Tag Archives: Entertainment

Andrew Neil Details Behind-The-Scenes Drama At GB News After Leaving Ill-Fated Station

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It’s no secret that GB News got off to a bumpy start when it debuted in June, with former chairman Andrew Neil detailing some of the behind-the-scenes drama that blighted his time with the station in a new interview following his departure.

After initially announcing a short break from the ill-fated broadcaster two weeks after its launch in the summer, it was confirmed two weeks ago that the former BBC presenter would not be returning to GB News.

In a new interview with the Daily Mail – during which he reportedly broke down in tears – Andrew spoke out about his time at GB News, explaining that working at the station brought him “close to a breakdown”.

Referring to GB News’ many technical blunders, he recalled: “Live TV is stressful at the best of times but not knowing whether or not the technology would work…

“It just got worse and worse. At one stage, we were waiting to go on air and the whole system went down. It had to be rebooted and we only managed it with 15 seconds to spare. That stress was just huge. It meant you couldn’t think about the journalism. You were just constantly wondering: ‘Will we make it through the hour?’.”

GB News

Andrew Neil speaking live on GB News

He continued: “By the end of that first week, I knew I had to get out. It was really beginning to affect my health. I wasn’t sleeping. I was waking up at two or three in the morning.

“I had a constant knot in my stomach. When I did wake up I’d feel fine, then remember all the problems I had with GB News and this knot would come and wouldn’t leave me for the whole day.”

Referring to some of the station’s specific issues, he stated: “The studio had four areas. One was the digital wall, another was the breakfast table area – which I thought looked rather good – the other was the sofa, which looked like a Habitat sofa we’d picked up off a skip in Notting Hill, and the fourth, which was where I did my show from, was so black I had to take my jacket off and wear a white shirt.”

“We only had a floor manager because I’d insisted,” he claimed. “We were meant to operate our own autocue and do our own make-up. It makes student TV look well-financed.”

PA

Andrew Neil posing with the on-air GB News team after its launch night

Andrew added that despite broadcasting from “the most diverse, multi-ethnic city in the world”, the team was not able to provide appropriate lighting for people of colour.

“I raised the issue that the reputational damage we were risking was monumental,” he told the Mail. “I said it was a disaster. There were endless things and, by the second week, things weren’t getting any better. Some things were getting worse. It was terrible. 

“I came off air one night and I looked straight at [GB News’ CEO Angelos Frangopoulos], I said: ‘This is a disaster and it’s my reputation that’s on the line’.

“That’s what really did me in the end – and it’s my own stupidity for getting into it – the fact that everybody saw my face on the tin. It was Andrew Neil’s channel. That’s what everyone talked about.

“What nobody knew was [before the June launch] in March, April, May… my face was still on the tin but I had no say over what was going into the tin. That’s what was unsustainable for me.”

Leon Neal via Getty Images

GB News has had a tumultuous few months since its launch in June

In leaving GB News, the Mail reports that Andrew “walked away from a £4 million contract”, though he insisted: “It was a big decision but I frankly couldn’t care if it was £40 million. This would have killed me if I’d carried on.”

A statement from GB News issued to the Daily Mail said: “As with all companies, decision-making rests with the board, and GB News is no different. As a member of the board, Andrew had the same rights and abilities to raise concerns, and he was privy to all decisions.”

Their spokesperson added: “The board allowed Andrew time off over the summer to recharge his batteries. He subsequently asked to leave and the board agreed to this request. The terms of his departure were properly negotiated and documented, with Andrew taking legal advice throughout.

“The fact that he has chosen to ignore these terms and make his departure unnecessarily contentious and public is a decision he will have to live with.”

HuffPost UK has contacted GB News for additional comment.

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Andrew Neil Accuses GB News Of Leaking ‘Smears’ And ‘Lies’ Ahead Of His Acrimonious Exit From Channel

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Andrew Neil has accused GB News of leaking “smears” and “lies” to a newspaper following his departure from the news channel.

The veteran broadcaster said his former employer “unilaterally” cancelled his exit deal and he “couldn’t be happier” to have severed ties following his departure from GB News earlier this month.

