Devin Harjes dead: Boardwalk Empire actor dies aged 41 after brief cancer battle

Boardwalk Empire and Daredevil star Devin Harjes has died aged 41. The actor reportedly had a brief battle with cancer, having received a diagnosis last year.

He appeared on a number of hit TV shows including Daredevil, Gotham, Manifest, Blue Bloods and Orange Is the New Black. Devin died on May 27 at Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York, according to his obituary.

His cause of death has not yet been made public, however he is said to have been battling cancer before his death according to the Hollywood Reporter. Devin reportedly was diagnosed with cancer last winter.

The actor was born in Lubbock, Texas and launched his career upon moving to New York City. He started off in small roles in student films and off-Broadway shows before landing independent cinema gigs.

Devin was best known for his role in Boardwalk Empire (WireImage)

Devin went on to have huge success and won several top awards. His biggest role being in The Forest is Red which won him best actor at Italy’s Tolentino International Film Festival.

He other big break came on Boardwalk Empire, which made him a household name. He played the legendary boxing champion Jack Dempsey in the hit TV series.

The actor only starred in two episodes, however left a lasting impression on viewers and the TV industry. Devin went on to land a number of roles in major shows in the 2010s.

Away from acting, Devin was a dedicated martial arts student and a regular gymgoer. He is survived by his parents Randy and Rosanne as well as his sister Tish.

Devin’s obituary said he has left behind his beloved cat Maude.

Devin Harjes as Pete Baylor
Devin’s family paid a touching tribute (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

“His life began with the rhythm of hooves and the open plains — just three days after he was born, his father carried him and his sister on horseback,” his obituary read.

“That early bond with animals and the rodeo spirit stayed with him and later became the unlikely but perfect foundation for a life in the performing arts. ”

“Outside of acting, Devin was a dedicated student of martial arts and a regular at the gym — he often joked it was safer than getting kicked in the face by a horse,” per his obituary.

His family added: “In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to TKC Blessings in Devin’s name. All proceeds will support scholarships for children pursuing the arts—Devin’s true passion in life. “

Director Antonio DiFonzo paid tribute to Devin on social media as he said: “Terribly sad news as we lost Devin Harjes, an amazing actor and friend.

“He was constantly striving to be better and put his heart and soul into everything he did! We will never forget you and your amazing part in The Boyz of Summer and our lives. Rest in peace, Lion Heart! ”

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Akon’s Afrobeats Remarks Is Half-Truth, Like Saying Mungo Park Discovered River Niger – ID Cabasa

Olumide Ogunlade, a popular musician from Nigeria and known as ID Cabasa, has compared Akon’s recent assertions about the origin of the pioneering Afrobeats to the colonial-era claim that Mungo Park discovered the River Niger.

Cabasa made the statement while speaking on the ongoing debate over the origin and ownership of the Afrobeats genre on Sunday’s edition of Rubbin’s on Channels Television.

He clarified that Akon’s significant influence on the global stage did not imply that it was the genre’s creator.

What Akon said, in my opinion, was a bit of a half-truth. Mungo Park claims to have found the Niger and Benue but also to have met there–but-he met people there.

You’re claiming to have discovered a sound that had already attracted him (Akon), and it’s true? That is how it sounds. The producer claimed that even the people he mentioned were already booming and engaged in activity.

Akon claimed in an interview with Sherri Shepherd and on the podcast BagFuel Brigade that he had a significant impact on the development of Afrobeats in early May.

The music executive attributed the genre’s success to his early collaborations with Nigerian artists like Wizkid and Banky W in the late 2000s and early 2010.

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Afrobeats’ international success was largely attributed to Akon, who had introduced business structures that were previously unheard of in the Nigerian music scene.

ID Cabasa claimed that the genre was already flourishing prior to the Senegalese’s involvement, which is an overstatement in contrast to Akon’s acknowledgement of Afrobeats’ contribution to global promotion.

He said, “Akon did not offend me; I had to respond.” By the way, Akon deserves a shout out. Everyone should respect him, but we must be cautious. It’s a topic that comes up in conversation with Afrobeats if there is anything we can leave as a legacy for Nigeria and Africa.

He (Akon) did have his own marketing and marketing responsibilities for some of these guys at the time, which contributed to the expansion of Afrobeats.

Some of his statements, such as saying that he came and nurtured people, were too heavy. You already knew there was a sound or something that drew you in. You contributed to it and were met here. In the same way, I’m against telling people I made Afrobeats.

Risk of losing one’s identity

 

Further speaking, Cabasa expressed concern about Afrobeats’ growing influence from the West and warned that Nigerian artists might be losing their cultural appeal in an effort to win over international fans.

