Married At First Sight UK star Rebecca has confirmed she has a “new love” in her life weeks after confirming her split from her on-screen husband Bailey
A Married At First Sight UK favourite has hinted at a “new love” just weeks after revealing the true circumstances behind her televised romance falling apart.
Throughout their stint on the programme, Rebecca and Bailey captured viewers’ hearts as their bond seemed to strengthen with each passing day, successfully making it through final vows and transitioning into real-world life.
Although Rebecca initially harboured doubts about Bailey not being an “alpha male” during their wedding ceremony, their chemistry flourished during their honeymoon getaway.
Viewers watched the pair adjusting to life in the Married At First Sight UK flats before introducing each other to friends and relatives, which sparked worries about the geographical distance separating them beyond the experiment.
MAFS UK star Rebecca has teased a “new love” after the show(Image: Channel 4)
Nevertheless, both chose to pursue their romance and work through the challenges in the real world. Yet they later revealed their split occurred approximately one month following the show’s conclusion.
The pair announced their separation via social media in November, with bride Rebecca previously explaining the reasons behind their breakup, reports OK!.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan, she revealed that “things changed” after cameras stopped rolling, stating: “As Bailey stated in his recent statement, events that happened as soon as he broke up with me meant there was never any chance of us rekindling things.”
But now, the reality star has disclosed a “new love” after revealing to followers she was no longer single. When quizzed on her Instagram stories about whether there was a “new love” in her life, Rebecca responded: “Yes, there’s a new love in my life and I’m a very happy girly.”
During her online Q&A session, she was subsequently asked whether her new romance was with “someone you knew before doing the show” to which she replied: “No. I met my ‘new love’ after the show x.”
Rebecca later clarified her relationship status when responding to another enquiry, stating: “I’m not single but I do know what you mean. I found it so weird when I turned 30, I felt so much pressure to be in a relationship, like I was missing out and everyone else was moving on.
MAFS UK star Rebecca confirmed her ‘new love’ during a Q&A on Instagram stories(Image: Instagram/@bec.fen)
“Just remember that the best relationship you’ll ever have is with yourself. Be happy in your own company and fill your own cup. When it’s meant to happen for you, it will. Trust in the universe.”
The MAFS UK personality was also questioned whether supporters would be “getting a hard launch of your new love any time soon”, referring to a public announcement, prompting the star to respond via video. She captioned the clip “hehe x” before delivering a straightforward “yes.”
Previously, when confirming their separation, groom Bailey acknowledged that he “didn’t handle the breakup well” but refrained from elaborating on post-split events. Dismissing speculation he had been unfaithful to his former partner, he stated: “I’m still heartbroken, but I wish Bec all the best and I always will.”
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In contrast to Bailey, the Liverpool bride chose not to share a heartfelt statement about their split.
Instead, she took to Instagram with a solo picture of herself, captioning it: “To answer all the questions…. Yes, he fumbled.”
Fifa’s ethics committee has been asked to investigate president Gianni Infantino, claiming he broke the governing body’s rules on political neutrality in relation to United States president Donald Trump.
Infantino awarded Trump with the inaugural Fifa peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC last week, and has also done social media posts and interviews in support of the 79-year-old.
Human rights campaign group FairSquare has written a letter of complaint, which BBC Sport has seen, alleging Infantino has “committed four clear breaches” of Fifa’s neutrality rules.
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“The Fifa president does not have the authority to unilaterally dictate the organisation’s mission, strategic direction, policies and values.”
BBC Sport has contacted football’s world governing body for comment.
Infantino and Trump stood side by side during the glittering ceremony at the Kennedy Center for next year’s tournament, which takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June-19 July.
As well as a large golden trophy, Trump received a medal and certificate from Infantino, who said “this is what we want from a leader” and “you can always count, Mr President, on my support” during a speech that followed a video before the presentation.
In October, the 55-year-old posted on Instagram saying Trump “definitely deserves” the Nobel Peace Prize.
During an interview in November at the American Business Forum in Miami, Infantino also added: “We should all support what [Trump] is doing [in the US] because I think it’s looking pretty good.”
FairSquare also alleged a video post by Infantino on Instagram in January – following his invite to Trump’s inauguration – “indicates support for President Trump’s political agenda”.
Nicholas McGeehan, FairSquare’s programme director, added: “This complaint is about a lot more than Infantino’s support for President Donald Trump’s political agenda.
