Category Entertainment News

Former The One Show presenter and Countryfile star Matt Baker is back on our screens with a new series about the British Isles after making an emotional discovery during filming

Countryfile host Matt Baker has revealed that he was moved to tears while filming his latest series, particularly when discussing Queen Elizabeth II.

The former The One Show presenter, 47, is back on our screens with Matt Baker’s British Isles on More4.

In the show, he embarks on a journey around the UK, visiting areas that some viewers may be familiar with, while others may not. Among the locations he explores is a Scottish village named Crathie, which holds significant Royal ties.

Speaking to TV Times, the Countryfile star shared: “I also go to the Scottish village of Crathie, outside Balmoral Castle, where locals have mingled with the Royal Family since the 19th century.

“The Royal chaplain, a lovely man named Ken, showed me around the church and I felt quite emotional hearing about the special service held for locals when the late Queen Elizabeth II passed.”

This isn’t the first time the late Queen has been mentioned in recent weeks. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, claimed that she communicates with the monarch through her corgis.

Sarah, 65, stated that the late queen’s corgis visit her every morning and when they bark, she is “sure” it’s Queen Elizabeth speaking to her.

Addressing the London Creative Women Platform forum, Sarah commented: “I have her dogs, I have her corgis. Every morning they come in and go ‘woof woof’ and all that and I’m sure it’s her talking to me.”

While Sarah Ferguson reminisces about Queen Elizabeth’s beloved dogs, former Royal chef Darren McGrady spills the beans on Her Majesty’s preferred snack.

The culinary expert, who served the Royal Family for an impressive 15 years, divulged to a YouTube channel that the Queen’s go-to sandwich was none other than jam pennies.

He shared: “The Queen was served jam pennies in the nursery as a little girl. She’s had them for afternoon tea ever since.

“It’s simple: just bread and jam with a little butter-usually strawberry jam. We’d make the jam at Balmoral Castle with the gorgeous Scottish strawberries from the gardens.”

In another tasty revelation, Tom Parker Bowles, in his book ‘Cooking and The Crown’, hints at another of the monarch’s favourites, according to GloucestershireLive.

Mel B was joined by Melanie C and Emma Bunton as she celebrated her landmark birthday – with all three ladies looking wild and delightful in animal print outfits

Mel B had a mini Spice Girls reunion as she was joined by Melanie C and Emma Bunton to celebrate her 50th birthday. The music icon looked in high spirits as she paid tribute to half a century of life, with an energetic night of partying to mark the occasion.

The singer, known as Scary Spice, was joined by fellow Spice Girls stars Mel, 51, and Emma, 49 – with the trio stunning in leopard print. Birthday girl Mel looked elegant in a long sleeved shimmering mini dress with sequins arranged in animal print fashion.

While Mel C paid tribute to her Sporty Spice days by wearing a leopard print dress by sport brand Adidas. Emma also opted for a long-sleeved mini and looked thrilled to join the party with her bandmates. Throughout the night, the band danced along to music, including the band’s hit, Holler.

On Sunday, Mel took to Instagram to share a video montage of her party – uploading the highlights reel to her main grid alongside a caption stating: “Heres to 50 !!! And allll thats to come.”

Earlier in the week, Emma had marked the occasion by sharing a string of photos of herself with Mel from over the years alongside a caption reading: “Happy 50th @officialmelb! I’m not far behind you! ! ! From zig ah zig ahs to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs. “

And Mel C had shared a string of images of her own along with a long caption. She wrote: “50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb. Oh, the adventures we have had! I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago? ! “

She continued: “I’m so proud of everything we have achieved and adversities you have not only overcome but have used to help others Mel B MBE Hon D Univ you’re a f***ing rock star and I love you more than words can say. Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter. “

Fans noticed that both Victoria Beckham and Geri Horner – known as Posh Spice and Ginger Spice respectively – were absent from Mel’s birthday celebrations. Mel and Geri have had a feisty friendship over the years – with Mel admitting she was left fuming when Geri quit their band at the peak of its fame in the 1990s.

Geri marked Mel’s birthday when it passed on Thursday by sharing a snap of them in an Instagram post. She wrote at the time: “Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead. “

It was something of a celebration-filled weekend for Melanie, as her fiancé, Rory McPhee, also celebrated his birthday. On Saturday, Mel shared a photo of them together via her Instagram page and added a gushing message about him.

