Loose Women star Coleen Nolan wasn’t afraid to bare all as she took to the ITV daytime favourite wearing nothing but her birthday suit on the much loved programme

Loose Women’s Coleen Nolan was so “excited” about today’s show and guests on the programme that she ditched her clothes and went naked for the occasion.

Teasing what was to come on Monday’s episode (October 21), Ruth Langsford spoke to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on This Morning about what viewers could expect – including a star appearance from actress Emily Atack.

The Inbetweeners star is currently starring in Rivals on Disney +. Emily appears on the fan favourite wearing absolutely nothing. In Support of Emily, Coleen boldly went naked in the preview clip, leaving Ben in the ITV studio blushing.

Ruth kicked off announcing: “You might wonder as I said, why we are standing behind this hedge, well we are loving telly’s newest bonk-buster Rivals.”

She added: “Emily Atack is here to give us all the behind the scenes gossip and someone here is very excited.”

Coleen bares all on Loose Women
Coleen popped up with a cheeky grin, barring her naked shoulders as she asked: “Anyone for tennis Ben?” As she shot a tennis ball across the studio.

Hitting back, the Tipping Point host smacked the ball with his own tennis racket in the This Morning HQ declaring: “Never trust Coleen with balls. They can go everywhere”

Everyone burst into laughter as the Nolan’s hitmaker aired: “Don’t you know it.” Making sure Coleen didn’t suffer a red faced moment, Ben prompted: “Ladies your hedge has dropped,” as they quickly lifted it up again.

Coleen Nolan ditched all of her clothes on Loose Women ( 
Image:
ITV)
Confirming she was naked, Coleen quipped in response: “You don’t need to see these.” It isn’t Coleen’s first naked stint on-air after she’d previously taken part in Ashley Banjo’s The Real Full Monty, taking off her kit in the spirit of charity and raising awareness for Breast Cancer in support of her two sisters.

Sadly, Bernie lost her battle with the disease in 2013, but Coleen’s other sister Linda battles another day after being told earlier this year her cancer had now spread to her brain.

Back in September last year, Coleen also appeared on social media in the buff to promote her upcoming tour. She had been teasing that she had something to share with her fans and then finally revealed all – quite literally.

Coleen Nolan isn’t shy when it comes to posing in the buff ( 
Image:
ITV/Nicky Johnston/REX/Shutterstock)On Instagram, Coleen revealed that her first solo tour was about to commence in 2024. She also shared a poster for the show that detailed several different dates across the country and showed her completely starkers as she sat back in a giant teacup emblazoned with the word ‘naked.’

She announced: “Hi everybody, so I’ve got some really exciting news to share with you all! For the first time in my life I’m going on tour with my very own show! 16 dates across the UK in 2024!”

Coleen followed up with: “Please come and join us for an evening of music, life and laughter! Tickets go on sale at 9.00am.”

The ITV star divided fans with the post but one person she could rely on to have her back was son Shane Nolan. He quickly reshared his mum’s post chiming: “Here we go then, can’t wait to support @NolanColeen on tour.”

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel-Horwood is a fan favourite on the BBC show – but away from the dancefloor, he shares his life with his fiance, Jonathan Myring

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is often dubbed the Simon Cowell of the ITV dance floor. But despite his on-screen cold demeanour, Craig is a fan favourite, and much like Marmite, viewers either love or hate him.

Away from the show, Craig, 59, is far from idle, juggling various work commitments and a busy personal life with his fiancé, horticulturalist Jonathan Myring, 37, reports OK! The Aussie-Brit telly star opened up to The Sun about his romance with Jonathan in March 2018, saying: “He’s good looking, 5ft 10in, dark hair and beard. We met on the Strictly Tour a month ago. He came to the show with a friend, and we met backstage.” As their love story flourishes, Craig hasn’t been shy about sharing details. Opening up on Loose Women, he gushed: “He is fabulous and I love him, he is absolutely gorgeous and adorable, and yes he is 20 years younger.”

 

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Inside Strictly’s Craig Revel-Horwood’s age-gap relationship with fiancé Jonathan Myring

Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel-Horwood is a fan favourite on the BBC show – but away from the dancefloor, he shares his life with his fiance, Jonathan Myring

Strictly Judge Craig is engaged to Jonathan who is 22 years his junior (
Image: GETTY)

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Jamie BodyFreelance reporter – OK!
Sarah Tulloch

14:00, 19 Oct 2024

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Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood is often dubbed the Simon Cowell of the ITV dance floor. But despite his on-screen cold demeanour, Craig is a fan favourite, and much like Marmite, viewers either love or hate him.

