For a podcast that will be released tomorrow, former Sky Sports News presenter Kirsty Gallacher spoke with Isabel Webster about her life, career, and even her teenage years.
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Kirsty Gallacher has shared her memories of her time in school.
Former Gladiators host Kirsty Gallacher has opened up about it a “difficult situation” that she experienced as a teenager. The presenter has said that she was bullied at school and was “juggling a lot” at that time in her life.
Kirsty, 49, who’s the daughter of professional golfer Bernard Gallacher, said that having a well known parent contributed to the situation. The former Sky Sports News host shared that she faced an eating disorder and anxiety amid being bullied, adding that she still “struggles” with the latter now.
She spoke about the experience on the new podcast New Chapters, hosted by former Sky News and GB News presenter Isabel Webster, 42. The podcast, which launched with its first episode earlier this month, is said to celebrate “resilience, reinvention, and the courage to start again”.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Karen Carney’s life – bullied at school to Lioness success
Kirsty is a guest in the upcoming New Chapters episode, which will be available tomorrow. She discusses having had to deal with “jealousy” at school and how she came to terms with it throughout her life and career.
Isabel was left with the impression that school was difficult. My sister and I had a great time at a private school for all girls there. In the discussion, she continued, “Mine was not good.” The host of the podcast then inquired, “In what way?” to her guest.
Kirsty responded, “Jealousy. There were many girls who disapproved of my father’s reputation because he was at the height of his career. difficult to navigate. I’ve been putting up a lot of problems in my life because I’ve not trusted anyone.
She continued, “I was bullied. Falsified because of being too. ” Kirsty continued, “I was a happy child and some kids didn’t like that,” while mentioning that being “good at sport” and having a “famous father.”
Isabel referred to that as “tall poppy syndrome,” which is interpreted as a group of people who are criticized for their success. She posed the question, “How did that manifest itself?” Oh, how awful, Kirsty said to her. I struggled with anxiety for a long time.
After the host explained that she does, Kirsty responded, “I’m sorry that you do as well. Anxiety is the monkey on my back.” One of those things that never disappears is it. How do you manipulate it, exactly? I’m always asked, “Am I doing a good enough job?” And I believe that’s a necessary part of our job. Sadly, . I’m interested. What other people think matters to me. I have an inner compulsion, but I’m also an empath.
Kirsty remarked, “I had a significant anxiety problem when I was a teenager. She continued, “I didn’t go too far, but I did manage to overcome an eating disorder at school because I didn’t know how to manage this situation at school.”
She admitted to juggling a lot at the time to Isabel. Then Kirsty said, “Trying my best to please people and navigate a challenging situation and a challenging year as in form; some girls were difficult and I found it all very difficult.”
New Chapters has its first episodes available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other major platforms, with each new episode appearing on Wednesday.
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Call 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org to speak with a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity if you have any issues with mental health. uk. Contact Beat Eating Disorders on 0808 801 0677 for assistance and support with eating disorders.
Strictly Come Dancing star Dani Dyer has withdrawn from the show after sustaining an injury and her father Danny Dyer has now reacted to the announcement on social media
The news that Dani Dyer has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing has since prompted reaction from her father Danny Dyer. It was announced this evening that she will no longer compete on the new series of the BBC show.
Dani, 29, was due to compete in the dance contest with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, but she’s now revealed in a statement that she’s dropped out due to an injury. It comes just days after the pre-recorded launch show, which unveiled this year’s couples, aired on Saturday night.
Love Island winner Dani’s departure from Strictly, which comes just days before the first live show this weekend, was shared on social media tonight. The show’s post on Instagram was met with reaction from fans, colleagues and Dani’s father Danny, 48, who expressed his disappointment over the news.
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Danny posted an emoji of a broken heart in the comments section of the post, which was shared on Strictly’s page as well as others, including on Dani’s page. Former EastEnders star Danny didn’t write anything beside the emoji.
He isn’t the only person disappointed by the situation. Some of Dani’s colleagues from Strictly also responded to the announcement on the platform. Fellow contestant Vicky Pattison commented: “Absolutely devastated for you Dani. I’m going to miss you so much … Love you loads.”
Several of the professional dancers also shared messages. Michelle Tsiakkas wrote: “I’m so sorry Dani and Nikita … Wishing you a speedy recovery.” Whilst Karen Hauer said: “Oh darling nooo. So sorry … wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Dianne Buswell reacted: “I’m so sorry Dani and Nikita. We will miss you so much.” Johannes Radebe said: “Gutted for you both, take care of yourself.” Luba Mushtuk said in her response: “Oh no, I’m so so sorry. Please get well soon.”
