Category Entertainment News

Louis Tomlinson has opened up about his former bandmate Harry Styles, admitting he couldn’t be prouder of the global mega-star for ‘taking over the world’

Louis Tomlinson has revealed he’s “very proud” of his former bandmate Harry Styles. The two found fame as one-fifth of One Direction back in 2010, after former Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger spearheaded the decision to create the band on The X Factor.

Despite finishing the show in third place, the band, consisting of Louis, 33, Harry, 31, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 32, and the late Liam Payne, 31, they went on to find fame across the globe and became one of the biggest selling boybands of all time.

For five years, the band toured the globe, racked up countless Number 1 records and dozens of awards before making the decision to start a hiatus. However, just one year later, it emerged that their hiatus had turned into a permanent split.

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But since then, all five members have gone on to carve out successful solo careers. Now, Doncaster-born Louis has silenced speculation that he has become distant from his bandmates as he opened up about his bond with Cheshire’s Harry. Speaking on a new podcast, he said he’s in regular contact.

“I do still know him,” he said on the Yoto Daily Soccer Aid Special podcast. Louis went on to say: “I used to be in a band with him, we’re not in a band anymore so that’s what happens. But yeah, still good friends with him.

“Still very, very proud of him, taking over the world, definitely.” Fans have since reacted to the sweet admission, with one writing: “Oh God, that’s so cute.” A second went on to add: “My heart just exploded.” “I’m sobbing so f***ng hard. Nobody speak to me. This is the best day ever,” exclaimed a third.

Meanwhile, a fourth added: “Today just became the best day of my life.” Since launching their solo careers, Louis has gone on to release two studio albums, Walls, which charted at Number Four in 2020, as well as Faith in the Future, which saw him take Number One in November 2022.

Elsewhere, Harry’s debut album charted at Number One, with his second taking the second spot, and his third solo album, Harry’s House, hitting the top spot across the globe. He’s also bagged an impressive six BRIT Awards and three solo Grammy Awards – despite being nominated nine times.

Louis’ comments come just days before he’ll walk out onto the pitch at Old Trafford as part of Soccer Aid for UNICEF. The musician will play alongside the likes of Tom Grennan, Roman Kemp, Toni Duggan, Jill Scott, Alex Brooker, Angryginge and James Nelson-Joyce.

Speaking about taking part in the match, Louis told TV Week: “It’s the only real opportunity you get to play in a football game of that magnitude if you’re not a professional footballer. So it’s very exciting for a football fan, and coupled with all the good that the charity has done over the past two decades, it’s remarkable really.”

But there’s one moment that sticks out in Louis’s head, playing against Niall in the 2016 game. He said: “I played against my One Direction bandmate Niall Horan in 2016. I’m the kind of guy who will rub it in your face when I win. So I kind of enjoyed having that over Niall for a couple of years!”

Louis’ younger sisters, twins Daisy and Phoebe, will be on hand to offer their support in the stands. Speaking previously to the Mirror, Phoebe, said: “Obviously, with Louis playing, I’ve only attended once, but it was really fun. Super excited, Louis playing just makes it more interesting and a bit more funny as well.”

Daisy commented: “I wouldn’t say I feel as nervous seeing him play football than sing but I probably should. He sings more than he plays football but I heard he’s been putting in the graft in training so I shouldn’t feel too nervous on the day.”

The match takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester, and will air on ITV1 and ITVX.

Fans of singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter have been left divided after she shared the cover art for her upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend, which will be released in August

When Sabrina Carpenter unveiled her upcoming album’s cover, set for release this summer, it instantly ignited a storm of controversy about its underlying message – but some music fans argue that critics are “missing the point”. The diminutive songstress has carved out a niche with her infectious tunes that cleverly weave satire and societal observations, all delivered in her distinctively bold and risqué pop princess style.

The 26-year-old songbird has been navigating the music scene for more than 10 years, with her first album dropping in 2015. However, it was her fifth studio offering, Emails I Can’t Send, released in 2022, that began turning heads on a larger scale.

Her 2024 hit track, Espresso, fully propelled her into the limelight and secured her position as a pop star. Her sixth album, Short n’ Sweet, soon followed and took the music world by storm – clinching the top spot on the Billboard 200 and earning her a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2025.

Recently, the singer confirmed on Instagram with a duo of pictures that her latest album, Man’s Best Friend, is slated for an August 29 release.

The album cover features Sabrina down on her knees with what seems to be a man’s hand gripping her hair.

Accompanying this is a second photo, which zooms in on a blonde puppy sporting a light blue dog collar adorned with a gold heart, etched with the album’s name.

The controversial announcement has raked in more than four million likes so far but it’s sparked a deluge of comments from people upset by Sabrina’s perceived submission in the first image, especially during such a politically tumultuous time for women.

Instagram users flooded the comments with their thoughts. One said: “Love Sabrina – but this picture – why is the man in there like that? It’s not a very empowering image for women.”

Another voiced their confusion: “Explain to me again how this isn’t centering men? How this isn’t catering to the male gaze?”

