Category Entertainment News

A new team quickly formed around Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when they dramatically quit their royal roles and moved to the United States for a new life.

But the couple soon gained something of a reputation for being unable to hang on to employees as they forge ahead with their charitable and production ventures outside the Firm. In recent weeks, three top executives at Harry’s charity, Sentebale, have stepped down – taking the total number of staff leaving them to 21.

In a major blow, the London-based chief executive of the charity that Harry co-founded in 2006, alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, stepped back after five years in the position – and isn’t set to be replaced. Instead, the Daily Mail reports, Richard Miller, aged 62, will be replaced by an “interim executive director” – Carmel Gaillard – who has been tasked with completing a “strategic transformation” of Sentbale and is based in Johannesburg.

The news comes only a few months after it was revealed that Harry’s chief of staff had left his role after just three months. Josh Kettler, a high-flying PR executive, took up the senior post working with Harry in May ahead of the Sussexes’ tour to Nigeria.

His departure came as Harry and Meghan were preparing for their working trip to Colombia in August. It is understood Mr Kettler was hired on a trial basis and the decision to part ways was mutual, with both sides agreeing it was not the correct fit. These names are not the only staff members to leave in recent years…

Stepping back from Sentebale

Since he co-founded Sentebale – which means ‘forget-me-not’ in Sesotho, a nod to the late Princess Diana’s favourite flower – Harry has been dedicated to the charity, which works with children and young people living with HIV/AIDS. The news that Richard Miller will be giving up his role as chief executive comes after two other major resignations within the charity.

Baroness Chalker – the overseas development minister – has stepped back from the board of trustees after 18 years, but despite leaving her official position has said through a spokesperson that “her commitment to the charity and the Duke of Sussex remains unwavering”.

The Mail reports that alongside Baroness Chalker and Richard Miller, Sentebale also recently lost another important figure: Andrew Tucker. Said to have been dubbed as ‘Tucks’ by Harry, Tucker had held a senior position at the charity for a decade, before stepping away.

Richard Miller has said about his exit from the charity: “It is the logical next step for Sentebale, and the time is right for this shift to local leadership. Carmel is an incredible asset to position Sentebale further as a leader in the region.”

For their part, cofounders Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso said in a joint statement: “This shift reflects our continued commitment to being guided by voices from within the region we serve. We sincerely thank Richard for his pivotal role in steering our organisation toward this important evolution.”

Royal exodus

After Harry and Meghan wed in May 2018, the couple, who were still working royals at this point, saw a string of staff changes with several leaving their posts. Among those leaving were senior communications secretary Katrina McKeever, Meghan’s personal assistant Melissa Toubati, a female royal protection officer and their assistant private secretary Amy Pickerill.

Melissa Toubati mysteriously handed in her notice after just six months with the Duchess of Sussex. A source said: “Her job was highly ­pressurised and in the end it became too much. She put up with quite a lot. Meghan put a lot of demands on her and it ended up with her in tears.

“She is hugely talented and played a pivotal role in the success of the royal wedding. She’ll be missed by everyone in the household. Melissa is a total professional and fantastic at her job, but things came to a head and it was easier for them both to go their separate ways.”

In October 2019, their private secretary Samantha Cohen, who had worked for the late Queen also left. Former Times royal correspondent Valentine Low claimed in his book, Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown, that fed-up Ms Cohen likened the job to “working with teenagers”.

In his book, author Low told how Ms Cohen organised the couple’s first official tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand but alleged she ended up being “screamed at”. “Sam always made clear that it was like working for a couple of teenagers,” Low claimed a source said. “They (Meghan and Prince Harry) were impossible and pushed her to the limit. She was miserable.”

Ms Cohen left soon after, told Australia’s Herald Sun that she only agreed to a short secondment but was unable to leave as the palace couldn’t find anyone willing to replace her. She said: “I was only supposed to stay for six months but stayed for 18 – we couldn’t find a replacement for me and when we did we took them on tour to Africa with Harry and Meghan to show them the ropes but they left (quit) as well while in Africa.” Meanwhile, after they left the royal lives behind, their director of communications Sara Latham also parted ways with them.

Archewell execs

When Harry and Meghan quit the UK for the USA, they quickly set up their charitable organisation Archewell, making several big appointments including chief of staff Catherine St Laurent.

However, she only completed 11 months in the role before she moved on. In an interview with The Cut, she described working for Harry and Meghan as “an incredible experience”. She added: “They are incredibly talented and creative leaders. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to do that, to be able to be with them on their journey. The time that I spent with them was incredibly fulfilling.”

