Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys co-founder who masterminded the group’s wild success and soundtracked the California dream, has died, his family announced Wednesday. He was 82.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now,” read the statement published on Wilson’s social media accounts.
A reality star has revealed her mum initially thought she had food poisoning but was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Michelle Saniei, who stars on The Valley, opened up about her mother’s death during the latest episode of the show.
Her mum had visited the GP with symptoms she initially believed were caused by food poisoning, but in a heartbreaking twist, she later discovered she had cancer. The episode, which airs on Bravo, was filmed in the summer of 2024, with her mum sadly dying just months later in November.
During a conversation with her co-star, Lala Kent, Michelle said she doesn’t speak about her mum’s diagnosis “a lot.” Speaking to Lala, she said: “My mom got sick about a year ago when I was going through everything with Jesse [Lally].
“She thought she had food poisoning and had to go to the doctor, and she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.” In an emotional admission, she went on to add: “She did her first treatment of chemo, and it did not work.
“So then now she’s in her second treatment, but the problem is it’s kind of everywhere now. She’s just like by day, it’s killing her from the inside out. I don’t think I have much longer with her. It’s been very hard for me because my mom is my best friend and the one who supports me the most,” before she started to tear up.”
The NHS states that bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer people in the UK are diagnosed with. Most people who are diagnosed tend to be over the age of 60. Symptoms include changes in poo – such as softer poo, constipation or diarrhoea, needing to poo more or less often, blood in poo, tummy pains, bloating or losing weight without trying.
While it is not known what causes the cancer, people are more likely to be diagnosed if they are over 50, smoke, are overweight or have inflammatory bowel disease, as well as small growths on the bowel. Treatment varies depending on the size of the cancer, whether it is in the colon or rectum, if it has spread and age.
Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted medicines are used to treat the disease. Michelle’s mum sadly died on November 5, 2024, just months after her diagnosis. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday to honour her mum as the episode aired, Michelle shared a series of images of herself with her mum.
Captioning her post, she wrote: “Sharing my heart with you tonight. This was the first time I spoke on camera about my mom’s battle with cancer. She’s no longer with us, but her love and strength are with me every day.
“I miss her deeply, and I’m grateful to share a little piece of her with you. Tonight is for you, Mom. I miss you every day.” Her upload was flooded with messages of support, with Nia Sanchez replying: “Sending you extra love tonight.”
Scheana Shay added: “I love you soooo much! Your mama is so proud of you and always watching over you! You look so much like her in the second pic!” Aaron Nosler gushed: “It was an honour to get to know her, and so special that she saw our relationship take shape and become full of love. She surrounds you still and shows you signs.”
Vivian Tesler said: “I lost my mother to cancer 2 years ago. We are about the same age as you and I. There is not one day I don’t think about her. How I understand your words and heart. Sending you strength. We are in this together.” One fan commented: “Right now im watching the new episode & thanks for sharing her with us, those pictures are really beautiful, your mom will always be watching over you & your daughter Isabella.”
The emotional episode also gave fans an insight into Michelle’s life as she continues to navigate her life following her divorce from Jesse Lally, which aired in the second season.
For more information or support about bowel cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support or you can call 020 7940 1760 for advice.
The Beach Boys star Brian Wilson has died.
His family have paid tribute to the singer-songwriter, who was 82, in a statement this week. His family said: “We are heartbroken to announced that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
The musician rose to fame as a member of the beloved band alongside his two siblings. Brian was part of the original line-up with his late brothers Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and pal Al Jardine.
Alongside providing vocals for the group, Brian also wrote and produced music for the Beach Boys. He’s credited as having written some of their best known songs like Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Good Vibrations and God Only Knows.
The Beach Boys first began releasing music in 1961 and went on to have chart success with singles like Surfin’ U.S.A. and I Get Around, which were both released in the 1960s.
Brian experienced what he described as a “breakdown” in 1964 whilst onboard a flight with his bandmates.
It was reported last year that Brian, who has been described as a “genius” in his career, had dementia. The news of a “neurocognitive disorder” came following the death of his wife Melinda Ledbetter.
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One who always shares her latest fashion find, Louise Thompson, has once again been pointing fans in the direction of a must-have maxi dress that she loves so much that she bought it in different shades.
The “beauty” of a dress that Louise was raving about this week is the Dixie Maxi from Free People. Boasting a flowy design and lightweight material, Louise’s maxi dress comes in a whopping ten shades to choose from. That said, it’s worth noting that some sizes in some colours may have sold out, thanks to this gem’s popularity, so you may want to act fast.
