Category Entertainment News

Stacey Solomon looked incredible in a black dress with a plunging neckline with her children in toe wearing adorable matching frocks

The National Television Awards are always a showcase of glitz and glamour, and this year, among the best-dressed was Loose Women star Stacey Solomon. After sporting a raunchy red number at last year’s ceremony, this year, the mum-of-five opted for a slinky black number that comes with a surprisingly affordable price tag.

A little black dress has been a staple of eveningwear wardrobes since the dawn of time, and it seems that several celebrities had opted for the timeless classic for the event. From Coleen Rooney to Helen Flanagan, Alison Hammond to Oti Mabuse, and presenters Maya Jama and Sian Welby, stars stepped out in an array of black gowns, but Stacey’s was one of the most affordable of the night.

The 35-year-old attended the event with husband Joe Swash and her five children wearing the Milani Black Backless Cowl Neck Fishtail Maxi Dress from Club L London. Priced at £65, it’s crafted from a premium stretch jersey that hugs curves, with a daring plunge cowl neckline that oozes glamour.

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The dress accentuated Stacey’s figure beautifully with a fishtail skirt that falls to a maxi length. It has a halter swanhook closure and open scoop back for added drama, prime for the red carpet.

The Milani has already proven popular, with sizes 14 and 16 sold out. For those who prefer a more cinched fit, the brand recommends opting for a smaller size. And for anyone craving a splash of colour, it’s also available in red.

Black Backless Cowl Neck Fishtail Maxi Dress

£65

Buy here

If you’re looking to emulate Stacey’s NTA style, there are plenty of chic alternatives on the high street at an even lower price, too. At PrettyLittleThing, there’s the Petite Black Slinky Extreme Cowl Backless Midaxi Dress for £22.

Perfect for smaller frames, this piece offers an extreme cowl neckline and open back in a slinky fabric that falls to midaxi length. The bias cut ensures a flattering silhouette, however, it does come in limited sizes from two to 10.

Alternatively, ASOS is selling a Murci Exclusive Mesh Halterneck Open Back Cowl Neck Maxi Dress for £41.50, down from £55. It boasts a sultry open back with a tie fastening and also comes in red and plum for those looking to inject a little colour into their after-hours wardrobe.

While Stacey turned heads in her Club L London gown, it was her children who stole hearts on the night, too. Supporting their mum, her daughters stepped out in matching Rainbow Angel Sleeve Sequin Party Dresses from Next, priced between £22 and £26.

The twinning look, covered in shimmering sequins and finished with sweet angel sleeves, looked adorable on the red carpet. Practical yet party-ready with a simple back button fastening, the dresses are perfect not just for showbiz events but also for birthdays and Christmas parties, too.

The National Television Awards were held at the O2 Arena last night and social commentator Narinder Kaur is said to have been refused entry to the red carpet at the event

Social commentator Narinder Kaur was refused entry to the red carpet of the National Television Awards last night. She was among the celebrities who had travelled to the O2 Arena in London for the televised awards ceremony.

Narinder, 53, who regularly appears on Jeremy Vine’s panel show, is said to have been turned away from the red carpet after arriving at the venue in London. It’s claimed that it led to confusion among guests preparing to enter the event.

A spokesperson for Narinder told the Mirror that she was turned away from the red carpet, despite previously been told that she would be given access. They told us today: “She was refused entry onto the red carpet by one of the organisers, despite a network executive for the show confirming that she was allowed entry onto the red carpet.”

They continued: “Several celebrities came over to Narinder’s aid and also said the organiser’s behaviour was weird and asked why Narinder was the only person being asked [to show her tickets].” They added: “Narinder has previously won an NTA, back in 2002, which adds insult to injury.” A representative for the NTAs declined to comment when approached.

READ MORE: Molly-Mae Hague fans jump to her defence after her NTAs win sparks furious backlashREAD MORE: Ant and Dec break silence after losing out to Gary Lineker at NTAs after 23-year reign

Narinder, who is said to have taken a boat down the Thames amid tube strikes to make it to the O2 Arena, had shared content on Instagram ahead of arriving. The broadcaster suggested in a post that she was running late, writing: “[My agent is] trying to calm me down at HOW LATE we are”.

She’s since issued a video message on X, in which she addressed the idea of having been “banned” from the NTAs. She said: “I wasn’t banned. I had an invite but when I got there they decided it wasn’t the right invite, security, and I had to wait. And it was like so one and half, two hours later, and then finally [they] were like ‘oh my god’ we’ve made a huge mistake. Of course come in’. It was too late. I was ready to go home.”

