Tag Archives: Entertainment

Bradley Walsh Reveals Why Lawyers Can Be Forced To Intervene On The Chase

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Bradley Walsh has revealed that lawyers can often be forced to step in on the set of The Chase.

The presenter has hosted the hit ITV quiz show since it debuted in 2009, reading out all the questions as a team of players attempt to beat a professional quizzer, otherwise known as The Chaser.

In an interview with Radio Times, Bradley has told of how strict things are during filming if he stumbles on any words while posing the questions, especially during the Final Chase, where both sides are up against the clock to see who can give the most correct answers.

Bradley – who does not get to see the questions prior to asking them – said: “If there is a slight misread, I am stopped immediately – bang – by the lawyers.

“We have the compliance lawyers in the studio all the time. What you have to do is go back to the start of the question, literally on video tape where my mouth opens – or where it’s closed from the previous question – and the question is re-asked. It is stopped to the split second.

“It means no time is lost for either the contestant or the Chaser.”

Bradley with the team of Chasers
Bradley with the team of Chasers

Bradley is also required to read the questions at a certain speed in the Final Chase, explaining: “You have to be at such a speed: if you’re a contestant and I go ‘what’s… the capital… of France… ’ they’d be dead and buried in thirty seconds.

“I have to make sure they get up to speed and they’re getting about 18 or 19 questions answered correctly.”

He calls that number of correct answers a “banana skin score” score that will trip the Chasers up and stop them getting into a rhythm when it is their turn in the hot seat.

“They can answer 24, 25 questions in two minutes. We’ve even almost reached thirty,” Bradley added.

Bradley takes 3.6 to 4 seconds to ask a question, and show bosses also use an independent professional monitoring firm called Beyond Dispute, to monitor the questions that are asked and ensure they are selected at random.

The Chase airs weekdays at 5pm on ITV. Read the full interview with Bradley Walsh in this week’s issue of Radio Times, on sale now.

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Police Won’t Appeal Against Katie Price’s Suspended Drink-Drive Sentence, Confirm ‘Disappointed’ Cops

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Police have confirmed they are unable to appeal against Katie Price’s suspended sentence for drink-driving following a crash near her home.

The TV personality avoided jail time last month when she was handed a 16-week suspended sentence for the driving offence while being disqualified and not having insurance.

While a judge said she was unable to send Price to prison because she had complied with requirements of the court, including attending a rehabilitation centre and not to commit further offences, Sussex Police said they were looking at whether the sentence could be subject to appeal.

However, it has now emerged that it will not be appealed, with the police describing the result as “disappointing”.

A spokesperson told Metro: “Following a detailed review by Sussex Police, it was concluded that there are no legal grounds for Sussex Police to appeal the sentence imposed.

“This is disappointing. We remain absolutely committed to pursuing and preventing irresponsible driving behaviour which puts the safety of everyone on our roads at risk.”

Superintendent James Collis, head of roads policing for Sussex Police and Surrey Police previously said that Price was “extremely lucky not to be spending Christmas behind bars”.

“Given the circumstances and her history of motoring offences, it’s clear she did not consider the risk of her actions to the wider public or the implications for her own family,” he added.

Price was involved in the collision on September 28 while she driving to visit a nearby friend.

The court also heard at the time that Price had told police after the crash: “I took drugs, I should not be driving, I admit it all.”

Following sentencing last month, Price said she was “incredibly sorry” for her actions, saying: “I’m sincerely grateful nobody was hurt – I realise the damage my actions could have caused not only to another family, but to my own as well.”

“I’m now spending time getting better — mental health is a hidden illness and can strike at any time.

“The triggers that cause my anxiety and behaviour are something I’m trying to understand, come to terms with, and learn to control moving forward.”

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Molly-Mae Hague Apologises For Comments On Success And Privilege In Her Own Statement On Controversy

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Molly-Mae Hague has issued her own statement on the controversy surrounding her recent comments on success and privilege, in which she apologised to the people who have been “affected negatively or misunderstood the meaning” of her remarks.