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Touted as “romantic and ethereal”, this maxi from Free People’s free-est collection is a true versatile staple. Boasting a billowy fit throughout that cinches at the waist for a flattering but unrestricted silhouette, this number features an elegant V-neckline that seamlessly merges casual style with formal flourishes.
Also offering a smocked panelling bodice that promises a flattering and comfortable fit that complements any body type, this dress features exaggerated sleeves that add to its fairytale charm and loose-flowing vibes – a feature Louise has loved in various other outfits.
Elevated with embroidered lace piecing at the skirt, this dress can be your perfect companion from everyday activities to sunset walks on the beach. Timelessly complemented by a sleek heel or simple flats, this piece promises endless ways to wear. The dress is available in sizes XS to XL and retails for £108.
This beauty comes in a range of hues, including Louise’s favourites: rust orange, blue, and ivory. Shades of pink, green, beige, and red are also available. That said, some size options are sold out in some colours, so you’ll need to hurry to get yours before it’s gone.
Louise raved about the dress on her social media, telling fans it gets her “so many compliments” and is one of “the most flattering” dresses she has.
Others who have bought Louise’s beloved dress can’t stop raving about it. One thrilled customer says: “I got so many compliments while walking around Santorini. It is so perfect with the coverage for the sun, light enough for the hot weather. I feel like a goddess in this dress.”
Another buyer beams: “This is my new favorite dress! It’s extremely comfortable, flattering and has big pockets. I’m a C cup and don’t need a bra with it and am 5’8″ and it comes to my ankles. I’m buying two more in other colors. Way to knock this one out of the park FP!”
And a third shopper shares: “Purchased this one for my teen daughter. Its truly a beautiful dress. She looks like a little woodland fairy every time she wears it. Its light weight and has very generous, deep pockets. I legit watched her put 2 oranges in one pocket to carry around as snacks. She is a size 2 and the Small was a perfect fit.”
More love comes from this customer who writes: “I have been eyeing this dress for a while after seeing one of my favorite tiktokers wearing it in her videos. I finally pulled the trigger and bought it. Shipping was extremely fast. It is so gorgeous the material is so nice and high quality. According to the size chart I should be a small but I read reviews and followed the advice to size down, and I’m so glad I did it fits great! I feel like a cottage core princess and will be ordering in other colors as well!”
And another chimes in: “Wore this dress this past weekend and I got some many compliments, wasn’t too long on me & I’m 5’3 usually maxi dresses from free people is long on me , but this one fixed perfectly I ended up getting it in a xs . I pair it with some platform sandal’s.”
ITV has announced a change to the line-up of a panel show that is set to film another series later this year. It’s been revealed this week that the host won’t be returning and that a former soap star will be joining the on-screen teams.
Sorry, I Didn’t Know, described as the first ever quiz show centred around Black history, launched as a pilot on ITV2 in 2016, before its first series aired in 2020. It returned for its fifth series last year, and it has now been renewed once again.
The show had been hosted by Jimmy Akingbola, 47, who is also an executive producer, since it began. His former Holby City co-star Chizzy Akudolu, 51, had been a team captain, with her having appeared in her role since the pilot episode too.
It’s been announced that Jimmy won’t host the upcoming sixth series of Sorry, I Didn’t Know, though. His departure from the role is attributed to filming commitments in the US for the final season of Peacock’s Bel-Air.
Chizzy will instead take over as host for the upcoming series, as announced this week. It’s teased that she will be “hoping to keep a tight rein” of returning team captain Eddie Kadi, 42, and her own replacement on the panel show.
It’s been announced Richard Blackwood, 53, will replace Chizzy as a team captain in the new series. The actor, who is known for roles like playing Vincent Hubbard on EastEnders, has previously appeared as a guest on the show.
The news about the sixth series, set to be filmed over the summer, has been announced by ITV and production company TriForce Productions. It’s been said that the renewal means Sorry, I Didn’t Know has broken its own record for the longest-running show from a Black-led production company.
Executive producer for TriForce, Fraser Ayres said: “Chizzy has been part of the SIDK family since our pilot in 2016 and was amazing when she hosted an episode last series, so it’s great to see her in the hosting seat. And in Richard we have the perfect sparring partner for Eddie.
