Category Entertainment News

Country music icon Dolly Parton has faced claimed she is gravely ill as she quipped ‘I ain’t dead yet’ while her pal Reba McEntire responded to a fake AI photo of them at her deathbed

Dolly Parton’s close friend Reba McEntire has slammed a photo circulating online of her sat next to the country music icon on her “deathbed”. The Jolene hitmaker, 79, was forced to speak out after an AI hoax image went viral.

She settled the score amid rumours she was seriously unwell and even on her deathbed after postponing her Las Vegas residency. Dolly humorously hit back that she “ain’t dead yet” following concerns after her sister publicly asked people to “pray” for her.

The country legend made light of the AI image showing Reba beside her hospital bed, before reassuring supporters once more that death wasn’t knocking at her door. Reba has since issued her own message as she branded it “crazy”.

READ MORE: Dolly Parton’s iconic four-word response to fan concerns over her healthREAD MORE: Dolly Parton’s gut-wrenching realisation after losing soulmate husband who ‘suffered’

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The Fancy hitmaker, 70, said: “You tell ’em, Dolly, that AI mess has got us doing all kinds of crazy things. You are out there dying, I’m out here having a baby.” She shared a fake photo of her holding a sonogram before adding: “Well, both of us know you’re too young and I’m too old for any of that kind of nonsense..

“You better know I’m praying for you. I love you with all my heart, and I can’t wait to see you soon.” Alongside the clip, Reba commented: “Too young to die, too old for babies [laughing emoji] I love you, @DollyParton! See you soon.”

Dolly added a red love heart emoji under Reba’s post. Responding to the fake picture and concerns, Dolly filmed a video of herself all glammed up in a red fringe shirt and black trousers.

She urged: “I wanted to say, I know lately everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am. Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here!” Dolly explained she wanted to calm worries and shared how she was handling matters she put aside while looking after her late husband, Carl Dean.

Dolly said: “I’ve got some problems, as I mentioned, back when my husband Carl was very sick, that was for a long time, and then when he passed, I didn’t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should have been taking care of.

“So, anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, ‘We need to take care of this, we need to take care of that,’ nothing major. But I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home.

“But I wanted you to know that I’m not dying.” Dolly laughed as she mentioned the fake photo with Reba and added: “Did you see that AI picture of Reba and me? I mean they had Reba at my deathbed. And we both looked like we needed to be buried.

“I thought, oh my Lord. But if I was really dying, I don’t think Reba would be the one at my deathbed. She might come visit me, earlier. Anyway, there’s just a lot of rumors flying around, but I figured if you’d heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay.

“So, anyhow, that’s what I wanted to say, and I’m not ready to die yet.” Rumours started to spread when Dolly’s sister Freida asked fans to pray for her amid “health challenges”.

Her other sister Stella then shared Dolly had been struggling with kidney stones as the musician’s UK manager confirmed the post had been “blown out of proportion”. Dolly had announced last month she would be postponing her Las Vegas residency until September next year.

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a rare joint outing on the red carpet last night as they geared up to accept a prestigious award. And now an expert has decoded Meghan’s hidden signal

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle looked proud as punch on the red carpet last night as they landed a prestigious award for their philanthropic work.

The Duke and Duchess attended the World Mental Health Day gala in New York, where they received the Project Healthy Minds’ ‘Humanitarians of the Year’ Award in recognition of their campaigns to make the online world a safer place for families and young people.

The Sussexes posed for photos at the glitzy event before taking to the stage to accept the award and deliver a rousing speech. And no a body language expert has revealed one telling detail from their rare joint appearance.

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Judi James believes that Harry and Meghan were in their element at the award ceremony, telling the Mirror: “This is Harry and Meghan in pared-back, more understated mode to accept their award and do some ongoing campaigning too.

“Their body language is suitably simple too, although their facial expressions suggest some pride in their joint profile and some personal pride from Meghan towards her husband.”

The body language guru noted that Meghan was in awe of Harry during the appearance, while the royal couple were also seemingly revelling in being back in the spotlight for such an important event.

