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Popstar Charli XCX was worried her label were going to drop her because of her BRAT album that became her most successful yet – and hinted at a potential release of new music soon

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Global popstar Charli XCX has admitted she thought she was going to be dropped by her label after her BRAT album as she feared it was ‘so out there’.

The singer topped the charts with her album BRAT, which also saw her win five Brit Awards, but in a chat with Gwyneth Paltrow on her GOOP podcast, Charli said she wasn’t thinking about the response to her album while she was making it.

The Party 4 U singer said: “I think when I was making it, I wasn’t thinking about the response at all. I actually made this record being like, ‘OK, I’m just going to do this one for me and maybe I’m going to get dropped by my label and that’s fine’. That was kind of the headspace that I was in.”

Niamh Kirk

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She also said there is a “lot of luck with timing” and the way that culture is moving, and added: “I think when I released this record, it’s like people were wanting something that felt very real and messy. And I think that’s just the way that culture was swinging.”

The album became the start of a cultural movement known as Brat Summer, a phenomenon that took over pop culture with its flurry of radioactive-green text memes and endless references to the album and themes of party girls of many genders, late nights, late mornings, and drugs.

After her success of BRAT, Charli, who recently married boyfriend and The 1975 drummer George Daniel, had hinted she was going to take a break from making music, however she has now teased there could be more in the pipelines, and completely different to what she’s previously released. “I’m really interested to see what comes next in pop culture, especially in the music space, what people are ­craving.

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“I really like to work in contrast. I think whatever I do next will just inherently be different to Brat because that’s what feels natural. I’m exploring a lot of stuff with strings at the moment, which I’m really enjoying and I haven’t really worked in that space before.”

The star has also revealed she’s heading for the big screen too, with a number of movies on the way including Faces Of Death and I Want Your Sex.

Now branching into acting, she said: “And don’t get me wrong, I love making music, but I think there was just a point where I was kind of like, OK, I really need to exercise my creativity in a different way. I don’t actually really listen to that much music ever. I never really have. But what I am doing is I’m always watching films.”

Loose Women panellist Denise Welch opened up about adjusting to a health condition she hadn’t realised she had, following many years of struggling with depression

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Loose Women’s Denise Welch has admitted she “completely underestimated” a condition she was diagnosed with in recent years. The actress has been candid about her struggle with depression over the years, but in 2022 she discovered she also has ADHD.

According to the NHS, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that affects how the brain functions. Symptoms can include difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Denise found out she had ADHD after being offered an assessment through Loose Women, following her co-star Nadia Sawalha’s own diagnosis and suspicions.

Discussing the discovery, the 67-year-old said: “To me, depression had always been my illness. I’d never considered that anything else was there.

“And I thought, well if it’s just that I interrupt a lot, sometimes girls that’s because you’re boring me, you know, I’m not going to take tablets because I interrupt a lot, or maybe I sort of go off on a tangent, thinking that’s maybe what it was, so I did the whole thing [assessment].

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“And needless to say, I was diagnosed ADHD. And it’s only now on my second attempt at medication, which came after a breakdown last year, [my] first in five years, that I’ve realised how I had completely underestimated the impact of ADHD on me running parallel with my depression.”

Discussing how earlier awareness may have helped her understand her diagnosis, Denise added: “And if I had shown signs before I had Matthew, if maybe there was more money spent on women’s health, they would find a huge link between ADHD and postnatal depression, severe postnatal depression.”

The Loose Women star battled with depression after the birth of her first child, The 1975 frontman Matty Healy.

She refers to this illness as “the unwelcome visitor”, which led her to resort to alcohol and drugs in an attempt to escape it.

“My cocaine dependency didn’t start until my late thirties,” she revealed to Elizabeth Day on her How To Fail podcast.

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She further explained that she was initially “vehemently against” drugs in her twenties and “had no desire to have anything more than a drink on a Friday [or] Saturday night with my friends”.

“That was me, but my desperation to lift this immovable depression led me to what will do it? That will,” Denise added.

The actress, who has been clean for over a decade now, continued: “When I’ve been depressed subsequently in the last four years and I have taken my ADHD tablet, it has the same effect, but not the I’m going to drink and smoke effect.”

If you suspect you may be dealing with depression or ADHD, it’s important to consult your GP for guidance and support. Help and advice can also be found on the NHS website.

While Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz snub David Beckham’s knighthood amid their tense ongoing row, Cruz Beckham’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel has taken to social media to gush about her love for his parents

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Cruz Beckham’s girlfriend, Jackie Apostel, has posted a very gushing tribute to David and Victoria Beckham and their “truly good” characters. This came shortly after Nicola Peltz-Beckham, who is married to Brooklyn, snubbed David’s knighthood.

Jackie joined the Beckhams for an intimate dinner, as the family celebrated the former football’s momentous milestone. At the dinner, she wore a yellow satin dress designed by Victoria’s clothing brand.

This wasn’t the only tribute she paid to her boyfriend’s parents, as she also took to Instagram to share her love for them. She posted pictures from the dinner to Instagram, in which she and Cruz put on a loved up display. The post came with a long caption, sharing how much she adored David and Victoria.

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“There’s nothing quite as beautiful as seeing deserving and truly GOOD people achieve their dreams,” she wrote. “What an inspiration to everyone to always keep going and never lose your character, drive but also kindness. No matter how crazy a dream is or how long it could take.

“I am repeating myself but to me, the most inspiring thing to see is how you both support each others ambitions. You’re dedicated not only to yourselves reaching your maximum potential but also, each other. And you celebrate each win as if it was your own.

“You master the balance between that and just plain love and family time every day, and there’s nothing more aspirational than that. congratulations on yet another unbelievable and well deserved milestone @davidbeckham , @victoriabeckham and the whole family.”

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Victoria responded in the comments with a much shorter, but nevertheless touching, statement: “Your beautiful words mean so much x we love u xx”

The majority of the Beckham family posted messages of support for David as he received his knighthood, and three of his children – Romeo, Cruz and Harper Seven – went with him to Windsor Castle. But his eldest son Brooklyn was absent from the ceremony, the dinner and the flurry of online messages, as was his wife, Nicola.

The pair snubbed the milestone, much like they snubbed his 50th birthday and the premiere of Victoria’s Netflix documentary. They are thought to be feuding with Beckham family.

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When the couple renewed their vows earlier this year, they didn’t invite Brooklyn’s family, but were surrounded by Nicola’s. Likewise, rather than congratulate David on his knighthood, Nicola gushed about her sister on social media.

She shared a bunch of flowers sent to her by Brittany Peltz and said: “Omg @brittanyleahpeltz thank you so so so much these are breathtaking.”

Shoppers loved the look of the ‘beautiful’ jeans when they were featured in a viral video

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Primark shoppers are going wild for ‘beautiful’ £28 jeans – and the popular style resembles a pricier alternative. Known for offering affordable clothing and accessories, Primark continues to maintain its reputation among high street shoppers. Fashion fans fell in love with the retailer’s Straight Leg Embellished Jeans when they were featured in a viral video by Chloe Mitchell, who posts on TikTok under the username @Glowybychloe.

In a video shared with her 528k followers, Chloe filmed herself searching for the jeans in Primark. She then shared her honest first impression, thinking the jeans looked like they could be from another brand.

Chloe said: “Oh my gosh, they are beautiful. £28, but if they were in Zara or something, I reckon they would be like £50 or £60.” Introducing the jeans on its website, Primark said: “With a mid-rise waist and a straight leg design, these jeans are made from 100% cotton and finished with embellished diamantés!”

Viewers loved the jeans when they reacted to the video, which garnered over 15k likes and numerous comments from excited shoppers. One fan wrote: “Can’t wait to see the try on. They are a lush colour denim.”

A second viewer replied: “Omg I need to run to Primark.” A similar comment said: “I need to find these!!” Meanwhile, another fan commented: “Love.”

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Someone else said: “Well I saw some in anthropology that were £138. So this is defo good to know.” A Zara fan added: “Zara do have a lighter wash pair with more diamantés for £50 they are stunning”

The jeans could also impress Next shoppers looking for an alternative to the retailer’s £45 Threadbare Blue Embellished Baggy Wide Leg Jeans. While the pricier jeans could impress Next fans searching for a standout style, the Primark jeans look similar but come with a lower price tag. As such, the Primark style could appeal to shoppers seeking attention-grabbing jeans at a lower price.

There are differences between the two styles, which include the cut of the jeans. Primark opted for a straight-leg style, whereas Next’s jeans are offered in a baggy, wide-leg style. However, the indigo colour of the jeans and the embellished detailing look remarkably similar, and the jeans could be worn with the same outfits.

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Introducing the jeans, Next said: “Upgrade your denim with these embellished baggy wide-leg jeans from Threadbare. Baggy wide leg fit. Rhinestone embellishments across the front. Five-pocket design. Metal shank button and zip fastening. Rigid denim.”