Archive August 11, 2025

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has been announced as the very first Strictly Come Dancing contestant for 2025, but the sprinter has been competing at the highest level in the UK since he was a teenager

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his Olympic sprinting and his role on Gladiators: Epic Pranks, surprised viewers by becoming the first confirmed celebrity for Strictly Come Dancing 2025.

The announcement was cleverly delivered during a live segment on CBBC Newsround, where Harry disguised himself as the acclaimed choreographer Nicky Trott on Monday morning.

Appearing in character, Harry was set to discuss Nicky’s recent collaboration with scientists on a study exploring the benefits of daily dancing.

However, Newsround presenter Jenny Lawrence quickly saw through the costume and revealed the true identity of her guest. It comes after Strictly fans were left disappointed as one star pulled out of a main role ahead of the series launch.

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Dropping the disguise, Harry shared the real reason for his visit: he’s signed up to compete in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing! This marks his exciting debut on the popular BBC show.

Produced by BBC Studios, the new season of Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September, promising another thrilling lineup of celebrities and professional dancers.

Harry, 36, who is a champion sprinter, has been a top competitor in the UK from his youth.

At just 17, he made history by becoming the first athlete to clinch gold in both the 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, earning him the title of 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality Of The Year. “I was gifted from a young age,” he remarked.

As he matured, this athletic dynamo secured gold in the 4×100 metres relay at both the European Championships and Commonwealth Games. His accolades include being a two-time Olympian and a World Bronze Medallist, among numerous other sporting triumphs.

He previously admitted that he draws inspiration from Muhammad Ali, with Harry expressing: “When the odds were against him and people didn’t think that he’d be as successful as he was, that’s one of the things that drives me. Sometimes in the face of adversity you’ve just got to drive through it.”

Now in his mid-thirties, Harry juggles his role as an online fitness coach, managing a thriving app, with his ongoing commitment to athletics. His estimated net worth stands at £3.9 million.

The athlete towers at 5ft 11ins and boasts thighs measuring a remarkable 25ins around. His diet is predominantly protein-heavy, with steak for breakfast and cured meat snacks.

“I’ve been blessed with good genetics, obviously,” Harry shared last year with Men’s Health magazine.

Growing up in Leicestershire, he was an avid fan of the original Gladiators series, and he described being part of the new show as “a childhood dream come true”.

“You think: ‘Gosh, I played those games in the estate where I grew up and I’ve got the opportunity to actually bring it to life,” he remarked. “It’s a celebration of what we are and what we’ve done.”

Harry enjoys a strong social media presence with an impressive 299,000 followers on Instagram and frequently uploads popular workout videos to YouTube.

In addition to fitness content, the father occasionally posts charming photos of his young daughter Aubreé-Isla, whom he affectionately calls his “Mini Me”.

James Whale joked that the ‘plug’s been pulled on me’ before his humour turned to heartache, writing that he struggled to accept that he would not being alive to see Christmas

Tragic James Whale spoke about his Christmas regrets before joking about hanging out with some broadcasting heroes in the sky as his typically light-hearted final words were revealed.

The legendary radio host died at the age of 74 last week following a brave battle with cancer which spanned five gruelling years. The former Celebrity Big Brother star was first diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2000 and had documented his journey up until his final days.

In his posthumous last column for the Daily Express, which was written in the weeks before his death, James offered a departing message and heartbreakingly told fans that he didn’t want to die. He reflected on his extraordinary life and his fight against cancer as he offered some final political thoughts.

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“If you’re reading this then I’m dead,” he bluntly started this article. “I’ve always wanted to write that. Well, obviously not always. But, bear with me because there’s something very tempting, after more than half a century as a journalist and broadcaster, of having the final word!

“And this I suppose is it, my friends. You’re reading this and I’m in the great radio studio in the sky, hanging out (hopefully) with some of my own broadcasting heroes. ’m writing at the age of 74 facing, probably, the last few weeks of my life. I can’t pretend it’s not hard on me or my lovely wife, Nadine, and my family and friends, too.

“But it feels necessary, and I hope they’ll understand. I’m sure they’ll be chuckling. After all, I couldn’t be silenced in life and, well, even now I’m still banging on! Of course, I don’t want to die. I first beat kidney cancer 25 years ago despite being given a 50-50 chance of survival.