Motsi Mabuse wrote: “Oh so sorry. Get well soon. Health first.” Fellow judge Shirley Ballas also reacted to the news, with her writing in the comments section: “I’m so so sorry. But health is most important. Get well soon Angel.”
The reactions come after it was announced that Dani fractured her ankle amid rehearsals for Strictly. She said in a statement issued earlier: “I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.
“Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l’ve had to pull out of the show. To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.”
Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, said: “Dani has brought so much passion, joy and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to the most sensational start. Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she’s no longer able to compete in this year’s series.”
The statement concluded with Sarah hinting at a potential return for Dani in the future. Sarah wrote: “We send her all our love and best wishes for a swift recovery, and we very much hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues with the first live show of the new series on Saturday from 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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Married at First Sight UK has returned and former bride Erica Roberts has been posting about her experience on the E4 show after having been part of the cast in 2023
A former Married at First Sight UK bride has spoken about having appeared on the show, including discussing financial compensation, contracts and her wedding. Her comments come amid the new series of the E4 show.
Erica Roberts appeared on MAFS back in 2023 and was matched with Jordan Gayle, whom it was later announced she had split up from after a reunion episode. Following the show’s return just days ago, she’s opened up about her experience as part of the cast in posts shared this week.
She had been asked if the cast are compensated and if they are contracted for reunion shows by a fan on TikTok recently. Erica responded: “So we don’t actually get paid for being on the show but they do give us our loss of earnings.”
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Erica suggested that it was “capped,” saying: “If you earn three grand a month you get three grand a month back. Like they will compensate you for that. If you earn anything more than three grand a month, they don’t cover it. I’m not entirely sure if it was three grand, I think it might have been a little bit more. But anyway, there was a cap.”
She added: “They would also give us like £120, I think it was, a week, which was food because obviously when you’re living in the apartments we were basically living just like a normal life. Like we had to go to the shops, buy food shops, cook for ourselves etc.”
Erica continued: “When it comes to reunions, we do get paid to go to the reunion. Not everyone’s invited to the reunions and you’re also not contracted to anything, to be honest.” She said that throughout the process, the cast aren’t in a “strict contract” that requires them to stay for a certain length or time of attend the reunions.
She said: “Get asked to go to the reunion [but] you don’t want to go to the reunion, you don’t need to go.” Erica added that if someone decided two weeks into the show that they wanted to leave, they can, saying: “Essentially you can leave whenever you want to leave that process.”
Erica went on to discuss speculation about contracts for couples on reality TV shows. She said: “One thing that actually makes me laugh so much [is] when I see people come off reality TV and then they break-up and people are like ‘oh it’s because their contract ended, their three month contract was over’. That’s not a f***ing thing. […] None of us are contracted to be with each other.”
She suggested that couples from reality TV shows could decide to stay together for opportunities though. Erica said: “They might stay with that person and think ‘ah, let’s like milk this a little bit, see what we can get out of it’ but they’re not contracted. That is insane!”
In another TikTok video, Erica complained about production not paying for guests to attend her wedding on MAFS. She told fans: “With the weddings, you’re only allowed to have 12 guests, I’m sure it is. But those 12 guests have to make their own way there. They have to pay their own way there.”
She told fans that herself and her family travelled “down south” from Scotland. Erica said: “I actually don’t know for sure where the wedding was. I know they got me a train to London and then I was in a cab for maybe like an hour or two to wherever [the venue] was.
“My guests had to get there as well. So they all had to fork out and pay to come to a ‘fake’ wedding. Remember, that’s trains, that’s hotels, Ubers, whatever, food. Everything.”
Erica said they had to be there the night before and then have a “long a** day” at the wedding itself and “then obviously the night after the wedding”. She said: “So that’s like three whole days that they’re having to like give up.”
She concluded the video message on TikTok by saying: “I actually got married on Mother’s Day so they were giving up their Mother’s Day to be at the wedding and they had to pay for it, which I thought was a bit s***e.”
The Great British Bake Off finalist Dr Josh Smalley spoke to the Mirror recently about what it’s like to compete on the show, including sharing his thoughts on Alison Hammond
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Bake Off finalist Josh Smalley spoke to the Mirror about the Channel 4 show earlier this week
Dr Josh Smalley has revealed what it was like filming the Great British Bake Off. The former contestant, who was a finalist on the Channel 4 show in 2023, shared behind-the-scenes details in an interview with the Mirror this week.
