Category Entertainment News

TV presenter Jay Blades appeared before a judge today charged with rape.

The Repair Shop star, 55, is alleged to have carried out two rapes between 2022 and 2024. He appeared via video-link at Telford magistrates’ court this morning.

Blades appeared on the court screen wearing a blue suit, sky blue shirt, black polka dot tie and spectacles. He gave his name as “Jason Blades” and confirmed his address and date of birth.

Blades separately faces a controlling or coercive behaviour charge between 2023 and last September. The star, from Claverley, Shrops, found fame on The Repair Shop, which he started presenting in 2017.

He stepped back from presenting the show last year. Blades also appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, Celebrity Bake Off and Comic Relief.

The dad-of-three presented the BBC’s Money For Nothing until 2020. Blades was made an MBE in 2021 and in 2022 featured in a documentary about learning to read aged 51.

Today’s court hearing lasted five minutes and Blades was granted conditional bail not to contact the alleged victim.

He will next appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court in September.

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Thanks to a sale running at Abbott Lyon, jewellery fans can get Olivia Attwood’s exact initial necklace for less than its usual price

Jewellery fans have been heaping praise on a ‘stunning’ necklace seen on Olivia Attwood. The Pavé Initial Necklace in gold is currently in the sale, allowing shoppers to get 15% off, but only for a limited time.

Former Love Island contestant Olivia was pictured sporting the sparkly bling in her photo shoot with the brand. The necklace is finished with clear cubic zirconia crystals to create the ultimate customised piece, and even features an anti-tarnish protective coating.

Best of all, Abbott Lyon has reduced the original price from £79 to £67.15. There’s also a further 10% off with the code TAKE10 – bringing the cost down to £60.44.

The double discount on Abbott Lyon’s Pavé Initial Necklace isn’t the only offer to take advantage of, with the brand offering a free necklace (worth £49) when shoppers spend £79. Fans of Olivia’s necklace can find several glowing reviews of the jewellery piece online.

One delighted buyer said: “Purchased this necklace for a birthday treat and I am very happy. It’s beautiful and perfect. Quick delivery from start to finish.”

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Another person added: “Such a pretty chain and love this longer length, goes with everything.” Someone else was also impressed, saying: “This is a Christmas gift it is absolutely stunning.”

We’ve found some affordable alternatives online for those on a budget. At Prya, this Lana ICY Initial Necklace is priced at £32, and it provides a similar look. The wallet-friendly piece is also water, heat and sweat resistant, as well as coming with a two-year warranty and free delivery.

Elsewhere, Orelia has a selection of Pave Initial Charm Necklaces at £25 per item, with each featuring an 18K-gold plated chain. These jewellery pieces are available to purchase with gift wrapping from just £2.

There aren’t any negative reviews for the Abbott Lyon Pavé Initial Necklace yet, but some shoppers mentioned delivery issues on the brand’s reviews page. One said: “Not able to leave a positive review as I’m still waiting to receive the items I ordered a week ago.”

Olivia’s very own edit with Abbott Lyon features a designer-inpired bracelet that reviewers have called ‘beautiful’ and ‘luxurious’. The Crystal Heart Bangle comes in gold, rose gold and silver finishes, all perfect for levelling up everyday looks.

Awarded a knighthood earlier this year, Sir Gary Oldman joins a long line of British actors to have accomplished the stunning achievement, but he thinks that the Queen might have had a key part to play

Just months after receiving his knighthood in June 2025, acting legend Sir Gary Oldman has revealed that he is convinced that Queen Camilla had a part to play in the decision that saw him receive the prestigious title.

For years, Sir Gary has lit up our screens with Oscar winning performances for the likes of his portrayal of Sir Winston Churchill in the historical drama Darkest Hour in 2017, but he believes it was actually one of his more recent performances that secured his knighthood, after a surprising remark from Queen Camilla.

In a recent comment to the Daily Mail, Sir Gary reflected on his tremendous achievement, admitting that it was possibly thanks to the intervention of King Charles’ wife that he was knighted earlier this year.