A GB News spokeswoman told PA the channel had no comment on the remarks.

The presenter, who was also chairman of GB News, tweeted on Wednesday evening: “After weeks of talks with @GBNEWS, resulting in exit settlement, the channel then broke it by briefing Mail on Sunday with load of smears/lies then unilaterally cancelling exit deal.

“Leaving me free to do, say whatever I want + never again be on GBNews. Couldn’t be happier.”

A report in the Mail on Sunday cited a leaked memo claiming Andrew was about to be sacked before he walked.

The former BBC presenter had been chairman of the fledgling channel and its most high-profile star when it endured a troubled launch in June.

He took a break two weeks after the launch. Reports of a difference of opinion between him and other senior executives soon followed.

Initially, it was said he would still appear on the channel as a commentator.

However, he appeared on Question Time last week and said he had been in a “minority of one” over the future direction of GB News, which has been accused of trying to import Fox News-style journalism to the UK.

Eddie Keogh via Reuters

Andrew Neil 

“More and more differences emerged between myself and the other senior managers and the board of GB News,” he said.

“Rather than these differences narrowing, they got wider and wider and I felt it was best that if that’s the route they wanted to take then that’s up to them, it’s their money.

“The route is what I think you can see on GB News at the moment, people should make up their own minds what they want to watch.”

After the Question Time appearance, GB News issued a rebuttal.

It said: “During last night’s BBC Question Time, a number of demonstrably untrue remarks were made about GB News. We stand for fair debate, tolerance, free speech and factual journalism. There are always more than two sides to any story and we believe in listening to all of them.”

A number of big names joined the channel for its launch including ITV News journalist Alastair Stewart, BBC journalist Simon McCoy and former Labour MP Gloria De Piero.

Guto Harri quit the channel following a row over him taking the knee during a debate on the racism directed towards England football players, while other staff members have reportedly left.

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Insulate Britain Protester Storms Off Good Morning Britain During Heated Interview With Richard Madeley And Susanna Reid

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An Insulate Britain protester took a leaf out of Piers Morgan’s book on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain when he stormed off the live show during a heated exchange with hosts Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid.

Campaigner Liam Norton was on the ITV morning show to talk about the protests that have seen activists shut down the M25 five times in just over a week.

Wednesday’s interview got off to a shaky start when Susanna asked Liam to stop patronising her.

“You’re an intelligent journalist,’ Liam said. “And you haven’t understood what I said last week about what we do in the next three to four years will determine the future of humanity.

Susanna retorted: “Liam, try not to be so patronising when you’re talking to me.”

Things then went from bad to worse when Richard stepped in to say that blocking the motorways puts the lives of others at risk.

“You’re not accepting the responsibility of your actions,” Richard told him.

“Well, if you say something stupid, I’ll cut you off,” Richard added. “The way you’re putting your argument is fatal, it has fatal consequences.”

Getting increasingly irate, Liam then launched into rant, stating: “We’ve been writing letters for 30 years. We’ve been writing petitions for 30 years. This is our line in the sand. We are demanding the government makes a meaningful statement to save the future of this country and if they refuse to do it then they can put us in prison.”

Liam then stood up and yelled: “I’ve had enough of talking to people in this country about what we’re doing. This is the state of things.” 

The Government is today seeking an injunction against the environmental group after police warned that their tactics on the M25 are likely to cause “serious injury or death”.

It comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps vowed to ensure ‘guerrilla’ activists “cannot keep disrupting and endangering people’s lives”.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.

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Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Assaulting Katie Price Has Been Re-Bailed By The Police

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Mike Marsland via Getty Images

Katie Price at the National Television Awards earlier this month

According to The Sun, this was done to allow the police more time to continue their investigation and decide how it would be best to proceed.

Katie previously told the tabloid the day after the alleged incident: “I’ve got a big bruise, my face is all puffy, and I went to hospital. I’m still all dazed. I’m devastated. I’ve told police that I was assaulted, and am in shock that this happened.”

