Category Entertainment News

Louise Thompson has recently been sharing her favourite Free People pieces – and it included this ‘most flattering’ maxi dress that she owns in multiple shades

One who always shares her latest fashion find, Louise Thompson, has once again been pointing fans in the direction of a must-have maxi dress that she loves so much that she bought it in different shades.

The “beauty” of a dress that Louise was raving about this week is the Dixie Maxi from Free People. Boasting a flowy design and lightweight material, Louise’s maxi dress comes in a whopping ten shades to choose from. That said, it’s worth noting that some sizes in some colours may have sold out, thanks to this gem’s popularity, so you may want to act fast.

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Touted as “romantic and ethereal”, this maxi from Free People’s free-est collection is a true versatile staple. Boasting a billowy fit throughout that cinches at the waist for a flattering but unrestricted silhouette, this number features an elegant V-neckline that seamlessly merges casual style with formal flourishes.

Also offering a smocked panelling bodice that promises a flattering and comfortable fit that complements any body type, this dress features exaggerated sleeves that add to its fairytale charm and loose-flowing vibes – a feature Louise has loved in various other outfits.

Elevated with embroidered lace piecing at the skirt, this dress can be your perfect companion from everyday activities to sunset walks on the beach. Timelessly complemented by a sleek heel or simple flats, this piece promises endless ways to wear. The dress is available in sizes XS to XL and retails for £108.

This beauty comes in a range of hues, including Louise’s favourites: rust orange, blue, and ivory. Shades of pink, green, beige, and red are also available. That said, some size options are sold out in some colours, so you’ll need to hurry to get yours before it’s gone.

Louise raved about the dress on her social media, telling fans it gets her “so many compliments” and is one of “the most flattering” dresses she has.

Others who have bought Louise’s beloved dress can’t stop raving about it. One thrilled customer says: “I got so many compliments while walking around Santorini. It is so perfect with the coverage for the sun, light enough for the hot weather. I feel like a goddess in this dress.”

Another buyer beams: “This is my new favorite dress! It’s extremely comfortable, flattering and has big pockets. I’m a C cup and don’t need a bra with it and am 5’8″ and it comes to my ankles. I’m buying two more in other colors. Way to knock this one out of the park FP!”

And a third shopper shares: “Purchased this one for my teen daughter. Its truly a beautiful dress. She looks like a little woodland fairy every time she wears it. Its light weight and has very generous, deep pockets. I legit watched her put 2 oranges in one pocket to carry around as snacks. She is a size 2 and the Small was a perfect fit.”

More love comes from this customer who writes: “I have been eyeing this dress for a while after seeing one of my favorite tiktokers wearing it in her videos. I finally pulled the trigger and bought it. Shipping was extremely fast. It is so gorgeous the material is so nice and high quality. According to the size chart I should be a small but I read reviews and followed the advice to size down, and I’m so glad I did it fits great! I feel like a cottage core princess and will be ordering in other colors as well!”

And another chimes in: “Wore this dress this past weekend and I got some many compliments, wasn’t too long on me & I’m 5’3 usually maxi dresses from free people is long on me , but this one fixed perfectly I ended up getting it in a xs . I pair it with some platform sandal’s.”

ITV and production company TriForce Productions have announced this week that Jimmy Akingbola will be replaced by Chizzy Akudolu as the host of Sorry, I Didn’t Know

ITV has announced a change to the line-up of a panel show that is set to film another series later this year. It’s been revealed this week that the host won’t be returning and that a former soap star will be joining the on-screen teams.

Sorry, I Didn’t Know, described as the first ever quiz show centred around Black history, launched as a pilot on ITV2 in 2016, before its first series aired in 2020. It returned for its fifth series last year, and it has now been renewed once again.

The show had been hosted by Jimmy Akingbola, 47, who is also an executive producer, since it began. His former Holby City co-star Chizzy Akudolu, 51, had been a team captain, with her having appeared in her role since the pilot episode too.

It’s been announced that Jimmy won’t host the upcoming sixth series of Sorry, I Didn’t Know, though. His departure from the role is attributed to filming commitments in the US for the final season of Peacock’s Bel-Air.

Chizzy will instead take over as host for the upcoming series, as announced this week. It’s teased that she will be “hoping to keep a tight rein” of returning team captain Eddie Kadi, 42, and her own replacement on the panel show.

It’s been announced Richard Blackwood, 53, will replace Chizzy as a team captain in the new series. The actor, who is known for roles like playing Vincent Hubbard on EastEnders, has previously appeared as a guest on the show.

