The former BBC Radio Sheffield presenter, who had enjoyed a 50-year career in the field, passed away on Friday with his wife Christine by his side. He is said to have had some health before he passed away.
The “true legend of local broadcasting,” according to Katrina Bunker, the head of BBC Yorkshire. She remarked, “Gerry was a true legend of local broadcasting, who began his career in 1968 as one of the first voices on BBC Radio Sheffield.”
With his paintings in exhibitions and a love of performing in theaters, Gerry launched his radio career. He had an “alarmingly unbalanced life” in a 2018 interview with the Sheffield Star due to juggling two jobs in the 1970s: his radio career and his advertising work.
His father worked for 39 years at Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield, which has since replaced his previous job, which was a gigantic steelworks site. As a wages clerk for the company for four years, Gerald spent a lot of time wandering through the rolling mills and furnaces.
He claimed to The Star in 2022 that the air was filled with chemicals, hot, sticky, dark, and dangerous, but it also had a magnificent stage with molten steel, sparks, and tough fit men manipulating massive forgings and machinery.
With my wife’s full support, Gerry said, “I would take it on and see what I could do, despite the fact that it was only earning £12 per week.”
The radio personality of Gerry gained notoriety on BBC Radio Sheffield and independent station Radio Hallam as a result.
His former co-stars have since expressed their gratitude to the “super talented” broadcaster, with football reporter Alan Biggs tweeting: “Radio listeners in Sheffield will mourn Gerry Kersey’s passing. Gerald was a staple of both Radio Sheffield and Radio Hallam (where I was fortunate to work with the kindest bloke). Super talented, as well as being an actor and artist. Thinking about Gerry’s family and numerous friends.
He continued, “Not just in Sheffield. If more characters were permitted for the post, I would have said South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire. Some wonderful, sincere, and sincere words that Gerry’s family will surely appreciate.
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We look back at the premature end to the Bodyguard actress’ life after selling more than 170 million albums and winning six Grammys.
The star was found with multiple drugs in her system(Image: Getty Images)
Whitney Houston was once the dazzling star of pop music, but her life was in ruins.
The How Will I Know singer was just 48 when she died, after battling drug addiction for decades. Despite entering rehab on numerous occasions, Whitney had been unable to break free from the addictive substances that shaped her life.
Shockingly, the star earned £76 million over the years but by the time of her death in 2012, her fortune was all gone. We take a look back at the final days that marked a tragic end to Whitney’s once glittering career…
READ MORE: Whitney Houston’s bodyguard reveals he almost ‘gave up everything’ to be her lover
Whitney and Kevin Costner proved an irresistible combination in The Bodyguard(Image: Daily Record)
The singer from New Jersey was unmatched in her ability, but after marrying Bobby Brown in 1992, her drug use grew even more severe. The same year, Whitney made her big-hitting debut with The Bodyguard.
She admitted to spending seven months in her pyjamas, sitting on the sofa, and taking crack cocaine, “after The Bodyguard it started getting heavy – cocaine, marijuana.” You are residing with the same person as them while you are seated next to them, and you haven’t said a word in a week. And you simply sit there watching TV. That’s awful, she said.
I had completely forgotten about that life when I stopped thinking about singing. By that point, I was running out of money.
In 2004, Whitney failed again the following year after only five days of rehab. She admitted to Oprah that she was drug-free in 2010, but that year she canceled a number of her planned gigs in the UK and America due to ill health.
By 2011 Whitney was recovering from surgery, and she was scheduled to perform a comeback at the Grammys in Los Angeles a few days prior to the ceremony. Whitney reportedly appeared “dishevelled” and “erratic,” and was spotted waving her arms around while navigating the Beverly Hilton hotel while donning wet hair.
The troubled star looks dishevelled in court for her husband’s court appearance in 2002(Image: Getty Images)
The singer made her final public appearance on February 9th, when she sang Jesus Loves Me while Kelly Price was playing the song. She had her daughter Bobbi and her family at the hotel for breakfast on July 11; according to sources, she later retired to Suite 434 and took some Xanax before Clive Davis’ party, which she was scheduled to attend that evening.
After nights of heavy drinking, a source told Radar Online, “She frequently took anti-anxiety medications to help her sleep.” She also used them to ease her nerves before big events.