“It’s her raised and rounded cheeks that form this look of pride and a sense of self-satisfaction here as she looks up at Harry,” she said. “His asymmetric, closed lip smile reflects the seriousness of their campaign although his demeanour also reflects a sense of pleasure at being in the spotlight to promote it.”

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While Harry appeared to be the ‘alpha’ of the evening, Judi said that Meghan was really the one steering the reins, as she subtly led her husband through the media call before the event began.

She said: “Their hand clasp is relaxed rather than tight and although it’s Harry adopting the more alpha stance it was Meghan throwing the glances to signal when to move onto the next spot for the cameras.”

Inside, Harry and Meghan took to the stage to accept their award. The duchess took it as an opportunity to speak about the couple’s young children and her concerns for their future.

“Our children, Archie and Lili, are just six and four years old. Luckily still too young for social media, but we know that day is coming,” she said to the crowd.

“Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits, while safeguarding against its dangers. That hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible.”

Harry joined his wife on stage and added: “This is a pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in a digital age.”

Former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood, 68, has been charged by police with sexual offences against seven women between 1983 and 2016, including four counts of rape

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Tim Westwood was yesterday charged with sexual offences against seven women, including four counts of rape.

The 68-year-old, a former Radio 1 DJ and TV presenter, has been charged with sexual offences against seven women between 1983 and 2016. Mr Westwood is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 10 November. He has denied claims of misconduct.

The Metropolitan Police announced the charges on Thursday and released the details of the allegations. One alleged offence took place in 1983 when a 17-year-old girl was indecently assaulted in the Fulham area of London. In 1986, a woman in her 20s was allegedly sexually assaulted in the Vauxhall area of London.

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Between 1995 and 1996, it is alleged a female between the age of 17-18 was raped in London and it was also alleged that the same woman was sexually assaulted in central London within the same timeframe. Between 2000 and 2001, it is alleged a female between the age of 17 and 18 was raped and sexually assaulted in London.

In 2010, a woman in her 20s was allegedly raped in London. In 2010, a woman in her 20s was sexually assaulted in Stroud, it has been alleged. In 2016, a woman in her 20s was allegedly sexually assaulted in the Finchley area of London. These charges relate to seven different women.

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, from the Metropolitan Police Service, said in a statement released: “It takes courage to come forward and report allegations of this nature.

“The women who have done so have put their trust in us and we continue to provide them with all available support. Our investigation remains open and we’d encourage anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone with information, to come forward and speak with us. A dedicated team of investigators is available via email.

“Any reports will be dealt with in the strictest confidence by specialist officers. Support is also available by contacting the independent charity, Rape Crisis at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.”

Westwood started his career in radio at LWR before moving to Kiss FM, which he co-owned. He had a stint on Capital FM from 1987 before moving to the BBC to present its new rap show in 1994 for Radio 1.

Beauty buffs on the hunt for a bargain won’t want to snooze on this rare deal that’s offering up a Clinique best-selling bundle worth £63 for under £25 – but only for a limited time

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Whether you’re an existing Clinique fan looking to pick up £63 worth of best-selling products, or are eager to take the brand for a spin without spending a fortune, this is not a deal you want to miss.

Over at Lookfantastic, this best-sellers bundle would normally sell for the already-affordable price of £35, but thanks to this rare deal, there’s a chance for beauty enthusiasts to claim the set for even less.

New members of TopCashback can bag the beauty set for £20 after TopCashBack’s complimentary £15 cashback bonus. All you need to do is sign up to TopCashback via this unique link.

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This Clinique set combines four of the brand’s most-loved formulas, providing a complete skincare and makeup routine in travel-friendly sizes. The collection includes essentials to hydrate your complexion and define your eyes, with all products being allergy tested and 100% fragrance-free.

The Clinique Set includes the Full-Size Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator (30ml), an oil-free gel-cream that provides a hydration boost, promoting a plump and glowing appearance. The formula is touted for helping skin feel more resilient. This moisturiser would normally sell for £42 when bought solo.

