Stacey Solomon fans say her new hair colour has ‘given her a new glow’
View 2 Images
Stacey Solomon was much blonder last week (pictured before her transformation)(Image: REHAB)
Stacey Solomon has debuted a brand new hair colour, and it’s causing quite the stir. The mum-of-five swapped her signature bright blonde for a deeper, richer shade experts are calling ‘chocolate blonde’, and the colour shift has genuinely given her a whole new look.
Stacey unveiled the transformation on Instagram after a rare few hours to herself at the salon, and fans immediately flooded the comments with praise. One wrote: “I love it, it’s given you a new glow,” while another added: “That colour is stunning.” A third follower summed up the general consensus perfectly: “Oh I see the change- it’s darker and I really love it, it really suits you.”
The transformation isn’t drastic, but it instantly lifts the complexion and adds warmth at a time of year when most of us are feeling a bit washed out. Stacey even joked on an Instagram story about the subtle-but-noticeable shift, saying husband Joe Swash didn’t even spot the change. A follower shared this sentiment, writing: “Men eh? I went out blonde and came back a redhead and my husband didn’t notice even when the kids gave him clues. Yours looks lovely.” Relatable doesn’t even begin to cover it.
READ MORE: GMB’s Charlotte Hawkins wows in Christmas party-ready dress that’s under £50
So what makes Stacey’s new shade work so well? According to Siobhan Haug, colour specialist and co-founder of Haug London Haus, the richness comes from how the tones have been blended. “Stacey’s colour has a warm sheen, not too ashy. It’s a chocolate blonde,” she explains. “Mahogany, gold and violet tones combined give that warmth without a copper tinge.” In other words, it’s a multi-dimensional approach that avoids the flatness that winter blondes can sometimes fall into.
Siobhan adds that the colourist has leaned into Stacey’s natural warmth rather than tried to cool everything down. “It’s nice to lean into the warmth and not fight it because that’s what’s given the rich base colour– it’s not flat.”
The result is glossy, lifted and incredibly flattering, especially for the winter months when softer, deeper blondes tend to look more natural against paler skin tones. Chocolate blonde is also lower-maintenance than brighter balayage or icy highlights, which might explain why so many people are bookmarking Stacey’s new look as inspo for their next appointment.
Bangladesh will hold a parliamentary election on February 12, authorities said, in what would be the country’s first national vote since last year’s student-led uprising that removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In a televised address on Thursday, the chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin confirmed the date and said a national referendum on political reforms would also be held on the same day.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
The announcement comes as the interim administration struggles to steady the political landscape. The caretaker government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has faced renewed demonstrations over delays to political and institutional reforms promised after Hasina’s removal from power.
Hasina’s party remains excluded from the ballot, and its leaders have warned that unrest could escalate as the campaign gathers pace.
Yunus framed the election schedule as a turning point, saying the country had moved closer to reclaiming democratic norms. “Bangladesh’s democratic journey has crossed an important milestone, strengthening the new path the nation has taken after the historic mass uprising,” he said.
The turbulence of the transition sharpened on Thursday after President Mohammed Shahabuddin, appointed to the largely symbolic post during Hasina’s tenure, announced he would resign once voting concludes. He told the news agency Reuters he intended to step aside midway through his term, saying he had felt humiliated by the Yunus government.
Many voters are focussed on restoring democratic rule, reviving the vital garment-export industry, and recalibrating ties with India, which soured after Hasina fled to India following the upheaval.
Referendum on ‘July Charter’ reforms
Election officials say nearly 128 million people will be able to cast ballots across more than 42,000 polling stations in contests for 300 seats. The poll will coincide with a referendum on the “July Charter”, a reform blueprint drafted in the immediate aftermath of the uprising.
Uddin said that the vote would determine whether the Charter becomes the basis for restructuring state institutions.
The document proposes reducing executive authority, enhancing the judiciary’s independence, strengthening the electoral commission, and stopping the political misuse of law-enforcement agencies.
The race is expected to be dominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The BNP is competing alongside Jamaat-e-Islami, which is returning to electoral politics for the first time since a 2013 court ruling barred it under the country’s secular constitution.