The Celebrity Big Brother winner’s fiancé, car dealer and former Love Island contestant Carl Woods, subsequently insisted that he has “never and never would do anything to hurt Katie”.

Ricky Vigil M via Getty Images

Carl Woods and Katie Price

“I have remained quiet until now due to the investigation being carried out by the police,” he wrote on Instagram. “However, I have found it so difficult to keep quiet on social media due to the speculation and shocking abuse that I have received.

“Anybody who thinks I hit Katie, you’re completely delusional and have no idea of the reality of the situation

Following this, Katie insisted that she and Carl are still together.

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Carol Kirkwood Dragged To Floor By Guide Dog During Live BBC Breakfast Broadcast

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BBC Breakfast star Carol Kirkwood was left red-faced – but unscathed – during Monday morning’s show when she found herself dragged to the floor by a guide dog.

During the live broadcast, Carol was presenting a segment remotely while holding the dog named Flash, praising her good behaviour to Dan Walker and Louise Nugent.

Unfortunately for Carol, that was short-lived.

A few moments later, the Labrador apparently tired of her TV appearance and made a bolt for it, taking Carol with her and leaving her face down on the ground.

“We’ve got a Kirkwood down!” Dan announced. “Someone save Carol!”

After gathering herself and putting her earpiece back in, which had been knocked out during the tumble, Carol assured her co-hosts she was doing alright, adding: “She’s a very strong girl, Flash.”

BBC

Don’t worry, folks. She’s alright!

Fortunately, Carol saw the funny side of the gaffe, and quickly reposted it on her Twitter page later in the morning:

However, regular BBC Breakfast viewers will know this isn’t the first time that Carol has found herself at the centre of a canine-related blunder.

Last summer, she found herself tongue-tied while presenting live from Greenwich Park, where she highlighted just how many dog-walkers could be seen around her.

Except… that’s not quite what the tongue-tied former Strictly Come Dancing star ended up saying.

“We’ve seen lots of doggers,” she announced, before quickly correcting herself, adding: “Not doggers of course. Lots of dog walkers and joggers around here during the course of this morning.”

BBC Breakfast airs every weekday from 6am on BBC One.

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Dan Walker Forced To Miss Strictly Training After Head Injury Sends Him Back To Hospital

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While Dan said that a CT scan confirmed he was OK, he has been instructed to rest for a couple of days, meaning he risks falling behind his fellow Strictly competitors as they prepare for the first live show next Saturday.

Sharing photos on himself in hospital, Dan wrote on Instagram: “Bit of head-based drama today! After whacking my noggin on the big glass window yesterday I got sent to A & E today because I was feeling a little wobbly.

“A lovely nurse at Barnet Hospital called Karina checked my vitals and 6ft 9 Consultant Erik Witt gave me a CT scan to check for a bleed on the brain. Thankfully… all ok.”

He continued: “I’ve got to rest for a couple of days – so I’ll be a bit behind – but ready to dig in again next week.”

Dan also paid tribute to his as-yet-unannounced Strictly dance partner, revealing she “waited for hours in the car park to make sure I was ok”.

“Whatever happens on the telly… she has a friend for life,” he added.

Filming on this year’s pre-recorded Strictly launch show was completed last week, with the episode set to air on Saturday night.

It will see all 15 of this year’s celebrities find out who their dance partner is, while they will also perform in their first group number.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday at 7.45pm on BBC One.

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Gogglebox Issues Response After Paige Deville Announces Exit With Statement Blasting Show

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Gogglebox bosses have issued a response after star Paige Deville quit the show and made a number of accusations about it.

On Friday, Paige – who appeared alongside her mum Sally on the hit Channel 4 series – told her Twitter followers she had “made the decision to walk away from Gogglebox”.

She then went on to say: “It’s been an experience but one I cannot continue with due to long hours of filming, restrictiveness, control of our actions and opinions & zero aftercare support but hey who cares about ex cast, their NTA winners.”

Channel 4

Paige and Sally on Gogglebox

Gogglebox has since responded to the claims, with a Channel 4 spokesperson saying (via Digital Spy): “The welfare of contributors – past and present – is of paramount importance and robust protocols are in place to support contributors before, during and after taking part in the series.”

