Category Entertainment News

Roxanne Hoyle, best known as LadBaby Mum, spoke to the Mirror about her life’s impact as a child with a learning disability.

Roxanne Hoyle, better known as LadBaby Mum, has shared that she has a determination to succeed after having felt “embarrassed” over a learning difficulty that led to teachers writing her off at school. Now a best-selling author, she wants to inspire others and raise awareness over dyslexia.

The content creator, 41, rose to fame with her husband Mark Hoyle, 38, known as LadBaby, on social media, before taking the charts by storm with five Christmas Number 1 singles. The couple, who have a nine-year-old and a seven-year-old, have also released several children’s books together.

Over the years, fans have been given insights into their lives, with both Roxanne and Mark having previously spoken about being dyslexic. The NHS suggests that up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia, described as a “learning difficulty” that primarily affects reading, writing and spelling. It adds that intelligence isn’t affected.

Ahead of releasing their latest book, Greg the Sausage Roll: Dinosaur Adventure, Roxanne recently spoke to the Mirror about her experience with dyslexia. She opened up about her time at school and life now as a neurodiverse parent.

She described herself as “lucky” for having supportive parents, but said it was “confusing” and “very challenging” in light of the impact she had as a child. She said that they were “very positive” and considered it “a gift”.

Roxanne recalled that they “didn’t kind of pay attention to what other people said.” They tried to challenge me, but they succeeded… I never felt like I was different. In some areas, all I was encouraged in was. Very early on. Like, my sister was very academic, but I was very creative, so my parents kind of both embraced us”.

She continued, “I recall it being very difficult at school, like never fully comprehend, never fully read, never fully supported, or even people not understanding how to support me.” […] Nobody was kind of educated about it. Nobody, in my opinion, was. I wasn’t even very aware of it until much later when I started working.

Roxanne said that growing up she learned through song, visuals and movements. She gave an example of her efforts, saying, “My dad wants to play the guitar in the solar systems to basically pass an exam.”

She said, “I knew how to get information into me once I had a way or I knew my type of dyslexia.” Roxanne, who said that understanding ways that you retain information is life-changing, added: “Once I knew song or movement can trigger my memory, then my exams… I mean, I just went through my GCSEs and received A*s and Cs, and my teachers have to say that because she can’t retain anything, she won’t pass.

Given that she has since achieved success, including as an author, she responded, “It’s very overwhelming because I think back when I was younger you’re told… and it’s their fault, but you’re told it’s this way and it has to be done a certain way.” I was told I would never be an author”. I mean, let’s be honest with you, I never imagined I’d become one. Because words on a page make me want to cry, I never had a dream of being one.

Roxanne, who’s released a number of books with Mark, went on to discuss how she works on the material. We don’t have to type in a room, she said. We draw and voice-record everything. She said: “You don’t have to do it the way that it’s set on paper and been set for years”.

She also praised Puffin as a producer for recording the subsequent audiobooks. She stated, “They print the entire book on yellow acetate for me so that I can read it more quickly and with support.”

Roxanne said that many children have found their books to be “really inspiring,” adding that “it’s quite something that inspires them because back when I was younger, I wouldn’t even say that I was dyslexic out loud because people looked at you differently, talked to you differently, or talked to you like you didn’t understand anything.” And that is completely false!”

When asked if the way those with dyslexia are perceived and treated has given her determination to thrive, she said: “Yeah, I feel like I am driven to achieve or to just… For people with neurodiverse brains, I want to promote things. I want to “place” the spark, the fire, and the joy in the air.” She added: “You have to have a fire with this because y’know otherwise what’s the point? You must continue to advance.

She urged others to “embrace” the condition like she has. She told us recently: “A lot of successful people are dyslexic and you can identify things in the world that aren’t necessarily there for a neurotypical brain”.

Roxanne said, “It can be a gift, but I think it’s very difficult when you’re living it.” Anyone who has gone through the neurodiverse experience would say it’s challenging. She said: “You just have to constantly educate people, challenge people, prove your worth, when realistically like why”?

She stated that using her platform, she makes every effort to raise awareness. She continued, “I try to inspire, to demonstrate that it’s okay to laugh, to joke, to be creative, through video, books, or to be creative, whatever it is.” I do my best”.

