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As the Lionesses play their first game against France in the Euros this evening, we take a look at England captain Leah Williamson’s life off the pitch – and discover her talents aren’t limited to football

Football fever is gripping the nation as the England women’s national team kicks off in Zurich at 8pm tonight (July 5) to defend their Euro championship, but what do we know about our captain, Leah Williamson?

The Arsenal and England defender, 28, has loved the game since a young age, with her journey beginning at Scot Youth, a boys’ team in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, when she was just six years old. Although she was only at the club for a year, it helped shape the rest of her career.

After being part of Arsenal’s youth programme from the age of nine, Williamson debuted for the senior team when she was 17 at the end of their 2014 Champions League campaign. Since then, there’s been no stopping her.

Williamson has won the League and Champions League once and the FA Cup and League Cup twice each. She has also captained Arsenal on various occasions, marking 200 appearances for them in December 2022.

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You could say football is in her blood, as Williamson’s mum played football when she was younger. However, back then, her mum had to cut her hair short to look like a boy to be allowed to play.

Williamson comes from a divided footballing family. Her dad and brother support Tottenham Hotspur, while she, her mum, and her grandmother are lifelong fans of Arsenal.

Her career hasn’t been entirely plain sailing. On 19 April 2023, Williamson sustained an injury in Arsenal’s 1-0 Women’s Super League loss to Manchester United. The injury was later revealed to have been an anterior cruciate ligament, leading her to miss the rest of the season and the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Determined not to let it be her demise, she learned how to play the piano while recovering, even performing with the BBC Concert Orchestra for the BBC Sport digital show Out Of Office, which follows players pursuing interests off the pitch. Then in April 2024, she made her footballing comeback against the Republic of Ireland.

As well as learning to play the piano, Williamson is good with numbers and is studying accountancy. She’s also had to overcome a painful health condition.

Williamson revealed she has endometriosis – a long-term condition where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other places, like the ovaries and fallopian tubes. She has spoken about the condition in a bid to increase awareness of the disruptive condition and the need for more measures to help women suffering.

In a former interview with Women’s Health, Williamson said: “Before the Euros I had a concussion, which they say can really impact your next period, and it was bad – like, really bad. ” She explained that she felt like she couldn’t move with the pain.

The football star added: “I was like, ‘it cannot happen. ‘ Like, I actually won’t be able to play. [An endometriosis flare-up] is a big fear when you get to a tournament not injured.

“I don’t change too much around [my cycle] now. Unless I’m on the floor. And then I’m like: ‘I won’t make it today’. I’m a professional athlete, I’ve always been like, ‘let’s get on with it’. “

Williamson is also a part of the LGBTQ+ community and is rumoured to be in a relationship with former Miss USA and American model Elle Smith. While they have been photographed together on numerous occasions, including on holiday in Majorca, neither has confirmed their relationship status.

Meanwhile, Williamson has created a limited-edition ice cream sundae, The Captain’s Choice, to celebrate the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 competition. The Captain’s Choice boasts a scrumptious mix of chocolate and vanilla ice cream, laced with raspberry coulis and rich chocolate sauce. It’s garnished with Cadbury Buttons and Flake, all presented in a traditional sundae glass, topped with a lavish swirl of whipped cream.

But buyers can relish the dessert’s tastiness as well as feel good knowing they’re backing a good cause. Absolutely Business reported that £1 from every purchase will be donated to the women’s football community, We Are Laces.

England V France kicks off tonight at 8pm on ITV.

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Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell has revealed her grandfather passed away aged 99 in a heartbreaking post shared on social media

Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell paid tribute to her grandfather after he died aged 99. The professional dancer took to her Instagram page to share a compilation video of her hanging out with him. In the first clip, she surprised him with a visit as he exclaimed: “Well, I’ll be,” when he spotted her.

She also shared a video of them strolling down the hallway as she joked: “Gonna have a race with me. ” Captioning the post, Dianne wrote: “Rest in peace pop [heart emojis] you were 99 years young [praying hands emoji], thank you for all the stories and I just know you will be up there dancing with Nan already. “

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Her friends took to the comment section to pay their condolences, with Vito Coppola posting a heart and praying hands emoji. Michelle Tsiakkas wrote: “I’m so sorry for your loss Di. Sending you and your family all my love. “

One fan added: “99 years young and etched in our hearts forever. Sending you and the family all my love always. “

Another user posted: “Oh I’m so sorry to hear this Di! Such sad news! What a legend your pop was! 99 years old! He’ll be looking down on you in awe of what your doing. “

Her grandfather’s death comes a few weeks after Dianne’s grandma died. In March, she shared a number of clips of her nan and said: “Rest in peace nan. Love you very much.

