Michael Owen was left a little red-faced on Tuesday night when his fellow pundits couldn’t resist mentioning a certain reality show during their coverage of the England match.
The footballer’s 19-year-old daughter Gemma is currently appearing on Love Island, which Channel 4 football presenter Jules Breach referenced at the beginning of the show.
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She told viewers: “Joining me hoping to see another famous England victory in Munich are England and Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs, former England, West Ham and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole and the father of Love Island’s Gemma Owen, Michael Owen, here with us.”
As Michael hid his head in his hands, she continued: “A big night for the Owens last night, Michael. How are you feeling?”
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He joked: “I came all the way to Germany to try to avoid all that back at home, and you brought it up straight away. I’m feeling alright, thank you.”
Gemma Owen is currently at the centre of the action on Love Island
ITV/Shutterstock
Michael quickly added: “This has taken my mind off it, so don’t bring it back up. ”
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Tuesday night’s instalment of Love Island saw Gemma coupling up with newbie Davide, after the public previously paired her with student Liam.
We might only be two days into this year’s series of Love Island, but producers are already getting ready to shake things up.
At the end of Tuesday night’s instalment, during which Liam was left standing alone when newcomer Davide coupled up with Gemma, the show teased the first of this year’s Bombshell arrivals.
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The first of these is 25-year-old Afia Tonkmor, a lounge host at a private members club from London.
Admitting she’s fallen in love “too quickly” in the past, Afia has said Love Island “seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet someone… and have an amazing summer”
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“[I want to] just have so much fun and have a bit of a summer romance as well,” she added.
Afia is one of two new arrivals in the villa
Elisabeth Hoff/ITV
Joining her in the villa will be fellow newbie Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, a 27-year-old actor from Essex.
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Ekin-Su has admitted she’s “quite picky”, insisting she’s “not just looking for looks – I’m looking for brains!”.
“I’m looking for someone with intelligence, someone who can have good chats,” she said prior to her arrival in the “Nothing like cockiness! I’m looking for a serious man and a serious relationship.”
She added: “I’m looking for that real genuine spark and they just see me as me. I think the concept of the show brings back true and raw feelings.”
The first 11 Islanders were introduced to fans in Monday night’s launch show, which was watched by an average of 2.4 million viewers, holding steady on the previous series’ viewing figures.
On Monday morning, bosses started announcing the new cast members who’ll be taking up residence in the Love Island villa from next week in the hopes of nabbing true love (or, at the very least, a Boohoo collection).
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Get to know them a little better below – and make sure to keep checking back over the course of today as more Islanders are unveiled…
Paige
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Paige Thorne
From: Swansea
Job: Paramedic
She says: “I need to break out and broaden my horizons and Love Island just brings everyone together for me. I haven’t got to go out and I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!
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“[I’m bringing] positive energy, lots of bubbly energy. I am a good cook and I’m quite mumsy so I’ll look after anyone that needs looking after.”
Dami
From: Dublin
Job: Senior microbiologist
He says: “This year I was kind of being more open to new things and I think actually that’s why I put myself out there to get some new experiences. Love Island is a different experience, I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some, might go well with others, so it’s a fun experience.
“I don’t know if I will cause trouble, I’ll try not to cause trouble but sometimes you don’t intentionally cause trouble – but it happens!”
Indyah
Indyah Polack
From: London
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Job: Hotel waitress
She says: “I have been single for some time and I feel like for my generation of people, it’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that. Love Island particularly is like a closed space and I think it is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one and build a real connection.
“I feel like I’m going to bring a lot of flavour and vibrancy. I feel like I’m quite a down to earth person, so it shouldn’t be an issue to meet a lover or a friend.”
Love Island returns on Monday 6 June at 9pm on ITV2.
Kornbread emerged as an early favourite when Drag Race began its 14th series earlier this year, but was forced to bow out of the competition early due to an ankle injury she suffered on set.
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While Drag Race fans assumed that the queen would be invited back in 2023 – as previous queens forced to leave the contest earlier, including Eureka O’Hara and the UK’s Veronica Green have – she confirmed on Friday that she will not be appearing on the next season.
“My run on season 14 was nothing short of AMAZING,” she said. “Unfortunately I will not be returning to Season 15 of RuPauls Drag Race. Great things ahead!”
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Kornbread added: “I love and appreciate you all for the support! Let’s make magic!”
She added that she was also not appearing on any All Stars seasons, noting this “wasn’t my decision”.
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My run on season 14 was nothing short of AMAZING
Unfortunately I will not be returning to Season 15 of RuPauls Drag Race
Great things ahead!
I love and appreciate you all for the support! Let’s make magic!
— Kornbread “Conspiracy Queen” Jeté (@kornbreadTMFS) March 18, 2022
And no I’m not on anybodys all stars.
