Category Entertainment News

BBC Radio 2’s Vernon Kay is among the celebrities paying tribute to Ricky Hatton, who was found dead at his Manchester home last weekend

Vernon Kay has spoken out about his fond memories of the late boxer Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 on Sunday. The BBC Radio 2 host is one of many who have paid tribute to the former world champion, following his family’s heartbreaking announcement of his death.

During a chat with Jeremy Vine on his mid-morning programme on Monday, the 51-year-old revealed details about the encounters he’d enjoyed with Ricky through the years.

After his colleague mentioned that he’d be discussing the boxer’s death on his show, Vernon responded: “Yeah, I haven’t mentioned that, the passing of Ricky Hatton this morning, because it’s a tough one for many people.”

He continued: “And from my personal experience of meeting him, in personal and entertaining environments, at parties and social gatherings and stuff, Ricky was always, always, the one who had a conversation with you, but he knew you, he knew what you were up to.

“He would always ask family questions as well, and he was such an entertaining fella.”

Vernon continued: “When I saw the news, it hit me because he was such a lovely bloke and all the tributes that I’ve read all just say exactly the same thing.”

After Ricky was discovered dead at his Manchester home on Sunday, a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “There are not currently believed to be any suspicious circumstances.”

His relatives later said of the sportsman in a statement: “He had a heart as big as his smile, and his kindness, humour and loyalty touched everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

“As a family, our loss is immeasurable, and words cannot truly capture the pain we feel. Yet in the midst of our grief, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming outpouring of love and support.

“Richard’s memory will forever remain in our hearts, in the hearts of his fans, and in the sport he loved so dearly.”

Last year, the boxer showed fans a different side to him when he took part in ITV’s Dancing On Ice.

During the programme, the sportsman was teamed up with professional ice skater Robin Johnstone, and although they were knocked out of the contest in week one, they remained close.

Discussing Ricky’s death with The Mirror, Robin said she was “utterly devastated”.

“He was a good friend. No part of me expected this,” she added.

“He was chatting to me not long ago about preparing for his big fight. He was excited, in good form, in training mode and looking forward to the future.”

She went on to say: “We remained very close after partnering on Dancing on Ice last year. We’d speak every couple of weeks. We WhatsApped a week or two ago and he’d check in with my husband Andy (Buchanan) and I all the time.

“Ricky was such a sweet man. So caring and funny. He just loved a joke – including the odd dad joke. Out of all my partners on the show, he’s the one I kept in touch with the most.”

While appearing on the programme, he also became close to his fellow contestant Claire Sweeney, who he went on to date for several months.

Hair and makeup artist Lou Teasdale is back with footballer Andy Carroll following their two splits this summer as her friends reportedly fear her taking a huge step

Lou Teasdale put on a united font with footballer Andy Carroll last week, as they proved they are once again reunited amid their very rocky romance. The hairstylist, 41, began her relationship with Andy, 36, last year following his split from reality TV star Billi Mucklow, with whom he shares three children.

However, the pair have broken up twice and during their first split, it was claimed Andy had split with Lou after growing tired of her ‘high maintenance behaviour’. They managed to patch things up a week later following a series of public rows.

Lou and Andy headed to Ibiza for a ‘make or break trip’ where they decided to part ways again. Yet, their separation didn’t last long as the pair are firmly back together.

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All the drama has reportedly left Lou’s friends and family stuck in a tricky situation as many can’t understand why she keeps going back. One source has claimed Lou sees Andy as “Mr Wonderful,” while others have decided to leave them to it.

“There seems to be a cycle: He upsets her for something, then he apologies and does these grand gestures and she goes back. Sadly that is probably how it will continue to go now,” a source told the Daily Mail.

Another explained Lou “just won’t leave him,” while a third source predicted a big move could be on the table. “Lou would make a lovely bride,” they said.

“And she’s so loved up with Andy that you wouldn’t put it past her marrying him sometime soon.” In a previous interview with The Sun on Sunday, the former Premier League star said: “I love Lou and I love her family. We row like any couple.”