A planned news conference by Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado has been cancelled, a day before the Nobel award ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute cancelled the event, as it was unclear whether the Venezuelan opposition leader – whose whereabouts remain unclear – would be able to collect her award in person.
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Originally scheduled for 1pm local time (12:00 GMT) on Tuesday, the press conference with Machado was first postponed before finally being cancelled hours later.
The Nobel Committee awarded the prize to Machado for her fight against what it described as the dictatorial rule of Nicolas Maduro, who has been president of Venezuela since 2013.
Fifty-eight-year-old Machado has been subject to a decade-long travel ban imposed by Maduro’s government, and went into hiding in her country in August 2024.
“Maria Corina Machado has herself stated in interviews how challenging the journey to Oslo, Norway, will be,” said the Nobel Institute in an email to the Associated Press news agency.
“We therefore cannot at this point provide any further information about when and how she will arrive for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.”
The institute did not specify whether the news conference would take place at a later point.
Machado’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about her location and planned attendance at the award ceremony, which will take place on Wednesday at 1pm local time (12:00 GMT) at Oslo’s City Hall.
In attendance will be Norway’s King Harald and Queen Sonja and at least four Latin American heads of state, including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa.
Several members of Machado’s family, including her mother, her three sisters and three children, were already in Oslo for the event. None of them have disclosed her location.
Machado last appeared in public at a demonstration in Caracas on January 9, protesting against Maduro’s inauguration for his third term.
She has accused Maduro of stealing the July 2024 election she was banned from standing in, despite having won the opposition’s primary by a landslide, a claim backed by much of the international community.
Venezuela’s attorney general, Tarek William Saab, said last month that the opposition leader would be considered a “fugitive” if she travelled to Norway to accept the prize.
“By being outside Venezuela and having numerous criminal investigations, she is considered a fugitive,” Saab told the AFP news agency, adding that Machado is accused of “acts of conspiracy, incitement of hatred, [and] terrorism”.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on Monday that he did not know if Machado would travel to Oslo.
While she has been hailed by many for her efforts to bring democracy to Venezuela, she has also been criticised by others for aligning herself with United States President Donald Trump, to whom she dedicated her Nobel Prize.
The Oslo ceremony coincides with a large US military build-up in the Caribbean in recent weeks, and several deadly strikes on what Washington says are drug smuggling boats in the region.
Who: Real Madrid vs Manchester City What: UEFA Champions League Where: Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain When: Wednesday, December 10, at 9pm (20:00 GMT) How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure before Wednesday’s Champions League group-stage meeting against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, but the Spaniard was confident the team could turn their poor form around.
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Alonso, a former Real Madrid and Spain midfielder, took over from Carlo Ancelotti at the end of last season, but has struggled to impress with a side that also underachieved last season.
In their way on Wednesday are a City side led by a former Barcelona midfielder and manager in Guardiola, adding to the weight of expectation on the match.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the League Phase encounter.
How do Real Madrid and Man City stand in the Champions League?
Real are fifth in the Champions League standings on 12 points, three behind leaders Arsenal. City are ninth on 10 points, chasing a top-eight finish that would secure direct qualification to the last 16.
What happened in Real Madrid’s last match?
Real were beaten 2-0 on Sunday by Celta Vigo with Real reduced to nine players after defenders Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were sent off.
It left the club second in La Liga with 36 points, four behind leaders Barcelona, while Los Blancos have now only won two of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Adding to Alonso’s challenges, Madrid could be without as many as eight key players, including top-scorer Kylian Mbappe, who missed training on Tuesday with a muscle injury.
If Mbappe is unable to play against City on Wednesday, it would be a big blow for coach Xabi Alonso, with Spanish media reporting that a defeat would lead to his dismissal.
What happened in Man City’s last match?
City stormed to 3-0 win against Sunderland in the English top flight on Saturday to maintain their chances of lifting a fifth Premier League title in six seasons.
Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and Phil Foden netted the goals that handed City a third straight Premier League win.
What has Madrid manager Alonso said about his Real challenge?
Despite their disappointing run in recent weeks, Alonso remains optimistic.
“Football can change quickly … for good or for bad,” Alonso told a news conference on Tuesday. “After the Celta match, we’ve already drawn our conclusions.
“Now it’s just City in our minds. It’s the Champions League, we’re at the Bernabeu. It will be different because of the energy that’s created. That’s what’s on our minds, what’s ahead of us.
“We’re all in this together. United. Convinced that this is an opportunity. We need to have the energy to connect with the Bernabeu. If that happens, we have a chance to win.
