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Holly Willoughby’s media company handed huge lifeline over tax debt

By in Entertainment News, News

Another chance to avoid being bought out by Holly Willoughby’s media empire has been provided. His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) earlier this year issued a winding-up order to Roxy Media, the media production and management company run by the TV host and her husband, Dan Baldwin, according to court documents.

The Insolvency and Companies Court heard at a hearing in April that the company owed tax amounts of £377, 000, which had been reduced from an undetermined amount. To allow the payment of the debt, the case was adjourned for 12 weeks.

No information was provided as to whether the debt had been paid in full or partially, but Charlotte Cooke, for HMRC, told the court at a hearing on Wednesday that the business was requesting that the company bring the matter before a tax tribunal.

(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Holly’s business has received a significant lifeline.

She continued, “I’m aware that the business has requested that we hear later.” That is opposed, we believe. She continued, “This has been going on for a long time.”

No details about the challenge were provided in court, despite the company’s representative’s assurance that it would go before a tax tribunal. According to Mr. Collins, the business was awaiting the hearing date for the tribunal appeal.

The case was adjourned until August 20 by Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Sally Barber. With her husband’s assistance, Whitby founded the business to concentrate on managing media clients. According to records on Companies House, she and Mr. Baldwin were both hired in 2014 as company directors.

She and her husband Dan Baldwin founded the company
The company, Getty Images Europe, was founded by her and her husband, Dan Baldwin.

In an earlier statement, a HMRC spokesman said that “we only file winding-up petitions once we’ve exhausted all other options in order to protect taxpayers’ money” and that we take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts.

The presenter is best known for formerly appearing on the ITV daytime program This Morning in 2009 before deciding to resign in 2023 to spend more time with her family.

However, Holly’s career has suffered a significant setback due to her not just her company. The presenter also hosted Dancing On Ice on ITV between 2006 and 2011, which aired on the network until it was over in 2025. Due to declining viewership, the network decided to stop showing it after almost 20 years of it.

In stark contrast to the 2.4 million viewers who tuned in for the series’ opening episode, the program attracted 12 million viewers at its peak. In addition, the most recent final, in which Coronation Street actor Sam Aston won the renowned trophy, only managed to draw in 2.7 million viewers home.

However, that is not the end all. Despite being popular with viewers, her show, Celebrity Bear Hunt, has reportedly been discontinued by streaming service Netflix due to the excessive cost of production.

Everyone on the show was “absolutely gutted,” according to a source who spoke to The Sun. They continued, “But it was completely untenable given the overall cost of travel, insurance, and, of course, securing big-name talent – even after they considered making more of a budget show and filming closer to home.

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Brian McFadden and Kerry Katona ‘will never be friends’ after ‘s**t dad’ comment

By in Entertainment News, News

Kerry Katona was noticeably absent from her ex Brian McFadden’s wedding last weekend after making a series of barbed comments about the Westlife star over the years

Kerry Katona recently said she wished she could still be friends with her ex, Brian McFadden – but that’s never going to happen according to reports(Image: Getty Images)

Last month, Kerry Katona said she wished she could still be friends with her ex, Brian McFadden – but that’s never going to happen according to reports. The Atomic Kitten star, 44, was married to the Westlife singer, 45, for five years before they split in 2004 after welcoming daughters, Molly and Lilly-Sue.

Kerry, who was noticeably absent from Brian’s wedding last weekend to Danielle Parkinson, has made a series of jaw-dropping comments about Brian over the years, including calling him a “s**t dad” and the “fat one in Westlife”. And now, the dad-of-three is said to have had enough of her outbursts, with a source claiming Kerry has “burnt her bridges”.

READ MORE: Inside Brian McFadden’s doomed first marriage to Kerry Katona as he marries for third time

Brian McFadden with his daughters, Lilly-Sue, Molly and baby Ruby
Brian McFadden with his daughters, Lilly-Sue, Molly and baby Ruby(Image: Instagram/ @brianmcfadden123)

Speaking to The Sun, they said: “Kerry has burnt her bridges with Brian, thanks to years of speaking out of turn. She’s got a heart of gold but a big mouth and that has always been her downfall.

“Kerry has a bad habit of not thinking before she speaks and it’s landed her in hot water with Brian on many occasions. She’ll say something publicly that is either outrageous or something she should have kept private between them and it gets her in trouble.

“There’s been many times her girls have asked her to rein it in when speaking about their dad, they know better than anyone how it gets to him.”

Last month, Kerry lamented the loss of her friendship with Brian, writing in her column for new! magazine: “I wish Brian and I could have stayed friends. Molly went to watch him at a festival last week and I would have loved to have gone with her. It would be great to have a better relationship.”

However, the mum-of-five hasn’t held back when talking about her ex, when she claimed in a podcast in 2023: “He was a s**t dad. I’m the one who provides for them..”

