Author: bang5

As rumours fly that the Beckham family is feuding – following Brooklyn’s absence from all of his dad’s 50th birthday activities – Romeo has made his opinion known on social media

Romeo Beckham shared a cryptic post following his brother’s absence from family events over the last week

Romeo Beckham has shared a cryptic post following rumours of a family feud – after Brooklyn was notably absent from his father’s birthday celebration last week.

On Saturday night, David threw a birthday dinner to celebrate his 50th birthday at a Michelin-star restaurant in Kensington, London. His wife, Victoria, and their children, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 13, were all in attendance. However, 26-year-old Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz, 30, were not seen at the dinner or David’s earlier birthday events, including celebrations in Paris and the Cotswolds. Brooklyn also failed to wish his dad a happy birthday on social media.

The festivities have continued, with Romeo and Cruz joining their dad on a lads fishing trip in Scotland to mark the milestone birthday. David shared snaps from the trip, including a selfie of him with his two sons, in which he tagged Brooklyn and wrote: “You were missed @brooklynpeltzbeckham”.

The family together at Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week show(Image: VictoriaBeckham/Instagram)

Romeo then shared a post of one of his tattoos, which some have read as him commenting on the family ‘drama’. His tattoo spells ‘Love’ on his right hand – and was inked back in 2022 by a Miami-based artist. His other tattoos include a lion’s face on his arm with the words “Do it afraid” and a bird carrying a rose in its mouth with the phrase “Everything passes.”

Younger brother Cruz is also inked, and famously debuted his Three Lions tattoo in support of the England football team ahead of the Euros final last year.

Earlier this week, one of Brooklyn’s ex-girlfriends, Lexi Wood, shared her insight on the Beckham family. On an episode of The Viall Files podcast, she said: “That mindset is that your family has your back, period. I do feel like those families are great.”

Brooklyn and Nicola tied the knot in 2022(Image: (Image: Getty))

When asked what it was like dating the son of “one of the sexiest men alive”, she revealed: “I feel like he was just always Brooklyn’s dad. I feel like immediately I didn’t think anything of it. And then he just was his dad. They’re a beautiful family. Victoria, she’s the style icon. They’re the coolest family.”

Rumours have also started to fly that Brooklyn and his brother Romeo were not on speaking terms as Brooklyn reportedly had a past relationship with Kim Turnbull, his younger brother’s current girlfriend. Kim is a model and DJ from London who has been spotted at many family events recently. However, Romeo’s younger brother Cruz was quick to shut down the rumours that she had also dated Brooklyn in an Instagram comment.

In a now-deleted post, a fan reportedly mused underneath a photo of Romeo and Kim about whether it was “appropriate” to date his brother’s ex. According to Grazia, Cruz responded with: “Brooklyn and Kim never dated.”

The 31-year-old singer was spotted in the crowd of people waiting in St Peter’s Square in Rome for the announcement of the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, on Thursday

Harry Styles was spotted among the crowd of people celebrating Pope Leo XIV in St Peter’s Square(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Harry Styles has been spotted amongst crowds in Vatican City as Pope Leo XIV was announced as the successor to the late Pope Francis. After the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel to announce that the conclave had elected a new Pope, thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City to watch as the pontiff appeared on the balcony.

One of the figures in the crowd was the One Direction star, who was captured on camera wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap with the words “Techno is My Boyfriend” embroidered. A photograph of the singer was shared by the pop culture X account @popcrave.

Fans reacted to the sighting with jokes referring to his last album being released three years ago. One wrote: “He’ll do anything except get in the studio”, and another posted: “Doing everything but recording.”

One X user said: “He’s so unhinged, I cannot love him enough but darling I need new music please.” Another added: “Harry Styles is so random, one day he’s at the Grammys winning album of the year, then he’s running a marathon in Japan, but he could also be in Rome waiting for the announcement of the new pope, I love being his fan.”

Crowds gathered to welcome Pope Leo XIV as he came out onto the balcony(Image: Getty Images)

Harry has previously discussed his views towards religion, and back on Twitter in 2010 he wrote that he had been christened but was “not really that religious”. In an interview with Chelsea Handler in 2016, the As It Was singer explained that he considered himself to be “more spiritual than religious”. He explained: “I’m not super tied-in to certain rules but I think it’s naïve to say nothing exists and there’s nothing above us or more powerful than us. I think that’s a little narrow-minded.”