Wasn’t my decision 🙂
— Kornbread “Conspiracy Queen” Jeté (@kornbreadTMFS) March 18, 2022
She later clarified that her “wasn’t my decision” comment referred only to not appearing on All Stars, implying it had been her choice not to return for season 15.
Kornbread – who is transgender –wrote: “A bitch just wants to focus on her transition.”
Thanks EW for the article. All you need to know is in here 🙂 I said it when I first left the show and they reiterated!
— Kornbread “Conspiracy Queen” Jeté (@kornbreadTMFS) March 18, 2022
Allllll STARSSSSSSSS read the comment again.
— Kornbread “Conspiracy Queen” Jeté (@kornbreadTMFS) March 18, 2022
HuffPost UK has contacted World Of Wonder, the production company behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, for comment.
While Drag Race has been available to watch week-by-week on Netflix UK since its ninth season, this year marked the first series since 2017 that is not available to watch on the streaming giant. Instead, new episodes debut weekly on the platform WowPresents Plus.
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This year’s series saw the introduction of a twist in which queens could be saved from elimination by a golden ticket hidden inside a RuPaul-branded chocolate bar.
Strictly Come Dancing champion Rose Ayling-Ellis has been hailed as “a shining example to deaf and hearing people alike” by various charities, while her win has been celebrated as “a victory for the deaf community”.
The EastEnders star, who is deaf, has used an interpreter during the series and her Couple’s Choice dance, which she repeated during the final, shared her experiences of deafness and featured a long period of silence.
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Disability equality charity Scope has now has called on more broadcasters to feature disabled people’s talents, saying there is still a long way to go to improve representation of disabled people on TV.
Yes, it’s a TV show. But there are deaf and disabled children at home watching @bbcstrictly tonight saying to themselves “I can do it”. And that’s magical.
Congratulations from all of us at Scope, @RoseAylingEllis. You have done yourself proud 💜
James Taylor, executive director of strategy at the charity, said: “For Rose Ayling-Ellis to have starred week after week on Saturday night prime time – and then lift the glitterball trophy – is a massive step forward.
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“However, there is still a very long way to go until disabled people are featured fairly on screen. There are 14.1 million disabled people in the UK and their lives and stories are not being told.
“Seeing disabled people on TV will only help improve understanding and break down barriers.
“So, the fact that Rose’s journey has been beamed into living rooms week-in week-out is excellent progress and must be the start of real change.
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“We have seen a victory for representation on our screens, challenging the stereotypes of what disabled people can do.
“We want more broadcasters to step up and feature the talents of disabled people.”
Rose also performed a number inspired by Frozen during the live final
BBC/Guy Levy
Mark Atkinson, chief executive at the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, said Rose’s appearance on the show has given audiences “a beautiful insight into the deaf community and deaf culture”.
He added: “Her victory isn’t just a personal achievement, but also a victory for the deaf community.
“She has shown that deaf people can do anything, if society addresses those barriers and provides the right access and support.
“Giovanni has been a perfect example of this, working with Rose and adapting his teaching style to help her succeed.
“At RNID, we are all thrilled that Rose has won, and we are confident that her legacy will mean lasting change for the one in six people who are deaf or have hearing loss.
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“We hope Rose’s success will open up employment opportunities for deaf people and reduce barriers, and we’re excited to see what she will undoubtedly go on to achieve in her future career.”
Rose Ayling-Ellis performing her Strictly show dance
She said: “It’s hard to overstate just what an impact Rose has made, not only on deaf children and young people, but also on the public’s understanding of deafness.
“Throughout her Strictly journey, she’s been a shining example to deaf and hearing people alike.
“This could be a new dawn for deaf children and young people everywhere because it’s clear for all to see that with the right support and the will to succeed, they can aim for the stars.
“Strictly may have come to an end, but we sincerely hope that this surge of interest in deafness and the desire to engage with deaf people continues long into the future.”
AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington had originally been due to compete in the final, but was forced to withdraw due to a serious injury, meaning the show went ahead with just two competitors.
Long-serving Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer has announced she’ll not be able to perform during the live final this weekend due to an injury.
Karen was partnered with The Crown actor Greg Wise in this year’s series, and had been due to reunite with the rest of the cast for a group number in Saturday’s live show.
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However, the Venezualen performer has told her Instagram followers that she will not be able to dance in the number, after hurting her knee.
She said earlier this week: “Currently, I have two things wrong with my knee. There’s a little bit of a tear on my meniscus and then there’s also a little cartilage flap behind my knee.
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“But they’re very minor so instead of an op I got a knee injection so that’s good news.”
Karen Hauer dancing with Greg Wise earlier in the series
Guy Levy/BBC
Karen later confirmed that while we would be able to see her during the group number, she won’t be able to dance as a result of her injury.
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“I’m going to be making a little appearance on the dance floor but not dancing, probably waving,” she revealed. “But I’ll definitely be there.”
