Category Entertainment News

The Duchess of Sussex made a brief remark about her past Christmases in the UK in her new Netflix special, with Prince Harry showing his unwavering support for his wife’s new career after leaving their royal lives

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Meghan Markle let show her true feelings about one major aspect of her royal life in her new Christmas-themed Netflix special, with many royal watchers pointing out her candid admission.

The Duchess of Sussex’s holiday programme premiered on the streaming site earlier this week, showing Meghan being joined by a host of celebrity guests as they indulged in festive-themed crafts and cooking to celebrate the Christmas season. When taking part in crafting Christmas crackers from scratch, Meghan made a candid reference to her brief time living in the UK when she was a working royal alongside her husband Prince Harry.

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While Meghan’s days as a royal are far behind her, she admitted in the show that each year she draws inspiration from one major experience from celebrating the festive season in the UK.

She spent two Christmases at Sandringham in 2017 and 2018 – and as she welcomes restaurateur Will Guidara, she tells him they are going to make their own personalised Christmas crackers.

Will, who is more unfamiliar with crackers, asks Meghan about their significance. And she reflects: “Living in the UK, it’s a big part of the culture for sure. Typically, people cross their arms and do it. So they sit around the table and they all pull at the same time. The way that I started to know them was, they’d always have some sort of fortune cookie-size joke or riddle. And something sweet.”

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While Meghan has often referenced parts of her royal life that she found to be challenging, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror that the Duchess’ admission goes to show that she experienced some fond memories while she was a working royal.

Jennie said: “It’s nice to hear her reminisce quite fondly about at least part of her time in the UK. I don’t think she’s sending out any particular message by talking about Christmas crackers at the dinner table, but it’s good to know that there were at least moments in her life as part of the royal family that she enjoyed.”

Prince Harry also made a special cameo in the Christmas-themed episode – his longest appearance in any of Meghan’s Netflix programmes – joining in to make playful jokes about his wife’s cooking.

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Near the end of the episode, Harry appears as Meghan prepares festive-themed dishes with Top Chef judge Tom. He tells the Duchess how it has become a tradition in his family on Christmas Eve to make a special salad containing beetroot, black olives and fennel.

Meghan chuckles as she reveals they are all flavours she loves but rarely eats, as all of those foods are a turn-off for Harry. And just as they put the finishing touches to the dish, which also contains anchovies and pickled vegetables, Harry turns up in the kitchen, greeting her with a kiss.

Meghan also cooks up gumbo, which she reveals has become a tradition for her mum Doria, to cook for the family on Christmas Eve. After being served and trying the dish, Harry proclaimed: “It is delicious, I’m not so sure it’s as good as your mum’s, but it’s certainly close.” To which, Meghan shouts: “What!” as Harry giggles. Meghan says: “My mom will love you for that. What a good thing to say about your mother-in-law.”

And according to Jennie Bond, Harry’s brief but candid appearance in the programme shows his unwavering support and pride for the career Meghan has carved for herself since the couple left the Royal Family in 2020.

Jennie said: “I think it would be rather odd if Harry hadn’t made an appearance in a show that’s all about family and fun at Christmas. He only shows up briefly, but I think it’s an indication that he’s fully supportive of Meghan‘s new career and proud of what she’s achieved. I don’t imagine she had to work too hard to persuade him to take a cameo role, as they still strike me as a very happily married couple who want to support one another.”

Inter Miami’s 3-1 MLS Cup victory capped an 11-year journey for owner David Beckham, with Lionel Messi playing a key role, but eldest son Brooklyn was missing from family celebrations

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David Beckham’s decade-long dream for Inter Miami to conquer American football finally came true when the club clinched the MLS Cup on Saturday, marking a milestone that the owner has been striving for since February 2014.

That was the day Major League Soccer revealed Beckham had exercised his option to buy an expansion franchise for $25 million, initiating a project that would metamorphose Miami into one of the league’s most globally recognised brands.

