Category Entertainment News

Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell has opened up on overhauling his lifestyle, including his morning routine, after realising he needed to make a change upon welcoming son Eric

Having helped launch the careers of artists including One Direction and Little Mix, Simon Cowell is one of the most recognisable faces in showbiz. After starting out as a mailroom clerk at EMI Music Publishing, Simon’s career trajectory saw him become a music mogul as the creator of talent shows The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

Amid his success 65-year-old Simon has opened up on the morning routine that’s helped fuel his success, though has revealed that he’s overhauled it in recent years. Over a decade ago, the TV personality would go to bed in the early hours of the morning after his lifestyle led him to develop an irregular sleeping pattern.

“I was like a vampire. I realised I was going to sleep between 5 and 7 in the morning, and then the trouble with that is no matter if you get six hours or eight hours you always wake up tired,” he told Terri Seymour on ITV’s Lorraine in 2019. “That’s the problem, because you’re not supposed to do that.”

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During an interview with GQ magazine in 2011, Simon gave fans a peek inside his old morning routine, with the publication stating that he’d eaten the “same breakfast every day for about five years”. According to the publication, after resetting his alarm’s snooze button twice, he’d tuck into a breakfast of hot water with papaya juice and lime and then three smoothies – a spinach one, an antioxidant one, and a super smoothie containing seven fruits.

“I love to wake up in a good mood and look forward to what’s coming,” he said. “As soon as that tray is put in front of me, I can’t wait to have it. I like looking forward to things.”

However, in 2019 he revealed that he’d given his morning routine a dramatic makeover. Rather than going to sleep when many people wake up, the Britain’s Got Talent star explained how he changed his approach after becoming a dad to his son Eric, who was born in 2014.

“I now go to sleep at 10, I now have breakfast at 8:30. It’s almost like a complete reversal,” he said on Lorraine. When asked about how his previous sleep pattern impacted being a dad, he explained: “That was a big part of it, it just didn’t feel right. I couldn’t explain to someone his age I’d been working all night and I’m tired in the afternoon.

“It bothered me, so I thought, I’m just gonna do it’, and once I did it, it was simple.” As well as changing his sleeping pattern, in 2020 Simon revealed how he kicks off his mornings with a gruelling spot of exercise. In BGT spin-off Unseen Bits, Simon said he did press-ups “150 times before I come to work, in about three goes”.

Meanwhile, in 2022 Simon gave an update on his breakfast situation as he explained that he still enjoys a smoothie to kick off his day. But rather than reaching for three, he now tucks into a “green smoothie” and no-sugar Alpen alongside some tea with oat milk, he told The Sun.

When it comes to lunch, he added that he’d have grilled tomatoes and some soup and revealed he’d often go out for dinner but not eat a thing while there. “I’m not a big eater,” he said. “I don’t enjoy it that much. I’d rather have a beer than eat, any day of the week.

“Sometimes when we are going out for dinner because I know I’m going to hate the food, I have baked beans on toast before I go, then eat nothing. When you go to one of these ghastly big parties, or weddings, where the food is horrific, I just can’t deal with that.”

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Nicola Peltz’s reported feud with David and Victoria Beckham has reached a new level as friends of both parties spoke out about their fractured family relationship

Nicola Peltz has been described as “obsessive” for wearing Victoria’s blue and white Dolce & Gabbana biker jacket last year. It follows the explosion of Victoria and David’s reported feud with their daughter-in-law, whose friends accused the famous couple of “emotional abuse and toxic behaviour” last night.

Earlier this month, reports of a rift between Brooklyn Beckham and the rest of his family were further fuelled when the 26-year-old failed to show up with Nicola to his dad’s 50th birthday bash in Notting Hill, despite being in London at the time. A source close to Brooklyn and Nicola later claimed that Victoria and David “refused” to see the couple privately ahead of the birthday do, even though they had “travelled all the way to London specifically to try to repair the relationship”.

But after a friend of Nicola’s alleged that the American heiress had helped Brooklyn “see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family”, a source close to the Beckham has hit back. They said that the claims were a “deeply unpleasant attack” that is “ludicrous and patently untrue”. A second source also accused Nicola of using the Beckham name when it suited her.

“How the Beckhams have been cast as unsupporting is ridiculous when they have been regularly posting about her endeavours to their millions of followers,” they said, referring to Nicola’s film career.

“But what makes the current situation even more galling is how Nicola appears to relish the association with the family name when it suits her.”

