Category Entertainment News

Love Island star Laura Anderson was ‘hurt’ about a backlash to her recent luxury holiday with boyfriend Clark, but the devoted single mum is unapologetic about taking time for herself

Love Island star Laura Anderson snapped back at trolls last week who cruelly shamed her for going on her first child-free holiday with her sportsman boyfriend – and now a source claims the 36-year-old is feeling “hurt” about the backlash she has received. Laura had kept fans up to date about her luxury Maldives holiday with her partner, Dundee player Clark Robertson, 31, sharing a series of stunning, loved-up snaps from their exotic getaway.

But rather than be happy for her first holiday with the footballer, some fans decided to call out the single mum – who has previously posted her trips with her daughter, as well as sweet videos with her at home – for not bringing 21-month-old Bonnie along. Now, a source claims to OK! that the online backlash has been deeply unpleasant for the mum-of-one – but she’s doing her best not to let it get under her skin.

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“Being heavily trolled has been upsetting for Laura, as it would be for anyone. In her eyes, it’s bullying behaviour,” they claim. “Much of it seems to come from women, and that hurts her – she’s a strong, single mum and she feels women should be supporting other women not attacking them.”

Laura shares her adorable tot Bonnie with her ex, Hollyoaks actor Gary Lucy, who she met during her stint on Celebs Go Dating in 2022. The pair split a year into their relationship before Bonnie was born, with Gary, 43, publicly announcing their break-up just one day after Laura’s announcement of her pregnancy. Laura was also criticised by some after revealing that the Maldives break had been gifted to her.

One wrote, “I don’t understand society! I mean, I get why companies give free holidays like this to promote. “But imagine if they allowed people who wouldn’t normally experience these types of things and let them promote on social media. Like underpaid nurses, doctors, paramedics, firemen and the people that put out so much into society.”

Others, however, were firmly in Laura’s corner – pointing out that as an influencer, it was her job to promote companies to her 1.5m Instagram followers.

One penned, “It’s called a PR stay. It’s her job, she has over 1.5 million followers she is able to promote this to. It’s how she earns a living.” Straight-talking Scot Laura swiftly hit back at the nasty online trolls who tried to guilt-trip her about her picture-perfect getaway, posting a video on social media where she more than set the record straight.

“Just to clarify, I do not feel guilty at all for holidaying without my child. Neither should you! Bonnie and I have holidayed together a lot and it’s pretty obvious I’m a lone parent and look after her myself. l 100% deserve as many breaks as I see fit,” she said, clearly upset. “I truly worry about the children of the women judging online and spreading hate. Spend your time reading your child a book instead of trolling me.”

She added defiantly, “I’m also not afraid to say I know l am an unbelievable mother, so your trolling doesn’t affect me. It just makes me sad that my daughter is growing up in a world like this. I truly hope you heal.” The source goes on to claim, “Laura doesn’t feel she’s done anything wrong – apart from having a good time on holiday with her boyfriend, and sharing her posts, like many of us do.

“She adores her daughter and is absolutely devoted to her. It’s horrible for her to read these comments – but she’s her own woman, she won’t let it stop her living her life or let it destroy her happiness.”

And the grass, as they say, is not always greener. Opening up last December, Laura – who was a runner-up on Love Island in 2018, bravely admitted, “Single working mothers how do you do it? I’m so overwhelmed atm! I don’t usually suffer from anxiety but my God I cannot sleep from worry and work is just getting on top of me. I know I’m lucky and I hate being that person who moans but my God there are not enough hours in the day. Trying to keep it together.”

Cruel trolls and single mum struggles aside, things are looking good for Laura – who just weeks ago gave fans a sneak peek of her huge new home, with a vast garden and beautiful sea views. And, as for her love story with Clark, the pair seem to be going from strength to strength since going public with their romance last October.

Opening up previously about how they first got together, Laura admitted, “It’s not very romantic, he messaged me online, I saw it about three years later and replied and here we are. It’s nice, it’s chilled, no drama, just simple. A good Scottish boy, I can’t complain.”

As Laura said in her recent Instagram Story, there will always be someone who is richer or doing better than you in life – “whatever better is”. Be jealous if that’s what you feel, she says, but “don’t judge that person because of it”.

As Wimbledon approaches, now’s the time to shop for the perfect accessory to complete your Wimbledon look – and this strawberry clutch from Joe Brown may be just the ticket

Beyond the Royal and celebrity guests and the tennis, Wimbledon is best known for its strawberries and cream. A national delicacy that has become synonymous with the sporting event, there’s no reason to say the strawberries have to be restricted to just snacks.

Currently up for grabs at Joe Brown is this Sweet Strawberry-Shaped Clutch Bag that’s sure to be a winner at Wimbledon. Touted as “gorgeous and really funky” by a thrilled shopper who secured their own, this woven clutch bag is sure to turn heads and elevate any ensemble as we head closer to the highly anticipated event.