Away from the show, Craig, 59, is far from idle, juggling various work commitments and a busy personal life with his fiancé, horticulturalist Jonathan Myring, 37, reports OK! The Aussie-Brit telly star opened up to The Sun about his romance with Jonathan in March 2018, saying: “He’s good looking, 5ft 10in, dark hair and beard. We met on the Strictly Tour a month ago. He came to the show with a friend, and we met backstage.” As their love story flourishes, Craig hasn’t been shy about sharing details. Opening up on Loose Women, he gushed: “He is fabulous and I love him, he is absolutely gorgeous and adorable, and yes he is 20 years younger.”

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Strictly Come Dancing star Ore Oduba announces shock split from wife after nine years of marriage

The happy couple met backstage on the Strictly tour ( 
Image:
The happy couple met backstage on the Strictly tour)
Craig and Jonathan got engaged during a trip to Tasmania. Recalling the event on The Steph Show in 2021, Jonathan shared: “It was a slight disaster really. “I had a beautiful engagement planned in Tasmania, and Craig refused to go and sit on the banks of the river to look for platypus. So I had to call him to frantically call him to go…” Interrupting the story, Craig joked: “That’s because the last time we waited for platypus, it was four hours and we didn’t see one. So I wasn’t going to sit through that again, was I? All I wanted to do was go back to the hotel and have a bubble bath.

Craig Revel Horwood and Jonathan Myring got engaged in 2020 ( 
Image:
Craig Revel Horwood and Jonathan Myring got engaged in 2020)“Well I jumped in the bubble bath and then Jonathan jumped in with me and proposed in the bubble bath with a glass of Champagne.” Revealing the news in an exclusive chat with OK! in April 2020, Craig was clearly smitten as he gushed about his fiancé and their unique proposal. “There’s such comfort in knowing you have somebody that loves you and wants to spend the rest of their life with you,” he said. “I feel like I have someone who has my back and I’ve got theirs.”

Previously, Craig was linked romantically to Britain’s Got Talent puppeteer Damon Scott, but the pair called it quits in 2016. Not all fans might be aware, but the TV star has walked down the aisle before. Way back in 1990, he tied the knot with Jane Horwood, although they sadly split after just two years. Speaking to WalesOnline, Craig opened up about his first marriage, saying: “Despite the perfect wedding, the marriage, as it turned out, was not quite so flawless. It didn’t last, mainly because our sex life diminished somewhat and I suppose that led to the inevitable scenario – Jane slept with someone else.

“I discovered the affair just before our two-year anniversary. ” Despite the rocky end to their marriage, both parties maintain they’ve remained friends, with Jane even managing Craig’s website. He continued: “We are friends now, Jane and I, but it wasn’t very amicable at the time. Now we can go out for lunch and talk about life honestly. I love her deeply as a friend, now and forever, and wish her all the happiness in the world.”

 

These Daniel O’Donnell superfans collect teapots and pillowcases with his face emblazoned on them – and have travelled as far as the Bahamas for a meet and greet

We all are fans of somebody – it could be a movie star or rock singer, but only a very select few of us step into true superfan territory – where just watching all their movies or buying all their records is simply not enough.

Jacky Orriss, Rachel Barrett and Carol McAvunie are most definitely one of these special fans. But they are not Swifties or Gaga’s Little Monsters. The object of their fandom is…..Irish crooner Daniel O’Donnell.

Jacky Orriss travelled as far as the Bahamas for a meet and greet and even camped outside in the cold for two nights to snap up the best seats to see her idol perform.

Full-time carer Jacky has even queued to get tickets to see the County Donegal-born singer appear on TV shows Loose Women and Strictly when he was a contestant on the 2015 series.

“A real highlight for me was being able to attend two Strictly shows when he was dancing. My friend and I queued from 2am in the morning to get entry.”

The 56-year-old first fell for the country crooner after accompanying her mum to a concert when she was 27. She says: “My mum Christine has always been a huge fan, but I was never bothered. I was more into George Michael. Then one time my mum had tickets to his concert but didn’t have anyone to go with – so I went with her That was it. “

Jacky Orriss with Daniel’s wife Majella ( 
Image:
Jacky Orriss)

Jacky wearing her Daniel scarf pictured with Daniel ( 
Image:
Jacky Orris)
George was out, and Daniel was in and has been Jacky’s main obsession ever since, thanks to his lovely voice and beautiful lyrics.

An added plus is the benefits of the personal attention and appreciation Daniel shows all his fans. Perhaps unlike any other artist, he repays fan loyalty – staying behind for hours after shows to meet and chat with concertgoers.

Jacky explains: “He’s so lovely. He’ll give you a hug and a quick chat. I always used to get nervous, and I never knew what to say to him. But he’s just so down to earth, and he puts you at ease. He’s just a genuine person, he cares so much for his fans.

“He’s phoned me up a few times on special occasions and sent a video message on my 50th birthday.”

The 62-year-old singer has been married to wife Majella, 64, since 2002 and Jacky has given her seal of approval -although she admits some fans were not happy to see him in a relationship.

