Category News

Pete Wicks and Louise Thompson savagely mock Zara McDermott as they support Sam

By in Entertainment News, News

Sam Thompson’s best friend Pete Wicks and sister Louise Thompson have mocked his ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott six months on from their shock split as he takes on a gruelling Unicef challenge

Pete Wicks has taken a huge swipe at Sam Thompson’s ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott during the Made In Chelsea star’s 260-mile endurance challenge on both bike and foot in aid of Unicef.

Holding a sign that read “You caaaaaan” – a cheeky nod to Zara’s emotional plea to Sam after her cheating confession – the TOWIE star shouted the words with a cigarette in his mouth. Posting the moment on Instagram, Pete wrote: “Pete pulled through with the best motivation. Sam was a big fan. Drop in the comments which sign is your favourite?”

Sam, 33, mid-run and visibly limping from a calf injury, broke down in tears when he spotted Pete waiting for him. In the emotional clip shared on their Staying Relevant page, the pair embraced, with Pete reassuring him: “You all right? Come here. It’s alright.” Sam, surprised, replied: “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“Of course I’m coming. Do you think I’d miss this?” Pete said. “I’m so proud of you. You’re smashing it.” Sam then admitted through tears: “I don’t think I’m smashing it.”

Pete Wicks has taken a huge swipe at Sam Thompson’s ex-girlfriend Zara McDermott(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Pete didn’t hesitate in his response as he encouraged: “You are smashing it. Are you still going? There you go. You’re smashing it… You’re the guy before you started, you’re the guy now and you’re going to be the guy when you finish. You got this.”

Article continues below

Sam’s big sister Louise also took a swipe at Zara after Pete’s hilarious quip. On TikTok and Instagram, Louise, 35, used the iconic sound ‘You can’ from Zara’s emotional breakdown on Made In Chelsea. The move didn’t go unnoticed by fans who were left in hysterics.

“Ohhhhh Zara is not going to be pleased about this one guys,” one fan quipped. Another echoed: “SHADE of the highest degree. I couldn’t love this anymore.” Someone else joked: “I have a feeling Zara is gonna be livid about this. What GREAT use of this iconic sound.”

Sam and Zara split up in December after five years
Sam and Zara split up in December after five years(Image: Instagram)

Sam began the gruelling challenge on June 2, aiming to run a marathon a day – with some cycling due to injury – until he reaches Old Trafford for Soccer Aid on June 15, raising funds for children’s welfare through UNICEF.

The former TOWIE and Made In Chelsea stars have forged a solid bond over the past six years. Speaking to The Mirror recently about his strong friendship with Sam, Pete said his best friend truly came out of his shell and realised his worth when he and Zara, 28, split in December.

Zara, who is now smitten with One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, is said to have ended her five-year relationship with Sam before Christmas. “Sam had a ‘different’ start to the year,” Pete said of Sam’s split with Zara. “Part of being someone’s friend is being there no matter what – to say, ‘things are always going to get better,’ and they have.”

Louise has also thrown shade at Sam's ex Zara
Louise has also thrown shade at Sam’s ex Zara(Image: louise.thompson/Instagram)

Pete then confessed that Sam is more self confident and self-assured than ever after the break-up. “He’s great. Sometimes it’s about allowing people to work on themselves, realise their worth. I hope I’ve helped him do that, because he’s amazing, and he deserves the best,” his best friend gushed.

“Sam’s my little finger! He’s unapologetically himself. People think the dynamic stops once the cameras are off but no, he still rings me 15 times a day to chat. It’s nice to share this mad journey with someone I love. He’ll have a heart attack when he finds out I’ve said that.”

Article continues below

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Stacey Solomon has an innovative solution to creating vintage-inspired plant pots this spring

Amazon rivals Argos deal on multi-charging stand for Nintendo Switch 2 controllers

By in Entertainment News, News

With Amazon’s affordable model that beats Argos’ wallet-friendly prices, you can add a multi-charging dock for your Nintendo Switch 2 controllers without breaking the bank.

