Darren Jefferies played Sam “O.B.” O’Brien in Hollyoaks from 1997 to 2008, before returning to the soap in 2016
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Max and O.B were best pals during their time in Hollyoaks (Image: Mersey Television)
Hollyoaks star Darren Jefferies looks completely different from his beloved soap character after his final exit in 2017.
The 43-year-old performer joined the Channel 4 drama as Sam “O.B.” O’Brien in 1997, swiftly winning over viewers with his on-screen chemistry with Max Cunningham, portrayed by Matt Littler.
The Hollyoaks duo experienced plenty of highs and lows throughout the series, including a major falling-out over Clare Devine, portrayed by Gemma Bissix, before mending their relationship.
Yet when besotted Max discovered romance with Steph Dean (Carley Stenson), their joy was short-lived following a devastating mishap that left O. B devastated, reports the Manchester Evening News.
During July 2008, Max and Steph’s big day finally came, but catastrophe struck when the bridegroom shoved his younger sibling, Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins), away from an oncoming vehicle.
Max was struck by the motor driven by intoxicated rival Niall Rafferty (Barry Sloane), and despite Tom, Steph, and O.B’s desperate attempts to rescue him, he died.
O.B was shattered when his closest mate passed away in his embrace, prompting him to abandon the village permanently and seek a fresh start in London.
During 2016, Darren made a comeback as the cherished O.B to the programme, but departed once more in 2017.
Discussing his character’s temporary return at the time, Darren remarked: “Being back without Max will be strange for O.B.”
He continued: “But his death gave O.B a new perspective on life. I think he’s got more of a seize the day kind of attitude now.”
Since his departure from the soap, Darren has maintained his acting career, making a cameo in the BBC series Doctors in 2017 and returning six years later to portray a different character.
In 2022, the former soap star made a comeback on the telly in the comedy series Brassic. Darren also featured in the short films Lone Wolves (2024) and I Know A Place (2023).
Off the small screen, Darren is also a shining star on stage, having appeared in several productions such as: The Borrowers in Lancaster, Abigail’s Party at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, and For the Grace of You Go I at Theatr Clwyd in Wales.
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But Darren’s talents extend beyond acting, as he also works behind the scenes. He recently showcased his skills during a project for Everton Football Club.
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Darren is also happily married to Stephanie, owner of a Fashion House Agency, with the pair tying the knot in Manchester in 2016. The couple are proud parents to two children.
Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has revealed doctors have warned his twin daughters may face a life-changing diagnosis as he shared an update on their health
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Thomas Skinner has shared an update following his twin daughters’ recent hospital dash(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Strictly Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has shared an update on his twin daughters after they both suffered seizures and were taken to hospital this week.
The axed Strictly contestant, 34, revealed earlier this week on social media that his twin daughters Roma and Darla, two, were rushed to hospital for treatment after having two fits each.
Earlier this week, Thomas penned on X: “We are having a proper s**t time recently. My twins have spent all night in the hospital. Thank you to the wonderful NHS for looking after them. Back home with them now. They’ve both now had 2 fits each and it is so so scary.”
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Thomas, who became the first axed Strictly contestant this year, later tweeted: “I hope you all had a wonderful Thursday. My kids are tucked up in bed, me and Sinéad have stuck a film on and relaxing. Thank you all the lovely messages, The twins are a lot better tonight. It’s a very scary time when the little ones have seizures. Good night & God Bless. Bosh”.
Now, Thomas has revealed fears his daughters, who were born prematurely weighing 3lbs each, may face a life-changing diagnosis. Thomas and wife Sinead are awaiting test results.
He has explained his daughters were unwell with a cold before their temperature suddenly rose and they both had ‘febrile convulsions’, one in the morning and the other in the evening.
The NHS states febrile seizures can “sometimes happen when a child has a high temperature”. They are “not usually serious”, but the NHS advises parents to get medical help if their child has a seizure.
Thomas explained to The Sun: “They’re at risk because they were born prematurely weighing just 3lbs.
“A sudden rise in temperature can bring on fits in infants and they’re more susceptible.
“It can be linked to epilepsy so doctors have tested them and we’re waiting for the results, but we’re hopeful that’s not the case.”
Thomas added that his daughters are back home and “happy and playing” while also “getting lots of cuddles” but admitted the ordeal was “incredibly scary”.