Jackie told us: “I have met Majella a couple of times. The first was Daniel’s 40th birthday party in Birmingham, where he invited all his fans and introduced Majella to us.”

She adds: “It’s true he lost a few of his fans after that! But I think Majella is lovely. She makes him happy, so I am pleased for him.” So much so that Jacky set up the Daniel and Majella O’Donnell’s Facebook group which has over 34k followers.

Daniel O’Donnell superfan Rachel Barrett with Daniel in the nineties ( 
Image:
Rachel Barrett)
Rachel, 68, from Belfast, has seen Daniel in concert over 1000 times. She calls him her “hobby”.

“My geography improved greatly from going round the world to see him.” Most memorable was a trip to Branson, Missouri, where he performed a month-long residency in Branson, Missouri – she went to see him for all the dates.

Rachel explains,” My friend and I went to every single concert for the whole month. He didn’t do Thursday and Sunday so we did five concerts a week.”

Rachel’s grandchildren, 12-year-old twins Abigail and Jack, are also big fans – most recently, she took each one to him in concert on separate nights. “I took Abigail to see him in Belfast and Jack the next night at the Derry show. Abigail met Daniel afterwards – she was absolutely starstruck.”

Daniel O’Donnell superfan Rachel Barrett with Daniel in more recent years ( 
Image:
Rachel Barrett)Rachel used to play Daniel’s music to the twins when they were babies; “They really loved the gospel songs. It reality helped them drift to sleep.”

Now it’s also the only way Rachel gets sleepy: “I go to sleep with Daniel every night! I never pass two songs before I fall asleep; that’s not a snub on Daniel – that’s because it’s so lovely and soothing.”

Daniel calls Rachel on birthdays, and he also called to see how she was when her son Paul was in a car accident – back in 1997.

The mum of two used to have a whole house of Daniel memorabilia up until a decade ago when she and her husband Richard downsized: ” I had to give away a lot of things like my pictures, cushions with Daniel’s wee face on them. I gave those to some fans in the US – they were delighted.”

Like Jacky, Majella was also there when Daniel introduced to Majella to fans on his 40th birthday concert and recalls a few fans turning against him: “I remember some of them getting up and walking out after he brought Majella on stage. It just proved they were not really fans. That was Daniel’s happiness. I just thought silly women – if he hasn’t married you now, he never is!”

Rachel has no issue with Daniel’s happiness, as he brings so much to her life.

She says: “I know some people don’t understand it, but I don’t understand it. Daniel is my happy place, you go there, and you just have a ball, and you talk to everybody.”

Daniel O’Donnell with superfan Carol Mcavinue daughter Anita then aged 3 ( 
Image:
Carol Mcavinue)

Superfan Carol Mcavinue with Daniel and daughter Anita, now 33
Carol, 61, from Dublin, became a superfan 31 years ago, and since then, she has averaged two concerts a year.

She says: “I first saw him on TV -at the time, he was a new up-and-coming star – he had the voice, he had the look. Daniel had it all.”

The first time she went to see him, she was accompanied by her grandmother Kitty, mother Kay and her then three-year-old daughter Anita.

Carol recalls: “There were four generations of us, and we kept the concert going as if it were a family affair. Daniel took Anita up on stage with him. I’ll never forget it.”

Anita is now 33, but she still comes to see Daniel with her mum and her granny Kay, 85.

Superfan Carol Mcavinue and her Daniel O’Donnell memorabilia ( 
Image:
Carol Mcavinue)
Most recently, she took her grandson Jack to see him – so that’s six generations of fandom.“Jack was so impressed by him.

For Carol, it extends beyond going to concerts. The grandmother has amassed a collection of memorabilia “ I’ve got the teapots, the cups, the pillow covers, and aprons with Daniel’s face – as well as some of his crystal too!”

Carol, who is also a regular recipient of Daniel’s birthday videos, was even invited to a garden tea party at his Donegal home.

“He used to throw those parties for fans every year!” Carol reveals. “I’ve only been once and my mum has never been to Donegal.

Carol’s favourite Daniel song is How Art Thou?

She explains: “It just sends a shiver down my spine every time I hear it.”

Carol’s husband Mick, she says has grown to like his music. “He has had no choice,” she laughs.

One thing that these three superfans are most grateful for is being part of such a warm, welcoming community of like-minded people who also share their love for all things Daniel – and there is no danger, they say, that our numbers will be diminishing anytime soon – thanks to the new generation of fans – their grandchildren.

Nadia Sawalha has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government’s actions in Palestine over the last 12 months and impressed her Jordanian-born father thanks to her new-found role as an activist

Standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine despite the threat of being blacklisted for doing so has made Nadia Sawalha a better person, the actress has admitted.

Nadia insists she isn’t brave for being a visible pro-Palestine activist as it’s just that she wouldn’t “be able to live with herself without saying something” on behalf of her father, Jordanian-born British actor Nadim Sawalha – admitting witnessing her dad’s reaction to the atrocities has broken her heart.