Pope Leo XIV, known before as Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first American to become a pontiff. The 69-year-old, who is from Chicago, addressed the cheering crowd and said: “Peace be with all of you. Brothers and sisters dearest, this is the first greeting of Christ resurrected. I would like to offer a greeting of peace to reach your families, all of you, wherever you are. May peace be with you.”

His predecessor, Francis, died at the age of 88 on April 21st, Easter Monday. His public appearance before his death had been Easter Sunday. Speaking about Francis, Pope Leo XIV told the crowd in Rome: “We still hear in our ears the weak but always courageous voice of Pope Francis who blessed us. United and hand in hand with God, let us advance together.”

Following the news that the first American Pope had been elected, President Trump offered his congratulations on his social media platform, Truth Social. He said: “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

Nicola Peltz’s reported feud with David and Victoria Beckham has reached a new level as friends of both parties spoke out about their fractured family relationship

Nicola Peltz and Victoria Beckham’s feud has reached a new level

Nicola Peltz has been described as “obsessive” for wearing Victoria’s blue and white Dolce & Gabbana biker jacket last year. It follows the explosion of Victoria and David’s reported feud with their daughter-in-law, whose friends accused the famous couple of “emotional abuse and toxic behaviour” last night.

Earlier this month, reports of a rift between Brooklyn Beckham and the rest of his family were further fuelled when the 26-year-old failed to show up with Nicola to his dad’s 50th birthday bash in Notting Hill, despite being in London at the time. A source close to Brooklyn and Nicola later claimed that Victoria and David “refused” to see the couple privately ahead of the birthday do, even though they had “travelled all the way to London specifically to try to repair the relationship”.

Nicola Peltz stepped out in Victoria Beckham’s iconic jacket she wore 23 years ago(Image: BACKGRID)

But after a friend of Nicola’s alleged that the American heiress had helped Brooklyn “see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family”, a source close to the Beckham has hit back. They said that the claims were a “deeply unpleasant attack” that is “ludicrous and patently untrue”. A second source also accused Nicola of using the Beckham name when it suited her.

“How the Beckhams have been cast as unsupporting is ridiculous when they have been regularly posting about her endeavours to their millions of followers,” they said, referring to Nicola’s film career.

“But what makes the current situation even more galling is how Nicola appears to relish the association with the family name when it suits her.”

The source referred to Nicola wearing the same blue and white Dolce & Gabbana biker jacket last February that Victoria had famously worn to watch Manchester United in 2001. While outlets at the time had reported that Nicola had been “granted access to her mother-in-law’s personal archive of noughties fashion”, friends of the Beckhams have said that this was not the case.

The biker jacket that Victoria wore – a look later copied by Nicola (Image: Daily Mirror)

“If not obsessive, it was definitely the most bizarre behaviour especially given relations weren’t the greatest anyway in the wake of the wedding,” one friend alleged.

Meanwhile, friends of Nicola claimed that the jacket was bought for her by her mum in September 2023, “not knowing Victoria had worn it”. They added: “Nicola however did recognize the jacket and thought it was sweet to wear something her mother in law had worn. Nicola has only ever attempted to be close to the Beckhams as she’s close with her own family.”

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are known to lovingly call their grandfather King Charles, Grandpa Wales, but when it comes to Queen Camilla, they have an unusual moniker for her

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

The royal family might have a number of grand titles, but when they are behind closed doors, all formality is dropped. It’s common knowledge that members of the Firm have nicknames for one another – and it seems that William and Kate’s three children have come up with a surprising moniker for Queen Camilla.

George, Charlotte, and Louis are said to often talk about ‘Granny Diana’ and are said to refer to King Charles as ‘Grandpa Wales’. The nickname Grandpa Wales follows the same format as the Queen used for her grandad George V, who she referred to as Grandad England.

Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey earlier this week (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)

But when it comes to Queen Camilla , she apparently goes by a different name to the traditional ‘grandma’ or ‘nanny.’ Camilla, who has five grandchildren of her own, plus the Wales kids and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archie and Lilibet, is referred to as ‘Gaga’.