Just months later, the couple’s global press secretary Toya Holness also left Archewell after just a year in the role. She had been tasked with overseeing the Sussexes’ PR on both sides of the Atlantic. Insiders at the time claimed she “wanted out” after finding herself “having to fulfil a great many functions for the couple”.

The in December 2022, just days before Harry and Meghan’s controversial documentary landed on Netflix, then president of Archewell Mandana Dayani left her post after just 18 months. At the time, it was understood that Harry and Meghan were to take on full leadership of the organisation, and a statement from Archewell was at pains to make clear they had not fallen out.

Meanwhile, last year, Fara Taylor, who was in charge of marketing at Archewell also left the organisation as Harry and Meghan looked to ‘streamline’ staff.

Production staff

However, it hasn’t just been from their charitable arm where Harry and Meghan have lost staff. They’ve also seen a high turnover from their production company. The couple set up the production arm in the wake of signing multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify.

But in December 2022, the head of Archewell Audio, Rebecca Sananes, quit after being hired to work on Meghan’s Archetypes podcast. The podcast lasted one season on Spotify before the Sussexes’ deal with the streaming giant was axed.

Last year, Nishika Kumble, who was the senior vice-president of scripted television at Archewell, left after less than two years. She was closely followed by TV executive Bennett Levine, whose departure was described as a “serious blow”, after he moved to a rival organisation.

Also quitting was Oscar-winning producer Ben Browning, who worked on the Netflix docu-series Harry & Meghan, who had been their head of internal content.

If there’s one thing we can all agree on it’s that the festive season is all about indulging. It’s no secret that just about everyone’s favourite treat to tuck into is a bit of chocolate, which is why it makes the perfect present to give your loved one for Christmas.

From small thoughtful stocking fillers to luxurious hampers and everything in between, there’s a chocolatey treat for everyone – and every budget. And, seeing as how I’m a professional chocolate lover and shopping expert, I’ve found some of my favourite sweet treats that would make gorgeous gifts for your loved ones.

READ MORE: Top fitness and health trackers to gift this Christmas from £59 including smart rings and bands

READ MORE: Louise Thompson shares the affordable Christmas presents she’s buying for her nearest and dearest

Terry’s Chocolate Orange Selection Bulk Buy, £24.99

Is there anything quite as traditional as finding a Terry’s Chocolate Orange in your stocking? The perfect alternative to the classic satsuma (because who wants that on Christmas morning?), this bulk buy of nine Chocolate Oranges gives you three milk, three dark, and three mint flavoured Terry’s Chocolate Oranges, making it the perfect buy if you’ve got multiple stockings to fill.

Cadbury Giant Selection Chocolate Box, £15

Weighing in at more than half a kilo, this bumper Selection Box from Cadbury is a Christmas morning essential. Packed full of everyone’s favourite chocolate bars including Dairy Milk caramel, fruit and nut, whole nut and plain, as well as a Crunchie, Boost, Twirl, Flake, Curly Wurly, Wispa and a Double Decker. If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get an additional smaller Selection Box inside, with a treatsized Curly Wurly Bar, Fudge, Freddo, Chocolate Buttons Bag and a Chomp Bar.

Hotel Chocolat The Chocolate Wreath Box, £49.95

If you’re looking for a statement-making gift that’s perfect for everyone from partners to parents and in-laws, Hotel Chocolat’s Wreath Box is a showstopper. The box contains a vast selection of the brand’s best-selling chocolates, from pralines and caramels to truffles and boozy liqueurs. There’s even pudding-flavoured chocolates inspired by our favourite winter warmers, like carrot cake, treacle tart and mulled wine.

Lindt Christmas Collection Bundle 1.6kg, £41.50

Lindt is known for its adorable festive-shaped chocolates, and this deluxe bundle of favourites is guaranteed to be a hit with any recipient this Christmas. Whether you divide them up between loved ones or give them all as one huge bundle, they will definitely be a winner. The set includes the classic gold teddy in various sizes, alongside the festive reindeer and iconic chocolate Santa. There’s also milk Lindor mini truffles, moreish crispy bites, a sharing bag of creamy milk, hazelnut and double milk teddy truffles, a selection of miniature milk chocolate festive figures and a Lindor cracker.

Fudge Kitchen Festive Favourites Fudge Selection, £17.99

Ok, this one might not technically be chocolate, but there are chocolate flavoured fudges included in the selection box, and trust me when I say, they’re delicious. You’ll get 15 different fudge pieces, with five different festive flavours; speculoos, mince pie, sea salted caramel, Christmas pudding and chocolate fruit and nut, making them perfect as a stocking filler or Secret Santa gift.

