Archive November 10, 2025

Bonnie Blue’s ex-husband finds love with her close friend in savage revenge

By in Entertainment News, News

Bonnie Blue’s former husband has finally moved on after the breakdown of their marriage, and despite still being friends, it appears he had eyes for another pal of hers

Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor

Bonnie Blue’s ex-husband has found love with her close pal.

Before becoming the notorious OnlyFans creator Bonnie Blue, Tia Billinger was parried to privately educated rugby star, Ollie Davidson. The pair tied the knot in 2022 before splitting up with Bonnie going on to create adult videos online with one seeing her sleep with 1,000 men in 12 hours,

The pair had met years before as teenagers at a party. But their relationship soon started to break down, but Bonnie insists that this was not due to her adult career and stated that they simply “grew apart”.

Now, Ollie has found love again – this time, with a former close friend of Bonnie’s. He’s dating her former publicist, Emma Gillman, who shared the news on social media over the weekend. Emma, the founder of a sex positive media company, announced that she and Davidson were together in a happy Instagram post.

It’s claimed that Emma and Bonnie’s working relationship started to deteriorate when the latter began dating Davidson. Taking to Instagram, Emma shared a string of snaps of herself and Ollie on a loved-up getaway. Captioning her post, she penned: “Plot twist,” alongside a pink heart emoji.

Her post was soon flooded with gushing comments, with one Instagram user writing: “Do you need a publicist? That’s a big plot twist! Congrats lovely.” “Fabulous plot twist,” said a second. Meanwhile, a third went on to type: “Couple goals!”

Speaking about their relationship, Gillman told the Daily Mail Australia: “I understand there could be interest in it, but we’re just two people enjoying each other’s company. Two people enjoying each other’s company.”

It’s claimed that she’s now planning on moving to the United Kingdom, in order to be closer to Ollie. Bonnie and Ollie announced their split in July this year, after three years of marriage and being together for a decade. They first met at a New Year’s Eve party as teens before tying the knot in an “intimate” wedding, before moving to the Gold Coast together.

While Bonnie previously stated her now ex-husband was supportive of her career choice, his mother, Gill Davidson, said that while he was supportive at the start, Bonnie’s antics were “embarrassing”.

During an interview last week, Bonnie was asked about the breakdown of her marriage, telling Australia’s A Current Affair: “It had nothing to do with the job, we just grew apart. And I think most people in marriages stay with their partner just because they’ve been with them a long time.”

Article continues below

But was she sad about their split and growing apart? No. Bonnie said: “No, I got with him when I was 14. I’ve grown a lot as a person. I’ve changed a lot and I really know what I enjoy in life now and what makes me happy – and that isn’t the same person that brought me happiness when I was 14.”

The Mirror has approached Bonnie and Emma for comment.

It is time to give Africans a stake in African growth

By in News, World News

When e-commerce company Jumia wanted to go public in 2019, Africa’s most celebrated start-up didn’t list in Lagos, Nairobi, Kigali or Johannesburg. It went to New York instead. That tells you everything about Africa’s start-up problem: It’s not a money problem; it’s an exit problem.

African entrepreneurs can build world-class businesses, but investors hesitate because they cannot see how or when they will get their money back. Initial public offerings (IPOs) remain extremely rare, and most exits take the form of trade sales – often unpredictable and slow to clear. Our stock exchanges offer little comfort either with liquidity outside the largest firms still limited.

Start-ups here can remain “start-ups” for decades with no clear path to maturity.

By contrast, Silicon Valley hums along because everyone knows the playbook: build fast, scale up and within five to seven years either list on an exchange or get acquired. Investors know they will not be stuck forever. That certainty, not just the capital, drives the flow of billions.

If Africa wants its tech ecosystems to thrive, we need a parallel play alongside any new funds. Yes, let’s mobilise sovereign wealth, pensions, banks and guarantees. But equally, let’s change the rules of the game. Let’s build an exit clarity framework that gives investors confidence.

That means fast-track “growth IPO lanes” on our exchanges with lighter costs and simpler disclosures. It means standardised merger templates that guarantee regulatory reviews within clear time limits.

