Category Entertainment News

Married At First Sight star JJ Slater has revealed that he barely speaks to anyone from his series in 2023 apart from just people from the show amid romance with Katie Price

Married At First Sight star JJ Slater has revealed that he’s only in touch with two of the stars from his E4 series. The reality contestant took part in the 2023 series – and while the intense show can makes friends for life, that’s not the case for JJ.

In fact, according to the reality TV star who is currently dating former glamour model Katie Price, he only keeps in contact with two of them despite being in a group chat with the men from the series.

His admission comes after he was spotted flying out to Türkiye with Katie to have his and hers surgeries.

In a recent interview with The Sun, JJ explained: “Not on a basis where we would message and check in with each other, apart from with Luke and with Terence.”

He added: “There is a boys’ group chat with all the boys in there. It’s pretty quiet now. It was lively at first, but now it’s just like, happy birthdays. Or if someone’s going out, they’ll be like, I’m here, if anyone fancies a beer, stuff like that. But on a day-to-day basis, no.”

When JJ first appeared on the show, he was partnered with Bianca Petronzi but it soon became obvious that he was unable to find a spark towards her.

And it was at this point, he found a connection with Ella Morgan.

Ella made history on the show as the first transgender female. The pair it hit off immediately but after returning to the series as a couple, they too couldn’t make it work and went their separate ways.

Soon after their relationship came to an end, JJ stirred the pot further as he started dating mum of five Katie, who once went by the name of Jordan during her glamour modelling years.

Katie and Ella had formed a friendship so it took Ella by surprise that Katie was now dating her ex.

Speaking to relationship expert Paul C. Brunson on his podcast We Need To Talk, earlier this year, Ella said: “It does make me laugh because you say I’m crazy, and I love Katie but you’re with her now? So, I just wasn’t the right person for him, we haven’t had any contact since the show.

The reality TV star added: “I haven’t seen him since the show. We were texting before the vow renewals and I knew he wasn’t feeling it. I didn’t get over JJ for, I’d say it took me a good six to eight months to get over him.

“I’m fully over him now and I wish him the best, I wish Katie the best, if they’re happy, they’re happy.”

On reflection, Ella believes their romance failed to stand the test of time due to the fact she was a transwoman and was concerned what his friends and family would think.

Ella added: “Looking back, was there that emotional connection? I think there was a lot of fancying and being sexually attracted to someone. Sometimes when there was no cameras, he said I was too loud for him. He said I’d go out for drinks and then take out my anger on him.”

The reality TV star went on to add: “I wasn’t the nicest and I think I was a hurt person and hurt people hurt people and that’s what I did. He was worried how the public would portray him and what his friends and family would think.”

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Rylan Clark and his co-host Rob Rinder have both spoken about how they feel about death in terms of their own mortality and those of the people they love

TV personality Rylan Clark has confessed his fears for his mum’s health after returning from a trip to India with Rob Rinder.

The 36-year-old and Rob, 47, were in the country filming their latest travel show Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India, which saw them exploring the vibrant culture and stunning landscapes of India.

This follows a previous collaboration between the pair where they journeyed through Italy, during which their friendship flourished.

However, their travels have also led to deeper conversations about mortality. Speaking to Radio Times Magazine, Rylan revealed that the trip had made him more concerned about his mother’s health than his own.

He said: “I’m more worried about losing my mum than losing my own life. I feel like coming back from Varanassi was eye-opening. It made me realise I’ve just got to enjoy things I’m doing, and if I’m not enjoying it, then don’t f***ing do it.”

Rylan’s comments came in response to Rob’s own profound reflections on mortality, where he admitted his fear of death.

He confessed: “The dark shadow of death and fear of it is a present force and has always been for me. The looming idea it’s going to end. The unknown is the great terror.”

Despite the uncertainty of what the future holds, we can take comfort in reflecting on the past. In recent years, Rylan’s mum Linda has become a beloved figure on Celebrity Gogglebox, where she shares a sofa and her TV opinions with Rylan.

It’s his mum’s wellbeing that Rylan occasionally updates his Radio 2 audience about during his programme.

On one occasion, the former X Factor star had to step away from his radio duties to care for his mother.

He revealed on Instagram back in July: “Mummy Linda isn’t well sadly so I won’t be hosting the show tomorrow. Thank you to the emergency team at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Will keep you updated as she’s on the mend. She’s a trooper.”

Beyond talking about his mum’s health struggles, Rylan has also been open about his own medical issues after experiencing heart failure in the wake of his 2021 split from former husband Dan Neal.

Speaking to The Times, Rylan revealed how the health scare affected him: “The first thing I do is have a coffee, which has to be decaf after my heart failure four years ago. When I was getting divorced, I ended up in an ambulance twice.

Iconic rock star and legendary drummer Viv Prince has died at the age of 84 years old.

