Author: bang5

It was meant to be just another irreverent, edgy celebrity podcast. But instead, it ignited a firestorm that has left Britain staring into the abyss of its cultural conscience.

When Lily Allen, former pop princess turned BBC podcaster, sat down with co-host Makita Oliver, few expected her to casually joke about multiple abortions. Even fewer expected her to laugh while admitting she couldn’t remember how many she’d had. But that’s exactly what she did—broadcast to the nation using taxpayers’ money—on a platform long held to a standard of public decency.

“I’ve had a few… but then again, I can’t remember exactly how many,” she laughed.

The fallout was instant. But what shocked many was not just the content of Allen’s words, but the gleeful nonchalance with which they were delivered. It wasn’t a moment of reflection, regret, or even political commentary—it was comedy. Feminist empowerment, apparently, now comes laced with punchlines about unborn children.

Dan Wootton, the outspoken host of the show that broke the story wide open, called it “a new low” for the BBC and for British celebrity culture.

“There was no one more vile in the way she treated people. No one more appalling in her arrogance of her hard-left political views being acceptable,” he said. “No one more hypocritical when it came to her own lifestyle.”

This isn’t just about abortion. This is about the normalization of moral bankruptcy as entertainment.

Across the country, viewers—pro-life and pro-choice alike—were united in a rare moment of shared disgust. Political commentator Peter C. Barnes labeled the exchange “vile,” not for the stance on reproductive rights, but for the callous tone that trivialized what is, for many women, the most painful and private decision of their lives.

“She’s disrespected women. She’s disrespected the argument. It’s just vile,” Barnes said. “I’m happy this podcast has been a flop—it shows there’s still some moral character left in this country.”

But the cultural rot goes deeper.

Later in the program, Wootton turned his attention to Charlize Theron, who appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, boasting about sleeping with a 26-year-old and swearing her way through what was once considered Hollywood elegance. The actress, at 49, seemed desperate to prove she could still be “one of the girls.” But to many, she came off as a faded star clinging to youth with vulgarity as her last accessory.

“Is this what feminism has become?” asked guest Charlie Sansom. “Women wanting to act like men… and then being shocked when they’re criticized for it.”

The problem isn’t just the message. It’s the messenger.

Theron and Allen, once seen as role models or at least cultural touchstones, have morphed into cautionary tales of what happens when fame meets moral detachment. It’s not about being bold, or authentic, or honest. It’s about being shocking—because in a digital world where likes and outrage fuel visibility, decency is passé.

But perhaps the darkest irony of all is that this brand of shock-feminism claims to be “empowering.” What exactly is empowering about turning trauma into jokes? What’s revolutionary about mocking responsibility, or treating intimate, irreversible decisions as fodder for viral clips?

Charlie Sansom put it bluntly:

“There are nine really effective contraceptive methods. So what excuses do women in 2025 really have to keep treating abortion like it’s just another appointment?”

This isn’t about shaming—it’s about standards. And what we saw from Allen and Theron wasn’t empowerment. It was performance art for a culture that’s lost its compass.

It’s the same culture that lionizes stars who declare their sexual escapades on podcasts, but cancels politicians for crying in Parliament. It’s the culture that tells us to “believe all women,” unless those women are calling for accountability.

As Wootton said, “This is why people are walking away from woke culture.”

And they are—young people included. The era of automatic celebrity worship is ending. There’s a growing hunger for grounded voices—people who believe you can be empowered without being grotesque, strong without being cruel, honest without being indecent.

In a poll during the show’s segment, Lily Allen was nominated for “Union Jackass of the Week,” only to lose to Rachel Reeves in a landslide—proof that Allen is no longer seen as a voice of modern womanhood, but a symbol of its distortion.

And maybe that’s the real takeaway here.

We don’t need pop stars pontificating on politics. We don’t need actresses trading elegance for edginess. We don’t need another podcast pushing envelope after envelope until all we’re left with is the ripped packaging of what used to be values.

