Author: bang1

Emmerdale aired the final scenes for Tom King on Thursday night, as he was sentenced to three years in prison for the abuse and control he put wife Belle Dingle through

Soaps fans were left in floods of tears this evening as Emmerdale broke the fourth wall for a powerful reason.

Justice was finally served on tonight’s instalment of the ITV soap as Tom King was sentenced to a prison term. The villain had been on trial for the coercive control and abuse he subjected his wife, Belle Dingle, to over several months.

Before the end credits began to roll, the final scenes showed Belle in a support group as real-life women shared their harrowing experiences of abuse. Speaking to Charity Dingle, Belle declared “These women, their stories, that is what gave me the strength to stand up in court today and to show there are people out there and they will listen.”

Belle, played by Eden Taylor-Draper, then looks directly at viewers as she breaks the fourth wall and stares down the camera lens. The official Twitter (X) account for Emmerdale sharing the poignant clip, writing: “The people you see in this clip are actors, but the stories they are telling are real life voices of domestic abuse victims and survivors. Advice and support can be found at http://itv.com/advice.”

Emmerdale fans were in tears as the soap broke the fourth wall at the end of the episode ( 
Image:
ITV)

The powerful scene went down well with viewers. “Superb writing and acting tonight! Best episode of the year!#Emmerdale,” one penned in wake of the episode airing, with another tweeting: “Eye contact at the cameras ! Absolutely brilliant @emmerdale.” A third declared: “Got to hand it to #Emmerdale , breaking the fourth wall at the end there was powerful stuff.” A fourth added: “What a f**king episode. Belle looking directly into the camera? Dear god I’m a mess #emmerdale.”

Audiences have followed the storyline that saw Belle endure manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, and harassment. Initially, he convinced her that she was the problem and it was all in her head. However, as Belle found the courage to leave her abusive husband, his tactics escalated. He stalked her, recorded her, taunted her, spread lies about her, and even attempted to murder her.

Belle faced legal issues for attacking Tom in self-defence, and her mental health deteriorated significantly. Eventually, with assistance from DS Foy and others, Belle found the evidence needed to prove Tom’s abusive behaviour. After being arrested while trying to escape the village, he was charged with counts of control and violence. On Thursday night, he took the stand, attempting to proclaim his innocence.

But his act quickly crumbled, and Belle was able to tell her story. With guest appearances, there were some incredibly powerful scenes with the jury, as well as a support group who helped Belle find her voice. The episode concluded with Tom King’s downfall, as he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Emmerdale fans fear Tom could return sooner than we think ( 
Image:
ITV)
The jury found him guilty on both charges, assault and coercive behaviour. Belle broke down in tears as her family erupted in cheers, while Tom was seething with anger. The judge addressed Tom sternly: “Thomas King, the evidence the court has heard today places you in the highest category of culpability for your criminal actions and behaviour. Though you have no prior convictions and are of good standing professionally, it is recognised that one of the factors allowing an abuser to continue unnoticed is the ability of the perpetrator to have both a public and a private face.”

“Your campaign of abuse against your wife went on even beyond the end of your functioning relationship. In fact, it increased in severity. I believe you have demonstrated no remorse for your actions and you have no inclination to change your ways. Therefore I impose a custodial sentence of three years.”

However, Tom wasn’t done yet; in a final spiteful act in the courtroom, he made sure to lock eyes with Belle before being led away, smirking at her maliciously, attempting to undermine the justice she had finally achieved. Furthermore, viewers expressed worry over the brevity of his sentence, with some speculating that he could be released early and potentially return to the village before the end of 2026, having served just two-thirds of his time behind bars. One theory suggested: “Without giving out the sentence – since few criminals serve more than 2/3rd of their time – Tom could be back in the village before the end of 2026.”

James Corden and Ruth Jones’ smash-hit Gavin and Stacey returns to the BBC for one last hurrah on Christmas Day

Oh my Christ! I’ve watched Gavin and Stacey: The Finale and have some very good news – you can all relax. Fans should prepare themselves, because it’s an absolute belter.