Elsewhere in the set is the All About Eyes (5ml), a lightweight cream-gel designed to minimise the appearance of puffiness and undereye circles, helping to create a brighter look. This eye gel costs £35 on its own.

The gift set comes stocked with the High Impact Mascara in Black (3.5ml), a mascara that is said to add impressive volume and length to every lash. The rich pigment promises to create a bolder, more defined look for maximum impact. A full-sized version of this mascara normally retails for £26.

And the fourth item included in the beauty bundle is the Quickliner for Eyes Intense in Intense Black (0.14g), a dual-ended automatic pencil that glides on with ease. The richly pigmented liner can be smudged with the convenient tool on the opposite end for a soft, smoky finish. When bought alone, this eyeliner costs £20.

Here’s how you can get the Clinique gift set for £20:

• Sign up as a new member at TopCashback for free via this link.
• Search for Lookfantastic on the site, click through and buy the item normally. Get £15 cashback when you spend £15 or more.
• The cashback will be tracked to the TopCashback ‘Earnings page’ within seven days of purchase.

Mike Reid was a beloved soap star, but his life was marred by tragedy and financial difficulties – and he died with ‘nothing left’

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He ranked among Britain’s most beloved soap stars – but behind the trilby hat and cheeky grin of EastEnders rogue Frank Butcher, Mike Reid’s actual life was far more turbulent than the character he played.

The comic-turned-actor rose from the East End club circuit to reach nationwide stardom, but a string of personal tragedies and ruinous money troubles left him broken.

When he died in 2007, aged just 67, Reid had lost both his fortune and, in his own words, “everything that mattered.”

Born in 1940 in Hackney, East London, Reid emerged from modest origins and quit school early.

Before making his mark in showbusiness, he led a colourful existence that reportedly included petty crime and, most famously, connections with East End figures such as the Kray twins, reports the Express.

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He first worked as a stuntman on films like The Dirty Dozen and the James Bond spoof Casino Royale during the 1960s before moving into comedy.

His sharp tongue and lightning-fast delivery soon made him a hit with audiences on the stand-up circuit.

By the early 1970s, he had become a household name across the country, featuring on the ITV show The Comedians. At the height of the show’s success, it brought him nationwide fame and cemented his standing as a no-nonsense performer with his distinctive cockney style.

In 1987, Reid landed the role that would define his entire professional life – Frank Butcher in EastEnders.

Initially introduced as a part-time character, Frank became a permanent fixture the next year when he purchased the Queen Vic from Den Watts.

With his trademark trilby, flashy clothing, and machine-gun delivery, Butcher quickly became one of the programme’s most memorable figures.

Reid’s own personality often blended with his on-screen alter ego.

He admitted that playing Frank’s mental health crisis storyline in the mid-1990s was so taxing that he suffered anxiety himself and left the show for more than a year.

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However, he returned multiple times, with Frank’s turbulent romances with Pat (Pam St Clement) and Peggy (Barbara Windsor) being among the soap’s most-watched scenes.

Beyond EastEnders, Reid continued his acting work, appearing in Guy Ritchie’s Snatch as diamond dealer Doug “The Head” and in various smaller-budget films.

He also maintained his connection to the cabaret circuit, where his roots in stand-up remained part of his repertoire.

While Reid’s career brought celebrity status and financial stability, his private life was marked by a succession of heartbreaking incidents. In 1990, his youngest son Mark, who had been grappling with severe mental health issues for years, tragically killed a friend.

He then set himself on fire and succumbed to his injuries. “It is my true and honest belief that Mark had gone to scare his mate by firing at the wall beside him but instead shot him point-blank in the heart,” Reid wrote in his autobiography T’riffic.

“The shooting might have been intentional but the end result wasn’t. I know Mark was clear-headed enough to ring his mum then go back to Ian to try to staunch the blood with towels. It was no good because the poor lad must have been dead before he hit the ground.

