There was much fanfare when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle first set up home in the States. The couple were welcomed with open arms and seemed to have found their ‘ happy ever after ‘ in Montecito, California.
But fast forward five years, and much has changed. Initially, the Sussexes enjoyed huge popularity, but their constant criticisms of the royal family saw the tide start to turn. Then came claims of bullying members of their staff – which Meghan has always denied – and criticism of their work projects, with a Spotify exec famously describing them as ‘ grifters’.
Their work with Netflix has also proven to be lacklustre with their latest offerings, Polo and With Love, Meghan, failing to make the grade. Furthermore, they have been labelled ‘ disaster tourists’, and criticised for making political statements, not to mention the ongoing row over Harry’s visa application.
Now a PR expert has claimed to have an explanation as to why America seems to have turned its back on the Sussexes. Speaking on the Channel 5 show Harry and Meghan’s American Nightmare, Nick Ede revealed: “Hollywood is falling out of love with Meghan and Harry because over there you have to earn your stripes – and it really feels like they haven’t earned those stripes.
” If you are a George Clooney or an Arnold Schwarzenegger, you can get to a level where you can be a little bit political, where you can use your gravitas to really make a change. What I feel about Meghan and Harry is, they haven’t earned that so people are beginning to stop listening. “
Certainly, it’s been a brutal start to the year for Meghan and Harry. The Duchess’s lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. And at the start of 2025, Vanity Fair – which once favoured the couple – published a scathing 8, 000 word article about the Sussexes.
The cover piece, titled ‘ American Hustle’, set out what life was like ’Inside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Big Business Ambitions, 5 Years After Their Royal Exit’. It contained troubling claims about what it’s allegedly like to work for the Sussexes, complaints from their neighbours in Montecito, and the bombshell allegation that a member of Meghan’s team had reached out to a publishing house to” gauge interest “in a post-divorce book.
The article also quoted sources claiming Meghan could be” really, really awful “when things did not go her way at work and that projects often went poorly due to the couple’s ‘ demands’. Other claims include the suggestion that Harry underestimated the impact his explosive memoir Spare would have on relations with his family, that Meghan has ‘ re-parented ‘ Harry, and that the couple lacked ideas when it came to their Netflix and Spotify deals.
The Sussexes were reportedly upset by the claims made in Vanity Fair ‘ s explosive cover story. According to The Times, the couple dismissed the allegations, with a source close to them describing them at the time as ‘ distressing’.
Charlotte Dawson has revealed she’s in labour and expecting to give birth very soon.
The reality star took to her Instagram on Saturday night to reveal that despite going about her day and attending a party, the pain had become “too much” for her. She later added that it was “happening” as she and her fiancée Matt Sarsfield prepare to welcome their third child together.
Charlotte, 32, shared a video of herself and Matt as they headed to hospital, with her fiancé taking the drivers seat as they hurried to their local hospital due to how close her contractions were. But due to her contractions, Charlotte said that what she was saying may not make sense due to the level of the pain she was in.
She said: “Well guys, it’s happening, I’ve not got a contraction right now but it’s happening. Oh my God, I’ve had pains all day since 12 o’clock, I’ve been at a kids party, I’ve been walking around. Ugh, it’s just got too much, the pain. It’s every five minutes, every three to five minutes these contractions.
Charlotte’s fiancé Matt has rushed her to hospital (Instagram/charlottedawsy)
Due to the levels of her pain, she said Matt would be updating fans (Charlotte Dawson/Instagram)
“So, Matthew is going to try and update you all and make sense, so give it a follow and he’ll be updating you with Trace. ” Charlotte announced in September that she was having a little girl, admitting it was “finally” time. She shares sons Noah and Jude with Matt, both regulars on Charlotte’s social feeds. Last month, the Love Squad star shared that she was “struggling” during the final stages of her pregnancy.
On Instagram, she told her fans, ” I’m going to miss my coffee, brew, and food holder, but I am struggling right now. She’s lying on my bladder, and I feel like she’s coming every minute. ” After tagging her glam team in the post, she joked, “At least if she comes this weekend, I look a bit glowy. “
Charlotte recently joked that her family couldn’t keep a secret as her young son Noah revealed the name of his little sibling. In one video, he excitedly announced: “You’re gonna have Gigi, Penelope, Judy, me and daddy. ” “Has he just given away baby girls name,” one person asked in the comment section, with another echoing: “Did he just give away your little girls name? “
“Gigi or Penelope,” Charlotte confirmed, along with a laughing and heart emoji. In response to another fan, she joked: “After the 3rd child I don’t give a s*** anymore nothings a secret. ” She announced in August last year that she and Matt were expecting their third child, just weeks after his sexting scandal broke.