The Christmas special is a (Barry Island) rollercoaster ride of emotions that exceeds all expectations over 90 jam-packed minutes and contains many scenes destined to become classics.

In a tightly-packed hotel screening room filled with cast members, crew, BBC bods and over-excited journalists we laughed (and laughed), we cried and, at times, we gasped. It is astonishingly good. When it finished I literally wanted to watch it all over again – and that never happens.

The action starts five years on from Nessa’s cliffhanger pavement proposal – she has started a new business venture as Neil the Baby, now 16, prepares to begin an apprenticeship with his dad.

Also in South Wales, the Wests are planning a trip to Essex with Bryn (Rob Brydon) packing the Picasso; Stacey and Gavin (Joanna Page and Mathew Horne) looking for ways to spice up their 17-year marriage and Gwen (Melanie Walters) behaving most strangely.

Gavin and Stacey returns on Christmas Day ( 
Image:
PA)Over in Billericay the Shipmans are ready to play host with stressed-out Pam’s (Alison Steadman) preparations not helped by newly retired Mick (Larry Lamb) practicing his golf in the living room. And there’s also Pete and Dawn’s latest relationship issues to contend with…

I can’t remember the last time a TV show has been this hotly anticipated. After all, every fan always knew that Ruth and James were never going to leave poor Nessa down on one knee for the rest of eternity.

But good things come to those who wait and now, after five long years, it’s time to find out what has been occurring in both Billericay and Barry since the last time we saw the gang.

This could well be the best Christmas present anyone in the land gets this year, and I’m not even joking. So sit back on Christmas Day and enjoy this total treat of a TV show with your loved ones. You won’t regret it.

Jane Moore has opened up about her relationship status after splitting from her husband of 20 years, Gary Farrow, in 2022 – and it would appear she’s in no rush to find love

Loose Women’s Jane Moore has candidly opened up about her current relationship status and her feelings towards dating again. In a recent issue of Platinum, the TV panellist shared her thoughts following her split from Gary Farrow in 2022 after two decades together.

Jane revealed that she’s not quite ready to dive back into the dating pool, stating she’s “still recalibrating to single life”.

She also mentioned how friends often question her about her dating plans, to which she responds: “When I say no, the follow-up line of enquiry is always, ‘Do you want to date again’, as though I’m considering getting back on a horse after a nasty fall.”

However, Jane clarified that her divorce wasn’t acrimonious and she remains good friends with her ex, adding: “But my divorce wasn’t nasty, we’re still good friends and, quite frankly, after 26 years of living with someone, I’m still recalibrating to single life and in no hurry to dive back into a relationship just for the sake of it.”

The Loose Women panellist opened up about her current relationship status ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The Loose Women star further admitted that she enjoys her own company and feels perfectly at ease spending time alone at home.

Jane stressed that she wouldn’t want to start dating just because she decided she wants another relationship, but rather if she met someone she had known “many times”, reports the Express.

The former I’m A Celeb star shared that she’s not on the hunt for someone to “complete” her, but if someone comes along who “adds” to her life, then “great”. The mother-of -hree revealed her split from her partner live on Loose Women, with reports from the Mirror suggesting the pair had been “processing” the break up for “about a year”.

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Coleen Rooney was offered a reality show immediately after her success on I’m a Celebrity, and TV giants from both live and streaming networks are battling it out to sign her up

TV star Coleen Rooney, 38, is reportedly at the centre of a war between live TV and streaming services alike after her success in the jungle.

Wayne Rooney ’s wife is rumoured to have been paid a huge £1.5 million plus for I’m a Celebrity, and her success at winning the public over in the jungle will fill her pockets even further. Immediately after coming in as runner up on the ITV show with an impressive 44.8% of the public vote, producers are said to be bidding over signing her up for more TV appearances.

A source claimed that there was a “huge bidding war” being waged over Coleen, with networks “desperate” to be the one to sign her. “ITV are the frontrunners to get her for Loose Women and she would love to do it, but Netflix are now coming in with some big-money offers – we’re talking offers of well over £1 million,” they told Closer.

