Category Entertainment News

Five years after the unimaginable heartbreak of losing her daughter, Christine Flack is channelling her energies into preventing others from suffering the same nightmare.

She told how an anti-suicide bench in Caroline’s memory will be a lasting legacy that has already inspired people struggling with mental health to keep fighting when life gets tough.

In a deeply moving interview on the anniversary of the X Factor and Strictly favourite’s death, Christine tells how she has been left with a huge hole in her heart after her daughter took her own life at the age of 40.

The 74-year-old said: “At the end, Carrie didn’t think there was anything to live for, she felt the world had turned against her. I hope people who read her story will see her life was wasted and may think twice about ending theirs. That’s how I want Carrie to be remembered, for inspiring people to live.”

Christine last year unveiled the special bench at Tottenham Community Sports Centre in North London, just five miles from where Caroline was born in Enfield.

It features the words “someone is always listening” and provides a spot for people to reflect when feeling low. There is also a QR code linking to Caroline’s story and messages of support. It was part of the anti-suicide charity initiative Legend on the Bench.

Christine said: “Caroline understood when people were feeling down and she would talk to them, almost as though she knew how they were feeling. Through her bench and others, her kindness and compassion can continue to support people.

“And I know she would be unbelievably proud. The idea was to have a safe place where people can go at any time of the day or night to sit and think. There are so many negatives in this world at the moment and I think that’s often why people give up, because they don’t see any hope. Caroline’s bench provides hope, even if it’s just to sit there for five minutes and think about things in a safe environment. And I know from speaking to people in the community that it’s used a lot. The QR code was worn out so quickly it had to be replaced.”

Former Spurs midfielder and ambassador of Legend on the Bench Micky Hazard – who lost his nephew Jay to suicide at the age of 23 – said the memorial to Caroline has helped countless people out of dark places.

The 64-year-old added: “We know there is a considerable number of people clicking on the code on Caroline’s bench, the owner of the sports centre said it is used very often.

“Some people go there for solace and we get some beautiful emails. Everyone at some point in their lives suffers, or knows someone who suffers, from mental health problems. It resonates with so many people. Caroline may have taken her life, but she’s now saving many, many more lives and many families from having to through the devastation that her family has been through.

“The bench shows she didn’t give up her life for nothing.” Christine is hoping to get more involved with the charity, which is on a mission to install the anti-suicide benches in every local park and open space in the UK.

Caroline, who shot to fame as the host of ITV ’s Love Island, killed herself on February 15, 2020

Christine told how the last five years without her daughter, who “loved fun times”, left an irreplaceable void in her life. She added: “We miss her terribly. When Carrie entered a room everything changed, she brought her smile and her laughter.

“I want her to be remembered with joy because she was funny and loved fun times, she was a really kind person and her nieces and nephews adored her. I find it hard to see things about her on the TV and old videos, but we talk about her the whole time and she’s still a big part of us.

“We always say, ‘Oh, Carrie would like that,’ or laugh about something she would find funny.”

If you’d like to find out more about Legend on the Bench, you can visit legend-on-the-bench.co.uk.

*If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline, open 24/7, on 116 123.

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The Duchess of Sussex is making Valentine’s Day extra special for her children after returning home from Canada to be with them.

Meghan Markle, 43, has shared an adorable video of her making love-themed bagels with her kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, on her Instagram Stories, after leaving Prince Harry at the Invictus Games earlier this week. Meghan posted a video clip that showed her cutting strawberries into hearts and decorating marbled bagels with pink cream.

In the background of the footage, it seems her daughter Lilibet and son Archie are helping her prepare the Valentine’s treat, and the pair appear to be relaxed in their pyjamas at home. The post is one of many updates Meghan has shared on her social media since she flew home from Canada to reunite with their children on Tuesday. But she rarely shares glimpses of her youngsters, and royal fans have spotted just how grown-up five-year-old Archie looks in the clip.

The Duchess has been very active on Instagram today while her husband continues his work at the Games. Earlier, she shared an affectionate post with an unseen snap of her and Harry kissing at the dinner table. Meghan had her hand placed tentatively on the side of Harry’s cheek as they closed their eyes for the rare moment caught on camera. The Duchess added a touching message, honouring her husband for his work at the Games this week and a heartfelt ‘thank you’.

She wrote: “Back home taking care of our babies, and missing my Valentine, as he continues on at the Invictus Games, changing lives and reminding all of us of the power of healing and resilience through these incredible veterans and their families. Beyond proud of my husband and what he’s created. My love, I will eat burgers & fries and fish & chips with you forever. Thank you for you. #lovewins. As ever, M.”

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Harry has shared how he wants his children to attend the Games one day. Speaking to Town & Country, Harry said: “I’d love for them to experience the Invictus spirit first-hand one day. Right now, they’re still young, but we already talk about the importance of resilience, community, and service—everything Invictus represents.”