After Thomas’ initial post, users on X were quick to share well-wishes in the comments. One wrote: “So sorry to hear that your beautiful girls have been unwell. I’m glad that the NHS were able to make them well enough to return home. Sending you all hugs xx”.
The scary new comes on the week his BBC Strictly adventure came to an abrupt end. He became the first contestant to be eliminated from the 2025 competition after landing in the bottom two with rugby player Chris Robshaw.
But he insists it’s not the end of his dancing adventure. On X, he said that he was “gutted” to be out of Strictly – having filmed his final interview on It Takes Two with Amy earlier in the week.
He said on Tuesday’s upload: “Happy Tuesday, you lovely people! Back where I belong, in my trusty Ford Transit van! Been up early, grafting away. Picked up a cracking parcel of men’s designer jumpers this morning, stopped by my local pub and sold a load already!
“Absolutely gutted not to still be on Strictly, but what an amazing experience it was. Met the incredible Amy Dowden and my whole family loves her. She’s an inspirational woman and a proper diamond.”
Princess Diana’s biographer, Andrew Morton, shared his feelings on Meghan Markle and what happened when she and Harry decided to give up their royal duties and titles
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(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Throughout her period as a working royal, Meghan Markle threw herself into numerous charitable endeavours and launched several crucial projects. She possessed a passion for promoting mental health awareness, fighting for women’s equality, and connecting communities – such as when she brought together Grenfell Tower fire survivors via the Together: Our Community Cookbook initiative.
Recognised for her charitable nature long before becoming Prince Harry’s wife took on important positions including serving as World Vision’s ambassador in 2016 and backing women in Mumbai’s slums to help them establish their own enterprises through the Myna Mahila Foundation. Considering her deep involvement in charitable work, it came as something of a surprise that she curtailed her royal duties so quickly.
And Princess Diana’s biographer, Andrew Morton, previously told The Mirror’s podcast, Pod Save the King, about Meghan and his thoughts on why she would have been a “natural royal” had she remained longer.
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Sharing his view, Andrew said: “The great tragedy, I think, is that Meghan and Harry didn’t give it long enough to see whether they could give it a go. They were on the out almost before the wedding music had finished.”
Reflecting on Meghan’s campaigning background, he added: “Meghan is a natural, I’ve got pictures of her when she was age 10 leading a march against the first Gulf War at her school. The local TV cameras turned up and she was there giving interviews.”
Andrew voiced his frustration, declaring: “She spoke at the United Nations with Hillary Clinton. She had the great possibility of using her talent and her position to make a genuine change to the world. I don’t think she’s going to make such a change living in Montecito.”
The writer also highlighted parallels between Prince Harry’s magnetism and that of his late mum, Diana, remarking: “Prince Harry was and is a natural, he and his wife have got charisma and there is no denying that.”
He continued: “People do respond to them in a very positive way when they meet him. There is obviously a lot of negativity surrounding their behaviour and their policies but Harry has always been someone who connects.”
Andrew also observed the resemblances in Prince Harry’s public engagements, commenting: “And when I see Harry kneeling down with his arm around some kid, I am just watching Diana. It transports you back 25, 30 years.”
He carried on: “Harry himself says that he never makes a decision without referring it to her in a spiritual sense.”
He also commended Diana’s influence on the Royal Family, explaining: “She marked a turning point in the way the Royal Family behaved and through her behaviour helped to modernise and make more human the Royal Family.”
He finished: “So it wasn’t big handbags, white gloves and standoffish. It was more touchy-feely than it had ever been in the past. So she made the Royal Family more relevant to modern times.”
Earlier this week, Meghan and Harry made a rare joint appearance at a glitzy charity ceremony where they were named ‘Humanitarians of the Year’. Meghan was also commended as ‘a mother, wife, entrepreneur, and philanthropist’ at the event. Meanwhile, the Duke’s work with mental health companies and his controversial tell-all memoir Spare were named among his achievements.
However, the couple were accused of stealing Kate Middleton’s thunder as their speech at the event was said to have clashed awkwardly with one of Kate’s projects. She championed the exact same plight in a passionate personal essay hours earlier, speaking about the “epidemic of disconnection”, warning others about the dangers of screen time and how it can impact a child’s development.
