Category Entertainment News

Spice Girl star, Melanie Brown, is getting married today to hairstylist, Rory McPhee, at St Paul’s Cathedral in London following their three-year engagement

Scary Spice star, Mel B, is tying the knot today – despite swearing she’d never get married again. Since shooting to stratospheric fame with the Spice Girls, Mel, 49, has had a chequered love life, including two failed marriages and a bitter break-up with Hollywood A-lister, Eddie Murphy, who the singer shares daughter Angel Iris, 18, with.

Today, the mum-of-three is walking down the aisle at St Paul’s cathedral in London with hairstylist, Rory McPhee, and celebrate at The Shard afterwards in a bash said to have cost £28,000. A whole host of stars will be in attendance – apart from apart from Victoria Beckham and Geri Horner-Halliwel and Geri Horner-Halliwell – as Mel’s pals wish the couple the best for the future.

The Spice Up Your Life star, who not so long go insisted “I’m fine by myself”, is certainly due some luck in love as we look back at her rocky romances, starting with Dutch dancer, Jimmy Gulzar…

READ MORE: Inside Mel B and Victoria Beckham feud as Posh Spice swerves Scary’s wedding

Jimmy Gulzar

Mel first tied the knot with Dutch dancer Jimmy Gulzar in 1998, donning a flamboyant Vegas showgirl feathered headdress and a white-and-gold frock.

The couple met when Jimmy was strutting around on stage as a back-up dancer for the Spice Girls during the Spiceworld tour in 1998. They married a short time later and welcomed daughter Phoenix, now 26, together. However, their relationship wasn’t to last and they split in 2000, citing irreconcilable differences in the divorce courts.

Speaking to the Mirror after the breakup, Mel said: “My friends did try and warn me not to take things so fast, and in hindsight it’s easy to see I made a mistake.

“Marrying someone I’d only just met on tour was not the smartest thing I’ve ever done. When the relationship broke down it was a complete nightmare. We both really wanted to be a proper happy family but it seemed destined not to work.“There was a lot of pain and even with my friends and family around me I often felt isolated and alone. But you have to find the inner strength to carry on. Somehow I did it but it nearly killed me.”She added: “What I’m basically saying is that he didn’t love me and to be honest I now don’t give a s*** any more. It’s a sad situation but that’s the reality.”

However, talking to The Sun, Jimmy said: “I always think about Goliath facing David – that story is pretty much how I have always felt. “

Mel B later won custody over Phoenix Chi, however Jimmy followed them to the US to be close to his daughter.

Eddie Murphy

Mel B and Eddie Murphy shocked the world when they began dating in 2006, but after a whirlwind nine-month relationship, the pair parted ways.

They then ended up in a bitter paternity battle after the Hollywood actor refused to believe daughter, Angel Iris, now 18, was his child. Following DNA testing, it was confirmed that Angel was his daughter and since then, the former lovers have remained amicable as they co-parent their child.

Mel revealed it was her who chose to end the relationship and walk away from the actor. Writing in her memoir, Brutally Honest, she said: “You know, he’s Eddie Murphy. And I’m like, ‘Well, I’m Mel B!

“If something doesn’t feel right, if it isn’t equal, then what’s the point? Yes, Eddie Murphy’s a massive star. In my eyes — Spice Girls — so am I. I have my own house, my own car, my own credit card. I don’t need to fall in line and be Pretty Woman, because I have my own life.

“He almost wanted to just go like that. But I have a career. I’m not just going to give that up for love… to be a housewife. “

She continued: “But that wasn’t my path. It probably didn’t make sense to anybody at that time — why I would leave a relationship so full of love and giving, and almost nurturing.

“But I’m a strong independent woman, and it wasn’t coming together as equal as I wanted. “

Stephen Belafonte

In 2007, Mel married US film producer, Stephen Belafonte, in a Las Vegas ceremony and renewed their vows in Egypt a year later.

The former America’s Got Talent judge met her husband on the set of film Talk, and they were friends for years before embarking on a romantic relationship.

The pair tied the knot after just four months of dating, and Stephen – who also has a daughter, Giselle, from a previous relationship – insisted that he had “never connected” with someone the way that he did with Mel, and that knowing her as a friend beforehand had made the dating process easier.

