Category Entertainment News

Strictly Come Dancing’s Thomas Skinner has unleashed a furious tirade following his debut on the BBC show as he fumed, ‘I won’t be cancelled’.

He warned viewers not to ‘start a war they won’t win’ as he tried to clear his name from a number of stories swirling about him online. Acknowledging his extra marital affair, past arrests and questions over his character, Thomas said he would not be silenced in a fiery post to X.

It comes after fans questioned if Amy Dowden had been handed the ‘short straw’ after she was teamed up with Thomas. Some viewers said Amy looked downbeat already after landing the controversial star as her dance partner.

Thomas’ Strictly journey got off to rough start before he set foot ohn the dancefloor after he snatched the phone of a reporter during a day of press with the BBC. He then admitted to cheating on his wife Sinead just weeks after they got married, with his former mistress airing her side of the story. That was after outspoken Thomas had already raised eyebrows with his political leanings after he was pictured cosying up to US Vice President JD Vance – with many questioning if he was a good fit for the BBC family show.

Taking to X hours after the Strictly launch show aired on Saturday night, Thomas said he had seen people were ‘fuming’ he was on the line-up – but said the hate was only making him more determined to stay.

Addressing the backlash to his affair, Thomas said he was speaking out as his ‘poor wife’ was heartbroken to have to relive it as his time on Strictly put him under a huge spotlight.

He posted: “Life ain’t easy. I’ve been kicked down an called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve, as yes I ain’t always right. But since I got invited to have a BBQ with JD Vance….its gone crazy. Certain people are doing everythin they can to ruin me. Mainly Faceless accounts givin it large and abusing me, hypocrites making everything political,” he fumed.

“Now I see people are fumin’ that I’m on Strictly…. and the funny thing is that the majority of them got “be kind” wrote in their bios. You couldn’t make it up. Let me tell you this. I won’t be cancelled. I ain’t gonna kill myself like some of you want. I’m still here. I’m still standin,” he insisted.

Thomas went on: “Trust me when I say this; I am stronger than people think. Every insult, every lie, every attack….it don’t break me, it builds me stronger. I built what I got from nothing. I Slept on a pull-out bed on the floor for years cus I never had a bedroom. Weirdos write rubbish on Wikipedia about my upbringing that ain’t true, but they can’t take away what I’ve built with graft & fight.

“They call me a grifter, but all I do is work. Day in, day out, graft. And yes, all the political parties have come knockin wantin me to work with them from both the left and right. But I ain’t got no interest in that. I’m not for them. I’m for the people. For the man or woman on the street who just wants to do better in life. For the parent workin two jobs to keep the lights on. I get it. I live it.

“I know the struggles of life. I’m in a fight I can’t win, but I don’t give up. I know what it’s like to not have the rent money at the end of the month. I’ve lived it. That’s why I’ll always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who graft and struggle but never stop pushin forward. I’m not a millionaire, if I was I wouldn’t be out in my van doing bed deliveries in between training for strictly. I wouldn’t still be organising my market stall. And I’ll be real with ya. I’ve made mistakes,” he admitted.

Referring to his extra marital affair with Essex beautician Amy-Lucy, Thomas went on: “As you’ve seen in the news…. I cheated on my wife once over 3 years ago. We moved on from it. She forgave me. We are stronger now; yet my poor wife has to relive it because my past has been dug up to sell stories online. I am the news at the moment. Yes I got arrested several times when I was younger. Yes I was always in trouble. But I’ve turned my life around. Yes I went to a private school cos I worked my arse off for a scholarship and my parents sacrificed everything.

“I was brilliant at sports, but I got expelled and ruined my opportunity. Yes I’m dyslexic an my spelling is bad. Yes I’m outspoken. But anyone who says they ain’t made mistakes is a liar. I don’t hide mine. I own them. They made me the man I am today. I’ve buried mates. I’ve got friends doin life in jail. I’ve made bad choices. But I ain’t scared of nothin. My wife is my rock. My familly is my world. I love my kids more than life itself. That love keeps me standin tall when the world tries to drag me down.

“And I know so many are strugglin right now. That’s why I keep goin. Not just for me, but for you. For every person who needs to hear this: believe in yourself. You are ten times stronger than you even know. These last few weeks for me & my family have been horrific. Journos knockin on doors. Been front page of nearly every national newspaper. But it only makes us stronger.