The former Love Island star made headlines last week when a clip of her appearance on Steven Barlett’s Diary of a CEO series went viral, in which she claimed “we all have the same 24 hours in the day” to achieve success.

“I understand that obviously we all have different backgrounds, and we’re all raised in different ways, and we do have different financial situations, but I think if you want something enough you can achieve it and it just depends to what lengths you want to go to get where you wanna be in the future,” the social media influencer said.

Following accusations that her views were “tone deaf” and “Thatcherite”, Molly-Mae’s representative issued a lengthy statement insisting she was “discussing her own experience and how she can resonate with this specific quote”.

However, the influencer has now gone further in a post on her Instagram Stories, where she has 6.3 million followers.

She wrote on Monday: “I wanted to come back online today as normal but I feel like before I do I just wanted to say this…

“When I say or post anything online, it is never with malice or ill intent.

“I completely appreciate that things can affect different people in different ways however I just want to stress that I would never intend to hurt or upset anyone by anything that I say or do.”

“I apologise to the people that have been affected negatively or misunderstood the meaning of what I said in the podcast, the intentions of the podcast were only ever to tell my story and inspire from my own experience.”

She added: “Love to you all, always x.”

Molly-Mae was named creative director of fashion brand PrettyLittleThing last year
Molly-Mae was named creative director of fashion brand PrettyLittleThing last year

David M. Benett via Getty Images

A rep for Molly-Mae previously tried to clarify her comments after much social media commentary.

They said: “Social media users have shared a short snippet from this interview with words such as ‘if you are homeless buy a house’ and ‘if you are poor be poor’.

“These are absolutely not Molly’s words, these are not Molly’s thoughts and this isn’t at all the meaning or thought behind that conversation.”

Molly Mae found fame on the 2019 series of Love Island, where she coupled up with boxer Tommy Fury.

The pair finished in second place on the ITV2 reality show, and have gone on to forge a lasting relationship, as well as becoming one of the show’s biggest success stories.

Molly Mae, who was an influencer prior to appearing on Love Island, was named creative director of fast fashion brand PrettyLittleThing in August last year, with her salary reported to stand at seven figures.

Molly-Mae shared this statement on her Instagram story
Molly-Mae shared this statement on her Instagram story

Steven Bartlett, whose podcast Molly-Mae made the comments on, also defended the star and said she faced a “double standard” as a young and successful woman, noting that his male guests did not have to “tip toe” around their successes.

“If I interview a man, he can brag about money, take full credit for his success and talk about his cars?” he asked on Twitter.

“Gender issues aside, the standard we hold Molly Mae to as a 22 year-old that’s figuring out the world is absolutely outrageous.”

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Grange Hill Actor Nicholas Donnelly Dies, Aged 83

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Grange Hill actor Nicholas Donnelly has died at the age of 83, his family has said.

The actor, who played teacher Mr MacKenzie in the series for around eight years, died in his sleep at the weekend and had not been ill.

A statement from his family said: “He was a gracious, kind and lovely man, a wonderful father and grandfather.

“He was also very funny and brilliant at telling stories, acting out all the characters, marvellous company and a privilege to know.

“He loved nothing more than offering hospitality and making people feel welcome.”

Donnelly also appeared in BBC police series Dixon Of Dock Green as Sergeant Johnny Wills in around 200 episodes of the programme, which featured Jack Warner in the title role as George Dixon.

Nicholas Donnelly (fourth from the right) with the cast of Dixon of Dock Green
Nicholas Donnelly (fourth from the right) with the cast of Dixon of Dock Green

In 2015, he was quoted as saying to the Daily Express: “Many of my scenes were with Jack Warner, who played Dixon – particularly as his right-hand man with a fast pair of legs, whenever we had to chase a load of crooks. The producers allowed me to progress through the ranks to acting sergeant, sergeant and even dog handler.”

He also told the newspaper: “Jack was kind to everyone and very professional; he made the show a huge success and we were like a family because of him. We always had an end of season party and as soon as Jack walked in the room you noticed him; it was his charisma: you can’t define it, buy it or learn it – but he had it.”