She wrote: “My soon-to-be husband! ! Happy birthdayyyy ! ! ! I can’t wait for a lifetime together with you to always having fun like only we no and laughing all the way together alwaysss I luv youuu my luv @rorymcphee. “

Mel and Rory have been in a relationship since 2018, and they became engaged in October 2022. While their wedding date is currently unknown, it has been revealed that the singer and her hairdresser husband-to-be are planning to get married at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The Spice Girl icon revealed to TODAY in the USA recently that she is granted permission to marry at the iconic venue thanks to her status as a holder of a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) title.

She told the morning news show last month: “I got an MBE for all my charity work that I’ve been doing. It was actually Prince William that gave me my little honorary badge. And it’s quite a big deal. I didn’t realise how much of a big deal it was until I started reading about it, and then I started getting really nervous. It was really lovely. So, because of that, I am going to get married in the same church as Princess Diana.”

BBC Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner’s mum has shared an emotional statement about her ‘ loyal, funny and fiercely protective ‘ son who tragically died last week

Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner’s mum has issued an emotional statement about her ‘ beloved son ‘ after he tragically died in a car crash in Manchester last week. Greater Manchester Police said the 24-year-old, who appeared on the hit BBC show in 2019, had been driving on the A34 on Monday, 26 May, when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side.

Sam had been working in Scotland and travelled to Stockport to attend a family birthday celebration earlier in the week. Sam’s parents, Jo and Andrew, have now shared a statement where they described Sam as ‘ loyal, funny and fiercely protective ‘.

They said: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident. Sam left us far too soon, and whilst words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special. Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective”.

His parents added: “He did Race Across The World in 2019, which opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel. He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland.

” Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade”.

Sam’s uncle Jonny Dunlop has spoke out about the young gardener as he told the BBC: “What you saw was what you got. Sam loved gardening, animals and doing physical activity.” He said his sister Jo and Sam had a “special relationship” and were an “enormous hit on the show”. “The public really loved them,” he said.

Sam, who previously worked as a landscape gardener, appeared on the BBC travel show alongside his mum Jo. The duo trekked across South America in the second series of Race Across the World that aired in 2020.

Although the mother and son were unable to compete in the final leg of the race due to running out of money, Sam described his time on Race Across the World as a” life-changing “experience.

Following the devastating news, a Race Across the World spokesperson said:” Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo.

“Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result.

” Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo, his brothers, William and Charlie, his step mum Justine, his family and friends. “

Danny Dyer left guests at Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen’s wedding in fits of laughter as he led them in a very rude West Ham chant which the footballer often faces

Danny Dyer reworded a West Ham chant to make sure he scored a winner with his speech as the father of the bride at the weekend. EastEnders star Danny walked his daughter Dani, 28, down the aisle so she could marry footballer Jarrod Bowen. White rose petals lined the aisle, with floral sculptures and candles creating a stunning backdrop which the bride and groom shared a kiss in front of.

And after Dani, wearing a designer Suzanne Neville dress, and Jarrod said ‘I do’, cheeky Danny then couldn’t resist bringing a bit of football into proceedings. With mic in hand on videos shared on social media, he can be heard urging the guests to sing and he’s married Dani Dyer ‘ to the tune of pop star Gala’s hit Freed from Desire.

They responded and also waved white napkins in the air. The usual lyrics are less family friendly – but also refer to Jarrod and Dani being an item. Despite a possible hangover today, Dani quickly changed her surname to Dyer-Bowen on Instagram, and is thrilled with how her big day went.

Other photos also showed her holding a bag from the celebrations saying ‘ Wifey For Lifey ‘ making it clear she thinks the commitment and marriage is very much for keeps. The couple have twin daughters, Summer and Star, both one. Dani also has son Santi, four, from a previous relationship.

On her Instagram, Dani said”, The most perfect, special day, “alongside a video of herself getting married. A purpose-built glass marquee had been erected in the Buckinghamshire countryside for the event, although the ceremony itself took place outside to make the most of the sunny weather.

After the couple cut a giant white cake, a band could be seen in the background poised to begin, so everyone could get the party started with some dancing.

