Category Entertainment News

Kym Marsh says making the “hardest” health decision of her life was also one of the best things she’s ever done – and is encouraging others to do the same. The former Coronation Street star has opened up about her experience with smoking as part of a new NHS campaign she’s participating in.

The former Coronation Street star explained the benefits she’s seen from quitting smoking after “dipping in and out” of the habit for decades. In an Instagram video uploaded today (March 12), she said: “Ad – Quitting smoking was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it’s also one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself.

” The turning point for me was my family – I want to be around for as long as I can for both my children and grandchildren. That’s what keeps me motivated every single day. Stopping smoking made such a difference to my life – I just felt so much better for it. “

The actress and TV presenter started smoking in her late teens and smoked on and off for 25 years but kicked the habit a few years ago. Now, she hopes her story can help encourage the nation’s six million smokers to quit like she did.

In the full video, she said:” The final turning point was my grandchildren really, and obviously my kids. I think it was becoming a grandparent, and realising I’m still fairly young to be a grandparent and I’ve got the opportunity of doing some really amazing, adventurous things with them and I don’t want to cut that short.

“I knew that I shouldn’t be smoking, because my dad had a massive cardiac arrest when he was 49, and thankfully recovered and we got him for many more years, but that was all down to the fact that he was a very, very heavy smoker.

” And I just thought ‘ Come on Kym, this should be the time when you look at your life and go, actually, I want to be around’. I’m not going to let something like what happened to my dad take me away from my grandchildren and my kids. “

Describing herself then as a” social smoker”, she said the challenge of walking away from such a damaging habit was not easy. She added:” For me, it was about trying to break that cycle of weekends and being out with my friends, choosing places that we went to that made it more difficult for smoking to be accessible, or being with people who didn’t smoke.

“I just tried to remove myself from those situations as much as possible”. She added: “Eventually, I got to the point where I felt that I didn’t miss it any more”.

Many people in the comment section rushed to support Kym for bravely sharing her story. One said: “Such a courageous thing to do especially being in television, well done”. A second said: “Well done! You’ve already achieved a lot and this is arguably the best achievement yet”.

A third put: “I agree. Best thing I ever did! 13yrs now for me”. Another added: “Quit over 20 years ago best thing I did”. Someone else agreed: “I smoked for about 5 years and giving up was one of the best things I have ever done”.

Experts claim that every cigarette you smoke knocks 20 minutes off your life. Now, consider smoking several a day, and that soon goes from minutes to years.

The NHS says it’s never too late to quit – even if you’ve been smoking for years. The earlier you quit smoking, the more you’re likely to benefit. The Better Health page of the NHS website claims: “The day you stop, your body starts clearing itself of all those nasty toxins, and the repair process begins”.

It says that some people will notice benefits within just a few days or weeks, such as improved senses of taste and smell, more energy, and easier breathing. These benefits keep coming as you rid your body of this harmful habit. After a year, your risk of heart attacks is halved compared to a smoker, and if you maintain a smoke-free life for a decade, your risk of death by cancer falls, too.

For help and support, go to the NHS ‘ dedicated Quit Smoking website here. There’s also a free app to keep you motivated and on track as you quit.

The only thing more gripping than an episode of The Traitors is the guessing game about which well known stars could be signing up for the celebrity version, and Stephen Fry is top of the list.

The 67 year old actor, presenter and comedian, who was knighted in the New Year’s Honours List this year, appeared on This Morning today to talk about his new series of Jeopardy, but was quizzed by hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard about whether he will be appearing on Celebrity Traitors. Ben asked Stephen if he would be on The Traitors, and Stephen appeared to not know much about the series, teasing: “It’s a BBC show, isn’t it? It’s an interesting show. Do you think they’re going to do a celebrity version”?

While he neither confirmed or denied whether he would be appearing on the celebrity edition, he did hint that if he was asked, he would be an expert contestant as he successfully dodged Ben’s questions. When Ben asked: “Would you be interested in doing a show like that”, Stephen replied by saying: “Let me see how good I am at lying”, and smiled at the camera.

After further questioning as to whether he would be better as a Traitor or a Faithful on the show, Stephen said: “I think of myself as a faithful person, but if one says they’re honest, one is dishonest. We all tell white lies and when I was a teenager, I was a fantasist. I said my father was an airline pilot for one group of people, he was a spy for others, that sort of typical thing teenagers do”.

“He’s evading the question, isn’t he”? Ben noted, and Stephen pointed out that “If I were asked, I would be kicked out if I spoke about it”!

Stephen isn’t the only celebrity who has been tipped to appear on Celebrity Traitors, which is due to film at Ardross Castle in April. England rugby star Joe Marler, presenter Clare Balding, singer Paloma Faith and Olympic diver Tom Daley have all been tipped for the show. However, the BBC are remaining tight-lipped, telling The Mirror: “The Traitors is a game that includes lies and deception, thus it would be foolhardy for any Faithful to speculate before the game has begun”.

