Category Entertainment News

Married At First Sight star Paul C. Brunson has teased that the upcoming series, and its reunion, will be the ‘most memorable yet’ just days ahead of its launch

Married At First Sight star Paul C. Brunson has teased that the upcoming series, and its reunion, will be the ‘most memorable yet’. The dating expert, 50, has appeared on the hit reality show for a number of years and as the programme gears up to launch its 10th series, he has insisted that this will be one of the best.

During an appearance on Friday’s Lorraine, he told stand-in host Ranvir Singh: “I will say this, I’m going on the record, but I believe that this will be not only one of the most memorable Married At First Sight series in history but our reunion will be the most memorable reunion in Married At First Sight history.

“Two same sex couples, a cross-section of the UK, oldest couple that we’ve ever had. We have a lot of firsts. It’s a blessing. I am blessed.”

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The E4 reality programme matches strangers together and immediately sends them down the aisle, before deciding if a future together is what they really want.

The format has been sold around the world, and it has now been confirmed by Channel 4 that the next batch of episodes will start airing on Sunday, September 21 at 9pm.

As well as new faces, the dating show will see the return of matchmaker Paul, dating coach Mel Schilling, and sex and relationship expert Charlene Douglas. However, it’s been reported there will be a big change to the cast this year.

“For the first time in MAFS UK history, there will be two gay weddings in the same series.” A source continued to The Sun, “In the upcoming run, which hits screens later this month, viewers will see a gay male pair and a lesbian twosome meet for the first time at the altar.”

However, it’s not the first time LGBTQ+ couples have appeared on the show. Dan McKee and Matt Jameson were MAFS UK’s first gay couple back in 2021. They quickly became fan favourites and stayed together for two years before going their separate ways.

A year later, Jenna Robinson and Zoe Clifton made history as the show’s first lesbian pairing. They’re still together now and recently got engaged.

Eve and Charlie, another same-sex couple introduced in the most recent series, also said “I do” – but their relationship was short-lived due to communication issues and tense clashes on their honeymoon.

What sets this series apart is that it will mark the first time both gay and lesbian weddings are shown within the same set of episodes.

A spokesperson said, “The show has always had positive LGBTQ+ representation, and is hugely popular within the queer community. This is a really great step as for too long, dating shows have focused mainly on heterosexual couples.”

Over in Australia, Married At First Sight featured its first LGBTQ+ pairing way back in 2016. Craig Roach and Andy John were matched – but the relationship ended within days of the honeymoon.

Meanwhile, the new series of Married at First Sight UK includes a stunning new line-up of contestants, from a dental practice manager, a model, a single dad, and an influencer.

Discussing the upcoming series, expert Mel Schilling shared, “I have several favourites, I do. It’s like choosing a favourite child but I do. I do have quite a few favourites this year.”

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Former England striker Peter Crouch has recently developed a new hobby that wife Abbey Clancy says leaves him slinking off in the morning, with the former footballer saying he’s ‘caught the bug’

Abbey Clancy has playfully warned her husband Peter Crouch not to “come home” as he nurtures his newfound passion. The model recently disclosed that the former Premier League footballer has been sneaking out early in the morning to pursue a new hobby.

The 39-year-old model woke up on holiday to discover her husband was “nowhere to be seen” after he took up another sport. Peter later revealed that he had started tennis lessons after being inspired by their teenage daughter Sophia.

The ex-England international, who has previously expressed his love for golf and padel on their podcast, The Therapy Crouch, is now eager to participate in tennis tournaments.

On The Therapy Crouch, Peter shared: “Genuinely, I feel like I want to start competing because I had a couple of lessons and I felt good and I wanted to see how far I can get with it.”

Peter later expressed his enthusiasm for entering a tennis tournament, following accusations from the show’s producer Ross that he was “chickening out”, reports Wales Online.

Abbey retorted: “I don’t like men who chicken out. You are so confident.”

Peter reassured his wife that he “wants to compete”. She responded: “Good, make sure you win, or don’t come home.”

Peter “caught the bug” for tennis when he decided to enroll in lessons after taking 14-year-old Sophia to her coaching. It came just weeks after he was spotted at Wimbledon with Abbey and Sophia.