He also addressed the status of his divorce from Billi: “Things have been difficult for me and I’m going through a divorce. Some of our rows have been about alcohol, as Lou has been teetotal for 14 years and I have a beer or wine at dinner and a drink after the game, but it’s not a problem in my life.”

Following their split, Andy reportedly grew tired of Lou’s “influencer lifestyle”. But, it was later claimed that Lou dumped him, with it suggested that ending the romance was the “only way to move forward”.

Previously, a source told the Sun: “Andy got sick of Lou’s demands and her influencer lifestyle. She’s always posting on social media and he hates that.” Then describing him as “single,” they added: “He told her it was over this week.”

However, sources later told the Daily Mail that it was Lou who dumped Andy. It’s claimed that he was so “desperate” to reconcile that he chartered a plane to in Ibiza, where she was on holiday with family.

Andy had removed photos of Lou on his Instagram, but she did not decided to do the same amid their shot splits.

The Mirror has contacted Lou’s representatives for comment.

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Shoppers looking to claim a Samsung smartphone without splashing a fortune won’t want to snooze on this money-saving offer that sees the phone plummet to under £100

The Samsung A-Series was first launched in 2022, and the Galaxy A-13 is a top pick as an affordable smartphone. But shoppers keen on getting an Android without splashing too much cash can currently pick one up for less than £100 thanks to Wowcher’s current offer.

The Samsung Galaxy A13 6.6-inch Android Smartphone would normally cost £159.95 on Amazon or £239 at Wowcher, but it’s currently up for grabs for the reduced price of £99 while this sale lasts.

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Perfect for revolutionising your digital experience, this state-of-the-art smartphone is set to blend potent performance with innovative design and exceptional camera capabilities.

The phone’s expansive 6.6-inch Full HD+ Infinity-V screen lets you immerse yourself in top-quality visuals, whether you’re binge-watching your favourite series or gaming on the go; every pixel bursts with clarity and colour accuracy.

Armed with a versatile quad-camera system, this phone boasts a 50MP main sensor for stunning detail, a 5MP ultra-wide for panoramic landscapes, a 2MP macro for close-ups, and a 2MP depth sensor for beautiful portraits. The 8MP front camera ensures every selfie is worth sharing.

The robust 5,000mAh battery powers you through hectic days, ensuring your phone can last from when you leave the house to when you come home. When it’s time to recharge, 15W fast charging swiftly gets you back in action.

Enjoy Android OS efficiency, robust multitasking, and smooth app performance. The modern design, reliable build, and easy-to-grip black finish make it a perfect fit for any lifestyle.

It’s worth noting that this deal does apply to a refurbished model, meaning it has been pre-owned. Wowcher promises this model is in ‘ Good’ condition, presenting a few signs of wear and tear that show it’s clearly seen use, but overall it’s in good shape. There might be minor surface marks, but functionality is completely intact.

Prince Harry has given a defiant interview saying his conscience is clear when it comes to criticising his relatives in his bombshell book, Spare – and one expert believes only one thing is guaranteed off the back of this move

Prince Harry’s explosive interview defending his controversial memoir has guaranteed a devastating reality for Prince William, according to a royal expert.

After a four-day visit to the UK last week, where the Duke of Sussex carried out a series of engagements connected to causes close to his heart, he then embarked on a surprise trip to war-torn Ukraine.

In his second visit to the country, he visited the capital Kyiv, just days after he was reunited with his father the King, in their first face-to-face meeting for more than a year. During the trip to the Ukrainian capital, Harry, who turns 41 today, gave an interview, where he said his “conscience is clear” after speaking out against members of the royal family after railing against them in his book, Spare.

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He also told the Guardian his autobiography, published in 2023, was a “series of corrections to stories already out there” and explained he would like to spend more time in the UK and that the past week had “definitely brought that closer”.

He even alluded to his meeting with his dad, which lasted 55 minutes last Wednesday, simply saying: “The focus really has to be on my dad.”