“I’m so grateful I was home to say goodbye to such a special lady in my life. Now go be with pop he has been patiently waiting for you. “

In April last year, she took to her social media to reveal her father, Mark, finished chemotherapy after 12 rounds of treatment.

Dianne told followers: “To my daddy you did it 6 months later and 12 rounds done. I am so so PROUD of you it’s been a tough road but you have always done it with a smile and a thumbs up. I know you were scared and I know it was not easy but you have done it. ”

She added: “I wish so much I could be there right now and just cuddle you. You’re my hero and you have made me realise we all have so much more strength then we think.

“And to my beautiful mum who has not left your side and been the best support system ever thank you. Us kids are so lucky to have you both we love you so much.

“Now we need to book that trip in back to UK for the both of you. ”

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Julian McMahon, who played Cole Turner in Charmed, has been remembered by his former co-star Alyssa Milano, who referred to him as ‘forever Cole’ in her heartbreaking tribute

Alyssa Milano has paid tribute to Julian McMahon following her Charmed co-star’s heartbreaking death. The Australian actor’s death from cancer at the age of 56 was announced on Friday night.

The late Nip/Tuck star was known to millions of Charmed fans as Cole Turner, the demonic love interest for Alyssa’s Phoebe Halliwell. Despite only appearing in the supernatural drama from 2000 until 2003, Julian struck up a close bond with Alyssa and remained friends with her until his death.

Writing on Instagram in the wake of his passing being made public, Alyssa told fans: “Julian McMahon was magic. That smile. That laugh. That talent. That presence. He walked into a room and lit it up—not just with charisma, but with kindness. With mischief. With soulful understanding.

“We spent years together on Charmed—years of scenes, stories, and so many in-between moments. He made me feel safe as an actor. Seen as a woman. He challenged me, teased me, supported me. We were so different, and yet somehow we always understood each other.

“Julian was more than my TV husband. He was a dear friend,” she continued. “The kind who checks in. The kind who remembers. The kind who shares. The kind who tells you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable—but always with love. “

She concluded with: “My heart is with Kelly, with Madison, and with Iliana—his girls, his world. He adored them. You could feel it in every conversation, every story, every text. He was a family man above all, and he loved deeply. Losing him feels unreal. Too soon. Too unfair. Rest, my friend. I’ll carry your laugh with me. Forever Cole. Forever Julian.”

Julian died in Clearwater, Florida, on July 2, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a family in mourning. “With an open heart, I wish to share with the world that my beloved husband, Julian McMahon, died peacefully this week after a valiant effort to overcome cancer,” his wife Kelly McMahon shared with Deadline.

“Julian loved life. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his work, and he loved his fans. His deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible. We ask for support during this time to allow our family to grieve in privacy. And we wish for all of those to whom Julian brought joy, to continue to find joy in life. We are grateful for the memories. “

Hailing from Australia and the son of former Prime Minister Billy McMahon, Julian began his journey in the spotlight as a model before transitioning to acting in the late 1980s.

His early acting days included a stint on Home and Away from 1990 to 1991, followed by his feature film debut alongside Elliott Gould in Wet and Wild Summer!

Seeking greater opportunities, he then made the move to Hollywood, securing a part in NBC’s Another World in 1993, which paved the way for further success in series such as Profiler and eventually the role of Cole Turner in Charmed.

McMahon’s career reached new heights when he secured the lead in Ryan Murphy’s ‘Nip/Tuck’, portraying Dr Christian Troy across six seasons and earning a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.

With his charm as a leading actor, he quickly landed the role of Jess LaCroix in FBI: Most Wanted, starring for three seasons before his departure in 2022. His final two films saw him playing Scally in The Surfer and Chick Carlson in The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.

He also portrayed Prime Minister Stephen Roos in Netflix’s The Residence this year. Not only was he a successful leading man, but he also lent his voice to Dr Doom in the 2005 Fantastic Four video game.

Julian tied the knot with Dannii Minogue in 1994 after meeting her on the set of Home and Away a few years earlier. He even featured in her music video for This Is It, which was inspired by their relationship. Their careers often kept them apart, with him working in the US and her in the UK. A year and a half later, they decided to part ways.

In 1999, he wed Baywatch star Brooke Burns, and the couple welcomed a daughter in 2000 before their separation in 2001. He then married for a third time in 2014 to Kelly Paniagua.