The news about the sixth series, set to be filmed over the summer, has been announced by ITV and production company TriForce Productions. It’s been said that the renewal means Sorry, I Didn’t Know has broken its own record for the longest-running show from a Black-led production company.

Executive producer for TriForce, Fraser Ayres said: “Chizzy has been part of the SIDK family since our pilot in 2016 and was amazing when she hosted an episode last series, so it’s great to see her in the hosting seat. And in Richard we have the perfect sparring partner for Eddie.

“They’re long-time friends and he has already shown he’s a brilliant and hilarious guest, so we are thrilled he will be joining the team on the regular. Chizzy will have her work cut out keeping them both in line but we have full faith in her to keep things on track and with her particular brand of chaos in the mix as well, what could possibly go wrong?!”

Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning at ITV, added: “Sorry, I Didn’t Know is infectiously funny and that is testament to the series returning for an impressive sixth series. This season, Chizzy is stepping into Jimmy’s hot seat, and I can’t wait to see her take the helm.”

Richard will be the latest team captain on the panel. Jo Martin had been one of the team captains for the pilot, with Judi Love then taking over from her in the first two series. Eddie has been in the role since the third series in 2022.

The team captains oversee a panel of guests each episode who have their knowledge tested. Guests in the last series of Sorry, I Didn’t Know included Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh and comedian Munya Chawawa.

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Queen Camilla dropped into an event ahead of the 30th annual Women’s Prize for Fiction awards, where she met authors as well as book lovers and let them know what she had been reading

The Queen has surprised shortlisted authors and book lovers ahead of the Women’s Prize for Fiction’s 30th annual awards ceremony. Avid reader Camilla dropped in at the event’s open-air venue in Bloomsbury, central London today to congratulate finalists and hail the founders of the award for having “brought the female voice from the margins of the literary world to its very centre”.

Founder and author Kate Mosse, who invited Her Majesty to attend the anniversary event, said her presence had been kept secret: “Nobody knew, which is why people were so surprised. If you’re going to lay on the Queen, if it’s not Beyoncé, it’s got to be the actual Queen.”

She added: “You can tell when someone has read your book genuinely and when they’ve been given a briefing sheet. And she’s a reader, a genuine reader, and someone who genuinely champions women.” Camilla arrived unannounced at the pop-up venue in Bedford Square and was greeted by Kate and Women’s Prize executive director Claire Shanahan.

In the Green Room area, she was introduced to the six authors shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, including Nussaibah Younis, whose novel Fundamentally tells the story of an academic who travels to Iraq to deradicalise a teenage Islamic State recruit.

She joked that the competition was stiff between finalists, telling Camilla: “We are trying to take each other out. The Champagne glasses are spiked – there could be one less standing by this afternoon!”

The Queen recognised Yael van der Wouden, author of The Safekeep, telling her: “We met at the Booker [Prize]. Good to see you again.” And turning to Tell Me Everything writer Elizabeth Strout, she said: “I have read your books, they are lovely. Good luck to you all,” she told the group. “I shall be thinking of you.”

Camilla was then introduced to the six shortlisted authors for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, including singer-songwriter and rapper Neneh Cherry, whose debut book, A Thousand Threads tells the story of her career.

“I wrote a memoir, a book about my life,” she told Camilla. “It took more than four years to write it and I’m still slightly recovering. It’s out there now, I have let it go, it’s out in the world.”

The Queen told Claire Mulley, whose Agent Zo tells the story of the Polish wartime resistance fighter Elzbieta Zawakca: “I think I will put that on my holiday reading list.”

And she delighted author Chloe Dalton by telling her she had read her memoir Raising Hare about swapping the rat race for a rural life. “Thank you so much, I am honoured,” she replied.

The Queen was then reunited with Girl, Woman, Other author Bernardine Evaristo, winner of The Women’s Prize Outstanding Contribution Award – a special one-off award for the 30th anniversary year.

There was a quick stop off in a pop-up Waterstones tent, where authors had been signing their books and Camilla was told the bar was kept open late for those queuing to meet their favourite writers. “Quite right,” she agreed.

Making a speech in the Woolf tent in Bedford Square, Her Majesty said the launch of the women’s only prize in 1995 had “brought the female voice from the margins of the literary world to its very centre,” and she hailed it for having “transformed the literary landscape for women.”

She said: “Three decades later, your achievements are impressive. Budding authors have benefitted from the wisdom of those who have trodden the same path. Careers have been launched, bestsellers have flown off the shelves into the hands and hearts of the public, and each year you distribute 3,000 books to people in need. And you have forged a community of 16 million readers who love, in your own words, “original, accessible and brilliant” literature.