The source referred to Nicola wearing the same blue and white Dolce & Gabbana biker jacket last February that Victoria had famously worn to watch Manchester United in 2001. While outlets at the time had reported that Nicola had been “granted access to her mother-in-law’s personal archive of noughties fashion”, friends of the Beckhams have said that this was not the case.

“If not obsessive, it was definitely the most bizarre behaviour especially given relations weren’t the greatest anyway in the wake of the wedding,” one friend alleged.

Meanwhile, friends of Nicola claimed that the jacket was bought for her by her mum in September 2023, “not knowing Victoria had worn it”. They added: “Nicola however did recognize the jacket and thought it was sweet to wear something her mother in law had worn. Nicola has only ever attempted to be close to the Beckhams as she’s close with her own family.”

James Martin has been open about his weight loss journey, which saw him drop from 17 stone to 14 stone. The chef has shared the unusual sandwich he loves to eat for lunch

TV chef James Martin has shared his penchant for a “controversial” but “off the charts” lunch that he’s adored since childhood, despite recently shedding an impressive 3st.

The culinary maestro, known for his appearances on Ready, Steady Cook, slimmed down from 17 stone to 14 stone after taking part in Strictly Come Dancing nearly two decades ago. He says the transformation also meant he found it easier getting into his beloved sports cars.

James has been quite candid about his dietary overhaul, which involved cutting back on sugary sodas and incorporating more fish. However, he admits there’s one particular lunchtime treat he can’t resist.

During a chat on the Good Food podcast with Samuel Goldsmith last year, James divulged his recipe for this unique sandwich, a throwback to his younger days. He acknowledges it might not win any healthy eating awards, but insists it’s a must-try, reports Devon Live.

James detailed the creation process: “People are going to freak out about this but you have to try it. You need white sliced bread, not fancy ciabatta or sourdough, your cheapest white sliced bread, the thin one, then you butter it, but you butter it in chunks, so you slice the butter and that sits on it.

“Here’s the controversial bit. You take a banana, put it in a bowl, mush it up, spread that on it. Take a Cadbury’s Flake, sprinkle that on it.

“A few plain crisps, put the bread on it, press it down, wrap it in clingfilm, leave it in a rucksack for about a day, somewhere warm, and then eat it. Off the charts.

“Heston Blumenthal will have a dish, I swear to God. That used to be my go-to sandwich as a kid. It’s weird but it’s ace.”

James shared that he used to relish the sandwich as a youngster. He would often forget to eat his lunch, instead finding the sandwich in his backpack the next day and devouring it.

On the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast, James expressed surprise at his survival given his unusual diet. He remarked: “Looking at this diet, it’s a wonder I’m still alive really.”

James has previously disclosed that he managed to shed weight without resorting to the gym. Instead, he claims to walk extensively every day.

In an interview with Best magazine, he revealed: “I have a gym upstairs, but I haven’t used it though. I do about 20 to 30,000 steps a day walking my dogs.”

The NHS advocates for a brisk 10 to 15 minute walk each day as part of an adult’s recommended 150 minutes of exercise. It highlights walking as a “sometimes overlooked” form of exercise that can boost stamina, burn calories, and promote heart health.

Chatting with Mark, James confessed his love for racing cars, but admitted he had difficulty getting out of them before shedding weight. He stated: “It comes down to the fact that I race cars, or I still try and race a few cars and I actually struggle to get out of them now.

“Getting in them, you kind of fall in them, but then you’ve got to get out of them and it just doesn’t look very good.”

The chef will be returning with James Martin’s Saturday Morning at 9.30am on ITV One. James will be serving up food for former model Jodie Kidd while enjoying recipes from Aktar Islam, Emily Scott, and Corrin Harrison.

Managing her ex Liam Payne’s £24m fortune for their son is a huge added pressure for heartbroken Cheryl, a source has revealed following the One Direction singer’s tragic death

Seven months after Liam Payne tragically fell to his death from a hotel balcony, his ex partner Cheryl Tweedy has been given the responsibility of managing the £24m fortune he left behind. Court documents published last week revealed the 31-year-old One Direction star didn’t make a will prior to his death, and Cheryl and music industry lawyer Richard Bray now have responsibility for administering his estate, including his property, money and possessions.

Cheryl, 41, and Liam were together for two years until 2018 and split just over a year after their son Bear was born. Shortly after Liam’s death, a heartbroken Cheryl wrote on Instagram she was “navigating this earth shattering event” and “working through her grief at this indescribably painful time”.

