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Published On 25 Oct 2025
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Lily Allen says new album was inspired by ‘abandonment’ after David Harbour split
Some of the songs on Lily Allen’s new album have been inspired by the painful aftermath of her breakup with her husband, David Harbour, who has spoken about how the painful aftermath left her feeling “rejected and abandoned.”
Lily Allen has revealed that her split from Stranger Things actor David Harbour served as inspiration for her most intimate album to date, West End Girl, which was the result of “deep-rooted issues with rejection and abandonment.”
The 39-year-old singer-songwriter BMG released her long-awaited album yesterday (October 24). Since her 2018 album No Shame, she hasn’t released any music in seven years.
In that time, Lily stepped away from the spotlight to focus on theatre and acting. She earned critical acclaim for her performances in 2:22 A Ghost Story and The Pillowman, as well as appearing in the film How To Build A Girl and the Sky comedy Dreamland.
She also hosts the well-known podcast Miss Me? with long-time friend Miquita Oliver, but she claims that the breakdown of her marriage to David left her feeling destabilized and vulnerable over the past few years.
Lily reflected on the suffering that gave birth to West End Girl in a statement to Perfect magazine, calling it an “album of sorrow and pain.”
She said, “I have deep-rooted issues with rejection and abandonment that I’ve been tussling with for most of my adult life and probably quite a lot of my childhood as well.” And at the time, I was reacting violently to various things.
She continued, “It’s difficult for me to not have my person, you know,” after confirming that “things” had spoken of the end of her marriage. And I’m a remarkably dependent person. When I’m missing the comfort and stability of what is not available, I find it difficult to lean on those who are.
The mother-of-two added that she felt pressured to “do the work” of healing. “I am aware that what I have to do is to make myself happy, and that makes me very irritable.” It means doing the work, which I believe I’ve been doing for a long time. It’s exhausting to me. And I believed it was finished. I assumed, “Oh, I thought it would be happily ever after”?
After meeting on the celebrity dating app Raya, Lily and David tied the knot in Las Vegas in 2020. However, months of speculation about infidelity led to their announcement to end their engagement earlier this year.
Lily later admitted she entered treatment to cope with the “emotional turmoil” of the split. Since leaving their Brooklyn townhouse the singer has gotten settled in London, buying an ex-council flat in Notting Hill that she’s been decorating herself.
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She previously told The Mirror: “I’ve obviously had quite a hard time and that’s really helped me.” The emotional fallout of the breakup is explored in depth in West End Girl.
Relapse explores her struggle to stay sober while her songs Ruminating and Madeline explore themes of jealousy and infidelity. Just Enough, a track about moving on and accepting yourself, closes the album.
Smith masterclass as Quins crush winless Newcastle
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The Prem.
Harlequins (35) 52
Cons: Smith (6), Porter, Isgro, Evans, Cleaves, and T Green (2).
Newcastle (0) 14
In a dominant 52-14 victory over bottom side Red Bulls of Newcastle, Marcus Smith propelled the Harlequins into the autumn internationals.
Smith delivered a timely reminder of his talents as Steve Borthwick’s England prepare to face Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.
Quins ran in eight of his own try-assists, scoring six of them from all angles, and the 26-year-old was superb with the ball in hand and two try-assists.
As England’s preparations for upcoming Tests against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina take place over the next four weeks, Smith’s performance must unquestionably involve him in the conversation about the identity of the playmaker.
His critics will point out irregularities from week to week, and he’ll be the first to admit that his performance against title rivals Exeter last weekend, with a 38-0 defeat, was subpar.
However, in this case, the best of Smith was always on display, and it was the Quins star who consistently made a defense-of-Norwich play.
Before the hour mark, Cassius Cleaves flew substitute wing Cassius Cleaves before half-time, which was followed by two brilliant assists, first one for Will Porter after 23 minutes and the other for Cassius Cleaves.
After 10 minutes, Luke Northmore, who had already made the start, went over from close range before Tyrone Green, who had the visitors’ defense stretched to the breaking point, added a second.
After Smith’s daring burst, the Pumas wing volleyed the ball forward and touched down before Green’s second gave Quins a 35-0 half-time lead before the brilliantly taken fourth try from Rodrigo Isgro.
After Smith’s dummy and inside pass were decorated, Will Evans and Cleaves moved in, and Quins’ scoring was tied at 52-0 with a replacement hooker, George Turner, who completed a driving maul.
To their credit, Newcastle rallied late in the game, scoring first with tries from Murray McCallum and Ollie Leatherbarrow, both of whom scored conversions from Brett Connon.
As Leicester Tigers travel to Kingston Park next weekend in search of their first win and first point of the Prem campaign, coach Alan Dickens hopes that late momentum can be incorporated into the game.
