Category Entertainment News

Bindi Irwin missed her late dad Steve’s annual gala in May after rupturing her appendix, and her brother Robert explained her absence at the time

Bindi Irwin has had her appendix and “51 endometriosis lesions” removed.

The 27-year-old star – whose is the daughter of late Crocodile Hunter legend Steve Irwin – has given an update amid her long battle with endometriosis following her diagnosis in 2023, which came after a decade of chronic pain.

She wrote on Instagram this week alongside a smiling selfie: “13 years of fighting for answers.

“51 endometriosis lesions, a chocolate cyst, and my appendix were all removed across two surgeries with @seckinmd. My hernia from giving birth that was unzipping – was taken care of. I can FINALLY say that I’m feeling better. Genuinely healing.”

Endometriosis is a disease where abnormal tissue grows outside the uterus.

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Bindi underwent emergency surgery in May, which meant she missed a gala honouring her late father.

Now, she added that after her health struggles – which she’s been very candid about with fans – she’s finally able to “function” again.

She continued: “I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain. Slowly, slowly gaining my strength back.

“I cannot express the gravity of my emotions as I am beginning to recognise myself again.

“I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult being told that my pain was just part of being a woman.

“I felt lesser. I felt hurt. I felt weak. That is not ok.”

The conservationist and activist – who has daughter Grace Warrior, four, with husband Chandler Powell – is keen to get rid of the “stigma” around conversations about women’s health and healthcare.

She concluded: “Young girls and women shouldn’t feel alone with pain in the driver’s seat of their lives.

“We need to take away the stigma of talking about women’s health. It’s time to have open discussions and make change on a global scale.”

Bindi missed her late dad’s annual gala in May after rupturing her appendix, and her brother Robert explained her absence at the time.

‘Ibiza Final Boss’ Jack Kay is enjoying the summer of a lifetime, seizing every opportunity his newfound fame has brought him. However, an expert has warned that he now has three major pitfalls to avoid

‘Ibiza Final Boss’ Jack Kay will remember the summer of 2025 for the rest of his life, but an expert had warned it might come at a cost if he’s not careful.

The ordinary lad from Newcastle is currently the man of the moment after footage of him dancing away on the famed party island earned him legions of followers. His distinct Lego-style haircut means he likely won’t be slipping under the radar anytime soon.

While riding the high of becoming one of the most recognisable viral sensations in recent years, 26-year-old Jack has been seizing every opportunity that comes his way.

Rave icon Jack has already released his first dance track in collaboration with music artist Carnao Beats. He’s also announced an upcoming nightclub tour and there have been reports of a potential Big Brother appearance, much to the delight of fans.

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Overnight, Jack has entered a life where he flies by private jet and gets DMs from the likes of Booking.com and Durex. But what does it mean for the party animal long term?

The Mirror spoke with Mayah Riaz, PR to the stars and all-around expert on the highs and lows of fame. Jack’s situation, Mayah says, is “a textbook case” of what she refers to as “flashpoint fame”.

Explaining this definition, Mayah explained: “That sudden viral moment that feels unstoppable, until it isn’t. This type of fame in 2025 can arrive overnight, without warning, and without a manual.”

It’s hard to think of a better example of just how transformative viral fame can be. Jack flew off on a mates’ holiday like any other British twentysomething, on a budget airline. Just days later, he returned via private jet.

It’s not surprising, then, that ‘Ibiza Bob’ can be seen grinning from ear to ear in every photograph he posts. But how long can this rush last, and could the winds of fortune change once more for Jack, just as quickly?

Mayah, who is currently writing a book on “all aspects” of fame, said: “Viral fame is that it is a sugar rush as it’s fast, intoxicating, and feels like it will last forever. But in reality, the public’s attention span is shorter than ever now. Unless someone has a clear plan and a way to keep themselves relevant, the spotlight can fade in weeks, sometimes days.

“This is where having a good team around you is key. But when you’re thrown into overnight fame, Jack has found himself in, it’s difficult to know who the right people are and figure out what you need, as often you find yourself surrounded by people who want to cash in on your fame.”

With this in mind, the expert has warned of three major pitfalls which may well trip up the Ibiza Final Boss as he continues his summer of a lifetime. She advised: “Firstly, burnout from overexposure is very common. When every waking hour is an opportunity, it’s tempting to say yes to everything. The danger is that he will exhaust himself, lose perspective, and make choices for quick wins rather than sustainable growth.

“There is also financial whiplash. The money from club appearances or collaborations can feel like it will keep coming, but unless he diversifies his income and thinks long-term, he can end up with a higher lifestyle and no means to support it once the hype dies down.

