Rolling Stones ‘ready to release surprise album after cancelling huge tour’

The Rolling Stones, which consists of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, are said to have been working on a new album after deciding to scrap plans for a European tour

The Rolling Stones are reportedly working on a new album(Image: Getty Images for RS)

The Rolling Stones are said to be working on a new album after reportedly deciding to scrap plans for a comeback tour in Europe. It’s claimed that the group have more than a dozen songs ready to go after spending time in the studio.

Bandmates Mick Jagger, 81, Keith Richards, 81, and Ronnie Wood, 78, are said to have been working in Metropolis Studios in London since April. It’s reported that they are now in discussions over the release of their 25th studio album.

It’s been suggested that the trio have collaborated again with producer Andrew Watt. He worked with the Rolling Stones on their last album Hackney Diamonds, which topped the UK Albums Chart following its release back in 2023.

Ronnie Wood, in a black jacket, striped top and black trousers, Mick Jagger, in a red jacket, striped top and dark trousers, and Keith Richards, in a purple top, black jacket and matching trousers, backstage at a gig in 2023.
Ronnie Wood (left), Mick Jagger (centre) and Keith Richards (right) are said to have been recording new music as the Rolling Stones(Image: Getty Images for RS)

According to the Sun, Mick, Keith, and Ronnie are working on the new album after scrapping plans for a summer tour in the UK and other countries. The band’s potential European tour had been rumoured earlier this year.

A source told the outlet: “Mick, Keith and Ronnie have been secretly recording their new record with their drummer Steve Jordan.” It’s claimed that the band are “happy” with 13 songs and are discussing when to release it.

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The source went on to discuss the rumoured tour, saying that it didn’t work out. They said: “Originally, the plan was for them to bring their huge US tour to the UK and Europe this summer, but promoters couldn’t get the dates to work.”

They continued: “Instead the Stones decided to get back into the studio and put down their next album.” The source suggested that it’s “massive” news for fans who didn’t get a chance to see the acclaimed band perform live this year.

The Rolling Stones performing on stage in 2024.
The band are said to have been working in a studio in London on tracks for a new album(Image: Variety via Getty Images)

There was speculation over a possible tour in January. It was suggested at the time that the band could return to the UK with their Hackney Diamonds tour to play four dates at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the capital city.

A source told the Daily Mail that Mick, Keith and Ronnie couldn’t wait to bring the tour to the UK. They said: “They’ve been planning it for months and are itching to get back out on the road and do what they do best, which is perform.”

Prior to subsequent reports that the tour plans had been shelved, it was initially suggested that they would also visit other locations in Europe. There was speculation that the other shows would be in Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Paris.

The speculation came following the Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds in the US and Canada last year. The trio performed at a host of venues, including SoFi Stadium in Inglewood and BC Place in Vancouver, whilst on the tour.

The tour was in support of their album Hackney Diamonds, which was released the previous year. It was their eighth studio album to top the charts in the UK, following in the footsteps of albums like Aftermath and Emotional Rescue.

The Mirror has approached the Stones spokesperson for comment.

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Jeremy Clarkson spotted making huge move just weeks after ‘dreadful’ farm decision

Jeremy Clarkson was seen agonising over the decision to buy a new tractor in the final episode of the hit Amazon Prime show – but has now sold the green mega machine

Jeremy Clarkson was spotted making a major decision

Jeremy Clarkson has ditched the shiny new Lamborghini tractor he recently acquired for his Diddly Squat Farm, despite only having bought it weeks ago. Viewers will remember that Jeremy was seen on Clarkson’s Farm deliberating over the extravagant purchase.

Just a matter of weeks ago, viewers of Clarkson’s Farm witnessed Jeremy test-driving a plethora of tractors to the dismay of his partner Lisa Hogan, expressing that picking the perfect one was “filling me with absolute dread”. He eventually decided upon an £85,000 green Lamborghini beast, powered by a 7.8-litre engine and packing 340 horsepower, much to co-star Kaleb Cooper’s amazement.

Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy made the surprise decision to sell his tractor

Yet, in a turn of events, Clarkson was spotted this week at a farm machinery and tractor sale near Ely in Cambridgeshire, parting ways with the newly bought green machine.

Bystanders reported that Clarkson admitted to selling the tractor due to numerous electrical faults and opted to revive his beloved older Lamborghini tractor from retirement.

TRACTOR
He bought the green tractor on the latest series
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A witness, a 31-year-old engineer who prefers anonymity, encountered Clarkson and his right-hand man Kaleb surrounded by cameras and the posh tractor at the auction saying: “It was fantastic. I was so surprised to see him there.

“I was getting a coffee and someone said he was there. I turned around and realised I was right near his tractor. I’m a massive fan. It was amazing! I watched every episode of Top Gear with my dad and every episode of Clarkson’s Farm with my son.”

Kaleb Cooper
Kaleb was on hand to support Jeremy

Auctioneers Cheffins did not respond to comment; however, they did tantalise enthusiasts with an Instagram video flaunting the tractors up for grabs at the auction, including the eye-catching green Lambo.

One social media user questioned: “Is that Clarkson’s Lamborghini?” with a dozen others showing their approval with a ‘thumbs up’. Jeremy Clarkson, known for his penchant for fast cars, has a Lamborghini Trattori R8 270 DCR in his collection, which he acquired second-hand for £40,000.

Jeremy Clarkson
The TV star was filmed at the auctioneers

It remains a mystery whether this is the tractor he mentioned he’s “taking out of retirement”. Things haven’t been smooth sailing for Jeremy lately, as he was forced to hit out following a complaint at his pub.

He has insisted on paying ‘premium’ prices for top-quality local beef for the pies served up at The Farmer’s Dog, the pub showcased in the Amazon series. Clarkson suggested that those baulking at the cost could resort to less scrumptious, chemically-treated alternatives.

Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy remained focus on trying to sell the tractor

The sharp-tongued ex-Top Gear presenter delivered the rebuff following criticism from a disgruntled punter who contacted him on social media, fuming: “Thought @JeremyClarkson wanted an affordable pub for customers. £24 for pie and veg is a bit much.”

TRACTOR
He parted ways with the tractor

Clarkson fired back: “Have you seen beef prices right now? If you could make it for less, I’ll give you a job.” In response to another query, “Your cows aren’t they Jeremy?” Clarkson clarified: “Some are. Most come from other farmers in the area and we pay a premium. We are here to back British farming. If you don’t want to do that, fine. Enjoy your chlorine.”

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Combs Defense Seeks To Show Ex Had Agency

Sean Combs’s defense lawyers on Tuesday began questioning a woman who dated the music mogul up until his arrest, and who has testified in agonizing detail that he pressured her into drug-fueled sex with escorts.

In the initial hours of questioning defense attorney Teny Geragos sought to show that this woman speaking under the pseudonym Jane had agency throughout her relationship with Combs — an attempt to show that what prosecutors deem to be sex trafficking was in fact consensual.

The defense exhibited loving messages and voice notes the pair shared, and also asked Jane about her “jealousy” regarding Combs’s “polyamorous” lifestyle that involved other girlfriends, some of them public.

Geragos elicited testimony from Jane in which she said she gravitated to men who were “successful.”

“My ideal partner is a protector and provider,” Jane said.

She also testified that at points she felt “very loved” by Combs and that he was her “baby.”

This witness questioning core to the case has so far been largely cordial, with Jane responding calmly and precisely.

At one point when Geragos asked her a probing question about her ex’s relationship with their child, Jane was direct.

“What does that have to do with this whole thing?” she answered.

Violent outburst

Jane previously told jurors how the final year of her relationship with the artist known as “Diddy” exploded into violence in June 2024.

At the time, Combs was already under investigation by federal authorities; his homes had been raided, and the now-infamous security footage of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura in a hotel was public.

Jane, who began seeing Combs in early 2021, detailed how she had longed for a more traditional romantic relationship with him.