At the time, Ex on the Beach star Charlotte said: “It’s been a crazy time… Horrible, having to deal with the heartache, the hurt, and being pregnant too. ” Despite the challenges she has faced throught her pregnancy, Charlotte shared her excitement about the arrival of her baby girl. Reflecting on her growing family, she expressed: “I’ve got two boys and I’m having a baby girl, which I’m very excited about. I’ve always wanted a little princess, so as you could imagine, I am very happy about it. “
Meghan Markle has been defended by eight members of the cast and crew of her Netflix series titled, With Love, Meghan.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been subjected to intense scrutiny over their actions in recent days, five years after their bombshell announcement that they were stepping down as senior working royals. In January 2020, they announced their plans to live a more financially independent life away from the Crown and would still represent the late Queen Elizabeth.
In the latest bout of criticism against the Duchess of Sussex, sources have said that she could be “really, really awful” if she didn’t get what she wanted. It comes after the release of Meghan’s Netflix series, which has already been confirmed for another series. The show has received dire reviews, with critics and viewers alike insisting that Meghan has come across as ‘ out of touch ‘ and ‘ self-absorbed ‘ by sharing her household tips and cooking skills.
Following the release of the series, which shares a never-before-seen insight into her personal and family life with Prince Harry, and their children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, former complaints about the Duchess have come to surface again. For instance, one unnamed member of staff didn’t believe the claims that Meghan had bullied those who worked for her. But this soon changed. They said that Meghan would yell at individuals “without” raising her voice. This, happened on “any given Tuesday”, according to the staffer.
Meghan has been defended by 8 members of her Netflix show (Netflix)
“]It’s] funny that people don’t differentiate between the energy of being yelled at and literally somebody screaming at you”, they added. Meghan was subsequently dubbed a “Mean Girls teenager”, referring to the 2004 movie starting Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Seyfried.
While they were still working members of the Royal Family, several members of the household working around Harry and Meghan were allegedly forced out of their jobs. Sources claimed that one colleague, who had ties to a podcast quit after just three episodes of Archetype, Meghan’s axed Spotify podcast. Elsewhere, some took “extended breaks” in order to escape Meghan’s scrutiny before quitting.
Meanwhile, one source said that staff often undertook long-term therapy after working with the Duchess. “I think if Meghan acknowledged her own shortcomings or personal contributions to situations, rather than staying trapped in a victim narrative, her perception might be better”, they added.
However, eight members of the cast and crew of Meghan’s Netflix show have now come forward to sing her praises and dispel the previous accusations made against her which insinuate she is ‘ horrible ‘ to work with.
Harry and Meghan have a $100 million 5 year Netflix deal ((Photo by Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images))
Michael Steed, who previously worked on the Emmy-winning series Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, told PEOPLE of his role on the show: “It was unexpected, but I embraced it… it was a lot of fun. I was always going to be the point of conversation, so she had someone to talk to at all times and make it more conversational and comfortable. But it certainly evolved to where the cameras turned towards me”.
When it came to Meghan’s presence on set, Steed described the Duchess as “friendly” and approachable and said that she created a “comfortable environment” for everyone involved. “Meghan as a person is totally L. A., California, through and through”, he told the publication. “Her relationship with the crew became really tight fairly quickly. She has an understanding of what it means to be on set and she connected with the crew more than anyone”.
Of Meghan’s character, he added: “I know it sounds corny, but I really think the core of Meghan’s being is her generosity. She wants to do the extra thing, and I think that’s something everyone should take to heart”.
Meanwhile, another crew member said that they were taken back by how kind and generous Meghan was to everyone on set. The crew member told People: “Most of the time, we’re expected to fade into the background, to be invisible. But in this show, we were part of it. We were included. It was a very unique and refreshing experience”.
Meghan’s Netflix show has been confirmed for another series (JAKE ROSENBERG/NETFLIX)
The crew member added that Meghan was incredibly “warm”, “approachable” and “genuine” and that she made sure everyone felt included, from Netflix executives to the director to every PA on set. The Duchess never let anyone feel left out or as if they shouldn’t be included in the fun behind the scenes, he added.
Meghan’s guests, Chef Alice Waters, makeup artist Daniel Martin, chef Roy Choi, skin-care founder Vicky Tsai, photographer Jake Rosenberg, and designer Ryan Sax have also all gushed about the Duchess, labelling her as “professional”, “loving”, and “kind-hearted”, further dispelling the accusations made against her previously.