The Loose Women panellist has been one of the few vocal celebrities speaking out publicly about horrifying scenes occurring in the Middle East over the last year, routinely taking to her YouTube channel and Instagram page to educate her followers on what is happening in Gaza.

But despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to take action to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians back in January, and multiple organisations like the United Nations calling for an immediate ceasefire, revealing yourself to be pro-Palestine as a famous person doesn’t come without risk.

Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon was dropped as a client by United Talent Agency last year after speaking out against the Israeli government. Melissa Barrera was fired from her role in the seventh Scream movie after describing the situation in Gaza as “genocide and ethnic cleansing” on her social media pages, while Hacks actress Poppy Liu revealed in May that she has lost work thanks to showing Palestine solidarity.

So, with that in mind, does Nadia ever worry about potentially missing out on mainstream jobs due to her unwavering support for Palestine? “Yes, absolutely,” the former EastEnders actress admitted to the Mirror during a chat last week. “I’m so glad you’ve asked me this question. I would love more people to ask me about Palestine.”

The Loose Women star says advocating for a free Palestine has made her a better person ( 

Image:

TikTok)

“Everything that I feel and think I say on Instagram, I say on my YouTube channel… we have consistently spoken day in, day out over the entire last year spoken about this, and I find it so agonisingly painful,” Nadia reveals. “I never go out of the house without people coming up to me and whispering ‘, Oh, thank you so much for what you’re doing. I can’t say anything because of my work. I can’t do anything because of this. I can’t say anything because of that.’ People will tell me, ‘Oh, you’re so brave,’ But it’s not – I’m not brave. It’s just that I cannot live with myself without saying something.”

The situation in Palestine has intensified over the last 12 months following Hamas, a militant group that has governed the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip since 2007, launched an attack on Israel on October 7th that resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and multiple hostages being taken.

Israel has spent the last 12 months bombing Palestine. The death toll in Gaza since the beginning of the 10-month-old Israel-Hamas war has passed 40,000, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The count does not distinguish civilians from militants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas’ offer for a ceasefire and return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip in February. As of September, 101 Israeli hostages remain.

Mainstream coverage of Israel’s relentless attacks has been heavily criticised by some pro-Palestine figures, with many using their social media platforms to share footage and images of the horrors happening in the Middle East. “It is a fine line because you want to help inform people, but you don’t want to become a bore about it because you want to keep people engaged,” Nadia told us while discussing how she shares content with her fans regarding the war. “People on my YouTube channel and Instagram followers say, ‘Oh, thank you so much. I just wasn’t aware, and I wasn’t aware of this, and I wasn’t aware of that. So I find it. It really nourishes me when people say that…”

Fire breaks out on the tents of displaced Palestinians after Israeli attacks on a hospital in Gaza on October 14 ( 

Image:

Anadolu via Getty Images)

Fighting back the tears, Nadia explained: “When I feel so powerless, and I have .times where I am so low at the horror of it, and I feel so powerless, I think right, what can we do? Of course, you can’t go and save the world. But what can you do in your life? So if I do a post, somebody might say to me, ‘Oh, God, What? I didn’t know this, and I looked at it, and I read it, and I didn’t know the history that helps me feel powerless over it.”

Nadia isn’t the only celebrity using her fame to advocate for Palestine and call for a ceasefire, with the likes of Rachel Zegler, Andrew Garfield, Aimee Lou Wood, Joe Alwyn, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck and Dua Lipa just some of the notable signatures on the latest open letter from Artists For Ceasefire to President Joe Biden urging him to “call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza and Israel before another life is lost.”

“I feel now more people are wanting to know more, and that is really good because when our grandchildren ask us where we were and what we did, we have to have an answer,” Nadia stated when chatting about a new wave of stars speaking out in support of Palestine.

Nadia’s activism hasn’t just given the mum-of-two a sense of self-worth over the last year but impressed her father, Jordanian-born British actor Nadim Sawalha. Jordan once had control of the West Bank, named after its location near the Jordan River. The West Bank, one of two Palestinian territories (the second being the Gaza Strip), first emerged in the wake of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War as a region occupied and subsequently annexed by Jordan. Jordan ruled the territory until the 1967 Six-Day War when Israel occupied it.

Nadia’s father was born in Jordan and lived there before moving to Britain ( 

Image:

TikTok)

Nadia’s activism and solidarity with the people of Palestine has impressed her father ( 

Image:

TikTok)

“My dad is 91, and he’s Jordanian – he was the West Bank,” Nadia explained last week. “To watch his face through these horror stories just breaks my heart. But the one thing that’s come up is that so much good has come out of it. Personally, it’s changed me for the better.”