“You start a war with me….. you don’t win. You start a war with my family & friends…the whole lot of us rise together. This country is beautiful. Full of beautiful people. I love it with all my heart. It’s built on graft, pride, community and family. It’s built on good people from all walks of life. Not people that gave up! So don’t waste your energy on faceless cowards. Don’t let hypocrites win.

“Whatever battle you’re fightin behind closed doors, don’t give up. Keep pushing. If I can keep goin, so can you. We are strong. We are proud. We never give up. Ever. Thank you for all the love and support I’ve been getting! It means the world to me. Love to you all.”

Thomas Strictly partner Amy also spoke out after the launch so, as she heaped praise on her partner’s enthusiasm – downplaying any speculation she was unhappy with the pairing.

Amy penned: “The news is out! @iamtomskinner and I are excited and working hard rrrrrready for the first live show next Saturday! Tom is working so hard and is loving learning to dance ( more than he ever imagined). We are laughing lots too! Honestly Tom it’s been so lovely getting to know the really lovely, bubbly, full of life you this week. Thanks for a great week and so looking forward to our strictly journey ahead! Let’s do this,” she wrote on Instagram.

Thomas then replied: “Reallly really enjoyed training with you this week. You are honestly an amazing person and everything you have been through…. Shows how strong and inspiring you are. I promise I won’t let you down. I might not be the best dancer. But I promise I’ll be the hardest worker. Thank you for being so kind and lovely to me and I’ve enjoyed your company so much. I ain’t stopped laughing with ya. Can’t wait to get on that dance floor with ya next week,” he penned.

John Stapleton said he felt ‘duty bound’ to share his Parkinson’s diagnosis with others so they could be reminded that they weren’t the only ones who were affected.

John Stapleton has sadly died at the age of 79. The journalist and presenter had a stellar career in broadcasting stretching over 50 years that led him to the scene of global news events and fronting some of the nation’s best-loved TV shows.

His agent, Jackie Gill, stated in a statement today that John had pneumonia and Parkinson’s disease. His son Nick and daughter-in-law Lisa have always supported him, and John passed away peacefully this morning in the hospital. ”

In October of this year, John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He made fun of the comedian Billy Connolly’s decision to “come out,” as he joked. ‘

Speaking to podcast Movers and Shakers, John said he was diagnosed in April 2024 after friends noticed his famous voice had lost some of its resonance and that he was walking with what he called the ‘Joe Biden shuffle’. John’s son Nick, who presents the BBC’s Scam Interceptors, suggested he go public with his health diagnosis and John agreed in the hopes of letting others know they were ‘not alone.’

The father and son duo appeared on BBC show Morning Live together where they shared how the news had impacted them. John admitted that while the news was bleak but he was determined to stay as positive as possible as he adjusted to his new way of life. John’s story attracted huge public attention and the former Watchdog campaigner found himself appearing across news channels again as he raised awareness about the condition.

READ MORE: John Stapleton dead: GMTV and Watchdog legend dies at 79

John described his first symptoms as a tremor that occurred three years before he was officially diagnosed.

He explained: “About two or three years ago, I started with a tremor. I went to see a specialist, and he said he didn’t think it was Parkinson’s. He called it something else—a benign essential tremor. I asked, “How do you get that?” and he said, “We haven’t a clue.” “But the symptoms got worse, so I went back,” said John. “That was about two or three months ago. This time, he confirmed it—it was indeed Parkinson’s. I also started having other symptoms: difficulty swallowing, my handwriting becoming illegible because I’d write in tiny letters no one could decipher, and feeling fatigued a lot of the time.

Additionally, my voice has lost a lot of its resonance, of course. I must speak more clearly right now. I’m collaborating with a speech therapist, who is assisting me greatly by teaching me how to project my voice. That’s why I’m focusing on what I’m saying right now, he said.

Following news of his death, many of John’s peers and even his beloved Manchester City spoke out to pay tribute to the star who has been described as a ‘good man and a top presenter.’

Mark Austin, a television presenter, described John Stapleton’s passing as “incredibly sad.”