Because of this, the final will be going ahead with just two contestants in the running, EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis and former Bake Off winner John Whaite.
Kai Widdrington and AJ Odudu have withdrawn from the competition
He explained: “My love for Strictly is a season that is forever summer. However, the producers understood that when I had to stop, I had to stop completely…
“If I gave out a few more details about what the show had been doing to me physically and mentally, you wouldn’t be surprised that the offer of one more dance was politely declined.”
Strictly returns on Saturday night at 7pm on BBC One.
Matt Frost/ITV/ShutterstockMillie Court and Liam Reardon have won this year’s Love Island
After the result of the public vote was announced, Millie and Liam had to decide whether to stick or split the cash prize.
Millie received the envelope with the money but decided to split it with Liam. meaning they took home £25,000 each.
Speaking after their win, she said: “I cannot believe we have just been crowned the winners of Love Island. We have literally had the summer of our lives and we are going to leave here and now explore our future together.”
During an interview with host Laura Whitmore, Liam also asked Millie to officially be his girlfriend.
The couple had a rocky journey in the Love Island villa, with Millie previously calling things off with Liam when she discovered he had been unfaithful to her with Lillie Haynes during the Casa Amor twist.
Meanwhile, during their final interviews, Toby joked that describing his relationship with Chloe as a “massive journey” was an “understatement” after the pair also broke up and then got back together during the series.
Matt Frost/ITV/ShutterstockLove Island finalists Faye Winter and Teddy Soares, Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran, Kaz Kamwi and Tyler Cruickshank and Millie Court and Liam Reardon
The pair went Instagram official on Friday evening, as they both shared loved-up snaps with their followers.
Maura, who appeared on the 2019 series of Love Island, posted a photo of them embracing by the sea, captioning the photo: “I’m yours” and adding a love heart emoji.
Giovanni, who has appeared as a dancer on Strictly since 2015, posted a similar photo and wrote: “You’re mine.”
The pair had been linked in the press in recent weeks, following Maura’s split from fellow Love Islander Chris Taylor.
Earlier this week, she shared a photo on her Instagram Stories showing her holding the hand of an unknown man at dinner, prompting her followers to speculate that it was Giovanni’s.
Karwai Tang via Getty ImagesJanette at the Strictly red carpet launch in 2019
Janette announced the news on Thursday’s edition of The One Show, revealing: “It’s a dream come true to become part of the It Takes Two team! Although it’s impossible to fill in the shoes of a legend like Zoe Ball, I hope to make her and all of the Strictly fans proud.”
She added: “I will miss dancing on that iconic dancefloor weekly, but forever grateful to continue being a part of the Strictly Come Dancing family!”
Janette will be joining current It Takes Two presenter Rylan Clark-Neal – who first began co-hosting with Zoe in 2019 – on this year’s series.
Lia Toby – PA Images via Getty ImagesZoe Ball will not be returning to It Takes Two after 10 years with the spin-off show
During her time on Strictly, Janette has been partnered with fashion designer Julien Macdonald, EastEnders legend Jake Wood, singer Peter Andre, broadcaster Melvin Odoom, JLS star Aston Merrygold, This Morning’s Ranj Singh, Paralympian Will Bayley and pop star HRVY.
Although she’s never lifted the Glitterball trophy, she has won the Strictly Christmas special on two occasions – with Melvin and Aston – and made it to last year’s final with HRVY.
On Monday evening, Zoe shared a statement on her Instagram page explaining her decision to “waltz away” from the BBC companion show.
“Dance lovers, after 10 joyous years I am waltzing away from It Takes Two,” she wrote.
“As a massive [Strictly] fan I have loved spending my autumn teatimes with the celebrity dancers, the gorgeous & awesome pro dancers, the judges, my girl Vicky Gill, Rylan [Clark-Neal], Gethin [Jones] and of course my main man Ian Waite. Time now for some new cha cha challenges.”
Zoe insisted that she will “continue to support the Strictly family” on her Radio 2 breakfast show, adding that she “can’t wait to watch the Class Of 2021 from my sofa”.
She added: “Huge love & grateful thanks to Tess & Claude & the whole Strictly clan, the ITT fans, my Glam Squad, Eve Winstanley, Alex McLeod, the BBC2 gang, & of course the best telly crew ever. I will miss you all immensely. As Iveta would say ‘Friends for the life’.”
BBCZoe Ball has hosted It Takes Two since 2011
Zoe has been the host of the Strictly companion show since 2011, when she took over from regular presenter Claudia Winkleman.
Since taking over the Radio 2 breakfast show in 2019, she has shared presenting duties on the nightly show with Rylan Clark-Neal.
As well as hosting It Takes Two, Zoe was a contestant on Strictly back in 2005, finishing in third place.
She went on to host the show’s live tour in 2011 and 2015.
