Category Entertainment News

Rivals star Alex Hassell has revealed that Dame Jilly Cooper visited the set of series two just days before she died, aged 88, earlier this month

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Jilly Cooper visited the set of Rivals just days before she died. The writer, who died aged 88 earlier this month, was the author of the bonkbuster novel that the beloved show is based on.

The 2024 drama, Rivals, premiered on Disney Plus to great acclaim and saw Alex Hassell in the lead role of Rupert Campbell-Black, a Tory politician and former Olympic showjumper who goes head to head with David Tennant’s tyrannical network TV boss, Tony Baddingham.

Jilly wrote the original novel in the 1980s. Production on series two, which follows the second half of the book, began earlier this year and, according to Alex, Jilly was able to see the set before she died on 5 October.

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Alex told Metro: “We’re all devastated. She was on set just the week before and, obviously, her voice and her character and her sense of creativity were such a huge driving force of the show in terms of the source material.

” She would okay everything, or we would hear that things have changed because she didn’t think that certain things characters do are quite right or representative of her view of the characters. But we also really want to honour her and try and do our best to keep making the show as good as possible. “

He also teased info about series two and said it was” bigger””, funnier “and” darker “than the last”. And really, season two is so much]more] interesting because it’s bigger, it’s funnier, it’s darker, it’s more serious, it’s more challenging. It’s brighter as well, it’s wilder. It’s everything pulled into it, every dimension. “

At the time of her death, Alex posted a sweet tribute to Jilly and revealed what she thought of the first few episodes ‘ scripts. He posted a picture of himself kissing the author on the cheek.

He wrote, “So sorry to have lost our wonderful Jilly,” in the caption. I’m so incredibly appreciative of getting to know her. My life was completely altered by this magical woman.

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She was such a generous spirited person to be around, aside from the incredible wealth of joy, comfort, and excitement her writing has provided to so many.

She portrayed her hero Rupert in a way that was so kind and encouraging to me. I’m so happy I saw her on the other day, and she reportedly said she was proud of me last time.

“Gorgeous and considerate of every need. She will be greatly missed. We’ll do everything in our power to honor her. At this difficult time, my thoughts are with her family and loved ones.

The Rutshire Chronicles, a collection of books that follow the scandalous behavior of the upper classes in bedrooms, was Jilly’s best work. The second book is called Riders, the first one to follow showjumpers and feature Rupert as the villain.

The Great British Bake Off judge Pru Leith has partnered with cult favourite brand House of Sunny for Innocent Smoothies’ Big Knit campaign – and you can win her fruity knitwear

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This autumn sees the return of Innocent Smoothies’ Big Knit campaign, and this year it’s been given a fashion makeover. Fronted by The Great British Bake Off star Pru Leith and modelled by knitters from Age UK, this year’s campaign has teamed up with cult favourite fashion brand House of Sunny to launch five limited edition knits inspired by fruits from Innocent’s smoothies.

The jumpers and cardigans are done in House of Sunny’s signature playful and colourful style, and feature fruity motifs on the front. And as of tomorrow October 22, the knitwear collection is available for people to win via giveaways on Innocent’s website and Instagram account.

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Prue said “I’m delighted to be part of this campaign. The Big Knit has always been about more than little hats, it’s about helping Age UK support older people to live well. Now, it has been taken to a whole new, fruity level, with a fabulous fashion collection that’s colourful and fun.”

If you’re not familiar with the Big Knit campaign, it’s been running since 2003 and has helped raise over £3.6 million to help support older people across the UK. The campaign is done in partnership with Age UK, where tiny hats are hand-knitted for innocent smoothie bottles, and for every bottle sold, 30p goes to supporting older people to live well.

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Whilst the campaign usually just stretches to adorable knitted hats for your Innocent smoothies, this year it’s taken it one step further with the fruity knitwear for you to win – and wear. There are five designs to choose from; strawberry, cherry, mango, lemon and pineapple, and they come in either crew neck jumper or collared cardigan designs.

To win one of the knitwear pieces, you can head to Innocent’s website and Instagram account from tomorrow (October 22) at 10am to find out more and enter into the draw. Further drops will be launched on October 24, 28 and 31, and November 4.

The competition will close at 11:59pm Wednesday 5 November with winners drawn shortly after that, so there’s plenty of opportunities for you to enter and be in with the chance of winning. There’ll be 450 cardigans available to win with 150 strawberry designs, 150 cherry designs, and 150 with a lemon design, and 300 jumpers to win, with 150 pineapple designs, and 150 with a mango design.

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When the draws are live, you just follow the link, enter your name, email and dress size (S-M/M-L), in a secured form to be in with a chance of winning. You’ll also have the opportunity to add a donation to Age UK when you enter, so you can help give back to the charity’s work whilst being in with the chance of nabbing some knitwear.

As well as donating online, you can also contribute to the Age UK Bit Knit campaign when you pick up one of Innocent’s smoothies with one of 1.3 million knitted and crochet hats on top. They’ve already hit Sainsbury’s and Co-op stores nationwide, so keep an eye out next time you do your food shop.

