Category Entertainment News

Blancmange star Stephen Luscombe has died, with his bandmate Neil Arthur paying tribute to the musican. Stephen and Neil were a duo for much of their career and rose to fame in the 80s with their hit songs Living on the Ceiling, Waves, Blind Vision and Don’t Tell Me.

The band released three studio albums in the 80s, including Happy Families, Mange Tout and Believe You Me. In 1986, the duo split but later reformed in the late 2000s before releasing their fourth studio album, Blanc Burn, in 2011. Following the release, Stephen left due to ill health.

Neil went on to perform under the Blancmange name ion his own. The singer recently paid tribute to Stephen, the keyboardist, with a short statement to the Mirror.

He said: “Heartbroken. RIP Stephen. Love you forever.”

A New Wave fan page also paid tribute to the star, writing: “We sadly say goodbye to Stephen Luscombe (Blancmange). Rest in peace. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to Neil Arthur and all of their families, friends and fans.”

Another fan commented: “R.I.P. Steven thanks for the great memories and music,” and one commented: “RIP Stephen. Thanks for the memories.”

Blancmange was formed in Harrow in 1979 by Neil, Stephen and Laurence Stevens. Laurence left after the band was formed and the remaining duo went on to create iconic tracks.

The group’s name derived from the dessert of the same name. In 1980, they released their first EP, Irene and Mavis, but their exposure came with their track, Sad Day, on the album Som Bizzare Album alongside Soft Cell and Depeche Mode.

The compilation album led to them signing a recording contract with London Records. Stephen suffered from heart problems, which forced him to retire his music career.

In 2012, Stephen said he was unable to play on a number of tour dates because of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He said: “It wouldn’t have been too clever to ignore that, and not fair on the boys to have that at the back of their minds.

“Turns out it’s hereditary – and the latest scan recently showed no change – SOOO I won’t be coming on the next adventure unfortunately.”

When Stephen left, Neil continued recording and performing as Blancmange and used the help of session musicians.

Stephen previously revealed his influences and interests included Brian Eno, Can, Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa.

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Dancing On Ice star Robin Johnstone has broken her silence following the shock news that Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.

The British boxing legend was been found dead at his home in Greater Manchester at the age of 46. The iconic fighter competed between 1997 and 2012 before working as a promoter and trainer. He won a total of six world titles across three weight divisions and will be remembered as one of the best UK fighters of his generation.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that a body was found and said that the death is not being treated as suspicious. A police cordon remains in place at Hatton’s home in Gee Cross, Hyde. He would have turned 47 next month and leaves behind three children including his son Campbell, who also boxed professionally before retiring earlier this year.

A police spokesperson confirmed: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

The devastating news comes months after Hatton announced his planned return to the boxing ring, with a fight pencilled in for December. He was due to face United Arab Emirates fighter Eisa Al Dah over eight three-minute rounds.

While taking a break from boxing, Ricky appeared on Dancing On Ice in 2024 where he was partnered up with professional skater Robin. Speaking to The Mirror after learning of Ricky’s untimely death, Robin said that she was been left ‘devastated’ by the revelation.

“I’m devastated. It’s so sad. Ricky was a friend,” she told us. Robin went on to reveal that Ricky had ‘been doing so well’ and the news has come as a huge shock to his Dancing On Ice family.

“He’d been doing so well. He was talking about getting ready for his big fight and was all excited… it’s very shocking. He was really sweet. Such a good guy. My last memory of him is him looking out at me on the ice during Torvill and Deane’s show, with his girls and his eyes were just lit up, he was so excited to watch us, as were his girls. His kids were everything to him.”

Admitting that she had built a close bond with Ricky once the show finished, Robin told us that she would be speak to Ricky every couple of weeks to check in.

“We’d speak every couple of weeks.. I think we Whatsapped a week or two ago. I mean we stayed in touch after DOI – he’d check in with my husband Andy [Buchanan] and I all the time.

“Out of all my partners on the show, we kept in touch the most. He was in training mode and seemed in such good form, he was asking how we were… we were on the Torvill and Dean tour, and his girls came with him to see the show. We’ve met his girls quite a few times.”

Speaking about the time she spent with Ricky on the ITV show, Robin admitted that she didn’t know much about the boxer beforehand – but they cemented an incredibly close bond and friendship straight away.

“I didn’t know anything about him, but I was told he was a big deal. I remember meeting him, he took me to his boxing gym and put some globes on me but he was always so friendly, he loved a joke (some were good, some were dad jokes!) but I never saw him in a bad mood, or treating anyone badly.

“He treated me like gold. When we were out and the public stopped him for selfies, he’d always take the picture and spend time with every single person.”

Looking back on the quality time they spent together, Robin shared her favourite memory with Ricky as she recalled: “Watching him skate! We had some great laughs about that! But honestly? Just the friendship we formed with him.

“Talking about everything and anything. Ricky was very open talking about his past struggles with us, super open. He wanted to be open about mental health and his own struggles, so he could help others. But he seemed really happy. That’s why I can’t believe this.”