Brian McFadden shares first photos of stunning wedding day with new wife Danielle Parkinson
Kerry was noticeably absent from Brian’s wedding last weekend(Image: brianmcfadden123/instagram)

Meanwhile, in her most recent biography, Whole Again, Kerry claimed her daughters didn’t have a great relationship with the Irish star, even suggesting her late third husband George Kay, was more of a father to Molly and Lilly.

“Brian’s their biological dad, but he hasn’t played that all important father figure in their lives growing up,” she wrote, adding, “for all his faults, George was more of a dad to those girls than Brian ever was.”

Brian rarely speaks about Kerry and went to great lengths not to mention her last year’s BBC documentary, Boybands Forever. In a toe-curling exchange, the interviewer asks him on camera: “Marrying Kerry, you’re sort of…” as Brian quickly interjects: “I don’t want to talk about her, no. Definitely no.”

“That really hurt Kerry,” the insider said. “She made jokes about it but privately she was gutted that it was shown on national TV.

“She thinks he’s embarrassed by her and she’s probably not far wrong. But in his defence, she’s not made it easy for him.”

The Mirror has contacted Brian’s rep for comment on this story. Kerry’s rep declined to comment.

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Five rescued after suspected attack by Yemen’s Houthis on Red Sea vessel

By in News, World News

A maritime monitor reports that five members of the crew have been saved from a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea following a alleged Houthi attack by Yemeni rebels. At least three sailors from the 22-member crew have been killed and two have been injured so far in the attack.

Following Monday’s attack on the Greek-owned Eternity C, “search and rescue operations commenced overnight,” according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO), which is run by the British military.

The ship suffered “significant damage” and “lost all propulsion,” according to UKMTO on Tuesday. The severely damaged vessel had sunk off Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, which is under the Houthis’ control, according to security firm Ambrey from the UK.

The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack, accusing them of attacking Israeli-linked ships as part of a solidarity campaign with Palestinians being repeatedly attacked by Israeli forces.

However, it occurred one day after they claimed responsibility for sinking another cargo ship in the Red Sea as a result of an attack. The entire crew was saved.

The Red Sea shipping has been attacked for the first time since late 2024, which could indicate the start of a new armed campaign threatening the waterway, which has seen increased traffic recently.

The Houthis pledged to “prevent Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas… until the aggression against Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted” after declaring that ships owned by businesses with ties to Israel were a “legitimate target.”

The rebels were held responsible for the attack on Eternity C by Yemen’s exiled government, the European Union’s Operation Aspides military force, and the US State Department.

According to State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce, “These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to regional economic and maritime security.”

She continued, “The United States has stated that we will continue to take necessary steps to protect commercial shipping and freedom of navigation from terrorist attacks.”

Security guards on board fired their weapons, according to Operation Aspides and Ambrey, which The Associated Press news agency cited on Monday night when the bulk carrier was heading north toward the Suez Canal when it was attacked by men in small boats and by bomb-carrying drones heading its way.

According to Operation Aspides, three people were killed and at least two others were hurt, including a “Russian electrician who lost a leg,” according to a statement released on Tuesday.

There were 22 crew members on the Eternity C, including one Filipino, according to Philippine authorities.

Cosmoship Management, the Eternity C’s operator, has not made any announcements regarding casualties or injuries.

Israel’s military and the Houthis engaged in separate strikes on Sunday, with Israel claiming to have bombed three ports and a power plant in Yemen. This prompted the Iran-allied group to launch additional missiles at Israeli territory.

Israel claimed to have struck the Ras Kathib power plant, Ras Isa, and Hodeidah ports on the coast of the Red Sea.

Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull Racing F1 team

By in News, World News

The Formula One team has announced that Red Bull have fired Christian Horner as team principal and appointed Laurent Mekies as their replacement.

The 51-year-old Horner served as the team’s longest-serving principal since 2005 when Red Bull made its Formula One debut.

Mekies joins Racing Bulls, a sister brand of Red Bull. The Racing Bulls team principal will be promoted to Alan Permane, who is currently the racing director.

The Milton Keynes-based team announced on Wednesday that Red Bull has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing and that Christian Horner has been removed from his operational duties as of today (Wednesday, July 9, 2025).

Under Horner, Red Bull struggled this year, finishing fourth in the constructors’ standings with 172 points. The team won eight Drivers’ World Championships and six Constructors’ Championships. They are 288 points ahead of McLaren’s.

Max Verstappen, a four-time Formula One champion, is third in the drivers’ championship and has won two of his 12 races for Red Bull. In the middle of the 24-round season, he is 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Following allegations of misconduct by a female employee, Horner’s position was questioned, with Verstappen’s father calling last year for him to leave. After an investigation, the Briton found not to be guilty.