Roxanne admitted to having some issues with homework at times while talking about parenting. She said she enjoys being a part of her son’s education. She continued, “I’m not embarrassed of it any more. I’ll go ‘ I’m really sorry, mummy doesn’t know that one, maybe let’s work it out together’. And it turns out to be a lot of fun for us.

Addressing reading to her own kids and at events for young fans, she stressed the importance of showing that its “alright to go wrong”. She said, “If you go wrong, it’s gonna be okay because you’ll get it right eventually,” and I think it’s really important to show those errors so that younger children can see that nothing wrongs them.” And you can handle it.

In the interview earlier this month, Roxanne also spoke about navigating the summer holidays, saying that there’s “a lot of pressure” on parents nowadays to keep their kids entertained. She said, “It’s acceptable for them to be bored.” They may experience downtime and refrain from doing anything.

“Six weeks is a very long time, especially for neurodiverse parents who can’t always y’know cater to needs and routines”, she said, adding: “Don’t be so hard on yourself”. She continued, “Sometimes kids just really enjoy just simple things like a picnic tea,” giving some parenting advice for other parents.

She said that ‘brain breaks,’ which are videos on platforms like YouTube that “get kids moving,” are “one of the best things” to give her the chance to do housework. And she said that the videos are available with popular characters in.

And Roxanne provided advice for parents of children with dyslexia over reading. It included recommending that they consider coloured overlays. She said: “I have yellow acetate over my words and it just stops it … calms the page down and lets you focus.” She also promoted apps like Nessy and DoodleSpell.

She also shared her excitement of her upcoming book, Greg the Sausage Roll: Dinosaur Adventure – Greg the Sausage Roll, which is set to be published next month. It follows the titular character, Greg, in a prehistoric world and Roxanne described it as a “very special book” ahead of its release.

The 28th August 2025 publication of Mark and Roxanne Hoyle’s Greg the Sausage Roll (Penguin Random House Children’s UK, paperback, £7.99) is

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We’ve found where to shop stylish purchases from Karen Millen, Monsoon, and more starting from £20. Plätz is the season’s most chicest trend.

This summer, a style trend that is both timeless and elegant is known as pleats. Pleats have become a major fashion gimmick thanks to designers like Issey Miyake, who famously transformed the technique with his Pleats Please collection into a sculptural art form. Previously reserved for occasionwear, tennis skorts, or school uniforms,

Pleats are everywhere this season, from floaty midi skirts to structured pants and even light summer dresses. They’re a comfortable, chic, and easy-to-wear trend that goes with pretty much everything.

They look just as cool when wearing heels and a white t-shirt and sandals to a party. The best part is… The design is not achievable with a designer budget. Starting at just £20, we’ve discovered the most flattering pleated pieces to shop.

READ MORE: A stylish on-sale handbag from the hidden gem accessory brand looks like Dior for less than £2,000.

READ MORE: Autumn clothing sales have begun. Mirror’s shopping team discovers everything from coats to boots for on-sale.

KAREN MILLEN

Why not try out this chic cape top from Karen Millen if you want to give the pleats trend some more drama? You’ll stand out from the crowd (in the best way possible) with this vibrant red pair of pleated pants that go along with it! with this stylish matching set.

SHOP THE LOOK: Pleated Cape Sleeve Plunge Neck Woven Top, currently £71 here, and Pleated Woven Wide Leg Trousers, currently £129 here

PHASE ONE

With its exclusive in-house print and luxe pleating, this halterneck top from Phase Eight is a standout piece. This versatile look is suitable for any occasion, whether it be worn as a set or as a pair of pants for a summer event.

Ember Floral Top costs £75 here, and Ember Event Trouser costs £110 here. SHOP THE LOOK:

JOANNA HOPE

This Joanna Hope statement maxi adds a pop of color to your summer wardrobe. The detachable belt cinches the silhouette for a flattering shape while the elasticated waist ensures a comfortable fit. It’s the ideal length for weddings, black-tie events, or summer parties because of its stylish maxi length.

JD Williams’ Ombre Pleated Dress SHOP THE LOOK, 145 pounds, is available here.