Warner’s character’s greeting of ‘Evening all’ and ‘Goodnight, all’ became a staple of the programme.

Donnelly met his wife Alrun during his National Service in Germany in the late 1950s, and the couple were married for more than 60 years.

They had two sons, twin daughters and five grandchildren.

The actor, who was a Queens Park Rangers fan, grew up in Kensington, and his other TV credits included appearances in The Saint, which starred Roger Moore.

His acting credits extended to the big screen where he starred in films like 1982 horror film Venom and comedy film Carry On Sergeant.

In 1993 he retired to Hastings with his wife, where he was a lay minister at his Catholic Church, St Mary Star of the Sea.

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Loose Women Deny Latest Reports Of Supposed Behind-The-Scenes Drama

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Loose Women bosses have denied fresh rumours of alleged behind-the-scenes tension among some of the show’s panellists.

A report published in the Mail On Sunday claimed that Nadia Sawalha was refusing to appear on the panel alongside Coleen Nolan, due to derogatory comments allegedly made by Coleen’s agent about Nadia on Twitter last year.

The article also alleged that Stacey Solomon had requested she no longer appear on the show with Coleen, when the former I’m A Celebrity winner returns from maternity leave later this year.

However, a representative for the ITV daytime show has dismissed the rumours outright, claiming that members of the Loose Women panel don’t actually have any say in who they share the episode with.

Nadia Sawalha was one of Loose Women's original presenters when it launched in 1999
Nadia Sawalha was one of Loose Women’s original presenters when it launched in 1999

Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

A spokesperson told HuffPost UK the Mail’s “story is untrue”, adding: “Panellists are chosen for each show by the Loose Women Editor and senior production team, not the panellists themselves.”

Coleen also denied the reports on her official Twitter page, stating that “nothing printed in the Mail article today is true”.

She added that she was “taking legal advice” on the matter, and would be also be addressing it on Loose Women in the days to come.

The former Celebrity Big Brother winner’s publicist also denied the reports, telling HuffPost UK they were “100% untrue”.

Coleen also received a message of support from her fellow Loose Women panellists Janet-Street Porter:

Nadia Sawalha’s spokesperson had no comment when approached by HuffPost UK.

Stacey Solomon is currently on maternity leave from her role as a Loose Women presenter
Stacey Solomon is currently on maternity leave from her role as a Loose Women presenter

Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Coleen first joined Loose Women in 2000, staying with the show on-and-off for 11 years before deciding to take a break.

She later returned as a full-time member of the panel in 2013.

Towards the end of last year, Coleen spoke out about how the show had changed since she first joined, admitting she felt it had become less “free” in recent times.

“It’s a very different show, because the world has changed – and I have to say [it’s changed] for the better in a lot of respects,” she said. “You cannot get away with certain things now. However, it was a much easier show to do in those days.”

Nadia is also among Loose Women’s longest-serving stars, and was among its original presenters when it launched in 1999.

She stepped down in 2002, but eventually returned in 2013, around the same time as Coleen.

Meanwhile, Stacey became a permanent Loose Women panellist in 2016, after a string of guest appearances went down a storm with viewers.

She has been credited with bringing a fresh energy to the show, alongside more recent additions like comedian Judi Love and news anchor Charlene White.

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Piers Morgan Opens Up About ‘Bruising’ Good Morning Britain Exit

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Piers Morgan has spoken out about his much-publicised exit from Good Morning Britain, admitting he found his departure a “bruising” experience.

The former daytime star quit GMB in March 2021, after casting doubt on claims made by Meghan Markle that she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her time as a senior member of the Royal Family.

He announced he was immediately stepping down on the same night Ofcom announced they would be launching an investigation about his remarks, with the TV watchdog eventually receiving a record number of complaints about the incident, including one from the Duchess herself.

Ofcom ruled six months later that the broadcast was not in breach of their code, with Piers having now landed new roles as a presenter on an upcoming talkTV show and a columnist in The Sun.