Whitney apparently then called her cousin, singer Dionne Warwick, to discuss seating arrangements for the evening, followed by another call from her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, who the magazine described as “joy and upbeat.”
She is said to have told her assistant that she had a sore throat and was going to take a bath before the pre-Grammys bash.
The troubled actress then reportedly demanded more room service and a burger and fries while taking a bath. Along with a gravy boat of olive oil, she brought a turkey sandwich and some jalapeno peppers into the bathroom to presumably make her skin softer.
The singer’s daughter died in the same way just three years after her mother(Image: Getty Images)
Her bodyguards, according to the report, audibly audible her singing in the bathtub. However, they realized she had been quiet for some time just before 3 p.m.
When one guard knocked on the door and found Whitney face down in the bathtub, there was no response. Therefore, he opened the door and discovered her. The iconic singer was declared dead at the scene by paramedics who attempted to perform CPR.
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According to toxicology reports, Whitney’s system contained a mixture of cocaine, cannabis, Xanax, Benadryl, and Flexeril. The Bodyguard actress’s autopsy revealed that her heart condition had advanced to the point where it was 60% blocked in one artery.
Whitney’s death was described as an accidental drowning brought on by heart disease and cocaine use. Her daughter Bobbi Kristina and Brown both had similar experiences just three years later, historically speaking. After consuming drugs and alcohol, Bobbi was just 22 when she was discovered unconscious in a bathtub at home.
Roxanne Hoyle, best known as LadBaby Mum, spoke to the Mirror about her life’s impact as a child with a learning disability.
Roxanne Hoyle spoke to the Mirror about being dyslexic and parenting recently(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Roxanne Hoyle, better known as LadBaby Mum, has shared that she has a determination to succeed after having felt “embarrassed” over a learning difficulty that led to teachers writing her off at school. Now a best-selling author, she wants to inspire others and raise awareness over dyslexia.
The content creator, 41, rose to fame with her husband Mark Hoyle, 38, known as LadBaby, on social media, before taking the charts by storm with five Christmas Number 1 singles. The couple, who have a nine-year-old and a seven-year-old, have also released several children’s books together.
Over the years, fans have been given insights into their lives, with both Roxanne and Mark having previously spoken about being dyslexic. The NHS suggests that up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia, described as a “learning difficulty” that primarily affects reading, writing and spelling. It adds that intelligence isn’t affected.
Ahead of releasing their latest book, Greg the Sausage Roll: Dinosaur Adventure, Roxanne recently spoke to the Mirror about her experience with dyslexia. She opened up about her time at school and life now as a neurodiverse parent.
She described herself as “lucky” for having supportive parents, but said it was “confusing” and “very challenging” in light of the impact she had as a child. She said that they were “very positive” and considered it “a gift”.
Roxanne recalled that they “didn’t kind of pay attention to what other people said.” They tried to challenge me, but they succeeded… I never felt like I was different. In some areas, all I was encouraged in was. Very early on. Like, my sister was very academic, but I was very creative, so my parents kind of both embraced us”.
LadBaby Mum, Roxanne Hoyle, has opened up about her diagnosis of dyslexia.
She continued, “I recall it being very difficult at school, like never fully comprehend, never fully read, never fully supported, or even people not understanding how to support me.” […] Nobody was kind of educated about it. Nobody, in my opinion, was. I wasn’t even very aware of it until much later when I started working.
Roxanne said that growing up she learned through song, visuals and movements. She gave an example of her efforts, saying, “My dad wants to play the guitar in the solar systems to basically pass an exam.”
She said, “I knew how to get information into me once I had a way or I knew my type of dyslexia.” Roxanne, who said that understanding ways that you retain information is life-changing, added: “Once I knew song or movement can trigger my memory, then my exams… I mean, I just went through my GCSEs and received A*s and Cs, and my teachers have to say that because she can’t retain anything, she won’t pass.
Given that she has since achieved success, including as an author, she responded, “It’s very overwhelming because I think back when I was younger you’re told… and it’s their fault, but you’re told it’s this way and it has to be done a certain way.” I was told I would never be an author”. I mean, let’s be honest with you, I never imagined I’d become one. Because words on a page make me want to cry, I never had a dream of being one.
