearing her wedding ring in photographs uploaded to social media only days ago. And while the split appeared to have blindsided not just fans but also those who knew the pair, the Happy Place podcaster hinted at signs there was trouble in paradise even years earlier.
Taking to her Instagram stories, the radio star told her 3.9 million followers: “It is with a heavy heart that | let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage. Our priority has been, and will always be, our children. We please ask that you respect the privacy of our family at this time.”
They tied the knot in 2014 ( GC Images)
Fearne and Jesse’s lifestyles changed dramatically over the years compared to when they first met ( WireImage)
Celebrity Juice star Fearne had been married to Jesse, 48, since 2014. Both had even posted to mark their 10th wedding anniversary in July, sharing a sweet snap showing them back in their wedding attire, holding hands in their beautiful garden. They met while partying in Ibiza in 2011 – when Fearne, aged 30, was on a girls’ trip following her split with ex Peter Brame – with the couple sharing their first date on the island, which Fearne later revealed consisted of ‘drinking vodka and smoking cigarettes’.
But it appears their ways soon changed as they navigated parenthood and focused on raising a blended family, with their roles and priorities shifting. One of Fearne’s friends has reportedly said that a personal change in Fearne could have been the catalyst for the change in their marriage.
As reported by the Mail, a source said: “They are a lovely couple. But Fearne has changed a lot since they got together. She was a kind of rock chick when they first met, and now she has turned into a bit of a hippy-dippy therapy type.” According to the paper, a friend said that Fearne wasn’t “that cool” in her younger years, but said that when she started dating a “Rolling Stones nepo baby”, their loved ones “thought they would be together forever”.
Jesse, a recovering alcoholic, is now completely sober, while Fearne’s brand Happy Place promotes clean eating, yoga and mindfulness, and also has an alcohol-free annual festival, Happy Place, held at Cheshire’s Tatton Park. Further tweaks to their former rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle came when they turned vegan together in 2021.
A far cry from her hedonistic heyday, Fearne recently revealed she now prefers to be tucked up in bed by 9.30pm and sometimes struggled to find time to be romantic with her husband. Speaking to Alan Carr in 2021 on his Life’s A Beach podcast, Fearned admitted: “Sexy time hasn’t happened for so long in terms of me going anywhere. I think for me and my husband, booking into the local Travelodge would make us feel sexy at the moment.”
The former couple celebrate their 10-year anniversary in July ( ISM/Capital Pictures)
She explained: “We have had no time alone because of the ridiculous pandemic but before all this craziness, Paris was our go-to. Not every weekend, maybe once a year. But it felt well special because it’s so chic and beautiful. It just has an air of something gorgeous, doesn’t it? I love it there.”
There has been speculation for some time over the couple, with Fearne admitting that she and Jesse had a two-hour screaming match in public before both breaking down in tears. Conflicts over work schedules and a reportedly absent sex life also contributed to the breakdown of their marriage, with Fearne admitting it all got too much at one point.
In 2019, Fearne wrote in her Red Magazine column: “One blustery and grey day, this culminated in a screaming match in our local park, which lasted about two hours until we both broke and cried. Luckily, my husband is the most emotionally literate person, so we can be completely vulnerable in front of one another. In the midst of this gargantuan row, I think we both wondered where the love had gone and worried that it might not come back.”
Fearne often commented on their relationship in her column, telling her fans: “Love takes hard work – and no one wants to hear that.” She continued: “This year, Jesse and I hit a rough patch – he was away, touring relentlessly, [with his band, Reef]. I was trying to keep my own career going while looking after our kids and we were both desperately clinging on to our marriage.”
More recently, Fearne told listeners of her Happy Place podcast that tensions were high with her and her ex. She told fans: “I am a very fiery person, and Jesse can also be quite fiery. We’ve certainly argued in front of the kids. Most parents have at some point. It’s not regular but we have definitely had a pop at each other in front of them — and you don’t feel good about it after.”
Fearne has since been flooded with messages of support, with fans quick to rally around after she continued to share content on her socials, including a post where she said she had been “focusing on my health and recovery recently.” She added, “It feels especially relevant now—taking steps to look after yourself during busy times is so important!”
One fan wrote: “Oh beautiful Fearne – I have always seen such sadness in your voice for a few years. It’s sad when a marriage comes to an end (especially when you have children). I hung on for a few years longer than I should have for the sake of my children and wanting a perfect family life). But 10 years on their dad is happy and my spark returned.
“I hope your spark returns. We only get one life to be as happy as we can. I’m now on my third marriage – only one month but I’m at such a happy point of my life (hell I’m 52) it’s hard being a single parent but you have amazing friends and family around you. You’re amazing. I wish you love and luck.”
Another urged: “There is warm sunshine on your horizon. Allow your family and friends to hug you lots, laugh with them, cry with snot bubbles with them, it’s their turn to hold you and listen. You are such a strong, talented and inspiring woman, Fearne. You’ve got this.” A third simply said: “Sending big hugs & best wishes to you at this sad time.”
A fourth follower commented: “My parents divorced when I was 6 and I still believe that however sad it is and however hard you both work at it, staying together for the sake of the kids is not always the answer. The atmosphere and association with a ‘bad marriage’ can bring such a negative attitude towards what relationships should be about. It took me until my 40s to find my husband, when I met him I knew. Do what you need to do for you xx.”