The diaspora effect has a good part. Many young Nigerian producers are learning new techniques to enhance production quality. However, I’m concerned about losing our identity.

“We are now sounding more like R&amp, B, while the West is now sounding more like Afrobeats.” That is the real issue. It’s frightful. He said, “I almost believe we’ve already lost some of it.”

He lamented that many Afrobeats stars now work abroad and make money in foreign countries, and the genre runs the risk of eroding too far from its roots.

“I keep doing what I’m doing, reimagining classics,” to remind the newest generation of artists not to lose themselves. Don’t change who you are just to fit in, he said.

Reimagining the classics of Nigeria

Numerous Nigerian artists have recently been reimagining classics, including Tems with Seyi Sodimu’s “Love Me Jeje,” Rema with Sade’s “Is It a Crime,” Burna Boy with Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life,” and Joeboy with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”

Olufunmi and 9ice’s “Photocopy” are both reimagined by ID Cabasa for Styl-Plus.

According to the current trend of sampling and reviving old Nigerian hits, Cabasa cited singer Olamide’s suggestion as the source of inspiration for these.

“I had a conversation with Olamide,” she said. We were discussing how foreigners are trying to sabotage the Afrobeats narrative, which they claim has been shaped and named.

Olamide said, “Maybe we should bring back the sounds that shaped this thing,” according to Olamide. He said, “I created an entire body of work around that idea because it had a resonance with me.”

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He praised contemporary musicians like Tems for bringing classics back to a new audience and said that listening to old music preserves our culture.

“Love Me Jeje,” which was originally written by Seyi Sodimu in 1999, is a cultural triumph. It is a tale. The familiarity and emotional connection are brought by sampling. Why not resurrect our extensive musical collection rather than sampling new music? Cabasa made a comment.

He also urged the Nigerian music industry to take greater care in preserving Afrobeats’ essence.

Dawn French’s life in Cornwall’s quietest village after leaving £6.6m mansion behind

Dawn French has lived in Cornwall for almost 20 years and has recently shared some lovely insights with her husband Mark Bignell about her coastal lifestyle.

Comedian Dawn French has made a stunning home for herself in Cornwall(Image: Joe Maher/Getty Images)

Dawn French, famed for her roles in The Vicar of Dibley and French and Saunders, has traded her coastal view for a quieter spot closer to the Devon-Cornwall border. Her decision came as the picturesque town of Fowey became “too cool and trendy” for her liking.

Having made Cornwall her home nearly 20 years ago, French has been delighting fans with glimpses into her life by the sea. She said goodbye to her 15-bedroom manor house with stunning estuary views in Fowey, after selling it for an impressive £6.6 million in 2021 – tripling her initial investment from 2006.

Born in Wales, Dawn left her substantial property in search of a more tranquil setting within the quieter parts of the Duchy. Dawn now enjoys the tranquillity of a secluded Cornish village with her husband Mark Bignell, savouring waterside views far from the crowds of tourists that descend on Fowey during peak season, reports Devon Live.

Fowey Waterfront in Cornwall
Dawn moved away from Fowey as it became too popular (Image: (Image: Getty))

Before splitting in 2010, Dawn and her then-husband Sir Lenny Henry moved into a Grade-II listed home in Fowey with their daughter Billie.

Dawn and her current husband, a therapist, tied the knot in their shared home in 2013. The much-loved comedian has since become a proponent of Cornwall’s breathtaking scenery and culinary scene, frequently praising the area’s “unpretentious” atmosphere and delicious food.

Dawn frequently uses her signature humor to make comments about her life in Cornwall. She shares photos of picturesque but less well-known locations like Par Beach, which is dog-friendly and both picturesque, making it the ideal place for walks with her beloved pet.

Edie’s Kitchen in Carlyon Bay, which is one of Dawn’s favorite dining destinations, is where she used to go for a meal.

She praised the restaurant’s “unpretentious, fresh, tasty good-looking grub,” calling it “the pinnacle of her dining experiences that year.”

National treasure Dawn popped in during the third series of her popular show Delicious in September 2018 to pique the interest of Edie’s Kitchen patrons.

Another treasure Dawn treasures dearly considers the Hidden Hut in Portscatho to be one of Cornwall’s hidden treasures. It hosted world leaders at the G7 Summit in 2021, received praise from famous people like Rick Stein and Alice Levine, and has received numerous accolades.

Dawn’s stunning photo of her beloved dog on a misty morning walk on Par Beach was shared back in 2017.

Local St Austell residents quickly recognized the location when Dawn shared the image, creating a flurry of excitement in the Friends of Par Beach Facebook group.