“In football, you have to adapt and learn. Some days are good, others are not,” he added.
“But we are making progress with every match. Good thing we have a challenge tomorrow. The best way to move forward is to face it. It’s a challenge that we must rise to.”
Real Madrid vs Man City never disappoints 🍿#UCL pic.twitter.com/G2SN3Uaoqi
Is Alonso’s position at Real Madrid truly under threat?
Asked whether his job could be at risk if Real falter against City, Alonso remained defiant.
“When you coach Real Madrid, you have to be prepared for situations like this. We are a team, we are all united,” he said.
“To reverse the disappointment, which is normal, all we’re thinking about now is City.”
Guardiola offers support to former employee Alonso
In between managing Barcelona and Manchester City, Guardiola coached Bayern Munich, where Alonso was a player for his fellow Spaniard.
“I only wish him the best, I love and appreciate him,” Guardiola said.
“Every team is different and Xabi knows what he has to do. It is a process and let us see how this ends.
“A season is a rollercoaster, there are injuries and things happen. Since coaching at Barcelona, I wanted the team to grow from October and then see what happens and how it ends.”
Stat attack – Mbappe vs Haaland
Mbappe’s absence would be a significant blow for Alonso’s team, with the Frenchman leading both the LaLiga and Champions League scoring charts this season.
The 26-year-old striker has scored 25 goals in 21 matches across all competitions this season and has been Madrid’s key player.
Mbappe against Haaland first happened in the round of 16 in February 2020. Newly arrived at Borussia Dortmund, Haaland scored two in the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain and revealed his “Zen” goal celebration, sitting down cross-legged as if meditating. Mbappe and PSG won in Paris to advance 3-2 on aggregate score.
Last season, in the knockout playoffs in February, Mbappe scored four times, including a hat-trick in the second leg as Madrid beat Man City in both games, despite Haaland’s two goals in the first leg.
Mbappe’s four goals at Olympiakos last month lifted him to be top scorer in the Champions League this season. He needs one more to reach 10 in a Champions League season for the first time during his decade in the competition.
Haaland has five so far, and already got into double figures in three Champions League campaigns.
Head-to-head
Wednesday’s clash will be the 13th meeting between the clubs in the past decade, a rivalry that has intensified as Real and City combined to claim three of the last four Champions League titles.
Real won the competition in 2022 and 2024, beating City en route to both titles, while the English side lifted their maiden Champions League trophy in 2023 after overcoming the Spanish club in the semifinal that year.
Real Madrid team news
Real Madrid’s French superstar Kylian Mbappe did not come out to train with his teammates on Tuesday on the eve of his team’s key Champions League clash against City.
The forward broke a finger during the defeat by Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday, and Madrid have said his absence from training was because of that injury, but also other discomfort he suffered in that match.
The 26-year-old joins an already packed injury list that includes Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga.
Manchester City team news
Defender John Stones missed the win against Sunderland with an unspecified injury.
City will definitely be without Mateo Kovacic and Rodri, who remain injury absentees.
Barbara Windsor’s widower, a fierce champion when it comes to awareness and campaiging around dementia, opens up exclusively to the Mirror ahead of the fifth anniversary of his late wife’s death
Scott and Barbara were together for 27 years before her death in 2020(Image: DAILY EXPRESS)
Scott Mitchell says he is still haunted by the memories of witnessing the deterioration of his legendary actress wife Dame Barbara Windsor, who died five years ago tomorrow – but he’s determined to remember the good times.
The EastEnders icon, who played feisty Queen Vic landlady Peggy Mitchell for over a decade, died in December 2020 aged 83, six years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Her death was mourned by her millions of fans who fell in love with her glamour, comedy timing and ability to light up and command any stage or screen. Five years on, her widow Scott, 62, says Barbara’s infectious energy is “still very present”, but so too are the memories of what the disease robbed her of.
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Barbara bravely going public with her diagnosis ‘changed the narrative on dementia’, says Scott (Image: IAN VOGLER/DAILY MIRROR)
Barbara received an MBE from the Queen in 2000(Image: Press Association)
“I wish I never had to experience the terror in Barbara’s eyes, when she didn’t know where she was, who I was – who she was” he exclusively tells the Mirror.
“That haunts me. No human being should have to leave this world in the way those suffering with dementia do. Nobody. That’s why we have to keep talking about it.