A third remarked: “Okay – it’s sarcastic? Satire? Art? Symbolism? But what about the men or boys who see this on billboards, on Instagram, in music promos – and consciously or not, internalise that this is what power looks like: a man objectifying a woman. Does that image challenge objectification or reinforce it?”

TikTok pop culture commentator Holden Smith – who boasts 178,000 followers – labelled the debate over the album artwork “so wild”.

In a widely viewed video, Smith said: “To me, it just felt very ‘Sabrina’. ‘Man’s best friend’ is a dog, a female dog is also called a b***h.

“Sabrina on all fours, with a man pulling her hair, is feeding into that. I believed, in a cheeky way.”

The content creator then addressed some of the extreme reactions and continued: “There are a lot of social media comments saying that this is extremely degrading and that she has set women back hundreds of years and, to me, that is a crazy statement.”

Holden speculated: “Sabrina could also be using the cover to hold a mirror up to the public and say, ‘this is how you guys are saying that you see me, for the male gaze rather than for the female gaze’.”

Smith then said: “I found it extremely interesting that this is the main conversation around her new album. As someone who was the breakout artist of the year last year, who truly got, like, no negative press; this switch up feels kind of crazy – especially when she’s giving us a second album in two years.”

Holden expressed disappointment that the album announcement wasn’t met with joy, noting it “felt like it should be a crazy happy announcement” rather than sparking intense debate over its cover.

Christine McGuinness has opened up on her marriage to Paddy McGuinness, and explains what she’s held on to, three years on from their divorce

Christine McGuinness, the ex-wife of Paddy McGuinness, has opened up about her decision to keep her married name despite the couple divorcing three years ago.

Presenter Paddy and Christine, who is also known for her modelling and reality TV work, tied the knot in 2011 but went their separate ways in June 2022.

Despite the split, they’ve continued cohabiting to maintain stability for their three young children, all of whom are on the autism spectrum.

When asked why she’s chosen to keep Paddy’s surname, the 37-year-old explained that she feels no pressure to make a change since it represents their family unit, reports the Liverpool Echo.

“Obviously, I married into that name and that’s our family name, and I don’t feel under any pressure from him or from anybody to change it,” she explained.

In a conversation with YouTuber Shizzio, Christine confirmed that Paddy, 51, hasn’t suggested she drop the name, saying: “God no, no, no, no.”

She reflected on their time together, stating: “I think he’d be upset if I did because, you know, 15 years, that’s not a failed marriage.

“We’ve done really, really well and we still get on, and we’ve got our gorgeous kids from it, so that was the best.”

Asked if she cared that people may think she is “hanging off the name”, Christine said fans will probably realise “it would be a lot” to change.

“But, I want the same name as my children, it’s as simple as that.”

She also mentioned trying to alter her surname on social media but found it challenging due to her verified status.

During the candid interview, Christine revealed she’s still paying off the hefty £300,000 legal bill from her divorce.

She reportedly enlisted the services of high-profile solicitor Catherine Bedford, known for representing celebrities like Lisa Armstrong, the former wife of TV star Ant McPartlin.

Christine reflected on the ups and downs of the divorce, saying: “There were times when it was fine and really civil, and we were agreeing on what we wanted and what we were doing.”

She added, “And then there were times where it felt like we were starting all the way back at the beginning, but yeah it’s the biggest bill I have ever paid in my life.

“And I will say that I paid for my own divorce, nobody else.”

Looking back, the mother-of-three expressed that with hindsight, they might have handled the proceedings “completely differently” to save on the costs incurred by both parties.

Christine went on to say that neither party “won” the case or “fought” for the £6.5 million Cheshire home they both own, though insisted it may become trickier when one of them wants to sell it.

Love Island star Maura Higgins has secured a huge boost as she has landed a major role on TV where she will rub shoulders with a very close person to Taylor Swift

Maura Higgins has received a huge boost after being replaced from her presenting spot on Love Island USA. The reality TV star, 34, had found fame on the show herself and landed the spot of host of US Aftersun.

However, she now won’t be returning to the role but has something even better up her sleeve. She has been spending more and more time Stateside, and it appears to be paying off.

Maura has landed a major new show in her bid to break America. The Love Islander is competing in the upcoming series of The Traitors USA and will join the likes of Real Housewives Lisa Rinna, Porsha Williams, Dorinda Medley and Candiace Bassett.

She will rub shoulders with Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce’s mum Donna as well as Big Brother stars Ian Terry and Tiffany Mitchell. Survivor’s Rob Cesternino and Yam Yam Arocho have been named to take part alongside The Amazing Race winner Natalie Anderson.

The Bachelor’s Colton Underwood, Dancing with the Stars pro Mark Ballas, RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Monét X Change, figure skater Johnny Weir and singer Eric Nam are all on the list

The boost comes after Maura couldn’t return to Love Island USA due to conflicting schedules. She will be replaced by Sophie Monk, who is already familiar with how Love Island works due to being the host of the Australian version.

Love Island fans haven’t lost hope of Maura moving on from the series, however, as they think she could come back to host Aftersun for the second season of Love Island Games which films in Fiji later this year.