Fortnum and Mason The Christmas Champagne & Chocolate Gift Box, £90

If you’re looking for a gorgeous main gift for someone special, this Christmas champagne and chocolate hamper from Fortnum and Mason is a winner. You’ll get a huge box which contains two trays of delicious truffles, as well as a 75cl bottle of Fortnum’s Brut Reserve Champagne NV, Louis Roederer to enjoy alongside them.

A fitness tracker makes a great Christmas present for anyone, whether they’re into their fitness or just want to be a little more aware of their health for the New Year. From the super high tech offerings with all the bells and whistles to something more simple to use, there are all sorts of different health and fitness trackers out there to choose from.

They can measure your sleep, detect your heart rate, help you work towards fitness goals or just give you a better understanding of your overall wellbeing, making them perfect for anyone and everyone. If you’re looking for some inspiration, we’ve rounded up some of our favourites that you can shop in time for Christmas, with prices starting from £59.

READ MORE: Here’s what to buy for someone who loves the great outdoors this Christmas

READ MORE: Helen Skelton’s cosy puffer jacket now has £50 off in Black Friday week sale

Samsung Galaxy Ring, £399

Available in black, silver and gold titanium, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is the perfect discreet way to combine your fitness tracker with fashion. Ideal for those who already use Samsung products in their day to day life, it pairs instantly with your Samsung account and gives you readings on everything from your heart rate and calories burnt to where you are in your menstrual cycle and your sleep quality.

Apple Watch SE, was £219, now £199

The Apple Watch SE has everything you need to keep you active and motivated, as well as staying connected. You can send texts, take calls and listen to music through it, whilst also tracking your workout metrics, heart rate and sleep cycles. It also has health and safety features, such as irregular heart rhythm notifications, unusually high or low heart rates, or fall and crash detection. Plus, it’s now on sale with £20 off at Very.

Garmin Instinct 2 Rugged GPS Smartwatch, was £199.99, now £151.99

Coming in 13 different colours, three different sizes and five different styles, you can tailor the Garmin Instinct 2 to be exactly what you want. It’s water-rated up to 100 metres, with thermal and shock resistance and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass, so this is truly a tracker you can put through its paces. There are plenty of built-in sports features for running, biking, swimming, strength training and more, and it gives you all-day health monitoring features that include tracking your heart rate, sleep, Pulse Ox and respiration.

Fitbit Inspire 3 Activity Tracker with 6 months Premium Membership, was £84.99, now £59

Although not the most recent Fitbit release, the Inspire 3 is perfect for those who don’t want or need tonnes of extra data. It still, however, gives you data on your 24/7 heart rate, Daily Readiness Score, Active Zone Minutes and all-day activity tracking, as well as having more than 20 different exercise modes, automatic exercise tracking and reminders to move. It also helps with wellness, like mindfulness sessions, relaxed breathing sessions, irregular heart rhythm notifications, menstrual health tracking and sleep tracking. Currently reduced to £59 on Amazon, you’ll also get six 6 months Premium membership included, which gives you deeper insights and guidance, as well as exclusive workouts, mindfulness sessions and more.

Oura Ring 4, £349 – £499

Whilst the price of the Oura Ring 4 varies depending on which finish you’d like it to have (silver is £349, whilst rose gold is the other end of the spectrum at £499), the function stays the same. The all-titanium design uses the brand new Smart Sensing platform to measure your biometrics, giving you insights like sleep, readiness, activity, heart health, stress and women’s health. It also has eight days of battery life, and is designed to fit so seamlessly onto your hand that you forget you’re wearing it.

WHOOP 4.0 With 12 Month Subscription, was £229, now £206.10

A firm fave amongst athletes like Christiano Ronaldo and Michael Phelps, if you need a little bit of motivation to start your fitness journey, this WHOOP watch and membership subscription is the complete package. Not only does it do the usual tracking and monitoring, but you’ll get a 12 month subscription included which gives you access to the WHOOP community, which includes everyone from professional athletes to fitness enthusiasts to gain insight and experience from. You can also personalise your goals and track everything from workouts to alcohol consumption.

Actress Tamzin Outhwaite says she is determined not to rush into a new relationship after enduring more heartache.