Narinder, who said that she hopes it was a “genuine mistake,” found it “humiliating” and “embarrassing,” adding: “I was really upset.” She also hit out at the prospect of it being due to her opinions on certain topics, saying that some people had suggested that to her. Dismissing the prospect, she said: “That doesn’t make sense. […] Then why would I be invited? What, then they decided when I got to the door that I’m too opinionated?”

Her opinions have included criticism of the BBC recently following the news that former the Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, 34, will compete on Strictly Come Dancing this year. She said last month that she wanted to take part in the show but had been deemed “too controversial”.

As reported at the time, she said in the caption of a video about his casting on X: “Apparently I was deemed too controversial for @bbcstrictly because they only hire quiet brown and black women that fit in a box. But you can be a white man AND be controversial and you’ll be hired on the spot! Hello Thomas Skinner!! #BBCStrictly your unconscious bias and prejudicial views against British brown women is disgraceful.”

The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie said at a Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier this week that he had “never heard that” when asked about claims that Narinder was rejected for the show, whilst defending the controversial casting of Thomas. Tim said: “I’m not involved directly, that’s not disowning it, it’s just day to day.

“It’s for BBC Studios to propose to the commissioner of entertainment who they think they can get … one is who will take part, because it’s quite a commitment, three months in full training. And the second is, who are people that they think would make a good balance in terms of the cast, and my goodness, they’ve done a good job in terms of creating a phenomenal show.”

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READ MORE: Sian Welby stuns in £46 satin dress from M&S that’s perfect for party season

The special 20th anniversary stage adaptation of multi-award winning BBC TV sitcom rather aptly kicked off it’s tour of England at The Lowry in Salford on Monday night

It’s not exactly the TV comedy-to-stage show revival anyone was partially begging for. Still, IDEAL – the stage show based on the award-winning sitcom starring Johnny Vegas – easily eclipses its peers, dining out on nostalgia with a touring production.

I’ve never wanted to see how Only Fools and Horses fares as a musical or John Cleese milk his Fawlty Towers success with a lucrative stint on the West End. Still, on Tuesday night, I jumped at the chance to see Vegas reprise his role as Moz, Manchester’s longest-serving weed dealer.

The special 20th anniversary stage adaptation of the multi-award-winning BBC TV sitcom aptly kicked off its tour of England at The Lowry in Salford on Monday night.

READ MORE: Ant and Dec break silence after losing out to Gary Lineker at NTAs after 23-year reignREAD MORE: Thomas Skinner storms out of Strictly interview after snatching reporter’s phone

IDEAL, created by Graham Duff, ran for six years and produced a whopping 53 episodes before its abrupt cancellation in 2011. Duff was disappointed to be denied the chance to pen an eighth series and wrap things up, and Vegas admitted in July this year that the stage adaptation was a way to give fans the ‘final’ episode they never had a chance to film.

But, set in the present day – with plenty of current comedic references to let the audience know Moz and the gang are very much in 2025, not 2011 – IDEAL on stage is less of a swansong that neatly ties up loose ends and works more as a nice bonus episode.

Nothing has really changed; Moz is still a low-level drug dealer in his bleak flat, joking that the council is considering putting a blue plaque outside to honour his local legacy.

Brain is still dishing out double entendres. Pyscho Paul hasn’t ditched a life of crime and found respectable employment. Colin is no longer on prohibition but fresh out of prison – dying to go back inside – and Cartoon Head’s identity remains under wraps.

The stage adaptation certainly isn’t a flawless production, with crackling mics and the odd blunder reminding those watching that it’s very much a live show, but it weirdly adds to IDEAL’s charm.

Thanks to Vegas’ quick reactions to missteps and ad-libs getting huge laughs from the audience, you’d be forgiven for suspecting some of the gaffes were scripted; they work that well.

IDEAL is undoubtedly one for the fans—it’s not a guarantee that someone who has never seen the TV show would love the stage revival—but that’s not a bad thing. Not everything has to be for everyone; some things can just be for the misfits who appreciate a cult classic.

If you fancy catching IDEAL in Salford this week, you’re out of luck—it’s unsurprisingly sold out. However, from next week, it will tour theatres nationwide until the 11th of October, when it will conclude in London.

The new stage adaptation is produced by Edge Street Live & Woolyback Productions. It will run from 8th September 2025 at Lowry until the 11th October at Bloomsbury Theatre.