He adds emotionally of the disease which now affects 1 in 2 people in Britain – either personally, or as a loved one caring for someone, “Having witnessed it first hand, developing dementia myself is actually my biggest fear – absolutely. I think it’s most people’s.”
Scott adds, “I’ve been thinking of how she was at the end – and it’s made me think about how vitally important it is that we all remember what Barbara stood for before this devastating illness took hold.
“And that was an incredibly vivacious, fun-loving, talented, positive lady who brought real joy to people’s lives. Still now, when people talk about her, they smile – they can’t help it.”
Scott says some ‘laughed’ when he and Barbara first got together – but their love was ‘unconditional’(Image: Press Association)
Together for 27 years, Scott, who found love again with former EastEnders actress Tanya Franks (Rainie Cross), says he still receives and takes comfort in “signs” from his late wife.
“I was asked to do a talk a couple of months ago at a literary festival in Gibraltar and I got lost in the hotel and found myself in the Windsor Room,” he says. “And the other weekend, I stayed on a housebarge not long ago by the river -the boat was called Little Babs. One of the other boats in the marina was called Peggy!”
He also visits her final resting place in Golders Green Crematorium, London, where there is a plaque in the West Courtyard which reads, “She was a good bird” – the obituary title she chose herself, on Piers Morgan ’s Life Stories.
She loved other people and hearing their stories, says Scott(Image: PA)
“We have a nice little chat, “ he explains. “Your loved ones are always with you, you know? I don’t believe people die and that’s the end of it. I believe our loved ones are around us.”
While she received her diagnosis of dementia in 2014, Barbara, who was appointed a Dame in 2016 for services to charity and entertainment, kept the news private for the next four years.
But the outpouring of love and support led to her to become an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and a year before her death, she and Scott delivered a petition to Downing Street to highlight concerns over dementia care.
Scott tells us “charities have told me that she completely changed the narrative on dementia”. He now campaigns as the People’s Champion of the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals Programme – put in place while Boris Johnson was still in office, and recommitted to by the current government.
Barbara’s performances in the Carry On Movies were iconic(Image: TV GRABS)
“In the 10-year health plan just published, they mention this programme – and to me, that’s such an honour for Barbara.
“I’m passionate about social care, which we discussed at Downing Street five years ago. Five years on, and we know that people are still struggling desperately – it needs revisited. I know I can’t save the world, nor can Barbara’s name – but we can make a difference. And people desperately need to know help is on the way.”
Scott has also made an important decision – to no longer align himself to one charity, as he had done for the past five years with Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“I’m now open to supporting other dementia charities if I feel Barbara’s name is the right association for specific campaigns”, he says. “In the past I have said no, as I was more aligned with one charity. There are many areas of the Dementia world that I feel passionately about.”
Scott met Barbara a month before she joined Albert Square – and Peggy Mitchell was born(Image: PA)
And it’s not only Scott keeping Barbara’s memory alive. Famous faces such as David Walliams, Matt Lucas, Ross Kemp and other EastEnders stars – as well as Paul O’Grady before he died, not only continue to speak about her, but have been there for Scott since her passing.
“We have this niche of incredible people who’ve always been there. When somebody becomes ill like Barbara did, you really notice who drops away – who your real friends are. But they stood fast. Tanya and I go out with David and his mum a lot, we’re always reminiscing!”
Speaking of Tanya, Scott admits he has no qualms talking to her about his late wife. “She allows me to talk about Barbara any time I need to. In the same way she can with me. I’m never second-guessing if the moment’s right.”
Tanya will also regularly accompany Scott to his regular talks about the lived experience of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. He says, “The first thing I do is introduce Tanya and say, ‘Before we start I’d like to acknowledge my partner Tanya is here – and thank her for allowing me to share my story.”
“If I thought any of it hurt her, I wouldn’t do it. But she has her own invested passion when it comes to Alzheimer’s – her step-dad Derek died last year after an 11-year journey with it. We’re both passionate about campaigning.”
Scott first met new love Tanya Franks training for the London Marathon together(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Scott met Tanya doing the London Marathon when various EastEnders cast members got together to run in Barbara’s name, when she was still alive. Tanya and Barbara’s time never crossed in Albert Square, but they met during training for the marathon.
“The team used to come to our house”, explains Scott, “and Tanya and Barbara got on really well. Barbara liked Tanya – she’d say, ‘She asks sensible questions about acting.’
“Tanya wanted to know all about theatre director Joan Littlewood, she knew her stuff and that meant a lot to Barbara. It was lovely that they did meet.”