However, after welcoming their daughter Madison into the world, the couple separated in 2016 amid accusations of emotional and physical abuse from Mel, which Stephen denies. Last year, he announced he was suing Mel for defamation over claims she made about him being abusive and controlling during their time together, which she detailed in interviews and her autobiography, Brutally Honest.

On his £3. 9m libel suit in Florida, he said: “I am ready to prove Melanie’s statements about me are false. ” Stephen added that authorities investigated the claims and no charges were brought.

Mel’s legal team asked for the case to be thrown out last year.

In their filing to have the case dismissed, Mel’s lawyers said: “Brown should have never been dragged through the courts because of an exercise of [her] constitutional rights. ” But this was denied in October.

Rory McPhee

After years of heartache, Mel says she has finally found her happily ever after with fiancé Rory McPhee, who she has known for years and who is the best friend of her cousin.

As she gets set to wed today, she conceded she’d ever walk down the aisle again, insisting she was ‘fine by herself’.

Speaking to People magazine, she said: “I was like, ‘I’m never going to get married again. Never, never, never. I’m never having a relationship. I’m fine by myself. I want to raise my kids, put my head down and work, and that’s it. And then… never can say never, can you?”

Affirming she still believed in love, Mel continued: “I believe in love, and clearly the other two marriages turned out to be not love, from their angle. So I feel like I’ve really missed out, and now I’ve got this opportunity to be properly in love with a really good guy who I know loves me for me. “

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When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018 and became part of the Firm, it is claimed the late Queen appointed one key royal to show her the ropes – but it seems the union did not go to plan

When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018 and became part of the Firm, she opened herself up to learning all about royal life. And it was the late Queen who took Meghan on her first solo royal engagement after her wedding, with the pair taking a trip to Cheshire.

While much of the royal outing became a masterclass from the late Queen for Meghan Markle on how to carry oneself when on such official occasions, one book claimed that Her Majesty soon decided Meghan would be better suited to be mentored by another senior royal family member as she found her footing in the demands on royal life.

It was reported that it was decided that Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, would be the perfect person to take on the role of mentor to Meghan. And royal expert Gyles Brandreth told the Daily Mail: “The Queen wanted Meghan to make a success of the marriage and of her new role, and indeed did everything that she could to encourage that.

“I think she suggested to her that Sophie Wessex, who certainly was a favourite with her, and had been through it because she had married into the Royal Family, and married Prince Edward, might help her, be a sort of mentor. “

Sophie and Meghan seemed to be a perfect match, with both women marrying into the Firm from upper-middle class families, and their husbands both being third in line to the throne when they were born.

However, despite the late Queen being eager to see their mentorship flourish, Meghan “”made it clear” she didn’t need Sophie’s help when it came to learning the rules of royal life and would instead rely on her new husband Harry, as Mr Brandreth wrote in his book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait.

Mr Brandreth, who is a friend of the royals, wrote: “The Queen (who, of course, had seen it all before) understood that Harry’s girl might find adjusting to Royal life ‘challenging to begin with’ (as she put it). ‘It is very jolty, but you soon get used to it’. That was Her Majesty’s experience going back many years.

“To help Meghan, the Queen suggested that her daughter-in-law, Sophie Wessex, would be an ideal mentor. ‘Sophie can help show you the ropes,’ said the Queen. ” Meghan made it clear that she did not feel she needed Sophie’s help. She had Harry. “

Sophie has long acted as a mentor for new members of the royal family, as she is also said to have stepped in to help Princess Kate find her royal footing after her 2011 wedding to Prince William, with the pair becoming great friends and confidants at the same time.

Sophie has previously been honest about how it “took a while to find her feet” when she married Prince Edward in 1999, becoming a full-time working member of the monarchy and leaving behind a successful career in PR.

