Category Entertainment News

As villagers complain about the “eyesore,” Russell Brand’s disused village pub, which he purchased for £850,000 in 2021, is abandoned and rotting.

Locals complain that the village pub, which Russell Brand purchased in 2021, has turned into an “eyesore” and is now overgrown and abandoned.

The Grade II-listed Crown Inn in Pishill, Oxfordshire, has fallen into a state of disrepair after being left to rot by the comedian turned conspiracy theorist, who is currently facing rape and sexual assault charges – which he denies.

The 600-year-old structure, which was first constructed in the 15th century as a coaching inn and served weary travelers with ale, food, and beds, is dotted around the grounds.

Its thatched roof and historical details have recently allowed it to host wedding receptions, but since Brand bought the plot in December 2021, it hasn’t yet opened its doors.

The building’s condition is in poor shape, with weeds occupying the pathways and tape holding some of the windows together.

A wooden shed appears to be erecting one side, some of its planks missing, while the log fires no longer burn.

The Crown was once Oxfordshire’s hottest nightclub, becoming the first place to serve drinks and music after midnight. Ringo Starr and George Harrison, as well as Dusty Springfield, were among the celebrities and fans who flocked to the venue.

Instead of loud revelers, the paint is now silence and decay, with crumbling brickwork and rusted iron railings stains the paint orange.

After avoiding meat and dairy since 2019, Brand, 49, and his wife Laura, who is the younger sister of TV presenter Kirsty Gallacher, originally intended to open the restaurant.

Locals, however, expressed outrage and one resident wrote: “We’ve heard he plans to turn the pub into a vegan restaurant.” Who would want that, anyway? He obviously had no intention of utilizing the pub as a bar. He doesn’t consume any alcohol. If you don’t like to drink, why buy a pub?

Brand also obtained planning permission to convert the pub to a recording studio and gathering place for his Rumble podcast and meet other alt-right commentators.

However, after receiving 53 objections from neighbors, South Oxfordshire District Council decided to reject the application.

The Campaign for Real Ale’s South Oxfordshire branch’s David Cooper, the pub preservation officer, claimed Brand’s suggestions were “ill-defined” and would “in no way” make up for the village’s final pub.

Jeremy Tweddle, a resident of Berrick Salome, added that he had “enjoyed numerous visits to the Crown.”

According to him, it appears that the current owners bought a public house, made no effort to maintain it, and now say they are no longer able to support it.

Some neighbors now worry Brand, who is currently residing in Florida and has established an alt-right media hub in Miami, may shut down the bar.

Any modifications to the property would need to be carefully planned, and it might be challenging to get a change of use.

The pub’s owner, Caroline Dempsey, told the Sun that Brand could wait until the building is completely destroyed before selling the land to developers and double his profit, according to Caroline Dempsey, who lives right next door to the Crown.

She said, “This may take years, while it all turns into a sad, neglected, overgrown eyesore in the interim.”

Brand will return to the UK on Friday, May 2, for his first hearing.

According to Brand, who claimed the incidents occurred between 1999 and 2005, when he was at the height of his fame, he has been charged with two counts of rape, indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault relating to four women.

The initial hearing will take place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The Metropolitan Police’s Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy stated, “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.

The Met’s investigation is still ongoing, and detectives want anyone with information to contact police who may be affected by this case to come forward.

Brand completely refuted all of the allegations in a video posted on X. I’ve always told you guys that I was a fool when I was young and single, and before I had my wife and family, “he said.

I had sex, drug, and impure tendencies. But I’ve never committed rape. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual behavior; I’m hoping you can spot it by looking in my eyes.

Since 2016, fashion designer John Playfair has started bringing the limelight to her after they appeared in Cotswold Kitchen, the Great British Bake Off star.

After their cookery show, Prue Leith claims that her husband has become a bigger TV star than her. Great British Bake Off favorite Prue, 85, claims he is being stopped by fans and not her when she opens up about sharing the spotlight with John Playfair.

The pair’s home was opened for John, the subject of the ITV series Cotswold Kitchen, who became a household name overnight. Prue laughed, “People keep saying that we’re like Johnny Craddock and Fanny and Johnny Craddock in the 21st century.” I’m not sure if I’m entirely relieved that he has succeeded. I’m supposed to be the family’s “tv star”!