Roxanne, who’s released a number of books with Mark, went on to discuss how she works on the material. We don’t have to type in a room, she said. We draw and voice-record everything. She said: “You don’t have to do it the way that it’s set on paper and been set for years”.
She also praised Puffin as a producer for recording the subsequent audiobooks. She stated, “They print the entire book on yellow acetate for me so that I can read it more quickly and with support.”
She’s become a best-selling author with her husband Mark Hoyle in recent years, which has proved ‘overwhelming’ given her experience at school(Image: Rob Smalley)
Roxanne said that many children have found their books to be “really inspiring,” adding that “it’s quite something that inspires them because back when I was younger, I wouldn’t even say that I was dyslexic out loud because people looked at you differently, talked to you differently, or talked to you like you didn’t understand anything.” And that is completely false!”
When asked if the way those with dyslexia are perceived and treated has given her determination to thrive, she said: “Yeah, I feel like I am driven to achieve or to just… For people with neurodiverse brains, I want to promote things. I want to “place” the spark, the fire, and the joy in the air.” She added: “You have to have a fire with this because y’know otherwise what’s the point? You must continue to advance.
She urged others to “embrace” the condition like she has. She told us recently: “A lot of successful people are dyslexic and you can identify things in the world that aren’t necessarily there for a neurotypical brain”.
Roxanne said, “It can be a gift, but I think it’s very difficult when you’re living it.” Anyone who has gone through the neurodiverse experience would say it’s challenging. She said: “You just have to constantly educate people, challenge people, prove your worth, when realistically like why”?
She stated that using her platform, she makes every effort to raise awareness. She continued, “I try to inspire, to demonstrate that it’s okay to laugh, to joke, to be creative, through video, books, or to be creative, whatever it is.” I do my best”.
Roxanne admitted to having some issues with homework at times while talking about parenting. She said she enjoys being a part of her son’s education. She continued, “I’m not embarrassed of it any more. I’ll go ‘ I’m really sorry, mummy doesn’t know that one, maybe let’s work it out together’. And it turns out to be a lot of fun for us.
Content creator Roxanne told the Mirror that she’s ‘driven to achieve’ and wants to inspire others(Image: Rob Smalley)
Addressing reading to her own kids and at events for young fans, she stressed the importance of showing that its “alright to go wrong”. She said, “If you go wrong, it’s gonna be okay because you’ll get it right eventually,” and I think it’s really important to show those errors so that younger children can see that nothing wrongs them.” And you can handle it.
In the interview earlier this month, Roxanne also spoke about navigating the summer holidays, saying that there’s “a lot of pressure” on parents nowadays to keep their kids entertained. She said, “It’s acceptable for them to be bored.” They may experience downtime and refrain from doing anything.
“Six weeks is a very long time, especially for neurodiverse parents who can’t always y’know cater to needs and routines”, she said, adding: “Don’t be so hard on yourself”. She continued, “Sometimes kids just really enjoy just simple things like a picnic tea,” giving some parenting advice for other parents.
She said that ‘brain breaks,’ which are videos on platforms like YouTube that “get kids moving,” are “one of the best things” to give her the chance to do housework. And she said that the videos are available with popular characters in.
And Roxanne provided advice for parents of children with dyslexia over reading. It included recommending that they consider coloured overlays. She said: “I have yellow acetate over my words and it just stops it … calms the page down and lets you focus.” She also promoted apps like Nessy and DoodleSpell.
She also shared her excitement of her upcoming book, Greg the Sausage Roll: Dinosaur Adventure – Greg the Sausage Roll, which is set to be published next month. It follows the titular character, Greg, in a prehistoric world and Roxanne described it as a “very special book” ahead of its release.
Continue reading the article.
The 28th August 2025 publication of Mark and Roxanne Hoyle’s Greg the Sausage Roll (Penguin Random House Children’s UK, paperback, £7.99) is
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We’ve found where to shop stylish purchases from Karen Millen, Monsoon, and more starting from £20. Plätz is the season’s most chicest trend.