The Duke, who is expected to remain at the Games until after Sunday’s closing ceremony, is no stranger to the area, after he and Meghan moved to nearby Vancouver Island after quitting the UK in 2020, in what became known as ‘Megxit’. They also began their relationship with secret dates and stays in Toronto, where she lived while starring in the hit TV show Suits for five years.

Harry said: “It feels like a full-circle moment. Canada has been so kind to us over the years, and to be back here for another Invictus Games eight years later—married, with two amazing kids—is awesome! Spending time with our Invictus community is always a privilege.” This year’s Invictus is the seventh event held after previous Games in London, Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, the Hague, and Dusseldorf.

“The highlight so far has been seeing competitors and their families take to the snow in Whistler,” Harry went on. “Introducing winter sports to the Invictus Games is a huge milestone—one we’ve been working toward for a long time—so witnessing both the competition and the pure joy on everyone’s faces makes me really happy. The welcome, the hospitality, the scenery—the entire experience has been life-changing for so many, and we are incredibly grateful to all Canadians for the lifelong memories created during these Games.”

Harry added: “The Invictus Games give us all an opportunity to recognise, celebrate, and honour this incredible community for their service and sacrifice. The stories shared and amplified through accurate, honest reporting are exactly what the world needs—stories of resilience, strength, and the best of the human spirit.”

The fourth Bridget Jones movie, Mad About the Boy, was released appropriately on Valentine’s Day, with Renée Zellweger reprising her role as the loveable lead. While many of us can relate to Bridget as she continues to manage her dating life, a 28-year-old who bares the same name, has a lot more in common with the fictional character.

When the real-life Bridget Jones was born during the ’90s, her parents had no idea that their daughter would grow up barring the same moniker as the hugely successful book and film series. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Bridget, who hails from London, revealed: “My went to a school with a women called Bridget and then married by dad, and I think the Bridget Jones book had only been out a year before I was born, so they didn’t really know about it, so a complete conceindence.”

Luckily for Bridget, she fully embraces her name and loves it just as much as everyone else. “People will say something all the time about my name, it’s so fun, and honestly, I don’t know what it’s like to have a normal name. Everyone just loves the movie and the books, it just makes people smile. I can’t complain, and I make the most of it,” Bridget said.

“I just embrace the name, but all my friends just call me ‘Bridge’. It was my birthday recently, and all my friends wrote on my birthday cards, ‘The OG Bridget Jones’.” She humorously added: “I also had a Bridget Jones themed birthday party, which was super fun. All my friends dressed up as characters and I did the bunny outfit but with trousers. I’ve always just loved the movies, books, and the life it’s given me, it’s just hilarious.”

When it comes to Bridget’s similarities with the fictional character, the 28-year-old bears a striking resemblance as she shared: “She’s very imperfectly perfect, and she’s got amazing friends around her, which I do too. She accepts herself for who she is and always stays true to who she is, so I feel like I’m the same person.

“I’m a lot better at laughing at myself now. I don’t think I’m funny, but people think I am when I’m just saying what I’m thinking. I’m goofy by accident I guess.”

While their career paths don’t align with the real-life Bridget being a UX/UI designer, she does keep her own diary, the same as the movie character. She said: “I love writing down things that happen in life or how you’re feeling, then you can always look back at it later on.”

As Bridget leads a slightly quieter life than the on-screen mum-of-two, she is out in the world navigating the dating scene as we’ve commonly seen in the movie franchise. Bridget told us: “I’ve been on the dating apps for a while and I’ve been single for most of my 20s, but I always just see it as a great way to meet people. Me and a lot of my friends are single and it creates good stories. Even if you end up not dating a person, you can make friends with people that way, which is nice.

“If anything, I just love meeting new people. In London, you normally meet people at work or who you live with, as no one talks to each other in the street. So dating apps like Tinder are great because it allows you to meet people that you never normally would.”

She added: “Especially in the winter months when it’s hibernation season, you don’t really want to go out which means you’re not really meeting people, so Tinder is really great because you’re chatting to someone and making a plan that’s going to get you out.”

Giving a peek into her dating life, Bridget said: “I recently did a pasta-making class on a date, which was really cool. I’ve never done it before and I think a teamwork activity is great to see if you’re bonding in the right direction. If not, you go home with some great pasta.”

Bridget has been part of a campaign with Tinder as part of their free six month Gold subscription, which also saw her attend the Bridget Jones, Mad About the Boy, premiere earlier this year. Speaking of the event, she shared: “It was amazing and Renée Zellweger was like two metres from me but I got so star-struck!”

A real-life Bridget Jones partners with Tinder to promote the final chapter of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy which sees Bridget dive back into the dating world with a new Tinder profile. To help singles get back out there, Tinder is offering fifty real-life Bridget Jones’ across the UK a free six month Tinder Gold subscription.