“And then comes the ‘now what?’ moment. When it does die down, going from constant attention to near silence can be a huge emotional adjustment. Without a plan for what comes after, it could leave him feeling lost or chasing riskier stunts to stay in the headlines.”

Thankfully for Jack, there are plenty of stars who have managed to build something more long-lasting after finding overnight fame, sustaining their profile over many years. So what separates the stars that soar from those that flicker and burn out all too quickly? Mayah revealed: “The people who turn a viral moment into a career are the ones who treat fame like a business, not a party.

“They have a vision beyond the headlines, they know their audience, and they align every appearance with their long-term story. Now, Jack isn’t going to necessarily know this himself, as this has literally been overnight for him. As he has an agent, this is why it is important for him to put that support in place for Jack.

“Jack’s challenge and opportunity is to decide if this is something that he wants to continue after Ibiza’s summer season. If he wants it to continue, my advice to him would be to treat it as a springboard, not a peak. This would mean that, in between partying, he plans his next move before the first wave of attention is over, builds relationships in the industry, and aligns himself with opportunities that make sense for his brand.”

Offering some pearls of wisdom, Mayah continued: “As I always tell clients: fame is a spark, not a fireplace. If you want lasting warmth, you have to build the fire.

“There definitely could be something lasting here if Jack treats this as the start of a story rather than the whole story. But if it’s all lived in the now, the spotlight will inevitably move on – and it always does!”

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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While some famous faces flourished at school and received straight As and their top university choice, a lot weren’t quite as successful but when on to achieve more than they could have expected

Some of the world’s most famous and successful celebrities didn’t exactly shine in their A-levels – and some never even finished them.

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson proudly reminds us each year that he scraped a C alongside two Us. On the other end of the spectrum are stars like Emma Watson, whose academic drive rivals that of her Harry Potter alter ego, Hermione Granger.

As students nationwide open their results envelopes today, we take a look at the famous faces who aced their exams, and those who proved you don’t need straight As to make it big. It comes after a headteacher spotted a pupil stealing from school, but the explanation is heartbreaking.

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Tom Daley

It seems there is no end to Team GB diving hero Tom Daley’s abilities as he’s gifted off the diving board and in the classroom. Despite training around the clock for his Olympic diving career, Tom still managed to study and took his GCSEs in small batches to fit around his pool commitments.

For his A-levels, he earned an A* in Photography and As in Spanish and Maths, getting his results the year after he secured an Olympic bronze at London 2012. In a later video message, he said reading his results on email was “the most nerve-wracking thing ever, having to open that and see it come through”. He added: “I never have to go to school ever again. I am kind of going to miss it but I mean I’m very happy to come away with straight As and yeah, very happy.”

Jeremy Clarkson

The nation is eagerly awaiting with anticipation as to what message of support Jeremy Clarkson will tweet out this year. It’s now become tradition for the former Top Gear host to post an iconic results day tweet, which always revolves around how he left school with disappointing grades and now has a lot of money.

It’s very well known now that he got a C and two Us in his A-levels, which isn’t exactly in top gear. First starting in 2014, he tweeted: “If your A level results aren’t joyous take comfort from the fact I got a C and two Us. And I have a Mercedes Benz.” In subsequent years’ tweets he revealed he was sitting in a St Tropez villa, on a super yacht, having truffles prepared by a chef and deciding which of his Range Rovers to drive.

Emma Watson

The Harry Potter star was another celebrity who grew up in the limelight and still managed to achieve excellent results. The fact Emma Watson managed to study for her exams while shooting one of the biggest film series of all time is an achievement in itself.

Proving she’s just as smart if not smarter than her character Hermione Granger, gained straight As in English Literature, Geography and Art in 2008. The popular actress then went to study English Literature at the highly-acclaimed Brown University in America.

Jon Snow

Acclaimed Channel 4 journalist Jon Snow had a tricky time with his A-levels. The presenter only managed to get a C in English Language and failed geography and biology completely, so decided to switch college. While he was at sixth-form college he had an affair with a librarian nearly twice his age and would sneak off into her car during his lunch breaks while studying at Scarborough Tech.

Confessing all to the Evening Standard in 2014, he explained: “I was warned off by my lecturer, who told me I was very unwise to be seen going off in the lunch hour in the librarian’s car.” He managed to “scrape a place reading Law at the University of Liverpool” but did not complete his undergraduate studies as he was expelled for his part in a 1970 anti-apartheid socialist protest. “I was really chuffed I got any A-levels at all, I was a complete dunderhead,” he once said.