We may link to affiliate links in this article, but we will make money off of any purchases we make. more information
Pleats are the most elegant trend for the summer and you can shop buys from £20(Image: Mirror)
This summer, a style trend that is both timeless and elegant is known as pleats. Pleats have become a major fashion gimmick thanks to designers like Issey Miyake, who famously transformed the technique with his Pleats Please collection into a sculptural art form. Previously reserved for occasionwear, tennis skorts, or school uniforms,
Pleats are everywhere this season, from floaty midi skirts to structured pants and even light summer dresses. They’re a comfortable, chic, and easy-to-wear trend that goes with pretty much everything.
They look just as cool when wearing heels and a white t-shirt and sandals to a party. The best part is… The design is not achievable with a designer budget. Starting at just £20, we’ve discovered the most flattering pleated pieces to shop.
READ MORE: A stylish on-sale handbag from the hidden gem accessory brand looks like Dior for less than £2,000.
READ MORE: Autumn clothing sales have begun. Mirror’s shopping team discovers everything from coats to boots for on-sale.
KAREN MILLEN
Go for a dramatic look with this chic cape co-ord(Image: Karen Millen)
Why not try out this chic cape top from Karen Millen if you want to give the pleats trend some more drama? You’ll stand out from the crowd (in the best way possible) with this vibrant red pair of pleated pants that go along with it! with this stylish matching set.
SHOP THE LOOK: Pleated Cape Sleeve Plunge Neck Woven Top, currently £71 here, and Pleated Woven Wide Leg Trousers, currently £129 here
PHASE ONE
The perfect occasionwear alternative to dresses(Image: Phase Eight)
With its exclusive in-house print and luxe pleating, this halterneck top from Phase Eight is a standout piece. This versatile look is suitable for any occasion, whether it be worn as a set or as a pair of pants for a summer event.
Ember Floral Top costs £75 here, and Ember Event Trouser costs £110 here. SHOP THE LOOK:
JOANNA HOPE
Add some colour to your summer wardrobe(Image: Joanna Hope/ J D Williams)
This Joanna Hope statement maxi adds a pop of color to your summer wardrobe. The detachable belt cinches the silhouette for a flattering shape while the elasticated waist ensures a comfortable fit. It’s the ideal length for weddings, black-tie events, or summer parties because of its stylish maxi length.
JD Williams’ Ombre Pleated Dress SHOP THE LOOK, 145 pounds, is available here.
MONSOON
Combine pleats and boho chic in one with this Monsoon maxi (Image: Monsoon)
This airy maxi dress, which Sienna Miller wore, perfectly complements the current boho trend and features delicate floral designs. This dress is perfect for summer weddings, brunches, and garden parties because it is both simple and eye-catching. Just put on a pair of platform heels, and you’re good to go.
The Selene Floral Long Sleeve Maxi Dress in ivory retails for £85.
H&M
These crinkled trousers have a relaxed, laid-back fit (Image: H&M)
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These H&, M pants, which are made of a stylish crinkled weave, have an elasticated waist for a comfortable fit, two handy side pockets, and an unfinished edge at the hems for a cool-girl, laid-back vibe. For quick dressing up in the warm weather, pair them with sandals and a linen shirt.
Geezer Butler, the bassist for Black Sabbath, recalls the special moment he and Ozzy Osbourne shared on stage just before he passed away, but he claims he wishes he had spent more time with him.
Ozzy Osbourne performed to 40,000 people at Villa Park just weeks before his death(Image: PA)
Having secured 57 years of friendship and a career that spanned decades, it’s no wonder the bassist of Black Sabbath jumped at the chance to perform in his hometown with his former bandmates including Ozzy Osbourne. But Geezer Butler has revealed that he was taken aback by the fragility of the lead singer when he turned up to rehearsals ahead of their hugely anticipated show.
And sadly, it was their last performance as a whole band following Ozzy’s passing earlier this month.
Geezer said in a first-person interview with The Times, “I wasn’t prepared to see how frail he was,” despite knowing that he wasn’t in good health. Two helpers and a nurse helped him into the rehearsal area, and he was using a cane because he was Ozzy and had a black, gold- and precious stone cane on it.
Ozzy remained much more subdued than in previous years, saying very little and sat in his chair when it was his turn to sing.
Geezer Butler with his bandmates including Ozzy Osbourne(Image: PA)
However, Black Sabbath continued to practice and play until a few weeks prior when they were ready to welcome their adoring fans and give them a performance to remember.