Lily Allen and David Harbour tied the knot in 2020, and they eventually quietly parted ways in 2024.

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Lily Allen has hinted she wasn’t given any answers when she learned of ex-husband David Harbour’s infidelity. The Alfie singer, 40, and Stranger Things actor David began dating in 2019 before they tied the knot in a Las Vegas ceremony in 2020.

After four years together, they quietly went their separate ways towards the end of 2024, with their separation confirmed earlier this year. The singer, who is gearing up to release an album, has since spoken candidly about her split from the actor, 50, and its impact on her and her children.

After revealing that David had a secret profile on the celebrity dating app Raya, Lily revealed she had become suicidal after their four-year union ended in December.

READ MORE: Lily Allen offers olive branch to ex David Harbour after affair heartache: ‘We all suffer’READ MORE: Lily Allen admits she ‘wanted to die’ and almost relapsed after David Harbour affair heartache

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In an interview prior to the release of her album West End Girl, Lily claimed she had to add more details about their relationship.

She continued, “There are definitely some things that happened in my real life that are reflected on this record,” noting how the dating scene becomes more difficult as she reaches her 40s.

“It’s bitterly disappointing,” she explained to Perfect Magazine. “There’s an element of humiliation and shame around it. The world doesn’t portray women of my age as being desirable.”

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She continued, “Really confusing,” because she “didn’t actually know” what was happening in her life.

“So there are a number of joining dots, like. Your brain is full of endless questions when you aren’t given any answers, Lily continued.

She also created a profile after David reportedly joined Raya, posing as someone “looking for women,” and discovered that David had already created a profile, which put her in “agony.”

Following the devastating split, the star has since agreed to pay £8, 000 per week for trauma treatment at a report.

Despite her difficulties, Lily also revealed to British Vogue that she “came close to relapsing on drink and drugs and developed a really, really bad problem with food.”

She acknowledged that over the past few years, she’s had real issues with her diet. It got really, really bad in the middle of the breakup.

The singer described how overwhelming the despair was after six years of sobriety. I was experiencing “so much desperation.” It was agonizing to sit with those feelings and choose not to use them because I last experienced them when I felt anything like that.

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Jackie Apostel, who turns 30 today, has revealed how she met and fell in love with her 20-year-old musician boyfriend Cruz Beckham.

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Cruz Beckham’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel has revealed how she met and feel in love with the youngest Beckham son. The songwriter, who turned 30 earlier this month, is a whole decade older than Cruz.

Jackie and Cruz’s relationship has become quite well-known in recent months as she has been photographed with her boyfriend and his well-known parents at various events. Since their first public appearance in June 2024, the relationship has steadily grown.

She has now revealed that she met the youngest son of David and Victoria Beckham while working on his music in a recording studio. Taking to Instagram ahead of the music’s release, she posted a story directed at Cruz.

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5 images to be viewed

5 images to be viewed

We first met when our managers put some songs together in the studio, Jackie wrote next to the picture of the song’s artwork. You had been working on your own project for years, according to what I’ve heard, and you’ve started to shift a little, finding yourself.

I entered without knowing what to expect and instead went in with an open mind. I knew you were an incredible musician, but I was also aware that you would never stop loving it, irrespective of what other people thought.

You’ve finally found who you want to be right now and are finally ready to share it, and this is just a fun little warm-up, according to the statement “you’ve gone out and found who you want to be right now” and that friendship became us.” I’m assuming you’re all prepared for what will come next.

She said, “@cruzbeckham, I am so proud of you. I adore your accomplishments. I’ve always been your biggest fan. You are my love.

5 images to be viewed

5 images to be viewed

Cruz has been making social media hints at a music career for months, and his debut single, Optics/Lick The Frog, will be released on October 24.

His first performance to date was recently at a show in East London. Additionally, Jackie received audience a congratulatory note for her boyfriend. She continued, “unannounced, just working on his craft, doing his little thing, having fun, learning, preparing, and all HIS songs made by HIM, sang by HIM, absolutely smashing it, I love you,” in a statement released after the performance.

This came shortly after Jackie felt the need to defend the age-gap between her and her boyfriend. A few weeks ago, when Jackie was still 29, someone commented on her Instagram post of Paris Fashion Week: “Why is a 29 year old dating a 20. That’s just weird. I’m talking about Jackie dating Cruz.”

Because of her boyfriend, Jackie responded with “kind, funny, smart, caring, driven, mature, talented, loyal, and also quite handsome” and “because he’s funny, smart, smart, caring, and also quite handsome.”

On 18 October, metal band Limp Bizkit announced their bassist and founding member Sam Rivers had died at the age of 48, and now new details about what happened have emerged

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New details about the death of Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers have emerged. The musician, who was described as “pure magic” by his bandmates, died on Saturday 18 October.

A cause of death has yet to be revealed but a spokesperson for the St. Johns County department of the Florida Fire Rescue has revealed new details.