A source suggested that Coleen might star in a reality show giving a glimpse inside her life with Wayne and their four boys ( 
Image:
Getty Images)They teasingly added that networks noticed that Coleen was a “good listener” and that they wanted to “capitalise” on her personable nature, but didn’t give more information away about the types of shows she might be considering.

Soon after Coleen left the jungle, an insider quickly shared that she’d wowed producers and would be back on screen soon: They revealed earlier this month: “Her time on I’m A Celebrity only solidified what the execs already knew – Coleen is a natural on screen. Her authenticity and charm made her an immediate favourite with viewers. She has been approached time and time again to do more TV but now it is going to happen.”

Rumours suggest that she might even have a Kardashians-style reality TV show of her own, starring herself and hubby Wayne, 39, alongside their four young sons: Kai 14, Klay 11, Kit eight, and Cass, six. The show concept quickly sparked a bidding war, and Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video are reportedly battling it out to secure the rights of the Rooney series.

“It was all set to be Disney’s and then Amazon appeared in the frame. That has sent the fee up. It looks now like the show will go to Disney, but there’s still time,” an industry insider divulged. “Coleen’s time on I’m a Celeb has made her the nation’s sweetheart, even if she didn’t win. The British public can’t get enough of her. Her profile is bigger than ever and the fee for her family’s reality show will reflect that.”

Even beyond her huge TV gains, one expert claimed that Coleen was well en route to earn more than Wayne thanks to a wise investment she made before entering the jungle. Coleen snapped up as many shares as she could in Liverpool-based sports health firm Applied Nutrition after becoming an ambassador for the brand, and is set to launch her own range of proteins, collagen, and vitamin supplements for Applied Nutrition in January. A source close to Coleen said last month: “With the company now valued at a staggering £350 million, Coleen stands to do incredibly well from this investment.”

Tulisa Contostavlos has finally broken her silence her on her I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! experience

Tulisa Contostavlos has bravely admitted she was ‘hyperventilating and crying’ after her sad stint on I’m A Celebrity.

The N-Dubz star, 36, swerved the final of the show earlier this month after deleting all mention of the series on her Instagram after being voted out of the jungle third.

After hot-footing it to the UK, before telling her followers she had been left “overwhelmed” by the experience, Tulisa’s legion of loyal fans were worried about her.

She admitted she still had “demons” in an emotional post on social media as she spoke of dealing with life in the spotlight after a 10-year hiatus.

Tulisa Contostavlos swerved the I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! final, which worried fans

Now, she’s admitted how she really felt, bravely revealing she was “hyperventilating” and “crying” after leaving the show. Speaking to the Guardian, she said: “I came out, still followed by cameras, all t**s and teeth, and it wasn’t until I was on my own that I felt this introvert-overload.

“I was hyperventilating, crying. It was too much.” She was never able to determine, “Is this about a fear I have of being in the spotlight? Or is the person I’ve become just not the kind of person that wants fame any more?”

After taking a break from the spotlight for a decade following a tough time, which included a sting operation to catch Tulisa taking drugs, the Camden-born star said she was curious to see what life in the limelight would be like again.

She mused: “I had a lot of fear surrounding exposure and I got to the point where I thought: ‘Am I holding on to this fear because of what people have done to me in the past? Am I letting other people change my perception of what my career is and could be?’ I didn’t want to feel that way any more.”

After her jungle exit, Tulisa was surrounded by a string of rumours, including a reported row with her best friend, Michelle McKenna, and annoyance over the way she was edited on I’m A Celeb.

However, a spokesperson for the star denied all the reports, telling the Mirror: “The truth of the matter is that Tulisa was struggling with her mental health, which is what she told fans.

“”There has been absolutely no fall out between Tulisa and her best friend Michelle. They haven’t argued once since Tulisa left the jungle. Michelle in fact travelled back to London with Tulisa.

“This story has been completely fabricated and wasn’t even sent to Tulisa’s team for a chance to comment prior to publication. The decision for Tulisa to return home to the UK was agreed to by the production for welfare reasons.”

Breaking her silence after deleting all I’m A Celeb posts from her Instagram as well as swerving the show’s spin-off Unpacked, Tulisa admitted she was an “introvert” and had been “overwhelmed” as she ‘still had her demons.