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The DJ, real name Norman Cook, will mark 40 years on the road with colourful coffee table book of his life
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Norman Cook ironing at home in a room filled with his music awards
Fatboy Slim is lifting the lid on some of the best nights out and the secrets of his career through the years.
The DJ, real name Norman Cook, is launching a photo book and telling some of the crazy and celeb-filled stories of his life on the road as a musician and DJ. “It’s 40 years this year that I quit my day job and joined the circus. I thought about having a big party but this seemed better,” he said.
Called It Ain’t Over Until the Fatboy Sings and out next week it celebrates Norman’s years in showbiz and is a vivid celebration of indie, house, acid, and remix culture.
He has been in five bands down the years, including The Housemartins and Freak Power, but is best known behind the decks and as a producer.
Speaking about the idea of a book, 62-year-old Norman said: “Now there comes a point in your life, in your career, when people say, do you want to write an autobiography? This ain’t going to happen because I can’t remember the juicy bits and the other juicy bits I always say I can’t have published while my children and my parents are still alive.
“So I am exploring visually my 40 years in showbiz, from The Housemartins through Beats International, Freak Power, and, of course, Fatboy Slim.“
Helpfully for the book, Norman is a natural born hoarder, so many mementos and memories from his long and checkered career remain in his Brighton home including every lanyard and backstage pass he’s got, VHS and DAT cassettes of all his demos and thousands of flyers and photos.
There is also his obsession with smileys which even extends to a guest bedroom in his come absolutely covered in them on the walls and bookcases. “Not everybody can deal with waking up in a room like this,” he admits.
Highlights go his rollercoaster ride include the first giant outdoor gig the Big Beach Boutique he played on Brighton Beach in 2001 to around 50,000 people.
He recalls: “I couldn’t believe that it was actually happening on the beach. I couldn’t believe that the sun was out. I couldn’t believe that the police allowed us to do it. And it was just the most beautiful thing.”
The second one in 2002 when he was one of the biggest DJs in the world, got out of hand as 250,000 people turned up. Looking back Norman said the safety officer warned him it could be “like two Hillsborough’s” if things went badly and any crowd surges caused people to be crushed.
The event passed with few arrests and a loved up and peaceful crowd, but one 40-year-old man died of a heart attack, and Australian nurse Karen Manders, 26, was fatally injured when she fell 25ft from the Kings Road promenade to the seafront below.
In the book Norman writes: “Eventually I managed to contact her mother and amazingly she tried to reassure me that it wasn’t my fault. She said her daughter had phoned her after the show to tell her ‘I’ve just had the best night of my life’, and thanked me for making her last night the happiest.
“But I still feel in some way I’m responsible because if it wasn’t for me she wouldn’t have been in Brighton that night. It is something that I will carry with me, always.”
Other random music highlights for him include meeting Madonna at The Hacienda after being invited up by a music and DJ crew he hung out with: “There was a breakdance crew and we became friends and one day they called up and they were going to be at the Hacienda and I went to see them. When we got there, we were sharing a dressing room with this singer from New York no one had heard of, who turned out to be Madonna. It was her first TV appearance in England. No photo of that sadly, would have been a great selfie.”
He also had a night out with Cher, but sadly doesn’t remember that one: “Basically someone said are you going to put the Cher story in the book and I said I have never met her.
“They said ‘I think you’ll find you have’. Then they showed me a picture and it turns out I did have a night out. It was in New York and a launch party for some record. Cher was guest of honour and we got very drunk apparently. This is not testament to Cher being forgettable but to my drinking. I am 16 years sober and this is one of the reasons why.”
Norman also taught Nicola Kidman to DJ at a Cannes film premiere of Moulin Rouge in 2001 and has the photo to prove it.
“It was quite a surreal moment, marred only by her being appalled how sweaty my headphones were,” he says.
And another interesting night was DJ-ing at footballer Ronaldo’s wedding in Paris with guests including the Beckhams: “I don’t do many wedding but this is Brazilian fat Ronaldo. When he phones and says will you DJ and the Beckhams are here you say yes. But it is like any wedding, people don’t really know each other but two hours later everyone is drunk, everyone is dancing on each other’s shoulders and Ronaldo is snogging my face and his dad has his tie round his head.”
Before being a superstar DJ there were times making music when things were not looking so rosy, particularly when he was young and struggling to make ends meet.