But his new romance hasn’t been without judgemental comments. “There’s always that person that says, ‘That was quick!’ It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and cast judgement – especially with social media. These people forget that their words can really hurt.”
On the flipside, Scott gets many more people coming up to him, to this day, wanting to talk about Barbara. “The legacy she’s left is amazing. Every London cabbie asks me about her – they all say, she is ‘so missed’, popping up on TV – spreading that infectious laugh.
Scott believes in ‘signs’ from the late actress and says ‘our loved ones never truly leave us’(Image: PA)
She ‘sprinkled fairydust’ wherever she went, recalls Scott(Image: Getty Images)
“Certain people truly earn the title of national treasure – Barbara was one of them. But for me, I’ll simply remember how she was, how loving she was with me. She made me laugh so much – she was true to herself, honest about her flaws and her past.
“She taught me a lot about getting rid of ego – I wasn’t as good at that in my younger days. People laughed when we first got together, but we lasted the course – it was unconditional love.”
He laughs, “It took us forever to go anywhere, she’d talk to everyone. It was like walking down the street with Tinkerbell. She loved other people and their stories – she would sprinkle her special fairy dust on everyone.”
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This Christmas, Scott will be spending it with Tanya and their families. He says quietly, “You always look at empty chairs at Christmas. And we’ll be remembering our loved ones – as it should be.”
His big hope for next year is a simple one: “That Barbara’s memory continues to make a huge impact. And that everyone remembers her with a smile.”
Love Island star Chyna Mills is embroiled in a feud with the family of her fiance, Strictly Come Dancing’s Neil Jones, accusing them of ‘bullying and disrespecting’ her
Love Island’s Chyna unveils major feud with Strictly fiance Neil Jones’ family(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Love Island’s Chyna Mills has shed light on an ongoing feud with the family of her Strictly pro fiance Neil Jones – and accused some members of ‘bullying her’. The reality TV star took to Instagram following her daughter’s baptism to share her feelings about her future in-laws.
Chyna, 27, and Neil, 43, share a young daughter named Havana, who was born in October 2023. The couple shared photos from her baptism on Monday (8 December). It was attended by family and friends, including fellow Strictly Come Dancing pro Lauren Oakley, who is one of Havana’s godmothers.
According to Chyna, the baptism was not attended by anyone from Neil’s family. Taking to Instagram, the Love Island star shared how she felt about her fiance’s family.
READ MORE: Strictly’s Neil Jones announces sad death with emotional ‘final goodbye’ messageREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing legend Neil Jones comforted by fans after sharing devastating news
Chyna and Neil are engaged(Image: Neil Jones/Instagram)
They share a daughter together(Image: Instagram/ @mr_njonesofficial)
“It’s heartbreaking when people try to ruin the most beautiful moments in my daughter’s life,” she wrote over a black background. “I’ve faced bullying, racism, and constant disrespect from a so called MIL since the moment I met her. This year, I decided enough was enough and gave her the chance to speak about whatever one sided issue she had. Of course, I was ignored.
“I’ve done everything I could to build relationships, yet nothing was ever reciprocated. Havana’s baptism was a special day, and his family chose not to attend out of loyalty to her and they refuse to acknowledge what’s unfolded over the past few years. That’s on them.”
Chyna, who appeared on Love Island in 2022, added that she would not “accept negative comments” about her daughter’s “special moments”: “But I won’t accept negative comments or false narratives on my baby girl’s special moments. All that matters is Havana being surrounded by love. Her happiness comes first. Always.”
Chyna took to Instagram with her feelings(Image: Instagram/ @chymills_)
She said her daughter’s happiness comes first(Image: Instagram/ @mr_njonesofficial)
Neil and Chyna revealed not only that they were expecting a child in 2023, but that they had gotten engaged. The dancer propsed whilst they were holidaying in Bali.
Sharing a pic of the baptism to both their Instagrams, the couple wrote: “Havana’s christening. Such a special day surrounded by the people who love her most. Thank you to her amazing godparents, and to our friends and my family for being there to celebrate our baby girl! Our hearts are so full.”
Lots of Neil’s Strictly co-workers, both present and former, hopped in the comments to share in the joy. Janette Manrara wrote: “The cutest!!!” Motsi Mabuse added: “Angel [heart emoji].” New pro Alexis Warr said: “Omg, absolutely precious.”
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Neil and Chyna’s reps chose not to comment. Neil’s mother could not be reached for comment.