A new political force, the National Citizen Party, formed by student leaders who helped organise the 2024 uprising, lags behind, struggling to convert its street mobilisation into a nationwide electoral base.
Despite rumours that he is the next James Bond and years of Hollywood success, Idris Elba has revealed surprise plans for retirement from acting to focus on another career
View 5 Images
Idris Elba announces plan to retire and focus on another career
Idris Elba has shared plans to retire from acting. Despite being one of the highest grossing actors and rumours he will be the next James Bond, the 53-year-old has expressed a desire to pivot to another career. In a Q&A at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia on 10 December, Idris shared that he wanted to hang up his acting hat and hoped his fans wouldn’t be “mad” at him.
“I’m hoping that my fan base as an actor isn’t made at me,” he said whilst promoting his new short film Dust To Dreams. “But eventually, I want to transfer to be a director fully. I’ve been acting for a long time. I love it still, but I think directing allows me to flex slightly different muscles and just be a part of the set in a different way. I really enjoy it.”
READ MORE: Netflix’s new Luther movie to reunite Idris Elba with ‘dangerous’ legendREAD MORE: Biggest hint yet that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the new James Bond
Idris directed his first feature film, Yardie, in 2018. He’d previously done a TV short, Rebellious Soul: The Musical, making Dust To Dreams his second short and third directorial film. He also has three films that have not been released yet, including one called Above The Below, which he also stars in.
The Thor actor is one of the top 20 highest grossing actors, as his films, including several Marvel projects and a biopic about Nelson Mandela, have grossed over $9.8 billion at the global box office.
In recent years, Idris has also been tipped to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond. He even suggested he would say yes to the role if it was offered to him, even if it’s not something he’s actively pursuing.
Talking to Vanity Fair in 2019, he said: “James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character, that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey. Of course, if someone said to me ‘Do you want to play James Bond?,’ I’d be like, Yeah! That’s fascinating to me. But it’s not something I’ve expressed, like, yeah, I wanna be the black James Bond.”
Article continues below
In the same article, he said he was “disheartened” by the backlash to Bond rumours. He shared that he found it troubling that some people thought he couldn’t do the role, which has so far been played by white men, purely because of his race. Idris added that the backlash meant taking on the role would be a “difficult position to put myself into”.
Brooklyn Beckham has been involved in a public feud with the Beckham family but it looks like dad David is keen to make up with his eldest son
View 3 Images
The Beckhams have been involved in a family feud(Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)
David Beckham has sent an emotional message to his son Brooklyn amid their ongoing family feud. It’s thought that the former footballer’s latest post could be an olive branch. The public feud has been going on for months now, with the majority of family members sharing social media posts connected to the row. However, the latest post could be an attempt to make up before Christmas.
David took to his Instagram stories where he shared a photo of himself alongside wife Victoria, 51, and children Romeo 23, Cruz, 20 and Harper, 14, celebrating his MLS title in Miami. But he also posted a throwback snap of himself with Brooklyn, 25 after winning the same cup as a player with LA Galaxy in 2011 and 2012.
READ MORE: David and Victoria Beckham’s masterplan to deal with ‘ghost of Brooklyn’ by ChristmasREAD MORE: David Beckham shares huge win with family while estranged Brooklyn stays home making soup
He captioned the snaps with: “License to cry.” Some have thought that the latest post could be an olive branch to Brooklyn before the festive season comes to an end.
Last week, Brooklyn’s youngest brother shared his own post that looked like he was also trying to end the feud. Crus posted an old photo to Instagram of himself with Brooklyn, his other brother Romeo and his dad David.
Next to the sweet snap, he wrote: “Love you guys.” This is the first time Cruz has shared a photo with his brother since the feud first arose.
The week before, Cruz took to his social media again where he shared a message hinting that he wants to put the family rift behind him. Alongside a selfie, Cruz wrote: “Life is too short to be silence, at least talk it out,” with a crying face emoji. Some thought that the message could have been a plea to Brooklyn to reach out to him to sort things out.