“It’s made me an activist and just made me even more sure of what I believe in and what I don’t,” Nadia told us last week, bursting into a giggle as she added: “My dad is just overwhelmed with mine and my sister’s Arabness. Solidarity brings solidarity in yourself and your character as well. So much good has come out of a terrible, terrible dark time.”

Another positive outcome of such a tragedy for Nadia has been the opportunity to learn about other cultures. “What I’ve really enjoyed is starting to learn more about Judaism,” she admitted. Now I follow so many Jewish accounts and listen to so many incredible Jewish opinions on all of this that that has been really enriching, because there are so many Jewish people across the world uniting.”

Jewish Voice for Peace is an American anti-Zionist left-wing Jewish advocacy organisation that is critical of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, stated on October 15 following Israel’s bombing of a makeshift displacement camp in the courtyard of a central Gaza hospital.

“Right now, Palestinians are being burned alive by Israeli bombs for over a year. U.S.-based defence contractors and big banks have seen profits soar,” a statement from Jewish Voice for Peace read as 500 Jews and allies shut down the New York Stock Exchange to demand the U.S. stop arming Israel and profiting from genocide.

On the same day, the U.S. warned Israel it would impose an arms embargo if the “dire” situation in Gaza regarding aid does not improve. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin give the Israeli Government 30 days to address the ‘deterioration of the humanitarian situation’ in Gaza.

Pressure is mounting on the U.K. government to impose an arms embargo on Israel, but the Prime Minister ruled out a total ban on selling weapons to Israel last week. During PMQs, Keir Starmer said, “Banning all sales would mean none for defensive purposes. None for defensive purposes on the anniversary of October 7 and days after a huge attack by Iran on Israel would be a wrong position for this Government, and I will not take it.”

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Olympian Sir Chris Hoy has bravely shared his battle with terminal cancer, telling fans he has between two and four years to live

Sir Chris Hoy stunned the sporting world last night as he revealed the cancer diagnosis he had previously shared is terminal.

The six-time Olympic gold medalist said that he is expected to live between two and four years. After going to a doctor with a pain in his shoulder he believed was a gym injury, the father-of-two was told he had prostate cancer which had metastasised to tumours in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and ribs.

Doctors told Chris, 48, it was stage 4 cancer. “And just like that, I learn how I will die,” Chris pens in his bombshell new book.

Heartbreakingly, Chris also reveals that his wife Sarra has since been diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis in an earth-shattering double blow for the family.

Just months after Chris learned his fate, Sarra’s GP ordered a scan to investigate a tingling sensation in her face and tongue. Sarra was given her results in November, but didn’t tell her husband until December that it could be MS.

In an extract of his new book All That Matters, shared with The Times this weekend, Chris writes: “It was. Another scan just before Christmas confirmed that Sarra had “very active and aggressive” MS and needed urgent treatment.

“It’s the closest I’ve come to, like, you know, why me? Just, what? What’s going on here? It didn’t seem real. It was such a huge blow, when you’re already reeling. You think nothing could possibly get worse. You literally feel like you’re at rock bottom, and you find out, oh no, you’ve got further to fall. It was brutal,” said Chris.

Sarra had a choice between more potentially effective but riskier new treatments and low-risk but less effective options, the couple have chosen the latter.

Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sarra are supporting each other through a difficult time for their family
Chris said on her worst days Sarra now struggles to put a key in the door, but refuses to be down about the diagnosis. “She says all the time, ‘How lucky are we? We both have incurable illnesses for which there is some treatment. Not every disease has that. It could be a lot worse.’ ”

Unlike Chris’ illness, where the couple made the decision to tell their children directly about the cancer, their daughter and son know nothing about Sarra’s MS.

“I never want to lie to them. But there are certain things you don’t need to tell them straight away,” said dad Chris. Sarra, 40, worked as a senior lawyer before the couple, who married in Edinburgh in 2010, had their two children, Callum, nine, and Chloe, six.

The former track cyclist also admitted that many of his and Sarra’s friends are yet to have been told about her diagnosis, but he was prepared to have discussions now that his tell-all book has been made public this weekend.

The star said he planned to cope by putting his phone away until he was ready to speak.

Chris’ revelations this weekend comes after he first revealed his cancer back in February. He has now revealed he was ‘forced’ to do so after being told someone was going to leak the news before him.

Olympic Cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy takes part in the London 2012 Victory Parade for Team GB ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
While Chris had been honest shared his cancer diagnosis before, he did not share that it was terminal until now. At that time, Hoy said he was “going really well” and was “optimistic, positive and surrounded by love for which I’m truly grateful” after his diagnosis in 2023.

Viewers last saw Chris on screen as a pundit for the BBC covering the Paris 2024 Olympics in the summer.

During his career on the track, he won six Olympic gold medals, 11 world championships and 34 World Cup titles by the time he retired from competitive racing in 2013. Only his former team-mate Sir Jason Kenny has won more Olympic gold medals for Great Britain.

