Author: bang5

Presenter Alex Jones has broken her silence on Jermaine Jenas’ axe from The One Show and BBC following his sexting scandal

The One Show’s Alex Jones responds to Jermaine Jenas’ text row after he was sacked from show(Image: BBC)

Alex Jones has responded to her former co-worker Jermaine Jenas’ text row after he was sacked from the BBC and ITV over allegations of workplace misconduct.

The former England international was axed in August over claims he had sent inappropriate texts to female colleagues. Jenas, 42, was removed from his role as a presenter of The One Show and a pundit for BBC Sport after an internal investigation was launched.

He saw his contract terminated by the broadcaster and ultimately also parted ways with his long-term agents MC Saatchi in addition to being let go from his role presenting Formula E.

Jenas also missed out on presenting Soccer Aid for ITV last month over the allegations. However, he has returned to working in the sphere of football in the aftermath of his sacking by BBC.

Alex has said she didn’t know what was going on with Jermaine(Image: BBC)

Following Jenas’ BBC axe, his former colleague Alex, 51, has now claimed that she was ‘completely unaware’ about complaints made against him. After learning about the sexting scandal and the allegations of misconduct, Alex has insisted that she had ‘no idea’ what was going on at the time.

“I very much take people on face value. But with JJ I didn’t know what was going on. I thought he was taking extended leave,” she revealed.

“If that was my daughter and she felt uncomfortable with someone’s behaviour, I hope that whatever company she was working for would deal with it swiftly as well,” she told The Big Issue.

Jermaine was sacked from the BBC show (Image: PA)

After stepping back from his role as a presenter on talkSPORT, the 42-year-old appeared as a guest and returned to action as a commentator in February.

Upon his return, Jenas told the station: “The biggest thing in this whole situation is about taking responsibility and that has been at the forefront of my mind… There’s a reason why you’re in this position and there’s a reason why this has happened.

“Once you accept those things, then you can work on yourself and you can work on the other things and you can work on your family and work towards a brighter future. Essentially this is about me looking inwards, making some improvements and coming back a better person.”

Jermaine’s wife has since left him(Image: WireImage)

In March, Ellie Penfold announced her split from Jenas. The pair share four children and Penfold took so social media to confirm the end of her 16-year relationship.

“I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it’s necessary,” she said.After 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways.

“We will remain friends and continue to co-parent. We kindly ask that you respect our children’s privacy during this challenging time. Thank you, Ellie.”

Rebecca Loos, one of the famous faces braving this year’s Celebrity SAS opens up about ‘that’ David Beckham scandal and how being branded a ‘liar’ has forced her to develop a thick skin

Rebecca says she’s developed a thick skin after ‘a lifetime of opinions around her’(Image: Channel 4)

Rebecca Loos faces a grilling on Celebrity SAS about her affair with David Beckham – and she dubbed him a “coward” for the way he brushed what happened under the carpet on his Netflix documentary.

Loos was Beckham’s personal assistant in 2003 and claims broke the following year about them having a four month fling. Beckham said reports of the affair were “ludicrous” at the time but never mounted a legal challenge to the story or any subsequent interviews. Loos went on to appear on reality shows like The Farm and Celebrity Love Island before stepping out of the limelight and is now a yoga teacher in Norway.

The model-turned-yoga teacher gave a tell-all interview to GMB about the Beckham saga in 2023(Image: ITV)

On her TV comeback on Channel 4 this week, Rebecca said: “I just wanted to show people who I am and just be myself, which has always been my thing. And I just went in it with a very open mind and take it as it comes.

“I was quite nervous as to how the others would perceive me. I was nervous and apprehensive as to how the show would be edited, because that’s always something you have no control of. However, I must say the production team on this show have been absolutely amazing from day one, they have been truthful, they have stuck to their word.

“It felt unjust that my life was pretty hell and his(Becks) life kept going and kept blossoming. I’ve been accused of being a liar. I’ve had a lifetime of opinions around me, I’ve definitely developed thick skin. I think the public opinion now has softened, at least from what I’m gathering since the documentary came out with the Beckhams a couple of years ago. I think it is now because thanks to social media, there is a whole different following out there, which it’s a double-edged sword.