It means regulated secondary markets where early investors and employees can sell shares before an IPO.

It means modernising employee stock ownership rules so talent can build wealth too.

And it means creating anchor-exit facilities where big domestic players like South Africa’s Public Investments Corporation or IDC commit to buy into IPOs with risk-sharing from development partners.

The evidence shows why these matter. More than 80 percent of startup funding in Africa comes from abroad. African unicorns are overwhelmingly funded by foreign venture capital, with several having foreign co-founders or being incorporated outside the continent. This means exits and wealth creation largely flow offshore. When global shocks hit, whether interest rate hikes in Washington or political turmoil in Europe, our ventures shake.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, small-cap boards make up only a sliver of daily trading activity, underscoring how limited liquidity is outside the blue chips.

In Kenya, the Growth Enterprise Market Segment, set up to serve fast-growing firms, has struggled to gain traction with only five companies currently listed as of 2024 – more than a decade after its 2013 launch.

To be sure, there are those who will argue that exits already exist: Trade sales are happening, holding periods in Africa are shorter than in many markets and capital is trickling in regardless.

That is true, but partial. Trade sales can be an option, but they are often unpredictable. Regulatory approvals take time, and deal terms are not always transparent enough for investors to build them confidently into their models.

This is not a system that inspires confidence from our own pension funds or sovereign wealth managers.

The response, then, is not to simply wait for more money to arrive but to fix the structures that govern its movement. If we could walk into investor meetings and say, “Here’s the pipeline of companies. Here’s the capital vehicle, and here is a clear five-year exit pathway,” we could shift the conversation entirely.

We could make African innovation not only attractive to foreign investors but also bankable for African ones. South Africa is uniquely positioned to lead this change. It has deep capital markets, capable regulators and institutional pools of capital looking for new growth opportunities.

The ask is not just to invest in start-ups but to invest in a new rulebook that makes exits real. If we succeed, we will have built more than another fund. We will have built a system that recycles African savings into African innovation, creating African wealth.

For too long, the debate has been framed around scarcity of money. But the truth is less about scarcity and more about certainty. Investors do not only chase returns. They chase predictable exits. Without exits, funds hesitate. With exits, funds multiply.

So, yes, let us mobilise capital and launch new funds. But let us also do the harder, braver thing: change the rules, not just the money. That is how we ensure our unicorns aren’t built on foreign capital alone. That is how we give our own savers and pensioners a stake in Africa’s growth.

And that is how we finally write a new playbook under which African innovation, African capital and African ownership all run on the same page because, in the end, the real lesson of Jumia is not that Africa cannot produce billion-dollar start-ups. It is that until we change the rules of exit, we risk exporting the wealth that should be owned and grown at home.

Eubank v Benn 2 – all you need to know

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images

Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr step in the ring together again on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, almost seven months after their first encounter.

Eubank beat his bitter rival in a 12-round battle and is aiming to continue the current clean sweep his family has over the Benn clan.

Their fathers – Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank – fought each other in two world title contests in the 1990s.

Will Benn claim revenge in the rematch or will Eubank just be too much for the smaller man?

    • 2 days ago

    • 5 days ago

How to follow Eubank v Benn on the BBC?

Live text commentary will begin from 20:00 GMT on th BBC Sport website and app, covering all the build-up to the main event.

What UK time for Eubank v Benn 2 main event?

The first fight on the card is expected to begin at 17:00 GMT.

Who is on the Eubank v Benn undercard & what is the running order?

Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn 2 – middleweight

What weight is Eubank v Benn & is there a rehydration clause?

The weight restrictions are the same as the first fight.

Eubank and Benn’s contest will be conducted at a middleweight limit of 11st 6lb (160lbs). There is a rehydration clause – neither man can put on more than 10lb between Friday’s weigh-in and Saturday morning.

Eubank was fined £375,000 after missing the weight by 0.05lb for the first fight but was on weight on fight day.

Friday weights for first fight:

Saturday weights for first fight:

When is Eubank v Benn 2 news conference & weigh-in?

Media events are taking place in London.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

What happened in Eubank v Benn 1?