And while Harry may have won over some of his critics last week, royal author and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop sees this ‘new dawn’ for the Duke as ‘complicated’.

She told the Mirror : “In just one week, the birthday boy proved he still has the capacity to up-end the new agenda. Prince Harry ’s four-day stopover in the UK was enough to get tongues wagging, add to it a 55-minute meet-and-greet with his dear Papa, and in many quarters, all was forgiven.

“The prodigal Prince enjoying his ‘banging’ jerk chicken reminded Britain of what we’d been missing – Harry’s winning combination of charisma and empathy.

“Then came the pièce de résistance – a surprise trip to Ukraine – Harry melding his military metal with his promise of a life of service. Few could criticise this mission in a country riven with conflict, tied as it was to Harry’s most successful brand – The Invictus Games. Harry’s military track record and global fame are a massive boost for the beleaguered country. So far so good.

“And we can expect to see much more of Harry – he was clear: ‘I have always loved the UK and I always will love the UK.’ And he wants to see more of King Charles – ‘the focus really has to be on my Dad.’ But this new dawn for the Duke is not without complications.”

And Tessa believes the implications of doubling down on his decision to release the memoir have drawn clear battlelines again between Harry and his estranged brother, William.

She added: “Harry said he regrets nothing: ‘my conscience is clear’. Meghan has taught him that telling the truth ‘is the most efficient way to live’ and he won’t take back anything he wrote in Spare.

“He sees his biography as a ‘series of corrections’ to narratives already out there. Ouch. That is a bitter pill to swallow for anyone in the crosshairs of the book. Harry clearly feels he is now on safer ground with Charles, and any criticism of the King in Spare was relatively mild.

“But siblings are a very different matter. Cue Prince William, portrayed as an angry sibling with ‘alarming baldness’, married to an unsympathetic wife ‘done up to the nines’.

“Harry’s lack of contrition here guarantees the permafrost between the brothers will continue. For royal fans keen to support both men, the continuation of their Cold War poses an invidious choice. You either stand by Harry and his ‘truth’. Or you bat for the future King William, whose road to sibling forgiveness has just got that little bit harder.”

It was Stephen Graham to the rescue after Owen Cooper almost spilled too much on what’s next for him – nearly revealing all before the big news has been officially confirmed

Protective Stephen Graham had to pull his on-screen son into line after Owen Cooper nearly let slip some secrets.

The teenager won the award for his lead role in drama series Adolescence, which impressed on Netflix earlier this year. After collecting the award at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, the young star spoke about stepping out of his comfort zone and of course praised his co-stars after becoming the youngest ever male winner of an acting Emmy.

He had Stephen for thank again during an interview at a BAFTA tea party in Los Angeles at The Maybourne Beverly Hills Hotel. The 15-year-old was asked by a reporter about what’s next – and if he had any upcoming roles in the pipeline following the series’ incredible success.

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“Well, yeah, Wuthering Heights is coming out,” Owen said, discussing his in Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of the iconic novel, before going on to let the cat out of bag, saying: “I’ve got a comedy series coming out and…” But before he could spill any further details, Stephen – cutting in – decided to cut him off.

He interjected: “You can’t speak about some of the stuff!” Owen, fearing he had just landed himself in it, backtracked. “You can’t speak about some stuff,” the young actor said, trying to rescue the situation. “Just wait and see.” The pair smiled after Stephen saved the young star some trouble from his agent!

After his Emmy win, Owen encouraged people to “step out of your comfort zone a little” as he gave his acceptance speech upon collecting his award. The lad, from Warrington, Cheshire, said: “I was nothing about three years ago, I’m here now. Step out of your comfort zone a little, who cares if you get embarrassed.”

Addressing the crowd at the theatre in America, Owen continued: “I was nothing about three years ago, and now here I am.” Speaking to reporters moments after his win, he added: “It means some much to me. It means so much to me, my family, people back home. So, you know, it’s just, yeah, it just means a lot to me.”