“You’ve got the online trolls but I don’t think that many people, at least the younger generation, know me that well. I’ve never really been very interested in what people think of me to be honest. It doesn’t bother me. I don’t think about it. I don’t know what the perception is of me. I don’t really care. I’m just myself, and some like it and some don’t. And that’s just how life is.”

Like all the recruits, Rebecca faced a grilling in the show’s Mirror Room. Jason Fox and Chris Oliver questioned her motives for being on the show before asking how she felt about her affair with Beckham now she’s had the time to reflect on it.

The mum-of-two admits she was nervous about going on the show(Image: Pete Dadds / Channel 4)

On his Netflix 2023 doc Beckham didn’t name Rebecca and failed to take any accountability. He just said: “I don’t know how we got through it in all honesty,” on a tricky time when he lived in Madrid.

On being asked about Beckham on the Channel 4 show and what she feels about how things have played out, she added: “I was quite guarded at the beginning. I was trying to be guarded because it’s not something I want to talk about the whole time. But at the same time I also wanted to be honest with them, so they were really good at getting through to me.

“They’re obviously professionals at this. I don’t shy away from what I’ve been through, and I don’t shy away from the decisions that I’ve made. They have shaped me into who I am, and I’ve really learnt a lot from the mistakes that I’ve made in my life and the things that I’ve done. And I really do think that being truthful is the only way to go in life. I’ll stand by that forever.

“It takes a lot of courage to tell the truth and to own up to mistakes that you have made, mistakes and times in your life you’re not proud of. And it’s very easy to just brush them under the carpet and move on. That’s like the coward’s way, I think, of living.”

Asked if the SAS experience changes her, she said: “I very much like how they instil in you that even though you want to give up, you don’t. And it’s easier to take the easy way out, but you’ve got to fight and push through, and push hard. They gave me a bit of SAS grit. They really inspired me. When I came out of the show, I had made some changes in my life, which I think is definitely thanks to SAS.

Rebecca nows lives a quiet life in a remote part of Norway with her family(Image: PA)

“I quit alcohol. That was the first thing I did. I wasn’t a big drinker, but I was a social drinker and I noticed that it wasn’t good for me and my hormones and what I was going through, and it was having quite a negative effect on me, mentally. So I just decided to cut that out and I started lifting heavy weights. I wanted to get strong. I know it’s really good for my bones, it’s very good for women.

“I was in perimenopause last year. And I’ve also started taking HRT. I’ve just started doing things to make sure that I live a healthy and strong life, that I age feeling strong, that I’m able to put a weight on my back and run up a mountain if I have to. So yeah, it was a bit of a kick in the arse to test myself a little bit again. I think in the years prior to SAS, I went through a lot as a mother as well because I had a youngest son who was struggling a lot.”

Surviving on the SAS course has made Rebecca come to terms with aging and accepting that now she’s a mother she’s more risk averse: “I used to be a risk-taker when I was younger, an absolute risk-taker. I used to love it. I used to thrive on it. Whereas now, no way. Motherhood has softened me. Aging, growing, maturing, we change. I won’t speak for all the women, but at least I have become slightly softer, more careful.

“And that’s probably due to the fact that I hardly have any hormones left in my body. I’m in a different phase. It was a bit of a wake-up call to that. But realising and accepting that is very empowering and it’s very positive and it’s not a negative thing at all. I like being very aware of what I’m going through and who I am.”

Rebecca’s life today is a far cry from the media frenzy that exploded around her during the Beckham scandal in 2004. Now living a quiet, picture-perfect life for the last 14 years in Norway with her husband of 13 years, Norwegian doctor Sven Christjar Skaiaa, who she met whilst filming the reality programme, 71 Graden Noord, she is also mother to two sons, Magnus, 16, and Liam,13.

She has been open with her two sons about her explosive past(Image: Channel 4)

The family is based in the remote area of Buskerud county, which is a three-hour trip to the nearest airport. Working as a yoga teacher and massage therapist, she revealed previously that she quit the UK for a “very different” life, to raise her “little Vikings”,

She has said of her life in Norway. ‘It’s not like England here, it’s much less judgmental. I used to get people coming up to me in Waitrose, right in my face, taking pictures of me with their mobiles”

Rebecca has also revealed how open she is with her sons about her past, including the attention thrust upon her over her alleged affair with Beckham, something he has always denied.