In a playful jab, Dawn, who is renowned for her irresistible charm and sharp humor, took to Twitter in 2019 to express her love for Cornwall. She quipped, “Cornwall,” in addition to a photo of her pet against the picturesque coastal scenery. Ghastly”.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, property prices in Cornwall have increased by 20% since 2024, with the average home now costing £299,000.

Continue reading the article.

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Chris Hughes kisses JoJo Siwa in bed before deleting very intimate post

Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa, the famous Big Brother stars, shared a very cozy photo from their bedroom before taking it out. Their fans are captivated by their blossoming romance.

On her trip to the UK, Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa have been getting very close.

Chris Hughes posted and swiftly deleted a steamy bedroom snap with JoJo Siwa as fans are convinced it is proof of their romance. The Love Island star, 32, has been getting cosy with JoJo, 22, as she spends time in the UK for her tour.

They have enjoyed meals out, bowling, time with family and have made sure to get plenty of moments alone. Chris and JoJo’s bond has had fans hooked as they are yet to fully confirm the status of their relationship.

Since leaving Celebrity Big Brother, fans have looked for any clues they can to prove the pair are more than friends. It seems the duo are enjoying the attention around their relationship, as they have continued to post some very intimate photos from the bedroom.

Chris and JoJo were snuggled up together in bed when he took a selfie while kissing JoJo’s forehead. JoJo, the reality star, yelled, “Sleeping beauty,” while JoJo, the dance moms star, kept her eyes closed.

Chris Hughes kisses JoJo Siwa in bed
Chris shared a snap of JoJo cuddling him in bed(Image: instagram)

The photo was quickly deleted from Chris’ page, which meant it wasn’t updated for long. However, since many fans were able to take screenshots and share them with one another, it was too late to conceal any proof.

After previously claiming to be platonic soulmates, Chris and JoJo haven’t yet commented on reports that their relationship is deteriorating.

JoJo admits she has never felt so special and loved about the fact that fans have been dropping significant hints that they are an item.

Chris flew to Mexico to support the dancer at her show before JoJo left the UK. He even shared a kiss with JoJo while swimming with her mother and manager Jessalynn.

They have previously shared other snaps from the bedroom, as earlier in the week, Chris took to Snapchat to reveal that they were watching Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? together.

Chris had teased himself about cooking a meal for JoJo just before the post. Later, he shared a picture of a table with their meals, one with a lit candle next to their bowls and a vase of roses on the side.

This weekend, JoJo appeared on Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch where she revealed how Chris has slotted right into her family. JoJo said: “She (Siwa’s mother) does love him. My parents think the absolute world of him and him and my dad are like best friends.

Chris actually explained to me that they had visited the spa together yesterday. They are essentially their closest friends. She adores him utterly, mama. I’ve never seen my mother be so happy when she watches us.

We feel like we’re a family, she continued. He seems to have been a part of my family for a long time. They all seem to get along just as well as I do, in my opinion.

JoJo explained how they intend to see each other despite their distance, saying that while we both have families, you know, on either end, there will definitely be much more time spent here and, as well, much more time spent there.

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Countryfile’s Matt Baker admits ‘I felt emotional’ after heartbreaking realisation

Former The One Show presenter and Countryfile star Matt Baker is back on our screens with a new series about the British Isles after making an emotional discovery during filming

Matt Baker got emotional during filming

Countryfile host Matt Baker has revealed that he was moved to tears while filming his latest series, particularly when discussing Queen Elizabeth II.

The former The One Show presenter, 47, is back on our screens with Matt Baker’s British Isles on More4.

In the show, he embarks on a journey around the UK, visiting areas that some viewers may be familiar with, while others may not. Among the locations he explores is a Scottish village named Crathie, which holds significant Royal ties.

Speaking to TV Times, the Countryfile star shared: “I also go to the Scottish village of Crathie, outside Balmoral Castle, where locals have mingled with the Royal Family since the 19th century.

“The Royal chaplain, a lovely man named Ken, showed me around the church and I felt quite emotional hearing about the special service held for locals when the late Queen Elizabeth II passed.”

Matt Baker
Matt Baker has said he had a very emotional moment during the filming of his latest television series(Image: Getty)

This isn’t the first time the late Queen has been mentioned in recent weeks. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, claimed that she communicates with the monarch through her corgis.

Sarah, 65, stated that the late queen’s corgis visit her every morning and when they bark, she is “sure” it’s Queen Elizabeth speaking to her.

Addressing the London Creative Women Platform forum, Sarah commented: “I have her dogs, I have her corgis. Every morning they come in and go ‘woof woof’ and all that and I’m sure it’s her talking to me.”