Austin responded to the news in a Facebook post, writing, “Unbelievable sad. A trustworthy and accomplished presenter who could do anything. His family extends his best wishes. ”

Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins said John Stapleton was a “brilliant broadcaster” and a “genuinely lovely man”.Responding to the news in a post on X, Ms Hawkins wrote: “So sad to hear John Stapleton – our ‘Stapes’ has died. He was such a brilliant broadcaster and I loved working with him on GMB. A genuinely lovely man, it was good to see him when he came in just a few months ago to talk about his Parkinson’s diagnosis. He’ll be much missed.”

Money Saving Expert mogul Martin Lewis said he was ‘greatly saddened’ to hear ‘the great John Stapleton has passed away.’ Martin said: “He and his late wife Lynn were brilliant pioneers of consumer journalism, laying the ground for people like me. Thank you both.

“I had the pleasure of working with John on various itv breakfast incarnations. You couldn’t stop him on the subject because he was always a gent and discovered that I am also from a Man City background. His main passion was the city. “

Manchester City announced on X: “Manchester City are saddened to learn that John Stapleton has passed away. John was a regular at the Etihad Stadium and a devoted City supporter. He will be missed. At this difficult time, John’s family and friends are in our thoughts. The club added a blue heart to the phrase “RIP John.”

Speaking to the Mirror last year, John spoke fondly of his varied TV career.

After Ruth Jones and James Corden revealed they were working on a new project, Gavin and Stacey legend Larry Lamb has opened up about his thoughts.

Larry Lamb has revealed he’s excited for Gavin and Stacey creators Ruth Jones and James Corden’s latest project. The legendary TV show pair reportedly had a significant agreement with streaming tycoon AppleTV+ earlier this month.

The pair had hoped to continue working together after the BBC sitcom’s triumphant end on Christmas Day last year. A new ten-part comedy series is reportedly in the works, and filming is believed to start next year. Despite the BBC, Netflix, and Amazon Prime’s interest, the pair are said to have ultimately decided to go with Apple TV+ due to Corden’s relationship with them.

Speaking backstage at the National Television Awards, Ruth told the Mirror and other press that she couldn’t confirm the news, hinting that the series would be happening. Now, Larry Lamb, who played Mick Shipman in Gavin and Stacey, has opened up about the possibility of him appearing in the show.

“I have to say, somebody phoned me up and told me what they’d read in the news. He claimed that he was in the dark because he had not heard anything about it. According to Larry, “It’ll be interesting to see what they’ve come up, very interesting. I’m probably one of their biggest fans in terms of what they write and the way they write”.

When asked if he would like to appear on the program, he responded, “Who knows? Watch this space, right”? Meanwhile, Larry’s son George also revealed to us that he would consider a return to TV for the “important” projects.

In 2018, George aired Celebs In Solidarity, his final major role on television. The presenter has been concentrating on Wildfarmed, a network of farmers who practice regenerative agriculture, since then, which included a brief appearance on Clarkson’s Farm.

“I’m up for making telly about stuff that’s important to me”, he said. “TV is a huge platform to share ideas, inspire people, and spread information,” he continued, adding, “There are many amazing things about it. So I believe it can be a wonderful tool, if used properly like most things in life.

If you can find a way to combine education and entertainment. In addition, Larry said that viewers want to see broadcasters they can trust in front of the camera. He said:” In the same way, they understand that the contributors make it obvious to the viewer that they know and trust and open up to you and talk to you. Finding out about how other people live in the same society is unendingly fascinating, which is why I enjoy participating in activities that involve people.

Watching George’s career take off will always be a highlight for Larry. The actor, who has also appeared in EastEnders, said: “He became so hot at it, so proficient at it, far better than I would have been able to do. It was with great admiration that I followed his career. And then, as I say, I followed his career off into another world, a world that I’m really interested in, and I’ve learned so much from him, and I have been able to help him.”

Meanwhile, George’s fondest memory of working with his dad was Britain by Bike, which aired on Channel 5″. He continued, “We met the most incredible people, we met sheepdogs, abseiling, landing planes on small beaches, and we got to explore this beautiful island of ours.

When we actually have a beautiful, beautiful country right on our doorstep, “we’re in such a rush to jump on a plane and go off some you know halfway around the world.” However, will there ever be a new series? Larry explained that if the call came in, the pair would jump at the chance.