MONSOON

This airy maxi dress, which Sienna Miller wore, perfectly complements the current boho trend and features delicate floral designs. This dress is perfect for summer weddings, brunches, and garden parties because it is both simple and eye-catching. Just put on a pair of platform heels, and you’re good to go.

The Selene Floral Long Sleeve Maxi Dress in ivory retails for £85.

H&M

These H&amp, M pants, which are made of a stylish crinkled weave, have an elasticated waist for a comfortable fit, two handy side pockets, and an unfinished edge at the hems for a cool-girl, laid-back vibe. For quick dressing up in the warm weather, pair them with sandals and a linen shirt.

Geezer Butler, the bassist for Black Sabbath, recalls the special moment he and Ozzy Osbourne shared on stage just before he passed away, but he claims he wishes he had spent more time with him.

Having secured 57 years of friendship and a career that spanned decades, it’s no wonder the bassist of Black Sabbath jumped at the chance to perform in his hometown with his former bandmates including Ozzy Osbourne. But Geezer Butler has revealed that he was taken aback by the fragility of the lead singer when he turned up to rehearsals ahead of their hugely anticipated show.

And sadly, it was their last performance as a whole band following Ozzy’s passing earlier this month.

Geezer said in a first-person interview with The Times, “I wasn’t prepared to see how frail he was,” despite knowing that he wasn’t in good health. Two helpers and a nurse helped him into the rehearsal area, and he was using a cane because he was Ozzy and had a black, gold- and precious stone cane on it.

Ozzy remained much more subdued than in previous years, saying very little and sat in his chair when it was his turn to sing.

However, Black Sabbath continued to practice and play until a few weeks prior when they were ready to welcome their adoring fans and give them a performance to remember.

Ozzy and Geezer’s friendship extended beyond that which Geezer recalls, when his son was born with a heart defect, when he kept in touch with him every day to check on him and check how he was doing.

Black Sabbath had always given their audiences a group hug before playing a show in order to express their gratitude for their support and loyalty.

All of that however had changed with Ozzy’s inability to carry on with their customs in their final performance.

“And so to the final concert,” Geezer said. The finale of that show was the most bizarre. We would typically give the audience a bow and a hug each other. However, we didn’t consider that Ozzy was sitting on his throne.

What do we do, he continued? Tony waved his hand to me and gave him a cake, but it was such an odd feeling to end our story in that manner.

Geezer expressed regret over what would have been Ozzy’s final performance, saying that he still wished he had spent more time with his former flame backstage.

He continued, “Wishes are now redundant, but I wish I could have spent more time with Ozzy backstage.” As Ozzy once said, “Wish in one hand and sh** in the other, and see which comes first.”

Geezer said, “I am so privileged to have spent most of my life with him,” before closing his tribute to Ozzy. How can I sum up 57 incredible years of friendship in a few words, despite the fact that there are millions of things I could write about? It has been a wild ride, God bless, Oz! I adore you.

Just a few weeks after his performance at Villa Park, where 40, 000 of his fans were present, Ozzy passed away.

He had Parkinson’s disease and was 76 years old when his tragic death occurred.

He said, “I don’t know what to say, man, I’ve been laid up for like six years,” as he once said to the audience.

He continued, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have no idea how I feel.”

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Fans of AC/DC are still figuring out names ahead of their first official UK showdown with the Back in Black rockers, whose name derives from an unlikely machine.

AC/DC were the inspiration for the name of an unlikely rock legend. 51 years after their founding, the group’s origins are still unknown to fans. As of 2025, the legends behind Thunderstruck and Back in Black are still touring, with this year’s sold-out performance at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh scheduled for.

However, listeners are thrilled to learn about the peculiarity because they are just beginning to understand where the band’s name came from. Fans shared the origin story on the r/ACDC Reddit page, some of whom were so impressed by how the band came to bear their name.

What was the origin of AC/DC’s name, according to a post on the subreddit? I always assumed it to be related to geometry or math. Fans are correcting the listener, which is not true for AC/DC.

According to one user, “Alternate Current/Direct Current, something with electricity,” Angus and Malcolm’s older sister apparently saw it on her sewing machine when they first staged the bands. “

The iconic rock band was founded by Malcolm Young, who passed away in 2017, and his brother Angus, who is now 70.