She said in 2023: “They know. And so I said – and I feel that it’s very unfair because of the way I’m being treated now and the bullying I’m getting and the trolling. And I want to say something. And I’m going to do an interview, so there might be some media and how do you feel about that.

“And so my youngest son said, oh, good. He’s a bit like me. He’s like, good for you, Mummy. Yes, I would say something to him. And my eldest son, he said, well, I don’t really know anything about Beckham. It’s not like it’s Messi, Mummy. I mean, had it been Messi…’

Kerry Katona has admitted she feels like she’s constantly ‘failing’ as a single mum of five, opening up about how she feels she’s ‘never done enough’ for her brood.

Kerry Katona has admitted she feels like she’s constantly ‘failing’ as a single mum of five(Image: kerrykatona7/Instagram)

Kerry Katona has opened up about her struggles as a mum, admitting that she constantly feels as though she’s ‘failing’ to raise her brood. The former singer is a mum to Molly, 23, and Lilly-Sue, 22, who she shares with first husband Brian McFadden, Heidi, 18, and Max, 17, whose father is her ex Mark Croft and youngest daughter, DJ, ten, who she welcomed with late spouse George Kay.

Writing in her weekly New! Magazine column, Kerry sent her support to Fearne Cotton, who recently opened up about feeling ‘overwhelmed’ as a single mum since splitting from her husband Jesse Wood. Comparing her own experience with parenthood, Kerry wrote: “I saw Fearne Cotton open up recently about how she feels “overwhelmed” as a single mum at times.

“Truth is, us mums all feel like that sometimes. Being a single mum is the hardest thing I’ve done in my life, and you can feel like you’re failing every day.”

Kerry, who is a mum to four daughters and one son, says it’s the ‘hardest job she’s ever done’(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Kerry continued: “You never feel like you’ve done enough, especially with multiple children who have different needs. But, if your kids have a roof over their heads and food to eat, they’re absolutely fine. We need to go easier on ourselves. Fearne is doing a fantastic job and needs to remember that.”

The comments come after Fearne admitted she felt she was “dropping a lot of balls” as a single mum while recently appearing on Women’s Health magazine’s new podcast, Just As Well. “I had nothing the kids liked for breakfast on Monday, nothing. I had cereal, but no milk. I had butter, but no bread. I tried to make pancakes, I had no maple syrup. It is like an absolute s**t show,” Fearne began.

She continued, “So I’m just dropping lots of balls constantly and never feeling like I’m doing anything particularly well. But enjoying most of it. I would say enjoying most of it.” Fearne added that parenthood also has her “crying in her car” at times.

Fearne Cotton split from her husband Jesse Wood in December(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Fearne split from her husband of ten years in December, sharing the news in a statement to X which read: “It is with a heavy heart that | let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage. Our priority has been, and will always be, our children. We please ask that you respect the privacy of our family at this time”.

During their time together, the couple – who married in 2014 – welcomed two children – Rex and Honey – and said their priority will always remain on the pair, as well as Jesse’s two older kids, Arthur and Lola.

EXCLUSIVE: Katie Price’s boyfriend JJ Slater has reportedly issued an ultimatum to the star, as the couple’s relationship is said to be ‘on the rocks’ amid her financial woes

Katie Price has been issued an “ultimatum” by her boyfriend JJ Slater

Katie Price has been issued an “ultimatum” by her boyfriend JJ Slater, a source has revealed to new. The ex-glamour model, 47, admitted last week that she was on the brink of homelessness, as she must move out of her rental property – due to the landlord selling up – and is struggling to find a new home.

Our source claimed that between Katie’s financial stresses and drama-filled lifestyle, JJ, 33, is putting his foot down and urging her to take her problems more seriously.

“JJ has had enough of all the drama,” they claimed. “Katie isn’t responsible with money and has been struggling with the moving situation, which JJ feels she sometimes takes out on him. He has given Katie an ultimatum, explaining that she needs to start taking accountability for her finances and get her ducks in a row – if they’re to have a real chance together.”