Shedding light on Ricky’s dating history with fellow Dancing On Ice contestant Claire Sweeney, Robin suggested that Claire will be utterly heartbroken by the news of Ricky’s sad death.

“We were friends with Claire, too. I haven’t talked to Claire in a while, but they remained good friends as far as I know, so I’m sure she’s heartbroken, everyone on the show will be so upset and sad. You become so close on a show like Dancing On Ice. He just loved life. He seemed like such a happy-go-lucky guy, so caring. We’ll miss him terribly.”

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Nicole Kidman shared a behind the scenes clip of her and Sandra Bullock on set of Practical Magic 2 as she reveals filming had finally wrapped ahead of release

Hollywood star Nicole Kidman shared a sweet behind-the-scenes video of her and Practical Magic 2 co-star Sandra Bullock, as she tells fans filming of the sequel had finally wrapped. The two stars had previously starred alongside each other in the original film back in 1998, which is an adaptation of the novel written by Alice Hoffman.

The film is based on two sisters who are witches and takes viewers on their “spellbinding adventures.” The video clip posted on social media by Nicole, 58, comes after she shared a sneak peek of their scenes back in July.

And now in this clip, the former wife of Tom Cruise, confirmed that she had finished filming the sequel.

The video shows the two award-winning actresses hugging each other and laughing as they skipped through a field during sunset.

Nicole captioned the post: “That’s a wrap on #PracticalMagic2! Thank you to the cast & crew for all your magic.”

While Nicole and Sandra have reprised their roles as Gillian and Sally Owens, one of the original cast members Evan Rachel Wood was not asked back for the sequel.

The Westworld actress confirmed the news in one of her Instagram stories. She told fans that it was not her choice to not return for the sequel.

Evan Rachel had played Kylie Owens, who was that oldest daughter of Sally, played by Sandra Bullock.

Taking to social media, she told fans: “I am getting asked about this a lot, so l’ll just clear it up now; I was not asked to come back and be in the #PracticalMagic sequel. l offered my services, even if it was one scene or one line.”

She continued: “I was told they are re-casting. I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters.”

In a statement by the film-making team regarding the sequel, it read: “Twenty-five years ago, Sally, Gillian, Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny flew off the pages of Alice Hoffman’s beloved novel and into theatres around the world, and we are thrilled to bring the Owens family back to the big screen with Joey, Lee, Maisie, Solly and Xolo joining the next chapter in our story.”

The sequel is set to be released on 18 September next year.

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Iconic boxer Ricky Hatton has been found dead in his Greater Manchester home but days before his death a video of him performing an epic Oasis track went viral

Ricky Hatton was spotted singing an Oasis track in Tenerife just days before his death. The boxer died at the age of 46 as his body was found in his Greater Manchester home.

Just days before he died he was enjoying the last of the summer sun in Tenerife. A video also circulated of the sports legend singing Oasis in a bar.

Mum Carly Leahy and her two children stopped for a drink at a bar in Costa Adeje in early September which is when they spotted the celeb. A guitarist was on stage as he asked for a man to join him for a rendition of Oasis’ Wonderwall.

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton’s dating history – from Claire Sweeney romance to ‘brutal’ engagementREAD MORE: Oasis could release new album as Noel and Liam ‘forget why they are arguing’

That’s when 42-year-old Carly realised it was Ricky. She went on to share a video online which showed Ricky singing his own version of the lyrics.

He was supposed to sing “By now, you should have somehow realised what you’ve got to do” but instead mumbled “Somehow, you should have somehow [inaudible] what you’ve got to do”.

Then, instead of singing “and all the roads we have to walk are winding” he sang “and all the roads that lead us there are winding and all the lights that lead us there are blinding”.

Carly told Manchester Evening News that she was surprised to learn the world boxing champion didn’t know the right words to the song especially as it’s thought he’s friendly with both Liam and Noel Gallagher.

She said: “He attempted to hit those notes, but he definitely messed up the words. I was surprised he didn’t know them by heart, because I remember Oasis going to his fights back in the day.”

Carly then went on to explain now “kind” Ricky was to those who wanted to meet him. “Afterwards, he was so patient and kind to everyone who approached him, so that was quite nice. The kids were over the moon to see him. Some people have really gone in on him, but he was on his holiday, enjoying himself,” she said.

Ricky was found dead at his home in Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Police confirmed the discovery of a body and stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The news came just months after the fighter announced his comeback to the ring with a fight scheduled for December.

Ricky has been open about his mental health issues and drug addiction over the years. A spokesperson for GMP said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Ricky enjoyed a successful boxing career as he held numerous world championships, as well as UK titles and was named as Fighter of the Year back in 2015.

After Thomas Skinner’s bombshell interview where he revealed he’d cheated on wife Sinead, let’s take a look at the pair’s relationship over the years…

Just one week before he takes to the dancefloor for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, Thomas Skinner has revealed he cheated on his wife Sinead during a “two-week fling”.

The reality star, who made a name for himself on The Apprentice in 2019, made the bombshell revelation and admitted it was the “biggest mistake” of his life.