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A source claims the Girls Aloud singer is now relying on a close-knit circle of friends and focusing on trying to be “the best possible mum” to Bear, now eight. “Liam not leaving a will means Cheryl is front and centre of what’s happening now,” they told us. “It’s a really sad situation and a lot for one person to handle.”

Maria Bailey, founder of Grief Specialists, a social enterprise supporting anyone experiencing grief, says when a loved one doesn’t leave a will – or a will doesn’t match expectations – it often sparks feelings of confusion, hurt and anger, on top of the sadness of the loss itself.

“You can’t have a conversation with the person, so you can’t find out their wishes, or their reasoning,” she explains. “This can feel overwhelming. Going through a bereavement is already emotionally complex, and unexpected responsibilities, like being named executor of an estate, can intensify that experience.

“When there’s no will, you can be thrust into emotionally and legally charged situations, which can lead to feelings of shock, resentment, guilt or anxiety, especially if family dynamics are strained, or if decisions are unclear.”

Liam died of “internal and external haemorrhage” and multiple traumatic injuries after falling from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on 16 October. The Argentinian prosecutor’s office said shortly afterwards that tests found traces of cocaine, alcohol and a prescription antidepressant in his body.

In December, five people were charged in connection with the tragic death, including the hotel’s manager and the receptionist, and a friend of Liam’s, but these charges were dropped earlier this year.

Two other hotel employees were also charged with supplying cocaine to the Liam on the night he died.

His funeral was held in Amersham in Buckinghamshire in November, and was attended by a string of A-listers including his former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik, as well as Simon Cowell, Cheryl and Bear, and his girlfriend at the time, Kate Cassidy.

Cheryl, along with Richard Bray, now has responsibility for managing the estate – which totals £24.3m once debts and expenses have been paid – but can’t distribute it just yet.

Maria believes it’s important for someone in a position like Cheryl’s to find “emotional space to grieve” as well as practical help, to work through the logistics of managing an estate without a will.

She adds, “Grief isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ experience, but people often cycle through emotions such as anger, sadness and confusion, especially when there are unresolved issues, or surprises relating to the estate.

“Being made responsible for another person’s legacy can stir up additional emotions, such as doubt, or heaviness, and might also raise questions, such as ‘Why me?’ or ‘What would they have wanted?’”

After splitting from Cheryl, Liam had a three-year relationship with model and actress Maya Henry, who told a magazine earlier this year that her ex was “unrecognisable” when he took drugs and she ended their relationship because “staying in his world meant losing herself”.

At the time of his death, Liam was dating model and influencer Kate Cassidy, who claimed a week after the fall that the pair had hoped to marry. Posting a tribute to Liam on her Instagram account, the 26-year-old wrote, “A few weeks ago, we sat outside on a beautiful evening manifesting our lives together.

“I keep your note close, even though you told me not to look at it. It said, ‘Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever.’”

It’s been speculated that Kate won’t receive any money from Liam’s estate. In UK law, spouses and children are usually first to claim an estate, which means Cheryl is likely to put the money in a trust for Bear.

The Newcastle-born performer will be making the decisions alongside lawyer Richard Bray, who has “represented many high profile artists, performers, managers, record labels, publishers and senior executives” in the 36 years since he qualified, according to Bray & Krais legal practice.

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Simon Cowell was left “absolutely devastated” by the sudden death of Liam Payne, according to close friend Sinitta – who, in an exclusive interview, has revealed for the first time how the music mogul broke down in tears during an emotional phone call.

Pop star Sinitta has revealed for the first time Simon Cowell’s heartbreaking reaction to the sudden death of Liam Payne, describing how the music mogul “sobbed down the phone” to her, and was “absolutely devastated.” Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, the singer and stage star – who mentored alongside Cowell on The X Factor and was one of the first in the world to spot Liam’s talent – recalled the shocking moment she heard the news.

She revealed during an exclusive chat with OK!: “On the night it happened I had gone to bed early but left my phone on in the other room,” she explained. “I kept hearing it clicking with new messages. In the morning, I saw the messages and was in complete shock. I literally couldn’t speak. It was like living through a nightmare.”

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Sinitta, 61, first met Liam when he auditioned for The X Factor at the age of 14, impressing the judges with his mature vocals. Though he didn’t make it through the first time, Simon and Sinitta both urged him to return – and he did, aged 16, where he was famously placed into One Direction during the 2010 series.

“To me, he was still that little boy who made it all the way to Barbados [for Judges’ Houses] because he was determined to be on the show, ” she said. “Simon and I loved him and begged him to come back. He did – and ended up being the lead singer in One Direction. You never expect anyone younger than you to suddenly die.”