In a previous podcast episode, Abbey revealed: “Pete’s found a new love. So everyday on holiday, I’d wake up, Pete nowhere to be seen. I’d be like, ‘Where the f**k has he been going?'”.

“He’d been booking himself tennis lessons. Tennis lessons, taking Sophia, who is doing the lessons anyway with her coach and Pete’s booked himself in. And he’s also joined a tennis club here, at home, and he’s in a tennis competition and a tennis team.”

Peter responded by saying: “You know what’s happened? I’ve got the bug massively. I was taking Sophia and said, ‘Do you know what, I’m going to start taking lessons.’ I got a lesson and then got the bug, and saw myself getting better.”

He went on to explain that he “could play” tennis as a youngster but chose a career as a professional footballer instead. He fondly recalled his childhood summers, filled with “football, tennis, football, tennis”.

He elaborated: “I could play when I was a kid but I didn’t pick up a racquet for 20 years. But my summers consisted of a ball and tennis racquet and when we got slightly tired of football we’d go and play tennis.

“For six weeks, football, tennis, football, tennis, and by the end of that you get alright. So I was decent as a kid.”

Abbey, however, suggested Peter was “playing down” his abilities on court and mentioned he had to make a “crucial decision” between the two sports. Peter added: “It was something that I never revisited so I’m trying to get back on the horse.”

Shoppers eager to bag a new iPhone without paying the hefty price of the brand new model won’t want to snooze on this retailer’s limited-time offer that’s seen the iPhone 16 drop in price

Apple’s newest iPhone has dropped to its lowest price ever as the tech giant gears up to open pre-orders for a fresh addition to its mobile phone range. Amazon is behind this bargain, offering the iPhone 16e for £544 in the run-up to the iPhone 17 being available to purchase.

Apple has finally unveiled its latest iPhone range. The tech giant held its annual showcase live from its California headquarters on Tuesday (September 9), where it launched the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air.

This Amazon deal comes as pre-orders for each 17-model will go live at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 12, with availability starting from Friday, September 19. Retailers including Sky Mobile, EE, Mobiles.co.uk, Vodafone, and Three have all confirmed they’ll be stocking the device, with prices to be confirmed.

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Whilst technology enthusiasts eagerly anticipate their initial look at Apple’s new handsets, Amazon’s current offer makes the existing model more budget-friendly than buying the most up-to-date model. The iPhone 16e was formerly available for £599, and though the price tag of £544 may still seem steep, it’s saving shoppers £45.

Apple launched the iPhone 16e in February, designed as a more affordable model of the standard iPhone 16. Despite its cheaper price, it’s said to offer ‘powerful capabilities’ thanks to Apple’s latest-generation A18 chip.

The handset boasts a 6.1″ Super Retina XDR display and is packed with AI features via Apple Intelligence. Standout abilities include removing objects from images and using ChatGPT writing tools. The iPhone 16e also boasts a 48MP Fusion camera, 4K video capture with Dolby Vision, and safety features such as Emergency SOS and Roadside Assistance.

This model is available with 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, though the larger capacity will affect the price tag. The mobile is available in black or white.

The Mirror’s Technology Editor Dave Snelling tried the iPhone 16e earlier this year and said, “There’s no question it’s a very nice device. It gets a premium design covered in toughened Ceramic Shield glass and surrounded by aero-space-grade aluminium.”

“There’s a soft matte finish on the rear case that looks stylish and stops those mucky fingerprints from ruining the look. Spin the iPhone 16e around and you’ll be treated to a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR screen, which is perfect for a boxset binge, sending texts, or doomscrolling on TikTok.”

However, Dave also noted a downside of the iPhone 16e, adding: “Under the hood is a supremely powerful A18 processor, which is not only blisteringly fast but also offers access to Apple Intelligence. It’s worth noting that the 16e now beats the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 14, as those older call makers will never get access to Apple Intelligence, as they simply aren’t powerful enough.

Nevertheless, Dave also highlighted a drawback of the iPhone 16e, stating: “It’s a good phone but it does lack upgrades such as Apple’s clever Dynamic Island notch which transforms to show information as you use different apps and services, there’s no MagSafe charging and the Ceramic Shield glass isn’t the latest version found on Apple’s more expensive models.”