We need a cultural reset. One where motherhood isn’t mocked, where trauma isn’t trending, and where self-worth isn’t measured by shock value.

Until then, we’ll keep watching as Lily Allen jokes about her abortions, Charlize Theron brags about her boy-toys, and Britain wonders if anyone’s left who still knows the meaning of dignity.

In a media firestorm that has rocked the United Kingdom, pop star Lily Allen is once again at the center of public outrage—this time over a string of shocking comments made on her taxpayer-funded BBC podcast. In a now-viral episode, Allen appeared to joke nonchalantly about undergoing multiple abortions, admitting she couldn’t even remember how many she had.

“I’ve had a few,” she laughed. “But then again, I can’t remember exactly how many.”

The reaction was immediate—and explosive. Broadcaster Dan Wootton, known for his no-holds-barred approach, didn’t mince words. “Have we hit a new cultural low?” he asked his viewers, lambasting the BBC for platforming what he described as “morally reprehensible trash.”

For Wootton and his panel of commentators, the incident didn’t just reflect on Lily Allen—it revealed something far deeper and darker about the current state of British culture. “This is the result of years of cultural rot,” political commentator Peter C. Barnes said during the segment. “Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, there’s something vile about treating such a serious topic as a punchline.”

Barnes wasn’t alone. Many viewers took to social media to express disgust, calling Allen’s tone “crude, disrespectful,” and “the exact opposite of empowerment.” Even self-identified feminists bristled at the idea that abortion—a subject that for many carries profound emotional weight—could be reduced to a breezy anecdote over tea and microphones.

But the controversy didn’t stop there. When her co-host Makita Oliver added, “I’m so happy I get to say that too,” the atmosphere grew even more uncomfortable. Was this candid honesty—or was it cultural decay dressed up in faux-empowerment?

“Abortions As Lifestyle” — or Social Responsibility?

In the podcast, Allen also claimed to have had three or four IUDs that allegedly failed, saying, “I’d get pregnant all the time.”

Outspoken panellist Charlie Sansom wasn’t buying it. “The failure rate of IUDs is less than 1%. Are we supposed to believe her partners had Superman sperm?” he scoffed.

Sansom took it further, suggesting Allen was using abortion as a form of birth control. “There are nine forms of highly effective contraception available to women in the UK. There is simply no excuse in 2025 for turning the abortion clinic into a revolving door.”

His words echoed a growing sentiment in the UK—a sense that what once was seen as tragic and rare is being rebranded as casual and even empowering by certain corners of celebrity culture.

From Pop Star to Public Enemy?

For those who followed Lily Allen’s career, her current spiral into cultural controversy may not be entirely surprising. Known for her left-wing views, public drug use, and repeated feuds with the press and even fans, Allen has long walked a tightrope between relevance and notoriety.

Dan Wootton, a former showbiz reporter, revealed that of all the celebrities he’d encountered over the years, “there was no one more vile than Lily Allen.”

According to Wootton, Allen routinely treated people with disdain behind the scenes, bullied men and women alike, and used her fame to push a one-dimensional political narrative. “This isn’t feminism,” he declared. “This is narcissism wrapped in victimhood.”

When Feminism Becomes a Parody

But the podcast’s abortion conversation wasn’t the only flashpoint. Wootton and his panel also blasted actress Charlize Theron for bragging about a recent sexual encounter with a 26-year-old man on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast.

“I never had sex like this in my 20s,” Theron said proudly. “It was amazing.”

Once considered a paragon of elegance and talent, Theron’s public image is now undergoing a transformation—one critics say mirrors Allen’s descent into vulgarity-as-brand. Wootton didn’t hold back: “This is not empowering. It’s desperate. It’s culturally corrosive.”

Sansom added that had a 49-year-old male actor bragged about sleeping with a 26-year-old, he would’ve been crucified by the same progressive circles now praising Theron for her “authenticity.”