This weekend’s triumph, a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, culminated in Beckham making a spot-on remark about Lionel Messi. This marked the end of an 11-year journey since Beckham first exercised his $25 million option to purchase an MLS expansion team and symbolised the pinnacle of Beckham’s career post-retirement from playing.

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With Messi masterminding crucial moments from midfield and assisting multiple goals, Inter Miami completed its lengthy ascent from league newcomer to MLS champion.

The symmetry was perfect: Messi, who altered the course of the club when he joined in 2023, played a pivotal role in the final, while Beckham, the league’s original global icon, now stood as a victorious owner, reports the Mirror US.

Miami’s win followed earlier trophies under Messi, including a Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference title, but this was the trophy Beckham coveted the most.

The celebratory snaps were just as many had anticipated: Beckham hoisting the trophy high, with Victoria Beckham standing proudly by his side, accompanied by their sons Romeo and Cruz and daughter Harper.

The ex-Spice Girl appeared moved, and the couple posed together, their smiles reflecting the personal significance of this moment after over a decade of investment, negotiation, and public scrutiny.

However, there was an uncomfortable undercurrent. Their eldest son, Brooklyn, was absent once again, as he has been in several recent public Beckham family moments.

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While his family rejoiced on the pitch and in the owner’s box, Brooklyn instead shared a cooking video on Instagram, demonstrating how to make French onion soup.

This mirrors previous no-shows, including his absence from his father’s knighthood ceremony and missing Beckham’s recent significant birthday celebration.

His continued absence is fuelling rumours of familial tension. Reports of a rift involving Brooklyn’s wife, Nicola Peltz, have been swirling for months, and public appearances together have been noticeably scarce.

Even when Cruz recently shared a throwback photo of himself with his brothers and father, Brooklyn still did not publicly join the family on this milestone night.

The One Direction star died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina, following his death Simon Cowell faced criticism for his TV talent shows

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Simon Cowell has dismissed any feelings of “guilt” over the tragic death of One Direction’s Liam Payne.

The pop star, who was just 31, tragically lost his life last year after a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina. In the aftermath, Cowell faced criticism for his TV talent shows, but he has defended himself in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Simon shared: “Not guilty. When I eventually met with his parents a few months afterwards, obviously we talked about this. Both his mum and dad said to me that music was Liam’s passion. His proudest moment was getting through The X Factor the second time.

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“The fact he came back said a lot about him. So I don’t know what the answer to that question is.

“I don’t feel guilt, because you can’t guess somebody’s destiny. You just can’t. All I know is he was immensely proud about what he’d achieved. It meant a lot to him. He really wanted to be well-known and successful. And I think being in the band was the best thing for him.”

Cowell also revealed the heart-wrenching moment he discovered the news of Liam’s passing while working on Britain’s Got Talent.

The 66 year old star remembered: “I was in Blackpool filming Britain’s Got Talent. Somebody who works with me came into my room. As soon as I saw her face, I could see she was upset. Nothing has affected me like that since I lost my mum and dad. I remember how that felt and this was not far off.

“I couldn’t believe it. All I remember was saying, ‘I’ve got to speak to his parents.’ I managed to speak to them, thank God. Immediately.”

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Cowell shared: “(It was) just horrific. I put myself in their position. They were in pieces. I was in pieces. I just said, ‘Look, we’ve just got to be there for each other.'”. Simon revealed that he sought solace in a “private place”, away from his fiancée Lauren Silverman and their 11 year old son Eric, after Liam’s tragic demise.

He expressed: “I’ve got to just go away somewhere on my own for a few days. A private place. Like a retreat, where I was able to switch off. I just sort of meditated and thought about things, because I was so upset. Then you have to come back to your life again.”

The One Direction star died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina, following his death Simon Cowell faced criticism for his TV talent shows

View 3 Images

Simon Cowell has dismissed any feelings of “guilt” over the tragic death of One Direction’s Liam Payne.