Sophie is believed to have tried to maintain a close relationship with Harry and Meghan, as according to The Times, Sophie was the first member of the royal family to visit the Sussexes following the birth of Archie in 2019, going to the couple’s Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

Speaking about the Sussexes’ exit from the firm, Sophie candidly said: “I just hope they will be happy. ” But possibly more pointedly, she said that the royal family does all they can to assist new members in adjusting to royal life, adding: “We all try to help any new members of the family. “

This Morning regular Lisa Snowdon has opened up on why a person’s choices, from a boob job or a facelift – are nobody else’s business, as she discusses marriage and TV ‘wobbles’

Television and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon has been in the showbiz spotlight for more than three decades. Her rise to fame kicked off at just 19 when she was discovered dancing in a London club by a model scout, leading to a successful modelling career with appearances on the cover of top fashion magazines and campaigns for brands including Gucci and Dove.

Transitioning to TV, Lisa has made her mark on iconic shows including Strictly, I’m A Celebrity, Celebrity MasterChef — which she won — and This Morning . She was also a presenter on Capital London’s breakfast radio show for seven years. Lisa is also in a good place when it comes to love. When we catch up with the 53-year-old, engaged to long-time partner George Smart since 2016, she looks relaxed and happy — and tells us with a smile that the pair couldn’t be more committed to each other, wedding rings or not.

READ MORE: Get ready to enjoy bright and bold blooms in winter with this multicoloured pansy collection

“Listen, I love George so, so much,” she says. “And I honestly don’t think that having a marriage would change that love, you know. I don’t think it would make it stronger. ”

While they have yet to tie the knot, Lisa insists the couple’s bond runs deep. “Being engaged already feels like a wedding to me. I really feel like we’re committed to each other. I think we probably will get married at some point but there are just so many other things on our to-do list.”

Known for their shared love of adventure, Lisa and George, 44, are often jet-setting around the globe, and the idea of a destination wedding certainly appeals. “I went to a place in Italy recently, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, this would be amazing for a wedding,’” she says. “We do talk about it, we just haven’t got around to planning it. ”

Despite the lack of a date, Lisa’s commitment couldn’t be clearer, as she jokes, “He’s my partner for life, so there’s no way he’s getting away from me and I’m getting away from him, regardless of whether we’ve got a contract. ”

Blissfully loved-up, it’s no surprise Lisa has a gorgeous glow, but she’s refreshingly honest about the skin treatments that help maintain her beautiful complexion. She opens up about her love for “tweakments”, and reveals she has become obsessed with Morpheus8, which she describes as a “deep, intense microneedling”.

“I love all that stuff. I think it’s amazing, I think it’s up to the individual what they want to do,” she says. “If somebody’s deeply unhappy and they want to do a neck lift, face lift, boob job or whatever to their body, it’s totally up to them. And I think there are some amazing treatments, subtle and more extreme, that can be done. I’m open to all that. Absolutely. ”

On the career front, Lisa continues to shine, with her regular slot as a fashion expert on ITV’s This Morning a highlight. She says proudly, “I think it must be coming up to 10 years that I’ve been on the show. Yes, it’s been a long time. And what I guess I love about it is that I get to work with our viewers.”

Walking us through the magic of the makeover — when a viewer gets transformed in her expert hands — she explains, “You see them first thing, they come in their own clothes, we style them up, we get them into hair and make-up, we get them out on the catwalk. It’s a beautiful, empowering moment for them. I love that part about my job. I’m a girls’ girl and I love to empower women. Women supporting women is what I’m all about. ”

But even after years in the entertainment business, Lisa giggles that, when it comes to live television, anything can happen. “I mean, live TV… there are always things that go wrong! You might say a word and think, ‘Oh God, I didn’t mean that,’ but that’s just live TV. And onceit’s out there, it’s done. There’s no going back. ”

A seasoned presenter, Lisa takes the occasional hiccup in her stride, but she also confesses quietly that her turbulent journey through perimenopause really affected her confidence on-camera. “I was in the depths of perimenopause and the brain fog was there, and I was a bit like a rabbit in the headlights a couple of times. When I look back at it, you can’t tell, but in my head, I was like… panic. There were a couple of shows where I felt a bit… wobbly. ”

But now, she says, “I just feel really blessed that I’ve had a very long career and that I’m still enjoying it. ” Although she’s always been “go go go” when it comes to work, she does try to strike a healthy work-life balance and reconnect with her fiancé after a busy week.