HuffPost UK has contacted Channel 4 and Studio Lambert, who make the show, for additional comment and is awaiting a response. 

Paige’s departure comes after it was announced five other favourites would not be returning to the series after the loss of loved ones.

In June, Pete McGarry, who appeared on the show with his wife Linda, died at the age of 71.

Then last month, Mary Cook, who appeared alongside her best friend Marina, passed away at the age of 91.

Shortly after the news of Mary’s death was confirmed, it was announced that Andy Michael had also died following a short illness at the age of 61.

Andy had appeared on the show since the very first series, alongside his wife Carolyne and their children Alex and Louis, with their two other children Katy and Pascal also making occasional appearances over the years.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that Carolyne, Alex, Louis, Marina and Linda have all decided not to return to Gogglebox.

Last week, the show triumphed at the National Television Awards in the Factual category, where tributes were paid to the late cast members. 

Gogglebox airs on Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4. 

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Judge Rinder: ‘In Blackpool, Rick Astley Was Leading A Conga, Doing Karaoke To His Own Tune Whilst I Was Delightedly Drunk’

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Within minutes of his dancefloor debut, fans of ITV daytime show Judge Rinder got to see a whole new side of its star Robert Rinder when he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2016.

When taking to the floor with partner Oksana Platero for the first time, not only were viewers impressed with his surprisingly good moves, but he instantly had them talking when he revealed the rippling six pack he’d been hiding under his court robes all that time. 

However, it turns out his first dance wasn’t originally meant to play out like that at all. 

“It was a bit of a wardrobe malfunction, actually,” he says of his robe-ripping moment. “I wasn’t supposed to do that. They were supposed to sew me in, but I hadn’t spent all that time…

“I was up for a bit of fun. It was joyous,” he laughs. 

BBC

Robert served up a memorable moment when he tore off his court robes during his first routine

That was just one of the many fabulous memories TV’s favourite legal eagle shared with us to celebrate the return of Strictly to our screens for HuffPost UK’s new interview series Back To The Ballroom. 

Each week throughout the BBC show’s 19th season, a Strictly All Star will be dishing on their dance floor experience, as we take a peek behind the show’s sequinned curtain. 

First up, Judge Rinder reveals his ballroom bromance and shares why Strictly made him tell his first ever lie on TV.

Strictly changed some people’s perceptions of me

“Often people would come up tentatively in a mildly-intimidated, apprehensive way for a selfie thinking if they got it wrong thought they would end up in prison. But now they see that I’m capable of escapist, glittery joy, they see that I’m more gentle and inclusive.

“You get immersed in this overwhelming good will – people want to talk to you and always ask about dancing. And what a nice thing.”

The most surprising thing about Strictly was…

“How completely involved you become. You become so swept up in it.

“I used to work on cases that had real international consequence or cases involving issues of life and death from time to time, and if you told me 10 years ago that I would feel the same degree of intensity about not being able to get my jazz step in… 

“It also has the power to feel really inauthentic. It’s the only time on television that I have ever said anything that I didn’t believe to be true. On the first day, I was so overwhelmed by it all and I was looking down the barrel lens of a glittery camera with this woman saying things that I was repeating back at her – which I would never normally do – saying that all I’ve wanted to do in my whole entire life is to get to Blackpool! Who says that?!”

Dave J Hogan via Getty Images

Judge Robert Rinder took part in the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing

But Blackpool was everything I hoped it would be and then some

“It also had the best party ever, ever.

“There was this hotel that is in the middle of a rollercoaster of some description and there was Rick Astley leading a conga singing Never Gonna Give You Up, doing karaoke to his own tune whilst I was delightedly drunk. It was glorious.”

I was mindful I was having a different experience from a number of the women on the show

“What I realised was something that was an important personal moment for me, is that the women on the show – all of the speculation, all of the noise – was on them. Were they having sex with their partner? What were they wearing? Commenting on their bodies in a wholly different way. They were forced into being infinitely more mindful and circumspect about the things that they said.