However, in the I’m A Celebrity: Coming Out show, she said: “I said I was going to come out a different person but I don’t feel different, I feel more strong in who I am.”

The star shot to fame with N-Dubz, but is now interested in a career away from the music industry ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Shortly before arriving Down Under for her stint in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Tulisa opened up about an agonising health battle that completely transformed her appearance.

The N-Dubz rapper was once one of the most famous faces on British television, sitting behind the judges’ table on The X Factor during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. She then launched her impressive solo career, with her debut single, Young, soaring to the very top of the UK charts.

Fans were delighted when she joined this year’s star-studded I’m A Celeb lineup, where she shared camp supplies with the likes of Coleen Rooney, GK Barry, Jane Moore and McFly singer Danny Jones, but sadly there was some unpleasantness online.

Although many were cheering the 36-year-old on as she kept her eyes fixed on the jungle crown, there were those who took aim at her appearance, insisting she looks “so different”.

Shortly before her jungle adventure began, Tulisa sat down with Olivia Attwood for an episode of her So Wrong It’s Right podcast, where she spoke openly about her struggles with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that left her with swelling, and difficulties moving her face.

Camden-born Tulisa told Olivia: “When I was about 24, I had my first Bell’s Palsy attack. So I sat at home, and I had a massive burst of inflammation, and it went down, but my whole face dropped – eye, everything. I couldn’t move it; my face remained like that for seven months; I didn’t go out; I just hid in the house.”

Pointing to her face, Tulisa explained, “As I was coming to the end of the seven months, my face was still not right… I would go and get fillers to try and balance out the symmetry. So I’d be like right, if you put some in that cheek to match the swelling on that cheek and then if you put some here to lift this up so my lip isn’t down there. You can imagine the vicious cycle.”

After her success with N-Dubz, as well as leading Little Mix to success on the X-Factor as well as penning Britney Spears and Will-i-am’s smash hit, Scream and Shout, Tulisa has spoken about making a career change.

Speaking to Fearne Cotton on her podcast, the singer suggested she was ready to put music behind her. “The music industry is wild, it is ridiculous. I’m through most of it. I’ll be out in two years,” she said. Instead, Tulisa now looking for land to build her own themed properties.

She continued: “I’m going into property. I am actually going to build some themed rentals. So I’m like, a super fantasy geek, all things like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones.

“And I’ve always wanted to get into the property game. But I was also like, there’s some parts of it that can be a little bit mundane. So instead of just like building houses, let’s build themed places that I can rent out.

She continued: “So yeah, at the minute, I’m looking for land, I want it to all be very kind of like a nature reserve, you know, cabins in a forest, Hobbit houses. So, yeah, that’s my plan for 2024. I’m absolutely buzzing.”

Tulisa’s N-Dubz bandmate, Fazer, who shot to fame with his childhood pal, recently revealed he had checked in on the star, who he claimed was ‘fine’ and ‘getting ready for Christmas, ordering her turkey’. The pair used to date before they decided they were better off as friends.

Tulisa is notoriously private about her romantic life, however she has revealed she has been celibate for three years, telling the Guardian: “I feel like the universe is good. I don’t think it’s going to leave me an isolated and alone individual for the rest of my life. What’s meant for me won’t pass me by.”

The star of Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special, comedian, Josh Widdicombe, has bravely opened up about his life away from the spotlight

Josh Widdicombe has admitted he once collapsed while struggling with alcohol addiction and the pressures of parenting.

The comedian, 41, who takes to the dancefloor on Christmas Day for the Strictly Come Dancing festive special, is one of the UK’s most popular comedians. However, off-screen, Josh has gone through a tough time, admitting he suffered a breakdown in 2022 while trying to manage his relationship with alcohol, stress and parenting.

Reflecting on his past, the Mock The Week star admits he would often drink to excess, throwing up and blacking out. Opening up about his relationship with alcohol, he revealed it “was very unhealthy”.