According to the Sun , Camilla told Lady Gaga when they met during the 2016 Royal Variety Performance: “My own grandchildren call me GaGa. I don’t know if it’s because they think I am! It is funny but is still very sweet.”

It was previously revealed that Prince George had an adorable nickname for his great-grandmother, the late Queen, and called her “Gan-Gan”. Speaking back in 2016 after the birth of Princess Charlotte, Princess Kate said: “It’s very special having a new little girl…I feel very, very lucky that George has got a little sister.

“The Queen was really thrilled that it was a little girl, and I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington she was one of our first visitors here. George is only two-and-a-half and he calls her ‘Gan-Gan.’ She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay and that just shows her love for her family.”

The Royal Family on the palace balcony during VE Day commemorations(Image: PA)

William and Kate are also said to have nicknames for one another. They were overheard using nicknames for each other at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2016, when they lovingly referred to each other as “darling” and “babe”.

William previously revealed that it was his mother, Princess Diana , who gave him his first ever nickname – “Wombat”. In a 2007 interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer, he explained: “It began when I was two. I’ve been rightfully told because I can’t remember back that far. But when we went to Australia with our parents, and the wombat, you know, that’s the local animal. So, I just basically got called that. Not because I look like a wombat, or maybe I do.”

And William was actually responsible for one of the late Queen’s more unusual nicknames, ‘Gary’. According to Daily Mail , while William was playing at Buckingham Palace as a child, he took a little trip and called out for help. But instead of shouting for ‘Granny’, he called for ‘Gary’- much to the confusion of everyone present.

The column reported : “A guest who went to help asked who Gary was, assuming it must be a member of the royal household. ‘I’m Gary,’ responded the Queen. “‘He hasn’t learned to say Granny yet’.”

Kate, meanwhile, was nicknamed “Squeak” as a young girl while attending St Andrew’s School in Berkshire. She later recalled: “I was nicknamed Squeak just like my guinea pig,” she said. “There was one called Pip and one called Squeak because my sister was called Pippa and I was Squeak.”

The late Queen was once overheard bickering with her husband Prince Philip during a prolonged stay at Windsor Castle – and she had the best response to shut him down

The late Queen and Prince Philip (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

The late Queen and Prince Philip had a remarkable love story. The couple met when the young princess was just 13 – and their relationship eventually evolved into a 73-year marriage that lasted until his dying day. But they were known to occasionally bicker – and one standout squabble took place while the couple were shielding together at Windsor Castle during the pandemic.

A royal aide later shared details of the incident, including the quick way the Queen completely shut her husband down. The palace aide recalled how he was called in to wait on the couple because of staff shortages caused by the pandemic.

The royal couple were married from 1947 until Philip’s death in 2021(Image: Getty Images)

He told the Daily Mail: “They bickered with one another. It was sweet but so unexpected. On one occasion I heard the duke say, ‘Oh, do shut up, you silly woman’, and the Queen replied, ‘I am not a silly woman, I am the Queen’. I couldn’t believe my ears but I was told this was how they always were with one another.”

The Queen and her husband built an unbreakable bond over the course of their marriage, with the pair having both their shared passions as well as their differences.

Although they both shared a love for the outdoors and horses, Prince Philip had a more daring personality, whereas the Queen was thought to be more reserved.

And while Prince Philip was known for making controversial quips on occasion, the Queen reportedly never held back from putting him in his place.

The late Queen and Prince Philip were married for more than 70 years (Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

The Duke reportedly recalled his first meeting with then-Princess Elizabeth saying: “You were so shy. I couldn’t get a word out of you.” But all that changed over time, with the Queen’s former private secretary Lord Charteris previously admitting: “It is not unknown for the Queen to tell the Duke to shut up.”

Royal author Susan Crossland, who accompanied Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh during their 1976 tour to the US, also revealed the Queen asked her husband to be silent due to her frustration at something he was saying.

Over the course of his life, the Duke became renowned for his witty one-liners – and sometimes unconventional behaviour. His reputation for plain speaking often led to controversy, while his undiplomatic language landed him in hot water on more than one occasion.

During a toast to the Queen at a lunch celebrating their golden wedding anniversary back in 1997, Prince Philip admitted: “I think the main lesson we have learnt is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient in any happy marriage.