Robbie Williams’ smash hit biopic Better Man is being transformed into a West End show.

The film is up for a BAFTA this weekend and the movie’s co-writer and director Michael Gracey says plans are already afoot for the movie – including the chimpanzee main character – to head on to the stage as a musical.

He cites the popular family film Paddington, which is coming to London’s theatreland later this year, as an inspiration. Michael said: “One of the most amazing things that you’re going to see next year is a production of Paddington that is going to be on stage in the West End.

“And it truly turns adults into children because there is this little bear on stage who is emoting and singing. Adults literally burst into tears when they see it. It is the most magical thing I’ve ever seen in person. In a world where we are fed imagery every single day that is unreal and we just dismiss all of it, to have something that magical in front of you physically is incredible.

“So, using that same technology, imagine a monkey. And yes, this is very much going to be a stage production. Probably in the West End first before Broadway.”

Former Take That star Robbie, who turned 51 this week, was in talks for a possible musical in 2011 but it never made it to the stage. This time, with a hit film already released, a move to the stage seems more likely.

Asked about a possible stage version, Robbie said: “What are my non-negotiables if this becomes a stage play? I don’t have that power. I’m sure I do, but I’m not going to get in the way of myself. Whoever my management choose to partner with – if we’re lucky enough to do that – we will partner with them because they know how to do it and we don’t, so we’ll just leave them to it.

“Musicals have been a huge inspiration in my life and still remain as all of my references.” He also spoke of his enjoyment promoting the film in recent months in the US and the UK. He added: “The amount of warmth, empathy and genuine goodwill that this whole project has fostered has been warming for the soul – and I love that I’m now in a place to receive it without pushing it away and belittling it.”

The stage show would likely be another money spinner for Robbie, not that he necessarily needs the money. Earlier this week we told how his latest accounts showed he raked in £75.2million from his monster world tour. And he paid himself £22m from his riches – with around £250,000 going on charitable donations. He has a huge European tour this year, starting in Edinburgh on May 31.

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Liam Payne battled with his addiction demons for years and desperately tried to get sober, his close friend claims.

The former One Direction singer fatally fell from a third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October last year and tragically died at the age of 31. He had been on holiday with his girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy, but 48 hours before the X Factor star’s death, she flew home alone to Miami, US, to look after their dog.

Liam stayed in Argentina and linked up with his close friend, multimillionaire businessman Roger Nores, who left the singer’s hotel an hour before his fatal fall. Roger has been charged with negligent homicide following an investigation by Argentinian authorities. He vehemently denies claims that he was responsible for Liam’s care before he died.

Roger has now spoken out in a bombshell interview for the first time and opened up about how he tried to help Liam overcome his addictions in the final months of his life. He claims that Liam was sober for four months in the US before relapsing during a trip to the UK in August. He also states that Liam got sober again, before tragically spiralling in his final days.

Liam’s final months in Roger’s words

Roger and Liam formed an unlikely bond in 2020, and for years, the businessman was allegedly unaware of Liam’s dark demons. But in May 2024, he says he received a call from Liam’s manager to tell him that Liam had “dangerously overdosed” in the UK and doctors had “resuscitated” him. Roger claims Liam’s dad, Geoff, had him sectioned for 90 days after the incident, but Liam “talked his way out after just three”.

It was then he allegedly turned to Roger. “He knew he needed help. I was in LA working at the time. I said if he could get to Miami, I’d meet him there,” he told the Daily Mail. Liam moved into a Florida apartment with his new girlfriend, Kate, and Roger and another friend allegedly surrounded him with a team of professionals, including an addiction specialist and psychiatrist. Roger said: “He did four months sober.”

Roger claimed that Liam “required 24-hour attention” and it was “draining”, but as a friend, he wanted to help him. He said he noticed a huge change in Liam, who was apparently looking after himself and back in the gym, but then “everything went wrong”.

According to the businessman, in August 2024, the One Direction star travelled back to the UK for a work commitment – a decision Roger didn’t agree with. He believed it would be “too easy for him to relapse” and the pair had the “biggest argument” over it.

Unfortunately, just as Roger feared, Liam allegedly relapsed while in the UK. But the pal says that when Liam returned to the US, he appeared to go sober again.

Roger says he saw Liam a few times and was under the impression he hadn’t touched a single drug, but sadly, it did not last. Roger met Liam in Argentina and spent time with him a few days before his death. On October 16, the day he died, Roger left Liam in the lobby of the hotel at 4.06pm, just an hour before he fatally fell from the balcony. The friend claims that Liam was sober when he left.

After Roger left, Liam’s behaviour became more erratic. The receptionist pleaded with emergency services to come to his aid and said: “We have a guest who’s off his head on drugs and is destroying everything in his room. We need someone to come.” A toxicology report found traces of alcohol and cocaine in Liam’s system.