Josh Widdicombe is set to feature in this years Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special ( 
Image:
PA)

He shares two children with wife Rose Hanson, daughter, Pearl, seven, and son, Cassius, three. ( 
Image:
WireImage)Josh told The Times: “I’ve always had a very unhealthy relationship with alcohol. I didn’t do it every day so it took me ages to realise I had a problem.” However, when Josh’s drinking started to impact his parenting, he knew something had to change.

He insisted that he didn’t want to be an absent father and was concerned that his drinking was starting to take its toll, however he was also worried about his career.

Josh shares two children with wife Rose Hanson, daughter, Pearl, seven, and son, Cassius, three. The QI panellist said: “I never wanted to be an absent dad. And yet I didn’t want to let my career slide either. So I piled even more pressure on myself. Everything was pressure. Eventually I just kind of collapsed.”

Explaining that being honest about his mental health improved his comedy routine, he shared: “It was just overwork, burnout, leading to depression and anxiety … And I was funnier being more honest. If I talk about closing my eyes and not being able to sleep because I am having an anxiety attack, that’s funny.”

Earlier this year, the stand-up announced a year of sobriety as he took to Instagram with a witty post. The comedian revealed he was enjoying life more since ditching drinking and found going to weddings, parties, concerts and festivals could all be just as pleasant without a drink in his hand.

He added that it has also made him a better father and he is no longer as irritable with his family or even waking up worried about what he did or said the night before.

The father-of-two went on to tell his followers that drinking in moderation was never his forte and he often found himself wanting 10 more glasses of wine after his first.

Alongside a picture of a mug of tea with the message ‘Everything is good’ on it, he quipped that the only down side of sobriety was that he no longer enjoyed going to Ibiza.

Josh joked: “As of last week I’ve not had a drink in over a year. Spent the last week wondering if I am the kind of insufferable p***k that posts about it on Instagram with a ‘read more post, turns out I am.”

The star will now grace our screens on Christmas Day for the Strictly Come Dancing festive special, which also stars Tamzin Outhwaite, Vogue Williams and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star, Tayce.

Stacey Solomon has announced an exciting new career move, drawing inspiration from her daughters. After a period of self-doubt, the star reveals she’s stepping into uncharted territory with a bold new venture.

Stacey Solomon became emotional as she shared a major new career move inspired by her daughters. The 35-year-old took to Instagram to announce that she’s launching her own perfume.

She also revealed that her perfume will be named after her daughters, one-year-old Belle and two-year-old Rose. In addition to Belle and Rose, Stacey has a blended family with her husband, Joe Swash, and together they have six children. They share Rex, who is four, along with Rose and Belle. Their other children from previous relationships are Harry, 17, Zachary, 15, and Leighton, 11.

In a video posted to to her six million followers, Stacey said: “I feel so lucky and grateful to have been able to live our what I can only describe as my wildest dreams, and that’s such a huge privilege, one I’ll never take for granted and certainly never forget. But it’s time for a change and a new focus.

“I’ve made space in my life to follow a dream of mine and create something special that hopefully you will love and will live on forever through my children.”

Stacey Solomon has announced an exciting new career move, drawing inspiration from her daughters ( 
Image:
Instagram/staceysolomon)

Admitting that she had lost her confidence in the past but is now determined to embrace change, she said: “I’m so overwhelmed with the feeling of excitement and fear as I step into a world which I can only say is bloody scary but also thrilling. This is a long time coming mostly because I haven’t had the confidence more than anything. But not anymore.”

She went on to share a design of the perfume bottle. Revealing more details, Stacey added: “First things first, it is a perfume, it’s just one perfume I’m launching.

“I’m really, really excited about it. I am also super nervous about it because I’ve let go of a lot of things this year that are guaranteed income that I won’t have next year. And none of this project is guaranteed to be successful in any way, so it feels like a massive risk and is scary. When I say I’ve been through hundreds of formulas I’m not exaggerating. Two of the ingredients in the final formula are Tuberose and Amber.”

Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash share six children together as part of their blended family ( 
Image:
INSTAGRAM)
Fans flooded her with questions after she started an Instagram Q&A, where they could ask questions and see her replies on her story. The star was brought to tears by the overwhelming support from her fans and said: “Not me crying into my inbox.”