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The strawberry clutch bag, which has been hailed as “super stylish” and said to “look great with spring/summer outfits,” is available at Joe Brown for £50.

Featuring a woven-in design reminiscent of a wicker basket, which dreams of picnics in the sunshine, this handbag is packed with personality. Set to instantly boost your dungarees, dresses or shorts, for a fun retro look that’ll take you anywhere this season, this strawberry accessory isn’t just for show.

This clutch bag is equipped with a handy inner pocket that ensures your belongings are kept safe and tidy while you sip cocktails in the sun. It also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap that makes carrying it a breeze. You can wear it over the shoulder or cross-body, whichever way feels comfortable and convenient as you traverse the London streets.

If you’re looking for a cheaper option and are happy to ditch the wicker look, this Strawberry-Shaped Shoulder Bag on Amazon may be your best bet, as it comes with the wallet-friendly price tag of £7.19.

The widow of TV chef Dave Myers, best known as one half of the Hairy Bikers, has candidly shared how she has been dealing with grief and the many different challenges

The grieving widow of legendary TV presenter and chef Dave Myers has recalled two poignant wishes following his death.

Dave Myers, found fame alongside Si, his friend of 30 years, as part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo The Hairy Bikers, married Liliana Orzac in 2011. The pair met in Romania when he was filming the famous series for the BBC. She was a single mum with two children, working long hours at a modest hotel in Maramures, Romania while Dave, then 47, was a popular face on TV, whose programme was about to attract millions of viewers.

Yet, the chemistry was there and, within two years, Liliana moved to the UK to live with Dave and in 2011 the couple tied the knot in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in front of 150 guests. But just two years after being diagnosed with cancer the popular TV presenter died in February 2024 with Si by his side.

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Just over a year his after passing, Dave’s wife Liliana Myers revealed her struggle with the loss of her soulmate. She candidly shared how she has been dealing with grief and the many different challenges. In her moving message, Liliana shared: “Three distinct experiences to report. I had my motorbike training yesterday and driving over there I was having thoughts of giving up.

“Because I’d made mistakes and wobbled before, and I did not want to waste anyone’s time on me. Mark, my instructor from Darbyshire motorcycle school, is the most caring person I met and he told me this. ‘Lil, you can’t just give up now. So many people are looking up on you as a model. You now have a voice’. Boommm… that opened my eyes.”

Earlier this year, Liliana revealed she has penned memoir, in a bid to honour the life of the much-loved TV chef. Announcing the new book, she said: “This past year has been incredibly challenging for me on many levels!!! But guess what? I used all my creative side and honoured Dave by writing his story. Our story. “Today is the reveal!!!”

The book, Adapted from Dave And Me, will delve deeper into her life with and without Dave as the widow shares her journey from meeting Dave to his tragic demise.

In her interview with the Daily Mail, Liliana said: “The truth is I do wish I’d met Dave a lot earlier in my life and I do wish I’d had more time to feel loved by him and to make him see how much happiness he brought into my world. Into the whole world.” She went on to say: ” I tell myself it didn’t matter how much I loved him or how much he wanted to live, it wasn’t going to happen and so the ‘why’ questions are pointless.

“The longer you stay in the ‘why’ zone, the more prolonged the grief and the more complicated it becomes, so I’m going to try instead to focus on the wonderful 20 years Dave gave me. But I will always wish we had met earlier in life. I wish. I wish.”

David Beckham was finally awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list this week – and we asked Mirror readers to share their thoughts on his long-awaited honour. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

David Beckham finally received a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list – and we asked Mirror readers whether the Manchester United icon deserves the accolade. The former England star has been considered for the honour for over a decade, having made notable donations to charity and receiving an OBE from the late Queen Elizabeth in 2003 for his services to football.

Beckham, who played 115 times for England, will soon take the title of Sir and join a long list of football legends who have also been recognised by the Royal Family. His wife Victoria will also be known as Lady Beckham.

The King’s Birthday Honours List was announced on Friday night with over a thousand recipients awarded for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus on those who have given their time to public service.

This year’s recipients include dedicated community champions, role models in sport, pioneers in the arts, passionate health workers, and supporters of young people.

Other celebs to be honoured included Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, Oscar winner Gary Oldman and The Who’s Roger Daltrey.

Earlier this week we asked Mirror readers if they thought Becks deserves to be knighted, and 60 percent said ‘No’. Around 12,452 people took part in our poll, and a staggering 7,472 selected the option ‘No – I don’t think so.’

Taking to the comments section of three Mirror articles, readers have had their say on the topic. One user penned: “There are lots of other ordinary people who do not have famous personas, influence and money to start up a charity or input to other charities that for me deserve knighthoods or damehoods than these pair.

“Unfortunately, we live in a celebrity world and the ordinary man, woman and child who do so much for charities, hardly get noticed let alone a thought for a knighthood or damehood. I recognise and think much more of those who deserve the recognition or a recognition than a very wealthy footballer and his wife.”

