News

A former Britain’s Got Talent star, who Simon Cowell referred to as his “mug of hot chocolate”, has died after years of living out his performing dreams and inspiring his son to do the same

View 4 Images

A Britain’s Got Talent singer, who was praised by Simon Cowell on the show, has died. Dave Betton, 82, performed on the show in 2020 with his son Dean, even though he retired from singing a decade earlier.

The father-son duo got to the later stages of the competition after receiving a standing ovation for their performance of Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life. Amanda Holden told them they “smashed it”, while Simon Cowell paid them an extra special compliment.

“There are certain days I think what I need is a mug of hot chocolate,” the judge said. “And you were that mug of hot chocolate. You made me feel good and I needed that.”

READ MORE: Amanda Holden’s husband issues plea as daughter ‘does not want any connection’ with herREAD MORE: Diversity star Jordan Banjo’s horror injuries as he ends up in hospital over new career

View 4 Images

Dave began covering Frank Sinatra and the other Rat Pack stars on stage as a teenager. By 1981, when he was in his 30s, Dave and his wife Josie bought the Dorchester Hotel in Blackpool, where he started his professional career as a club singer.

The singer became a well-known name in the local club scene and performed at many up and down the coast. He also did a tour in Australia and South Africa, and did a brief stint in Las Vegas.

15 years ago, a whole decade before he would perform for Britain on the hit ITV show, Dave retired from the music scene after the death of his wife. Meanwhile, their son, Dean, became a musician and created a career as a Robbie Williams tribute act. In 2020, Dave and Dean went on Britain’s Got Talent together.

View 4 Images

View 4 Images

After his father’s death last month, Dean, 54, shared: “I always looked up to Dad and he inspired me to take up singing, quite late in the game. He was definitely a local legend in his time – he would pack out the clubs.

“I wanted him to experience a big live TV audience, even though he’d retired, and when we got such a huge response on Britain’s Got Talent, I was made up. I felt so proud of him, he knocked them out. The tributes he has received this last week on my post about his death on Facebook has been phenomenal with over 400 messages.”

Dave is survived by two sons, Dean and Darren, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a step-great-granddaughter. One of his grandsons is also dipping his toe in the music industry.

Dave died surrounded by his loved ones. Living in sheltered accommodation in Lytham at the time, he died from sepsis after a brief illness. His funeral will be held on 27 October.

Meanwhile, auditions for Britain’s Got Talent have returned to Blackpool. The Winter Gardens are hosting the opportunity for the local performers to show off their skills from 10-17 October.

Amanda Holden has been presenting on Heart Radio since 2019 but admits producers have a button in case she says something ‘too political’ on air

View 3 Images

Amanda Holden admits “terrified” Heart FM producers can cut her off if she says anything “bad”. The 54-year-old says they have a button that means the “airwaves go silent” should Amanda need censoring.

Amanda has presented on Heart since 2019 when she replaced former Spice Girl Emma Bunton on the station’s breakfast show. Alongside co-host Jamie Theakston, Amanda wakes up around 4 million people each week.

She describes presenting the show as “one of the best gigs” of her career. But if she says anything that producers think is “bad” or “too political”, Amanda says they have a “dump” button to cut her off.

When asked how the producers feel when she speaks by The Sun’s TV Mag, Amanda replied: “Terrified.”

She added: “We have a ‘dump’ button, which is like a 10-second delay. If I say anything that’s bad or too political, they can dump it and the airwaves just go silent and people simply think they might have just gone out of the signal for a minute.

View 3 Images

“But it’s not been pressed too much. It’s been pressed more for our guests than me, to be fair, for people like Alan Carr and David Walliams.”

Amanda, who worked as an actress before turning her hand at presenting, admits that talking to celebrities on-air is good practice for what she hopes will come next. The Britain’s Got Talent judge says she would one day like to launch a chat show.

Although she says that husband Chris Hughes cheekily points out one flaw with Amanda’s plans. “My husband always jokes: ‘You’d have to remember to shut up!’ That’s the problem,” Amanda explains.

She also admits she interrupts people “all the time”. She however says she would enjoy a drinks trolley, similar to the one close-friend Alan Carr has on his Chatty Man series.