It’s the biggest night in the TV calendar, the National Television Awards come around once a year, seeing some of the biggest names recognised, but the afterparty was not what Daniel Bird expected

It’s one of the most exclusive parties in the business, but I managed to get into the National Television Awards afterparty. Shortly after the ceremony came to an end, I found myself walking backstage at the O2 Arena, going past dressing rooms and memorabilia signed by artists including One Direction and Celine Dion as I made my way to the afterparty.

I was able to rub shoulders with some of my favourite TV stars, mainly EastEnders and Casualty, but I also bumped into all sorts of “famous” people and the odd social media “influencer.” I was instantly greeted by a free bar, albeit prosecco, wine and lager – not the typical afterparty I am used to.

When I asked if the bar had any spirits or shots, I was told no. It was only a few options on the bar. This shocked me, to be honest, as normally, the bar is completely open, and you only pay for the more expensive options if you’re after spirits.

There were some exciting aspects throughout, including live musicians playing in the middle of the packed-out room as various celebs moved about in the finest going-out clothes, no doubt feeling relaxed after the stress of the red carpet (in the rain, might I add) and waiting to find out if they had won an NTA.

Throughout the party, Love Islanders, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Strictly Come Dancing, and Casualty stars mixed with one another—as, let’s face it, most celebrities know one another—it’s a very small circle to be part of. Two people who were noticeably absent, though, were Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus.

It’s no secret that they were perhaps the most famous names on the guest list at the O2 Arena last night. They have definitely earned their stripes and don’t need to mingle at an afterparty, but I’d have liked to have seen them both. Of course, I wanted a selfie with Billy Ray.

Now don’t get me wrong, it was a great party, but I expected more. Awards shows are known for the glitz and glam, but the afterparties are synonymous with drama.

Just look at this year’s BRIT Awards with Danny Jones and Maura Higgins (they both attended last night and sat just four seats apart, although they didn’t publicly speak to one another).

I went to the NTAs afterparty alongside my friends and was bracing myself for drama. Who would kiss who? Would soap stars clash? Would Love Islanders clash? I was ready for it, but unfortunately, it didn’t deliver half of what I was expecting.

In fact, the only drama I witnessed was my friends not being allowed back in after nipping to the toilet, which was crazy. Perhaps everybody was on their best behaviour this year and wanted to avoid any scandals. Another shocking aspect, the bar closed shortly after 12.30… Not something I expected, and let me tell you, a few soap stars were far from impressed by this after being told they could have a water…

But despite the lack of drama, I was just happy to be there, mingling with some of my favourite TV stars, including the cast of Casualty, Thomas Law, Laura Doddington and Charlie Suff from EastEnders and of course, Shayne Ward, who I’ve met a few times and can honestly say that he is such a genuine person.

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has said he’s scared to be a newspaper columnist after right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in Utah yesterday

Jeremy Clarkson has said he is “genuinely frightened” to be a newspaper columnist after right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in Utah yesterday (10 September).

While speaking to a group of students in Utah about his far right politics, Kirk was shot. After his death was confirmed, Clarkson wrote on X: “For the first time in my life, I’m genuinely frightened about being a newspaper columnist.”

Clarkson, who writes regularly for The Sunday Times News Review, was told by one user that he should stick to writing about cars. He responded by suggesting that too could be a risk.

“But what if someone disagrees with my view that, say, the new M5 is a bit dull. Everyone is so angry all the time these days,” he said.

Many users also highlighted that Clarkson is not innocent of using violent imagery in his writing and interviews. In fact, Clarkson himself has expressed regret for using violent language and has previously apologised for some incidents, including one in 2011 when he said he would have public sector workers on strike executed “in front of their families”.

Clarkson is not the only British broadcaster to speak about Kirk’s death. Piers Morgan said the attack was an “appalling assault on free speech and democracy” and that it was “disgusting and heartbreaking”.

Kirk made a name for himself by travelling to different universities in the United States to talk about right-wing politics and Prove Me Wrong events where he would debate students. A close ally of Donald Trump, Kirk’s politics centred on topics such as a pro-life attitude to women’s reproductive health, anti-trans rhetoric and the right of American citizens to carry guns freely.

A few months ago, he said: “It’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment.” Trump announced Kirk’s death on Truth Social and said he was “loved and admired by all”.

The shooting is currently being treated as an assassination, though the shooter and their motivations are as of yet unknown.

This event has followed several other incidents of political violence in the US. In June, a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband were assassinated in Minnesota and there have been two attempted assassinations targeting Trump in 2024.