We may link to affiliate links in this article, but we will make money off of any purchases we make. Learn more at &nbsp

Amazon rivals Argos deal on charging stand for Nintendo Switch 2 controllers(Image: Getty)

If you were one of the lucky ones who managed to secure the new Nintendo Switch 2 as of yesterday’s release, you’ll probably want to pick up a tidy and practical gadget to keep your controllers fully charged ahead of your next gaming session.

This Switch 2 Controllers Charging Dock is a cost-effective way to store all of your controllers in one place and ensure they are fully charged when you need them when you need them, whether you’re playing with friends, family, or alone. This charging stand also has room for your spare controllers and game cards at a price of just £25.99.

READ MORE: Just in time for Switch 2 release, Nintendo releases a retro-inspired GameCube controller.

READ MORE: A Nintendo Switch’s price is reduced by £60 from full price in an Amazon flash sale.

Switch 2 Controller Charging Dock
This Switch 2 Controller Charging Dock has 10% off on Amazon(Image: Amazon)

Click here for more information on the release, stock, and games for the Nintendo Switch 2.

This dock was created to provide the best convenience, rivaling Argos, which sells for £29.99. Up to four controllers can be charged simultaneously with the Switch 2 controller charger. This dock will undoubtedly be your go-to tool for organizing your gear, whether you’re gearing up for a group gaming session or just organizing your gear.

The dock has attractive LED lights that clearly indicate the charging status. As a bright and colorful addition to any gaming setup, these lights make sure your controllers are always ready for action.

This dock allows you to charge your device quickly and reliably, reducing the amount of time needed to maximize gameplay without having to wait long. Your controllers will stay charged without a delay thanks to the USB-C input.

This Switch 2 controller holder maximizes your available space while protecting and secureing your controllers. This dock is a compact and handy addition to any gaming setup because of its embedded magnetic structure, which prevents the need for cluttered wires while your controllers are being charged.

This charging dock is a great option if you’re looking to purchase a Nintendo game console soon or if you’re looking for a convenient accessory for your own Switch setup. This bargain is only available for a limited time on Amazon, and it costs just £25.99.

Continue reading the article.

For £29.99, you can purchase the Oniverse Quadrant Joy-Con Charger For Nintendo Switch 2 from Argos, or visit Game, where a simpler dock is available for £19.99.

Amazon rivals Argos deal on multi-charging stand for Nintendo Switch 2 controllers

By in Entertainment News, News

With Amazon’s affordable model that beats Argos’ wallet-friendly prices, you can add a multi-charging dock for your Nintendo Switch 2 controllers without breaking the bank.

We may link to affiliate links in this article, but we will make money off of any purchases we make. Learn more at &nbsp

Amazon rivals Argos deal on charging stand for Nintendo Switch 2 controllers(Image: Getty)

If you were one of the lucky ones who managed to secure the new Nintendo Switch 2 as of yesterday’s release, you’ll probably want to pick up a tidy and practical gadget to keep your controllers fully charged ahead of your next gaming session.

This Switch 2 Controllers Charging Dock is a cost-effective way to store all of your controllers in one place and ensure they are fully charged when you need them when you need them, whether you’re playing with friends, family, or alone. This charging stand also has room for your spare controllers and game cards at a price of just £25.99.

READ MORE: Just in time for Switch 2 release, Nintendo releases a retro-inspired GameCube controller.

READ MORE: A Nintendo Switch’s price is reduced by £60 from full price in an Amazon flash sale.

Switch 2 Controller Charging Dock
This Switch 2 Controller Charging Dock has 10% off on Amazon(Image: Amazon)

Click here for more information on the release, stock, and games for the Nintendo Switch 2.

This dock was created to provide the best convenience, rivaling Argos, which sells for £29.99. Up to four controllers can be charged simultaneously with the Switch 2 controller charger. This dock will undoubtedly be your go-to tool for organizing your gear, whether you’re gearing up for a group gaming session or just organizing your gear.

The dock has attractive LED lights that clearly indicate the charging status. As a bright and colorful addition to any gaming setup, these lights make sure your controllers are always ready for action.

This dock allows you to charge your device quickly and reliably, reducing the amount of time needed to maximize gameplay without having to wait long. Your controllers will stay charged without a delay thanks to the USB-C input.