They told the press that they responded to a call for a “non-responsive person in cardiac arrest” on Saturday and that deputies “responded to an attended death” at the same address.

READ MORE: Limp Bizkit star Sam Rivers’ final photos revealed before tragic death aged 48READ MORE: Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers dead: Band pays emotional tribute to ‘true legend’

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An ‘attended death’ is the term used to describe a situation where the person who has died was receiving medical care for a serious or life-threatening illness that was expected to lead to death in a short period of time, most likely days or months rather than years.

As of yet, it is unknown what illness Rivers may have had. The bassist was one of the founding members of metal band Limp Bizkit when it formed in 1994.

Rivers’ bandmates, Fred Durst, John Otto, Wes Borland and DJ Lethal, announced the death with an emotional statement. They wrote: “‘In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers. Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat.

“Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound. From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous.

“We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there.” They added that he was a “once-in-a-lifetime kind of human” and a “true legend”.

The statement ended with a promise that Rivers’ spirit would live on. “And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory. We love you, Sam. We’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends. — Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal.”

Limp Bizkit was formed after Rivers met Durst while they both worked in a Chick-Fil-A. Their first drummer was Otto and Borland and Lethal joined the band two years later. Their debut album, titled Three Dolla Bill, Y’all, was released in 1997.

By 2006, the band was on a hiatus, but they reunited in 2009. They have received three Grammy nominations, including Best Rock Album.

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Rivers left the band in 2015 and rejoined in 2018. After he rejoined, he revealed that his absence was due to a battle with liver disease. “I got liver disease from excessive drinking,” he shared in a book written by rock writer Jon Wiederhorn.

“I had to leave Limp Bizkit in 2015 because I felt so horrible, and a few months after that I realized I had to change everything because I had really bad liver disease.”

He added that he had to have a liver transplant. “I quit drinking and did everything the doctors told me. I got treatment for the alcohol and got a liver transplant, which was a perfect match.”

But, sadly, Rivers’ home life “got so bad” he started drinking again, to the extent that he got a warning from doctors. “‘It got so bad I had to go to UCLA Hospital and the doctor said, ‘If you don’t stop, you’re going to die. And right now, you’re looking like you need a new liver.'”

If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk

On 18 October, metal band Limp Bizkit announced their bassist and founding member Sam Rivers had died at the age of 48, and now new details about what happened have emerged

View 3 Images

New details about the death of Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers have emerged. The musician, who was described as “pure magic” by his bandmates, died on Saturday 18 October.

A cause of death has yet to be revealed but a spokesperson for the St. Johns County department of the Florida Fire Rescue has revealed new details.

They told the press that they responded to a call for a “non-responsive person in cardiac arrest” on Saturday and that deputies “responded to an attended death” at the same address.

READ MORE: Limp Bizkit star Sam Rivers’ final photos revealed before tragic death aged 48READ MORE: Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers dead: Band pays emotional tribute to ‘true legend’

View 3 Images

An ‘attended death’ is the term used to describe a situation where the person who has died was receiving medical care for a serious or life-threatening illness that was expected to lead to death in a short period of time, most likely days or months rather than years.

As of yet, it is unknown what illness Rivers may have had. The bassist was one of the founding members of metal band Limp Bizkit when it formed in 1994.

Rivers’ bandmates, Fred Durst, John Otto, Wes Borland and DJ Lethal, announced the death with an emotional statement. They wrote: “‘In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers. Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat.

“Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound. From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous.

“We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there.” They added that he was a “once-in-a-lifetime kind of human” and a “true legend”.

The statement ended with a promise that Rivers’ spirit would live on. “And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory. We love you, Sam. We’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends. — Fred, Wes, John & DJ Lethal.”

Limp Bizkit was formed after Rivers met Durst while they both worked in a Chick-Fil-A. Their first drummer was Otto and Borland and Lethal joined the band two years later. Their debut album, titled Three Dolla Bill, Y’all, was released in 1997.

By 2006, the band was on a hiatus, but they reunited in 2009. They have received three Grammy nominations, including Best Rock Album.

View 3 Images

Rivers left the band in 2015 and rejoined in 2018. After he rejoined, he revealed that his absence was due to a battle with liver disease. “I got liver disease from excessive drinking,” he shared in a book written by rock writer Jon Wiederhorn.

“I had to leave Limp Bizkit in 2015 because I felt so horrible, and a few months after that I realized I had to change everything because I had really bad liver disease.”

He added that he had to have a liver transplant. “I quit drinking and did everything the doctors told me. I got treatment for the alcohol and got a liver transplant, which was a perfect match.”

But, sadly, Rivers’ home life “got so bad” he started drinking again, to the extent that he got a warning from doctors. “‘It got so bad I had to go to UCLA Hospital and the doctor said, ‘If you don’t stop, you’re going to die. And right now, you’re looking like you need a new liver.'”

If you are struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction, advice and support can be found at alcoholchange.org.uk