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“As time went on after Ian’s death, it appeared Mark got it into his head that he’d caused so much suffering to others, he should inflict as much as possible on himself.”

He said: “Mark killed himself in the most horrible way you could imagine.”

Months later, Reid’s granddaughter – Mark’s daughter – sadly died from cot death.

Years earlier, his first child had passed away just five days after birth.

Reid candidly spoke about how these heartbreaking losses impacted him, admitting that the pain never fades: “People must see me on TV or in cabaret laughing, singing, cracking gags and imagine that time has healed the pain and the scars. If only they knew. My son is locked away inside – not forgotten, just hidden away in what part we keep our private grief. Otherwise I couldn’t function.”

Reid’s financial situation also took a nosedive.

A catastrophic investment in Spain wiped out a significant portion of his wealth, leaving not only him but also members of his extended family in financial difficulty. Despite health warnings, Reid was a heavy smoker for most of his life.

In July 2007, while living in Marbella, Spain, he suffered a suspected heart attack and died at the age of 67. This came just weeks after he had been given a clean bill of health following a thorough medical check-up.

Despite a lengthy career in showbiz, which included prime-time television roles and lucrative comedy tours, he died in 2007 with very little money left.

Reid’s funeral took place at Little Easton Parish Church in Essex and was attended by over 250 people, including many of his former EastEnders co-stars such as Pam St Clement, Barbara Windsor, June Brown, and Sid Owen. Fans were also invited to pay their respects, reflecting the public’s fondness for him.

Leisha Lightbody was reportedly annoyed with Reiss Boyce’s reaction to the street attack after she bent down to stroke the dog during their honeymoon in Thailand

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Married at First Sight UK bride Leisha Lightbody had to dash to hospital after being attacked by a stray dog.

Viewers of the E4 hit show recently saw Leisha and Reiss Boyce tie the knot but it hasn’t been smooth since the pair got hitched. They’ve flown out to Thailand for their honeymoon to see if things can work between them after a tough start to married life – and now they’ve had a medical situation to deal with.

The trip turned into a nightmare when Leisha was bitten on the face by the animal on the street. She bent down to stroke the dog but it reacted – and left her needing help. The chaos was caught on camera – and she had to have an injection in her nose and arm to prevent an infection.

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Reiss had brushed it off as a mere “scratch” at first, but his bride had to be taken to hospital to be treated for the bite. According to The Sun, she was really worried about it – and her husband’s reaction to the attack didn’t go down well with cracks already appearing.

It is reported the pair had a heated row over the hospital trip as the Scottish beauty had to ask Reiss to attend hospital with her. She says she felt she should have been there for her without her needing to ask him as fans wonder if the pair will last the course.

It hasn’t been plain-sailing for the couple as they’ve been struggling to find romance after walking down the aisle. Things got off to a rocky start as painter-and-decorator Reiss told the dental industry marketer to be “quite loud” and a “little bit over the top”.

During a boat trip, Leisha asked him: “Do you visualise me in your future?” Reiss wasn’t happy with the comment, replying: “I don’t need pressure yet,” later adding to the camera: “I can’t believe she just asked that, is she joking? F****ng hell.”

They also clashed during the wedding reception when Leisha and her bridesmaid grilled him on his dating history. Leisha asked him: “What’s your exes been like?” Reiss said his ex-girlfriends have been “all different”, insisting he focuses on a “connection” instead. A squirming Reiss was asked by her bridesmaid: “So how many exes have you had?”

Reiss discovered his dad was not his biological father when he was seven years old. Speaking about what he wants out of a marriage, he said: “When I get married, I don’t want to be having kids and breaking up. No way!” I want to do my best to keep that [his family] all bonded and sealed together forever. When I was seven years old I found out that my dad wasn’t actually my real dad.”

Discussing his dad, he added: “Looking back, at the time, I was only a young nipper. I didn’t really know what was going on. It was just a bit of a whirlwind, it was a lot to take in. That’s why I’ve got to do it properly. I’ve got one shot here, it’s got to work.”