The Loose Women panelist who rose to fame on The X Factor, back in 2009, went on to thank fans for their support over the years. Stacey said: “You have literally changed my life. I get to live dreams of mine that, when I was growing up, they were… not even dreams of mine, they weren’t even on my radar of dreams because I realised just how far away that was.”

Although Stacey is new to launching a perfume, she’s no stranger to business ventures. Last month, she partnered with Abbott Lyon again for a celestial-inspired jewelry collection. She’s also had successful collaborations in home decor with Asda and Sainsbury’s.

Model Kelly Brook made a candid confession during the latest instalment of Loose Women as she admitted to feeling quite saddened following an unexpected encounter with her ex

Loose Women star Kelly Brook had admitted to feeling heartbroken after her ex-partner attempted to avoid her.

The 45-year-old appeared on Thursday’s edition of the popular ITV show alongside fellow panellists Kaye Adams, Judi Love and Frankie Bridge. Discussing romantic relationships, the Loose Women shared their thoughts on break-ups and how to move on from a split.

This led former glamour model Kelly to reflect on a moment she bumped into her ex while with her husband. Revealing that she was happy to see her former partner, Kelly confessed that he did not feel the same.

She said: “He was kind of trying to avoid me and I was like ‘hooey!’” She added: “I said to my husband, ‘Of course, he wanted to see me,’ and he said, ‘He didn’t, trust me. As a man, he was avoiding you the best he could.’

Kelly Brook shared her previous ordeal ( 
Image:
ITV)

“And that did break my heart a little bit because you spend so much time with these people.” Trying to reassure her, Kaye then mentioned: “Maybe he also knew your husband’s a judo champion. Maybe that had something to do with it,” she joked.

Kelly and her husband Jeremy Parisi tied the knot in 2022 and have been enjoying married life together. The pair allowed viewers to see a bit more of their romance on screen earlier this year when they appeared on BBC’s Celebrity Race Across The World.

The Loose Women stars discussed breakups ( 
Image:
ITV)
The pair have also been honest about not wanting or trying to have children. Last month, Kelly admitted that she’s “childless by choice”.

She recently told The Sun: “We haven’t tried for children, we haven’t gone down the IVF route. We’ve not even looked into it and I think we are all the more happier for it to be honest.

Kelly married her husband in 2022 ( 
Image:
DAILY MIRROR)

“I am actually childless by choice at the moment, it’s not something that we have considered and I don’t think that should be a taboo.”

She added: “I’m surrounded by a lot of families with kids and I see it brings people a lot of happiness, but I also see it brings people a lot of stress. Jeremy and I love to be around family we really do but we also love to travel and do our own thing.”

Loose Women airs weekdays at 12:30pm on ITV1.

JLS singer Aston Merrygold shocked an unsuspecting crowd of people when he called a man on stage and asked if he could suck his toes in a wild TV moment

Aston Merrygold made a very unique offer to a fan.

The JLS star rose to fame on the X Factor thanks to his singing and dance abilities, yet has tried his hand at a totally different career. As part of a new TV series, he headed on stage in front of an unsuspecting group of people who thought they are at a life-coaching leadership presentation.

Tapped Out Prank Stars hosts Nella Rose and Harry Pinero were in his ear giving instructions. In a clip from the show, Aston could be seen standing on stage saying everything Nella and Harry were telling him to. He kicked off: “Enough of the foreplay, as far as you know celebrities have actually been manipulating you.

“Now, they are even selling feet pictures.” Aston declared under Nella’s instruction: “So that’s actually the avenue I want to go down.” He then told the crowd to take out their phones as he was directed to take off his shoe. Aston kicked off his boot and then removed his sock, before throwing it into the confused audience.

Aston is taking part in the new TV show

The singer pointed at a man in the crowd and called him up on stage with him. Nella directed him to shake the man’s hand but not to let go. She told Aston to look the man in the eye and ask: “Can I suck your toes?” Aston built up the courage and directly asked the question, leaving the hosts stunned.