“Whereas if you were a bloke, you can say, ‘Yeah I want to win etc’, and you realise – at least back then in 2016 – the way in which the media, and especially social media, has a different standard towards the genders.”

BBC

The class of Strictly 2016

I know Russian, so I thought I’d be able to speak Russian with my partner

“Only Oksana didn’t want to talk it because she was worried the BBC would translate all the nasty words I was saying, especially the swearing.

“On the first day, I drove from Elstree to Islington past Highgate cemetery, and said, right this is my moment, because you know who is buried there? Karl Marx. So she looked at me and said, ‘He is a singer?’ That was the end of our discussion. I had thought at least if I’m shit at [dancing], we can discuss Pushkin, Dostoyevsky and it will be heaven. But not a fucking bit of it.

“Oksana was amazing. She was very dance focussed, but she didn’t find my humour as funny as I did. When I dropped her on her head, in that very British way, I said: ‘Don’t worry dear, you only need to count to eight.’ She wasn’t in the least bit amused by it… No, she loved me!”

BBC

Robert with his dance partner Oksana Platero

If I could have danced with any other pro, it would have been…

“Oti Mabuse, girl wise. She and I kept a friendship going, in fact we had dinner not long ago. She’s just unbelievably creative. The quality of her artistry and the depth and range of her personality, and also her intelligence. People will be aware that she speaks three or four languages, she has a degree in chemical engineering, she’s just an extraordinary person. And she’s gorgeous. She’s brilliant, joyous and sort of like happiness in woman form. 

“Boy wise, I also would have danced with Giovanni Pernice. Not because of the look actually, but he had the type of personality I could put up with, like a slightly angry Tigger. Or Kevin [Clifton], because he is a master choreographer.” 

I made friendships that have lasted

“I love Greg Rutherford and still speak to him all the time, we had this bromance. And Will Young, the three of us are still friends. We’ve really kept up.

“Louise Redknapp and I are still super close. It’s been five years and we’ve made that friendship last. In fact, I’m going to do dance fitness today with Daisy Lowe.”

Peter Byrne – PA Images via Getty Images

Robert with Greg Rutherford ahead of the Blackpool special

The biggest life lesson Strictly taught me is…

“We talk about the noise of people being in the moment, but remember this is a gift of an experience.

“Because of all the stress around it – and it is nerve wracking and they deliberately make it so on your behalf (‘How does it feel to go out in front of 10m people?’, ‘Splendid, now piss off’) – it’s difficult to delight in it because you’re so terrified.

“I’m thinking about it now and watching it back, which I have only done a couple of times, and I don’t remember being there at all, which is a pity.”

My favourite ever Strictly routines are…

Early days, Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett – if you watch their Jive to I’m Still Standing, she was so good, it still stands up.

In our series, Louise and Kevin’s Argentine Tango, which obviously I watched by the sides and was like ‘wow!’. Just the quality of the choreography was extraordinary. It was musical and beautiful, and I love that. 

The celebrity I most want to see do Strictly is…

“My naughty side thinks about politicians I especially want to shame, but let’s not do that…

“Oh, Chris Moyles! He’d be marvellous. Also he’d really care about winning. We’ve been out for dinner a couple of times and he really does make me laugh a lot.

“If the headline of this whole article was ‘Rob Rinder says Chris Moyles should do Strictly’, I would be thrilled.”

John Phillips via Getty Images

Chris Moyles is Robert’s dream Strictly contestant

The strangest place I’ve busted out my Strictly moves is…

“I was teaching my friend Jilly the cha cha in a car park to the outdoor swimming pool lido in Gospel Oak the other day. The learning to dance doesn’t leave you!”

My advice for this year’s contestants is…

“If you go and delight in the moment and go and have the best fucking time you possibly can, it’s 90 seconds and no-one died. If you look like you’re having a good time and you mean it with all the enthusiasm you can conceivably muster, it rubs off.

“Conversely, if you look like you don’t acknowledge and recognise the privilege it is to be there – it’s free dance lessons! – then the public won’t respond to you and you won’t enjoy it. When else do you get free dance lessons? Heaven!”

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. 