Edinburgh-born Chris took up cycling at the age of 14 and won his first Olympic medal, a team sprint silver, at Sydney in 2000.

He followed that up by winning gold in the 1km track time trial at Athens in 2004. He added to his gold medal haul by winning three more at Beijing four years later and two at London 2012.

Chris was knighted in the 2008 New Year Honours List after his success at the Beijing Olympics.

The comedian’s on course to become the first winner in the show’s history not to take part in the live UK tour in 2025

Strictly Come Dancing’s Chris McCausland has cemented his position as the favourite to lift the glitterball trophy – but his soaraway success is causing BBC bosses a headache, because he can’t do the live UK tour.

A clash with his own stand-up dates means that if Chris does triumph in the 2024 series – and the bookies currently have him as the 9/4 favourite – he would be the first winner in the show’s history not to take his dancing shoes on the road afterwards. The problem lies with the comedian’s show, Yonks, which has dates throughout January and February that clash directly with Strictly’s live theatre show.

But his absence would prove a blow for fans because dad-of-one Chris, who has been blind since his 20s, has proven to be the stand-out star of the series. It also calls into question Craig Revel Horwood’s assurance that the BBC Studios-backed tour, which charges between £35 and £100 per ticket, will allow fans to see “their favourite celebrities and dancers up close and personal.”

One source said: “Craig has suggested that all this year’s favourites will be there but that’s not true. How can Chris be in two places at once? As things stand, Chris can’t do it because every show on his comedy tour from January 17 clashes.”

This morning Ladbrokes said that the title was the Scouse comedian’s to lose. Chris, 47, is currently positioned as the firm 4/9 favourite with Tasha Ghouri next in line with odds of 4/1, followed by Sarah Hadland at 10/1 and Jamie Borthwick at 16/1. A spokeswoman said: “Chris McCausland seems to be running away with the competition this year after he extended his lead at the head of the Strictly betting. Tasha is his main rival as things stand, but punters only see one winner.”

Their success with last night’s waltz came a week after they got a standing ovation for their salsa to Men at Work’s Down Under ( 
Image:
PA)
On Saturday Chris, partnered with Aussie pro Dianne Buswell, wowed viewers and judges with his emotional waltz to Liverpool FC’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, clinching 35 points, his best score yet. The dad-of-one, 47, finished third on the leaderboard and left many viewers in tears as he performed a solo walk through the ballroom before being dramatically scooped up by Dianne for the song’s climax.

Afterwards the judges lavished praise on his “flow” around the floor with tearful Shirley Ballas telling him: “Your footwork was spectacular.” Anton du Beke agreed, declaring: “I had a moment where I welled up’. And Motsi Mabuse gushed: “It transcended technique, I felt every emotion.”

In a statement last month confirming the return of the Strictly live event for 2025, hosted once again by It Takes Two’s Janette Manrara, Craig declared: “Strictly fans are in for a huge treat on the live tour – it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before. Audiences will be able to enjoy all of the glitz and glamour of the TV show and see their favourite celebrities and dancers up-close and personal. And with Motsi joining us for the first time, it’s going to be even more FAB-U-LOUS!”

The Strictly Live Tour claims to capture “all the joy” of the TV series while also promising to give audiences “the chance to experience everything they love about the TV show live on stage.” It first launched in January 2009 with 2008 winner Tom Chambers among the line-up, and every winner since has taken part.

The only one to miss out was Bill Bailey because the 2021 tour was cancelled due to the pandemic. Those to have participated in recent years include Ellie Leach, Hamza Yassin, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Kelvin Fletcher, Stacey Dooley and Joe McFadden. Prior to them came Ore Oduba, Jay McGuinness, Caroline Flack, Abbey Clancy, Louis Smith, Harry Judd, Kara Tointon and Chris Hollins.

Last night a spokesman for the tour said: “Casting for the Strictly Live Tour 2025 is still being decided.” He added that an official announcement about the celebs and pro dancers taking part next year will be made before Christmas.

Brenda Edwards’ Loose Women co-stars have shown their support following the tragic loss of her son Jamal, with many taking to social media to share tributes, memories and photographs of the young entrepreneur who died on Sunday morning

Brenda Edwards’ friends and Loose Women co-stars have rallied around her after the tragic death of her son Jamal Edwards.

Charlene White was one of the first to take to Twitter after the shock news emerged with a moving tribute to her close friend’s eldest child.

“Your light shone so brightly that it touched so many of us, impacted the lives of many more, and changed the game forever. And, you are my Brenda’s son,” penned the ITV newsreader.

“There are no words to describe her heartbreak, our heartbreak, now that your light has gone. Sometimes life is terribly unfair,” added Charlene.

Brenda’s Loose Women co-stars are rallying around to support her

Jamal was just 31 when he suffered a short and sudden illness ( 
Image:
Jamal Edwards/Instagram)

Denise Welch also paid her respects and offered her condolences to Brenda during this difficult time.

