Dani Dyer replacement announcement – the Strictly solution that’s stumping bosses

According to insiders, the regulations will be changed to allow a newcomer to participate fairly in the show.

With two days to go until Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show, BBC bosses are pulling out all the stops to find a replacement for poor Dani Dyer, who was forced to quit after breaking her ankle. But insiders are saying that if there is a celebrity out there who is happy to take the plunge – they will not be taking part in this week’s launch show.

One source told me, “It just wouldn’t be fair.” That wouldn’t give me enough time to learn the procedures, so any replacement signings would begin the week after that.

Of course, they are super keen to get the celebrity numbers back up to 15, because anything less than that makes the numbers all wrong for the final. In an ideal world, there are four couples competing in the final. There have been years with just three, and a particularly tricky one with just two, in 2021. This happened after Robert Webb was ruled out by a doctor after three weeks because of his heart condition – meaning there would be just three in the final – and then AJ Odudu injured her ankle a few days before the final and had to quit (tearfully).

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Producers are therefore desperate to keep as many stars on the floor as possible because they are aware that some may experience health issues at some point. In 2025, they have already experienced more than their fair share of bad luck, with Dani breaking her ankle during training a week prior and Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn withdrawing due to “stress and grief” in August. Before even one live dance step was performed.

Whoever is chosen will likely have a full week of rehearsals before dancing in front of an audience in week two, in front of an audience, in the studio. Why does it take so long to announce Dani’s replacement? Contrary to popular belief, celebrities are not just waiting for the call to be made.

Those who join late, as Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope has already done as Kristian’s replacement, are celebs who have had conversations previously about taking part, but haven’t been signed up this year for one reason or another. Now they need to be persuaded that 2025 actually IS the best time for them to get with the sequins after all, and some might be understandably nervous to have missed out on the early training that the rest of the group has had.

According to one source, “Those conversations must take place to determine whether people are still available for other work.” They must then “get their head around it.”

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In previous years, latecomers have proved that they are not at an automatic disadvantage – no way! You only have to look at soap star Kelvin Fletcher, who was drafted in to replace crocked Jamie Laing, to see that if you’re good, you’re good, and a few days of extra training either way isn’t going to change that. He went on to win, and that could also happen for the incoming mystery person!

Before the weekend is over, my money is on the 15th celebrity to be announced.

Celebrity chef Rick Stein’s restaurant set to close five years after it was saved from going under

Five years after the restaurant was saved from bankruptcy, a huge celebrity chef and BBC icon will have to close the doors.

Marlborough residents are saying goodbye to a swanky restaurant belonging to a celebrity chef and BBC icon. This comes only five years after the restaurant celebrated being saved from closure by a rent reduction.

Rick Stein has multiple restaurants in the UK and Australia. One such eatery, located in a Grade II listed building in Marlborough, Wiltshire, is set to go under. The restaurant chain have said they hope a closure can be avoided but are considering shutting the site down for good following poor performance.

We are recommending the closing of our Marlborough restaurant, and we are consulting with the team to see if this can be avoided, according to a restaurant spokesperson. Our other restaurants and rooms continue to sell well, but this particular website hasn’t provided the same level of revenue.

This might be a familiar tale for many Rick Stein Marlborough employees. 39 of the same restaurant’s employees were given notice five years ago, but the same restaurant only agreed to give them their jobs back after a 25% rent reduction.

I had given in to losing the restaurant and our wonderful staff, and Rick said, “I’m delighted that our landlord in Marlborough made such a generous offer,” and I’m so happy that the restaurant can reopen.

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With his ex-wife Jill, his children Jack, Charlie, and Ed, Rick co-owns the restaurant chain. Jill stated: “I think it is such a wonderful site in a beautiful market town.” She continued to claim that she felt “relieved” to reopen.

The restaurant remained struggling despite the rent reduction. Stein’s Trading Limited and his restaurant in Padstow both reported losses in accounts filed with Companies House on September 23.

Rick’s restaurants are not the only ones to be suffering. Last month, Channel 4 chef Dom Taylor announced he is closing his Caribbean restaurant, Marvee’s Food Shop, due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

There are a lot of TV credits for the chef. In Keith Floyd’s 1985 television series Floyd on Fish, he first made his first guest appearance on screen, and he later received the opportunity to present his own series, which included Rick Stein’s Taste of the Sea and Food Heroes.

He was also the author of several cookbooks and received an OBE in 2003. 2018 saw the release of a CBE for services to the economy.