T Green, Isgro, Northmore, J Evans, Murley, Smith, Porter, Baxter, Walker, Williams, Petti Pagadizabal, Lewies, Kenningham, Evans, Carr,
Replacements: Delgado, Delgado, Launchbury, J Green, M Green, Benson, and Cleaves
Newcastle: Coetzee, Obatoyinbo, Spencer, Clark, Hearle, Connon, Cruz, Brocklebank, McGuigan, Palframan, Hodgson, Clarke, Lee-Warner, Gordon, Mafia
Replacements: Greenwood, De Bruin, De Bruin, Usher, Lockwood, Elliott, Leatherbarrow, and Fletcher.
related subjects
- Red Bulls of Newcastle
- Rugby Union
- Harlequins
Strictly’s Gorka Marquez ‘repulsed’ by fiancée Gemma Atkinson’s habit
After he and his fiance Gemma Atkinson revealed what life really is like at home and some ‘repulsive’ habits, Gorka Marquez and his partner Gemma Atkinson reveal what it’s really like there after he and his partner swapped dancing on Strictly for the Spanish series.
Former Hollyoaks star Gemma Atkinson and her fiancé of four years, professional dancer Gorka Marquez have come a long way as a couple since meeting behind the scenes on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2017. They’re now parents of two – six-year-old Mia and her little brother Thiago, two – and now hosting their new podcast, Lost in Translation.
Chatting with OK! The couple revealed each other’s worst habits and explained why one of them “absolutely repulses” the other in a magazine about what listeners can expect as well as a few significant life updates. We message our producer individually about what has irritated us each week, Gemma said, and then have a discussion about it. We play silly games and examine the differences between Spanish and English, respectively.
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She continued, revealing that one of her favorite childhood favorites, one of which has so far failed to impress her other half, is one of the biggest cultural clashes between the Spanish-Mancunian couple.
“Few years ago, I grew up drinking chippy tea with gravy on Friday. On chips, vinegar. This absolutely repulses Gorka, she said before adding that Thiago also loves them. He prefers them over anything else.
But vegetarian Gemma also has a few of Gorka’s favourite foods to contend with, including his love of a cured meat. “At Christmas I bring a big Spanish leg of ham home,” he shared. “It’s amazing, but Gemma’s going, ‘Get that thing out of the house!’.”
However, the couple and I both agreed that their relationship has an underlying opposite that draws people to it. Gorka, 35, admitted he was a “perfectionist” but that “Gemma’s messy” was something that bothers him further.
Gemma joked, “I’ve been folding socks wrong my entire life.” “I’ll just fold them,” she said. Gorka prefers them tucked in completely next to each other, the bottom to the top.
Gorka and the family are currently having a different end of year, with her joining the judging panel for the Spanish version of Strictly, which features Alex Kingston, La Voix, and Vicky Pattison.
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Gemma said the family’s “countdown to Christmas” is on Saturday nights, and it’s already starting to look like their two young children might follow their father’s example despite not seeing their father on television.
They possess musicality, they claim. Mia has a dancing craze. Thiago already sings in tune, and he has a good ear. He adores The Greatest Showman and plays the drum at the ideal moment.
Star-studded Sharks turn up heat against Scarlets
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Rugby World Cup
Sharks (19) 29
Cons: Smith 3 Pen: Smith 3 Tries: V Tshitukav, M Tshitukav, Mazibuko, Kolisi
Scarlets (14) 19
Sharks celebrated a first win of the Rugby World Cup (URC) season by edging a spirited Scarlets.
Without a win or a win before the international break, both teams entered the Durban heat.
The Sharks’ star power was the 13 current Springboks who made their squad.
Vincent and Manu, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, and Vincent and Manu, Tshitukav siblings, interacted with Scarlets for the hosts, and Blair Murray and Marnus van der Merwe created magic.
After having one game postponed in round two, Scarlets come out on top of the URC table, while Stormers advance to 12th.
The Springbok captain drawing in defenders before the opening try, which was facilitated by a barnstorming break from Kolisi, allowed Vincent Tshitukav to flog the ball out.
Johnny Williams made the break for Scarlets after 10 minutes, with Harvey Cuckson finding the team’s own Springbok Van der Merwe in support.
After Manu Tshitukav’s excellent footwork and Sam Costelow’s conversion, Scarlets took the lead.
For Scarlets’ second score, Murray had a chance to get a loose clearance before making a speculative kick that ricocheted into his path.
- 16 October
- Earlier, 4 days ago
In the second half, Scarlets were victorious, and a strong scrum and clever pop pass gave way to Rogers, who had the resources to defeat the covering defense.
After the scores were tied, the Sharks once more backed their set piece, and Kolisi wriggled out of the driving lineout to score his second try in as many weeks and earn the crucial bonus point.
Taine Plumtree, the son of Sharks head coach John, became enraged as the game grew more clandestine, and Costelow took advantage of a break in play by making a meandering run but he could not find the support.
The impressive Smith kicked his team two goals ahead after giving Scarlets respect when they chose to use posts.