The chemistry researcher and science communicator, 29, competed on the fourteenth series of the show, which aired two years ago. He made it to the final of the baking contest after impressing the judges and was declared a runner-up, with Matty Edgell taking home the trophy instead.
Josh reflected on his experience in the iconic tent in an interview with us earlier this week, ahead of him delivering a talk at the New Scientist Live festival next month. He spoke about the two hosts of Bake Off, the hardest aspect of competing and revealed what happens to leftover cakes.
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Josh, who said that he had applied for Bake Off as an opportunity to “challenge” himself, described taking part in the show as the “best experience”. The baker told us that he had dreamed of being on it but never thought he would.
He said that the twelve contestants, who have stayed in touch since filming ended, “instantly just got on”. Josh said that they met at their hotel prior to the first challenge but they only saw judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith “just before the first bake,” which he found to be “quite scary”.
Josh said about the competition: “The saddest part every week was that somebody was gonna have to go home.” He added: “You wanted everybody to do well, because you could see these incredible things coming together all around you. You just want everyone to do their best.”
Asked if he was surprised by any aspect of filming, Josh, who said he had watched the show since it began in 2010, teased that he had expected there to be more time for baking than the deadline viewers are told about. After suggesting that he had thought there to be a “quick break,” he said: “Nope, it’s 2 hours, that’s it!” He added: “It was very strict on that. So you don’t get extra time.”
He later said that the time limits are the “real challenge” for contestants. Josh told us: “All of the bakers on every series, if given unlimited time to make what they wanted to make … they would make an incredible bake. The real challenge is being able to squash all that into 2 hours.”
Speaking about the “stress” and temperature in the tent, he said: “There’s a lot of stressful moments as well [as the fun]. When you’re having to remake something for the third time because it’s not worked right it’s quite stressful.”
Josh also mentioned being critiqued in person by Paul and Prue. He said: “The pressure of having your food judged and being literally nose-to-nose with [the judges] as they dive into it and taste it, and then you’ve got to hear their instant feedback – that was a bit nervy as well.”
Discussing what happens to the leftover bakes that aren’t eaten by the judges, he said: “After a long day’s filming, and there’s a very hungry crew, and bakers, it soon disappears. Don’t worry about that. There’s no wastage at all.”
Josh added that he was keen to try his co-stars’ bakes after hearing any positive feedback from the judges. Speaking about trying each other’s cakes, he said: “We all got a piece of it brought afterwards so we got to try bits of it.”
He continued: “The majority of the bakes on the show are sweet [though], so there comes a point with all the practising as well, where you’ve just … you’re sort of sick of eating cake because you can’t take any more sugar.” He added that any savoury challenges, like bread week, were “the best”.
“They were the best ones because just like you were craving savoury,” he told us. Josh added: “So once it was one of those ones we just … we would all dive in and eat it all.”
Josh appeared on the first Bake Off series co-hosted by Alison Hammond, with her having joined Noel Fielding that year. He said: “She was incredible. She was so lovely and I think [together] they just bounce off each other.”
He said that Alison and Noel had a “great chemistry,” before saying: “I loved it when they came round. They always would come round at the worst time possible, deliberately so.” Josh added that Alison was a “welcomed addition” to the show and that she was on hand to “encourage” the bakers.
Since competing on the show, Josh has remained in the science field, with him now a postdoctoral research associate and science communication champion at the University of Leicester. He also founded the Science Kitchen, described as a “pioneering on-campus kitchen and laboratory” that provides a platform “to educate, entertain, and inspire,” at the university.
Discussing his decision to remain in that industry, he said: “I just thought that it would be an amazing opportunity to try and use the platform of the Bake Off to be able to do what I’ve always done and just do it on another scale up. […] Now, I get to blend my two passions of the baking and the chemistry, and I get to go and do all sorts of online videos, and shows and talks all the way round the country and get to educate the public and young audiences all about science and baking, and hopefully make science, chemistry in particular, interesting, engaging, accessible but through the means of food, which we all love.”
He’s now preparing for a talk at New Scientist Live, which promises “talks, immersive exhibitions and boundary-pushing science experiences” at ExCeL, London, next month. Josh said that the event will have “an amazing array of speakers”.
Teasing his talk, the Spooktacular Science of Baking, which is being held on October 19, Josh said that it will feature a vomiting pumpkin and chemical reaction display. There will also be bakes and chemistry demostrations. Josh added: “Delving into and close up as to what’s actually going on in our bakes.”