“Cultural Collapse Disguised as Empowerment”

What emerged from the discussion was a sense of generational whiplash. Where once empowerment meant economic and social equality, it’s now being redefined—as the panel saw it—as license for public vulgarity.

“This is feminism’s final form,” Sansom joked grimly. “And it’s a joke.”

Peter C. Barnes went even further: “It’s up to other women now to stand up and say: ‘They don’t speak for me.’”

As the segment closed, viewers were polled to vote for the “Union Jackass” of the week—a title reserved for the most egregious offender in British public life. Lily Allen came in third place. The winner? “Rachel from Accounts”—Chancellor Rachel Reeves—whose tearful moment in Parliament over economic policy was seen by viewers as less sincere and more self-pitying.

But Allen’s appearance on that ballot said it all: in the eyes of many Britons, celebrity culture has become not just irrelevant—but dangerous.

Final Thought

In an age of collapsing trust in media and politics, celebrities once served as aspirational figures. Now, many appear to be cashing in on outrage and confusion, normalizing attitudes that critics argue are toxic to young people.

Lily Allen’s abortion comments may have been framed as “real talk,” but to millions, they sounded more like a cultural eulogy.

In the words of one viewer, posted below the episode: “I’m pro-choice, but for God’s sake—show some dignity.”

It was supposed to be the rise of Reform. Instead, it’s becoming a full-blown rebellion.

Nigel Farage—the godfather of Brexit and now de facto face of Reform UK—has unleashed a war within his own political movement, dismissing MP Robert Low as “a nutter” just days after Low launched his own insurgent group, “Restore Britain.” The comment, made in an interview with The Sun, has detonated like a grenade among right-wing voters already frustrated by what they see as Reform’s stalled momentum, broken promises, and Farage’s increasing coziness with the legacy media.

But make no mistake—this isn’t just a spat. This is the early phase of a civil war for the soul of Britain’s right.

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From Reform to Rebellion: How Farage Created His Own Rival

Robert Low was elected under the Reform UK banner. He was Farage’s man. But this week, that changed. Low—citing betrayal on core issues like deportations and security—has gone rogue, launching Restore Britain, a populist movement rejecting stale party politics and demanding real, unfiltered conservative action.

Farage, furious at being upstaged, swatted him aside with a sneer: “You get the odd nutter in politics.”
That arrogance, however, could be his undoing.

“It’s politically deadly,” said commentators at Outspoken. “You don’t call a man who your base sees as a champion of the people a nutter—unless you want to light your own house on fire.”

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Tommy Robinson Joins the Fray

The reaction was swift. And brutal.

Far-right figure Tommy Robinson posted: “This man [Low] is literally the only MP fighting for the British people,” in a clear rebuke of Farage’s direction.

And that’s not just talk. Robinson commands a massive online following. When he turns his gaze toward Restore Britain, it matters.

He wasn’t the only one. Historian David Starky has thrown in his support. So too has Susan Hall, former London Conservative leader. Restore Britain is gaining traction not as a political party—but as a people’s movement.

The Deportation Disaster

At the core of this feud lies a broken promise: mass deportations.

Farage vowed during the July 4th elections that a Reform UK government would deport all illegal immigrants. But it’s now been over 70 days—and still no plan.

Instead, Farage has quietly walked it back, calling mass deportation “an ambition,” not a policy. His critics are furious.

“Empty slogans, no action,” said Low. “We are not going to sit idly by while our country is overwhelmed and the promises made to voters are betrayed.”

Restore Britain, meanwhile, has tabled motions in Parliament to block asylum schemes for Gaza and demands every MP take a stance. It’s aggressive. It’s direct. It’s resonating.

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Hope Not Hate and the Real Fear

Perhaps the strongest signal that Low is onto something comes from an unlikely place: Hope Not Hate, the UK’s most prominent anti-far-right watchdog.

They issued a warning: “Don’t just watch Farage—watch Robert Low.”

Even the far-left recognizes that Restore Britain is tapping into something deep, volatile, and potentially transformative.