While Sarah Ferguson reminisces about Queen Elizabeth’s beloved dogs, former Royal chef Darren McGrady spills the beans on Her Majesty’s preferred snack.

The culinary expert, who served the Royal Family for an impressive 15 years, divulged to a YouTube channel that the Queen’s go-to sandwich was none other than jam pennies.

queen
POUNDBURY, DORSET – OCTOBER 27: Queen Elizabeth II tours Queen Mother Square on October 27, 2016 in Poundbury, Dorset. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

He shared: “The Queen was served jam pennies in the nursery as a little girl. She’s had them for afternoon tea ever since.

“It’s simple: just bread and jam with a little butter-usually strawberry jam. We’d make the jam at Balmoral Castle with the gorgeous Scottish strawberries from the gardens.”

In another tasty revelation, Tom Parker Bowles, in his book ‘Cooking and The Crown’, hints at another of the monarch’s favourites, according to GloucestershireLive.

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Spice Girls reunite as band celebrate Mel B’s birthday at leopard print themed party

Mel B was joined by Melanie C and Emma Bunton as she celebrated her landmark birthday – with all three ladies looking wild and delightful in animal print outfits

Melanie Brown was joined by Melanie C and Emma Bunton as she celebrated turning 50(Image: INSTAGRAM )

Mel B had a mini Spice Girls reunion as she was joined by Melanie C and Emma Bunton to celebrate her 50th birthday. The music icon looked in high spirits as she paid tribute to half a century of life, with an energetic night of partying to mark the occasion.

The singer, known as Scary Spice, was joined by fellow Spice Girls stars Mel, 51, and Emma, 49 – with the trio stunning in leopard print. Birthday girl Mel looked elegant in a long sleeved shimmering mini dress with sequins arranged in animal print fashion.

While Mel C paid tribute to her Sporty Spice days by wearing a leopard print dress by sport brand Adidas. Emma also opted for a long-sleeved mini and looked thrilled to join the party with her bandmates. Throughout the night, the band danced along to music, including the band’s hit, Holler.

On Sunday, Mel took to Instagram to share a video montage of her party – uploading the highlights reel to her main grid alongside a caption stating: “Heres to 50 !!! And allll thats to come.”

Melanie danced the night away with her bandmate Emma Bunton
Melanie danced the night away with her bandmate Emma Bunton

Earlier in the week, Emma had marked the occasion by sharing a string of photos of herself with Mel from over the years alongside a caption reading: “Happy 50th @officialmelb! I’m not far behind you! ! ! From zig ah zig ahs to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs. “

And Mel C had shared a string of images of her own along with a long caption. She wrote: “50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb. Oh, the adventures we have had! I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago? ! “

She continued: “I’m so proud of everything we have achieved and adversities you have not only overcome but have used to help others Mel B MBE Hon D Univ you’re a f***ing rock star and I love you more than words can say. Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter. “

Emma sported a leopard print dress in homage to her bandmate
Emma sported a leopard print dress in homage to her bandmate(Image: instagram)

Fans noticed that both Victoria Beckham and Geri Horner – known as Posh Spice and Ginger Spice respectively – were absent from Mel’s birthday celebrations. Mel and Geri have had a feisty friendship over the years – with Mel admitting she was left fuming when Geri quit their band at the peak of its fame in the 1990s.

Geri marked Mel’s birthday when it passed on Thursday by sharing a snap of them in an Instagram post. She wrote at the time: “Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead. “

It was something of a celebration-filled weekend for Melanie, as her fiancé, Rory McPhee, also celebrated his birthday. On Saturday, Mel shared a photo of them together via her Instagram page and added a gushing message about him.

She wrote: “My soon-to-be husband! ! Happy birthdayyyy ! ! ! I can’t wait for a lifetime together with you to always having fun like only we no and laughing all the way together alwaysss I luv youuu my luv @rorymcphee. “

Mel and Rory have been in a relationship since 2018, and they became engaged in October 2022. While their wedding date is currently unknown, it has been revealed that the singer and her hairdresser husband-to-be are planning to get married at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The Spice Girl icon revealed to TODAY in the USA recently that she is granted permission to marry at the iconic venue thanks to her status as a holder of a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) title.

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She told the morning news show last month: “I got an MBE for all my charity work that I’ve been doing. It was actually Prince William that gave me my little honorary badge. And it’s quite a big deal. I didn’t realise how much of a big deal it was until I started reading about it, and then I started getting really nervous. It was really lovely. So, because of that, I am going to get married in the same church as Princess Diana.”