According to Larry, “The thing about that show is always the contributors, or the people.” He continued, “It’s more about the two people who are introducing it.” It’s about the people you get to meet and what those people do. So you need to first determine the scope of your plan. What are your goals? Where do you wanna go? What topics do you want to discuss with others? How deep do you want to go, exactly? And is it all just about their job? Is it just their life’s purpose? There is a lot of planning involved in this, too. And then of course, you’ve got all the logistics”.

George told us about his break from the screen career, “I’ve spent the last ten years building a regenerative farming business, looking for small wins for people so that we can have significant effects on the environmental crisis that is currently occurring.”

He added: “Like a lot of people, it got to a critical point where I felt overloaded with negativity and the horror stories every day when you turn on the television about the world imploding, so I made an active decision to change the way I was living and try and figure out how we can actually do something about it.

There are many wonderful, brave activists who are willing to campaign day and night, but many people find that to be false. And how can we provide the majority of people with an outlet to address this issue? We’ve set up a regenerative food and farming business. The food we grow, the food we put in our mouths, and the plates we put on are what? How are they cleaned? You know, like we just, just, just making incremental little changes, all of us. can have a significant compound effect.

After George admitted, “I couldn’t be prouder of being perfectly honest.” he continued:” I can remember George talking about wanting to move on out of television and game shows and presenting and music and myself wondering, “What was he going to be doing? ‘ And gradually, he began a charity called Grow to teach children of all ages how to grow their own food in an urban setting where the chances of that happening were very slim. He eventually found his way into the world of growing things.

George explained that the campaign couldn’t be more appropriate for him because he had collaborated with Ecover, which is releasing the first dishwasher tablet that is plastic-free. Larry said he was a” recent convert “to using the dishwasher, but he had been using Ecover for over three decades.

He said, “I get refills for it because I just picked up on the fact that this was an ecologically sound product 30 years ago. It’s always been a part of my life.” I always saw the benefits of it, now I’ve learnt about using the dishwasher, that’s going to double the effectiveness of me standing there with my hands in hot water. “

However, George jokes that because of family disagreements over how to stack dishwashers, the “$64 million question” is still the same. He laughed before claiming that Larry is an architect “when it comes to stacking the family dishwasher, but there has been” tension “over the years. “I think half of people in the UK have had a fall-out and restacked after a fall-out.

The campaign, and the dishwasher itself, is a huge bonus for George. “It’s an all-round win, if you’re stacking it properly and using it economically. Most people are using plastic-based products, so this is a huge jump forward in technology, and I’m super excited! I’ve spent the last 10 years building a regenerative farming business, trying to figure out ways of finding small wins for people so that we can have big impacts on the environmental crisis that’s going on at the moment. And I think this is another brilliant invention from the Ecover team, so I’m delighted to be supporting it and shouting about it.”

We detest waste, according to a spokesperson for Ecover, which includes space, energy, and water. That’s why we’ve launched Tetris: Fully Loaded – to break the cycle of wasteful dishwashing habits and help households wash smarter. We as environmental activists who love doing things differently, so working with Tetris is a fun, unexpected way to make eco-awareness universal. It is wasteful if it isn’t fully utilized. So stack it like we pack it – plates facing in, heavy-duty stuff below, nothing blocking the spray arm. Better sanitation, less waste, and a revolutionary new method for washing your hands.

Spencer Hatcher, the country singer, thanked his fans for their “love and support” as he addressed Holly Hatcher’s brutal murder for the first time since it occurred.

Country music star Spencer Hatcher has spoken out after his mother was killed during a terrifying home invasion. The singer bravely shared a video to his Instagram where he called his mum, Holly Hatcher, his “biggest fan,” as he thanks his fans for their “love and support” after the heartbreaking ordeal.

In the video uploaded on September 9, Spencer, 28, described the time since his mother’s death as the “worst time of our lives.” He claimed that “my mother was everything I did that I was most devoted to.

She adored the music. She enjoyed the shows, and I’ve decided to keep going after talking to my label about continuing, you know, because I completely want to do so. I want to do that as well.

Holly, 62, died after Michael and Michael were attacked in Harrisonburg, Virginia, just before midnight on August 3. The 65-year-old Michael, who was also hurt in the attack, was able to retrieve his handgun from his car and shoot and kill the intruder, who was identified as 41-year-old Kevin Moses Walker, according to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Rockingham County Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson, the attack was “extremely unusual and seemingly random,” and Walker had no prior history of violent behavior.