“Relieved,” said Sharks head coach John Plumtree. I thought Jean Smith handled the situation fairly well in the conditions, and I was really pleased for the boys who came out.
We appeared to be a side that is low on confidence; we did have some chances to score in the wider channels, but I’m pleased with how the boys managed to stay there.
“I thought the Scarlets were fantastic physically and how big the guys they’ve brought into their fold really stood out.”
I know it’s been a lot of work, but I know today was just about getting a win for everyone who supports us.
Dwayne Peel, the head coach of the Scarlets, said, “It was definitely a step forward for us and it made me feel a little more like ourselves.”
We leave with nothing but frustration because there were a few bonus points we could have won, it’s obvious.
We struggled to get past the line and scored some soft tries, but I believe it’s a step in the right direction. There were some bad execution moments.
Line-ups
Sharks: J Hendrikse, Hooker, Am, Esterhuizen, Van der Merwe, Smith, Williams, Nche, Mbonambi, Mazibuko, Etzebeth (capt), Orie, Kolisi, V Tshituka, E Tshituka, Orie, Kolisi, V Tshituka, E Tshituka.
Replacements: Julius, J Hendrikse, Mbatha, Dawson, Mdanda, Scheepers, Buthelezi, and Mbatha.
Murray, Rogers, Roberts, Williams (capt), Mee, Costelow, Blacker, Mathias, van der Merwe, Holz, Ball, Cuckson, Lousi, Davis, Plumtree, Cuckson,
Officials
Referee: Scotland’s Sam Grove-White
Assistants: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Griffin Colby (South Africa), and Griffin Colby (South Africa).
related subjects
- Welsh Rugby
- Scarlets
- Rugby Union
Westlife’s Shane Filan red-faced as he forgets lyrics to song on live TV
When making up new lyrics for his own song during a live television performance on Friday night, Westlife singer Shane Filan managed to cover it up by covering it up.
Westlife singer Shane Filan dramatically forgot the lyrics to a song on live TV. The pop star, 46, found fame as part of the Irish boyband in the late 1990s alongside Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, Brian McFadden, who left permanently in 2004, and Mark Feehily, who is currently on hiatus whilst he deals with various health issues. The trio have now launched a comeback with their single Chariot.
The song, which includes popular songs like You Raise Me Up and Uptown Girl, will be included on their upcoming greatest hits album 25, which also includes a new addition of acting. Although Mark’s vocals are on the album, Shane was left to play him during their appearance on The Late Late Show in Ireland, but he couldn’t quite remember the lyrics because he wasn’t in the lineup.
Opting to simply make the words up instead, Shane seemed to have got away with it until host Patrick Kielty pointed it out at the end of the performance. He quipped: “You also surprised the two boys tonight with your new single!” In response, Shane said: “My new rendition.”
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The Bop Bop Baby singer then explained the blunder, jokingly blaming it on his absent bandmate. He said: “So it was the world premiere of Chariot, but the second verse I actually sang the wrong line. I actually made up a line tonight. I’m going to blame Mark on it cuz it’s Mark’s verse, but yeah.
What’s the line, I’m reading through it, and I’m going, “What’s the line?” “,” and then it completely disappeared from my mind. You just need to improvise, sometimes. And I was anticipating it, but it was entertaining.
At the conclusion of the program, Patrick thanked the boys for their sacrifices in their home country with a Late Late Show award. He continued, “We just wanted to say a big thank you to you guys just for the joy you’ve brought everyone for 25 years here in this show, on stages all over the world.” You have fought for Ireland all your life and won awards. We were genuinely not more proud.
“Well, flying the flag at home and abroad on behalf of everyone here, all your fans, and everyone at the Late Late Show, we want you to accept this; this is our Late Late Late Show Legend award.”
Mark won’t be joining the band’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Mark announced his shock exit from the Irish group last year, amid some serious health battles, but many had been hopeful he would return to the stage soon. “It is with the utmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual,” Mark emotionally revealed in February 2024.
Mark won’t be able to participate in the festivities, sadly. When he is ready and able, we hope he will be able to return to the stage. He continues to express his love and positivity to all of you, as he has always done, Westlife said in a statement shared with fans at the time.
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 25th anniversary celebrations, according to Westlife, who announced in June that they would be performing as a trio to mark their 25th anniversary at the Newcastle Arena. Who would have imagined that 25 years later, we would still be here?
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“We have a lot of exciting plans coming up that will include new music, an album, special shows, and many, many more surprises,” the company announced. Sadly, Mark won’t be able to attend the gathering. When he is ready and able, we hope he will be able to return to the stage. He continues to express his gratitude and love to you all.
The four of us are still in shock that 25 years have passed. You have consistently shown us us that we are still in love and loyal to them wherever we go. We are so blessed to have you all with us, and we look forward to sharing a happy birthday with you! Happy 25th Birthday to all of us! Love, Kian, Mark, Nicky, and Shane X.