The 63-year-old TV star also took to Twitter and penned a moving message, which read: “My heart aches for my friend Brenda. I can’t bear it. Jamal Edwards was a wonderful son and brother.”

Former Loose Women star Saira Khan also reached out.

Posting on her Instagram story, Saira penned: “I have just heard the heartbreaking news that @jamaledwards has died.

“I am devastated for @brendaedwardsglobal and send her and her whole family my prayers and deepest sympathies.

She continued: “I met @jamaledwards whilst filming a children’s show and was struck by his humility and passion to help kids to believe in their talents.”

Before concluding with: “R.I.P. young man. You were a bright shining light here on earth. now you will shine brightly in the sky.”

Christine Lampard was also among the Loose Women co-stars to pay tribute to Jamal, and did so on Monday morning by posting a photo of her husband Frank with the late entrepreneur.

She wrote alongside the snap: ” Utterly devastated. The most remarkable young man. @brendaedwardsglobal we are here for you and your family at this terrible time.”

Star of Loose Women and This Morning Ruth Langsford also paid tribute to her friend Brenda’s son.

Ruth took to Instagram to share a sweet snap of Jamal and Brenda on the Loose Women panel and wrote: “My heart is breaking for my friend @brendaedwardsglobal after the loss of her amazing son Jamal yesterday.

“I can only imagine her unbearable pain. Grief is the price we pay for love.”

She then added: “The @loosewomen will wrap our arms around her and try to fill her with all the strength we have. My condolences and love to you my darling friend, Tanisha and all your family. RIP Jamal. X.”

The latest star of the popular ITV panel show to send support to Brenda is Judi Love, who shared two photographs of Jamal and wrote a caption to accompany them.

Judi penned: “@jamaledwards If only words could express how you have changed peoples life, making real waves for artist and young people to achieve their dreams.”

She continued: “As busy as you were you still had time for anyone that needed it, for any young person that needed guidance and a role model.

“As much as everyone proud of you and the legacy you’ve left behind, the pain is unreal. Rest Well King. @brendaedwardsglobal my friend I just can’t. I love you so much I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.”

Brenda’s co-stars’ messages of support come as Brenda herself has released a statement, which reads: “It is with the deepest heartache that I confirm that my beautiful son Jamal Edwards passed away yesterday morning after a sudden illness.

“Myself, his sister Tanisha and the rest of his family and friends are completely devastated. He was the centre of our world.

“As we come to terms with his passing we ask for privacy to grieve this unimaginable loss. I would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support.”

She concluded: “Jamal was an inspiration to myself and so many. Our love for him lives on, his legacy lives On Long live Jamal Edwards MBE, MBA, PHD.”

Brenda’s statement, which was posted onto the Loose Women Twitter account, confirmed her son’s death was as a result of a “short illness”.

Jamal’s sudden death completely shocked the nation, especially because just three days ago he had posted a throwback snap of himself and pop sensation Ed Sheeran to his Instagram account.

He wrote a special birthday message to the Shivers hitmaker, saying: “Happy Birthday to the OG, Ed. Blessed to have you in my life brother.

Loose Women star Judi Love has announced she will be taking a break from social media amid the recent far-right riots across the UK after the Southport stabbing

Loose Women’s Judi Love has announced that she’s taking a break from social media in light of the recent rise of extreme right-wing riots that swept over 20 UK towns and cities. The unrest followed the Southport incident, where the tragic killings of Bebe King, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, and Elsie Dot Stancomb took place.

Before the announcement of Axel Rudakubana as the suspect, misinformation circulated that falsely linked the stabbing to Islam, resulting in mosques and accommodation for asylum seekers coming under attack. The turmoil saw crowds take to the streets, engaging in shop looting, setting vehicles alight, clashing with police, and dispensing death threats.

Among those speaking out against the mayhem was TV personality Judi Love, who urged her followers to unify and “come together” in response to the disturbance.

In a succession of posts, which also found their way onto her Instagram stories, Judi expressed her shock at the regression in community spirit: “Is this really the UK? YES! They’ve gone back in time.” Highlighting the dangerous impact of hostile propaganda, Love stressed the necessity of solidarity: “Unfortunately there’s been years of Propaganda Inciting hatred! Never has there been a time that we NEED 2 come together!”

Judi Love revealed she was stepping away from social media ( 
Image:
(Image: Instagram))

Commenting on the irony of the situation, she added: “What’s crazy half of these people rioting for the hatred of POC, loves a curry on a Friday night!” Judi made it clear that the main concern should be providing support for those directly affected by the violence: “What’s so sad is the focus of supporting a community and families that’s lost their babies in the most horrific way has been lost in this mess … We need to come together!”