“It may not be quite so important when things are going well, but it is absolutely vital when the going gets difficult. You can take it from me, the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.”

BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has opened up about her experience with an extremely painful condition which has caused her to be ‘doubled over in pain’ and ‘pass out’

Naga Munchetty has opened up about being diagnosed with a debilitating condition that has left her in “extreme pain” for three decades. The BBC Breakfast star appeared on Lorraine to speak about her new book, which is about her experience of medical misogyny.

Speaking about how she suffered with intense symptoms once she started her periods, Naga told host Christine Lampard: “Mine involved extreme pain, doubled over in pain, throwing up, passing out, cramps, fainting over and over again and really heavy periods to the point where I was setting an alarm at night to change my period products and sleeping on the floor. If I was uncomfortable on the floor, I thought it might distract from the pain.”

BBC Breakfast star Naga was diagnosed with adenomyosis in 2022 ( 
Image:
BBC/James Stack)

While initially told that she would “grow out of it”, Naga was finally diagnosed with adenomyosis after struggling with symptoms for decades. “It was only because I had a cyst on my ovary and I was having an ultrasound that they found adenomyosis,” she said.

“It’s the evil twin to endometriosis – it’s when the uterine wall, the lining grows outside the uterus so it’s spread into my pelvis and my lower back,” she said. “It can affect women in different ways but ultimately the pain is when hormones react, it takes your muscles, you have very heavy bleeding.”

Naga added that there is no cure for the condition and that treatment is management through hormones or a hysterectomy, which she has “refused to have”.

Last week, Naga opened up about her diagnosis – and how the symptoms had become so intense that she that she had to call an ambulance on one occasion.

Adenomyosis, which affects around one in 10 women in the UK, is a condition where “the lining of the womb (uterus) starts growing into the muscle in the wall of the womb. There are treatments that can help with any symptoms”, the NHS states.

In an interview with The Times, Naga revealed that she had begun to ‘second guess’ her pain after three decades of the condition being undiagnosed.

“It makes you angry. If you are second-guessing that you are not strong enough to be a woman, that you are weaker than all the other women because you’re told it’s all normal, everyone’s going through it, you second-guess other parts of your life.”

Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham married in 2022 and rumours have emerged of a feud between the pair and their in-laws – particularly after snubbing David Beckham’s birthday

The real reason for the feud has been revealed(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The real reason for the “relationship fracture” between Victoria and David Beckham and Nicola Peltz has been revealed, it has been reported. Rumours have swirled since 2022 that the trio haven’t seen eye to eye since Nicola tied the knot with son Brooklyn three years ago.

It comes as Nicola’s friends have made claims what the real reasons for the fallout are. A pal has suggested that there is “emotional abuse and toxic behaviour” between the family which is why the four are unable to get along. However, it seems that David and Victoria reject the claims and are outraged by the suggestions. A source told The Mirror that the couple have been left “open mouthed” after hearing the suggestions.

Brooklyn and Nicola got married in 2022(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Experience Abu Dhabi)

Nicola’s friend said: “We are at this point because Nicola, an outsider coming into the Beckham family, has been able to help Brooklyn see the emotional abuse and toxic behaviour within his family, that it’s not healthy and it’s not normal and it’s not ok.”

However, a source close to the Beckhams has clapped back: “I don’t think anyone who has ever seen David and Victoria with their children would recognise this deeply unpleasant attack. It doesn’t even warrant a response it’s so ludicrous and patently untrue.”

While another close to the family said that Nicola’s friends were “pumping out untruths” as they added: “You wouldn’t expect this of your worst enemy, let alone close family members. The whole thing beggars belief.”

Nicola and Brooklyn are said to not see eye to eye with the Beckhams(Image: Victoria Beckham/Instagram)

It has been said that the “relationship fracture” first began when Brooklyn and Nicola tied the knot back in 2022. The pair married at her £76 million family mansion in Palm Beach, Florida.

“Nicola was very stressed out and quite difficult to be around and at the time everyone put it down to wedding nerves, and gave her the benefit of the doubt,” the source said. “But looking back it was the beginning of the relationship fracturing.”