This Switch 2 controller holder maximizes your available space while protecting and secureing your controllers. This dock is a compact and handy addition to any gaming setup because of its embedded magnetic structure, which prevents the need for cluttered wires while your controllers are being charged.

This charging dock is a great option if you’re looking to purchase a Nintendo game console soon or if you’re looking for a convenient accessory for your own Switch setup. This bargain is only available for a limited time on Amazon, and it costs just £25.99.

Continue reading the article.

For £29.99, you can purchase the Oniverse Quadrant Joy-Con Charger For Nintendo Switch 2 from Argos, or visit Game, where a simpler dock is available for £19.99.

To survive, Orban is plotting a far-right takeover of Brussels

By in News, World News
OPINION,

A “Trump tornado” has spread across the globe, bringing with it a wave of “hope” for a return to “normalcy and peace.” At the Budapest-based Conservative Political Action Conference (CPA) this year, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban remarked in a strikingly direct keynote address.

CPAC started as a forum for radical right-wing forces in the United States, and it has since grown into a global forum. The Foundation for Fundamental Rights, a government-backed and funded NGO, assisted in its integration into Europe.

While Orban praised Donald Trump, CPAC focused primarily on the continent of Europe this year. After 15 years in power, Orban is facing growing domestic opposition. His popularity has declined as a result of public outcry over his deeply entrenched corruption, stagnant economic growth, and increasingly hostile relations with Hungary’s allies. A recent development of an opposition movement led by former Fidesz insider Peter Magyar is putting up a significant challenge ahead of the 2026 general election, which is currently polling 6 to 8 percentage points ahead of Orban’s Fidesz–KDNP coalition.

The government has increased its attacks on dissent as a result. A number of bold legislative proposals from Fidesz just came out that would impose Russian-style crackdowns on opposition politicians, independent journalists, NGOs, and private businesses. The first casualties included the LGBTQ+ Pride march in Budapest in June, which was prohibited due to “child protection.” The government has also begun to rewrite electoral laws and direct state funding to potential Fidesz voters.

20 European Union member states issued a joint statement to Orban this week, pleading him to reverse the new measures, alarming him by his growing authoritarianism. In the event that the laws are not followed, they demanded that the European Commission use the full range of rule-of-law measures. Orban’s behavior is no longer just a domestic issue. In light of Russia, China, and the second Trump administration’s increasing challenges, his confrontational, transactional style of decision-making is increasingly paralyzing EU decisions, which the continent can’t afford. The foundation of collective security is not just the motor of prosperity; it is also.

The European Parliament triggered the Article 7 process in 2018 out of concern for judicial independence and media freedom in Hungary, a hardly ever used EU mechanism that can strip a member state of voting rights for violating fundamental values. The European Council has already voted on sanctions eight times, but it hasn’t yet moved forward. As tensions continue to rise, that may soon alter.

Thus, CPAC 2025 provided Orban with a strategic framework to consolidate and grow a coalition of radical right-wing Central European leaders, particularly those with a chance of gaining or retaining power. His goal is to forge a bloc capable of preventing any EU efforts to stifle his government, whether through abolition of voting rights or slashing financial transfers. Prior to the 2026 elections, the EU is already holding back more than 20 billion euros ($23 billion) in structural funds from Hungary, which could increase.

The governments of Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia are yet to join the growing list of nations that have condemned Hungary’s recent democratic underperformance. Orban’s goal is to elicit support from regional allies. The Hungarian leader is laying the groundwork for a counterweight bloc designed to thwart EU countermeasures through CPAC, the Visegrad Group, a long-standing alliance between Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, and the “Patriots for Europe” group, a far-right alliance launched by Orban and allies in 2024.

This makes it particularly significant for Poland’s Mateusz Morawiecki, the Law and Justice (PiS) party, to attend this week’s event. They continue to be political allies with growing reciprocal dependence despite not having any affiliation with the Patriots group in the European Parliament.

On the European far right, Orban has a nearly cult-like following: he consistently wins elections, provides a ready-made ideological narrative, and has invested money to form a pan-European coalition. However, his biggest limitations are Hungary’s small stature and his own growing isolation from the rest of Europe. Far-right parties may choose to distance themselves from Orban, as Giorgia Meloni in Italy has already done.