JJ and Katie haven’t appeared on each other’s socials in over a month

Tongues had been wagging of late when JJ was absent from Katie’s Instagram page for more than a month. Meanwhile, Katie hasn’t appeared on his social media since April – and neither of them has spoken publicly about their relationship in weeks. It caused fans to question whether there was trouble in paradise – previously, Katie and JJ have taken numerous romantic getaways, delightedly sharing loved-up snaps together on social media.

But seemingly dispelling any notion of a split, Katie shared a snap to Instagram Stories while on a photoshoot last week which revealed JJ sitting in the foreground.

Discussing her precarious living situation, the mum-of-five had explained on an episode of her podcast, The Katie Price Show, that she couldn’t rent a new property, as she was struggling to find a guarantor.

“It p****s me off,” said Katie. ”Some houses I look at, I can’t get a guarantor. Some people don’t earn enough to be one for me. One house I do want, the landlord wants six months’ rent up front and a guarantor – even though I’ve got the best reference ever [from her former landlord].”

Katie has been renting a £5,000-a-month new build since being legally forced out of her ‘Mucky Mansion’ property in May last year, following a bankruptcy declaration in March 2024. She had owned the home since 2014 and it was sold last December.

It’s thought that JJ has been living with her in recent months, but last week it was reported the reality star had moved out and they had gone their separate ways. While our source said this is not the case and the pair are still very much in a relationship, they did claim the pair have issues they need to tackle.

“Katie and JJ are on the rocks,” claimed our source. “He is half living with her and half not – it’s a tricky situation at the moment. He feels like, when they are living together, he becomes a chopping board for her to take stress out on, so that’s something that needs to change.”

JJ and Katie met in 2023

The couple met after JJ rose to prominence during a stint on 2023’s Married At First Sight UK. Katie subsequently messaged him on Instagram and they began dating at the start of 2024, going public in February. The pair seemed to progress quickly as a couple and Katie gushed last December that she was keen to marry JJ, saying, “I’d love to get married again.”

If the couple were to end up getting married, it would be Katie’s fourth time walking down the aisle, after previous failed unions with Peter Andre, Alex Reid and Kieran Hayler. More recently, she was engaged to Carl Woods, who she split from at the end of 2023 after a turbulent relationship.

Katie, who is mum to Harvey, 23, Junior, 20, Princess, 18, Jett, 11, and Bunny, 10, has made no secret of her desire to have more children and even explored IVF with Carl. Appearing to confirm that it’s a goal she’d like to achieve with JJ, who doesn’t have any children, Katie said in November, “I’m at that stage and I do want more kids. And I don’t want to be told by a doctor or something that I can’t have more. I know I’m not done. If I could have two more kids, I would.”

Whether those hopes will come to fruition with JJ remains to be seen. Our source claimed the love is certainly there – things just need to change between them. “JJ does love Katie and he knows they can be really happy,” said the source. “It’s just a case of her not getting so involved in drama all of the time and taking things more seriously. That’s all JJ wants.”

Singer and songwriter Anne Nolan has revealed her bucket list hopes on Good Morning Britain after receiving the news that she is finally cancer-free for the second time

Anne Nolan has shared her bucket list goals after announcing huge cancer news this week, revealing that it might be “too late” for her to complete them. Speaking on Good Morning Britain this morning, Anne, 74, revealed that she is now cancer-free for the second time – and has a few milestones to tick off her list.

When asked what she has on her bucket list by presenter Ed Balls, Anne said: “I’d love to go to Krakow and visit the camps. I sent my daughter there as a gift for her wedding. She went and said it was so moving. I’ve always wanted to go there.

“I’ve always wanted to learn an instrument but I don’t know if it’s too late for me,” she added. “I’d love to learn an instrument. Piano or acoustic guitar. With acoustic guitar, you go to parties and can take it out to play along for the family.

Anne and Linda, who died earlier this year, went through chemotherapy treatment together ( 
Image:
ITV)
“I’d love to learn a language – French or Italian. I don’t know if it’s going to happen. I’ve also never learnt to swim so I would love to learn to swim.”