The pop star, who was just 31, tragically lost his life last year after a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina. In the aftermath, Cowell faced criticism for his TV talent shows, but he has defended himself in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Simon shared: “Not guilty. When I eventually met with his parents a few months afterwards, obviously we talked about this. Both his mum and dad said to me that music was Liam’s passion. His proudest moment was getting through The X Factor the second time.

View 3 Images

READ MORE: Mum dies after plunging from 10th-floor with three-year-old twins in her arms

READ MORE: Woman found dead in car outside police station went undiscovered for three days

“The fact he came back said a lot about him. So I don’t know what the answer to that question is.

“I don’t feel guilt, because you can’t guess somebody’s destiny. You just can’t. All I know is he was immensely proud about what he’d achieved. It meant a lot to him. He really wanted to be well-known and successful. And I think being in the band was the best thing for him.”

Cowell also revealed the heart-wrenching moment he discovered the news of Liam’s passing while working on Britain’s Got Talent.

The 66 year old star remembered: “I was in Blackpool filming Britain’s Got Talent. Somebody who works with me came into my room. As soon as I saw her face, I could see she was upset. Nothing has affected me like that since I lost my mum and dad. I remember how that felt and this was not far off.

“I couldn’t believe it. All I remember was saying, ‘I’ve got to speak to his parents.’ I managed to speak to them, thank God. Immediately.”

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Cowell shared: “(It was) just horrific. I put myself in their position. They were in pieces. I was in pieces. I just said, ‘Look, we’ve just got to be there for each other.'”. Simon revealed that he sought solace in a “private place”, away from his fiancée Lauren Silverman and their 11 year old son Eric, after Liam’s tragic demise.

He expressed: “I’ve got to just go away somewhere on my own for a few days. A private place. Like a retreat, where I was able to switch off. I just sort of meditated and thought about things, because I was so upset. Then you have to come back to your life again.”

Strictly Come Dancing pro Dianne Buswell has shared a cheeky video of her pranking partner Joe Sugg to test if he’s ready for the arrival of their baby boy

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Diane Buswell has shared a hilarious video to her Instagram pranking her partner Joe Sugg. Fans were left ‘howling’ and ‘in stitches’ as Diane tested Joe on whether he is ready for their baby.

In September, Dianne and Joe shared their baby news in a sweet video posted to Instagram . In it, they painted a picture and then turned the paper around to show the couple as stick people, along with a stick baby in the middle. They captioned the post: “Our little baby boy, we cannot wait to meet you.”

Dianne fell head over heels for YouTuber Joe Sugg when they were paired on the 2017 series of the BBC One competition, and since then, their love story has continued to blossom.

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Taking to Instagram, Diane posted a reel of herself cuddling up to Joe but to test his daddy instincts, she spat out milk on his jumper to get his reaction on whether he is ready for when their baby does the same to him.

Captioning the video, Diane put: “Some will say it’s mean others will say it’s character building ….. just prepping him for all those little milk burps Do we think he passed the test? @Joe_sugg”.

Joe humoured Diane and laughed it off but fans were already in stitches at his reaction and Diane’s prank.

The comments poured in, with one fan admitting: “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that I flinched more than he did!” Another observed, “you trying not to laugh has me HOWLING”, while a third teased that Joe had spotted the camera mid-prank: “joe spotting the camera he lowkey knew you were up to something”. A fourth chimed in with reassurance: “We’ve all been there with babies He definitely passed the test!”

The pair revealed that they’ve already picked the name for their unborn baby boy. The pair announced earlier this year that Dianne is pregnant with their first child – making her the first pregnant dancer on Strictly Come Dancing .

In a recent video, the Aussie dancer shared that announcing her pregnancy made her the “most nervous” she’d ever been. The couple, who have been together since they met on the hit BBC show in 2018, now regularly post videos to YouTube about their lives.