But she said 90 percent of their time together resulted in sometimes days-long sex parties that saw Combs direct her to have sex with male escorts while he watched, even as she told him the encounters made her feel “sleazy” and “disgusted.”

Jane told jurors Combs paid for her rent at the time and still does. He also continues to fund her legal costs.

She previously testified at length that she felt “obligated” to participate in hotel sex parties for “fear of losing the roof over my head” that Combs was bankrolling.

A June 2024 date-turned-argument escalated when Jane said she pushed Combs’s head onto a marble countertop in her home and began hurling candles — acts of “built-up” anger, she testified.

Combs was livid: Jane said he kicked down doors and ultimately put her in a chokehold.

She ran out but upon return Combs kicked and punched her until she had a black eye and “golf-ball” sized welts, she said.

Combs instructed her to ice the injuries and prepare for a hotel night with an escort.

“You’re not going to ruin my fucking night,” she said Combs told her. When she said she didn’t want to participate, he stood closely to her face as he asked in a “forceful” tone: “Then is this coercion?”

Jane ultimately complied: “I just felt like I wasn’t even in my own body,” she said.

‘Sexual trauma’

When Ventura — who last month testified of physical and psychological abuse in similarily excruciating detail — filed her 2023 civil lawsuit that opened the door for a federal investigation, Jane said she “almost fainted.”

“There was a whole other woman feeling the same thing,” Jane said.

“I feel like I’m reading my own sexual trauma. It makes me sick how three solid pages, word for word, is exactly my experiences and my anguish,” she messaged Combs, in text records read in court.

Jane said that following their physical fight in the summer of 2024, they saw each other twice more before his arrest last September.

The 55-year-old faces life in prison if convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Jane’s story was not in the original indictment against Combs, but she was added after receiving a subpoena requiring she testify in November 2024 before a grand jury.

She began speaking to prosecutors in January of this year.

Jane testified that she told Combs’s defense team about the brawl last summer before she told prosecutors.

She said she felt “obligated” to meet the defense team “due to my relationship.”

Jane has not filed any civil suit against Combs, and said in court Monday she has no plans to.

Angela Rippon replaced on BBC Rip Off Britain as new star revealed

BBC viewers are awaiting another series of long-running consumer show Rip Off Britain and it’s now been reported that Angela Rippon will be absent from the show once again

A BBC star is reportedly going to be absent from another series of a show they had hosted for years(Image: Getty Images)

BBC star Angela Rippon will reportedly be absent from another series of a long-running show that they had fronted for more than a decade. They are said to be taking an extended break, but it has been teased that they could return in the future.

Angela, 80, was an original co-host on Rip Off Britain when it launched in 2009. She’s primarily presented the show, which provides advice to consumers on various topics, alongside Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville.

Last year, it was announced that Angela would be stepping down from the role. Former BBC Breakfast host Louise Minchin replaced her in the presenting line-up, with her debut beside Gloria and Julia having aired earlier this year.

It’s now been reported that Angela will be absent once again from the upcoming eighteenth series. Louise, who joined the show in its sixteenth series and then returned for the seventeenth, is said to be taking her place in the line-up.

Angela Rippon, in a green coat, Gloria Hunniford, in a black top and pink jacket, and Julia Somerville, in a black top and jacket, in a promo photo for Rip Off Britain.
Angela Rippon (left), pictured with co-hosts Gloria Hunniford (centre) and Julia Somerville (right), reportedly won’t be back for the next series of Rip Off Britain(Image: BBC)

The Daily Mail reports that Angela is on a break from Rip Off Britain, having previously decided to step back to pursue other projects. A source, however, told the outlet that the door is being “kept open” for her potential return, though.

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The source said that she is focusing on her Let’s Dance campaign, which she launched after competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. They said: “Angela won’t be coming back for the next series as she extends her sabbatical to focus on her initiative to get people dancing across the country in a bid to improve the population’s health and wellbeing.”