Another echoed: “Where are the knighthoods for the people who fought to save lives during Covid ? Or the war heroes who lost limbs in Afghanistan and Falklands ? Or the doctors and surgeons who save lives daily in the theatres, the Samaritans and ambulance staff who save lives or work helping people to overcome tragedies, the social workers who have to daily cry at the abuse and horrific parenting they have to report about, the teachers who saved their pupils from gunmen? Where are their knighthoods and all the rest? Beckham doesn’t deserve a slice of cake let alone a knighthood. What a sham.”

“It should go to ordinary everyday people, who work tirelessly raising money for charities and don’t get any recognition for it. He’s been paid handsomely for kicking a football around for 90minutes,” expressed a third.

A fourth posted: “When do people that really do deserve recognition…get the recognition. There are many more well deserved that do great work,” while another voiced: “What a waste of a knighthood. Plenty of others should come way before him.”

Meanwhile, a hefty 4,980 said the football star does deserve the honour, as one person defended: “Well deserved, does lots for charity and I am sure will use his knighthood for the good of all the charities he is associated with. He was just a normal young lad and he made it in the footballing world, his talent was there for all to see and as for Posh she was just another teenage who made it in the music world and then went on to the fashion world, two ordinary people who have made it big, good on them.”

A second added: “I think he has done more good than bad. He’s certainly more deserving than those senior public ‘servants’ and judges who do more bad than good but receive titles automatically,” while a third agreed: “He has done a lot more for this country than most of them who get these knighthoods.”

“I am in the camp that thinks Beckham should be knighted. He was special, he has done lots for charity and has been an ambassador for his country. Yes I think he should become a Sir,” concluded another.

Becks was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 following his role in securing the London 2012 Olympics – but was blocked by the Honours Committee after he became embroiled in a tax avoidance scheme, which he was cleared of four years ago.

In 2017, shocking emails from Beckham were leaked, revealing his fury at the New Years honours committee and possibly setting him back in his pursuit of a knighthood. The football star is said to have branded the committee “unappreciative c***s” and added that he “didn’t care about being knighted” – though the ex-midfielder has claimed some of the leaked emails had been doctored.

The leaked emails claim the former footballer said: “I expected nothing less. It’s a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of got something like this 10 years ago.” He is also reported to have slammed opera star Katherine Jenkins after she was given an OBE. “Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops. F***ing joke.”

Beckham was appointed as an ambassador to HM’s charity the King’s Foundation, which was seen as an encouraging sign earlier last year. He said at the time: “I’m excited to be working with The King’s Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity’s work.

“I’ve always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I’m particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation’s education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature.” Do you think David Beckham deserves to be knighted? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and you can still vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

Please note that the poll is still live, so these results may change after the article has been published.

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Annabel Croft, the former professional tennis player who won the San Diego Open in 1985, lost her Mel Coleman to stomach cancer in May 2023, months before her Strictly Come Dancing adventure

TV presenter Annabel Croft says Strictly Come Dancing “saved her” following the death of her husband.

Tragedy struck when the former professional tennis player’s spouse Mel Coleman died in May 2023 after a short battle with stomach cancer. The couple married in 1993 after Mel, a professional yachtsman, taught Annabel how to sail for a TV programme.

The grief hit Annabel, 58, hard, particularly as she and Mel had planned to retire and downsize in southwest London. It was only when she agreed to – and lasted 10 weeks on – Strictly Come Dancing that Annabel, who won the San Diego Open in 1985, felt she could tackle her bereavement.

Speaking to The Telegraph this week, the TV and radio host said: “I don’t know what I would have done without being busy. I would have sunk… Literally within a few weeks [of losing him] I was on the phone to my agent. He said, ‘I’ve signed you up to Strictly. You’re giving an interview tomorrow because they are announcing it’.”

Following the series, in which Annabel came fourth, the grief became less raw. The former tennis star said the pain now “comes in rain showers but they are getting less and then it’s gone”. She added: “I didn’t know I had an incredible marriage, but I did.”

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Now, Annabel is a pundit on tennis coverage across Eurosport, Sky Sports and the BBC and she is also expecting her first grandchild as her oldest daughter Amber Rose is pregnant.

And the presenter is downsizing – two years on from her original plans with Mel. She is moving within London but wants to live near the River Thames as Mel always hoped to be beside the water.

“There is so much to be positive about. I don’t want to be a professional widow. I understand that a lot of people can identify with what I’ve been through, but I don’t want grief to define me,” Annabel, who won Celebrity Wrestling on ITV in 2005, said.

“Strictly was so helpful to me. I realised how much I loved dancing and I’ve wondered whether I went down the wrong path [with tennis] when I might have been a dancer instead.”

During her time on Strictly, Annabel was paired with Johannes Radebe. The pair developed a quick rapport and remain friends now. Annabel, host of the original Treasure Hunt on Channel 4, continued: “He’s part of the family now. We are bonded for life.”