Prue recalled a recent encounter with a fan, saying, “The girl at the till recognized John. Oh you’re the man on Cotswold Kitchen, she said. That show is my favorite. You are wonderful! You are so funny! and blah, blah, and blah. And she doesn’t even know who I am as I’m standing there, packing the bags. “

In 2016, Prue and retired fashion designer John wed. After her 80th birthday, Prue’s first marriage ended in 2002 with her second husband, Rayne Kruger. Prue stated this week that she wanted to make the most of their time together and made the most of it.

On Holly Rubenstein’s episode of The Travel Diaries podcast, she said, “I want to spend as much time with him as I can because I’m 85.” The pair’s ideal collaboration on their series has been.

He “is always willing to help out,” Prue exclaims. “I was very aware that filming takes place at our home, and how disruptive that is,” I said. “I was very aware that it typically takes longer than it should, and it occupies much more space than just the kitchen. Cables can be found everywhere! Why not involve him since I anticipated how much of a pain that would ensue? He seemed to be drawn in by it.

We have different activities, with John taking care of the outside. He frequently uses a tractor or something to cut the hedges, make the verges, or do other things. And he’s a lot more than himself. Giving him a script or anything of that kind is useless. He answers questions just like I do; he just asks.

Prue breaks down the existence of a particular clause in her contract, lifting the veil on life on set. She informed me that I should take an hour’s nap after lunch, according to my contract. I need some sleep in the afternoon while I’m working because I’m my age. Everyone enjoys it because it gives them an extra hour of rest each day even though “Madam” is upstairs and having a kip!

Prue, 85, is not exhibiting any signs of slowing down. sharing the secrets to a happy, long life with her?

I sleep well, eat well, and “I guess I love well,” the saying goes. I’m delighted to see you. I believe that having more energy is what makes you happy. I believe that you just want to curl up and do nothing when you’re unhappy. Therefore, I believe that having a sincere sense of happiness and having every reason to be happy is a big part. Being widowed, I found joy in John. My grandchildren and I are content and healthy. I love my job, don’t worry about money, and own a lovely house because of everything else that really matters. I’ve experienced sadness throughout my life, of course. My younger brother was my best friend, and I’ve lost both of my brothers. However, “Death occurs.”

Missing the celebrity version of Great British Bake Off so she could take time off to travel and spend it with family, Prue is back for the regular series later this year and for the US version. So what is her future on the Channel 4 show?

She admits, “I honestly don’t know,” We rarely negotiate a new agreement until we start shooting a new series. Instead of being pushed, I want to jump when I stop doing it. I’ll have to slow down for a while, but I’m already very happy.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the definition of a woman and sex in the Equality Act, pop star Sam Smith has issued a powerful message on social media.

Sam Smith has issued a powerful message following the Supreme Court ruling the definition of a woman and sex in the Equality Act relates to “a biological woman and biological sex”. The controversial decision has been branded as “erasure” of transgender people by critics.

Five senior judges made the choice to define the terms “women” and “sex” as biological woman and biological sex. It has raised questions over access to single-sex spaces and protections based on sex, especially for trans rights.

Singer Sam, who uses the pronouns they/them and doesn’t identify as a woman, responded to the decision with a powerful message of solidarity. Sam wrote in a social media post, “Trans people exist.

“A world without trans people has never existed and never will. Trans rights are human rights. I am heartbroken for our community. But we cannot and will not be erased. We are real.”

Sam’s words were echoed by Celebrity Big Brother star Kellie Maloney, who said life will become “very dangerous” for trans people. “This ruling has put a lot of fear in a lot of people,” said Kellie.

The campaign group For Women Scotland (FWS), which mandates 50% female representation on public boards, brought the decision after a lengthy legal battle over the definition of a woman in Scottish legislation.

Its effects are anticipated to be felt throughout Northern Ireland, Wales, and England. GRC-certified transgender people are entitled to sex-based protections, according to the Scottish government, while GRC-certified individuals are only limited to those who were born female.

The issue was whether or not a GRC-certified person who recognized their gender as a woman should be treated as a woman under the 2010 Equality Act.

The decision was made by UK Supreme Court Judge Lord Hodge, who defended the law’s protection against discrimination.

He said, “The Equality Act 2010 unanimously recognizes a biological woman and biological sex. However, we advise against viewing this judgment as a victory for one or more social groups over another.

The government responded, saying that the decision provided clarity in areas like sports clubs, hospitals, and refuges. The decision raises the possibility of additional laws regulating access to facilities, including changing rooms. However, judges emphasized that transgender people’s discrimination protections were not being violated.