In a video posted on 27 October, they shared that they were the most nervous to share the news with their families, and that sharing it with their fans caused less anxiety. Answering fans questions, Dianne opened up about telling her parents. She said: “It was the most nervous I’d ever been. I was so nervous to tell people, I don’t know why. I almost put it off.”

Joe agreed that telling family was nerve-wracking. “I think it was because it was such a big life moment,” he said. Talking to the camera, he continued: “I was way more nervous to tell friends and family than I was to tell you lot.” Dianne added that her father thought they were joking and that Joe cried every time they told someone new.

The couple also shared in the video that they’ve already picked out a name for the baby boy, with Joe saying: “The name that we’ve come up with, we’re not going to share it. We can’t really give any clues to it other than I don’t really see this name really anywhere.

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“I know some people who have it as their surname but it’s also the sort of name that can be shortened. I’d say it’s quite a unique name but it’s not unique as in-,” he said, with Dianne adding: “Apple or pear. It’s kind of like Joe, isn’t it? Cute when you’re little, you can call yourself Joseph when you’re older.”

Joe continued: “Or it could be a good sportsperson name. I’ve purposefully not said it out lout at all whereas Diane keeps calling him by that name. I do feel like between now and our due date, which is another thing I don’t think we’re going to share, I worry that we might end up revealing it by accident. From now on, he’s called Derek.”

Dianne had continued to be a pro dancer on the show and was partnered with fellow Aussie Stefan Dennis this year, but unfortunately, Stefan had to pull out of the show following an injury, marking the end for Dianne’s Strictly journey this series as well. Though she continues to be seen dancing in pro numbers during the results show, those dances were filmed prior to the series beginning.

It was a wild show on Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing – but things could be about to get even more dramatic.

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Strictly Come Dancing was full of drama on Saturday night, with a Perfect 40 score (well done Amber Davies), a star in tears (poor Balvinder Sopal), a singing Paddington and even Neil Jones taking abuse from the stage despite being sat not-so-quietly in the audience.

Well, the drama is set to continue tomorrow night if the latest spoiler to leak out of the BBC hit is accurate. As has been the case for many years now, a well-known account has posted the couples it says enter the dance off and who it is that ultimately gets axed. As ever the information is unverified by the BBC but it has already got fans very hot and bothered.

One said simply: “My jaw just hit the floor.” Another branded the drama set to unfold on Sunday night “wild” while another insisted they were “absolutely gutted”. A third called the verdict: “A bit of a shocker.”

As ever here at the Mirror we don’t want to ruin the fun so we won’t reveal who it is goes until it’s announced on BBC One on Strictly Come Dancing: The Results with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, which starts at 7.45pm.

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As the show ended last night the field seemed wide open, with one fan writing: “I have absolutely NO IDEA who will be in that bottom two tonight. There are reasons why it could be any of them.”

Another added that they felt the leaderboard may have ended up delivering a close race intentionally: “Tonight I feel the judges were told to, bar any massive mistakes, score the couples the same so whoever is in the dance off, it’s the public’s ‘fault’,” they said.

The leaderboard at the end of Saturday’s show put Amber and Nikita top with 40, followed by George and Alexis with 35, Balvinder and Julian also with 35, Lewis and Katya with 35 and Karen and Carlos bottom on 34.

As many have pointed out, any couple could wind up in the dance off from that sort of scoring. With three couples ranking second, three couples have four points already so Amber being at the top of the leaderboard does not make her safe if she is at the bottom of the public vote.

It was a strong week for many couples with Amber – who “lives, sleeps and breathes musicals” – dominating Musicals Week with her top score. But it was also a good week for Balvinder, who picked up her biggest score yet.

With nines from everyone bar Craig Revel Horwood (grim-faced, he lifted the 8) it was clear how much it all meant to her. She broke down in tears mid-way through Motsi Mabuse’s remarks about the Viennese Waltz she performed to Never Enough from the The Greatest Showman.