A journalist asks him how his friends would react to his win. Cooper said they might not be awake yet “because it’s four in the morning at home”, before adding: “They’ll be all over the moon, yes.”

In the gripping Netflix series, Cooper delivers a compelling performance as Jamie, a 13 year old boy detained under suspicion of murdering a female classmate. Stephen Graham, Cooper’s co-star, hailed him as a “rare talent” on The One Show, comparing the prodigious actor to the legendary Robert De Niro.

During filming, Owen disclosed that Adolescence was gaining such traction on Netflix that his fellow actors couldn’t ignore it. “They were all saying how big the show’s gone,” he shared with a grin.

“And they were sick of seeing me on TV and stuff. That’s what Jacob said. Margot said that she was dying to watch it.” Both audiences and critics have unanimously hailed Adolescence as a “masterpiece” making it an essential addition to your watchlist if you’ve yet to discover this gem.

Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury, 55, stripped completely naked to celebrate her new book, Hack Yourself Healthy, becoming a No.1 bestseller in the Sunday Times

Julia Bradbury is celebrating her new book’s success in a unique way – by posing completely nude in her latest social media post.

The 55-year-old Countryfile presenter, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021, covered her modesty with her hands while being filmed in the shower by one of her children upon hearing the news.

She was overjoyed to announce to her Instagram followers that her book, Hack Yourself Healthy, has become a No. 1 Sunday Times Best Seller.

In her caption, she wrote: ‘This is what a mini life changing moment looks like. OMG No.1 !!!! I can’t believe, in it’s week of release Hack Yourself Healthy has made it to Number One in the Sunday Times Best Seller’s list. This is a big deal for me and my family and I’m so so grateful.

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“There are so many people to thank, from my amazing publishers @piatkus_living & the entire team, my co-writer @missysoliver who is so good at all the stuff I’m not, and my family and friends for putting up with me for two years and my excellent contributors and experts.”

She concluded with: “And a HUGE thank you to YOU, the readers. It’s just brilliant that a book about health has reached so many of you, and I know from all of your messages that you’re making changes and getting an incy bit of inspiration. Let’s keep Hacking Ourselves Healthy. Julia x.”

Julia then added in the comment section: “When a moment in the shower changes everything. well, just for this week anyway. Thank you! Thank you! You’ve made Hack Yourself Healthy a Number One best seller.”

This Morning host Ben Shephard was one of the first the comment on Julia’s post, telling the TV presenter: “Love it Bradders [fire emojis] congrats thoroughly deserved.”

“Well done indeed Julia. blinkin eck I thought I’d found your OF page then,” one fan joked underneath Julia’s update from the shower, as another quipped: “Seeing Julia Bradbury in the shower today wasn’t on my bingo card.”

Julia, who presented Countryfile and a number of other TV documentaries, opened up about life since being diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago during a candid chat with Lisa Salmon earlier this year.

The TV star’s stress hormones used to be so high that a doctor told her it was like she was being chased by a tiger all day. And then she got cancer.

Now, four years since she found a lump in her breast and had a mastectomy, Julia has turned her life around and has finally got the balance right.

“I didn’t have a very balanced life before cancer,” she admitted when speaking in June . “Now, I really do feel grateful for every day – balance is very, very important. I’ve had my cortisol [stress hormone] measured, and historically it’s been through the roof. As one doctor described it, I appeared to be being chased by a tiger all day.

“It’s something for everybody to be mindful of – we are human beings, not human doings. Even lions and tigers don’t hunt all day, they rest a lot, and that’s a good metaphor for us – you can’t be in hunting mode or being chased all the time.

“You have to find some time to rest and be calm, and find a little bit of security and peace somewhere where you’re not being chased.”

Julia now does breath work and meditation every morning at first light, meditates at night, and exercises regularly. She also journals and, perhaps most importantly, spends as much quality time as possible with her three children – Zephyr, 13, and her twin daughters Xanthe and Zena, 10.

“I really revel in being present with them and doing things with them that are nourishing and enriching – not big things, just being with them and spending time together is really, really important.”