If those extras don’t bother you, the iPhone 16e is worth considering, especially considering the deals available right now. If you don’t fancy Amazon’s offer, Sky is giving shoppers the chance to get the iPhone 16e for £18, when payment is spread out. Elsewhere, you can find this SIM Free iPhone 16e 5G 128GB AI Mobile Phone in Black at Argos for £549.

Victoria Beckham’s Netflix documentary poster features a subtle nod to David, and the dainty piece of jewellery is from a surprisingly affordable British brand

This week, Victoria Beckham’s brand new Netflix documentary was announced, and the fashion designer has paid a subtle yet touching tribute to her husband David Beckham with a delicate piece of jewellery.

On the documentary poster, Victoria can be seen wearing two different bracelets, one of which is a white gold bracelet she welded to her wrist during a visit to Astrid & Miyu with David in 2023.

The pair, along with their daughter Harper, visited the Astrid & Miyu store in London and got matching ‘his and hers’ bracelets. Two years later, the bracelet seems to still be going strong on Victoria’s wrist.

Far from a high-end luxury piece, Victoria’s bracelet is surprisingly affordable. Her exact one is the Marylebone Chain Bracelet in Solid White Gold, priced at a reasonable £160. Worn front and centre on the poster, we love the subtle nod this bracelet gives to David.

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Originally part of Astrid & Miyu’s viral welded bracelet service (loved by celebs including Holly Willoughby and Molly-Mae), this timeless piece has now been adapted for online shoppers with an added clasp, making it accessible for those who can’t make it to a welding service in-store.

Made from recycled 9k gold, the dainty yet durable chain has been designed to shine year-round, and is one of those pieces that goes with just about everything.

Welded jewellery has become one of the biggest accessory trends over recent years, thanks to its sentimental value. As they are permanently fastened to the wrist, they’re often chosen to mark important milestones, friendships, or relationships. And Astrid & Miyu were one of the first jewellery shops to put these permanent bracelets on the map.

With celebrity and royal fans ranging from the Princess of Wales herself to Holly Willoughby and Victoria Beckham, Astrid & Miyu has cemented itself as one of the it jewellery brands to get your hands on, so it’s no surprise to see that they are leading such a huge trend.

Love Island icon Maura Higgins hit out at rumours she was turned away from the National Television Awards’ afterparty, after reports claimed she was turned away by security

Maura Higgins has denied claims she was turned away from the National Television Awards’ swanky afterparty. On Wednesday evening, the UK’s biggest stars dressed to the nines as they celebrated the year’s best performances and incredible programmes.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! won an award, which then saw Maura and Danny Jones together on stage for the first time since their shock kiss earlier this year. Following the glitzy night, it was reported the Love Island star was turned away from the NTAs bash.

A publication shared TikTok video making the claims, titling the clip: “Maura Higgins left raging as she’s turned away from celeb-packed NTA afterparty.”

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Defending Maura, someone wrote: “Security or the person at the door wanting to be mean. Happens a lot. The title should be mismanagement at the NTAs After Party, disrespecting a guest. @Maura Higgins doesn’t matter if she was invited. She was on stage and part of it.” Maura saw the video and wrote: “It’s all lies, I left after the ceremony.”

In an Instagram Stories post, Maura said: “Here we go again!!!! I had a fantastic night, won an award, drank water and left after the ceremony as I had an early call time this morning!! The headline is not only untrue, it’s a prime example of how women are constantly vilified, exaggerated and reduced to clickbait.

“The pictures used of me ‘raging’ were actually taken in my hotel lobby before I left for the red carpet, while I was waiting for my car – which is why my makeup artist and photographer are in the photos with me. I also DID get invited to the afterparty, as did all nominees, but I chose to get n early night ahead of work today.

“Women in the public eye are too often painted as “raging”, “angry”, or “difficult”, while men in the same exact position would never be described this way. This isn’t journalism, it’s misogyny.”

On the night, Maura wowed in a leather and organza maroon dress by Lebanese fashion designer, Elio Abou Fayssal.

Sharing snaps from the special night, Maura wrote on Instagram: “So hugely grateful to have been a part of this special show..it was the best experience of my life!!!