Speaking to the tabloid a week before the launch of his column, Piers said: “The column is called Uncensored because it does what it says on the tin.

“Effectively I was censored at my previous job and told to apologise to Meghan Markle for an honestly-held opinion, which obviously I wasn’t going to do.”

Alongside a few predictable jibes at the Duchess of Sussex, Piers added: “It was a pretty bruising experience on Good Morning Britain but I’m now working somewhere where I’m free to express my opinions.”

HuffPost UK has contacted ITV for comment.

Piers presented Good Morning Britain for six years alongside Susanna Reid
Piers presented Good Morning Britain for six years alongside Susanna Reid

ITV/Shutterstock

Since he stepped down from GMB in March 2021 – following his infamous walk-off live on air – Piers has made a number of seemingly conflicting comments about the nature of his exit.

While he initially said that his departure was “amicable” and that it was his own decision to leave, he later blamed “cancel culture” for him “losing” his GMB role.

The morning after the news of his exit, Piers told reporters: “I had a good chat with ITV and we agreed to disagree. I’m just going to take it easy and see how we go.”

“If I have to fall on my sword for expressing an honestly-held opinion about Meghan Markle and that diatribe of bilge that she came out with in that interview, so be it,” he added t the time.

After it was reported that Piers would not be invited back to GMB despite Ofcom’s ruling that his comments were not in breach of their code, the divisive presenter then insisted he wouldn’t return even if he were asked – unless ITV were to apologise to him publicly.

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Sinéad O’Connor Announces Her Son Shane Has Died, 17

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Sinéad O’Connor has announced that her 17-year-old son Shane has died.

The singer shared the tragic news in the early hours of Saturday morning, two days after the teenager – whose father is Irish folk musician Dónal Lunny – was reported as missing.

“My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God,” she wrote.

“May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”

In a subsequent tweet, Sinéad again described Shane as the “light of my life”.

“You will always be my light,” she said. “We will always be together. No boundary can separate us.”

The Irish police force An Garda Síochána had been appealing for information after Shane went missing from an area in Dublin, Ireland on 6 January.

A spokesperson has since confirmed to the Irish Examiner: “Following the recovery of a body in the Bray area of Wicklow on Friday, 7 January 2022, a Missing Person Appeal in respect of Shane O’Connor, 17 years, has been stood down.

“An Garda Síochána would like to thank the media and public for their assistance in this matter. No further action is required and no further information is available at this time.”

Help and support:

  • Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
  • Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
  • CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
  • The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
  • Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.
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US Reality Star Explains ‘Science’ Behind Her $200K ‘Farts In A Jar’ Business, And Honestly, We’re Speechless

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90 Day Fiancé star Stephanie Matto and her $200K “farts in a jar” business made headlines the world over this week when it was revealed she’d been rushed to hospital with chronic wind in the most ironic ailment ever.

Well, if you thought that was shocking, you should hear the “science” behind her pongy product.

The reality star risked putting Steph’s Packed Lunch viewers off their sarnies on Thursday, when she appeared on the Channel 4 daytime show to discuss her £38k-a-month business.

When host Steph McGovern asked Stephanie about the process of farting in a jar, she revealed it actually involves more than you might think.

“I have it down to a pretty good science,” she said. “I bought these fabric flower petals and I fart directly on them because the fabric really captures the scent better.

“And then I just put that flower petal into a jar, I seal it up, I tape it and then I ship it out.”

Revealing how she got into sending people farts in a jar in the first place, Stephanie said: “I have a YouTube channel for about eight years and a lot of my fans that were into me were asking for strange items, articles of clothing. But one repeat request I’ve been getting throughout the years is a fart.

“I thought it was just a joke, people just messing with me, but one day I decided to throw them up on sale and see if people would buy them. I wasn’t expecting people to but they actually sold out within two days.”