They added that Angela is still part of the Rip Off Britain “family” though. They said: “She is very much still part of the Rip Off Britain family and the door is being kept open by BBC bosses for a return later down the line – and Angela is adamant she will be returning when her schedule allows.”

The source continued: “The programme is filmed in blocks with a mix of studio and solo scenes on location which makes the shooting schedule more complex as producers juggle each star’s personal schedules.” They added that Louise is set to return in the vacancy left by Angela after being “a hit with viewers”.

Julia Somerville, in a black and white dress, Gloria Hunniford, in a black outfit and orange coat, and Louise Minchin, in a red top and black trousers, sat on a grey sofa in a promo photo for Rip Off Britain.
It comes after she was replaced by Louise Minchin (right) in episodes of the BBC consumer show that aired earlier this year(Image: BBC)

Louise had shared her excitement about joining the long-running show when her involvement was announced in December last year. She said in a statement released at the time that she was “delighted” to be joining the BBC One show.

She said: “I’m delighted to be joining the incredible team at Rip Off Britain. I’ve always admired the show for really making a difference, for shining a spotlight on the issues that matter most to people and empowering viewers with the knowledge to tackle everyday challenges and stand up for their rights.

“From uncovering scams to giving audiences the advice they need to safeguard their money, we’ll do our best to promote the stories that expose the latest consumer issues and help to make a real difference. It’s going to be an exciting series!”

At the time, commissioning editor for daytime, Rachel Platt, said about the new presenter: “Louise is a great addition to the Rip Off Britain team. She brings both the journalistic rigour needed to hold organisations to account and the warmth and empathy to get to the heart of real stories.”

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Three-piece ‘beautiful’ Rainbow Azalea plant set worth £40 is now better than half price

Green-thumbed shoppers can currently add a vibrant splash of colour to their gardens for less, as this ‘beautiful’ set of Rainbow Azalea plants plummets below half-price

Three-piece ‘beautiful’ Rainbow Azalea plant set worth £40 has over 50% off(Image: Gardening Express)

Add an eye-catching and colourful plant to your garden or patio this summer with a Rainbow Azalea collection that’s sure to be the talk of the neighbourhood. Normally retailing for £39.99, shoppers and gardeners can currently pick up the three-piece set for the majorly reduced price of £14.99 while this deal lasts.

Gardening Express is hosting the whopping £25 discount on these vibrant and bold plants, offering the green-thumbed among us the chance to add the popular and much-loved garden plant to their property without splashing too much cash.

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Rainbow Azalea japonica Collection
This three-piece Rainbow Azalea japonica Collection is now £14.99 down from £39.99(Image: Gardening Express)

The Rainbow Azalea japonica Collection features three Evergreen Japanese Azaleas, which have small, glossy, dark-green leaves that are evergreen, providing all-year-round interest and foliage that’s set to elevate any outdoor space.

These plants, in particular, produce many colourful, trumpet-shaped flowers in a range of shades, smothering each plant in an abundance of colour during the early Spring and lasting for many weeks, ensuring your garden, patio, or allotment is awash with vibrant and head-turning colours to welcome in the spring and summer seasons.

Small and compact, these shrubs will reach a maximum height of around 80 cms, making them a top choice for smaller spaces or gardens. They can even be planted in a container to create a striking feature that won’t take up too much space.

This pack of three promises to produce bold, colourful blooms that will make an immediate impact as soon as they are brought into your garden. Plus, they boast a relatively hassle-free maintenance that’s sure to make them a joy all year round. Simply keep the soil moist but well-drained, as these Azaleas are very easy to grow and care for, requiring the minimum of upkeep and pruning.

Currently reduced all the way down to £14.99, these Rainbow Azaleas are a hit with Gardening Express customers. One 5-star reviewer beams: “Absolutely delighted with my purchase. Quality plants arrived in excellent condition. Impressed with the size of the plants, too.”

Another happy shopper shares: “Firstly, I was very impressed with the packaging quality of my last delivery, certainly can’t be easy! All plants were extremely well protected and the soil was still moist, confirming not having been sat around for days, etc., particularly in the recent warm spell. Plants were of a good size, one was far bigger than expected. All now planted and looking good!”