“I’ve been so close to bankruptcy that my accountant was saying ‘I think you should declare bankruptcy’. I’ve then got a ppl cheque(music royalties) which cleared off the thing and I lived to fight another day, and then Freak Power happened.”
Despite the ups and downs, father-of-two Norman says he wouldn’t change a thing and his son Woody is now following in his footsteps as a DJ.
And he also hopes youngsters will continue to go out and party hard, even if there are signs some young people prefer not to drink or hit the clubs.
“That is where you learn so much about life and have your first snog. I worried about that during the pandemic. A lot of people say kids are living online and not drinking as much or taking drugs. Both my kids seem to be taking to it quite well! Some people say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I blame the mother! It would be a shame because so much beauty happens in nightclubs and festivals and the dancefloor when you live outside the box. You fall in love and friendships are made.”
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* Fatboy Slim’s new book It Ain’t Over Until the Fatboy Sings is out on Thursday and available to buy at fatboyslimbook.com
With autumn well and truly here, shoppers can now claim £167 for less as Victoria Beckham releases a new autumnal-themed makeup gift set stocked with three brand new products
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Victoria Beckham launches new autumn-inspired set including celeb-loved eyeliner(Image: Getty)
Autumnal makeup is all the rage this season, with shades of brown, orange and red becoming the must-have hues to add to your beauty regime as we head deeper into the colder months. And the beauty queen herself, Victoria Beckham, has delivered the ideal set for makeup enthusiasts seeking to achieve the perfect fall look.
Having just landed on the Victoria Beckham Beauty site, this The Cocoa Collection Holiday Set indulges in the brand’s iconic deep brown Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa, their most-loved shade, creating a gorgeous four-piece limited-edition collection worth £167.
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Described as a must-have for all the ways you can imagine a rich chocolate-y brown eye — matte, lustrous, delicate, or daring. This makeup set is everything you need to create warm and rich brown eyeshadow looks this autumn.
The Set Includes:
Eye Wardrobe in Cocoa – NEW
Future Lash in Cocoa – NEW
Satin Kajal Jewel Liner in Cocoa Pavé – NEW
Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa
The new Eye Wardrobe is touted as the ultimate shadow palette, delivering exquisite performance in buttery-soft powder formulas and luxurious finishes. Boasting a collection of stunning and balanced colours, this palette blends fashion-forward undertones, ingenious complements, and irresistible hero shades, all edited to inspire, in the perfect autumn shades. This palette is worth £71 when bought alone.
The set also comes with two of Victoria Beckham’s celebrity-loved Satin Kajal Liner, in two fall-ready colours. Described as a creamy, smudge-free and waterproof eyeliner, these Satin Kajal liners boast vivid, high-performance colours that simply demand attention. Infused with skin-loving ingredients for long-lasting wear, these liners promise effortless application that glides on smoothly for gorgeous colour and eye-calming comfort in a single swipe. These eyeliners sell for £32 a piece.
The fourth item in the set is the Future Lash Mascara, in a brand new reddish-brown colour. Designed to deliver silky lashes that defy gravity, Future Lash is set to lift, strengthen, and condition with every swipe. Promising to lift and lengthen from morning ’til night, with zero smudging or flaking, this mascara defines even the tiniest lashes with Victoria Beckham’s signature Micro-Bristle brush, for an uncompromising, elevated lash look. This mascara costs £32 when bought solo.
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Cheaper alternative eye makeup sets to consider include the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Dreamy Eye Duo, which currently retails for £28, and the Laura Mercier Crème de la Crème Mini Caviar Stick Eye Shadow Trio, also priced at £28.
Victoria Beckham’s new Netflix documentary signals a massive departure for the Spice Girl-turned-designer – now, she’s not fighting anymore and simply telling her truth, claims an expert
As Victoria Beckham opens up about a “dark, dark time” in her life which she says pushed her to breaking point as she battled to save her ailing fashion business, a PR expert exclusively tells OK! that her new documentary, which she consulted King Charles on, marks a ‘turning point’ for the star as she decides to just be ‘real’.
The former Spice Girl recalls going to work in tears as the stress of trying to establish her style empire amid spiralling debts took its toll. Speaking in her new three-part Netflix docuseries, simply titled Victoria Beckham, she says, “I almost lost everything. I used to cry before I went to work every day because I just felt like a firefighter.
