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Legendary actress Paula Shaw, who secured her place in horror film folklore by stepping into the role of Pamela Vorhees, Jason’s mother, in Freddy vs. Jason after replacing Betsy Palmer, has died at the age of 84.

The beloved star died peacefully in her sleep at her Vancouver home following a lengthy battle with illness. Her death was announced on the website for her acting workshops, The Max with Paula Shaw.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce Paula passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 morning at 9:00 am. Paula touched countless lives through The MAX, the Mastery, and her transformational work,” the statement began.

“Her legacy lives on in the communities she created and the lives she changed.”, reports the Express. Shaw was also celebrated for her appearances in numerous Hallmark festive films.

Her Hallmark colleague Julie Sherman Wolfe shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram after learning of the tragic news. “So sad to hear about Paula Shaw’s passing. We often chatted on Facetime after she filmed Hanukkah on Rye, mostly about our shared heritage (and trying to figure out if we were related! ) We never found out, but it didn’t matter. She will always be one of my honorary bubbies,” she wrote.

Devastated fans quickly flooded social media with touching tributes as word of her death spread. “I just found out that Paula Shaw has passed. Few days ago I believe. Im SO sad…I absolutely loved her in all her movies,” one wrote.

“This is so sad. Paula was a great actress. Picture a Perfect Christmas was one of the best. May she rest in peace,” another added. “I loved her in all the Hallmark movies she played in, what a loss to Hallmark. Prayers to her entire family and may she rest in peace,” one fan wrote.

“Aww, I’m so sorry to hear this. She was so loved in all her movies. Prayers for the family and all friendsm” another shared. “Absolutely loved her in anything she was in. A great actress. Drama. Comedy. She was great at it all. Will sadly miss her and please replay all her movies. Rest in peace Paula. What a gem! Condolences to her family,” a third fan expressed.

Meanwhile, another said: “Awww so sad. May she Rest In Peace. Loved her in all the movies she was in. She was a classic lady.”

Throughout her six-decade career as a member of the legendary Actor’s Studio, she had many memorable roles. On TV in the 1970s, she appeared on shows including The Bob Newhart Show, Starsky & Hutch, Barney Miller, Three’s Company, Lou Grant and Ironside.

Decades later, she would have roles in shows such as 21 Jump Street, The X-Files, The Commish, Terminal City, Supernatural and Van Helsing.

In 1982, she starred opposite Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds playing Wulla Jean, the original owner of the Chicken Ranch, in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

She also played a coroner in Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia in 2002 opposite Al Pacino. A year later, she landed the role that turned her into a horror icon when she played Jason’s mother Pamela Voorhees in Freddy vs Jason.

On the Hallmark channel, she took on the role of Charlotte Jeffers, playing the mother to Andie MacDowell’s character in the first season of Cedar Cove back in 2013. She then became a familiar face in many of the channel’s beloved holiday films, featuring in Hanukkah on Rye, Hitched for the Holidays, Picture a Perfect Christmas, A Mrs. Miracle Christmas and Round and Round.

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The Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite, who is also known for competing on Strictly Come Dancing, has announced that he’s quitting OnlyFans after first joining it in 2022

Former Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite has announced that he’s quitting OnlyFans. He shared the news with fans this week and told them that he now feels a “true sense of purpose” for the first time in more than a decade.

John, now 36, who rose to fame on the Great British Bake Off, which he won in 2012, joined the adult subscription platform in 2022. After taking a break the following year, it was revealed earlier this year that he had rejoined OnlyFans and was offering content under the name Johnny Boy.

The baker has now announced that he is leaving OnlyFans. Sharing the news on Instagram yesterday, John said in a post that his baked goods store Ruff Puff Bakehouse, which opened in July, and his brownies brand Ruff Puff Brownies have reminded him of a “talent” that he has “neglected”.