Thomas, 34, has found himself in the public’s gaze due to his participation on the upcoming series of Strictly, with many hitting out at his casting due to his divisive opinions. He also recently shocked onlookers after he snatched a reporter’s phone during an interview and stormed out.

As he prepares for an onslaught of public opinion thanks to his cheating scandal revelation, let’s take a look at his relationship with wife Sinead over the years, from how they met to having a family together…

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Alex Kingston had to ‘really think’ about signing upREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Stefan Dennis constantly telling wife not to worry about ‘curse’

Cheating revelation

Just weeks after he tied the knot with Sinead in May 2022, Thomas revealed he had a “two-week fling” with a beauty clinic boss he met at the pub and that she offered him “cosmetic slimming treatments”.

Detailing the moment he came clean to Sinead, about his affair with Amy-Lucy O’Rourke, he told The Sun on Sunday: “I’m so lucky she forgave me. It was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do. It was terrible, I’m a very, very open book, and I don’t hide anything from my wife. She was obviously distraught, upset.”

He continued: “No one else made me do what I’ve done. But it just shows how something so brief could ruin your life.” The pair appear to be in a much better place today as she’s forgiven him for his indiscretions.

Thomas added: “My wife is my rock. She’s the person I adore more than anything in the world. And I let her down, I’m ashamed, I’m so fortunate my wife’s forgiven me, she didn’t deserve it. I was a selfish person.”

A spokesperson for Amy Lucy told the Mirror: “This has been an incredibly stressful and painful chapter in Amy Lucy’s life. She did not have a fling with Mr Skinner, she had a relationship with him and was deceived then treated appallingly. She will consider her response and speak her truth in due course.”

First meeting and engagement

Thomas and Sinead first met in a London bar back in 2018 and got engaged two years later, in July 2020. He took to Instagram to reveal he’s got down on one knee and asked Sinead to be his wife.

The BBC One star posted a snap of the two of them, with the then bride-to-be showing off her ring to the camera. He simply captioned the post: “SHE SAID YES.”

Thomas later took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share more details about the sweet moment as he revealed: “I’ve just got down on one knee to ask the love of my life to marry me. He followed with: “MY MUMMY TO BE SAID YES.”

The couple were inundated with well-wishes and congratulations messages from fans and showbiz pals as they basked in the happy moment.

Marriage and family life

Three months prior to getting engaged, the couple announced they were expecting their first child together. Sharing pictures of them both holding up the baby scan photo, he exclaimed: “BEST NEWS! Just wanted to let you know that Sinead and I are expecting a little baby.

“It works. Due date is 23 ^rd October. We are super excited! Thought I would send a little tweet to make you smile. Hope you all have a great day! We are absolutely over the moon. Thomas and Sinead,” he signed off.

The pair welcomed their baby boy Henry before going on to have twins Roma and Darla three years later on June 1, 2023.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Paddy McGuinness was noticeably emotional as he announced the news of Ricky Hatton’s death while hosting his Sunday morning radio show today

Paddy McGuinness could be heard struggling to fight back tears as he announced the death of his ‘great mate’ Ricky Hatton on his BBC Radio 2 show earlier today.

TV and radio host Paddy, 52, was clearly shocked and upset as he shared the news with listeners as he spoke after playing a string of songs back to back. He said: “Apologies everyone just had to play a couple of songs back to back there I’ve just learned erm… this terrible news that… a great mate of mine has passed away, Ricky Hatton. Erm…” Paddy then took a long pause.

“Sending love and thoughts are with his family,” he exhaled deeply, fighting back tears. “God. Ricky mate, wherever you are, this is for you…” Paddy then played Frank Sinatra’s song Blue Moon.

READ MORE: Ricky Hatton’s dating history – from Claire Sweeney romance to ‘brutal’ engagementREAD MORE: Thomas Skinner’s fling slams narcissists in cryptic post after Strictly star’s confession

Ricky was found dead found dead at his home in Greater Manchester.

The Stockport-born fighter was just 46 years old. A police cordon is currently in place at his residence on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed the discovery of a body and stated that the death is not being treated as suspicious.

After his radio announcement, Paddy took to his Instagram page to post a tribute to Ricky which consisted of a black and white snap of the iconic boxer followed by a photo of Ricky and Paddy posing with Robbie Williams.

Paddy then penned in the caption: “World Champion. People’s Champion.

“I’ve had some great times with Ricky over the years. From being out in Vegas to the streets of Manchester, he always had time for everyone.

“Deepest condolences to Ray, Carol, Campbell, Millie, Fearne and all his family. Rest In Greatness champ.“

Paddy and Ricky had taken part in a number of showbiz projects together over the years including appearances on A Question Of Sport and Soccer Aid. Paddy even partied with Ricky and his then-girlfriend Claire Sweeney at 2024’s BBC Radio 2 In The Park.

Meanwhile, other celebrities have also paid tribute to Ricky including Piers Morgan, who wrote on X: “RIP Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton, 46. Found dead at his home in Manchester, police say no suspicious circumstances. What incredibly sad news.”

Meanwhile, Amir Khan said: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.

“As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human.

“And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other. Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding. Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”