“That’s something that we really aspire to have,” she says. “Last week, for example, I was on a train a lot. I was up and down and I had to stay away one night, but we made up for it when I had a weekend off. We always kind of reconnect. It’s a good work-life balance, which is something I’ve really wanted to get hold of, because otherwise, what’s the point? ”

Lisa has spoken openly in the past about not having children, which she details in her book Just Getting Started . She says writing about that journey was an emotional and healing process for her. “I think I came to terms with that, and it was really powerful when I wrote my book. I just really got a lot of that out. Writing about it was super cathartic.”

Now, Lisa is busy hosting her podcast with Andy Goldstein, We’re Not Getting Any Younger, and has some new work projects coming up that are “very exciting”. “But sorry,” she adds, “ I can’t reveal anything just yet! ”

She tells us she has also partnered with Zespri SunGold kiwifruit as she continues to advocate for health and wellness. “Diet is so important to feeling good,” she says. “And just one of these golden fruits gives me all I need to tackle the day. ”

The popular shirt dress has been reviewed by more than 2,400 customers, with some snapping it up in multiple prints

Shirt dresses are one of the go-to summer garments, combining ease and elegance for any event. Shoppers at White Stuff can’t get enough of the Rua Jersey Shirt Midi Dress, with some fans loving it so much that they’ve snapped it up in ‘five different patterns’.

The coveted frock is crafted from a ‘super soft’ cotton blend and is available in nine charming patterns featuring different colours. Retailing at £65, the dress comes in regular and petite sizes ranging from six to 24.

Features include short sleeves, a classic collar and convenient side pockets. The dress has small buttons running down the front, leading to a below-the-knee hemline.

READ MORE: FatFace’s ‘cool’ summer dress that ‘doesn’t crease’ and will ‘pack well for holidays’

READ MORE: I’m a fashion writer, these are my top linen picks from White Stuff for the heatwave

Shoppers who prefer a longer sleeve may fancy Boden’s Kate Midi Shirt Dress that’s currently on sale for £63 down from the original price of £126. It’s available in four striking patterns in regular, petite and long.

Meanwhile, Next has the Friends Like These Short Sleeve Shirt Midi Dress priced at £45. This frock comes in three patterns in sizes eight to 24.

Rua Jersey Shirt Midi Dress

£65

Buy here

As reported by the Express, more than 2,400 White Stuff shoppers have had their say on the Rua Jersey Shirt Midi Dress, highlighting its massive appeal. One satisfied customer raved: “Love this dress, so comfortable to wear. I have a couple in this style and will be definitely buying another one. “

“Gorgeous dress with a fabulous fit and fabric,” penned another satisfied customer. “I have five of these dresses in different patterns that I wear on repeat and always receive so many compliments. Easy to dress up or down. Rarely wrinkles and washes well. An absolute favourite. “

Someone else commented: “Lovely summer dress. Fits true to size and petite fitting means length is perfect. Soft fabric, well made. “

Another added: “I have several of these dresses. They are easy to wear, comfortable with a good fit. “

One White Stuff shopper was sadly unimpressed with the Rua Jersey Shirt Midi Dress, as they shared: “Unfortunately this style didn’t suit me at all. Pattern lovely, but I felt frumpy in this dress. “

Martin Frizell, who has been married to Fiona Phillips for 28 years, explained his thinking around his “brutally honest” opinion the TV presenter would have been better off diagnosed with cancer

Fiona Phillips’ husband says he wishes the TV presenter had been diagnosed with cancer instead of Alzheimer’s disease – because she’d at least might have had chance at a cure.

Martin Frizell, who married the journalist and broadcaster in 1998, said there is a lack of support and care packages for those with Alzheimer’s. He himself has become Fiona’s primary carer as, following her diagnosis in her early 60s in 2023, the disease has taken its toll on the journalist’s mind.

The mum of two told today how she became unaware she was forgetting things, or how she kept repeating herself. Martin, who quit his role as editor of This Morning last year, stating he expected his “family priorities to [soon] change”, recognises he “has to stay well for Fiona” because, should he fall ill, “the whole house of cards would collapse”.

However, he says, had Fiona contracted a cancer, a treatment plan would have been available and there may be hope. In an extract adapted from Fiona’s upcoming book, Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s, Martin writes: “Being brutally honest, I wish Fiona had contracted cancer instead. It’s a shocking thing to say, but at least then she might have had a chance of a cure, and certainly would have had a treatment pathway and an array of support and care packages.