Victoria and Nicola reportedly butted heads when it came to who was going to design her wedding gown. It was assumed that, being a fashion designer, Victoria would take the reigns but instead Nicola ended up wearing a Valentino dress instead.

Victoria was reportedly due to design Nicola’s wedding dress in 2022(Image: Getty Images)

Sources claimed that Victoria offered to take up the job but then avoided calls with stylist Leslie Fremar before eventually texting Nicola that she couldn’t do it. Despite the feud, it has been said that all parties have been left disappointed by the situation.

It’s unknown whether a reconciliation could be on the cards but a source said that there was “no anger but just a deep sense of sorrow about how things have turned out.”

David and Victoria Beckham’s pals have hit back after Nicola Peltz’s friends accused the Beckhams of ’emotional abuse and toxic behaviour’ in an extraordinary outburst

David and Victoria Beckham’s pals have hit back after Nicola Peltz’s friends accused the Beckhams of ’emotional abuse and toxic behaviour’(Image: Getty Images)

The row between David and Victoria Beckham and their daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz descended into open warfare last night.

The couple’s friends have reacted with fury after Nicola’s pals made a series of extraordinary claims about the reason why the rift between Brooklyn and his family emerged.

Her friend claimed: “We are at this point because Nicola, an outsider coming into the Beckham family, has been able to help Brooklyn see the emotional abuse and toxic behavior within his family, that it’s not healthy and it’s not normal and it’s not ok.”

But the comments have sparked outrage from sources close to the Beckhams.

“I don’t think anyone who has ever seen David and Victoria with their children would recognise this deeply unpleasant attack,” the source said. “It doesn’t even warrant a response it’s so ludicrous and patently untrue.”

A second source close to the family said they had been left “open-mouthed” that Nicola’s friends were “pumping out untruths.” The source added: ““You wouldn’t expect this of your worst enemy, let alone close family members. The whole thing beggars belief.”

Some are worried that Brooklyn has cut himself off not just from his mum and dad, but his siblings and old friends too.

“It’s a desperately sad situation,” says one pal. “Everyone loves Brooklyn so much and hopes things can be resolved.”

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz (Image: Getty Images for ENTER Works)

Other acquaintances of David and Victoria, as well as circles in LA where the billionaire Peltz family live, say there has been signs of trouble brewing for some time. As one succinctly put it: “It was always going to implode at some point.”

Friends of the Beckhams say the whole saga is even more upsetting given the lengths to which the family have backed Nicola, including promoting her film Lola. A source said: “How the Beckhams have been cast as unsupporting is ridiculous when they have been regularly posting about her endeavours to their millions of followers.

“But what makes the current situation even more galling is how Nicola appears to relish the association with the family name when it suits her.” They pointed to one “bizarre” occasion when Nicola was photographed wearing a blue and white Dolce & Gabbana biker jacket last February.

Victoria had famously worn the same jacket in the terraces of Old Trafford to watch Manchester United be crowned Premier League champions, in 2001.

The biker jacket that Victoria wore – a look later copied by Nicola (Image: Daily Mirror)

At the time it was speculated by outlets – including fashion bible Vogue – that Nicola had been “granted access to her mother-in-law’s personal archive of noughties fashion.” But friends of the Beckhams say this was not the case at all.

One said: “If not obsessive, it was definitely the most bizarre behaviour especially given relations weren’t the greatest anyway in the wake of the wedding.”

Friends of Nicola claimed that her mum bought her the jacket in September 2023, “not knowing Victoria had worn it”.

Nicola was seen in the same jacket(Image: affinitypicture / BACKGRID)

“Nicola however did recognize the jacket and thought it was sweet to wear something her mother in law had worn,” the pal said. “Nicola has only ever attempted to be close to the Beckhams as she’s close with her own family.”

Friends of the Beckhams say the build-up to the lavish 2022 three-day nuptials at the £76 million family mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, was when the “alarm bells began to ring.”

A source claimed: “Nicola was very stressed out and quite difficult to be around and at the time everyone put it down to wedding nerves, and gave her the benefit of the doubt. But looking back it was the beginning of the relationship fracturing.”