The singer, who is best known as one-sixth of The Nolans with her sisters, also opened up about the emotional moment that she discovered she was cancer-free. Anne first battled cancer in 2000 and in 2020, she learnt that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It’s been very traumatic, when I received the letter a few weeks ago, I picked it up, and it said NHS, and I thought, ‘Oh I don’t want to know, I’m not sure if I want to know if it’s bad news,’” she told GMB.

“And I put it aside for about ten minutes, and after a while my logical brain kicked in and said, ‘You have to find out, you need to know’.

“I opened it and it was all good news, and I had a bit of a weep at the beginning. I feel lucky, blessed, relieved, and then emotional thinking about my sisters having gone through the same thing but not surviving.”

Over the weekend, Anne told The Mirror in an exclusive chat that she thought about her late sisters, Linda and Bernie, who she lost to cancer. Linda died in January this year aged 65, while Bernie died in 2013 aged 52.

“Although I was absolutely thrilled, I did think about them,” she opened up. “I didn’t feel guilty because it’s nothing to do with me but I did feel sad that they weren’t as lucky as I was. It’s an emotional thing for me to think about them not surviving and then I did survive. But that’s just the luck of the draw.”

Channel 4 has a history of making great documentaries but has surprised some critics with new Bonnie Blue documentary

Bonnie Blue at the launch of her Channel 4 documentary(Image: Edward Ed Gleave)

Channel 4 has defended the decision to make a documentary about online porn star Bonnie Blue – insisting it is “proud” of the film and that is wants to “stimulate debate”.

Viewers tuning in to watch 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story this week will receive an on air warning about the content before the documentary airs at 10pm. It features multiple scenes of graphic sex not normally seen on TV.

Tia Billinger uses the stage name Bonnie Blue and invites men to have sex with her which she films and makes money from online. She is also known for angering and abusing other women online, including by suggesting she likes to sleep with married men.

In January she caused social media outrage by announcing she’d slept with 1,057 men in 12 hours.

Channel 4 insist they are ‘proud’ to show Bonnie Blue documentary(Image: Instagram/bonnie_blue_xo)

The Channel 4 documentary’s crew and director rarely question her about the abuse she gives to other women and her financial claims of earning millions each month also go unquestioned or unproven on screen.

She also uses other younger girls to make one film and they say they are not being paid, despite the fact Tia would make thousands from the film. Aside from Tia expressing some fears about walking in public alone, the tone is largely celebratory.

Asked about their decision to broadcast the documentary, Channel 4 told the Mirror: “Tia Billinger, via her stage name Bonnie Blue, has gained worldwide attention and millions of pounds in the last year. 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story is an observational documentary in which director Victoria Silver follows Tia over the course of six months. The film questions Tia’s methods and the divisive style of her social media and hears from colleagues and collaborators in order to understand her polarising business model.

“Part of Channel 4’s remit is to reflect modern Britain and stimulate debate amongst viewers, and a film such as this, exploring changing attitudes to sex, success, porn, and feminism in an ever-evolving online world is an important addition to those conversations.

“Channel 4 has a track record of programmes that examine the porn industry from a variety of perspectives. In the last two years we have broadcast programmes such as Sex Actually with Alice Levine that looked at a range of sexual experiences, while OnlyFans Got Me Fired: Untold and Confessions of a Cam Girl showed the personal cost of porn for content creators.”

They also insisted the sections of the documentary showing Bonnie having sex multiple times across the documentary was necessary.

They added: “Careful consideration has been given to the content and the way in which it is included. The explicit content in the documentary is editorially justified and provides essential context; making pornographic content is Bonnie’s job, and this film is about her work and the response to it. Crucially, the content is presented in a non-gratuitous manner and viewers will be alerted of the sexual content in a programme warning at the start to ensure they understand from the outset the nature of the programme.”

Journalists were shown the film at a screening at Channel 4 last week attended by Tia, where even she expressed surprise at how many sex scenes “were in there”.

Introducing the film, Commissioning Editor Tim Hancock said before the screening: “I believe it is Channel 4’s job to tell stories like this, trying to get behind the truth of the headlines. We film real stories in real time. We are very proud to do films like this.”