“But that’s not there for Alzheimer’s. Just like there are no funny or inspiring TikTok videos or fashion shoots with smiling, healthy, in-remission survivors. “

READ MORE: ITV star makes big career announcement after leaving This Morning

The former This Morning boss continued: “After someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, they are pretty much left to their own devices. There is nothing more that can be done and you are left to cope alone.”

It is an opinion reflected by Fiona, who has two sons with Martin. She writes, in the same passage: “I gently push the door open, but then, in that very moment, I sense the person I love has disappeared again. They’re gone. The memory has gone. And I’m all alone. And that’s how it is for me now, living with Alzheimer’s. “

Both of Fiona’s parents had Alzheimer’s but tests have shown the broadcaster, who was on GMTV for 15 years, does not carry the gene so neither of her sons would.

It is small comfort for Martin, who adds in the candid extract released today: “As time has passed, I have come to understand that if I were to fall ill or worse, the whole house of cards would collapse. I have had to stay well for Fiona.

“Sorting the bank accounts, utility direct debits, hospital appointments, clothes, washing, parking permits, shopping, cooking, tidying the house – in fact, all the stuff I took for granted because Fiona dealt with it (as well as her own career) – became my responsibilities, along with a seven-day-a-week job. It was knackering. There were times I felt drained, physically and emotionally. On top of the stress, the boys and I are enduring a kind of living grief – a slow goodbye to the woman we love. “

Today’s horoscope for Saturday, July 5, sees one star sign enjoy the finer things, as another tries to trust their own instincts

It’s Saturday, July 5 and one star sign is feeling in need of advice, while another catches up on their to-do list.

There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.

These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

Avoid people who seem to have been deliberately putting problems in your way. Distance yourself from anyone who has been dragging you down. While you won’t want to come across as being unkind, staying positive in a difficult situation is starting to drain you.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

Today promises to be a really good day for you. Share your happiness with everyone you meet. Enjoy a delicious lunch with friends, take part in group activities and let that joy multiply. Make the most of the positive cosmic energy that surrounds you.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Stay calm and be sensible when meeting up with friends or mixing in a crowd. Enjoy the time you all spend together without feeling the need to steal the spotlight. Constantly being the centre of attention can be quite stressful and exhausting. For now, stay in the background.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23)

You may not have been planning on going anywhere today or doing anything this evening but a surprise invitation could come your way. Take this chance to try a new restaurant or bar. Give yourself permission to relax and have fun. If you’re in a group, agree on a designated driver.

Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)

Events going on around you have become the centre of everyone’s conversations. You’re getting advice from friends and workmates and now even your family is chiming in. While many people have their opinions, you really need to trust your own instincts.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

You often find it hard to switch off especially when responsibilities are heavy. Make some time to relax today. Take deep breaths; meditate and enjoy some calming music. Spend some time playing fetch with your dog. Walk in nature. Choose activities that bring you peace and tranquillity.

Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

A kind and supportive friend will introduce you to the finer things in life that will immediately appeal to you. They have a charming way of getting their ideas across which makes you want to take their advice. Someone at home is asking you to be wary of people you hardly know.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

A friend or colleague will seek your guidance on a health issue. This makes you uncomfortable as you don’t want to offer advice when you aren’t familiar with the details and know nothing about their circumstances. Suggest they reach out to their doctor or practice nurse.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

It is time to deal with those tasks you pushed aside earlier even if you still aren’t keen on doing them. Be sure to express your gratitude to those who have been a good help to you lately and people who support you daily. It will mean a lot to them to know they are appreciated.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Share your thoughts and opinions openly for a change. Your insights will benefit a group project. Although you might prefer to remain in the background, join in the conversation. Don’t be shy. A new study project that’s being discussed will get your interest.

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

You can trust your instincts when tackling family issues and other problems. You could find it beneficial to seek advice from a sensible friend. Above all, remember that there is no need to have to face everything by yourself.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Move beyond your past and let go of ties that have been holding you ba ck. Start shaping a happier future for yourself now. Tackle issues that have been keeping you from fulfilling your true potential. Release bad habits and embrace the power of forgiveness.

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