This reached a head when a row broke-out over her wedding dress, which many assumed would be designed by her mother-in-law. In the end she wore a Valentino gown. Nicola’s pals claim Victoria offered to do it but then avoided texts and calls with her stylist Leslie Fremar to sort out the next steps. In the end Victoria texted Nicola that she couldn’t do it, the pal said.

But sources close to the Beckhams disputed this version of events, adding: “This was such a long time ago….everyone needs to move on.”

Many have pointed to Nicola’s upbringing and the influence of her doting, yet combative billionaire businessman father Nelson Peltz. A source said: “You don’t get that rich by being shy and retiring. There is no doubt Nicola has inherited his spirit.”

Brooklyn Beckham with his mum Victoria(Image: INTERNET UNKNOWN )

Her in-laws have watched as both Nicola, and her father, have launched two expensive lawsuits in as many years.

First, Mr Peltz sued the wedding planners who oversaw Nicola and Brooklyn nuptials last April because of alleged ‘mistakes’. The planners hit back and filed a counterclaim in a Miami court for breach of contract and ‘interference’ with a business deal. Both parties eventually settled.

Then last July, Nicola herself took legal action against the groomer who worked on her chihuahua Nala shortly before her death. A source said: “Nicola doesn’t take any prisoners and woe betide anyone who crosses her. The Beckhams are now in the crosshairs. It’s why no one can see any way this whole saga ends anytime soon.”

Singing drag queen Jasmine Rice opens up on her shock heartbreak hours before her first audition and how it spurred her on

Drag queen opera singer Jasmine Rice shares devastating news which threatened her BGT dream(Image: Tom Dymond for BGT)

Britain’s Got Talent hopeful Jasmine Rice has opened up about the secret heartache she overcame to impress the show’s judges. The drag queen opera singer brought the house down with her first audition – just hours after discovering her beloved grandmother had passed away, she has revealed.

She spoke of her shock at receiving a phone call from her dad to say she’d died suddenly in her native Korea. “It totally threw me,” admitted Jasmine. It was out of the blue. She wasn’t sick. She did have dementia. My family – including my grandma – have been such an amazing support system for me to continue singing. I basically thought of that and used that as fuel to continue and try to concentrate and do my best.”

Jasmine Rice is promising another breathtaking performance tomorrow night(Image: Tom Dymond for BGT)

She went on to wow the BGT crowd with her rendition of Nessun dorma, with Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli sending her through to tomorrow night’s semi-final. It left Bruno in tears.

“How many people can say that they could dedicate a performance to their loved ones on the day that someone passed?” said Jasmine. “It’s an anthem for my grandmother as she enters the pearly gates of heaven. I thought ‘She’s hearing my voice as she flies away’.”

New York performer Jasmine says she feels like she’s found her home on the UK stage – after facing rejection throughout her career. Classically trained at the prestigious Juilliard School, she decided to combine opera and drag to create her act, describing it as a “magical recipe” – but has faced obstacles along the way.

“The opera world is rigid, and there are moulds you have to fit into,” explained Jasmine. “I was constantly getting rejected and critiqued for just simply being me from the get go. They thought that it was silly, they thought that it wasn’t a real art form. Some people think that it’s some kind of a weird kink or fetish. It’s art.”

She opened up about her story during her first audition – leading to Simon branding the opera world “snobby”. “Maybe it’s the snobbishness,” agreed Jasmine. “But there just wasn’t space for someone fabulous and fierce like me when I was pursuing opera.”

On her decision to audition for Britain’s Got Talent, she said it was all inspired by a show alumni. “I was getting a little hopeless and defeated with my career,” recalled Jasmine. “Being rejected so many times in the opera world and being a struggling artist in NYC is very hard. Then my friend Loren Allred encouraged me to try out for BGT before I completely lose confidence in myself. So I wanted to come over the pond to prove myself that I am worthy enough to be on stage and that I do have what it takes to make it. She told me I had to conquer this fear, and that the Brits would get me.”

Jasmine with friends and BGT alumni Loren Allred and Sydnie Christmas

And they did, with a rousing response to her first performance. Jasmine is hoping for the same again with her take on a popular song. “It feels like I’m coming back to a place where I am so welcomed with open arms.,” she said. “Where I am embraced and celebrated for who I am and want to be.”