The former EastEnders star, 54, is on a new mission to ‘full up her own cup’ and do what makes her happy after breaking off her six-year relationship with toyboy boyfriend Tom Child, 33, earlier this year. Their split came after her marriage to actor Tom Ellis, 46, hit the rocks in 2013 when she reportedly discovered he had an affair with a co-star, and the couple divorced the following year.

In a new interview with OK!, Tamzin said firmly: “I’m happy single” before adding: “There’s a lot on! Life is really busy, throwing a relationship into that is a whole other thing. Freedom fills up my cup, freedom to do as you please is a lovely thing. That makes me happy.”

Tamzin, who is taking part in the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing’s 2024 Christmas Special alongside salsa superstar and pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin, has come a long way since her heartbreaking divorce, and now marks the anniversary of her husband leaving the family home with “pride”.

The mum-of-one told the Mirror in September that she was “feeling of triumph and genuine gratitude.” She continued: “For anyone struggling, the most important relationship you will ever have is with yourself.”

It came after she posted a statement on social media last year saying: “10 years since the father of my kids walked out on us for the final time.” In 2013, it was reported that the Lucifer actor allegedly admitted to cheating on Tamzin with Emilie de Ravin, when they worked together on the American TV show, Once Upon A Time in 2013.

At the time, the mum of two went on to claim, in a now deleted post on X, that she was being told about other infidelities. She said: “Ten years since the father of my kids walked out on us for the final time. I still meet new people on jobs who reveal more infidelities and lies that he committed. But thankfully my heart and soul are clear and clean and I could not be happier right now.”

Tamzin found love again with her toyboy lover Tom Child but after six years together, Tamzin revealed she is happily single once again. She added: “There has been no acrimonious ending; we’ve moved on to a friend zone. We are still really great mates, which is nice.” Tom and Tamzin first locked eyes in 2017 at a yoga class and he had been credited with helping her heal her broken heart following the breakdown of their marriage.

Unlike the split with her husband, Tamzin says she is “quite happy” being single as she likes her own company. She added: “Maybe before now, I’ve been single but not happy. But I’m quite happy. And being single and happy is a really lovely place to be. And that can only happen with life experience. There is a lot said about people not wanting to be on their own as they get older,” she says. “I really like being on my own. Especially now, at this age, I really like my own company.”

Tamzin, who played newly divorced Sylvie in the Channel 5 drama The Wives, continued: “Sylvie’s only been freshly divorced. Deep down, she’s probably got some pain that she needs to deal with. I’m not like her in that way. I feel pretty clear and happy – I’m at a place where I’ve come through the other end. Life feels really good.”

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads

Born into poverty in apartheid-era South Africa and propelled to Hollywood heights, Lebohang Morake became the voice of Disney’s classic film “The Lion King” with his powerful Zulu cry.

Now, 30 years after his chant of “Nants’ Ingonyama” soared above the film’s memorable opening sequence, the 60-year-old South African singer, producer and composer known as Lebo M is back.

This time he sings another opener for the prequel “Mufasa: The Lion King”, which tells the story of orphaned lion Mufasa who grows up to be the king of the Pride Lands and the father of Simba.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the music for the film — due to be released worldwide on December 18-20 —  said on the red carpet he would not have done it without Lebo M.

“That was the dream. I sort of insisted on that the moment I took the job because I think he is the secret sauce,” he said at the world premiere in Los Angeles this week.

“I think he is the sound of ‘The Lion King’ and his choral arrangements, that were in addition to the songs I wrote, I think really make the movie feel of a piece with the original,” he added.

The film, directed by Barry Jenkins, premiered in Los Angeles and London this week and opens with Lebo M’s composition “Ngomso”.

After the enormous impact of his work on the 1994 film, Lebo M told AFP in an interview he had felt the pressure to produce a worthy successor.

“I loved writing the first opening… but having to write and perform a new opening for ‘The Lion King’ after 30 years… it’s quite a big challenge,” he said.

In the end, he said, writing “Ngomso” turned out to be a remarkably similar process.

The “Nants’ Ingonyama” cry heard at the start of the “Circle of Life” song in the earlier film, he said, had been a demo for which he simply turned up, performed and left without expecting much to come of it.

Three decades later, he arrived at the studio early in the morning and just started making music “with a hi-hat (cymbals) and a bongo”.

“By the time the director and everyone else came in at 11 am I’d written the entire song.”

He said committing to the film had the advantage of allowing him to finally work with Miranda, something he had been keen to do for many years.

“It’s just amazing energy non-stop. Very little discussion about these chords, this melody. We do! Just go in and everything flows… it allowed us to both to be very, very authentic to the movie,” he said.