Nella was so shocked, she told co-star Harry to take over as she was “done” and couldn’t take anymore. Harry directed Aston to get on his knees and after a pause, he obliged. Tapped Out Prank Stars is inspired by the hit Channel 4.0 YouTube series. The chaotic comedy prank show challenges three celebrity – rapper ArrDee, comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri, and Aston – to take on a series of cringeworthy tasks in front of unsuspecting members of the public.

The goal is to see if they can withstand the pranks as long as possible without “tapping out.” The celebrity who lasts the longest will be crowned the fearless Tapped Out Champion, while the loser faces a final humiliating forfeit on the streets of London. Nella and Harry are joined by a rowdy studio audience, watching and reacting to all the antics live from a stylish underground bar.

Aston’s last TV stint was slightly different as he was able to show off his singing skills once again. He took part in the Masked Singer in 2021 where he was disguised as Robin. Aston’s bandmates, who rose to fame together on X Factor, clocked his voice immediately, but the singer was forced to deny it was him to maintain the show’s secrecy: “I had to be like: ‘What are you talking about?’ There were a few curveballs in there but they knew, I’m not going to lie. You can’t work with people for 10 plus years and expect them not to know exactly what I sound like.”

Mark Dolan has been axed by controversial TV network GB News after joining the station in 2021, and said he planned to ‘speak publicly’ after the sudden firing

GB News host Mark Dolan, 50, has announced that he’s suddenly been dropped from the network.

The former Channel 4 star shared the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, in two cryptic posts. In his first post, at around 5:30pm, he wrote: “SOME NEWS. I’ve hosted my last MARK DOLAN TONIGHT on GB News. More to follow…” Mark then followed up an hour later, and shared: “STATEMENT. GB News have made the decision to permanently relieve me of my duties at the channel. I will speak publicly about this in due course.”

The comedian didn’t offer any immediate explanation for his termination, but fans had mixed opinions. While some said that no-one was safe at GB News after a slew of firings and suspensions, others said that Mark’s work on the show and his treatment of Laurence Fox could be the root cause.

Mark was criticised on GB News last year when he tried to form a Match Of The Day alternative in the wake of Gary Lineker being asked to step down from the BBC original. In March, he called upon Patrick Christys to give a rundown of Bournemouth’s 1-0 home win against Liverpool.

The host promised fans that he’d follow up with more information, and didn’t immediately explain why he’d got the boot ( 
Image:
GB News)

Standing by a large electronic screen that he wasn’t sure worked, Patrick summarised the game with a random reference to the hosting team’s Cherries nickname. “How on earth did Liverpool manage to stick seven past Manchester United and then lose to a team named after a fruit?” he joked.

Later, Patrick commented that Lineker “might like Brighton because it’s full of rainbow flags and woke people.” People at home weren’t impressed. One tweeted a gif that read: “Dies from cringe.” Others commented: “Jesus, this is so pathetic I could weep” and “Bit cringey this lads.”

Others echoed: “Are you seriously pretending to be sports presenters now?” and “The absolute state of this, screams of people who call the game ‘footie.’” Another tweeted at the channel: “This is absolutely atrocious. How embarrassing. There are YouTube channels with better production values and more knowledgeable insights than this.”

Even beyond this, some fans suggested that Mark was chucked by GB News for “throwing his colleagues under the bus” after he called out Laurence Fox while stepping in to cover for him and Dan Wooton at the beginning of the year. Explaining his presence, Mark said: “Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll be aware that GB News presenter Laurence Fox appeared on the channel last night and made some offensive comments about the journalist Ava Evans.

“I wasn’t expecting to be here tonight. Dan’s absence tonight is beyond my control. Free speech is everything, but it comes with responsibility. Anything you say, or write, or broadcast, will rightly be exposed to the court of public opinion.” The host continued: “I know. I’ve been there. And I’ll be there again. Whether Laurence should stay on air is not my decision, and Dan’s absence tonight is also beyond my control. There is an investigation ongoing. But the comments made by Laurence in my view were sexist, misogynistic and have been condemned across the political spectrum from the left and the right and even the liberal democrats.”