It comes after Meghan made a huge announcement after the success of her With Love, Meghan Netflix series. The Duchess of Sussex took to Instagram to reveal there will be a second series of the show. Sharing a video to her Stories, she wrote: “Lettuce romaine calm… or not (!) because I’m thrilled to shared that Season 2 of ‘ With Love, Meghan ‘ is coming”.
The show, which came out on Tuesday, was delayed from January because of the Los Angeles wildfires. In a statement shared by Netflix on Friday night, it was revealed that the second series of the show has already been filmed! The news another offering of With Love, Meghan is on its way will come as a surprise to some due to a wave of negative reviews from critics earlier this week.
The series, produced by Meghan, reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-to’s and candid conversation with friends, new and old. Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected. She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.
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Crew members on Britain’s Got Talent were seen warning and checking on Simon Cowell in an audition which left viewers unimpressed this weekend.
Tonight’s episode of the ITV show featured an audition by yoga instructor Kranthi DrillMan, 34, whose act included smashing watermelons with his head. He got Simon involved in the act at one point, with the judge lying on the stage, surrounded by watermelons, coconuts and pineapples. Kranthi, who had his eyes covered by fabric, was seen trying to smash the fruits with what was referred to as a sledgehammer as the other judges watched on in horror. A warning on screen advised: “Do not try this at home”.
Some fans weren’t impressed with the performance, with one viewer writing on X: “There is no way that hammer swinging idiot could not see”. Another said: “What a load of b******s! If that yoga teacher was totally blindfolded he wouldn’t hit a coconut or watermelon every single time with 100% accuracy”. A third said: “Yeah. He could see through the blindfold. Idiots, these people”. Someone else said: “Ridiculous act, of course he could see”. And one viewer wrote: “100% he can see thru that blindfold”.
Kranthi DrillMan was seen auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent on the latest episode of the ITV show (ITV)
Simon had been invited onto the stage during the audition, but by that point both Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon had pressed their buzzers over the act. Prior to Simon’s involvement, Kranthi had smashed up a coconut and a can – with the act even slipping on the stage, which had seemingly become wet, at one point.
As he headed onto the stage, a colleague told Simon: “It’s slippery up there. Be careful it’s very slippery”. He was then seen lying on the floor as someone told him: “Simon, you need to stay completely still”. A black cloth was placed over Kranthi’s face, with it referred to as a “blindfold”, and moments later a crew member checked in on Simon. After speaking to him, they said at one point: “Sure you’re happy”? Simon appeared to say “yep”.
The yoga instructor brought Simon Cowell on stage at one point for part of the act (ITV)
Kranthi was seen hitting fruits that had been placed around Simon with a sledgehammer. Amanda Holden had her hands over her mouth as she watched the act. At one point Simon moved, prompting warnings from the panel. Alesha shouted: “Don’t move! ]They] said don’t move”! Amanda went on to press her buzzer and Simon’s as that part of the act was brought to a close.
It was then suggested that Kranthi had more to show in his audition, with Amanda questioning: “Is it not over”? Alesha said: “Are you joking? No, I think you’ve done enough”! Kranthi however, following reaction from the crowd, was seen smashing open watermelons with his head.
Once it was over, Simon told BGT hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly: “That was the scariest thing, I swear to god, I have ever done”. Alesha teased: “I never wanna see that again”. Amanda later added: “That was absolutely horrifying”.
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Armie Hammer has been dealt a blow as he prepares to launch an acting comeback.
The Hollywood star saw his career come to a dramatic stop when he became involved in a cannibalism scandal and accused of violent abuse. Armie, 38, has always strongly denied the allegations. An investigation by Los Angeles Police Department in 2023 saw him cleared of the claims.
Earlier this year, it emerged that Armie had landed a new role in a Uwe Boll film which saw him fly out to Croatia to take on the lead in The Dark Knight, which isn’t linked to the 2008 Christopher Nolan Batman movie. Hammer’s character, Sanders, “takes justice into his own hands as he sets out to hunt criminals down”.
Sanders eventually becomes a hero in the eyes of locals and on social media, however, local law enforcements believe he is a danger to society and attempt to arrest him. Speaking of the film, Boll said: “The story of The Dark Knight couldn’t be a more current topic, and I’m excited to bring it to life with this excellent cast”.
Despite Hammer’s recent claims that’s inundated with work offers, sources claim many don’t want to work with him (Getty Images Europe)
But while Armie may had hoped to return to his previous status in Hollywood, sources claim that due to the allegations surrounding him, which he has previously denied – not many people want to work with him. Despite this, the source claims that he’s still being lined up for a string of roles.