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A Movement, Not a Party—For Now

Low has been crystal clear. Restore Britain is not a political party—yet. It’s a pressure group. A megaphone. A rallying cry.

“It’s about organizing ordinary Brits who feel unheard,” he said in a viral video. “Together, we’ll set the agenda. We’ll force Parliament to listen.”

And it’s working. One petition to release Lucy Connley garnered 100,000 signatures in 24 hours. Another on rape gangs became the most successful crowdfunding campaign in UK political history.

This isn’t backbench noise. This is political insurgency with teeth.

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Reform or Replace?

Farage may have the headlines. But Low may have the people.

And that’s what makes this moment so explosive. Restore Britain isn’t trying to split the vote today. The next election is years away. Instead, it’s trying to shape the platform of whatever party ends up leading the right.

Whether that’s Reform UK or a rebooted Conservative Party is unclear. What is clear is this: Robert Low is now in the game.

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Farage’s Media Gamble

Critics argue that Farage has become addicted to old media—talk radio, big TV, and legacy pundits like Fraser Nelson. He wants the approval of elites while pretending to fight them.

Low, by contrast, is embracing the digital underground: alternative media, direct petitions, grassroots momentum.

“He’s a real gentleman,” said commentator Conor Tomlinson. “He’s not here to play the game. He’s here to rewrite the rules.”

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Final Warning or New Beginning?

Reform UK might still hold the polling lead, but something has shifted. The base is restless. The insurgents are organized. And Nigel Farage—once the disruptor—is being outflanked by a former ally he underestimated.

“This is just like the Tea Party,” one analyst observed. “Back then, they laughed. Then they took over the Republican Party.”

Farage might think he’s calling the shots. But Robert Low is holding the microphone. And Britain’s forgotten majority? They’re finally listening.

The British monarchy is in turmoil once again—and this time, the flames are being fanned from within the walls of Buckingham Palace itself. A bombshell leak to The Daily Telegraph has set the royal world ablaze, revealing that Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, and their two children—Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—have been given central roles in King Charles’s funeral plans.

Yes, you read that correctly. The very woman who accused the King of racism and dragged the monarchy through the mud in a global television interview is reportedly being welcomed back into the royal fold at the most sacred moment of national mourning. And not just welcomed—centered.

The revelation, confirmed by Telegraph royal correspondent Victoria Ward—who is known to have close ties to the Sussexes—has provoked fury among senior royal insiders, outraged monarchists, and members of the public. It has ignited a storm of commentary on programs like Outspoken, where presenters and royal experts didn’t hold back.

“Not just no—hell no,” thundered royal commentator Lee Cohen, echoing the sentiment of many loyal to the Crown. “Those vile creatures must be forever marginalized.”

The backlash has been swift, brutal, and deeply emotional.

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Funerals: The Royal Family’s Failed Reconciliation Tool

It’s a pattern that’s become painfully familiar. A funeral becomes a stage for reconciliation. But instead of healing wounds, it often deepens them.

It didn’t work at Prince Philip’s funeral. It didn’t work at Queen Elizabeth II’s. And now, according to Outspoken, Prince William—soon to be King William—is done trying.

“William doesn’t want a moment of reconciliation,” declared the host. “In fact, he’s moved on. Harry is not even in his mind anymore.”

Insiders suggest that King Charles—still undergoing cancer treatment—is the one pushing for peace. But if his last public act is to force a broken family together one final time, the result could be a public and personal disaster.

“This isn’t just about family,” warned royal watcher Britney from Royal News Network. “This is about the institution’s credibility. Why are we centering a woman who publicly accused the monarch of racism?”

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Inside the Leak: The Funeral Plans That Sparked Uproar

According to The Daily Telegraph, King Charles has already factored Harry, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet into every major aspect of his state funeral.

Harry is expected to walk beside William at the forefront of the procession.

Meghan will participate in the family vigil at Westminster Hall.

Archie and Lilibet will be invited to attend both the funeral and the committal at St. George’s Chapel.