“It was like a snowball that was going down the mountain. We were millions of pounds in the red. I didn’t know what to do and I was so desperate to save this business that I cared so much about. I felt, if I’m being completely honest, like I was breaking down myself.”
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Posh, 51, admits husband David frequently had to bail her out financially – reportedly to the tune of £30 million on one occasion – putting pressure on their relationship behind closed doors.
“Yes, I’m going home to my husband, but I’m going home to my business partner as well, and so I would talk to him about it,” she recalls. “I had to – he was invested. And I hated it. I absolutely hated it.”
Even Sir David, 50, confesses to feeling the pressure as his wife’s passion project swallowed up cash. “I was panicked by it, because I never saw anything coming back,” he admits. “And eventually I was like, ‘This cannot continue.’”
But Victoria managed to turn things around – in August this year it was reported that her company, Victoria Beckham Holdings, had grown by 22% over the previous 12 months. “I was constantly told I wasn’t good enough in my youth and as a young adult, so I’m proud of what I’ve achieved,” she says.
Elsewhere, Victoria opens up about struggling with an eating disorder at the height of her Spice Girls fame, explaining how a lack of control over her career led to her making unwise decisions with food.
“I could control my weight and I was controlling it in an incredibly unhealthy way,” she admits. “When you have an eating disorder, you become very good at lying. And I was never honest about it with my parents. I never talked about it publicly.”
According to talent agent and PR expert Dermot McNamara, we are seeing a “very different side to Victoria” in her new documentary. “She’s finally letting the mask slip a little and has opened up about struggles she’s faced behind the polished facade,” he says.
“For years, she’s been seen as this unshakable, picture-perfect woman, but what comes across this time is how much she’s had to fight to keep everything together. She talks about the darker moments. It’s easy to forget how much she risked to reinvent herself from pop star to designer and she has been refreshingly honest about the sacrifices along the way.”
Victoria also reveals how falling for David – and having children Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20 and Harper, 14 – wasn’t initially part of her plan.
“I was never the young girl growing up that dreamt of getting married and dreamt of being a mum. It wasn’t until I met David that those things even occurred to me,” says the star, who began dating the former Manchester United legend in 1997. “When I met David, I’d never felt that connection with anybody before.”
For David, 50, those intense feelings were immediately reciprocated and he admits he “fell hard and fell quick” for the then-pop superstar.
“When I met Victoria, I couldn’t find one thing about her I didn’t like, not one thing,” he says. “I mean, I could find a few now! Back then she was this mythical person. I wanted everyone to know I was dating Posh Spice. And within two years of being together, we were married with one kid.”
What’s particularly touching, continues Dermot McNamara, is how husband David’s support “shines through it all”. “The two of them seem stronger than ever after everything that’s been said about their marriage over the years,” he says. “They seem to be each other’s anchors – she’s finally allowing people to see that softer side of their relationship.”
While there’s no mention in the show of the Beckhams’ alleged fallout with eldest son Brooklyn, he and wife Nicola are pictured, fleetingly, as they arrive at Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week show just over a year ago. In contrast, daughter Harper takes centre stage as she is filmed trying to teach her mother how to dance.
There are plenty more lighter moments in the show. Quizzed about her reputation as a “miserable cow that doesn’t smile”, she jokingly blames husband David.
“I’ve looked miserable for all these years, because when we stand on the red carpet, this guy [Becks] has always gone on the left. Now, I didn’t realise that when I smile, which I do, I smile from the left – because if I smile from the right, I look unwell. So consequently I’m smiling on the inside, but no one ever sees it, so that’s why it looks so moody.”
Dermot believes the documentary “captures Victoria at a turning point”. “She’s been through so much heartache privately, particularly with the distance that’s grown between her and Brooklyn, but instead of shutting down, she’s showing a side of herself that’s more open than ever.
“Victoria has spent the past 30 years being increasingly guarded and it’s refreshing to see her lean into that vulnerability. The message seems clear, she’s done trying to prove herself, now she just wants to be real.”
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And while you might expect Posh to have found baring her soul a challenge, she describes making the Netflix doc as “like a year’s therapy”. She jokes, “I feel that I went into this process calling myself a control freak and I’ve come out the other end a reformed control freak.”