Host Claudia Winkleman will return for the first season of the new show, and has remained tight-lipped about which celebs will be joining her. Speaking to Radio Times, she hinted that all things were possible – including having a showbiz pal sign up. “I haven’t vetoed anyone, but I think it would be hard if a great friend did it”, she said.

She was also very cagey about whether the series had started filming, simply saying: “The weather has been pretty tricky lately don’t you think? Lots of rain the other day”.

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Australian singer Tash Sultana have revealed a devastating health update in a heartbreaking new song.

The musician, 29, shared a new track on Instagram as a way to reveal the devastating personal news. The Jungle singer, dedicated their new tune titled Hold On to their wife Jaimie Sultana. They revealed their wife was diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2024.

Tash revealed the pair’s world “stopped” following a phone call just days before Christmas. In the announcement, Tash shared a clip in which they performed the song with tears in their eyes. They captioned the upload: “I wrote this song for my partner who was diagnosed with cancer at the end of last year.

” We didn’t have many answers at the time. It was completely unexpected, and navigating the news was turbulent, but we are getting through it together, one step at a time. “

They shared a number of separate posts too, saying:” Some songs come from a place deeper than music. This one came from one of the hardest moments of my life. If you’ve ever felt like life was slipping through your hands, this song is for you. “

Tash, who uses they/them pronouns, said the tumour had turned cancerous and had been left undetected. In an emotional update, Tash recently shared a video, in which they said:” This is why I make music. “It comes after they had asked fans to tell them how the song made them feel. In the upload, they shared several messages from followers who had connected with the tune. One wrote:” Just the right time. Thanks, Tash. “

Another said:” I was diagnosed with cancer a few days after Christmas last year. Lymphoma. It was a hell of a year but I’m now in remission. I wish I had this song at the start of my journey. Thanks you for your art. “A third emotionally shared:” My dad is sill battling cancer and kidney failure.

“He’s currently on dialysis. his song really speaks to my feelings on this hard time and I’m sorry you and your partner are going through this. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. Thank you for writing this song”.

Tash and Jaimie first went public with their relationship in 2020. Jaimie is online entrepreneur known for marketing handcrafted botanical goods, crystals, and jewellery through their Bohemian Spirit Collective website.

Tash is ready to go on their Return To The Roots tour in June. It will see them performing gigs across the US with Australian band Lime Cordiale. They initially rose to fame thanks to their 2016 hit tune titled Jungle.

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A fan favourite Traitors star is set to make their presenting debut after landing a gig with a huge radio station.

Classic FM has signed up Alexander Dragonetti – star of the most recent series of The Traitors and one of the Faithful finalists – to host a new five-part series, starting Friday March 14 at 9pm.

A former British diplomat, Alexander rose to fame from being in the most recent series of the BBC reality show, The Traitors. Beginning as one of 22 contestants, he became a finalist after completing a selection of challenges and games in the Scottish Highlands.

In Trust Me, It’s A Classic, Alexander will celebrate some of the biggest and most famous pieces of classical music, alongside music which means the most to him personally. The series will be broadcast every Friday from 9pm to 10pm on Classic FM and Global Player, where the series will also be available on catch up.

Across the series, Alexander will play his favourite classical music pieces and reveal why they are special to him. They include Beethoven Symphony No. 7, which Alexander first heard while at university, a recording by classical singer Fatma Said that reminds him of his time spent as a diplomat in the Middle East, and Le Onde by Ludovico Einaudi, which helped him following the death of his younger brother.

Dragonetti opened up on The Traitors show about his late brother, who had Global Developmental Delay and autism. At the time, he said that if he were to win, he would donate some of his prize money to Mencap – an organisation which offers support to those with learning disabilities. However, despite not winning, Dragonetti was able to raise a huge sum, inspiring thousands to donate to Mencap, resulting in over £70, 000 of donations.

Alexander Dragonetti said: “I’m a big fan of Classic FM – so it’s an honour to be part of such an iconic station. I love how it makes classical music so accessible, including people like me who are still learning! There’s a saying that ‘ music isn’t meant to be heard – it’s meant to be felt’.

” I’d like to share the music that really makes me feel – happiness, joy, sadness, reflection – and see if it does the same for you. Come join me on a journey to explore these and many more pieces I don’t yet know – discovering the music, the people that wrote it, and the emotions they create. “

Philip Noyce, Classic FM’s Managing Editor, said:” He’s just starred in one of the biggest TV programmes, so we’re really excited to welcome Alexander to the Classic FM family as the host of our new Friday night series. His passion for classical music is infectious, so it’s great that he’s sharing his most faithful classics with our listeners over the next five weeks and telling us why we can put our trust in them. “

Trust Me, It’s A Classic with Alexander Dragonetti is broadcast on Fridays, 9pm to 10pm, on Classic FM, available across the UK on Global Player – the official Classic FM app – on your smart speaker, iOS or Android device, and on 100-102 FM, DAB+ digital radio and TV and at ClassicFM.com.