“They’re long-time friends and he has already shown he’s a brilliant and hilarious guest, so we are thrilled he will be joining the team on the regular. Chizzy will have her work cut out keeping them both in line but we have full faith in her to keep things on track and with her particular brand of chaos in the mix as well, what could possibly go wrong?!”
Katie Rawcliffe, Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning at ITV, added: “Sorry, I Didn’t Know is infectiously funny and that is testament to the series returning for an impressive sixth series. This season, Chizzy is stepping into Jimmy’s hot seat, and I can’t wait to see her take the helm.”
Richard will be the latest team captain on the panel. Jo Martin had been one of the team captains for the pilot, with Judi Love then taking over from her in the first two series. Eddie has been in the role since the third series in 2022.
The team captains oversee a panel of guests each episode who have their knowledge tested. Guests in the last series of Sorry, I Didn’t Know included Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh and comedian Munya Chawawa.
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The Queen has surprised shortlisted authors and book lovers ahead of the Women’s Prize for Fiction’s 30th annual awards ceremony. Avid reader Camilla dropped in at the event’s open-air venue in Bloomsbury, central London today to congratulate finalists and hail the founders of the award for having “brought the female voice from the margins of the literary world to its very centre”.
Founder and author Kate Mosse, who invited Her Majesty to attend the anniversary event, said her presence had been kept secret: “Nobody knew, which is why people were so surprised. If you’re going to lay on the Queen, if it’s not Beyoncé, it’s got to be the actual Queen.”
She added: “You can tell when someone has read your book genuinely and when they’ve been given a briefing sheet. And she’s a reader, a genuine reader, and someone who genuinely champions women.” Camilla arrived unannounced at the pop-up venue in Bedford Square and was greeted by Kate and Women’s Prize executive director Claire Shanahan.
In the Green Room area, she was introduced to the six authors shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, including Nussaibah Younis, whose novel Fundamentally tells the story of an academic who travels to Iraq to deradicalise a teenage Islamic State recruit.
She joked that the competition was stiff between finalists, telling Camilla: “We are trying to take each other out. The Champagne glasses are spiked – there could be one less standing by this afternoon!”
The Queen recognised Yael van der Wouden, author of The Safekeep, telling her: “We met at the Booker [Prize]. Good to see you again.” And turning to Tell Me Everything writer Elizabeth Strout, she said: “I have read your books, they are lovely. Good luck to you all,” she told the group. “I shall be thinking of you.”
Camilla was then introduced to the six shortlisted authors for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, including singer-songwriter and rapper Neneh Cherry, whose debut book, A Thousand Threads tells the story of her career.
“I wrote a memoir, a book about my life,” she told Camilla. “It took more than four years to write it and I’m still slightly recovering. It’s out there now, I have let it go, it’s out in the world.”
The Queen told Claire Mulley, whose Agent Zo tells the story of the Polish wartime resistance fighter Elzbieta Zawakca: “I think I will put that on my holiday reading list.”
And she delighted author Chloe Dalton by telling her she had read her memoir Raising Hare about swapping the rat race for a rural life. “Thank you so much, I am honoured,” she replied.
The Queen was then reunited with Girl, Woman, Other author Bernardine Evaristo, winner of The Women’s Prize Outstanding Contribution Award – a special one-off award for the 30th anniversary year.
There was a quick stop off in a pop-up Waterstones tent, where authors had been signing their books and Camilla was told the bar was kept open late for those queuing to meet their favourite writers. “Quite right,” she agreed.
Making a speech in the Woolf tent in Bedford Square, Her Majesty said the launch of the women’s only prize in 1995 had “brought the female voice from the margins of the literary world to its very centre,” and she hailed it for having “transformed the literary landscape for women.”
She said: “Three decades later, your achievements are impressive. Budding authors have benefitted from the wisdom of those who have trodden the same path. Careers have been launched, bestsellers have flown off the shelves into the hands and hearts of the public, and each year you distribute 3,000 books to people in need. And you have forged a community of 16 million readers who love, in your own words, “original, accessible and brilliant” literature.
“In short, you have transformed the literary landscape for women. If I might return to Virginia Woolf – who never won any kind of award for her work, but who did have this tent named after her – and misquote her, “A woman must have a prize of her own if she is to write fiction.
“Happy birthday, congratulations and thank you to every one of you who has been involved over the last 30 years. And the best of British luck to all our wonderful finalists tomorrow!”