Gangster or nightclub singer?

Born in Soweto in South Africa in 1964, Lebo M has built a reputation as the go-to artist for directors wanting authentic African flair for their productions.

He produced and composed for the 2010 football World Cup opening and closing ceremonies in South Africa.

A long creative association with composer Hans Zimmer, who has written the music for more than 150 films, has seen him feature as a special guest on all Zimmer’s world tours.

But success was hard won with low points including racism he experienced, including in the entertainment industry, and two years living on the streets in Los Angeles in the mid-1980s.

“I’m constantly conscious of the fact that I’m a refugee, I’m non-American,” he said.

“It was very difficult when Lion King became big in 1994. It was always about the three white guys, Elton John, Tim Rice and Hans Zimmer.

“Being born into extreme poverty was never here or there for me. I had music,” he said, adding that as a teenager he had the choice of being a “gangster, a soccer player or the nerd”.

This meant immersing himself in music and the arts and by the age of just 14 he was the youngest nightclub singer in South Africa.

Despite an illustrious career, Lebo M said he still bears the scars of the years when he was homeless.

“I’ve been in survival mode all the way…. Even with the perception of success that one is believed to have, it’s still survival mode,” he said.

He believes, however, that the US entertainment industry allowed him to “flourish more than I think I would have flourished anywhere else in the world”.

After decades mostly behind the scenes, he said he is finally ready to meet his audience with his first of a series of concerts scheduled for next April in South Africa.

“I’m ready because I know there’s anticipation in a global audience that would like to experience Lebo M live, not as a guest, not through movies,” he said.

Chris McCausland has become the first ever blind contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing.

Millions of viewers were left in awe each week over the 47-year-old comedian’s ability to take to the dancefloor with ease given his disability. After being dubbed favourites to lift the Glitterball trophy throughout the 2024 season of the BBC dancing competition, Chris was finally crowned alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell on Saturday night, leaving the pair in disbelief.

When host Tess Daly asked how he was feeling, the dad-of-one responded: “It’s astonishing, I don’t know what to say. I thought I would go out in the first week or two.” Referring to partner Dianne, he added: “We have lasted and lasted and she has got so much out of me, she deserves this so much.”

The star lost his sight 20 years ago between the ages of 16 and 22 years old due to retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic disease that affects the retina’s ability to respond to light, leading to a slow loss of vision. Chris’s eyesight deteriorated at university, meaning he was unable to pursue his longed-for career in web development.

Luckily, he also had a talent for stand-up comedy, with his gigs leading to a TV role playing Rudi in CBeebies’ Me Too! and appearances on Have I Got News For You. “Being blind wasn’t just something that happened to me, it was hereditary,” the comedian told The Big Issue.

“Nan was blind, my mum was losing her sight. It was always treated as just part of life, so you get on with it and have a laugh.” The star says inheriting a known condition within his family “fed into my way of viewing” his blindness and it’s one which might not be expected.

He explained: “When somebody has a disability that comes out the blue, it is very easy and understandable for parents to be protective and wrap them in cotton wool. There’s a worry, there’s a panic, there’s a lack of experience.

“But having it in the family meant even with me having poor sight in my childhood, I was treated no different, sent out playing in the streets. All that forms your personality when you’re older.”

The comedian is married to Patricia, who he met at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the couple have daughter Sophie, 11. He admits the prospect of becoming a parent terrified him, telling Gyles Brandreth: “My dad, all the things he used to do with me as a kid, taking me to different places, and the time he put in helping me build things. You go: ‘How am I going to be able to do those things – I’m not going to be a proper dad, I’m going to be a half dad’.”

Luckily, he found fatherhood “amazing” and hasn’t looked back. As for the future, he told The Big Issue: “I did always think, things are moving so fast, we’ve got the internet now, surely there will be a cure [for his eye condition] and I’ll be able to see by the time I’m 30. I mean 40. I mean… and it just moves on and on.”

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) says the first symptom you will notice is that you don’t see as well as other people without a sight condition in dim light, for example outside at dusk, or at night – which is commonly known as “night blindness”. While people without a sight condition can usually fully adapt to dim light in 15 to 30 minutes, those with RP find that it takes them much longer to adapt, or it doesn’t happen at all.

As RP progresses, you will start having problems seeing things in your peripheral vision, leaving a central narrow field of vision known as having “tunnel vision”. Since RP is a progressive condition, it means your vision will continue to get worse over the years.