Clare Balding

The famed sports broadcaster who is often seen at Wimbledon or Royal Ascot had quite the journey to the top of her profession. In her A-Levels, she did not get great results and ended up failing History and Latin, but she took two years out after school to retake the exams and perfect her interview technique, which later landed her a spot at the prestigious Cambridge University.

Deborah Meaden

Deborah Meaden is proof you don’t need the top grades to become a business tycoon. The Dragons’ Den star, who has three honorary degrees, left school at the age of 16 before doing her A-levels.

Deborah launched her first business straight out of college at the age of 19, a glass and ceramics import company, then took on the first British franchise for Italian clothing company Stefanel. She now owns a portfolio of successful businesses, splashing out a whopping £4,786,000 in the Den alone, and is worth around £40million.

Simon Cowell

The music mogul didn’t have The X Factor at school as he left early with just three O-Levels (the exams taken before the days of GCSEs). After taking a few ‘menial’ jobs, including as a runner on 1980 horror film The Shining, Simon Cowell’s dad managed to get him a role in the mail room at EMI Music Publishing.

He left after failing to get a promotion to try out other jobs, then came back and the rest as they say is history. Simon proved he Got Talent without achieving top marks.

Richard Branson

Sir Richard Branson has done quite well for himself considering he dropped out of school at 16 – and is now worth a whopping $5 billion. The Virgin boss has previously stated his belief that the key to success isn’t necessarily grades but applying strengths and focusing on goals.

Speaking on results day in 2016, Richard warned students not to get too caught up in grades and pointed out “you can reach success in spite of failed exams”. “If you didn’t get the results you were hoping for, don’t despair,” he tweeted. “There is lots more to be learned from failure than success, and if you have the will to succeed, not having a paper with A,B or C written on it isn’t going to hold you back.”

Geri Horner

Before she became a pop sensation with the Spice Girls, Geri Horner showed a particular flair for English. Ginger Spice scored an A in English Language at Camden School for Girls, but she didn’t bother with university as it was all about ‘girl power’.

Instead, Geri worked as a nightclub dancer in Majorca and became a glamour model at the age of 19.

The singer then joined the Spice Girls as they went on to become the best-selling female group of all time.

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Sheridan Smith has been left with raw emotions after filming her new ITV drama I Fought The Law following the death of her brother

Sheridan Smith was left emotionally shattered whilst filming her latest drama I Fought The Law.

The BAFTA-winning star portrays campaigner Ann Ming, whose daughter Julie was brutally killed in 1989. The role brought back painful memories of her brother’s heartbreaking death from cancer when she was merely eight years old.

She revealed: “This is the first real life story I’ve taken on since becoming a mum and there are different things I tap into now being a mother myself, especially with what Ann went through.” It comes after a Midsomer Murders star was revealed as Sheridan’s replacement in a ‘gripping’ thriller.

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“I’ve played parents that lose their kids before, and having lost my older brother, I would always think about what my mum must have gone through. While playing Ann, those feelings were much more raw to tap into.”

The programme follows Ann’s battle to overturn an 800 year old double jeopardy law in her quest for justice for her daughter. Taking on such a weighty subject matter took a devastating toll on Sheridan, reports the Daily Star.

She continued: “Whenever I play a real person, I really want to feel how they felt. I didn’t go to drama school and I haven’t been trained as an actor, so I don’t really know how to turn those feelings on and off.

“I just really try to go there emotionally. Ann was obviously in a state of angst from the minute Julie went missing, because she had that mother’s instinct, she just knew.

“And she fought and fought for justice. So she was in a state of anxiety for years, and I really tried to go there.”

Shooting I Fought The Law has proved the most challenging role Sheridan has ever undertaken. Yet she’s not grumbling because her struggles pale in comparison to what Ann experienced.

She explained: “I love playing real people because this job is all about people’s hearts and getting their stories out there, so if it causes me a few months of distress, that’s nothing.

“It’s just important for me to do Ann justice. Playing her has hit me more than any other role.

“There were some really intense days on this job, but the emotion was a fraction of what it must have felt like for Ann, so you just get on with it.”

The programme will broadcast this autumn on ITV1.

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The N-Dubz star faced the ‘year from hell’ in 2013 which led her to take desperate measures. Now she has opened up about that harrowing time in a brand new book

One of the darkest days in Tulisa Contostavlos’s life came in June 2013. It was a Friday night and she had just found out that she was being charged on suspicion of being involved with the supply of Class A drugs.

The N-Dubz star had fallen victim to a trap set by undercover reporter, Mazher Mahmood – aka the Fake Sheikh – relating to the supply of cocaine. The drugs trial eventually collapsed after the reporter was found to have lied in his evidence – but the impact of the ordeal devastated Tulisa.