A Government spokesman said: “We have always supported the protection of single sex spaces based on biological sex. This ruling brings clarity and confidence, for women and service providers such as hospitals, refuges, and sports clubs. Single sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government.”

Harry Potter author JK Rowling was among those praising the verdict and in recent years has been very vocal about trans people and their rights. She said on X: “It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK. @ForWomenScot I’m so proud to know you.”

The writer continued, “Trans people have lost no rights today, although I doubt some (not all) will be angry that the Supreme Court upheld women’s sex-based rights.”

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Shelby Tribble and Sam Mucklow, stars of “The Only Way Is Essex,” have revealed the couple’s son. On social media, they shared their joyous news with their first-ever adorable photos of their child.

Abel’s father, Shelby and Sam, had already revealed the name of their son and were already parents to him. The couple wrote, “We are completely in love with you,” next to their post. After receiving another beautiful boy, our hearts are now doubled.

They gave his distinctive name, “Our Teskey,” when he was revealed. As Teskey slept in his cot, the couple shared a sweet first glimpse of him in a blue baby grow.

They also recalled the time their son Abel and they discovered they were having another boy. Following Teskey’s arrival, their famous friends and supporters rushed to congratulate them.

Rosie Anna Williams of Love Island remarked, “Oh my goodness! Congratulations to everyone involved. Shelb is gorgeous, according to Amber Davies.

Shelby’s mother, Karen, gushed, “Absolutely besotted and in love with the beautiful perfect little Teskey” and that his big brother, Abel, is a contented little brother to his grandpa’s opulent, beautiful grandson xxxxxxx.

Welcome to the world, our gorgeous baby boy, said Chloe Meadows of TOWIE. In October, Shelby and Sam made the announcement that they were starting a family.

Along with their son Abel, they posted their happy news in an adorable photo on social media. A picture of their ultrasound scan, along with a yellow cake with the words “oh baby” was shared by Shelby and Sam. The couple then shared images of their son and their son assimilating wine glasses into the cake.

As the cake revealed their baby’s gender, they all held their hands in the air for the sweet black and white photo. Baby Number 2 is coming soon, Shelby simply captioned the post.

Sam and Shelby first met when they first appeared on the ITVBe reality show in 2018 and later confirmed their relationship.

After three difficult days in the hospital, they gave birth to son Abel back in November 2020. The couple’s ups and downs were revealed in shock when they split up in October 2023.

The couple’s romantic relationship is over, according to a source who later added that “Shelby is being supported by family and friends.” “They’re still co-parenting their child together and want to keep things normal for Abel,” the source told the Sun at the time.

On TikTok, Shelby also made an apologie for the breakup, sharing a video with audio that read, “This is a song i wrote about men… It is called ew..”. She continued, “Am I speaking for the majority of us at this point?”

Shelby and Sam took a picture together on Instagram last summer while they were on vacation in Ibiza. After Sam left Shelby’s posts, the pair were reunited, and fans were delighted that Sam and Sam had the opportunity to reconnect.

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ExCLUSIVE: Musician Michael Aldag has teased new music that is influenced by the Killers, the 1975, and the Bastille after gaining a worldwide following his witty social commentary on TikTok.

Michael Aldag, a TikTok sensation, rose to fame back in 2020 with his incisive observational sketches about daily life and teased new music, promising that fans will soon hear tracks in the vein of The Killers and Lewis Capaldi.

The 23-year-old from West Kirby, Merseyside is gearing up for a memorable summer, with fresh tracks on the horizon in the form of his ‘ The Carousel ‘ EP – which he is aiming to release in the coming months. Entitled, Tonsillitis, and Ghosted, his previous works, which combined lyrical reflections on Gen Z life with energizing anthemic choruses, were popular with listeners.

His social media posts during lockdown garnered attention from around the world, as he experienced the power of viral content first hand. His TikTok videos, which saw him lampoon aspects of modern life from a young person’s perspective, helped him to carve out a niche for himself as an unlikely social commentator and he boats over 900,000 followers on the platform – along with a further 220,000 on Instagram.

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Aldag’s level-headed outlook, reflecting on what transpired to become a national overnight viral sensation five years ago, demonstrates maturity beyond his young age. He said: “I started doing the sketch videos when I was 18 and I remember doing my first video after being added into uni group chats and it doing my head in!

“I was sat on my couch doing nothing, writing songs in my room and watching Netflix. So I thought ‘I’ll keep doing them’. That kind of grew and as that grew, my music did too. I would sit on TikTok live and would tell people that I had a new song out.