Around 60 people are said to have attended the ceremony, which is in keeping with the down-to-earth couple who have a small circle of close friends as well as family to invite.

Aside from dad Danny, other famous faces are thought to have included Jarrod’s former West Ham teammate Declan Rice. Other celebrities lined up on social media to praise the newly married couple and send their congratulations.

Podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, who recently had Dani on her show, said: “Whoooooooop!!! Huge congratulations!” Actor Vicky McClure said: “Huge congratulations!”

Liverpool footballer Andy Robertson said: “Congrats mate.” And former Love Island star Samira Mighty said: “Omgggggggg my beautiful babe.”

West Ham’s Instagram also commented, saying:” Congratulations to you both. “Dani later posted a video on social media of her whole day, which began with her drinking a glass of champagne for breakfast as she sang Hop Little Bunnies with her twins.

After the ceremony she and Jarrod were showered in white confetti before both Jarrod and Dani’s dad Danny gave speeches. Dani’s bridesmaids wore pink whilst her team of stylists and make-up artists wore brightly coloured dresses on the day and also posed with her in her bridesmaids dress.

The video of the day appeared to show Dani’s having a first dance with both her dad Danny and Jarrod before other guests joined them on the dancefloor. After a late night partying with a live band, guests could help themselves to take away pizzas. The boxes were specially made for the day and said ‘ D&amp, J that’s amore ‘ on them.

As reported on Sunday, Dani Dyer has been in talks with the BBC and has now verbally agreed to take part in Strictly Come Dancing this year. It will be another thing to make 2025 a year to remember for her. In February, Dani spoke about how she first met her fiancé in 2021, because he was her neighbour and took in her parcels for her.

” Jarrod was my neighbour”, Dyer told the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast as she recalled the unusual story of how they met. I’ve never really spoken about this. I moved into the house I was in with Santi and he was only a few months old.

” It was a really small, cute little neighbourhood. I loved that house. People were like ‘ oh, Jarrod Bowen lives next door ‘ but I didn’t follow football at the time, just wasn’t interested in football.

“Then he knocked on my door a couple of times because my parcels went there. I remember the first time I opened the door… you know what it’s like, slicked-back hair… and I opened the door and I didn’t know it was Jarrod Bowen and he was hot.

” Blue eyes, blonde hair, a bit of me. I was like ‘ ohh, thanks! ‘ Then there were a few times I’d see him. I used to know when he was leaving for football because I’d hear his car go and he’d reverse out and I was like, oh I can go put the bins out.

“There was once I knew I looked OK because I had a shoot that day and I remember walking back round and then I put the key in the door and he came out and I thought ‘ I know I look good today’. So then he said ‘ have you got a meter reading key? ‘ once, a meter reading key for your gas or something.

” But I did not think nothing of it and said ‘ no, no I don’t ‘ and then he was like ‘ oh I’m moving house ‘ and I was like ‘ oh good luck with everything’. “Dyer said after he moved out, Bowen messaged her on her birthday to say ‘ happy birthday ‘ and following that ‘ they never stopped speaking’.

Dad-of-three and West Ham fan Danny is thrilled his daughter Dani has ended up marrying the West Ham star, who sources say is generally a private person and family man and not a flashy footballer by modern standards.

In the lead up to the wedding, Danny said:” I have met every single boyfriend that has walked through my door – and then she brings home the West Ham captain.

“I have gone from the lying scum, and I hate them, to a man who I would not mind tonguing myself! A strong man. If he lent in I would put my lips on this geezer.

” He is just, as a father and joking aside, he took her on with a 14 month old son and that says a lot about a man I will tell you. He is amazing. I can’t wait to give her away. What a touch. But if he was to make a move on me before…

“I think I’m in love with him, slightly”. Jarrod joined West Ham in 2020 and has regularly been the best player on the pitch, including when he scored the winning goal to give West Ham their first trophy in 43 years during the 2023 Europa Conference League final.

Danny added: “Okay. He plays for West Ham. He’s one of West Ham’s hot ones. He’s the captain of West Ham. And he’s unbelievable, this guy. I mean, he comes in my house. I take his shoes off for him.