Maura got off to a tricky start this year as she was caught kissing married McFly singer Danny Jones at the BRIT Awards following her split from Pete Wicks. Danny went on to issue a grovelling apology to his wife, Georgia Horsley, and son, Cooper, seven, while Maura stayed silent.

She instead fled to the US to focus on a fashion shoot and later returned to attend the music festival Coachella in the California desert. Maura showed she was keen to keep working in the States, having rubbed shoulders with Kendall and Kylie Jenner, as well as Hailey Bieber.

Maura landed the role of social media host for Love Island USA as well as Love Island Games in 2023. A year later, she went on to present Love Island USA: Aftersun and became a hit with viewers.

It seems Maura is keen to continue to work in the US, as she has chosen to take part in their series of Celebrity Traitors instead of the UK. The BBC will air its first ever celebrity spin-off of the hit murder mystery series later this year.

Names including Kate Garraway, Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross and Paloma Faith are set to take part, as well as singer Cat Burns, actor Celia Imrie, singer and activist Charlotte Church, broadcaster Clare Balding, historian David Olusoga, rugby star Joe Marler and comedian Joe Wilkinson.

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The trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has entered its 23rd day, and former assistant Jonathan Perez took to the stand to testify and detailed what he had purchased for the musician

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ former personal assistant, Jonathan Perez, testified about staff members setting up ‘king nights’ for the rapper, which he described as Diddy “going to a hotel to have private time with a female”. Perez, who worked for Diddy between December 2021 and September 2024, told the court that whichever assistant working in the evening would be the one setting up the “king night”.

According to Perez, he only set up five of the nights as he usually worked during the day. He went on to testify at Diddy’s trial, which has entered its 23rd day, how there was “a lot of packing materials” and “making sure that he would have everything he would need for 12 to 24 hours without having to bother anybody”.

Diddy, 55, is currently facing a number of serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex ­trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.

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He was arrested in September and strongly denies all allegations made against him. He has been in prison since his arrest, and a number of bail requests have been rejected.

The music mogul’s ex-assistant told the court that he brought food, liquor, music, red lights, condoms, lubricant, and sometimes honey, which he said “enhances the man’s libido”.

Perez said he sometimes went to sex stores to buy adult outfits and heels, paying with the company card of money he received from security.

According to the ex-assistant, who typically worked 9am to 9pm, Diddy had three or four personal assistants and added how Diddy’s chief of staff, Kristina Khorram, would make him aware of the “king nights” and the staff would get two hours to a day’s notice to set it up.

During Perez’s testimony, the jury were shown messages between Khorram, Perez and another assistant about setting up a hotel room for a “king nights”.

In another conversation shown to the jury, Khorram asked another assistant how cleanup of a “king’s night” was going. The assistant responded: “Slipped & fell twice”.

Messages sent by Perez to Diddy and “Jane”, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend using a pseudonym during the trial, on August 12, 2023, saw him speak about the hotel nights.

“Just left two candles and room phone in front of room door. I’m only 9 minutes away if y’all need anything,” he said.

Another message between Diddy’s assistant, chief of staff and another assistant saw him say he was heading to a store to buy outfits for Jane to wear.

The trial continues.

Like many American families struggling for unity in the polarised United States, The Simpsons have decided to avoid political jokes, the creator of the series Matt Groening told AFP.

Despite the potential for storylines and humour, Groening ruled out venturing into America’s toxic politics for laughs.

“We don’t do political humour because political humour is very limited. It dates very quickly,” he said during an interview at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in the French Alps.

A Simpsons season takes at least six to nine months to produce, raising the risk of gags turning stale, Groening explained.

The show –- broadcast on US network Fox TV and on Disney Plus, which now owns the series –- has sometimes appeared to predict real events, such as Donald Trump’s election, which was first referenced in an episode in 2000.

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It has also featured parodies in the past of a host of politicians from Bill Clinton to Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“We just have to stay true to our characters, their spirit and their relationships. And when they face the sadness of the world, people feel briefly connected to them,” writer-producer Matt Selman told AFP.

Despite Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie remaining frozen in time since their debut in 1989, the writers have ensured the story lines move with the times.

A recent episode parodied artificial intelligence when a chatbot was asked to write the finale.

“In the plot of that episode, AI was given the job of writing the perfect finale. And of course, it just regurgitated and spat out all the other finales from all the other shows in very unoriginal and silly ways that of course would be terrible,” said Selman.

“It was our attempt to push back at AI, push back at ever ending the show.”

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The natural environment remains a rich source of inspiration, including in “The Simpsons Movie” in 2007 which featured a disaster caused by Homer that leads to Springfield being sealed under a giant dome.

“The environment’s not going to get cleaned up anytime soon,” Groening added.

The Simpsons Movie grossed $536.4 million worldwide, but the creators ruled out making a sequel — for the moment.

“We are still recovering from the first movie,” joked Groening. “And the sad truth is we don’t have enough time to do both the show and the movie unless we decide we want to work really, really hard.”

The Simpsons has been translated into 26 languages and broadcast in around 100 countries.