Sinitta added that she “couldn’t stop thinking about Cheryl and Bear,” referring to Liam’s ex-girlfriend Cheryl, and their son. “All I could think about was Cheryl and Bear,” she told us. Later that day, Sinitta reached out to her close friend Simon Cowell – whom she’s known for over 40 years. What she heard on the other end of the phone has stayed with her ever since.

“He was absolutely devastated,” she said. “I hadn’t heard him so upset since his mum died. He sobbed down the phone to me. He couldn’t contain his emotions – it was hard to know what to say to him.”

Despite his grief, Simon later attended Liam’s funeral and comforted the singer’s parents – something Sinitta says shows his strength and character. “It was very brave of him to be able to go to the funeral and comfort Liam’s parents,” she added.

Liam tragically died in October 2024 at the age of 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. The incident sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, with tributes flooding in from friends, fans and former bandmates. Five individuals were initially charged in connection with Liam’s death.

However, three – including Liam’s close friend Roger Nores – have since had those charges dropped. Legal proceedings are still happening – with Liam’s nearest and dearest continuing to grieve the star.

Sinitta is starring as Mama Morton in Chicago The Musical. For dates and ticket information, see chicagothemusical.com

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EXCLUSIVE: Casualty star Olly Rix has revealed that conversations surrounding him taking on the role of James Bond are ‘exciting’ after an unexpected encounter with Al Pacino

A Casualty star has revealed there are “exciting” conversations surrounding the upcoming casting of the next James Bond. Olly Rix, who stars in the BBC One medical drama as Flynn Byron, has certainly made a name for himself since he burst into the medical drama earlier this year.

But the no-nonsense clinical lead of Wyvern’s emergency department has caught the eye of Hollywood icon, Al Pacino and his daughter Julie. Currently, speculation is rife as to who will take over the role of James Bond following Daniel Craig’s decision to step down in 2021 after the movie No Time To Die.

Currently, Godfather legend Al and his daughter Julie are working together on a project, commissioning portraits of who they think the next British actor could be to take on the 007 role. One of the stars is Olly, 40. “Al Pacino and Julie Pacino are set to come to the UK,” Olly exclusively told the Mirror.

He went on to add: “She’s asked me to be part of a portrait portfolio of British actors that she feels could assume the role, assume the mantle. I mean, it’s amazing. It’s such an extraordinary thing to be thought of and to think they are discussing you. Al Pacino is one of the reasons I wanted to be an actor.

“She’s an amazing photographer and a director as well. What an amazing thing to be asked to be part of. Daniel Craig was the definitive Bond for me, he was my favourite.” Olly revealed that when the film came out, he watched No Time To Die three times at the cinema in the space of around 36 hours.

“I love the role and to see what Amy Pascal and David Heyman might be planning next is so exciting,” he said. He added: “I’m here with held breath like everybody else. It’s a really exciting moment and such a great conversation – let’s see what happens.” But while Olly acts for a living, he was almost a real-life James Bond.

While studying at Oxford University, the actor was approached by the secret intelligence services and encouraged to apply for a job. “I began the vetting process and at the same time I’d applied to drama school,” he said, before revealing he’d won a scholarship to study acting.

Ultimately, Olly withdrew from the vetting process but, to his amazement, received a letter from the secret services wishing him well in his career. He added: “They were hoping one day I’d assume that role and would be watching and waiting. I thought that was the best. In the grand scheme of the business, it’s meaningless, but on a personal level, it’s lovely, and it’s something that I’ve always carried with me.

“It’s always felt like the role has been there somewhere; it felt like it’s crossed paths a few times.” Earlier this year, it was announced by Amazon MGM Studios that Amy Pascal and David Heyman would be producing the next Bond film after Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handed over the creative rights, but they will remain co-directors.

Although speculation over who will take over as Bond is rife, Olly certainly has a busy few months in the emergency department. After joining Casualty, he admitted it was a “collaborative process” between himself, series producer Liza Mellody for Olly to step into the role of Flynn.

“The character himself, we had such an exciting conversation about him,” he revealed, admitting he “threw suggestions in” for his character. Olly’s research for the character saw him take inspiration from the special forces, given Flynn’s background in the forces. His first episode saw the camera focus from Flynn’s point of view, after being admitted as a patient following a car incident.