Mum Victoria is also said to be desperate for the family to all make up as soon as possible. The fashionista posted on her Instagram stories to post a video from her mum’s Jackie’s home, where all the grandchildren’s Christmas stockings are up on the mantlepiece.
Brooklyn has his name embroidered name on his very own stocking. Speaking to the camera as she panned over the decorations, Victoria said: “So I’m here at my mum and dad’s house and look how cute.
“They’ve got all of the grandchildren’s stockings up ready for Christmas.” The exact reason for the family fall out has never been revealed.
Brooklyn has kept his distance from him family members as he has missed several milestones since they have stopped talking.
Brooklyn and wife Nicola Peltz didn’t attend David’s 50th birthday earlier this year. They also missed the premiere of mum Victoria’s Netflix documentary and also her big Paris fashion show.
Article continues below
One of the big events Brooklyn missed but David’s knighthood celebrations. He also didn’t share a message congratulating his dad on his big achievement when the honours list was announced.
Ann Cleeves, who has created the books behind the hit TV series Vera and Shetland, has joined Queen Camilla for a brand new project aiming to find the country’s top reading champions
View 5 Images
Queen Camilla(Image: Getty Images)
Queen Camilla is breaking down snobbery in reading – and in turn it’s helping those struggling with their mental health, according to the best-selling author behind the Vera and Shetland books.
Ann Cleeves, whose novels have been turned into two hit drama series that have captivated viewers on ITV and the BBC, has hailed the Queen for her love of books and championing reading as a way of escaping everyday life. The novelist, who is working on her latest book in her crime detective series Vera, which saw Brenda Blethyn play the character in the long-running ITV drama, has long advocated the emotional benefits of reading for pleasure.
READ MORE: Camilla’s emotional radio show with BBC’s John Hunt after family’s crossbow murderREAD MORE: Queen Camilla visits set of Rivals and admits she binge-watched raunchy TV show
It echoes the work of Camilla, who is known for her love of reading, and set up her Queen’s Reading Room initiative, which initially started with her recommending some of her favourite books and authors.
Ann has met Camilla, most recently at Clarence House earlier this year – and now she has been invited to join the judging panel on a new project – the Queen’s Reading Room Medal.
And speaking to the Mirror, the celebrated author says it’s wonderful Camilla is “doing away with” a certain type of ‘sniffiness’ when it comes to reading and enjoying books.
She explained: “Her Majesty obviously loves books – and what I admire the most is that she doesn’t necessarily pick classics or literary fiction. She’s just as happy to read a good murder or read something that the rest of us would read as an escape.
“In the past, there has been a bit of snobbishness around reading, and I think it’s brilliant that the medal and everything Her Majesty has said has been around ‘if you’re having a good time with a book, it’s a good book’.
“Popular genre authors that literary reviewers may have been a bit sniffy about, she has been doing away with that kind of snobbery, which is wonderful.”
Camilla announced the launch of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal earlier this year, which will be a national honour awarded annually to people who support storytelling in their local communities.
It is a spin off from the Queen’s Reading Room, a charity she founded following the success of her Instagram book club during the pandemic. It has since grown into a global hub for reading advocacy, with a podcast, research initiatives, and an annual literary festival drawing tens of thousands of visitors.
Nominations for the Queen’s Reading Room Medal are open until the end of the month and include people who have set up community reading groups, improved access to local libraries, donated books to those in need, or organised local literary festivals.
Ann is on the judging panel along with other leading publishing and literary figures – with Camilla understood to be delighted to have the best-selling author among those taking part in the project.
The author explained: “It is an honour to be asked to do something by Her Majesty and also I saw it as a way of getting the word out there and celebrating those people and volunteers, who go in and maybe read to stroke victims in hospitals or people set up reading groups for teenagers in their local libraries.
“It doesn’t matter. It is not about reading being some kind of chore or feeling we have to do, it is just sharing that immense pleasure in losing yourself in a story.”
Ann combines her busy writing schedule with helping to run the north-east-based Reading for Wellbeing organisation, which promotes reading as a way of supporting mental wellbeing, which caught the eye of Camilla and the Queen’s Reading Room chairity.