The Sussexes will be included in behind-the-scenes briefings and rehearsals.

To critics, it’s nothing short of a royal provocation.

“How can you invite people who leaked palace secrets, insulted the Queen’s legacy, and implied institutional racism into such a sacred moment?” one palace insider fumed.

“This will not bring closure. It will bring cameras, Netflix producers, and PR stunts.”

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Megan’s “Perfect Mom” Image Under Fire

Commentators also questioned Meghan’s motivations for bringing her children to such an emotionally charged event.

“There’s no real relationship between Charles and his California-based grandchildren,” said Outspoken’s host. “And that’s Harry and Meghan’s fault.”

Royal commentators suggested that Meghan’s obsession with image may be driving the decision—not family unity.

“She won’t show the kids because she’s terrified of losing control,” Britney speculated. “She wants to appear as the perfect mother, but any normal parenting moment might crack that façade.”

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The Trust Was Broken—And Remains Broken

The Telegraph article goes on to suggest that the Sussexes felt ostracized after Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. But critics slammed that framing.

“There was no trust!” the Outspoken host shouted. “They were leaking to the American media. They betrayed the family’s confidence.”

“Harry doesn’t get to write a tell-all book, drop a Netflix documentary, accuse his family of cruelty, and then act like he’s surprised they don’t want him involved.”

And yet—King Charles, even from his weakened position, appears desperate to include them.

“He’s clinging to this fantasy of unity,” said Britney. “But reconciliation isn’t an inheritance. You can’t force it in your will.”

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“Unless It Comes With Cartier and Cash…”

The most brutal line of the night came from Britney, who didn’t hold back in her assessment of Meghan’s motives.

“The only thing she’s ever wanted from Charles is his money. If there’s no check, no Cartier, she’s not interested.”

Such statements, though cutting, reflect a growing sentiment among royal watchers: that the Sussexes are no longer trusted as family, but feared as opportunists.

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William’s Final Betrayal?

If Charles’s final wish is reconciliation, it may come at William’s emotional expense. He will be expected to lead the nation in mourning while standing beside a brother who exposed the monarchy’s deepest wounds.

And that may be one wound too far to heal.

“Why try to force it when you’re dead if you couldn’t fix it while alive?” the host asked in frustration.

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A Legacy of Division

King Charles’s funeral was meant to be a moment of solemn dignity, reflection, and unity.

Instead, it risks becoming the most controversial royal event of the modern era.

And if the Sussexes walk behind that coffin—flanked by cameras and controversy—it may not mark the end of an era, but the beginning of an entirely new war within the House of Windsor.

As it looks like Brooklyn Beckham will be a no-show for Harper’s 14th birthday this week, a source explains why his loyalties are split between his family and his wife Nicola Peltz

Brooklyn is expected to be missing from another Beckham birthday this week, a source claims(Image: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)

It’s celebration time again in the Beckham household this week, but one particular member of the once tightknit family is expected not to be joining in the fun. Harper, the youngest of David and Victoria’s children, turns 14 on Thursday and a source claimed that, with talk of the family feud escalating further, Brooklyn is expected to be missing from the Beckhams’ festivities once again.

Talk of tensions between Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz with his mum and dad started in 2022 around the time of Brooklyn and Nicola’s wedding – and there are no signs of it ending any time soon. Brooklyn, 26, spent a recent weekend celebrating the birthday of Nicola’s billionaire dad, who she called “most loving father”, just a few weeks after missing his own dad’s star-studded 50th bash at Notting Hill restaurant, Core.

Brooklyn has being growing closer to his wife’s family in the US(Image: Getty Images for ENTER Works)

Our source said that while the family fallout is mainly between Brooklyn and his parents, his younger siblings – including birthday girl Harper – have sadly become collateral damage.

“Harper’s been particularly affected by what’s going on because she’s always been really close to Brooklyn,” claimed the source. “They’ve always had a lovely bond because Brooklyn was that bit older when Harper was born and the hope when Brooklyn married Nicola was that she’d become like a big sister to Harper in a house full of brothers.