View 3 Images

In recent years Amanda has seen herself fronting TV shows for the likes of Netflix, with Cheat: Unfinished Business, and now hosts The Inner Circle, a BBC quiz show. She also presents a popular home renovation series with Alan, having recently wrapped up filming Alan & Amanda’s Greek Job, in Corfu.

Although she admits she was initially concerned no one would trust her to present a show on her own. Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: “I never thought anyone would trust me to present a show on my own.

“It’s easier with somebody else, throwing stuff out and taking the mickey, but they said they wanted me because they wanted a bit of danger, and I thought, “I’ll take that.”

ITV’s This Morning favourite Cat Deeley looked effortlessly chic in a sleek double leather ensemble

View 2 Images

Cat Deeley’s This Morning wardrobe has historically featured a number of high end and designer pieces, so when she sports a piece from the high street it has a habit of selling out quickly. Recently, the stylish presenter wore a leather-look blouse from a popular retailer, and surprisingly, it’s still available in all sizes.

Last week, on Tuesday’s episode of the ITV daytime show, Cat wore a bold double leather outfit, showcasing her unique style. She sported a tan faux leather sleeveless top paired with black balloon silhouette trousers, cinching in the top at the waist with a black belt to tie together the contrasting colours.

The exact piece she wore is the Karen Millen Faux Leather Drape Sleeveless Top , retailing at £79. Available in sizes 6-16, it features a chic faux leather design and lightweight draping, with easy-to-clean fabric perfect for busy mums who still want to maintain their fashionable edge.

READ MORE:

Despite its striking and versatile design, Cat’s top has yet to receive any online reviews from shoppers, which are often used to inform purchasing decisions. However, Karen Millen is a well-established brand loved by celebrities, and customers who aren’t satisfied with their orders can return them within 28 days.

Styled by Rachael Hughes, Cat paired the top with Zara’s Leather Effect Balloon Trousers, priced at £39.99. She finished off the look with a pair of sleek black pointed heels, reports Belfast Live .

Faux Leather Drape Sleeveless Top

£79

Buy here

To recreate Cat’s look without breaking the bank, ASOS stocks this wet-look ruched high neck top in chocolate that’s now £14.88, reduced from £24. It’s also available in burgundy for £20.40 and has garnered rave reviews from customers, with one writing: “Beautiful, looks like leather, fits perfectly, many compliments.”

Another said: “Fits like a glove, very stretchy and the material feels very nice! Wine red colour is great.” However, not all buyers were convinced, with one critic noting: “Fabric was pretty thin and will run larger in areas for smaller girls on the top.”

View 2 Images

Another This Morning wardrobe staple from Cat that remains available to purchase is this French Connection Brandy Snakeskin PU Midi Skirt. Typically £89 and still full price at French Connection, the skirt is also available at ASOS, where it’s currently reduced to £62.50. The mother-of-two paired the skirt with a Reserved Ladies Jumper in dark brown, which retails for £39.99.

Back in September, the 48 year old donned the Stone Faux Leather Fitted Waist Midi Dress from River Island . At £59, the sleeveless frock rapidly sold out online but has returned to stock and is flying off the shelves once again. It boasts a round neckline, fitted waist and a flattering midi length.

Loose Women regular Brenda Edwards has opened up on how her battle with breast cancer has changed her entire outlook on life – and made her stay on top of her health more than ever before

View 3 Images

Popular, straight-talking Brenda Edwards, who first rose to fame on The X Factor in 2005, has opened up exclusively to OK! about how her experience with breast cancer a few years ago totally transformed how the 56-year-old lives her life today.

The TV presenter, singer and actress, who is part of ITV’s Loose Women panel alongside Coleen Nolan, Ruth Langsford and Christine Lampard, has had a very difficult few years – following the tragic death of her son, Jamal Edwards, who passed away in 2022 at the age of just 31 from a cardiac arrest.

But the TV star, who also has a 31-year-old daughter, Tanisha, has also fought breast cancer – and reveals in an exclusive chat with OK! that her experiences have taught her not only the importance of life, but how short it can be.

After being diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2015, when she was just 46 and playing Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Brenda underwent chemotherapy, a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, and is now cancer-free.

View 3 Images

And though she admits it was terrifying, Brenda says her illness led to a change for the better. “It really makes you appreciate life. It makes you want to grab each moment when you can in whatever way you can. You realise that life isn’t promised to you. I think I’ve also become a bit more confident since facing cancer, to talk about things that have happened to me and to be open,” she adds.