The author set up the organisation after experiencing for herself how getting lost in a book can help in times of struggle.
The organisation works with local GPs, who can refer patients who may be struggling to join one of their reading groups, where participants read for pleasure before joining together to discuss what they’ve read.
She explained: “Reading has seen me through some tough times. I had cancer when I was in my 30s and then my husband had bipolar disorder and until he was properly diagnosed that was quite tricky, balancing that with two kids.
“But what really got me through those tricky times was reading. And I thought, let’s see if this works. If it works for me, it might work for other people. Reading for Wellbeing then started.
“Reading is not about literacy even – it’s about losing yourself in a story and people can do that if they are listening to audio books or if they’re reading graphic novels – and something I often say is if you’ve got lots of depressed and angry thoughts rattling around in your head, it is really lovely to get inside someone else’s head for a bit. And when you’re reading, you can see the world through other people’s eyes.
“At one talk I did, one woman part of our group talked about how she had been going through a bad time in her life because her husband had died and her mum had died and she said in the past, I would have gone along to my GP and asked for some anti-depressants, but now I’ve got the group I don’t need to. I go along, I read a book and I chat to my friends.”
Vicki Perrin, the CEO of the Queen’s Reading Room, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Ann Cleeves as a judge for The Queen’s Reading Room Medal. Her extraordinary storytelling has captivated readers worldwide, and as founder of Reading for Wellbeing, she understands the profound ways reading can transform and enrich lives.
“Her insight will be invaluable as we celebrate the wonderful volunteers who go above and beyond to champion books and reading in their communities.
“We are thrilled to have Ann join our distinguished panel of judges as they honour those making such a difference through the joy of reading.”
Visit thequeensreadingroom.co.uk/the-queens-reading-room-medal for nominations, which are open until December 31.
Ireland earned their first points in the FIH Pro League as they edged out England 4-3 in a dramatic shootout after a 1-1 draw in Dublin.
Sarah Torrans gave the home side a first-half lead before Ellie Rayer equalised for England in the third quarter.
In heavy rain at the Sport Ireland campus, both sides looked happy with a point at the end, but it was Ireland who held their nerve in the shootout with goalkeeper Lizzie Murphy making the final stop to give the hosts the second point.
Charlotte Beggs, Mikayla Power and Hannah McLoughlin (2) scored for Ireland in the shootout, while Darcy Bourne, Rayer and Lily Owsley converted for England.
“We’re delighted. We started the game with a lot of energy and that was exactly what we wanted to do,” said Torrans.
1 day ago
23 hours ago
Ireland – who lost to Belgium on Wednesday – controlled possession and territory for most of the first half, but it was England who squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead when Murphy saved a penalty stroke from Darcy Bourne.
However, Ireland’s hard work and perseverance paid off before half-time when strong work from Katie Mullan and Mikayla Power set up Torrans for the opening goal.
“Getting the lead is so important in games like these,” added Torrans.
“We know we left chances out there and we’ll look back on those going into the next few days.
Inpho
England improved after the interval and scored the equaliser with a well-worked county attack involving Tess Howard and Bourne and finished by Rayer.
After the final quarter ended tied, a dramatic shootout was needed to separate the sides.
At 2-2 Howard’s effort was clearly outside of the eight seconds, but after Murphy was injured on the play, Ireland took too long to refer the decision to the third umpire and so the goal stood.
After Hannah McLoughlin scored and Murphy made a key save, Sarah Hawkshaw had two opportunities to win the game when England goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard was harshly adjudged to have impeded her the first time.
In sudden death, McLoughlin scored again and when Murphy saved from Sophie Hamilton, Ireland secured a second point.
1 day ago
23 hours ago
Also in Dublin on Thursday, England’s men secured a bonus point with a shootout victory over Belgium following a 2-2 draw.
Henry Croft’s early goal gave England the lead but Belgium looked to have won the game after Arno Van Dessel and Nelson Onana struck in quick succession in the final quarter.
However, with less than 30 seconds left, Jacob Payton levelled it for England with a superb finish.