“But obviously that hasn’t happened and it’s potentially going to be heartbreaking for Harper if Brooklyn doesn’t show up for her on her birthday.”

As Brooklyn and his model and actress wife celebrated financier Nelson Peltz’s 83rd birthday with Nicola’s family in Bedford, New York, Victoria, 51, and David, 50, were back at home in the UK.

Harper, the youngest Beckham sibling, turns 14 on July 10(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Nicola, 30, later posted a snap to her social media of herself with her dad and Brooklyn, and wrote a gushing tribute to Nelson which said, “I am so lucky to be your daughter, you’re the most loving and supportive father I could ever dream of… Thank you for always being there for us – our constant love and support.”

If Brooklyn fails to acknowledge his little sister’s birthday in any significant way, it will become the latest in a string of family events that have so far failed to repair the Beckham rift. After missing David’s pre-birthday celebrations in the Cotswolds and Paris, Brooklyn and Nicola were also absent from his star-studded dinner party at the Michelin-starred west London restaurant.

David was joined by some of his closest showbiz pals, including Tom Cruise, Eva Longoria and Guy Ritchie, and was treated to a performance by son Cruz, 20, on his guitar, while Romeo, 22, was tasked with the job of carrying in David’s cake.

Brooklyn was missing from his dad’s 50th birthday bash(Image: Getty Images)

Given that Brooklyn also failed to acknowledge his father’s big milestone on any of his social media channels, our source claimed the chances of him “showing up for Harper” are looking pretty slim.

“A teenage birthday is a big deal for any child and in the past they’ve always tried to do things together as a family,” said the source. “Victoria would like nothing more than for Brooklyn to show up to celebrate with them all, but it’s not looking likely at all.

“He took a stand and missed his dad’s 50th so he’s not likely to suddenly do a U-turn and forget everything that’s happened, as much as he loves Harper. But if he did, it could a much-needed olive branch to start repairing things. An end to the family drama would be the best birthday present Harper – and her parents – could ask for.”

The couple celebrated Nicola’s dad’s birthday in New York(Image: @nicolaannepeltzbeckham/Instagram)

There’s been plenty of family affection flying around on the Beckhams’ social media channels – just none from Brooklyn directed towards his own parents. He appeared to twist the knife further when he posted a birthday tribute to Nelson, after snubbing his own father’s special day.

Last month, Brooklyn also publicly marked the five-year anniversary of his marriage proposal to Nicola, saying it was his “best decision ever”. Our source claimed it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Brooklyn’s loyalties don’t lie with his parents and siblings, but adds that it isn’t surprising given he is now married.

“He didn’t want it to turn out this way and he’s always been really close to all his siblings, but he is a married man now and his priorities have to lie somewhere else,” said the source.

“He just doesn’t feel his family have treated Nicola well and now that he’s grown so close to her family in the States, he doesn’t really feel like he fits into the Beckham family right now. If Harper’s wish is to have her brother at home for her big day, sadly, she’s probably going to be disappointed.”

‘I didn’t realise how seriously Martin felt until he announced he was moving out’

Fiona Phillips has revealed her previous split from husband Martin Frizell when her Alzheimer’s disease was unknowingly starting to take its toll on her and her family.

The TV presenter, 64, has been married to the former This Morning editor, 66, since 1997. The pair are parents to two sons.

However, prior to Fiona’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Fiona and Martin secretly split – and Fiona has now opened up about the ordeal.

Fiona was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago (Credit: ITV

Fiona Phillips reveals previous split from husband

Fiona Phillips recently revealed she had previously separated from Martin for a brief period, amid work stresses and Fiona caring for her parents who also had Alzheimer’s,

What’s more, Fiona – in a first-person piece for the Mail on Sunday from her new book – said she started to become “more and more disconnected from Martin and the boys”.

I didn’t realise quite how seriously Martin felt about it all until one evening he announced he was moving out.