CPAC highlighted Orban’s determination to maintain the influence he has worked so hard to achieve. He is unable to accept the EU by himself. If he wants to “occupy” and unleash his own “tornado” of “civility” across Europe, he needs allies. For Orban’s own political survival, the Patriots group, Hungary’s Visegrad neighbors, and a Trump-led Washington may yet serve as tools for that ambition.

Knockouts to nappies – dad-to-be Wardley’s defining week

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images
Kal Sajad
BBC Sport Journalist

Fabio Wardley v Justis Huni

Venue: Portman Road, Ipswich Date: Saturday, 7 June

Fabio Wardley may soon be celebrating a solid night’s sleep with the same gusto as a knockout victory in front of 20,000 home fans.

As the British heavyweight prepares for arguably the toughest test of his career on Saturday, there is another monumental challenge waiting for him outside the ropes – becoming a father.

The 30-year-old’s partner is due to give birth to their first child just a week after Wardley fulfils a long-held dream: fighting at the home of his beloved Ipswich Town Football Club against undefeated Australian contender Justis Huni.

With a midwife appointment just 30 minutes away, Wardley candidly speaks to BBC Sport about the uncertainty of impending parenthood.

“I don’t know if I’m nervous about changing nappies or not,” he jokes.

“Fighting is at least something I have control over and have done a few times, so I know what I’m doing.

“But this whole new stage after this fight – being a dad – is going to be a whole different realm.”

Should Wardley approach fatherhood with the same mindset that he has driven his boxing career – dedication, a hunger to learn and a fierce determination to embrace the journey – he should be fine.

At 19, Wardley was working in recruitment, having never laced up a pair of gloves. A decade later, a victory over Huni will move him one step closer to a world-title shot – possibly as early 2026.

The ‘gangly’ novice turned boxing headliner

Wardley acknowledges that fighting so close to his partner’s due date is not ideal, but the opportunity to be the main event at Portman Road was simply too good to pass up.

“I didn’t believe it would happen up until six, seven months ago,” says Wardley, a lifelong fan of the ‘Tractor Boys’.

“For everything to fall into place – the pitch, the season ending, the right opponent – is extremely difficult. But all the things have aligned perfectly.”

The journey to this landmark moment has been anything but straightforward, though.

Once commuting daily from Ipswich to London for work, Wardley devoted his evenings to learning the fundamentals of boxing.

It was not until he knocked out three of four opponents in the unlicensed white-collar boxing scene – where novices compete often for charity or personal challenge – that he decided to turn professional.

“Had I known how much I’d take to boxing, I’d probably have left my job a bit earlier,” he says.

Picking ‘hard opponents’ to silence the doubters

Fabio Wardley floors Frazer Clarke in RiyadhGetty Images

Wardley silenced critics who questioned his lack of amateur background with a brutal first-round knockout of Frazer Clarke last October, having fought to a draw against the Olympian seven months prior.

“The 12 rounds I had with Frazer were enough to see me through for a little while,” he says.

“It did me good not to go through that again in a rematch – not get more miles.”

Originally set to face Jarrell Miller on Saturday, Wardley faced a late opponent change when the American withdrew because of injury.

Instead of opting for an easier fight, he chose Brisbane’s Huni – a 26-year-old unbeaten heavyweight with an impressive amateur pedigree.

“Boxing fans always need convincing and I’m picking hard opponents to show them what I’ve got in my locker,” Wardley says.

“They’ve seen a lot of people come and go, some who they thought would do great things and haven’t, and others they underestimated who’ve gone on to do really big things.

Keeping a keen eye on Usyk-Dubois

Wardley will be closely watching next month’s undisputed heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk – perhaps during a late-night nappy change.

Usyk has suggested he only has two fights left, meaning a future bout with Wardley seems improbable, but not impossible.

When Wardley first sparred with Usyk in 2018, any prospect of facing the generational great felt “a million miles away”.

More realistically, Wardley believes a showdown with Dubois could be on the horizon, with both fighters handled by Queensberry Promotions.

“I’ll be pushing my mandatory status, aiming to be at the front of the queue or next up on the list,” he adds.

Related topics

  • Boxing