Speaking about baking, he said: “You just follow the recipe and then you get the result at the end.” He added about introducing the science behind it: “You just see people’s reaction to actually then think, something that they have made or been doing for years and years and years, suddenly now someone has told them actually why we do that.”
He gave examples such as why a recipe may require room temperature butter or ingredients being used in a certain order. Josh said: “It’s really fun to be able to actually explain, from a chemistry point of view, what’s actually happening there.”
Further promoting his talk, he said: “We know we all love to be in the kitchen, either eating what we’ve made, or having a go and playing around experimenting. So if you like food, and you want to learn a little bit more about how baking and how cooking works, then this is the talk for you.”
Josh continued: “Also, you’re gonna get a little sprinkle of the science [behind it] as well.” He then added: “And it’s gonna have a few sort of like pops and bangs and fizzes and things so it will be a nice, immersive experience.”
Josh Smalley is speaking at New Scientist Live which takes place on October 19-20 at ExCeL, London. To book tickets visit the event’s website.
Rebecca Adlington has revealed her pregnancy. Just days after talking about the heartache of losing her baby girl, the Olympian and I’m A Celebrity star revealed she is expecting a child.
The swimmer has been open about the tragic two miscarriages she experienced. She first became aware of her in a routine 12-week ultrasound in 2022, and then in 2023, when a scan revealed there was no heartbeat.
She shared the news on social media by saying, “We want to let you know that we are expecting a child. Despite 19 months of trying, it has been an emotional and physical rollercoaster, but this pregnancy has been a small miracle.
We questioned whether or not we should share this information, but we want to remain open and honest about our journey and be aware of the difficulties that others have encountered and still encounter.
Rebecca revealed her pregnancy by sharing a baby scan.
She continued, “We are taking each day as it comes, are incredibly appreciative of the care the NHS (Rainbow Team) provides, and feel overwhelmingly supported by them.”
“We carry awareness of the quiet struggles many people face, and we send love to those hearts as well,” we say while being cautiously overjoyed. We are aware that this type of news is still awaited by a large number of people.
When asked about giving birth to Harper, who was delivered five months early, she responded, “Normally you go through the birth and you get this wonderful, incredible child. It’s really difficult to do that and to be giving birth to your child when you’re expecting and you’re not going to see them cry or do these things.
With her son and daughter, Rebecca.
Because their coloring is a little different, they explained what she would look like and what to expect. They actually calm your mind, which is a good thing. They came through and placed a little hat on her, covered her, and then came.
“And then I did want to see her,” she continued. I was like, “I absolutely want to see her,” as my gut told me at the time. And to be honest, I’ve been saying it constantly, “I’m so glad I did,” I’m so glad I did it. just to be able to see her little hands and nose and how she developed. And despite how challenging it was, if I hadn’t seen her, I believe I would have regretted making that choice.
The 36-year-old actress admitted that she “didn’t even consider the kind of danger aspect” when it came to her pregnancy with baby Harper. She had previously had a daughter in 2015 and a son in 2021.
The Miscarriage Association offers support and guidance if you have been affected by this story. You can reach them at 01924 200799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org. uk
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The actor, who takes centre stage this week in the eagerly awaited Netflix series The House of Guinness, is a favourite to become the next James Bond
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James Norton plays Harold II in the BBC’s new period drama King & Conquerer(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / CBS Studios)
Already ruling Sunday nights as Harold II in BBC1 period drama King & Conqueror, from Thursday, James Norton will be starring in Netflix series The House of Guinness.
Yet the actor who leaves most viewers shaken but not stirred has ruled himself out of playing James Bond. “I think I am too old. I turned 40 this summer,” he says, adding that he thinks casting directors will “go younger” for the next Bond.
And while the rumour mill is rife that he’s being lined up as 007, he insists: “There is no conversation going on. It is as if someone has a bet on in Wolverhampton and it is nonsense and I have paps (paparazzi) outside my door. It is all speculation.”
Even if he was offered Bond, James would have reservations about accepting it. “It is a difficult decision as it will change your life,” he says, adding that, he likes the fact he isn’t instantly recognisable. I can walk down to the pub. I like my life right now.
“I have no idea what it is like to be Leonardo di Caprio. I imagine the apex is pretty big, but I like the fact I can leave my house and go down to the shop.”
Dominating our autumn TV schedules, superstar status can’t be far off for Norton, who also has a top secret project on the way.
“I am starting another job later in the autumn, which is for a long time…and I can’t say what it is. I would love to tell you but it will be out there soon,” he says.