Two days prior to the attack, Walker had purchased a knife and sleeping bag from Walmart. The Hatcher’s family moved to Virginia’s Endless Caverns, which is located 20 miles north of their home.

When Endless Caverns was broken into by law enforcement the following day and his car was discovered abandoned by Virginia State Police, felony warrants were issued for Walker. policing . Before Michael called for assistance following the home invasion, investigators were unable to locate Walker.

Officers arrived at the scene and discovered Walker dead in the driveway after Michael had accidentally shot him in self-defense. After receiving stab wounds, Holly was discovered dead inside the residence.

Spencer claimed that his decision to continue on his tour was influenced by his mother’s passing, who had been a teacher in Virginia for almost 20 years. He said, “But I’m doing it a lot because I know that my mother would want me to do that.”

She’d want me to continue, and I know how much she enjoyed it and how much everyone else enjoys it, so I’m not going to give up. As I always have, I’m going to work as hard as I can, and I want you to join me on this journey as I resume it.

He continued, “We had a pretty big schedule, we were going to go on a radio tour, we had shows lined up, and we’re going to resume a lot of exciting things.”

We’re going to return to our previous schedule, and we’ll be reaching out to these radio stations. We’ll continue to play shows.

Checks are in the news, and we’ve found five of the most fashionable ways to wear them, including purchases from Nobody’s Child, Monsoon, and Mark &.

Checks are always in style, but this fall they’re back in bigger and better form, redefining them as a must-have. Checks are dominating our high street this season, from preppy plaids and tartans to oversized windowpane prints.

There are pieces to fit every taste and budget, whether you prefer a subtle nod to the trend with a checked scarf or bag or want to go all in with a statement coat.

The best aspect of checks is their versatility; they can be styled either way: polished and classic, edgy and fashion-forward, or both. We’ve rounded up the best check-style items available on the high street right now starting at £X to help you.

READ MORE: We reviewed M&amp, S’s newest fall collection, and we now foresee these five purchases.

READ MORE: Michelle Keegan’s stunning oversized coat, which “goes with everything,” is in demand.

SPENCER and MARKS

Marks & Spencer is back with their latest autumn collection and has managed to nail it again. Filled with stylish buys, chic accessories, and cosy knitwear, M&S’ drops keep getting better every season.

This short-collar jacket is the ideal piece for everyday wear because it gives a plain pair of jeans and a tee look instant polish. When the temperature drops, layer it over a knit or combine tailoring for a work environment.

SHOP THE LOOK: Checked Collared Short Jacket, £60 here; Premium Mid-Rise Bootflare Jeans, £48 here; and Polka Dot V-Neck Frill Detail Top, £36 here.

VERY

The Very Collection, a luxury-looking rebrand that features timeless products and trend-driven pieces, is the latest addition to the online retailer Very. And Very’s belted coat may be our favorite collection item.

This will be a great addition to your winter wardrobe because of its chic silhouette, and I’ll be layering it over double denim for a cool-girl look.

Check Coat With PU Trims, $90 here, $45 here, and $35 in Denim Wide Leg Heritage Co-Ord Jeans.

EVER NEW

Why not choose a set that matches for a head-to-toe check look? Forever New’s crop jacket and mini skirt combo is the ideal way to embrace the fad without putting too much effort into it. For a sophisticated and playful autumn outfit, team up with chunky loafers or boots and statement-making boots.

SHOP THE LOOK: Kaia Check Crop Jacket, £110 here and Kaia Check Mini Skirt, £55 here

NOBODY’S CHILDREN

Quilted jackets are already a winter staple, but with the addition of checks, it seems a little more fashion-forward. This Nobody’s Child style is ideal for the inbetween weather we’re currently experiencing because it’s both lightweight and warm.

This £129 Beige Check Frill Quilted Jacket SHOP THE LOOK.

MONSOON

The ultimate wardrobe staple this season is a check midi skirt. On the weekends, it can be dressed down with trainers and an oversized knit, which is smart enough for the office.

This checked Monsoon midi will look great with items you already have in your wardrobe, plus it has neutral tones.