Conor Benn lands a punch to the body of Chris Eubank JrGetty Images

The first fight was a lot of fun, but a clear win for Eubank over 12 rounds.

Eubank appeared weight drained, operating at a lower level than usual but Benn was unable to make that count in his favour.

Benn failed to use his speed and cardio to overwhelm Eubank and will be eager to rectify that. He has suggested he will use a more conservative approach in the rematch, saying he was too obsessed with claiming a knockout in the first few rounds.

The punch statistics also pointed to a Eubank win. Eubank landed 367 punches, Benn landed 215 punches.

Benn landed 180 power punches compared to Eubank’s 227.

Eubank also had a better landing percentage, with 40% to Benn’s 36%.

All three judges scored the contest 116-112 for Eubank.

After the fight, the scorecards revealed judges were split on five occasions – the second, seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th round.

How do Eubank & Benn’s records compare?

Eubank is by far the more experienced fighter. The 36-year-old has 38 bouts on his record and has been in the ring against world champions George Groves, Billy Joe Saunders, James DeGale and Liam Smith.

Eubank’s three defeats have come against Smith, Groves and Saunders. He avenged his loss to Smith, was narrowly beaten by Saunders early in his career and was outclassed by Groves in his singular world title fight.

As the bigger man, Eubank will have a size advantage and once said he only needed 60% of his best to beat Benn.

Benn is the younger man at 29, and was undefeaed in 23 fights before being beaten by Eubank. Benn’s lack of pedigree at world title level may well have been what was missing for him in the first fight.

Why was the first Eubank v Benn fight cancelled?

Benn and Eubank were scheduled to fight on 8 October 2022 at the O2 Arena in London. Benn failed two voluntary drug tests in the build-up, and the British Boxing Board of Control “prohibited” the fight as a result, refusing to sanction it.

The fight was cancelled 48 hours beforehand and Benn began a two-year battle against a lengthy doping ban.

Related topics

  • Boxing
    • 30 October
    Frazer Clarke faces off with Jeamie TKV
    • 28 April 2024
    Split image of Claressa Shields, Paddy Pimblett and Chris Eubank Jr

More boxing from the BBC

    • 16 August
    BBC Sport microphone and phone

EastEnders’ legend ‘lost everything’ and died penniless after son’s murder suicide

By in Entertainment News, News

The EastEnders star had a string of personal tragedies and eventually lost all of his fortune

He was one of Britain’s most cherished soap actors but despite his fame as one of the most recognisable faces on television, this star lost everything.

Beneath the trademark trilby and mischievous smile of EastEnders ‘ loveable rogue Frank Butcher, Mike Reid’s real life was considerably more chaotic than his on-screen persona.

The comedian-turned-actor climbed from the East End comedy club scene to achieve national fame, yet a series of devastating personal losses and catastrophic financial problems ultimately destroyed him.

When he passed away in 2007, at only 67-years-old, Reid had been stripped of his wealth and, as he himself put it, “everything that mattered.”

Born in Hackney, East London in 1940, Reid came from humble beginnings and left education at an early age.

Prior to his breakthrough in entertainment, he lived a varied life that allegedly involved minor criminal activity and, most notably, associations with East End gangland personalities including the Kray twins.

His initial career saw him working as a stuntman on productions including The Dirty Dozen and the James Bond parody Casino Royale throughout the 1960s, before transitioning into comedy.

His razor-sharp wit and rapid-fire comic timing quickly won over crowds on the stand-up scene.

By the start of the 1970s, he’d become a recognisable face nationwide, appearing on ITV’s The Comedians. During the programme’s peak popularity, it delivered him widespread recognition and established his reputation as a straight-talking entertainer with his unmistakable cockney persona.

In 1987, Reid secured the part that would come to define his entire career – Frank Butcher in EastEnders. Brought in initially as a part-time role, Frank became a regular the following year after buying the Queen Vic from Den Watts.

With his signature trilby hat, flamboyant outfits, and rapid-fire speech, Butcher swiftly emerged as one of the show’s most iconic characters.