Brenda admits, past experience means she is now extremely vigilant when it comes to looking after her health. “I’m always on top of things to do with my health now, since the diagnosis.

“If something doesn’t feel right, I’m on top of it. For many people, it can be nerve-wracking when something is wrong and you’re worried about whether there’s a problem, but I see it the other way around. What if it’s nothing? It’s better to have peace of mind.”

View 3 Images

It’s this new philosophy on taking meticulous care of her physical and mental health that has led the star to supporting a campaign dubbed The Aunties Army, in conjunction with Specsavers and Glaucoma UK – encouraging those from African-Caribbean backgrounds to get their eyes checked more regularly, as new research shows that African-Caribbean communities are up to four times more likely to develop glaucoma, yet more likely to delay or avoid health appointments.

“I’ve got a history of women in my family having issues with their eyes, so I felt it would be good to use my platform to help raise awareness for people of the African and Caribbean communities,” Brenda says. “Since the campaign video aired, I’ve had messages from people saying they’re going to get checked, so initiatives like this really do work.”

Brenda Edwards supports the Specsavers Aunties Army campaign raising awareness of glaucoma in Afro-Caribbean communities. To watch the video and help spread the message, visit specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/glaucoma

She may be gearing up to host the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain awards but 64-year-old Carol Vorderman reveals she may be gettting older but she’s still down with the youngsters

View 2 Images

Carol Vorderman jokes she’s “getting trendy with the youngsters” as she ages, having sworn – mostly – off the booze.

The 64-year-old broadcast legend, who is gearing up to host the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, with P&O Cruises, later this month alongside Ashley Banjo, is following in the footsteps of sober Gen Z-ers and cutting out alcohol.

“I’m out all the time at the moment – I’ve just had the best summer of my life,” says Carol. “I’ve never smoked, I’ve literally never done a recreational drug in my life. I used to go out and get merry, but now I hardly drink either. But I’m having a great time.”

After spending the summer enjoying mini-breaks with “the gays and the girls”, and catching up with old friends, Carol now can’t wait to meet her extended Pride of Britain family at the star-studded show next week.

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing judge Motsi Mabuse’s secret heartache over brother’s tragic deathREAD MORE: U2 icon Bono’s luxury property at centre of stabbing as police rush to sceneREAD MORE: ‘Truth’ behind Celebrity Traitors Alan Carr and Paloma Faith’s feud unveiled

“It’s just wonderful to be in the same room with all the winners,” she says. “It lifts you. With all this terrible stuff in the news, you get to hear the stories about good people, who get drowned out otherwise. I think it’s ever more important that we celebrate them.”

And the incredible winners this year will get their own moment the night before the glittering awards ceremony at Carol and Ashley’s informal ‘Winners’ Dinner’. “We started doing this a few years ago, getting all the winners and their families round the table and we go through the running order,” she explains.

“We briefly tell each person’s story and the reason they’ve won their award, and then everyone cheers. Then, every time, they go, ‘oh, isn’t so-and-so amazing, I completely understand why they’ve won an award, but I don’t understand why I have.’ Every year they do this!”

View 2 Images

But being able to celebrate the nation’s ordinary people who have done extraordinary things is the best part of Carol’s job – while witnessing them forge close friendships is a close second. “They’re all extraordinary. And by their nature, they seem to all be modest, and by that same nature, they love other people,” she says.

“So I think it’s very easy for people like that to form a ‘framily’ – that’s what they call them now, a family of friends. I know there’s at least six WhatsApp groups from last year’s winners – and several of them are all going on the same P&O Cruises ship to the Caribbean in November.”

Just days before the awards show, Carol is being recognised by her Cambridge University college with an honorary fellowship as Sidney Sussex marks 50 years since it allowed the first women to enrol as undergraduates.

“I went 47 years ago, so I was in the third year there that they took women,” she remembers. “I’ve won a children’s BAFTA in the past and various other awards, but this, for a nerd and a geek like me, is the equivalent of an Oscar and BAFTA combined.

“My role will be to encourage kids from my kind of background, particularly girls – from state school, on free school meals – to apply to Cambridge,” she says proudly. “I’m delighted with it.”