It was, according to Tulisa, her “year from hell” and led her to attempt to take her own life not once, but twice. Her emotional new book, Judgement: Love, Trials, and Tribulations, opens with Tulisa sitting drunk on the floor of her bathroom after finding out that she’s going to be charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs at 11pm on a Friday.

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She’s holding a handful of pills. She doesn’t know what they are; she tries Googling but can’t get a signal. Either way, she hopes they will kill her. She swallows them two by two.

She writes: “I can’t do this anymore, I thought, not another six months of this. I just about got through the first six, but I’m not built for this. Why is this happening to me? What’s the point in being alive just to be miserable? How am I ever going to find happiness after this? Even if I’m found innocent, I’ll be empty inside by the time I get to the end of it, and my life will be ruined.”

It was her former best friend and PA Gareth Varey who found her passed out on the floor surrounded by empty packets of sleeping pills. An ambulance arrived and the star was told by the paramedics that they needed to take her to the hospital to check her over – but Tulisa refused. Instead the medics stayed until they thought it was safe to leave, instructing her family and friends to keep a constant watch on her.

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Sadly, that June night wasn’t the only time Tulisa made tragic moves to end her own life. A second incident came soon after, between her trial – which eventually collapsed – and Mahmood’s trial for tampering with her evidence. This one, she says, was ‘more definitive’.

“I felt empty inside as if all the joy had been sucked out of me and would never return. So I took a cocktail of sleeping tablets in a bid to never wake up.”

Thankfully, she had sent a slew of strange messages to friends, and her best friend Cat instantly knew something was wrong and managed to get her to unlock the front door, just before she passed out.

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“She later said when she found me that she thought I was already dead as I was seemingly blue from head to toe – she could see veins running up my neck and through my face – so she rang for an ambulance.

“Cat told me a few years later when I finally asked, and how the ambulance crew were desperately trying to keep me alive and how Cat thought I was going to die. I was in hospital for three days and when I finally came around the first thing I said was, ‘Why the fuck am I still here?!’ That moment I did remember.”

Elsewhere, Tulisa speaks openly about her turbulent childhood in a household marred by her mum’s schizoaffective illness and violence. Throughout the book – which catalogues the trauma of her drug charge and collapsed trial – she repeatedly locks herself in the bathroom, heartbreakingly explaining that it is the only place she feels safe. She reveals she slept on the bathroom floor for five days her sex tape with ex-boyfriend Justin Edwards was leaked in 2012.

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“When I was a child, the bathroom was the only room in my house with a lock. I had always locked myself in there in times of distress, whether it was because my parents were going at it like two bulls in a china shop again, or my mentally ill mother was going off the rails. It had always been my place of safety. And twenty years later, here I was: back lying on the bathroom floor. Deeprooted issues, I suppose. When the sex tape had come out, I had slept on the bathroom floor for five days.”

Tulisa also opens up about her battle with depression and her dependency on sleeping tablets and benzodiazepines, which she only managed to kick in 2024 after she ‘found her peace and faith’.

She talks candidly in the book about her sex life and romances, including her relationships with former footballer Danny Simpson, an ex named Adam, Jack O’Connell, and with an older man named Jacob, who she has had an “almost ten-year journey with that still in a way continues to this day”.

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Describing him as ‘no angel’, and their romance as ‘rocky’, she says their ‘drama’ has stopped them from settling down together.

Addressing her three and-a-half-year celibacy stint after her split from Miles, she explains that far from being extreme, she always preferred to wait until a relationship was exclusive to have sex.

Cut to present day, and Tulisa says she is forcing herself to date again in the hopes of a fresh start. But it’s not a process she enjoys, admitting she is scared to settle down. In fact, she has since frozen her eggs to give herself more time to recover from her ‘deep scars’ and to find someone she wants to ‘heal and grow with’.

She now enjoys a quiet life in Cheshire, where she can be close to her ‘soul family’, and focus on her wellbeing, spiritualism and wellness. For the past year, she has been living in her dream home, which she spent six months doing up, in a quiet countrified area in the middle of nowhere.

Elsewhere, Tulisa reveals how she blew her chances of appearing on another series of the X Factor because she was so occupied with chasing the Fake Sheikh’s false movie deal, and speaks about her decision to go to ground after her appearance on I’m A Celebrity, admitting she felt entirely overwhelmed by the situation after time out of the spotlight.

She also recounts in harrowing detail the moment she was confronted by a strange man in a dark park alone, describing it as “every woman’s worst nightmare”.