“Then five years ago, my cancer came back and this time round it’s been more of a score-draw. It’s spread to my spine, my brain, all over really. I’ve made a career of cutting people off. It was pretty revolutionary back in the day when I first introduced live phone calls to my late-night show at Metro Radio in Newcastle. Now, I suppose, the plug’s been pulled on me!”

But with the humour soon came heartbreak, and James then spoke about not being alive to see Christmas. “It happens to us all in the end. But without wanting to blow my own trumpet (though if I can’t blow it now, when can I?), I think I’ve probably beaten the odds several times already just by lasting this long.

“It’s safe to say though that I won’t be around to celebrate Christmas and, while that makes me sadder than I can say – there have been plenty of tears – it’s the hand I’ve been dealt.”

“I’d love to be around to see if Reform UK wins the next general election and whether my old friend and sparring partner Nigel Farage can sort out Britain’s many problems; learn whether Keir Starmer even makes it to the elections – let alone Rachel Reeves!

“And, touch wood, to see Ukraine free once again from Russian warmongering. But in the grand scheme of things, I’ve not had a bad run. Even if I’ve not quite made the average age for men of my generation (82, since you ask), I’ve comfortably out-performed the expectations of those born only a decade or so earlier than I was.”

Last Monday, his wife, Nadine confirmed that James died earlier that day. She told the publication: “James slipped away very gently this morning. It was a beautiful passing, and he left with a smile on his face.”

In a statement shared on social media, TalkTV said: “We are sad to announce that James Whale MBE died earlier today, aged 74, following a lengthy battle with cancer. As a broadcasting legend for over 50 years, James will be missed by so many at TALK and the wider News UK family.”

Camp Rock stars Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas have made an iconic return to the stage with the Jonas Brothers, and Demi’s new husband has shown his support for the Disney star

It was the moment many people had been waiting for – a Camp Rock reunion where Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers got together to sing their most famous song from the Disney movie. But while this also meant Demi reuniting with ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas, her new husband gave his full support.

Fans were delighted as Demi, 32, stepped onto the stage alongside Joe, 35, and performed with his brothers Kevin, 37, and Nick, 32. The Jonas Brothers were performing for their 20th anniversary tour in New Jersey and included the song Gotta Find You form the iconic movie.

The surprise reunion comes 17 years after Camp Rock’s debut and about 15 years after its sequel Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam hit the air. Demi shared her reunion on her social media and declared she made musical ‘history’. It comes after Princess Andre said she was ‘independent’ from her parents as she broke her silence after Katie Price row.

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Demi and Joe dated in 2010, 15 years ago, and she captioned a reel of them together: “For the history books”. The couple reportedly dated for two months before calling it quits and decided to remain as friends.

After they dated, Joe started a relationship with Sophie Turner, 29, who he married and now shares two children with. The pair share Willa, four, and Delphine, two, but split shortly after their daughter was born.

Demi officially tied the knot with Jordan “Jutes” Lutes in May this year after the two met in January 2022 during a studio writing session for Demi’s most recent album. Jordan proposed just under two years later in December 2023.

Although they are still newlyweds, Jordan had no problem with his wife reuniting with her ex, and he showed her support online. He showed his support by commenting three hysterical emojis and four emojis of clapping hands, as well as saying he ‘couldn’t be more proud’ of his spouse.

Jordan also captioned a clip of his wife heading to the stage to perform: “I love you soooo much baby”. After the performance, Demi shared a video singing with Joe witht he caption: “thanks for having me @jonasbrothers”, which sent fans wild.

One person commented: “most important moment of my life”, while another added: “THIS WILL BE STUDIED AT HISTORY BOOKS”.

A third fan commented: “First we get Freakier Friday, Princess Diaries 3 is being filmed, Miley announced she wants to do something special for Hannah Montana, and now this, life is good!”, while another added: “I can’t fully explain but this was healing”.

The brothers shared a statement ahead of the big concert and said they were always looking for ways to surprise their fans. They said: “We’re always looking for fun ways to surprise our fans, jumping on the ferry and turning it into a show just felt like the perfect New York moment. You never know what’s going to happen in this city, one minute you’re on your way somewhere, the next there’s a concert happening on your commute.”

The musical trio appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Friday, where they gave a sneak peak on what to expect. Nick said: “What we feel we’ve come to is something that really represents the journey we’ve been on and the songs that are relevant to us and those steps in our career in different moments.”