Asked why there was so much porn in the documentary and if she was braced for complaints, director Victoria Silver said: “I had to explain to her(Tia) if I was making a film about a musician or some kind of other performer their work would be in there. I think it is important to see what she does.”

MasterChef bosses have issued an update on the show’s future following the sacking of Gregg Wallace and John Torode.

Former hosts John Torode and Gregg Wallace were recently dismissed from their long-running positions on the culinary competition(Image: BBC/Shine TV)

MasterChef bosses have issued an update on the future of the show following the sacking of John Torode and Gregg Wallace.

In recent weeks, both hosts of the long-running culinary competition have been let go by the BBC, with Torode having been dealt with a historic accusation of using racist language, and Wallace was the subject of more than 50 complaints to do with inappropriate behaviour.

The broadcaster recently confirmed that the most recent batch of episodes will air as planned in August despite their dismissal, and now production company Banjay has confirmed that the next series will go ahead as they put out a call for new contestants.

A post on the show’s official website read: “For over 20 years we have been putting Britain’s best food talents through their paces. Cooking doesn’t get tougher than this. Whether you’re an amateur cook looking to showcase your home-taught skills or a professional chef wanting to take your career to the next level you can apply for a UK MasterChef series below.” Those hoping to take part can apply at https://www.masterchef.tv.

It is not yet clear when filming will get underway, but, as ever, those wanting to take part must be of complete amateur level and have to declare that they have never prepared food in a professional environment. It is thought that TV chef Andi Oliver and Saturday Kitchen star Matt Tebbutt could be taking the reins when the show returns. Plans for the new series have come to light just hours after Wallace, 60, broke his silence on his dismissal and claimed that he has no interest in ever working in television again.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace were recently sacked by the BBC but bosses have confirmed that the programme will be back for a new series by asking for hopefuls to send in their applications(Image: BBC/Shine TV)

Opening up to The Sun, Wallace said: “I’m hurt. I don’t want anything to do with telly. I don’t want anything to do with the BBC.” He went on to allege that he had been a victim of sexual harassment and that he had always overlooked inappropriate behaviour. He told the publication: “The whole complaints procedure needs to be readdressed – there are huge problems with it as things stand.

“Being on MasterChef was brilliant but I had so many bad experiences on that show too. Had I wanted to raise any complaints, I’d have had the decency to speak to that person directly. Privately, not publicly.”

Earlier this month, Wallace said he was “deeply sorry for any distress” he caused with his past behaviour after the BBC concluded their investigation. In a statement released via the PA, he insisted that he “never set out to harm or humiliate” anyone. MasterChef’s production company, Banijay, employed an independent law firm to conduct the investigation into the allegations made against Wallace.

The incident sparked comment from the government, with the Prime Minister’s official spokesman saying: “We’re clear that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure abuses of power are prevented from happening in the future.”

“After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August,” a spokesperson said. “MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.

“This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters,” they continued.

“We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.”

ITV soap Emmerdale has made a ‘last-minute’ change to tonight’s episode after the Lionesses’ amazing Euros 2025 win yesterday – and fans can expect a very special scene

Emmerdale has made a ‘last-minute’ change after the Euros(Image: ITV)

Emmerdale is set to celebrate the Lionesses’ Euros 2025 victory with a special scene in tonight’s episode of the ITV soap. Last night saw England win their second consecutive European championship after Chloe Kelly landed a successful goal in the nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

Now, the residents of Emmerdale will be marking the momentous occasion in a scene added into the soap after the final. The opening of tonight’s episode will see Tony Audenshaw’s Bob Hope chat with Mary Goskirk (Louise Jameson) about last night’s exciting football match. “Viewers will also get a glimpse of the aftermath of a lively celebration at the Woolpack pub, with the disarray clearly indicating the villagers had gathered en masse to watch the Lionesses make history,” Emmerdale teased.

Bob will be celebrating the Women’s Euros win tonight on Emmerdale

They added that the “last-minute addition” was filmed with hopeful anticipation of an England win, which allowed Emmerdale to capture the “national excitement surrounding the Lionesses’ triumph”.

Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw said: “With the nation getting behind the Lionesses. We knew the fictional characters in Emmerdale would’ve been doing just the same so it felt right and proper that we should reflect this result on the show.”

England’s team had the nation on the edge of their seat last night when the tense Euros final went to penalties after equalising early on in the match. The team celebrated the win into the night in Switzerland, while Lucy Bronze revealed that she’d been playing through the tournament with a broken leg.

Last week, Emmerdale’s latest clips hinted at what John Sugden will uncover about his brother Robert Sugden in coming episodes as they places a listening device in his home. An episode airing later this week will see John try to tell Ross about something his brother has done, with fans thinking that he may have discovered that Robert is selling drugs to Ray after stealing them from Lewis.

Meanwhile, Natalie J Robb – who is best known for starring as Moira Dingle on the soap – has teased that there’s another dark storyline ahead of the Dales character after her recent brain tumour diagnosis. Speaking to The Mirror and other press, she said: “There’s more people that are going to come into it with more threatening behaviours, there’s some dark people coming into it.”

The Loose Women panel were discussing Strictly’s Shirley Ballas’ recent reported break up when the conversation took a turn – with Linda Robson chiming in with crude comment

Linda Robson was issued a warning by host Christine Lampard after airing a crude tattoo confession live on the show.

The 66-year-old was joined on the programme by Nadia Sawalha and Frankie Bridge, and Christine led the conversation as they delved into recent reports that Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Balls had called time on her six-year relationship with Danny Taylor.

The 66-year-old was joined on the programme by Nadia Sawalha and Frankie Bridge, and Christine led the conversation as they delved into recent reports that Strictly Come Dancing star Shirley Balls had called time on her six-year relationship with Danny Taylor.

They were chatting about whether breakups were harder to deal with as people got older when a clip of Shirley on The Masked Singer UK was shown. In the candid snippet, the BBC head judge confessed to having her boyfriend’s name tattooed on her bottom.

After watching the VT, Christine wanted to know her co-star’s thoughts on body art, especially the idea of a person’s name being inked onto their own flesh.

The Birds Of A Feather star had just been addressing her marriage breakdown to husband Mark, whom she’d been married to for 34 years, explaining to ITV viewers that they simply realised “they had nothing in common.”

Linda Robson appeared to be warned by host Christine Lampard after airing a crude tattoo confession live on the show

After declaring she “didn’t want to get jiggy-jiggy with anyone” now that her marriage had ended and that romance was definitely off the cards as far as she was concerned, Linda went on to share her own thoughts on tattoos.

Surprising everyone, the TV legend explained she would consider having artwork on her backside. She jested: “If I were to have a tattoo on my bottom it would be ‘no entry’.”

Christine lunged in to remedy the situation

Her shocking comment caused an eruption of laughter within the studio, as all parties began to scramble to understand whether she’d said something that may warrant an apology.

After possibly receiving a nudge from producers via their earpieces, Nadia chimed in, saying, “I think you’re allowed to say that. You are allowed.” Christine disagreed, saying, “In the context of the conversation…”

Frankie Bridge opened up about her tattoo(Image: ITV)

Frankie blurted, “So where do we go from here, Christine? ” as Nadia held her head in her hands. Despite the confusion and chaos on set, they decided to move forward without a whisper of “sorry,” as attention turned to Frankie for her own views about the subject.

Frankie went on to reveal that she’d left her mum and dad unimpressed after having the top of her back inked. The Saturdays Singer knew this would cause a stir, telling the panel, “My parents hate tattoos.”

However, despite knowing friction would be had, Frankie decided to go ahead with a sweet tribute to her grandmother. When growing up as a child, the songstress explained that her nan would always call her “sunshine ‘n’ showers,” and that was the exact phrase she had inked onto her body.

The rest of the panel agreed it was a “lovely heartfelt gesture,” despite not everyone agreeing on body art.

Growing up working class in Hackney and raising two kids by herself, comedian Judi Love has had her share of struggles, but says it’s given her a different way to look at showbiz

“I just want people to feel some kind of joy,” says Judi Love(Image: BBC/Fremantlemedia Ltd and QI Ltd)

Judi Love’s mantra is that laughter is healing, so it should come as no surprise that the comedian now plans to do a PhD on the subject.