The “simple suggestion” became the “greatest, most catchy name a rock band can have,” according to another fan, who provided more information. “

Their sister came up with the name after seeing it on her sewing machine, they wrote.

It’s quite funny how Angus and Malcolm were having trouble coming up with a name for themselves, and their sister makes a simple suggestion. It’s the best, most memorable name a rock band can have. “

Since then, AC/DC has verified the name’s origins. When they all started out together, Dave Evans, who was with the band from 1973 until Bon Scott replaced them, said, “Look, my sister-in-law [wife of his older brother, George], has suggested a name… AC/DC. And I liked the fact that it was prominent on the side of many electrical appliances and was simple to remember.

Many appliances were AC/DC, and alternate current and direct current were both used. I pondered: “Free advertising… free advertising on the side of all these appliances, and it means power,” and that’s what I meant. I quickly thought it through. And I agreed. “

Since then, critics have praised the AC/DC brand, which also has a lightning bolt after the first two letters. The band’s logo, which first appeared on Let There Be Rock, would be designed by Gerard Huerta. According to Adam Behr, “[its] type font conveyed the sense of electricity that permeated their name. “

The Australian band has been on tour since the 1970s, and they’re scheduled to play at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in the coming months.

The group’s only UK appearance this year was the group’s sold-out show, which sold out quickly during ticket sales. Here you are in line for AC/DC at Ullevi, one yelled. 22316 before at 10. 00

Many famous presenters were born on the BBC’s hit children’s program The Broom Cupboard, and now Josie D’Arby’s career has taken a surprising turn away from the camera.

In a tiny, cramped booth nestled away in the BBC studios, a whole host of famous TV presenters kicked off their careers.

Children’s TV show The Broom Cupboard began in 1985, replacing the shaky voiceover and still slides linking CBBC shows with real-life presenters.

Despite its practical beginnings it soon became a hit in itself, with the likes of Phillip Schofield, Debbie Flint and Zoe Ball all forging their famous TV personalities on the show.

Edd the Duck, Otis the Aardvark, and Gordon the Gopher, famous for their iconic costumes, even had letters and drawings printed on the walls of the tiny studio room to add to the fun.

Josie D’Arby is no exception to the trend that many of the programme’s stars have recently experienced. Many of the stars have completely new careers.

Josie rose to fame as a face on the likes of Songs of Praise, Top of the Pops, Inside Out, and Cardiff Singer of the World after her stint on The Broom Cupboard.

The 52-year-old Newport, Wales resident became the youngest British woman to host her own chat show on Channel 5 in 1999, titled Josie.

Josie’s media ambitions didn’t stop there and she soon pivoted to acting, where she starred as Alisha Adams in Holby City and made guest appearances in Casualty and Doctor Who.

She even appeared on Richard Osman’s House of Games and Pointless in 2022, where she competed on a quiz show.

Josie has recently abandoned her job to pursue a career that is beyond the scope of presenting. The artist has been working on her artistic talent ever since, even having her painting in a 2023 show at the Newport Museum of Art.

The BBC star started to take art more seriously after winning a televised art competition, South Wales Argus reports. The painting was called Less, which Josie said was “about how little it can take to make people happy.”

“Art is for everyone, and I’m happy if my piece is just a tiny little reminder that public spaces are places to press pause and take a stroll in a beautiful space,” she said.

Before her TV career began, Josie was rumored to be dating Hollywood actor Gerard Butler, who is best known for his iconic roles in 300, Law Abiding Citizen, and London Has Fallen. In 2005, the pair reportedly had a brief romance.

And Gerard isn’t her only celebrity flame, as Josie reportedly went on a date with actor Joseph Fiennes – the brother of Harry Potter legend Ralph Fiennes – in 2006.

Other Broom Cupboard presenters have a different career path, including Josie. Andy Crane, 61, has been enhancing people’s experiences on Greatest Hits Radio since 2019, and he poses in a completely different way from what he did on the CBBC show.

He currently resides in Lake District, which is picturesque. On Greatest Hits Radio, including The Top 10 at 10 and Midnight Music Marathon, Andy, who was born in the seaside town of Morecambe, Lancashire, plays three hours of the best songs from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

ExCLUSIVE: Stephen Gibb acknowledged Taylor Hawkins’ passing and said the news had hit his father Barry “hard.”