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Alongside a selfie of himself beside his dog Abel, he wrote: “I’m leaving OnlyFans. Life has shifted in a way I couldn’t have predicted – Ruff Puff Bakehouse and Ruff Puff Brownies have taken up so much of my time, but in the best possible way.”

John continued: “They’ve reminded me of a talent I’d neglected, and given me a new respect for the craft that first set me on this path all those years ago. Working side by side with the team, creating something real and lasting, has shown me that my value isn’t in muscles or body image – it’s in building, baking, and sharing.”

He added in the message yesterday: “For the first time since Bake Off 13 years ago, I feel a true sense of purpose again. This isn’t the end of something, it’s the start of a new chapter – one rooted in passion, creativity, and community. And I couldn’t be more ready.”

His post concluded: “To all the OnlyFans fans and peers – thank you for the support along the way. I wish you all well and much success. I’m not Jonny Boy, I’m just John, and I’m putting one foot in front of the other just like the rest of the world.”

He was met with support on Instagram following the news, with the post having amassed almost 10,000 likes. One fan reacted: “Wishing you every success John.” Another wrote in the comments section: “All the best to you, John.”

A third said: “You do whatever is best for you and your true fans will support you! Someday I’ll get over there and get to your bakehouse.” Another fan wrote: “You have to do what makes you happy. You are a brilliant bake and having met you a genuinely lovely person. Every success to you.”

John rose to fame on the third series of Bake Off in 2012, which he went on to win. He later worked on Steph’s Packed Lunch and competed on Strictly in 2021, placing as runner-up with dance partner Johannes Radebe in the final.

It has previously been claimed by John that he once earned more in one month through OnlyFans that he did for taking part in Strictly. He’s also previously said that his use of the platform had affected his relationships with some brands.

Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas has claimed a celebrity dating app has rejected her approach to find love following her split from her younger fiance

Shirley Ballas has claimed she has been “rudely” rejected from celebrity dating app Raya. The Strictly Come Dancing star, 65, said she was back on the dating scene following her shock split from fiance Danny Taylor, 53.

However, she says the popular site has declined her efforts to find love with a fellow star on the app. And she has called the rejection “rude”.

While she admits she is not in a hurry to start dating, she remains disgruntled at apparently being turned away from using the service. “I tried Raya, but they wouldn’t accept me, how rude,” she said.

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Speaking to Daily Mail, the star added: “I’m not in an hurry to date, though. I’ve got my son, my grandson and Strictly is about to start.”

Her rejection comes as Cold Feet and Corrie star John Thomson admitted he had been placed on a waiting list for the app. “Raya won’t have me,” he said. “I’m on a waiting list. I’ve got 15 referrals and they still won’t have me.”

The Mirror has approached Raya for comment.

Shirley recently opened up to the Mirror about the end of her relationship with Danny. The duo had met while doing panto together in 2018. At the time, the TV star had been single for four and a half years and was playing Mother Nature. Danny was evil Fleshcreep in the Jack And The Beanstalk production in Liverpool.

Now, Shirley admits she quickly fell head over heels for Danny and the duo later got engaged in 2021, buying their wedding rings in the months that followed. Speaking ahead of the release of her incredible new memoir, Best Foot Forward, Shirley said: “There was no question about how much I loved that man.

“And he came into my life at a point when I really, really needed it and he was such a caring person. But what’s the nicest way to say this? Along the line, there were red flags that I chose to ignore, but it just got to a point where the relationship was becoming too difficult for me in many ways.”

She labelled Danny a “drifter by nature”. Shirley claimed that if there was ever an argument, he would go days without talking.

And she admitted she thinks her “toyboy days are behind me”. “I reckon anything from 55 to 70 if they’re fit.”

Shirley and Danny’s relationship came after the star had married twice before. She tied the knot with her dance partner Sammy Stopford in 1980. However, the pair divorced after four years.

Then there was a fiery marriage to another dancer Corky Ballas with whom she has a son, Mark.