Speaking of his role, Olly said: “Flynn doesn’t come in like any good character, he doesn’t come in static or fully formed, unevolving entity. If the audience sticks with him and goes with him, they’re going to go on a journey. That’s why we did the research and the character we began to wrench him out of that context and put him in an NHS world and people that he has to treat very differently, and watching him discover himself in a new environment. It becomes a bit of a redemption arc for Flynn.”

In the weeks to come, Flynn’s character will be tested more than ever when Rida Amaan exposes wrongdoing by his father-in-law, consultant Russell Whitelaw. Viewers have seen Russell’s behaviour continue to worsen at the workplace, with allegations of misconduct against female members of staff.

“That becomes really the sort of centrepiece of the box set, and that and that moral dilemma,” said Olly. He added: “I think what you’re seeing being set up and something that we really explore is ‘Who is this man? When the chips are down, what does he do? Is he brave? Despite personal consequences, does he tugtail and run?’

“We’ve introduced this high-functioning, very competent alpha-male personality who’s come from that world, and we’re saying no,w ‘Can you do it when it counts?'” Russell will later give Flynn an ultimatum – if he exposes his wrongdoing, he’ll make sure Flynn won’t see his wife Claire and their children.

“That’s really the kicker – Russell can potentially leverage Flynn’s silence,” he revealed, before adding: “They’re not actively at war, they’re not fighting. He’s saying, providing you don’t do anything, I won’t do anything. Flynn has to choose to step into that fire and say ‘I’m going to risk it all, or he won’t.”

One thing that is important to Rix is the reality and sensitivity surrounding certain topics of the show – including death in the emergency department. “I don’t think any of us are exempt from these issues,” he said. Last weekend, fans saw the death of Cara, who was being treated for cancer. Cara had initially been planning to go home before suffering a seizure and later dying.

Olly said: “To use that story as an example, most of us know somebody who has been affected by cancer and their lives have been touched by that, and they’ve had to deal with that. The cast and the actors are no different, the same with the crew and writers.

“I think it’s one of the things that makes Casualty such an enduring piece, it speaks to everybody on some level. When you’re in an ED, you can run the entire spectrum of human emotion because you’re going to be faced with it all, from birth to death, from cradle to grave.”

One of Olly’s favourite dynamics is that of Flynn and Dr Rash Masum – who he has recently butted heads with. “I enjoyed it from the off,” Olly grinned. He added: “I liked that I sort of put his nose out of joint initially, as an actor, it was an interesting thing to do. I was hoping that we would get the payoff that I think we’re going to get. Ultimately, there’s no lack of professional respect or courtesy, yes, he quite brutally fired somebody and that upset Rash.

“But I think all Flynn is ever asking of Rash is that he steps up and gives his best because he’s such an outstanding doctor. I think Flynn, from the off, sees something worth nurturing in Rash and tries to bring out some self-belief and self-confidence as the ranking elder.” One thing Olly is sure about – Flynn can hold his own. “He can own his failings, he can own his blind spots and face them,” he said, adding: “He does have a sort of energy that means he can attack things pretty aggressively and pretty quickly, often pretty effectively.

“But he’s not afraid to confront his failings. Of course, it’s gathering pace in the background but that becomes a central question of the entire box set. Is his biggest failing and biggest issue – is he going to face those? We’re seeing good signs so far, but we’ll see.” He also teased an “interesting story” about Flynn and councillor Anna Mills, whom he has been seen getting close to in recent weeks.

Away from his work on Casualty, Olly recently headed to Battersea Cats and Dogs Home – a visit that was supported by the charity’s very first ambassador, David Gandy. Olly is keen to work with the charity. “It’s phenomenal, I can’t speak highly enough of that organisation,” he smiled before saying: “Like anybody else who’s ever sat and watched Paul O’Grady, and for good reason.

“They’ve got this incredible list of ambassadors, David Gandy, Tom Hardy and the late Paul O’Grady. I’ve always admired what they’ve done and how they’ve used their position to campaign for the organisation. So the most wonderful surprise, David’s team organised a visit for me to the institution and I went and spent three or four hours with all the dogs and the staff.”

Olly met with the staff who showed him around the centre and explained how Battersea is run and how they function. He said: “Doing anything with them is just the easiest proposition. I love animals, and more than that, I adore dogs. I really do. I have a dog who came into my life at a time when I needed it. I’m another of those people who’s had a dog save them. Couldn’t think of anything more fulfilling and beautiful to be involved with. I really hope that continues, so it was wonderful to have the support of David Gandy on my visit.”

Casualty airs tonight at 9.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.