Reid’s real-life persona frequently merged with his television counterpart.

He confessed that portraying Frank’s mental breakdown storyline during the mid-1990s proved so draining that he experienced anxiety himself and left the programme for over a year.

Nevertheless, he made several comebacks, with Frank’s stormy relationships with Pat (Pam St Clement) and Peggy ( Barbara Windsor ) ranking amongst the soap’s highest-rated moments.

Outside EastEnders, Reid pursued his acting career, featuring in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch as diamond merchant Doug “The Head” and in numerous lower-budget productions.

He also kept his ties to the cabaret scene, where his background in stand-up comedy remained integral to his performances.

Whilst Reid’s professional life delivered fame and financial security, his personal circumstances were scarred by a series of devastating events. In 1990, his youngest son Mark, who had been struggling with serious mental health problems for years, fatally shot a friend.

He subsequently set fire to himself and died from his wounds. “It is my true and honest belief that Mark had gone to scare his mate by firing at the wall beside him but instead shot him point-blank in the heart,” Reid wrote in his autobiography T’riffic.

“The shooting might have been intentional but the end result wasn’t. I know Mark was clear-headed enough to ring his mum then go back to Ian to try to staunch the blood with towels. It was no good because the poor lad must have been dead before he hit the ground.

“As time went on after Ian’s death, it appeared Mark got it into his head that he’d caused so much suffering to others, he should inflict as much as possible on himself.”

He said: “Mark killed himself in the most horrible way you could imagine.”

Months later, Reid’s granddaughter – Mark’s daughter – tragically died from cot death.

Years earlier, his first child had passed away just five days after birth.

Reid spoke openly about how these devastating losses affected him, acknowledging that the anguish never truly disappears: “People must see me on TV or in cabaret laughing, singing, cracking gags and imagine that time has healed the pain and the scars. If only they knew. My son is locked away inside – not forgotten, just hidden away in what part we keep our private grief. Otherwise I couldn’t function.”

Reid’s finances also collapsed. A disastrous investment in Spain destroyed a substantial portion of his fortune, plunging not only him but also members of his wider family into financial hardship. Despite medical advice, Reid was a heavy smoker throughout most of his life.

In July 2007, whilst living in Marbella, Spain, he tragically passed away at the age of 67 due to a suspected heart attack. This occurred just weeks after he had been given an all-clear following a comprehensive medical examination.

Despite a long-standing career in the entertainment industry, which encompassed prime-time television roles and profitable comedy tours, he sadly passed away in 2007 with minimal funds remaining.

Article continues below

Reid’s funeral was held at Little Easton Parish Church in Essex and saw over 250 attendees, including numerous former EastEnders colleagues such as Pam St Clement, Barbara Windsor, June Brown, and Sid Owen. Fans were also invited to pay their respects, reflecting the public’s affection for him.

Tasha Ghouri launches new party collection with Next – and it’s absolutely stunning

By in Entertainment News, News

The Strictly star’s range includes a ‘stunning’ faux fur jacket that shoppers are raving about

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Former Love Islander Tasha Ghouri has released a stunning party edit with Next, and it’s landed just in time for the Christmas period. The Strictly Come Dancing star’s chic collection includes everything from glam faux-fur coats and boots to skirts and party dresses.

With prices starting from £24 for a satin halter top or a metallic faux leather mini skirt, there’s something for every fashion lover to shop this season.

Other retailers with stylish party dresses to shop for the festive period include Noughts & Kisses where we’ve spotted this gorgeous Amaya Black Lace Cut Out Mini Dress for £65.

Alternatively, fashion enthusiasts can head to Marks & Spencer where they’ll find chic party buys such as the £46 Embellished Bodycon Midi Dress or the Embellished Bow Detail Mini Dress for £65.

Back at Next, and Tasha, famed for her stylish outfits, also has a whole host of items perfect for gifting to a fashion lover this Christmas including gorgeous bags and statement heels. Whether shoppers are in the market for a new festive party outfit or want to start Christmas shopping, here’s some of our favourite finds…

Get Tasha’s look

Content Image

£64

Buy here

Dark Grey Metallic Faux Leather Mini Skirt – £24

Available in both regular and petite lengths, this metallic skirt is shoppable in navy and dark grey. Perfect for wearing both with bare legs or sheer tights, it would team well with heels or boots. We love how versatile it is to style, and so do shoppers it would seem, as it’s already selling out in some sizes in the silver colourway.