Danny Jones ‘ wife, Georgia, has failed to flag his birthday on social media after the singer’s drunken kiss with Maura Higgins.

The McFly singer, 39, shocked fans when he appeared to lock lips with his I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! co-star, 34, at the BRIT Awards after party on March 1 after reportedly spending much of the evening with Maura.

Neither Danny or Georgia have commented on the scandal, but they were papped on Tuesday walking together, cutting glum figures amid reports they are taking a break from their relationship. Adding further fuel to those rumours, Georgia has failed to wish her husband a Happy Birthday on Instagram, despite famous faces including his McFly bandmate, Tom Fletcher, and I’m A Celebrity co-stars, Alan Halsall and Coleen Rooney, wishing the singer many happy returns of the day.

Former Miss England, Georgia, who shares seven-year-old son, Cooper, seven, with Danny, has maintained a dignified silence since news of the scandal at the BRITs broke. However, she was seen with her husband, nursing a coffee in Richmond, southwest London on Tuesday.

It had seemed that the couple were united following the photographs, however Danny and Georgia are “now on a break and are living apart from each other”, according to reports today.

A friend told Mail Online: “It has been overwhelming and she needs time to process what has happened. Only then can she begin to talk about the future. They are now on a break and are living apart from each other”.

They added: “She is furious – not just with her husband’s actions, but with all the chaos this has brought to their lives, particularly for their young son Cooper. All she wants to do is protect her boy from this mess”. Another source told the publication Danny had committed the “ultimate betrayal”.

The McFly star is yet to speak out on his eyebrow-raising evening at the BRITs whereas Maura hot-footed it to L. A after news of the illicit kiss broke.

She was said to be “in a really bad way and really struggling” according to pals who have rallied behind her in the wake of the scandal.

Friends of the former ring girl from Ireland say that the last week has been “horrendous” as she has been deluged with “horrific” trolling on her social media.

Speaking to the Mirror, her pal said: “Maura is a tough character but the reaction to events of the last week has been utterly relentless, and it’s fair to say it’s taken its toll. She has found all of this very difficult to navigate. She appreciates she’s in the public eye and there is extra interest around her, but the abuse is off the charts, and people need to calm down”.

However, she appears to have put the drama to one side for now though, after posing a snap of a car full of cowgirl clothes in Los Angeles ahead of her “exciting shoot” in the US today.

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Former Married at First Sight groom Nathan Campbell made his red carpet debut as a couple with a reality TV star that he’s been linked recently at an event this week.

Nathan, 25, and former Love Island star Abi Moores, 26, were rumoured to have begun a romance after reportedly meeting earlier this year. The pair have since made their red carpet debut together at a party celebrating BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend this week.

Big Weekend will be held in Liverpool this year – with the line-up for the event in May announced just days ago – but a host of celebrities were at a launch event in London last night. The special occasion, which included a performance from headliner Tom Grennan, was held at the Standard.

Nathan and Abi were among the guests, with the apparent couple posing for photos together at the venue. Nathan – who appeared on MAFS last year – opted to wear a black top, jacket, trousers and shoes. Abi – who was on Love Island in 2023 – coordinated in a matching black jacket dress for the star-studded event. They also shared content from the event on their respective Instagram Stories but didn’t show each other.

The pair were joined at the event by the likes of Nathan’s former co-stars Emma Barnes and Hannah Norburn, as well as Love Island’s Wil Anderson and Uma Jammeh. Several BBC Radio presenters were among the other guests, including Greg James, Melvin Odoom and Vick Hope.

Nathan going public with Abi comes following speculation of a potential relationship recently. It was reported by the Sun last week that they have been “quietly dating” after meeting earlier this year and the outlet teased that they had been going from “strength to strength” in the relationship.

Amid the rumour, it was claimed that his ex Lacey Martin, 27, was not impressed. A source told the Sun: “Lacey can’t believe after Nathan making out she was the fame hungry one he’s now seeing a girl from Love Island. She feels like this is what he always wanted and that’s fame. […] She thinks the whole thing is for publicity and proves her point that it wasn’t a one way street he wanted a showmance too”.

Nathan and Lacey had been matched on the latest series of MAFS UK, which aired on E4 just last year. They began a romance on the show but later decided to part ways after leaving the experiment. During a reunion special, which aired last month, Nathan claimed that Lacey wanted a “fake” relationship after they split up. He told her at one point in their tense discussion: “I didn’t come here for a showmance”. Lacey replied: “Neither did I”.

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