A third gushes: “Gorgeous flowers on all 3 pots of Azaleas and the colours are quite stunning! Thank you.”

More praise comes from this buyer who raves: “Quality service with high-class product, plants are absolutely beautiful.”

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And another adds: “Plants arrived very quickly. Well packed, and I was very pleased with them. They were much larger than I expected and in full flower. Will definitely order plants from here again.”

Justin Baldoni furiously hits out at Blake Lively’s ‘false victory’ as lawsuit axed

Actor Justin Baldoni has been locked in a legal battle with his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively as a judge dismissed his £294m defamation lawsuit against her

Justin Baldoni’s team have responded to his lawsuit being dropped(Image: WireImage)

Justin Baldoni’s legal team have insisted Blake Lively’s victory over her It Ends With Us co-star is “false” after his $400million lawsuit was dismissed by a judge. Their ongoing legal battle kicked off following their time working together on the film.

Blake launched a sexual harassment lawsuit against Justin, who has strongly refuted the claims. He then hit back with a $400m defamation claim against her, her publicist and husband Ryan Reynolds, all of whom have dismissed the accusations.

Justin went on to launch a $250m libel case against the New York Times over their coverage of Blake’s allegations. Yesterday, it was reported his $400million lawsuit was dismissed.

Justin Baldoni, right, and Blake Lively in a scene from
The pair worked together in It Ends With Us(Image: AP)

Judge Lewis J Liman dismissed the lawsuit due to Blake’s allegations being made within privileged court papers, so were subsequently not defamatory. Blake’s legal time branded the decision a “total victory” and “complete vindication” for the star.

However, Justin’s lawyer has now hit back at their celebrations and branded it “false”. In a statement to the Mirror, Bryan Freedman said: “Ms. Lively and her team’s predictable declaration of victory is false, so let us be clear about the latest ruling.

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“While the Court dismissed the defamation-related claims, the Court has invited us to amend four out of the seven claims against Ms. Lively, which will showcase additional evidence and refined allegations.

“This case is about false accusations of sexual harassment and retaliation and a nonexistent smear campaign, which Ms. Lively’s own team conveniently describes as “untraceable” because they cannot prove what never happened.

“Most importantly, Ms. Lively’s own claims are no truer today than they were yesterday, and with the facts on our side, we march forward with the same confidence that we had when Ms. Lively and her cohorts initiated this battle and look forward to her forthcoming deposition, which I will be taking.

“We are grateful for the organic show of support from the public and for the dedication of the Internet sleuth community who continue to cover the case with discernment and integrity.”

Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds
Justin filed a defamation claim against Blake, her publicist and husband Ryan Reynolds(Image: Variety via Getty Images)

A spokesperson for Blake, who stepped out at the Chanel Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner red carpet last night, had told the Daily Mail: “Today’s opinion is a total victory and a complete vindication for Blake Lively, along with those that Justin Baldoni and the Wayfarer Parties dragged into their retaliatory lawsuit, including Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane and The New York Times.

“As we have said from day one, this ‘$400 million’ lawsuit was a sham, and the Court saw right through it. We look forward to the next round, which is seeking attorneys’ fees, treble damages and punitive damages against Baldoni, Sarowitz, Nathan, and the other Wayfarer Parties who perpetrated this abusive litigation.”

The actress went on to issue a statement on Instagram as she said: “Last week, I stood proudly alongside 19 organisations united in defending women’s rights to speak up for their safety. Like so many others, I’ve felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit, including the manufactured shame that tries to break us. While the suit against me was defeated, so many don’t have the resources to fight back.”

Blake added she was “more resolved than ever to continue to stand for every woman’s right to have a voice in protecting themselves, including their safety, their integrity, their dignity and their story”.

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The Gossip Girl actress, who has four children with actor Ryan Reynolds, continued: “With love and gratitude for the many who stood by me, many of you I know. Many of you I don’t. But I will never stop appreciating or advocating for you.”