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Royal expert raises fears for Archie and Lilibet as Prince Harry deals with ‘baggage’

A royal expert has claimed that the Duke of Sussex’s emotional past and the turbulent relationship with the royal family could spell issues for his two children as they grow up

A royal expert has claimed that Prince Harry’s “emotional baggage” could impact Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as they grow up.

After years of public jabs and a very turbulent relationship, the Duke of Sussex met with his father King Charles for a 55 minute private tea during his recent trip to the UK.

While the meeting was reportedly a success and many are hoping their reunion could be the first steps towards a royal reconciliation, others have claimed that there is much more work that needs to be done between Prince Harry and the Firm to truly mend their rift.

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Harry and Meghan Markle quit their royal duties in 2020 and relocated to California, and while their drastic decision changed the face of the royal family, one royal expert also believes their physical distance from the UK will be impacting their children.

Royal commentator Hugo Vickers told The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show that by Archie and Lilibet not knowing the royal family, they will one day start to wonder how their family’s relationships fell apart.

He said: “I also worry about the children because there’s going to come a point when they’re going to say, why haven’t I met my grandfather on either side? And so [Harry is] storing up a lot of, you know, emotional problems for them, I think.”

Vickers continued: “If I was being brought up in California, and I suddenly discovered that my first cousin was likely to be king one day, I would like to get to know him, obviously.”

The royal expert also previously raised questions over the youngster’s life in America now, and how their relationship with their estranged family may evolve over time.

He said: “One day, as they grow up, they’re going to get irritated by having had the backs of their heads photographed and used for promotion, and never having met their grandfathers, either side. Not Mr. Markle, nor the King. So it’s not a very good situation, frankly.”

The commentator said that while Harry and Charles’ brief reunion is definitely a step in the right direction for the estranged father and son to reunite, there is an apology needed from Prince Harry to truly mend the bridge.

He also said that the Duke constantly being compared to his brother Prince William is “counterproductive” when hoping for a reconciliation within the royal family.

Vickers said: “Everything that Prince Harry does gets an undue amount of attention. And, even when he was over here, people were comparing the engagements that he was doing with what Prince of Wales and Catherine were doing.

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“And it’s very counterproductive. But having said that, you know, I’m all for him reconciling with his father because he carries a lot of emotional baggage around with him anyway, the death of his mother. He should be apologising to [the King] and let’s hope he did.”

Emma Bunton is ‘ageing backwards’ in flattering cherry-toned top that cinches her waist

Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton has been praised for ‘ageing backwards’ as she poses in a flattering waist-cinching cherry red top – and it’s still available to shop in all sizes

Whether you were around in the 90s or not, the eternal power of the Spice Girls is hard to ignore, which is why former Baby Spice Emma Bunton still has legions of fans flocking to her for style inspiration. In a recent post on her Instagram, fans couldn’t get over how youthful she looked, with one follower asking: “Are you aging backwards” whilst another added: “Yeah definitely called Baby Spice for a reason. Still looks so young.”

Others, however, were desperate for details on her outfit, with one asking: “Love the top in the 3rd pic. Anyone know where it’s from?” Thankfully for fans of her look, we’ve tracked down her exact waist-cinching top, which is the Clare Blouse in shade Berry Business from Damson Madder.

READ MORE: Boden’s updated version of Kate Middleton’s scallop-trim top is on sale for £40

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The Clare Blouse is one of those wardrobe staples that you can reach for time and time again, and works just as easily for the office as it does for a dinner date or a day out with friends. Not only does it cinch in your waist for a flattering fit, but its stripe pattern and button up front make it just as wearable as your favourite button down shirt.

It’s made from 100% organic cotton which allows it to hold its crisp shape and silhouette whilst still being breathable and comfortable, so you can wear it all year round. Rather than a collar, it has a square neckline which suits a range of bust sizes, and a longline fit which flares out over the hips for a flattering fit.

To add to the figure-enhancing shape, the Clare Blouse has an adjustable tie belt at the waist. You can fasten it at either the front or the back to cinch in your figure, or you can remove the belt entirely for a more relaxed look.

It’s currently still in stock in sizes six to 20, and priced at £70 on the Damson Madder website. We did also track down several other great alternatives, including the slightly cheaper Charlize Blouse which is also available from Damson Madder for £65.