“Thankyou @imacelebrity and everyone working tirelessly behind the cameras, this award is for all of us.”

Her pals were in awe and quickly showered her with compliments in the comment section. Luke Hamnett wrote: “She’s what mother calls, new money.” Francesca Allen posted: “Eeekkkk,” with clapping emojis. Leah Taylor said: “You are everythingtgff.”

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Want a need look for autumn? Here’s what to ask your hair colourist for this season…

The moment the seasons change, wardrobes aren’t the only things getting a refresh. Just as chunky knits and boots start calling, there’s a sudden urge to switch up hair colour too. Summer sun and holidays leave strands a little faded and frazzled, and by September, the itch for something new is strong.

According to Siobhan Haug, former British Colour Technician of the year and co-owner at Haug London Haus, that’s exactly why autumn is the busiest time in the salon. “People naturally have a back-to-school mentality,” she says. “Post-summer, your hair is a bit parched and the undertone shines through. If you’re blonde then you’re more yellow, and if you’re brunette you can be more red. Everyone wants a new tone after the sun strips the hair.”

This year’s autumn/winter trends are all about clever tonal shifts and elevated shades that feel both seasonal and flattering. From luminescent blondes to rich brunettes and sophisticated greys, these are the shades to know now…

Blonde

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For blondes, two techniques are taking the lead. First up is Saturn blonde, a luminous sheer tone that gives a luxurious yet wearable finish. Think Pamela Anderson or Claudia Schiffer, or Julia Garner’s chic, modern blonde. “It’s a warmer blonde that’s very shiny but still sheer, not heavy,” says Siobhan. “It’s ideal for an all-over blonde – a global colour – and it even helps to take out yellow tones if your hair feels too light.” The only catch? Saturn blonde is high-commitment, demanding regular salon visits and at-home care, but the payoff is a radiant, polished look.

The second trend is Aspect lights. This approach moves away from subtle babylights towards more prominent placements that contour the face. Siobhan describes it as “contouring with colour to accentuate the skin tone,” and the results are striking. Charlize Theron has been seen with this style, which places lighter tones exactly where they flatter most, giving a more sculpted and intentional finish. It also works perfectly on curly and coily hair using more caramel tones.

Bronde

For those who prefer the in-between, bronde continues its reign with two distinct takes. Teddy bronde is simple, soft and natural-looking – a single all-over toner on top of blonde hair for a seamless finish. “Taylor Swift is a great example,” says Siobhan, noting that Hailey Bieber has also championed a cooler teddy version. It’s understated, easy to wear, and incredibly versatile.

Then there’s Ecru bronde, which sits directly between blonde and brunette and offers more depth. It’s about clever colour layering, with the base tone chosen to suit the skin. Cool undertones lean towards mushroom shades, while warmer complexions are lifted with chocolate, beige, or even buttercream hues. It’s the perfect progression shade for anyone caught between the two camps.

Head of beauty Zoe says: “After years of all-over highlights, I was honestly exhausted with the constant upkeep and the harsh line of regrowth every few weeks. When I sat down with Siobhan, she suggested trying ecru bronde as a softer, more natural option that would blend beautifully with my base colour. The process was clever, layering tones that sat perfectly between blonde and brunette, and the result is a shade that feels modern and pretty but low-maintenance. It looks glossy, healthy and most importantly, I don’t feel like I’m battling regrowth two weeks after leaving the salon.”

Brunettes

Brunettes are turning darker, richer and cooler this season. Sombre, a soft, cool brunette, is in demand as clients look to neutralise warm, sun-faded tones left over from summer. “We do it as an all-over gloss with a cendre tone, which is half violet, half blue, to cancel out the red,” Siobhan explains. “The result is a cool dark brown, like Doja Cat or Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams.” Shiny, moody and chic, sombre is a timeless winter update.

At the bolder end of the brunette spectrum are high pigmented shades . These are saturated, vibrant hues in the red family that deliver a punch of colour. Lizzo and Serena Williams have both embraced this kind of hyper-pigment look. In the salon, the process involves a two-step application: an all-over base colour followed by a post-colour mask to lock in depth and chromatic intensity. The result is glossy, dimensional colour that commands attention.

Grey