Now, Fiona is sure Alzheimer’s was “at least partly responsible” – but neither she nor Martin could see it at the time.

With their marriage coming under increasing strain, Fiona admitted that she “didn’t seem to have the energy for any of it any more”.

Martin ended up previously walking out (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Fiona’s shock after Martin moved out

Things then took a heartbreaking turn though when Martin told her he was moving out.

Fiona said: “I didn’t realise quite how seriously Martin felt about it all until one evening he announced he was moving out. ‘Stop being so ridiculous!’ I yelled. ‘I’m just worn out. I’m tired – of everything.’

“‘That’s what you’ve been saying for years,’ he replied. ‘Maybe this – our marriage – is what’s making you so tired.’”

Fiona noted that she didn’t think the reason for her “feeling so down about everything” was to do with her relationship with Martin. However, it “was something else that I had no means of controlling”.

The TV star then admitted that she didn’t think Martin would leave her “completely”. Instead, she felt like he was “trying to shock me into behaving differently”.

And according to Fiona, “it worked” as despite the couple being “distant for months and months” Fiona missed Martin.

“And if I thought about what a future might be like without him, it just seemed bewildering. A sort of nothingness. I did spend time thinking about how I’d behaved towards him, not just in the past few months but over the years when I’d been so preoccupied with my parents and work. Not that I regretted that for a moment, but clearly it had taken its toll on our marriage.”

The TV star and Martin rekindled things (Credit: ITV)

Fiona said she ‘still loved him’

Fiona – who revealed her Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2023- then shared that in the third week of their “separation” she and Martin had started speaking via text and on the phone.

The pair then met up to try and rekindle things. Fiona revealed that despite the “arguments and the bickering and my moaning” she still loved him.

During their reunion at a hotel in Hampshire, Fiona and Martin talked things out, with Fiona revealing the evening was “difficult – but great”.

Confiding in one another, the pair revealed they wanted to make things work but Martin said “things have got to change” – in which Fiona agreed.

Go on Lulu!

Singer Lulu is a showbiz legend – but it’s fair to say she’s had a rather colourful love life over the years.

The singer – who is on James Martin’s Saturday Morning this weekend (July 5) – shot to fame in the 1960s – and since then, she’s not slowed down one bit! Away from the cameras and sell-out shows though, Lulu’s love life has kept plenty of people talking over the years – from toyboy flings to several marriages.

But which Take That member did she have a ‘special relationship’ with? And why did her first marriage end? Keep on scrolling to find out…

She married her first husband Maurice Gibb in 1969 (Credit: Shutterstock

Singer Lulu and first husband she ‘shouldn’t have married’

Lulu had a string of romances back in the day, including with The Monkees star Davy Jones. But it wasn’t until the late 1960s that she met her first husband.

Lulu and first hubby, Bee Gees member Maurice Gibb, met in 1968 while backstage at Top of the Pops. The pair quickly hit it off, and went on to tie the knot in February 1969 – something Lulu later admitted they “shouldn’t have done”.

Lulu and Maurice divorced in 1974 – partly because of his drinking problems. She has previously said: “The drinking was a part of it but we shouldn’t have got ­married in the first place… we should have just had a romance.”

Lulu also added: “I decided it had to end. He didn’t want it to end and it hurt him. I totally loved and adored him but… in love with him? I was ­probably in love with love.”

Maurice sadly died in 2003 aged 53 following complications of a twisted intestine.

Rumours were rife of a fling with Jason Orange (Credit: Splash News)

Lulu had ‘fling’ with Take That star

Lulu’s second marriage saw her tie the knot to celebrity hairdresser John Frieda in 1975. Their marriage ended in the early 1990s, though. Shortly after, she went on to enjoy a slew of high-profile relationships with younger men – including a Take That star.

Back in 1993, she recorded the nubmer one single Relight My Fire with Take That. At the time, rumours swirled that Lulu then aged 44, and the 23-year-old Jason were dating.