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Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall Comes Back Swinging After Noel Gallagher’s Jibes About The Band

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Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall has some fighting talk for Noel Gallagher after the former Oasis musician’s jibes about her band.

Earlier this year, Jade and her bandmates made history at the Brit Awards when they became the first girl group in history to take home Best British Group.

Their win was widely praised at the time, particularly when the stars shouted out a handful of British girl bands who paved the way for them in their acceptance speech, but one person who seemingly wasn’t impressed was Noel.

“Little Mix, with the greatest respect, are not in the same league as Oasis. Not even in the same f*****g sport,” he claimed.

Dave J Hogan via Getty Images

Noel Gallagher

Noel continued: “It’s a symptom of the music business chasing the numbers – and there not being any bands or songwriters in those bands.

“Record company guys constantly say, ‘Oh, these guys are the real deal’. And I think, ‘You wouldn’t know the real deal if it f***ing bit you on the a***, mate’.”

Well, Jade has now had her say on the matter during an appearance on the upcoming reboot of Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

Jeff Spicer/BFC via Getty Images

Jade Thirlwall

In a preview clip shared in Radio Times’ new podcast, Jade is heard saying: “[Noel said] something about that we were undeserving of the Brit Award because we’re women and don’t… well, we do write music, but he thinks we don’t write music.”

She added: “Yeah, shame really. Because you know, we are definitely the most successful girl group in the country, but he’s not even the most successful performer in his family.”

Karwai Tang via Getty Images

Little Mix pictured out together in April

It’s worth noting that Little Mix have writing credits on all six of their studio albums, with signature tracks like Wings, Move, Shout Out To My Ex and their most recent hit Heartbreak Anthem all having been co-penned by the group themselves.

The chart-topping band are currently riding a huge wave of success after Sweet Melody – their final single to feature former band member Jesy Nelson – topped the charts at the beginning of this year, with subsequent singles Confetti, Heartbreak Anthem and Kiss My (Uh Oh) all breaking the top 10 in the last few months.

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Twitter Responds To Nicki Minaj’s Claims Her Infamous Vaccine Posts Landed Her In ‘Twitter Jail’

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Nicki Minaj has claimed she’s in “Twitter jail” after she posted a string of infamous posts about the Covid-19 vaccine – and the social media site has something to say about it.

Earlier this week, the rapper raised eyebrows when she claimed that she would not be attending the Met Gala as organisers were requiring guests to be vaccinated.

In a tweet that has since been widely debunked, she wrote: “My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen.

“His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied.”

Since then, Nicki has doubled down on her views, particularly after she was criticised by prime minister Boris Johnson and chief medical officer Chris Whitty during a press conference earlier this week.

However, on Wednesday night, Nicki claimed she was in “Twitter jail” as a result of her tweets.

Dimitrios Kambouris via Getty Images

Nicki Minaj in 2017

“I’m in Twitter jail y’all,” she wrote on her Instagram story. “They didn’t like what I was saying over there on that block, I guess.”

She added that she’d planned to post a Twitter poll with the options “asking questions is OK” and “I like being fking dumb” only to find “boom – can’t tweet”.

A spokesperson for Twitter has denied taking action on Nicki’s account, saying (via The Daily Beast): “Twitter did not take any enforcement action on the account referenced.”

Prior to this, Nicki also claimed she’d been invited to discuss her views at the White House, tweeting: “The White House has invited me & I think it’s a step in the right direction. Yes, I’m going.

“I’ll be dressed in all pink like Legally Blonde so they know I mean business. I’ll ask questions on behalf of the ppl who have been made fun of for simply being human.”

A White House spokesperson later insisted they’d actually only offered Nicki the chance to speak to their medical officials over the phone.

“As we have with others, we offered a call with Nicki Minaj and one of our doctors to answer questions she has about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine,” they added.

Before her Twitter exit, Nicki came under fire when she shared a clip of Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson praising her vaccine stance, alongside a bullseye emoji.

Earlier this week, she got into a Twitter row with Piers Morgan, after he branded her a “rude little madame” following her posts about the Covid vaccine.

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