In King & Conqueror, the 6-part series that started last weekend, he plays King Harold II, who fights a bloody battle for the English throne against William The Conqueror (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), culminating in the infamous 1066 Battle of Hastings.
The project is the latest from James’s own production company Rabbit Track Pictures.
He says: “I am one of those people that thrives under pressure and the more you put on my plate the more efficient I am. It is kind of fun if you are proud of the piece and I am proud of King & Conqueror, as I produced it.”
And he sought to make the production as authentic as possible.
He laughs: “I wore six or seven layers of leather for the role, which you don’t see, but it was an attempt of authenticity. I don’t know how those guys back then even walked. We were shooting in Iceland as well, so it was wonderful to have those layers.”
Norton takes issue with actors who call themselves “executive producers” but do very little on set and makes sure he always does enough to justify the title.
He also praises Margot Robbie, who he says completely deserves the rank.
He says: “Margot Robbie is an executive producer and she is incredible and works very hard. There are a lot of times you see an executive producer as an actor and they have not been part of the process, basically.”
A versatile performer, Norton’s role in The House of Guinness is completely different to playing King Harold.
Set in 19th century Dublin and New York – and dubbed ‘the Irish Peaky Blinders’ – the eight-part series charts family power struggles within the Irish brewing dynasty, following the death of patriarch Benjamin Guinness.
James plays Guinness factory foreman Sean Rafferty and oversees four Guinness heirs, locked in a bitter battle to take over their father’s brewery empire.
He laughs: “It is kind of like The Crown…but with beer. It is like Succession but you could call this “Sup-session”.
“I play Rafferty who is like the proper hardman, a Dubliner. He is the foreman of the brewery and I was like the only non Irish actor.
“Most of the cast are Irish and I played the most Irish and it was scary. I worked hard. I had a northern Irish accent which made it more complicated.
“It is Steven Knight (creator of Peaky Blinders) and he relished writing my role. I get to be the coolest mother f*cker, playing the gangster in Dublin 1860s and everyone fears him. I literally have to do nothing.”
His character is not unlike that of Thomas Shelby, made famous by Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders.
James says: “I have a scene where I walk away from an explosion. I do minimal effort. The foreman of the brewery runs the show. He is a bit of a gangster and he lives in a violent world and he is not uncomfortable using violence to keep his grip.
“But Steven Knight is the best. He writes like a playwright and he jumps scenes. You are completely compelled. It was an amazing thing for me to do. Will there be a second series? It all depends on numbers, so go and watch it. Nothing is guaranteed at the moment.”
Norton worries that there is too much choice at the moment on screening platforms.
He says: “I read somewhere recently that if you have more than seven things to choose from your mind just switches off. It’s like having eight types of cheese.”
He greatly appreciates not only having acting work, but also having his production company to fall back on in what has always been a notoriously precarious profession.
And he admits: “I am an actor through and through. I have this bug.”
Shows like Happy Valley and Grantchester cemented Norton’s success, but he takes nothing for granted.
He says: “We have seen a contraction of the industry. Since the streamer explosion we have seen a massive downturn in the amount of money and advertising revenue. Every business is squeezed right now.
“Now to get anything made, it has to be really good.
“We recently had a job become available at our company for someone who has just left university and we had 850 applicants. It was mad. The demand has not waned, but the space has.”
The TV and film industries also face a reduction in technical jobs, because of the advance of AI.
Asked if he fears being replaced by a bot, he laughs: “I have not seen a deep fake me. Maybe it exists!
“But I think AI will affect crews and supporting artists.”
As for bots in general? He says: “I guess they are getting close to portraying the soul of a human being and it is really scary.”
But Norton is fairly certain that AI will not replace the soul of the UK film and TV industry and is deeply proud that UK programmes are leading the world.
Seeing Netflix drama Adolescence sweep the board at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles was a particularly proud moment for him.
He says: “The world is in a really dark place right now and people are looking to the arts to process fear and uncertainty and find answers and that is a wonderful thing.
“Yet people get nervous if you go for the jugular of the problem. But look at Adolescence. It went for the jugular and it became the biggest show in the world and made billions. It is insane that show.
“In terms of the UK, we have a cultural heritage of honesty, particularly in the arts and we cut through.
“Brand Britain is struggling as is brand America, as is brand a lot of the world, but I also think in terms of the arts we are in a really strong place. Britain is in a good place and I am proud to be a part of that.”
The House of Guinness premieres on Netflix from Thursday. King & Conqueror is on BBC1, Sundays at 9.15pm.
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