“It has been a fantastic adventure to work with all of our talented people to bring about the birth of Racing Bulls.” The team’s spirit is incredible, and I think this is just the start, Mekies said.

“Alan is the ideal person to lead us now and advance our agenda.” He has always been a key player in our early successes and knows the team inside out.

On November 14, 2010, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, David Horner, center, celebrates Red Bulls’ first F1 Drivers World Championship with owner Dietrich Mateschitz, left, and team driver Sebastian Vettel, right.

Injured Cacace out of Ford fight in Riyadh

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty

Due to a back injury, Belfast’s Anthony Cacace was forced to withdraw from his fight with Raymond Ford, who was previously the world featherweight champion.

On the 16th of August, Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight fight in Saudia Arabia was scheduled to face Cacace, the 26-year-old New Jersey southpaw.

The 36-year-old, however, injured his back during training and forced him to withdraw from the 12-round super-weight contest.

We wish Anto well in his recovery and anticipate seeing him make another appearance in the ring later this year, according to Queensberry Promotions.

Cacace would now have had a chance to become one of the 130-pound division’s biggest forces after the fight.

Five months later, he defeated Josh Warrington in a non-title contest at Wembley to win the IBF title in a shock eighth-round stoppage victory over Joe Cordina before claiming the title with a shock eighth-round victory over Joe Cordina.

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From playing for Roma to SW19 last eight – Cobolli aims to stun Djokovic

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images
Jess Anderson
BBC Sport journalist at Wimbledon

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

Every day Flavio Cobolli watches videos of his idol Novak Djokovic.

He is looking for tips, nuggets of information and small details that might just give him an advantage over his opponent.

But the Italian 22nd seed will now be analysing Djokovic’s footage for another reason – looking for tiny cracks in his game that can be exploited when he faces him in the Wimbledon quarter-final on Centre Court on Wednesday, the biggest match of his career.

Cobolli beat veteran Marin Cilic in the fourth round to set up a meeting with 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.

“I will be on one of the biggest stages in the world, this is the best court in the world,” he said.

Roma’s academy and ‘hating grass’

For Cobolli, it was not always going to be tennis.

As a child he spent five years in the academies of his beloved football club Roma, where he played as a right-back.

Aged 14 he decided that was not for him and chose tennis, preferring the solo nature of the sport.

But his love for Roma remains. He attends matches when he can and still prefers to watch football over tennis on TV.

He has a tattoo on his chest with the words ‘sei tu l’unica mia sposa, sei tu l’unico mio amor’ which translates as ‘you are my only wife, you are my only love’ – a famous quote from club legend Daniele de Rossi.

Many of his good friends include the players he came through the academy with – Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori and Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove, who collapsed on the pitch during a Serie A match last year.

Cobolli was at that match and immediately broke down in tears when the incident occurred.

Bove has since surprised Cobolli by attending the final of the Hamburg Open earlier this year, where Cobolli beat Andrey Rublev in straight sets to win the title.

Flavio Cobolli celebrates his fourth-round win at Wimbledon with his family on court twoGetty Images

It is somewhat ironic that as a footballer Cobolli “hated playing on grass” as a junior.

But his run at the All England Club – his best at a Grand Slam – has seen him grow in confidence on the surface.

After his fourth-round win on Monday, Cobolli immediately ran to his family to hug them and celebrate while his father – who is also his coach – stood in floods of tears.

Stefano Cobolli was a tennis player himself and peaked at 238 in the rankings while he also played in the Wimbledon qualifiers in 2004.

Stefano admits that he is the emotional one in the partnership, while Cobolli is “always smiling”, just like he was as a child.

“When I lost the match I cried or stayed angry for days,” he said.

Djokovic asks son for key to unlocking Cobolli

Those who have followed Cobolli’s rise over the past 12 months will not be surprised to see him making a maiden appearance in the last eight of a Grand Slam.

He won his first ATP Tour title this year in Romania and followed that up with victory in Hamburg.

Until facing Cilic, he had not dropped a set at SW19 and has secured comprehensive victories in all four of his matches.

But against Djokovic the challenge is far more daunting. And the 24-time Grand Slam champion has been doing some analysing of his own.

The 36-year-old said his son has been asking players at the All England Club to sign his hat and even managed to hit with Cobolli.

“They hit a few days ago. They played some points,” said Djokovic.

“He’s over the moon. Obviously, he loves tennis. He has everyone’s signature, except mine. But that’s okay, I’ll accept that.

“I’ll have a conversation with my son and see what he has noticed in the game of Cobolli.”

On the court, Cobolli’s varied shot selection and athletic movement has entertained the Wimbledon crowds.

But Djokovic said he has been surprised to see Cobolli’s results on grass, with his game not necessarily suited to the surface.

“He’s a very talented player,” he said.

“One of the youngsters coming up. He’s a big fighter. We get along well. We practise whenever we can.

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