Stephen Gibb has revealed that the death of Foo Fighters icon Taylor Hawkins affected his dad, Bee Gees icon, Barry, “hard”. The music world was left shocked in March 2022 when it was announced that Taylor, aged 50, had died after complaining of chest pains.

On the day of his death, the drummer was scheduled to play. He was unresponsive when his roommates at the Four Seasons Casa Medina hotel called. He was tragically declared dead at the scene, but emergency services immediately began carrying out CPR.

The day after, it was confirmed following a urine toxicology test that Taylor had 10 different drugs, including THC, tricyclic antidepressants, opioids, and benzodiazepines, in his system. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Stephen, 50, explained how the death had affected his dad, Bee Gees legend Barry.

He said, “I only spoke to him days before losing him; for both my father and I. My dad and I used to speak frequently at the time, Stephen continued. Dad had to work it out a lot. I’ll never understand why some people stay while others must leave. The best was Taylor. The thing is, he was the real deal when it came to rock and roll love.

The 50-year-old musician continued, “He really enjoyed it. He will never be forgotten, and that is not just a result of my song. Because I adored the man, I wrote that song. We had planned to make music, but I won’t be able to do it. A guy should be getting loved on forever, in this brief love letter. One of history’s greatest drummers, he was the real thing, with heart of gold.

He succeeded in his goals, I believe, and I sincerely hope so for his sake. On their self-titled debut album, Stephen and his Kill The Robot bandmates write a moving song called Western Shores.

Stephen quickly discovered who his real friends were as a father, a global icon, and his own. Knowing who your real friends are is is the hardest part of being a big band when The Bee Gees were still very popular, he said, adding that you might have to sacrifice your life to discover who your real friends were, but you do.

“The big misconception a lot of people have is that because a family is famous, it’s somehow not affected by certain things that everyone else is affected by. The fact of the matter is, like most celebrities that I’ve met in my life, are real people that have problems, just like everybody else – it’s just that they have this unimaginable skill or gift that they’re able to bestow upon the world. It comes with a price.”

He followed his father on the road and in the studios as a child, but when he was eight and nine, he realized that not everyone’s father was a singer, let alone a global icon. We used to be a very close-knit, large family, and we would spend a lot of time together, he said, adding that Maurice and his brothers would often host cookouts. I can’t speak for everyone, but many nights after dinner they would gather around and sing their favorite songs to entertain us. This is one of the most powerful memories we have.

I don’t think it became apparent to me until I was a little older how special, distinctive, and influential their contributions were and are. You are the oldest son of a famous man. I was able to identify the qualities that made me most grateful, such as knowing what it looked like and what it required to excel in a field you truly enjoyed. It required total commitment from my dad, all of them.

What might have happened if the Bee Gees had not returned to the UK, which would have made you the greatest thing ever? Possibly nothing. Being a member of a family that has produced something that has, up until this point, outlived them is an incredible gift and honor. That’s becoming more and more uncommon as I age, in my opinion, with each passing year.

He acknowledged that he had a “bit of a chip on his shoulder” as a child due to his father’s fame and that he had had his fair share of challenges and rites of passage. It does make your children’s lives a little more difficult. Fans of Barry’s appearance at their family home when Stephen was a child faced one of these difficulties.

One or two of them joked, “It’s odd, it comes with its odd things, as I’ve gotten older, I work just as hard as anyone else I know that does what I do,” adding, “I’ve had them say they were my real mum, my dad, and they were going to run away together.” No free lunch is provided, no matter whether you’re John Lennon’s or Barry Gibb’s son. It has two sides, one for each.

Your son has a band, does he sound like his father, you ask? People are disappointed that you have your own fingerprint because I don’t, I don’t. For Kill The Robot’s debut album, “That fingerprint left Stephen” terrified and eager. Although he acknowledges that it’s “hard” to get people to like a new band, the album is a labor of love.

He beamed, “We had a lot of fun making this album with some of my best friends,” he said. He hopes the record will appeal to both new and returning fans as well as those who have remained loyal to him over the years. My hope is that once it’s out, people will be able to identify Kill The Robot as a band and find something to fit their style in our music.

On all major platforms, you can stream and download Kill The Robot via Dark Lab Recordings.

Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.