Ozzy and Geezer’s friendship extended beyond that which Geezer recalls, when his son was born with a heart defect, when he kept in touch with him every day to check on him and check how he was doing.
Black Sabbath had always given their audiences a group hug before playing a show in order to express their gratitude for their support and loyalty.
All of that however had changed with Ozzy’s inability to carry on with their customs in their final performance.
Ozzy Osbourne performed to 40,000 people at Villa Park just weeks before his death(Image: Mirrorpix)
“And so to the final concert,” Geezer said. The finale of that show was the most bizarre. We would typically give the audience a bow and a hug each other. However, we didn’t consider that Ozzy was sitting on his throne.
What do we do, he continued? Tony waved his hand to me and gave him a cake, but it was such an odd feeling to end our story in that manner.
Geezer expressed regret over what would have been Ozzy’s final performance, saying that he still wished he had spent more time with his former flame backstage.
He continued, “Wishes are now redundant, but I wish I could have spent more time with Ozzy backstage.” As Ozzy once said, “Wish in one hand and sh** in the other, and see which comes first.”
Geezer said, “I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him,” before closing his tribute to Ozzy. How can I sum up 57 incredible years of friendship in a few words, despite the fact that there are millions of things I could write about? It has been a wild ride, God bless, Oz! I adore you.
Just a few weeks after his performance at Villa Park, where 40, 000 of his fans were present, Ozzy passed away.
He had Parkinson’s disease and was 76 years old when his tragic death occurred.
He said, “I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years,” as he once said to the audience.
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He continued, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have no idea how I feel.”
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Fans of AC/DC are still figuring out names ahead of their first official UK showdown with the Back in Black rockers, whose name derives from an unlikely machine.
Fans of AC/DC are just figuring out where the band got their name (file)(Image: Getty)
AC/DC were the inspiration for the name of an unlikely rock legend. 51 years after their founding, the group’s origins are still unknown to fans. As of 2025, the legends behind Thunderstruck and Back in Black are still touring, with this year’s sold-out performance at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh scheduled for.
However, listeners are thrilled to learn about the peculiarity because they are just beginning to understand where the band’s name came from. Fans shared the origin story on the r/ACDC Reddit page, some of whom were so impressed by how the band came to bear their name.
What was the origin of AC/DC’s name, according to a post on the subreddit? I always assumed it to be related to geometry or math. Fans are correcting the listener, which is not true for AC/DC.
According to one user, “Alternate Current/Direct Current, something with electricity,” Angus and Malcolm’s older sister apparently saw it on her sewing machine when they first staged the bands. “
The iconic rock band was founded by Malcolm Young, who passed away in 2017, and his brother Angus, who is now 70.
The “simple suggestion” became the “greatest, most catchy name a rock band can have,” according to another fan, who provided more information. “
Their sister came up with the name after seeing it on her sewing machine, they wrote.
It’s quite funny how Angus and Malcolm were having trouble coming up with a name for themselves, and their sister makes a simple suggestion. It’s the best, most memorable name a rock band can have. “
Since then, AC/DC has verified the name’s origins. When they all started out together, Dave Evans, who was with the band from 1973 until Bon Scott replaced them, said, “Look, my sister-in-law [wife of his older brother, George], has suggested a name… AC/DC. And I liked the fact that it was prominent on the side of many electrical appliances and was simple to remember.
Many appliances were AC/DC, and alternate current and direct current were both used. I pondered: “Free advertising… free advertising on the side of all these appliances, and it means power,” and that’s what I meant. I quickly thought it through. And I agreed. “
AC/DC’s name was given to them by a machine the pair spotted at the time (file)(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Since then, critics have praised the AC/DC brand, which also has a lightning bolt after the first two letters. The band’s logo, which first appeared on Let There Be Rock, would be designed by Gerard Huerta. According to Adam Behr, “[its] type font conveyed the sense of electricity that permeated their name. “
The Australian band has been on tour since the 1970s, and they’re scheduled to play at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in the coming months.
The group’s only UK appearance this year was the group’s sold-out show, which sold out quickly during ticket sales. Here you are in line for AC/DC at Ullevi, one yelled. 22316 before at 10. 00