Heartbreaking wedding and best man plans

Three days before Liam died, he allegedly asked Roger if he would be the best man at his wedding to Kate – despite having not yet proposed. “He told me he wanted to marry Kate. We discussed ideas for his proposal and then he asked me to be best man. ‘You’ll have to do a speech’, he joked, but he told me it would be fun,” Roger told the Mail. Heartbreakingly, Liam never got around to proposing.

Liam met Kate at a bar in South Carolina in September 2022, where she was working as a waitress. He asked for her number and then took her bowling for their first date. The attraction was immediate. In an interview with The Sun earlier this month, Kate described Liam as one of the greatest people she’d ever met and said their relationship was similar to a ‘fairytale’.

Liam’s battle with narcotics and alcohol

But Liam had many struggles. The singer turned to alcohol and drugs to cope at the height of 1D’s dizzying fame, and admitted to going through a wild “pills and booze phase”. Speaking on the Diary of a CEO podcast with Steven Bartlett in 2019, Liam said: “I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it. No one would ever have seen it.”

In 2022, Liam revealed that he had spent three months in a wellness clinic in Louisiana, US, to focus on himself and his mental health. During his 100-day stay, he went sober, had minimal contact with the outside world and spent a lot of time focusing on art and poetry.

In July 2023, Liam uploaded a video on YouTube called ‘I’m Back…’, where he opened up about seeking help. In the clip, he thanked his ex-girlfriend and mother of his son, Cheryl, for supporting his decision to get better and added that his former bandmates had stuck by him. He said: “I needed to take some time out for myself. I kind of became someone who I didn’t really recognise any more.”

Dad Geoff ‘tried to get him treatment after drug relapse’

Months before his death, Liam’s dad, Geoff, reportedly tried to get him to enter a psychiatric treatment centre, but the 1D star is said to have refused. According to Rolling Stone earlier this month, Geoff allegedly tried to intervene after Liam left rehab before completing the programme. However, it’s claimed Liam refused his father’s wishes to go to the treatment centre.

The publication also claimed that the singer’s team had ‘baulked’ at the idea of him touring South America. They are said to have thought he was ‘in no shape to be on the road’. Rolling Stone goes on to allege Liam missed several key promo opportunities for his single. This is thought to have included interviews, performances and events.

A month before his death, Universal Republic allegedly dropped him over these factors and concerns including for the star’s health. A source told the publication: “It was decided by the label, given these factors combined with concerns for his health, to terminate the working relationship rather than further release music.”

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Footballer Jermain Defoe has reportedly split from his girlfriend Alisha LeMay after a very tumultuous relationship.

The couple was first linked in January 2023, but have been rocked by cheating scandals throughout – and at the beginning of – their romance. Now, Alisha, 31, and Jermain, 42, have seemingly called it quits.

A source told the Mail Online that the couple had broken up, with Alisha no longer following Jermain on Instagram. The duo also haven’t been pictured together in several months, in contrast to their flashy public outings in earlier years of their relationship.

Back in September, former Tottenham star Jermain was seen having a meeting with a mystery woman in his Range Rover in the car park of a golf club at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire.

An onlooker spotted the two, and commented: “He was in the driver’s seat of his car on his own. Then she turned up in her car, parked and walked over to his, and got in the front next to him.

“They seemed to chat for a bit before she got out of the front and got back into the car on the back seat. I didn’t see him get out but then I noticed he was also sitting on the back seat next to her.

“I’ve no idea what they were doing but they were on the back seat together for around 15 to 20 minutes. At one point a jacket appeared to have been tied between the two head-rests of the front seats. It was all very odd.”

The rendezvous came after Alisha forgave Jermain in February 2024 for a cheating scandal that emerged months prior. In October 2023, Jermain was seen kissing wedding planner Paige Mallabourn-Edmondson very publicly, while standing outside the luxury £1,200 a night Northcote Hotel, in Lancashire.

Jermain had reportedly been dating Paige since August 2023 behind Alisha’s back, with the social media influencer having attended a red carpet event with Jermain just days before the pictures came out.

Alisha and Jermain’s troubled relationship was already formed on rocky foundations, immediately following his marriage to Donna Tierney.

Jermain and Donna met in 2021 and tied the knot in 2022 in a £200,000 ceremony at Cliveden House in Berkshire, with more than 300 guests in attendance.

In a shocking twist, Donna has claimed that Alisha was a guest at their wedding ceremony at the charming country house, and that Jermain was seeing Alisha during their marriage – which ended just seven months later.

In 2023, Donna took to social media to confirm that “infidelity” resulted in their marriage breakdown. “My love for Jermain, our vows and our marriage was 100% real to both of us. I was a devoted wife, but it takes two people to make a marriage work, no less, no more, and his infidelity eventually broke our marriage,” she wrote.

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