The musician famed for his skill on the drums played for a plethora of bands during the sixties including The Kinds, Pretty Things and The Who. Following news of his death, tributes started to pour in. Lead singer of White Stripes, Jack White led the tributes. 

Taking to his social media, he said: “I was lucky enough to meet Viv some years ago who was working on his farm in Portugal at the time.

“He was an inspired and eccentric rock and roller and maybe I’ll have to put together a team to work on a documentary about this man one day.

“Safe travels into the sweet beyond Viv, you were one of the real ones. -III” As of yet the cause of death remains unknown.

As soon as news circulated regarding his death, fans wasted no time in posting their tributes.

One person said: “So sad to hear, Viv was pretty much the only musician of my formative era that I had any personal connections with. Wonderful to hear you were familiar with his work.”

Another person said: “Those early Pretty Things records were something else. Dude was a trendsetter for sure. He will be missed.”

And a third added: “RIP thank you for your talent.” A fourth fan said: “The Pretty Things, what a band. Rest easy Viv.”

Speaking about the legendary musician, a fifth person said: “Such an amazing drummer.” A sixth wrote: “Cheers to a legend.”

Viv Prince was born in Loughborough in 1941 and started to make a name for himself in the 1960’s. And at the time, he joined a band titled Pretty Thing in 1964.

Aside from his drumming abilities, he was also famed for his on stage antics which drew in crowds far and wide.

But within twelve months, Viv left the band.

Speaking to Classic Rock about his decision to leave the band, Dick Taylor explained: “The final straw with Viv came at The Twisted Wheel in Manchester. He refused to play because the pub across the road wouldn’t serve him.”

He added: “What he hadn’t twigged was that it was attached to the hotel he’d been in the night before, causing mayhem with The Kinks.

In the end, Phil [May, vocals] said ‘You’d better just go home’ He was a wonderful drummer, but….”

The band is perhaps better known for hits including Don’t Bring Me Down and Honey I need.

Viv was part of the band’s first two albums Pretty Things and Get The Picture before he bowed out of the group.

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The NTAs took place this week which saw some of the biggest names in British TV take to the stage to collect their well-deserved awards

This Morning star Tom Swarbrick shared his “massive red carpet fail” at the NTAs by posting an “embarrassing” video to his social media this week. Tom left his fans in stitches as he shared a clip of his awkward outfit mishap at the annual event.

The journalist spoke to the camera in his video as he revealed to viewers that he decided to take his backpack to the event, despite it being a black tie dress code. The 38-year-old attended the National Television Awards where he rubbed shoulders with other celebs, all while carrying his backpack with him.

Tom mentioned in the caption that he even got to walk the red carpet with Liz Hurley. He said: “Massive red carpet fail.

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“It’s really not my natural habitat. But I’ve honestly surprised myself at this level of self-inflicted personal embarrassment. And all in front of @elizabethhurley1.”

Tom speaks to the camera as he makes his way through the star-studded crowd holding his Berghaus rucksack. He says: “On the red carpet. Obviously got my bag.”

While he is among some A-listers, he then points out: “Actual Liz Hurley. Shouldn’t have brought my bag.” The LBC radio presenter was then met by several comments from his This Morning colleagues.

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Ashley James commented several cry laughing emojis while presenter Josie Gibson did the same. Tom replied to Josie: “Don’t Gibbo… absolutely terrible.”

Fans then took to the comment section to share their own funny messages. One said: “The head of IT on his annual ‘go on then’ to afterwork drinks queuing for the club.”

Another said: “When you’ve finished teaching maths at 6pm but you’ve got the NTAs at 7pm,” while a third wrote: “Absolute legend Tom. I hope this now catches on and more people do the red carpet with back packs.”

This comes as This Morning won an NTA on the special night for best daytime show. The programme won for the first time since 2022, triumphing over Loose Women, James Martin’s Saturday Morning and Scam Interceptors.

During the speech as they accepted the award, Friday presenter Alison Hammond claimed “Natural order has been restored.”

She said: “Can we just say a massive thank you to each and every person who voted for This Morning. We are so overwhelmed.

“This award means so much. We’ve been humbled the last two years, we haven’t won this award. We don’t take it lightly that we won this award, we’re so grateful.”

Main presenter Cat Deeley then went on to add: “We are so lucky to get to do this show, we all love it. Every single person who comes on, we love this show and it’s like having a family.”

The ex wife of Hollywood actor Colin Firth was forced to close down her fashion firm after an employee stole £500,000 from her business forcing it into financial ruin

Colin Firth’s ex wife Livia Guiggioli was left with no choice but to close down her once lucrative fashion firm after her Head of Finance stole £500,000 in a fraud plot. Stavros Pavlou, 64, is now facing prison for his crimes after stealing the money from Livia’s sustainable fashion consultancy brand called Eco-Age Lt, over a period of two years.