Stephanie Matto with her jar of farts
Stephanie Matto with her jar of farts

Jam Press/@stepankamatto

Earlier this week, Stephanie revealed how producing so much wind eventually took its toll after she consumed three protein shakes and a huge bowl of black bean soup in one day to fulfil her surprisingly popular product.

Feeling that “something was not right” with a pressure in her stomach that moved upwards throughout her body, Stephanie says she thought she was “having a stroke”.

After arriving at the hospital, it was made clear to Stephanie that she wasn’t experiencing a stroke or heart attack, but “very intense gas pains”.

“I was advised to change my diet and to take a gas suppressant medication, which has effectively ended my business,” she said.

Steph’s Packed Lunch airs weekdays at 12.30pm on Channel 4.

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Twitter Is Showing Molly Mae That We Don’t All Have The Same 24 Hours In A Day

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Love Island star Molly Mae, who was already an influencer before she entered the villa for the ITV dating show, has come under fire for her comments on a YouTube channel.

Speaking on Steven Barlett’s Diary of a CEO show, Mae explained how she became creative director of clothing brand PrettyLittleThing.

The 22-year-old, who is one of the UK’s most followed people on Instagram, was quizzed on several aspects of her life, including her relationship with Tommy Fury – the contestant she left the Love Island villa with, who she’s been seeing since. She also opened up about a recent burglary which saw the theft of prized items.

But the part which ruffled many feathers included a segment on hustle culture and entrepreneurship.

Citing the popular adage that ‘Beyonce has the same 24 hours as us’ as a motivator to just get things done, Mae told Barlett: “You have one life, it’s up to you what you do with it…I’ve worked my absolute arse off to get where I am today.”

Mae explained how she has had criticisms levelled at her in the past regarding this attitude, but doubled down saying: “Technically, that is correct, we do have the same 24 hours in a day.

“We do all come back from different backgrounds and financial situations, but if you want something enough, you can achieve it.”

The comments hit a nerve, though, as many pointed out that while we do in fact have the same amount of hours in a day, our opportunities, socio-economic background and general positions in life vary to Mae, a millionaire.

Many pointed out on Twitter the myths of meritocracy that Mae seemed to be championing – showing that the playing field isn’t level for all.

Others questioned her role as creative director of PLT – a brand regularly criticised for its fast fashion – asking whether they could simply achieve their dreams by working as hard as her.

And many, many more simply pointed out how ridiculous the whole “we all have the same hours in the day” idea is.

Sorry Molly Mae, this was not the inspirational talk we needed.

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Chris Noth’s Final Scenes Cut From Sex And The City Reboot Following Sexual Assault Allegations

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Noth recently reprised his role as Carrie Bradshaw’s husband Mr Big in the first episode of And Just Like That…, which saw his character suffering a heart attack and dying.

On Wednesday, TVLine reported that Big had originally been supposed to appear in a fantasy sequence, which he and Sarah Jessica Parker were snapped filming on location last year, in the series finale,

However, the outlet claimed that after multiple accusations of sexual assault were made against Noth – which he denies – producers decided that his final scenes would no longer be included in the episode.

Variety has now confirmed this to be the case. HBO Max had no comment when contacted by HuffPost UK.

Chris Noth and Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of And Just Like That...
Chris Noth and Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of And Just Like That…

James Devaney via Getty Images

Noth played Mr Big in all six series of Sex And The City, later reprising the role for two spin-off films.

Last month, he was accused of sexually assaulting two women in alleged incidents more than 10 years apart.

Two more women have since come forward with allegations of sexual assault.

Noth has denied the allegations, insisting: “The accusations against me made by individuals I met years, even decades, ago are categorically false.

“These stories could’ve been from 30 years ago or 30 days ago — no always means no — that is a line I did not cross.

“The encounters were consensual. It’s difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out. I don’t know for certain why they are surfacing now, but I do know this: I did not assault these women.”

Since the first allegations were published in The Hollywood Reporter, Noth has been dropped by his talent agency and removed from the drama The Equalizer.

An ad for Peloton featuring Noth – which poked fun at his character’s death in And Just Like That… – was also pulled by the fitness brand.

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