Keeping her song choice under wraps, she teased: “The song is really about how you could have everything in the world but if there isn’t love… it doesn’t really matter about materialistic things. I hope it brings people together and shows that love always wins at the end of the day. Equality, tolerance and empathy wins.”

One thing Jasmine is revealing is that she will we’re another spectacular outfit. So will she be giving Amanda a run for her money in the fashion stakes? “She is very demure, mindful and cutesy,” smiles Jasmine. “I’m more rambunctious, extravagant, and fabulous. I think there is room for all of us. I’m not quite sure if the judges are ready for a glam-off with a drag queen.”

Performing as part of a top drag show in New York, Jasmine recently had pop icon Chappell Roan in the crowd. “She was so low key and tipped us well,” she said. And became friends with Olympic swimmer Tom Daley and The Greatest Showman singer Loren Allred after they came to watch her.

Jasmine and Tom Daley became friends after the swimmer watched her New York drag show

“I did talk to Tom and he is very nice and excited for me,” she said. “And when Sydnie Christmas was in New York city doing her concert, I got to meet her and she gave me the most encouraging talk and has been supporting me non-stop.”

She hopes BGT will act as a springboard for the future. “I would love to be able to tour my own show that fuses opera, drag and comedy. And of course, I would love to win BGT and perform for the Royal Family… maybe even make a move over the pond.”

Turning 37 next week, will Jasmine get the ultimate gift of making it to the final? “I hope I get an early birthday present,” she dreams.

Other semi-finalists on tomorrow night’s show include singing group Electric Umbrella and performer Mickey Callisto.

Watch Britain’s Got Talent on ITV at 7pm.

BBC Antiques Road Trip experts James Braxton and Raj Bisram went head to head in the latest episode of the show as they tried to score the biggest profit in the auction

Antiques Road Trip stars James Braxton and Raj Bisram were in fierce competition during a memorable episode, which saw them journeying separately throughout Somerset before a heated auction kicked off in Woking. While James became one with the Morris Men, Raj braved life in a tank, only to meet later for a showdown with their quirky finds.

The treasure hunt had them almost on par by the halfway mark, but James placed his bets on some slightly damaged Staffordshire figures, whereas Raj hoped for a win with his unique Moorcroft vase. The true game-changer was James revealing to a stunned Raj a Sir William Russell Flint print he’d cleverly bagged for just £8 – a piece adorned with the artist’s signature.

“I think James has done extremely well. He bought a Sir William Russell Flint print – signed – £8!” remarked an impressed Raj, unable to hide his shock at the low price: “£8? I can’t believe it!”

Antiques Road Trip stars James Braxton and Raj Bisram went head to head(Image: (Image: BBC))

Excitement peaked at the auction as bids flew in both online and from the floor, culminating with the print going under the hammer for an impressive £150, leaving James over the moon with his lucrative find.

James was positively buzzing after the auction delivered a smashing result, beaming as he declared: “Top estimate! £150. Put it there Raj. Come on,” reports the Express.

Raj, just as chuffed with how things turned out, gleefully agreed to a celebratory handshake, saying: “Top estimate. That is a good profit. That’s worth a shake of the hand. Well done, well done James.”

Raj hit James on the head as he made a huge profit(Image: (Image: BBC))

In high spirits, Raj playfully tapped an elated James on the head with his papers in a fun show of camaraderie.

The host, Tim Wonnacott, couldn’t hold back his delight, laughing as he said: “Yes, that’s a great result for print and it’s profits all round.”

In another episode of the BBC show, Christina Trevanion and Mark Stacey were left astounded when a humble vegetable barrow they snapped up for a mere £10 transformed into a treasure at auction, commanding an unexpectedly high price.

Renowned for their prowess in the world of collectables, the duo watched in disbelief as the bids for what was nearly dismissed as mere firewood skyrocketed during a frenzied bidding session among eager collectors.

At the peak of the excitement, a shell-shocked Mark couldn’t help exclaiming: “Good Lord. Why?” while Christina, equally puzzled, replied, “I have no idea.”

As the numbers soared higher, Mark could only jest: “Can I go home now?” but Christina, basking in the success of her find, quickly responded: “No! Stay here and hold my hand!” The sale of the vegetable barrow concluded at an impressive £130.