“People don’t want to work with him. He’s just a dark and menacing presence”, a source told Radar Online. They added: “Audiences don’t want to see him. He’s damaged goods”. Despite this, Hammer has recently said: “I’ve got offers coming in every week, basically, to the point where I’m having to turn down jobs”.
Armie was last seen on screen in the 2022 film Death on the Nile, which was filmed in 2019. Over the summer, Hammer was probed on the cannibal allegations by Piers Morgan during an appearance on the presenter’s YouTube show. He declared: “You know what you have to do to be a cannibal? You have to have actually eaten somebody”.
Hammer went on to unequivocally confirm that he had never eaten anyone. In the exchange on ‘ Piers Morgan Uncensored’, the actor maintained that the accusations arose from agreed upon sexual acts and role play. However, he did admit to marking former girlfriend Paige Lorenze with a knife, but sturdy on the assertion that there “wasn’t even blood”.
Last month, Hammer sat down with Louis Theroux and addressed the allegations, including the texts about cannibalism. He said: “I think the most important context to give these kinds of things is they are one side of a conversation. As you’ll notice, of all of the text messages that were released, the person who released them, their side was cut out of the entire conversation.
” It makes it look like I was just rambling to myself. I mean, if you look, there’s really no response in any of the excerpts. You know, any digitally altered evidence is immediately inadmissible because you have no context. You, like, that could have been a very funny conversation between two people who were joking and pushing each other and egging each other on. In the way that sometimes you see comedians pushing the boundary further and further when they’re having a conversation. I’m not going to argue the messages. “
The Mirror approached Armie’s lawyer for comment.
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Bargain Hunt star Thomas Forrester has revealed that not everyone has been a fan of the long-running BBC daytime antiques show.
The series will celebrate its 25th anniversary next week with a special episode on Thursday 13 March, and Thomas has been remembering that legendary TV star Terry Wogan was not shy in sharing his opinion on the series when it first aired.
In a documentary about the show, Thomas, who is now 50, said he was only a “very young boy” when he joined the series. In one early episode, he and fellow antiques dealer Philip Serrell, now 70, spent more than £300 on two objects thinking they were items which would rake in the cash at auction. However, they both ended up making a huge loss when the items went under the hammer.
Thomas said: “I was a very young boy when I joined as an expert. I’d say my most memorable object was when Philip and I were at Shepton Mallet in the early 2000s. It was a prime-time show back then and on in the evening. I bought a pedal car and Philip had bought a cut-out wooden turkey fairground ride”.
Thomas Forrester is a regular on Bargain Hunt (BBC Studios)
“Now we spent over £300 on this and, the next day, Terry Wogan on the radio said ‘ I have just watched two supposed BBC experts burn through over £300 in under 20 minutes’. Sir Terry witnessed my downfall”.
On the show, viewers watch as two rival dealers guide two teams of contestants as they buy items at antique shops and fairs. They then sell their items at auction, with the winning team being the one that has made the most profit.
There has been some controversy over the upcoming Bargain Hunt documentary, as Tim Wonnacott, who hosted the show for 12 years, gets less than a minute of screen time in the anniversary special.  ,
Sir Terry Wogan was not a Bargain Hunt fan (BBC)
Tim, aged 73, hosted the antiques game show from 2003 until 2015 but quit the show for “personal reasons”. At the time, the BBC said in a statement: “We would like to thank Tim Wonnacott for his dedication to Bargain Hunt over the last twelve-years and for the great expertise that he has brought to the show in that time. Bargain Hunt will be moving in a new direction next year utilising a team of experts who present a number of shows each. Tim continues to work with the BBC on Antiques Road Trip”.
25 Years Of Bargain Hunt features famous faces from over the years including Anita Manning, Philip Serrell, Kate Bliss, Danny Sebastian and Thomas Forrester recalling their best buys and favourite moments from the past.
But one TV insider said Tim “barely gets a look-in” despite his 12 years with the show. Instead he gets just 20 seconds of airtime in clips which are flashed up on screen during the 45 minute tribute.
The anniversary show’s presenter Charlie Ross does salute Tim for being the man who introduced the famous Bargain Hunt “high kick” which the contestants and experts all do at the end of every show. Clips are shown of Tim being the first to kick his leg in the air and then later footage of everyone doing it as a gimmick to end each episode. Charlie tells viewers: “It started with Tim Wonnacott”!
25 Years of Bargain Hunt is on BBC1 on Thursday March 13
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