Revealing that the Royal had waxed lyrical about his portrayal of Jackson Lamb in the Apple TV drama Slow Horses, she then stopped him to ask: “Are there any more?”, with Sir Gary adding that he believes the King and Queen are fans of the show.

According to the Government’s website, there are three stages to the complete before someone can receive an honour.

The first stage of the process sees names drawn up by the Honours Committee, who are also tasked with deciding the honours each individuals should receive, the next phase sees that list handed over to the current Prime Minister for approval. Once those stages have been completed, it is then the King who awards the honour.

This year saw a number of new inductees into the honours list, with the likes of The Who frontman Sir Roger Daltrey, and former Manchester United footballer Sir David Beckham receiving knighthoods.

Meanwhile, they were joined by Evita and Cats star Dame Elaine Paige, author Dame Pat Barker and former Conservative MP Dame Penny Mordaunt.

Away from recently being awarded a knighthood, Sir Gary has long since been considered one of the finest actors of his generation.

He initially shot to fame when he played Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious in the 1986 biopic Sid and Nancy, which dramatised the couple’s controversial time together.

Since then, the 67-year-old has cemented his position as one of the most respected British actors with roles in a number of popular films including in JFK (1991), where he played Lee Harvey Oswald in the dramatisation of the former US president’s assassination.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball shared her thoughts on the matter, just weeks after she was spotted holding hands with a mystery man at Glastonbury Festival

Zoe Ball has given her take on whether sleeping in separate bedrooms could spark the end of a relationship. Speaking with Jo Whiley on their Dig It podcast, the duo addressed a listener seeking their opinion on the topic.

The listener, Emma, told the pair she was “exhausted” because her husband’s sleeping habits, such as snoring, disrupts her sleep every night.

Due to this, Emma said she’s contemplating moving to the guest bedroom, but confessed: “But part of me worries if we end up sharing a bed, is that the beginning of the end?”.

Offering her guidance, Zoe, 54, said: “Emma I feel for you, in our household it’s probably the other way round. I’m the one who gets up to pee a lot and I’m the one who snores.

“I’ve had complaints from the kids in separate rooms who can hear my snoring. Beginning of the end, separate bedrooms?”.

Jo went on to confess that she doesn’t share a bed with her long-term husband, but stressed it hasn’t damaged her marriage.

“So yeah separate bedrooms all the way,” she declared.

Zoe added: “I have been known to occasional get up and go and sleep somewhere else if it’s Nel [Nelly, her daughter] or you know, to let someone have a restful night if I’m restless or to get a restful night if someone else is restless, you know with colds and flus and bugs and things like that.

“And I guess there is that thing where you get that nice little bit of sneaking back in in the morning, but yeah this is the problem, the sleeping habits thing is tough isn’t it?”.

Zoe added that her sleep is often disrupted by listening to episodes of Newscast or Desert Island Discs, adding of a particular night: “I didn’t go to sleep at all, it was a complete disaster.”

The BBC Radio 2 presenter shared her thoughts after being spotted hand-in-hand with a man at Glastonbury Festival, back in June.

An onlooker who saw the pair said they “seemed blissfully happy and were strolling along holding hands”.

“She was really smiling at him as they walked along and he was very protective of Zoe and put his hand across her back,” they further told The Sun.

“People were doing double takes at her bloke though because he looks a lot like Fatboy. It’s so great to see Zoe smiling again.”

Zoe was previously married to Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, with whom she shares two children Woody, 20, and Nelly, 14.

Following their separation, she moved on with Billy Yates, who tragically took his own life in 2017 aged 40.

Jessie J has shared a heartbreaking health update as she revealed her hair is ‘falling out like crazy’ after having a mastectomy following her breast cancer diagnosis

Jessie J has bravely revealed that her hair is falling out, after undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The mum-of-one, 37, had a mastectomy in June as she vowed to do everything she could to beat the disease.

The Domino singer has spoken candidly with fans as she shares her health updates before having to undergo more surgery and has now admitted her hair is “falling out like crazy” while filming herself in front of the mirror.