“In short, you have transformed the literary landscape for women. If I might return to Virginia Woolf – who never won any kind of award for her work, but who did have this tent named after her – and misquote her, “A woman must have a prize of her own if she is to write fiction.

“Happy birthday, congratulations and thank you to every one of you who has been involved over the last 30 years. And the best of British luck to all our wonderful finalists tomorrow!”

King Charles, who is now the armed foreces Commander in Chief, held a special private reception at Buckingham Palace today for his old shipmates who he served with in the Royal Navy

The King has welcomed to Buckingham Palace his old shipmates to celebrate their time in the Royal Navy. The special private reception for 400 guests organised by the King included previous shipmates and their partners from H.M. Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

Charles also invited fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm and a contingent of from H.M.Y. Britannia and representatives from HMK’s patronages The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. This event was a personal request from the King and unusually funded by himself privately, with no media present.

The King served in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in the 1970s and since leaving active service has maintained a close relationship with the armed forces. As monarch he is now its Commander in Chief. He served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976 – rising from rookie sub-lieutenant fresh out of Britannia to command of a minesweeper.

On the eve of the King’s Coronation in 2023, those who served with the then (Sub) Lieutenant Wales shared their memories, calling him: “A fine leader filled with humanity, humour and a keen sense of duty.” The then Prince of Wales also tried his hand at submarine escape, qualified as a helicopter pilot, took on some of the Royal Marines’ commando training and earned his spurs as a ship handler.

He also represented the late Queen Elizabeth II abroad on official duties while still serving. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar served in seven ships, five of them small Ton-class minesweepers, including HMS Bronington which the future monarch commanded for most of 1976.

Before the King’s Coronation, he told Forces News how the former Lieutenant Wales was “without doubt, the best ship handler by far. Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.”

Lieutenant Roy Clare, the future captain of HMS Invincible and rear admiral, served as Bronington’s second-in-command, and the then Prince Charles’ right-hand man. He also described the King as “a model of leadership”. He told the newspaper: “He was apt to go around the ship, talk to people, hear their stories, share moments with them – as a good commanding officer should.

“He was a good leader, really good at understanding that it’s not about ‘top down and telling’, but listening, helping people to be the strongest they can.”

Before the party, an aide to The King said: “His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane.

“He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life’s journeys had taken them all.

“As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty’s £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.”

Comedian Peter Kay has announced a very different new project after being hit with bullying claims on his UK tour when he decided to boot hecklers out of his show

Peter Kay is ready to take on a new challenge as he has revealed his new project away from his mammoth tour. The comedian, 51, recently returned to the spotlight and has been performing his act in arenas up and down the country.

Earlier this year, Peter hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons as he was filmed kicking a heckler out of his show. He halted his performance and had security remove a number of fans after claiming they were spoiling the show for the rest of the attendees.

However, after he labelled one ejected fan “Lisa Riley” and the remark caused a scandal, with the heckler claiming Peter was a “bully”. Now, it seems Peter is ready to turn the page on the drama as he sets his sights on a very different career.

Peter has revealed he has put pen to paper and promises to detail his life in his most personal book yet. In true Peter style, the book hilariously nods to Bridget Jones’ Diary, as the comedian’s face sits on top of the iconic character.

Announcing the news, he said: “Introducing… Peter Kay’s Diary: The Monthly Memoir of a Boy from Bolton, Peter’s most personal and hilarious book yet. Join Peter for a laugh-out-loud journey through his life, month by month.”

A teaser for the book added: “Think of this autobiography as a twelve-month subscription to my memories and meanderings across the calendar year. With each month reflecting a different phase of my life, complete with dodgy decisions, bizarre plot twists and more than a few laugh-out-loud moments.”

Back in February, Peter dealt with hecklers at his Better Late Than Never… Again! gig at Manchester’s AO Arena – but things didn’t quite go as he’d planned. While he said it wasn’t an insult, and Lisa herself acknowledged there was no ill-meaning, the woman in question fumed that the star had humiliated her.

“Go on, off you go, Lisa Riley,” Peter had jibed, making a comparison to the former Emmerdale actress. Shortly after his remark on his decision to eject the fan in Manchester, Peter opened up on the incident on Good Morning Britain.

“I didn’t realise it was an insult,” he said. “She did look remarkably like Lisa Riley, I didn’t realise that was an insult.” But despite his insistence there was no dig meant, the woman in question revealed she was mortified.

Myar Curran accused the star of being a “bully”. Speaking herself on the ITV show, Myar said: “I didn’t mean to cause any harm, I was just showing my love as he kicked someone out, but he obviously didn’t like it.”