“So it wasn’t planned out. Social media definitely helped me find and grow an audience, which, I suppose, was very important.

He admits to having a life that is frequently ‘splished’ between juggling his duties on TikTok, representing himself, and organizing gigs. Coming off the back of a secret performance at Liverpool’s famous Jacaranda – which launched the Beatles to superstardom and has welcomed esteemed artists such as Blossoms in recent times – he appears enthused when asked about the process of making music.

He still remembers that time in his life as his most productive when he first began to write when he was 14 when he first started to write in his bedroom. However, the craft of songwriting remains his first love, with his passion for his art palpable.

“When I was 16 years old, I really got into that and would spend the night making and producing songs just to get lost in that world.” Then, as the clock would indicate, I would need to go to bed the following morning to get ready for school.

” I’d just be taking my laptop everywhere and producing stuff. I still try to do that, but I also enjoy sharing ideas with a producer about writing on my guitar and keyboard piano.

The Merseysider acknowledges seeing the Killers’ Brandon Flowers perform when he was a teenager as a major seminal moment in his journey to embarking on a career in music himself. He recalled: “I think that was one of those moments where you feel like your life slowed down, I remember watching him and the Killers when I was 15 in the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool – it was incredible.

He was such a fantastic performer, and I can recall just before that, when I first first heard about these songs as a teenager. Seeing their show, with all the massive lights, it wasn’t trying to be coy, it was like ‘ here’s one banger and here’s one after that ‘ and he was just singing his heart out.

“I got really jealous, I think,” the statement read. I wanted to be in the audience and do it because it was one of those times when I couldn’t bear being there. It’s when you try and do it that you realize just how much hard work it takes”!

Aldag anticipates releasing new material in the upcoming months, with “The Carousel” representing some of his most introspective pieces of work to date. His previously unheard tracks are included in his previously unheard collection. The starlet has gained notoriety for his clever depictions of northern life, but it’s obvious that he is more at ease than ever writing about his own struggles with romance, broken relationships, and dealing with heartache.

He acknowledges that the lyrics to the tracks “Three Minutes” and “Happy” have a more melancholy lyrical undertone than the tracks that are The 1975-esque, with catchy pop choruses and bright, uplifting melodies.

Aldag, who co-wrote these songs with producer and former Eurovision contestant Robin Stjernberg, does not shy away from admitting that he is unapologetically baring his soul like never before. They first worked together last year, with their songwriting partnership having blossomed ever since their initial encounter in a studio in Stockholm.

We had never met each other before, but we were put into a session because it was freezing in the middle of winter. We wrote the first song for that. Both of us were feeling quite jaded and feeling like we were doing things that we didn’t feel rewarded by and out of nowhere]the song] happened”, Aldag remembers.

“I just went with what came naturally,” I said as a result. It’s difficult to sing that song because I was very honest with the lyrics.

They are just heartbreaking songs, but what we’ve done with “Three Minutes” is write something that’s a sort of 80s dance-inspired disco tune. Similar to “Happy,” but lyrically speaking, it is pretty devastating but has a snare kick going all the way through.

Addressing inevitable comparisons which will come with Lewis Capaldi for his vocal delivery on the title track, he admits: “I probably sound like Lewis Capaldi when he’s got a sore throat! I love that song – from there that song sparked the rest of the music.

“From there, I thought, “There’s something in that experience that I had.” That was the embryo of that song and then that grew and became all the different sides of it, which became the rest of the music. We hope to have a cool world in place.

Aldag also makes an announcement about making his first concept record of his career, with all the songs being based on the same source of inspiration that Aldag has used to create this project. He said: “I then tried to tell a story in the lyrics of this relationship and of the nature of it going round and round like a carousel – that’s where the whole thing has come from. In that regard, yes, it’s a concept album.

It’s been very jarring in my music before, and it’s even more blatantly so at times, but with this, it’s still my life and true, and I tried to explore different sounds and create a distinctive sound with Robin.

With his upcoming release, “The Carousel,” which is scheduled for the summer, Aldag is now aiming to build on his previous successes. The youngster is also brimming with excitement about playing his songs for audiences at festivals including Chris Evans ‘ CarFest this year.

I’m eager to play CarFest, he continued. I remember it vividly because it was my first festival when I first played it on my acoustic guitar when I was 17 years old. I was so nervous. I was pounding my head. I’m still recording a Shaun Mendes cover, so maybe I’ll take that back for nostalgia.