Addressing her followers, who are all supporting the talented singer, Jessie, dressed in a black satin dressing gown, brushing her hair, said: “‘My hair has been falling out like crazy since the surgery. Five weeks today since my surgery and I’m feeling okay. I’ve still got quite a lot of cording so that’s my main focus.” It comes as the star admitted her diagnosis has made her reassess her life.

READ MORE: Jessie J says cancer diagnosis was sent to ‘slow her down’ and make her ‘reassess’ lifeREAD MORE: Dolly Parton reveals how to cope with loss in heartbreaking message to Kelly Clarkson

According to Macmillan, cording is a cord-like structure under the skin on the inner arm. It may develop if you have had surgery to remove lymph nodes in the armpit. This is also called axillary web syndrome (AWS).

Explaining that she is still “so sore”, Jessie continued: “My boobs still aren’t even, it’s still so sore. And this is my old, aw, you’re not old [breast].

“I’m just trying to figure out what the next six months will look like. I know I can’t do everything that I was suppose to be doing but I just want to be able to make it work the best I can for everybody, me, Sky, my fans but in the right order.

“You are always gonna leave some people disappointed. My perspective on everything has changed so much.”

It comes as the star opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis and her belief that the illness may have been sent to ‘slow her down’ and take a different look at life.

“Maybe this has happened to go: slow your roll, girl, let’s have a little reassessment,” she said to The Sunday Times last weekend.

Jessie revealed in April that she had been diagnosed with early breast cancer after finding a lump on her breast, which was discovered to be a 5cm tumour, and she would need a mastectomy to remove it.

However, while the surgery was successful and all of the cancer was removed, Jessie says the fight still isn’t over. “People think, once you’ve got the all-clear, now it’s done,” she explained. “But I’ve got another surgery [to improve the symmetry of her implant with her other breast] and I need to heal, so I have to figure out the rest of this year.”

* If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

READ MORE: Hot sleepers swear by this ‘incredibly soft’ and breathable bamboo bedding for better rest

Love Is Blind UK is back for more with 30 new singletons ready to, hopefully, meet the loves of their lives, including Megan Jupp.

Love Is Blind UK season two has made its debut on Netflix with fans eager to find out all they can about this year’s cast.

Presenters and real-life married couple Emma and Matt Willis have returned to host the second series of Love Is Blind UK which premiered on Wednesday, August 13.

A fresh batch of singles have the opportunity to meet in the pods, find a connection and get engaged before actually finding out what each other looks like.

Among them is 28-year-old Megan with Netflix subscribers curious to know all there is about the Love Is Blind UK season 2025 star.

Love Is Blind UK star Megan’s life

Dance career

When Megan isn’t searching for love on one of the world ’s biggest dating shows, she is working as a dancer and fitness instructor.

According to her Instagram bio, Megan works at the fitness studio Move Your Frame which offers workout classes like dance, Reformer pilates, yoga and personal training.

The Netflix star is regularly sharing videos of her taking on new choreography and trying out different moves to push herself to the limit.

Megan is also the founder of Vibe Tribe which specialises in dance parties for events such as hen do’s, birthdays, as well as leading workshops for events and wedding dances.

She runs the company with her best friend and fellow dancer India and state it was their mission to “create a tribe of like-minded people who love dance and good vibes as much as we do”.

Cruise ship romance

As part of her dancing career, Megan has spent a lot of time performing on cruise ships.

However, it’s not always been a peaceful time on board as she embarked on a relationship with a fellow dancer on ship.

This didn’t end well though after returning to dry land which explains why she wants to try something different with Love Is Blind UK.

Family

Prior to entering the pods, Megan told the steamer that she didn’t come from an “atypical family structure”.

She shared that her biological dad had never been part of her life which has meant she has been drawn to the idea of adoption, wanting to explore that option in the future with her partner.

Hopes for show

According to Tudum, Megan is hoping to find “a man who supports her career and shares her desire to start a family”.

As someone who always “brings the energy”, the star wishes to have someone with a “quick-witted sense of humour” by her side.

But will she be able to find what she’s looking for in Love Is Blind UK season two?