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Elsewhere, the Topshop Asymmetric Placket Waisted Cinched Shirt is £38 at ASOS, and comes in a burgundy and pale blue stripe print, with a cinched in waist design. For something a little different, Omnes’ Kaloppe Top in Stripe is £59 and swaps the shirt style for a shirred bodice with voluminous sleeves for a flattering fit.

Boden’s updated version of Kate Middleton’s scallop-trim top is on sale for £40

The pink scallop top from Boden has been updated for autumn 2025, and Princess Kate is a well-known fan. It also recently went on sale for less than £40.

Kate Middleton is renowned for her love of tying high-end items with designer goods when it comes to fashion. And she adores Boden, a high-end brand.

The Princess of Wales has worn many pieces from the brand over the years, and one of our favourite items of hers is her pink knit top with a playful scallop neckline. Whilst Princess Kate ’s exact knit has long since sold out (she wore it back in 2021), Boden has launched a new, updated version of the knit – and it’s currently on sale.

READ MORE: With a 40% discount on some of Boden’s best knitwear, Princess Kate-inspired pieces are currently available.

READ MORE: White Stuff’s £150 quilted autumn coat is slashed to £75. It is light, lightweight, and very cozy.

The Melina Cotton Ruffle Jumper, which was previously priced at £79, has now been reduced to £39.50, saving you almost £40. Similar details to Princess Kate’s knit are included in the jumper, but with a twist to reflect the jumper’s style for the fall of 2025.

The jumper has scallop details that give it that playful edge, just like Kate’s, and is available in a dusky pink color. The main difference is that the scallop trim is placed down in a crew neck style on the new and updated jumper rather than standing up in a high neck design like Princess Kate did. The scallop trim extends to the cuffs, which have a gathered detail around the wrists to create a blouson sleeve.

The Melina Cotton Ruffle Jumper is a perfect layering piece for autumn, and a must-have for the in-between weather when it’s too cold for a T-shirt but too warm for a proper chunk knit. The lightweight material keeps you warm without being too hot, and is made from 85% cotton and 15% wool which balances warmth and breathability perfectly.

It also has a relaxed, straight fit that is comfortable to wear over and under other clothing without being too tight or slim fitting, and it can be worn with anything from jeans to midi skirts and wide leggings. There is only one review right now that praises “Love it.” Want to wear black as well.

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This Laura Ashley Dusty Rose Scallop Cardigan, which costs $42 at Next, is another excellent option for the fall, along with a number of other options available on the high street. House of Bruar has its Ladies Merino &amp, Cashmere Ruffle Neck Jumper available in nine different colors for just £49.95, down from £79.95, on sale now.

Netflix fans drool over shirtless Nicholas Chavez as he revives retro Nike trainers

Fans are drooling over Nicolas Alexander Chavez because of his outstanding work on films that transcend the screen.

Nicholas Alexander Chavez has made a sizzling entrance into high fashion, swapping big screens for bold style as he strikes a pose for Jacquemus.

Fans were left drooling as Nicholas stripped off for a photoshoot to mark a collaboration between the high-end brand and iconic sportswear brand Nike. The actor appeared sweaty and topless with a pair of ‘Moon Shoes’, promoting the return of the legendary trainers.

Fans praised the actor for his good looks in the comments section, which was naturally flooded with them. One fan said, “I never even say a show until I read the comments,” while another, who followed, “Does he come with the shoe?”

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A third fan simply stated, “Heartthrob right there,” before adding, “Don’t ask me for anything’s color.” In other words, Nicholas is always the subject of conversation online.

The list of famous people who have collaborated with the Jacquemus now includes Bad Bunny, Sha-Carri Richardson, Kendall Jenner, Bella and Gigi Hadid, Imaan Hammam, Jennie Kim, and others.

Fans first fell for the actor during his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital, which earned him a Daytime Emmy, skyrocketing his fame as one to watch out. Since then, he has featured in other projects such as Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

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What exactly are “Moon Shoes”?

Priced at £165, the Jacquemus + Nike Moon Shoe is available in three different colours: Off Noir, Alabaster, and University Red. Originally built by Bull Bowerman in 1972 with only a limited number made for the Olympic Trials, it will now make its comeback in a more fashionable twist.

Leather accents, recycled outsole, and rubbed nylon uppers are more prevalent in the new version. On September 29, 2025, it will be accessible via their website, which will then be able to be purchased through selected physical Nike stores as well. You better act quickly before they leave your hands because of the hype, which is expected to sell out quickly.

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