She offered some advice for everyone, particularly those of colour, during such tumultuous times: “People of colour at this time need to protect their mental health. What people need to understand is black and brown people face racism most days, by people, directly, indirectly, passive aggressively, institutionally, systematically. And on social media.”

Judi Love joined the Loose Women panel in 2020 ( 
Image:
(Image: ITV))
Following her statement: “It’s exhausting,” the comedian announced: “Social media break for me! Stay safe. This is crazy times, protect your mental health at all costs. And remember, do not let them continue to divide us.”

Former Coronation Street actress Denise Welch has shared her experiences on mental health and panic attacks on ITV’s Loose Women as she described the terrifying feeling

Loose Women star Denise Welch has spoken openly regarding her experience of panic attacks and revealed she felt she was “dying”.

The ladies were back for another instalment on Wednesday (August 14) to discuss a range of topics. But during the show, presenter Kaye Adams asked Denise, Brenda Edwards and Frankie Bridge their opinion on disclosing the truth about their health.

The subject arose after a weather reporter in Australia openly shared he was having a panic attack live on air. In an extremely candid reveal, Nate Byrne from ABC News asked his co-host Lisa Millar to step in for him.

He told viewers at the time: “I’m actually going to need to stop for a second,” he said. “Some of you may know that I occasionally get affected by panic attacks and actually that is happening right now.” This then led Kaye to ask her Loose Women co-stars about their experiences and whether they would reveal all.

Denise Welch shared her panic attack experience ( 
Image:
ITV)

Denise who revealed she suffered from panic attacks shared her story and said: “Mine would come completely [unexpectedly] from nowhere. Not even thinking about anything and you would think that you were choking and dying.”

After hearing Denise’s story as well as Australian weather reporter, Nate, fans headed to X formerly known as Twitter to share their thoughts. One viewer said: “I can’t help thinking that having a panic attack on TV could possibly affect your TV career.”

Another said: “#loosewomen I think that the guy with the panic attack did the absolutely right thing by explaining what he was going through. Well done lad.”

The women spoke about opening up on their health
While a third also shared: “Panic attacks are horrific. Wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy.”

Describing her panic attacks in more detail, Denise added: “My analogy is always you’re driving on the motorway and you nearly have a crash. And your heart is racing manically.

“You pull over to the side, you don’t have a crash and after a few minutes you’ve calmed down. It’s like that but it never goes away.

Loose Women panellist, Jane Moore, has revealed Victoria Beckham’s mum, Jackie, contacted the show during a discussion about her daughter and husband, David

Victoria Beckham’s mum once called the Loose Women ladies during their on-air debate about her daughter.

Jackie Adams usually stays out of the spotlight, however, panellist, Jane Moore, has revealed she couldn’t resist sharing her opinion with the ITV show when Victoria, 50, was up for discussion.

Victoria Beckham’s mum once called the Loose Women ladies during their on-air debate about her daughter.

Jackie Adams usually stays out of the spotlight, however, panellist, Jane Moore, has revealed she couldn’t resist sharing her opinion with the ITV show when Victoria, 50, was up for discussion.

Loose Women panellist, Jane Moore, has revealed Victoria Beckham’s mum contacted the show during a discussion about her daughter

Victoria is very close to her mum, Jackie ( 
Image:
Instagram)

The journalist also told Woman’s Own that while the former Spice Girl has never been on the show, there have been some “fabulous stars” drinking tea with the loose-lipped women, including Whoopi Goldberg and Goldie Hawn.

Victoria and David’s live were under the microscope again recently when Tom Bower released his explosive new book, which is based on the couple’s marriage.

The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power, written by the investigative biographer, includes many alleged events about their relationship through extensive research, expert sourcing and interviews with insiders.

Victoria was said to be “livid” after its release when murky details surrounding David’s alleged affair with Rebecca Loos were published. There were also damning details about her rumoured dislike of Geri Horner, who the fashion designer reportedly mocked for her celebrity romance with Chris Evans.

With the book’s release just weeks before their 25th wedding anniversary, Victoria was said to be unhappy with the timing and how it might portray the pair.

A source told Closer Magazine: “Victoria is livid about the upcoming book, because what was supposed to be a landmark date for them is instead going to be reliving the hell that almost broke her. Instead of being able to celebrate their marriage and the ups and downs of their journey and the love and life they have built together, it’s all coming under attack.” The mum-of-four was also reportedly “worried” about the book being set up to “bring down” the couple’s image and portray them as “work and money obsessed people”

The book came after the release of David’s self-titled Netflix documentary, in which his wife opened up about the great difficulty they faced in their marriage when he was accused of infidelity.

Speaking in his Netflix documentary, Victoria shared: “Up until Madrid sometimes it felt like us against everybody else but we were together, we were connected, we had each other. But when we were in Spain, it didn’t really feel like we had each other either. And that’s sad. I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was and how it affected me. It was a nightmare.”