Whilst the item currently has no reviews on Next’s website, it’s worth noting some fashion fans may find the skirt too short or long for their preference thanks to the mini design.

Black Faux Leather Mini Shorts – £25

This pair of faux leather shorts will see fashion fans through the festive period and well into the new year. They can be styled with bare legs or sheer tights and dressed up or down depending on the occasion. We love the idea of teaming them with a chunky knit to make the most out of the contrasting textures.

Whilst the shorts currently have no reviews on Next’s website, it’s worth considering some may find the faux leather material a little restrictive.

Chocolate Brown Super Soft Roll Edge High Neck Jumper – £26

This High Neck Jumper is a great everyday staple that would form the basis of so many cosy looks. Available in chic chocolate brown or khaki green shades, it’s ideal for tucking into skirts or trousers. The lightweight material also makes it perfect for layering.

Whilst the roll neck design may not be to every shopper’s taste, we think it adds a dressy touch to an otherwise casual piece.

White Faux Feather Mini Skirt – £29

Those who want something fun for party season need look no further than this faux feather mini skirt. Easy to style with a plain tee and heels, it’s a statement piece that needs very little accessorising.

It’s worth considering there may be some fallout from the feathers during wear and the item is listed as hand wash only, however we think it’s the perfect piece for party season.

High Rise Palazzo Wide Leg Jeans – £45

Jeans are a staple in many a wardrobe and we love the flattering wide leg design of this palazzo pair. Available in multiple colours including black, brown, grey stripe, and a dark blue, they currently boast a perfect five star review score on the Next website.

One shopper said: “Comfortable fit, looks great.” Whilst the item has no negative reviews, shoppers may wish to consider that the flare on the legs looks pretty voluminous, meaning they may be impractical for some. However, we like that the jeans are available in various lengths so fashion enthusiasts can shop their desired fit.

Sequin Velvet Wide Leg Trousers – £45

Sequin trousers are a great alternative to a party dress for those who still want to look dressy but prefer more coverage. Next’s sequin trousers boast a comfy drawstring detail and a chic wide leg fit, plus they’re available in multiple colours including silver and navy. Shoppers can team with a cosy knit to dress them down, or elevate their look by styling with a shirt or fitted top.

Perhaps surprisingly, the item is machine washable, making it easy to care for, however fashion lovers should consider there is likely to be fallout during wear, as is often the case with sequinned pieces.

Neutral Faux Fur Zip Through Jacket – £64

This faux fur zip through jacket looks super cosy for winter, and we think it’s a great party outfit cover up. Available in neutral or chocolate brown, it instantly adds a chic touch to jeans and trousers or dresses and skirts. One shopper who reviewed the item said: “A stunning jacket. The colour and faux fur are both excellent. True to size.”

Another Next customer wrote: “Gorgeous quality fur and a deep, rich brown. It is a true bomber jacket coming at about waist length and the elastic at the waist is quite substantial so really cinches the bottom in. Knocked one star off as the pockets are quite shallow and I thought it came up on the slightly small size for outerwear.”

Rinse Denim Belted Wide Leg Jumpsuit – £75

This stylish denim jumpsuit takes the hard work out of deciding what to wear in the morning as it can easily be styled with Boots, heels, or trainers. Available in petite, regular and tall lengths, it’s shoppable in UK sizes 6-22.

We like that the timeless design boasts a waist-cinching belt for a flattering finish. One thing we’d note is that some shoppers may find the fit varies depending on their torso length thanks to the all-in-one cut.

Black Premium Embellished Sequin Column Skirt – £72

Article continues below

We think this stunning embellished skirt is way more versatile than it might appear at first glance. Easy to style with a bandeau top, a tee, or a knit, it’s perfect for those who want a touch of sparkle without opting for anything overtly festive.