The consultancy firm, which was based in west London, advised well known fashion retailers on how to make their products more sustainable as part of combating an issue that is taken seriously across the entire world. The business was founded in 2007.

Last July, just three months after Pavlou stopped taking money from the company, Livia, who was married to the actor for 22 years until 2019, announced that the firm was “tragically” closing down due to a “financial crisis.”

At the time, she reportedly explained that the crisis was “targeted by criminals” and it has now come to light that she was subtly referring to her former employee.

According to the Daily Express, a court heard yesterday that head of finance Pavlou admitted the fraud when interviewed by police after his arrest in May.

He is now facing a prison sentence for his act of fraud. Prosecutor Edward Aydin told Highbury Corner Magistrates: “Whilst working as head of finance, he stole around £500,000 from his employer. The fraud involved large amounts of documents and files.”

Appearing in court wearing a grey suit, Stavros admitted to one count of fraud by abuse of position.

His defence solicitor Paul Oliver explained: “This is clearly a matter which needs to be sent to the Crown Court for sentence. He was released under investigation in 2024, and I ask to grant him bail. There have been no attempts by him to contact the employer. He is a man of previous good character.”

However, Magistrate Rod Barr told Mr Pavlou: “You have pleaded guilty to this charge, but this matter is too serious to be sentenced in the magistrates’ court. We are sending your case to the crown court where you will be sentenced. You are free to leave the court today, but you must go to Wood Green Crown Court on the date you are told to.”

He added: “If you don’t come back to court at the time, you will be committing a separate offence, and a warrant will be issued for your arrest.”

Stavros Pavlou was given unconditional bail and is set to appear at Wood Green Crown Court when a date has been arranged by court officials.

Speaking about the closure of her much-loved company, she explained last year: “We began 17 years ago with a family shop in West London selling the latest in eco lifestyle products. Nobody would have predicted our trajectory.”

She added: “We are incredibly grateful to those who supported us from the beginning and proud of the work that took us to become a globally recognised consultancy and communication agency and for the role we played to change the landscape of sustainability globally.”

Despite her split from Colin, Livia claims that they have maintained a “wonderful relationship.”

In an interview with Hello! magazine, she said: “We’re always together. Colin and I have a wonderful relationship. We have worked a lot on that, and on keeping the family together. I have a partner, he has a partner and we’re all together all the time. It’s an extended, crazy family.”

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Scottish singer Lulu has said that her first two relationships didn’t progress past kissing after the way she was raised made her see sex as ‘shameful’

Lulu has opened up about her complicated relationship with intimacy, admitting she was “afraid of sex” while rising to fame in the 1960s.

The singer, now 76, looks back on her early years in a candid extract from her upcoming memoir If Only You Knew, which will be released on September 25 to coincide with her latest tour.

In it, she explains how her upbringing and family dynamics left her uncomfortable around the subject of sex around the time when she became a household name after the success of her 1964 hit Shout.

“I wasn’t a fan. I was a musician. But, the truth is, I was also afraid of sex,” she wrote. “It had never been openly discussed in my home and Betty [her mother] had made it seem almost shameful, one of the many threads that coursed through the black rage between my parents.

“I wanted love, I wanted romance. I was just scared of the reality, so I spent my time wrapped up in fantasy, in love with the idea of love.”

Despite her fears, Lulu makes it clear she never went through negative experiences in the bedroom. She says her fear stemmed from the taboo surrounding sex during her teenage years.

She wrote: “There was one area in particular which made me feel very self-conscious: sex. It felt like a black hole pulling every-one around me in while I floated around in deep space watching them get swallowed up, which fed my feeling of being a step apart.”

She added that while she had boyfriends – including Alex Bell from her band The Luvvers and Herman’s Hermits frontman Peter Noone – she kept things PG.

“None of it went much further than a goodnight kiss because I’d skipped so much school that human biology had completely passed me by,” she said.

“And, in those days, we didn’t do the teenage conversations that you see in Hollywood films today which might have started to reveal its secrets. I didn’t have a clue.”

Her memoir also touches on her youthful crush on Eric Clapton, admitting she once threw a party for the chance to see him. “My crush on Eric, however, still burned strong and I remained desperate to see him.

“So, one night, I threw a party and invited everyone – the Beatles, the Who, the Animals and Cat Stevens – hoping he’d come too,” she confessed.

“Nervously waiting for him to arrive, I kept an eye on the door until he finally walked in… But, late that night, we ended up outside smoking and, heart palpitating, I tried to act cool.”

On a professional level, Lulu has recently been busy championing mental health awareness. Earlier this year she launched Lulu’s Mental Health Trust, which recently held its first sponsored walk.

She told The Mirror: “The process of writing my memoir opened my eyes to the role that mental health has played in my life. When I was first coming into the industry we didn’t talk about it! But it’s so important, and I want to give back.”