The 44-year-old, who has two university degrees, says her goals are not limited to the world of entertainment – although she would like to be the next Cilla Black. “I’d love to reboot Blind Date,” she laughs, with an unmistakable cackle. “Let’s manifest it… I’m going to put that on my vision board.”

With new travel show, Judi Love’s Culinary Cruise, on ITV this week, a stand-up tour in the works and regular gigs on Loose Women and comedy shows, Judi is at the top of her game. But it hasn’t always been easy, coming from a working-class background in London, raising two children as a single mum and facing discrimination as a Black woman.

Judi says: “There were many days I remember being in my council property and fretting, thinking: ‘How am I going to get through this week? What am I going to do?’ But there’s something creative in me and I just want people to feel some kind of joy. That was my thing. I’ve done degrees, I’ve raised kids by myself, so even if it’s not entertainment, if people have that moment, thinking, ‘How do I balance teenagers?’ or ‘How do I go back to uni?’ or ‘How do I be plus-size but still try to keep myself fit?’

“I don’t see myself as a role model, but if someone can see themselves in me, that makes me feel purposeful. People shouldn’t limit themselves to what people expect them to do. I want to get back on the road and do my comedy tour and I’d love to do more writing, producing and directing. I want to go back to university and do a PhD. I’d like to study how laughter affects your mental health… otherwise, I’d study something connected to women’s health.”

Judi says she is grateful to enjoy her career at a later age(Image: Suzan Moore/PA)

The comedian, who grew up in Hackney, East London, has taken on her fair share of difficulties over the years. Judi says: “It’s what we have to carry. You can be on a comedy show and there are five acts, and back in the day, there would only be one female – and it might not be a female of colour – so I’ve got those two things against me. TV was always very middle-class. People went to uni or you knew someone who knew somebody.

“I never knew anybody that worked in TV when I was young. I knew people who had been on TV, but the ones who made the decisions? Never. But I think things have changed, from agents opening up their pool of talent, to people in certain positions. I created my own audience, which enabled me to get seen a lot more. They’re from all backgrounds and cultures, so it’s hard to deny it.”

Judi in Greece for the show Culinary Cruise(Image: ITV)

Judi also believes getting into showbiz later in life, at the age of 36, has helped her deal with the industry and her career in the public eye. She says: “My advice to anyone coming into the industry is to work on your craft, find your unique selling point – what makes you different – and don’t come into it too young. I got into it at a later stage and I’m really grateful for that. I had children, I had bills, I’d worked in the normal world and that really grounded me a lot more.

“It’s a very demanding industry and so many people suffer with anxiety. You’re exposed. You’re meeting so many different people and your circle changes – you’re not seeing your friends and family as much. You need a really good support network.”

On Loose Women(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Life is certainly non-stop for Judi. While she’s chatting to me, she’s on the way to the orthodontist with her 15-year-old son, while her 19-year-old daughter is at home with a tummy bug.

She adds: “It’s a juggle, but it’s one that I’m grateful and blessed to have.” Having won the 2021 Celebrity MasterChef Christmas special, Judi’s flair for food has been harnessed for her latest project, in which she travels Montenegro and Greece on a luxury yacht, sampling the food on offer. It’s hard work, but it’s so rewarding,” Judi says. “I loved spreading my joy and laughter around food and travel.”

Having always embraced her Jamaican heritage, she was blown away by the similarities in cooking and traditions on her travels. She says: “Seeing how much we have in common around the world is beautiful. Being British, food is at the centre, whether it’s a Sunday roast or that auntie who makes the best potatoes.

“I loved spreading my joy and laughter around food and travel”(Image: ITV)

“In Greece, you could see generations being taught and recipes being passed on. It really makes you think about the legacy and how important it is. In my family, my mum was known as the cook. Everyone wanted her rice and peas or curried goat, or cakes. My daughter cooks now and she’s incredible. That’s what legacy is about.”

Judi Love’s Culinary Cruise concludes today at 2pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. Catch up on the full series on ITVX and STV Player.