Zak Starkey, the band’s drummer, has been fired from The Who after decades, but that’s not the only tragedy he’s experienced as a result of being born into the wild world of rock and roll.

Zak Starkey has suffered a major blow, being fired from The Who after joining as their full time drummer in 1996. Considering his hugely successful career and birth into rock royalty, it’s surprising his name hasn’t always been in the headlines – but he’s had plenty of ups and downs behind the scenes.

Multi-instrumentalist Zak, 59, is the first child of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and his first wife Maureen Cox. He had an illustrious childhood, growing up around major stars while enjoying private education and a home in a gated community in Surrey.

Zak went on to grow his own family, marrying his second wife Sharna Liguz – better known a Sshh – in 2022, the year after they welcomed their daughter Luna Lee Lightnin.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly for the talented performer until this month, when Zak was booted from The Who following their two shows at the Royal Albert Hall at the end of March. Zak – who spent much of his childhood with The Who’s original drummer Keith Moon – admitted to being “surprised and saddened” by the sudden break, which followed a few months of instability.

Back in January, Zak experienced a terrifying health scare that forced him to drop out of a gig with Mantra of the Cosmos, which he and Sshh formed. The band, which counts Oasis and Ride guitarist Andy Bell alongside Happy Mondays stars Shaun Ryder and Bez as its core members, was due to perform a secret set in Soho, London, when Zak was rushed for medical attention.

Just hours before he was due on stage, doctors found multiple blood clots in his leg, and was placed on a two-week course of blood thinners alongside being ordered to immediate bed rest.

Zak has addressed his health issues, and blasted the idea that they had anything to do with his firing from The Who. In a statement provided to the Rolling Stone, he emphasised: “In January, I suffered a serious medical emergency with blood clots in my right bass drum calf. This is now completely healed and does not affect my drumming or running.”

Zak, who refers to the band as his “family” and drummer Moon, who died of an overdose in 1978, was given the guts of his departure from The Who.

Moon is known as one of the greatest drummers in history, but also one of the wildest. “He was one of my dad’s best friends. When my brother, sister, and I used to stay with my dad there, we would occasionally spend a few days at Keith’s house. Keith was the babysitter. We would just hang out and talk about anything, really–girls, surfing, bands, drums. He was a really fantastic guy to hang out with,” Zak said of his impact during a chat with the Modern Drummer.

Unfortunately, Zak’s uncle may have passed on more than just his drumming abilities, in blood, to him. When Zak was a boy, Moon gave him his first-ever drum kit, which tragically he later sold when he was 26.

The kit went for £12,000 at Sotheby’s, and Zak admitted that he needed the money because he found himself trapped in a corner with financial and drug issues. “I wish I’d never sold it, but, at the time, I owed some drug dealers and the taxman a lot of money,” he told Hi-Fi Plus.

Prior to his marriage to Sshh, the drummer was married to Sarah Menikides from 1985 to 2021. Zak was just 19 when he first tied the knot, and by this point was reportedly already deeply embroiled in the drug world.

According to an anonymous source, “When [Sarah] met him about three years ago, Zak was drinking heavily and doing drugs, and Ringo was disgusted with him, and not even speaking to him.

Sarah, however, sort of reached him. She made the distinction between drinking and using drugs, not alcohol. If he returns to his former, he was once a rogue. Zak’s return to normalcy with his father is another positive outcome of the relationship, according to the source.

Unlike his second wedding – which saw stars such as Liam Gallagher and Johnny Marr descend on a huge Hollywood ceremony – the first was secretly held at a London registry office. “Ringo didn’t go to the wedding, because Zak wanted to avoid publicity. But he did hold the reception for them afterwards at his mansion,” the source added of Zak’s teen nuptials.

Things clearly changed for Zak later in life, and he can count working with major groups such as Oasis and The Lightning Seeds into his impressive CV. The star also has a label that he runs with Sshh, Trojan Jamaica, which they set up shortly before moving to the island nation.

“Jamaica is the most productive musical country I’ve ever been to. It’s second to none, in fact. The other great thing about it is everyone’s really f*****g happy. There’s no pressure. It flows, “ he told Rock Cellar Magazine. He and Sshh moved there in 2017 after being invited to play in Jamaica the year before, and ended up staying in tropical bliss for three years while also cranking out plenty of music.

And, it seems things might be on the up for Zak despite his very public firing. The long-awaited Oasis reunion tour is kicking off this summer, and they’re said to have their eye on Zak to return to the fold as their drummer.