She added: “I feel like what I said was not abusive or aggressive – it wasn’t anti-social and I wasn’t drunk. I was just standing u,p chanting ‘we love you Peter, we do’. It’s just been a bit over the top, his reaction.”

A month later, Peter threatened to kick even more audience members out of his show at London’s O2 Arena. Brushing off the previous backlash, he poked fun at the criticism he faced as he once again halted his show to make an example of one of his fans.

Addressing the crowds, he asked: “Is it them in that box? Is that them? Who is it? Eh, it’s you monkeys there. Now then, what are we going to do with you now? These people in this area now, do any of you look like Lisa Riley? No, alright,” he joked as the crowd erupted into laughter.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, an audience member said: “Peter waded in as the crowd was audibly kicking off due to some disagreement in the crowd. He poked fun at the idea of kicking them out, then dished out the issue to his security.

“But he did reference it again twice in the show as they kept shouting, comparing it to a ‘boot sale’ at one point. It seemed like the audience in the area wanted him to kick the person out due to all the drama.”

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In this Wednesday’s Mirror Daily Digest, we’ve pulled together the biggest stories of the day – from what Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review means for you to Stacey Solomon stunning everyone in a dazzling orange bikini

Welcome to the Mirror’s Daily Digest, where we’ll be pulling together all the best stories of the day from our News, Showbiz, Sport teams and more. This Wednesday we’re featuring everything from Cruz Beckham’s heartbreaking post after Brooklyn disowned his parents, through to the first picture of the gunman who murdered ten people in the Austria school shooting.

Elsewhere, our Showbiz team bring you the news of Stacey Solomon stunning everyone in an orange bikini while holidaying solo after ‘battles’ with Joe. And finally our Royal team bring you the latest on a future Queen being rushed to hospital for surgery after falling from a horse.

Major housing change and NHS bombshell – how Spending Review will impact you

Rachel Reeves has announced huge cash injections for the NHS, schools and social housing – and vowed to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029.

The Chancellor used her spending review to pledge to be “relentless” cutting Whitehall waste following weeks of behind-the-scenes wrangling. Ms Reeves announced a record NHS cash injection, with an extra £29billion for day-to-day costs. There was also a £39billion package to “turn the tide on the housing crisis” and more cash to tackle crumbling schools.

Earlier Keir Starmer told Cabinet members that today “marks the end of the first phase of this Government”.

Read the full story here.

Cruz Beckham shares heartbreaking post after Brooklyn ‘cuts all ties’

Brooklyn Beckham’s younger brother Cruz has responded to reports the aspiring chef has cut all ties with his famous family in a heartbreaking post. Victoria and David’s eldest son, who has been locked in a bitter feud with his family reportedly over wife Nicola Peltz, is said to be now refusing to respond to his parents’ messages.

Sources close to Brooklyn, 26, have claimed “he wants no contact and he’s not responding to those that try to connect”. After the latest sad twist, Cruz took to his Instagram to reach out to his big brother.

Read the full story here.

Future Queen rushed to hospital for surgery after falling from horse

A future Queen has been rushed to hospital for surgery after falling from a horse, it has emerged. Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, who is heir to the throne and is known as a keen equestrian, suffered the fall that saw her rushed to hospital with a broken upper arm.

A statement from the Dutch Royal Palace said: “The Princess of Orange broke her upper arm after falling from her horse. She will undergo surgery at the UMC Utrecht. More information will follow as soon as it becomes clear what the possible consequences are for official obligations and other agreements.”

Read the full story here.

Stacey Solomon stuns in orange bikini on solo holiday after ‘battles’ with Joe

Award-winning TV presenter Stacey Solomon is currently soaking up the sun on a solo trip abroad as speculation swirls about the mum-of-five’s next big project. The Loose Women panellist looked sensational as she stepped out in an orange bikini as she enjoyed another day in Italy earlier this week.

Stacey, who is rumoured to be considering an offer to join the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing line-up, looked every inch the fashionista as she enjoyed some downtime by the pool at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental in Lake Como.

Read the full story here.

First picture of gunman who murdered 10 people in school shooting

Finally, the gunman who murdered 10 people in the worst school shooting in Austria yesterday has been pictured holding a cat in the first image of the 21-year-old shooter to be released. Arthur A reportedly begged for his mother’s forgiveness in a farewell video message before storming the BORG Dreierschützengasse high school in Austria’s second largest city wielding a rifle and pistol and murdering 10 of his classmates and teachers.

In a cubicle of the school toilets he used one of the firearms to take his own life, bringing an end to the carnage. The “bullied” drop out sent the video to his mum just moments before he opened fire, and had begged for her to forgive him for “what I’m about to do”.

Read the full story here.

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