” And I give him the remote control. And I say, ‘ Mate, this is your house now’. But he’s an incredible person. I just want someone to love my daughters the way I do. I want them to worship them and look after them. Let me tell you that. I love him. “

Singer A $AP Rocky was spotted in New York rushing to be by pregnant Rihanna’s side after her father, Ronald Fenty, died at the age of 70 following a brief illness

Rihanna’s boyfriend, singer A$AP Rocky, rushed to be by her side after tragically losing her father. Rihanna’s dad, Ronald Fenty, has died aged 70 in Los Angeles following a brief illness, according to reports. The pop icon, who shares two sons, RZA, 2, and Riot, 1, with A$AP Rocky, has reportedly been supported by her partner throughout this difficult time. The rapper was spotted in New York, where Rihanna is also staying.

The musician stepped out in all-black attire, consisting of some cropped black jeans, a dark t-shirt and a black leather bomber jacket. He completed the look with some sunglasses and chunky jewelry.

A $AP Rocky was snapped with his assistant, who covered him with an umbrella as he walked to a car where he reportedly made his way back to his family.

Ronald and Rihanna had a turbulent relationship. However, he previously opened up on how much she is loving mum life. The pop star’s father told Page Six: “She’s loving it. She’s a very overprotective mother”, before joking that the baby looks like him.

He added: “Everybody says]the baby] looks like me, but you know, babies change, faces change. He]resembles] a lot of Rihanna and Rocky together”.

Rihanna previously paid for her father to attend a $58, 000 Malibu rehab following a difficult period in their relationship that saw her send him home from her tour due to his alcohol abuse. Ronald was also the subject of a lawsuit filed by his daughter, who accused him of misusing her name to benefit his own entertainment company, however, she later dropped the lawsuit.

Rihanna announced her third pregnancy earlier this month when she attended the 2025 Met Gala, following many rumours that another baby was on the way. After keeping fans guessing by wearing baggy clothes, Rihanna used her fitted two-piece to make the big announcement at the 2025 gala.

The singer is building quite a reputation for delivering iconic pregnancy announcements after she announced her second pregnancy while performing at the Super Bowl.

Her dad reportedly had “no idea” his daughter was expecting a second baby at the time and is thought to have ‘ found out while watching the Super Bowl’.

TMZ reported Ronald said: “Oh my God! My baby girl looks pregnant”, while recalling the moment that he watched her perform the halftime show.

Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner has died aged 24. The former BBC show contestant died following a car crash in Manchester last week as his parents have paid an emotional tribute.

He had been driving on the A34 on Monday 26 May when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side, Greater Manchester Police said. Sam had been working in Scotland and travelled to Stockport to attend a family birthday celebration earlier in the week, his uncle has said.

The landscape gardener appeared on the BBC travel show alongside his mum Jo. They trekked across South America in the second series of Race Across the World that aired in 2020. In a statement, Sam’s parents Jo and Andrew said they were “devastated”.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident. Sam left us far too soon, and while words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special”, they said.

Sam’s parents said he was “adored by his family” and described him as “loyal, funny and fiercely protective”. They added his time on the BBC show “opened Sam’s eyes to the wonder of adventure”.

His parents continued: “He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland.

” Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade”.

Sam and mum Jo were unable to compete in the final leg of the race after they ran out of money. However, Sam had described his time on Race Across the World as a” life-changing “experience.

Sam’s uncle Jonny Dunlop has spoke out about the young gardener as he told the BBC:” What you saw was what you got. Sam loved gardening, animals and doing physical activity. “

He said his sister Jo and Sam had a” special relationship “and were an” enormous hit on the show””. The public really loved them, “he said.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said:” We sadly must confirm that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday 26 May on the A34 in Gatley has since passed away from his injuries.

“The driver, a 24-year-old man, has been named as Sam Gardiner. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. They have asked for privacy at this terrible time.

” We’d like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and have sent their best wishes to Sam and his family. “

In a statement at the time, police said:” Emergency services attended the scene and the driver, 24-year-old man, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, suffered serious head injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious and life-threatening condition. “

They added:” Initial enquiries suggest that the car, a white VW Golf R estate, was travelling north on the A34 in Gatley and officers believe that the vehicle went off the carriageway and rolled before landing on its side. “

Following the devastating news, a Race Across the World spokesperson said:” Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo.

“Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result.

” Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo, his brothers, William and Charlie, his step mum Justine, his family and friends. “

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