The pair never addressed the claims but have said they had a “special relationship”. She previously claimed: “He’s very, very cute but no, nothing happened.”

However, Jason’s bandmate Howard Donald begged to differ. During an appearance on Jonathan Ross’ BBC chat show, the boys were quizzed about Lulu. Howard then pointed at Jason and claimed: “He’s the one who [bleep]ed her!”

She is still good friends with her toyboy lover (Credit: Shutterstock)

 Singer Lulu’s toyboy lover 15 years her junior

Lulu’s next toyboy was Angus Macfadyen – famous for starring in Braveheart. Lulu met Angus – who was 15 years her junior – in 1997, and she certainly had nothing but good words to say about him.

According to the singer, in her autobiography, Lulu said he was “the best sex I’d ever had. My God, he relit my fire!” However, she went on to point out: “There were times when I thought I was falling in love with Angus, but it was probably just lust.”

Despite splitting, the pair teamed up for the actor’s film Robert the Bruce – for which she penned a song for the soundtrack. At the launch, she said: “Angus and I had a relationship a few years ago. And we’re still really good friends.”

Brooklyn Beckham has posted a gushing tribute to his wife, Nicola Peltz, after a source told the Mirror he ‘felt he didn’t fit in’ with his famous footballing family

Brooklyn Beckham has posted another adoring tribute to his wife, Nicola Peltz(Image: Instagram/brooklynpeltzbeckham)

Brooklyn Beckham has posted another loving tribute to his wife, Nicola Peltz, as the bitter feud with his family rumbles on. The young couple, who married three years ago, reportedly left David Beckham ‘heartbroken’ when they swerved his 50th birthday in May – despite being in the UK at the time.

On Saturday, a source told the Mirror that the hot sauce enthusiast, 26, doesn’t feel like he ‘fits in’ with his famous family, ahead of his little sister Harper’s 14th birthday. And now, Brooklyn has declared he’s on Team Nicola again in his latest Instagram post in which he shares a snap of his wife larking about next to a pile of Louis Vuitton luggage with the caption: “My girl xx.”

Brooklyn Beckham told Nicola Peltz she was ‘his girl’ in gushing post on Instagram(Image: Instagram/brooklynpeltzbeckham)

It comes after a source told us that Brooklyn probably wouldn’t be going to Harper’s 14th birthday next week because of the tension between his wife and his parents.

Claiming Victoria and David’s firstborn ‘didn’t want things to turn out this way’, they said: “He didn’t want it to turn out this way and he’s always been really close to all his siblings, but he is a married man now and his priorities have to lie somewhere else.”

Last month, Brooklyn publicly marked the five-year anniversary of his marriage proposal to Nicola, saying it was his “best decision ever”.

Our source said: “It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the former photographer’s loyalties don’t lie with his parents and siblings”, but adds that it isn’t surprising given he is now married.

They continued: “He just doesn’t feel his family have treated Nicola well and now that he’s grown so close to her family in the States, he doesn’t really feel like he fits into the Beckham family right now.

“If Harper’s wish is to have her brother at home for her big day, sadly, she’s probably going to be disappointed.”

Our source claims Brooklyn ‘doesn’t feel like his family have treated Nicola well’(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

There’s been plenty of family affection flying around on the Beckhams’ social media channels, most recently when David paid tribute to Victoria on their wedding anniversary and tagged Brooklyn in the caption.

However, Brooklyn has, so far, stayed silent despite being very vocal on Instagram when it comes to Nicola’s billionaire family.

In posts, which some have said are twisting the knife, Brooklyn has wished both his brother-in-law and father-in-law Happy Birthday recently despite snubbing his own dad’s milestone.

He also fuelled the feud rumours by posing for a new photoshoot for Italian brand, Moncler, which was shot in London in May just two miles from the Beckham’s family home in Notting Hill – and only one mile away from David, who was at the Chelsea Flower Show at the time.

The ITV presenter paid his respects to the Liverpool star after the footballer is reported to have died in a car crash early on Thursday morning

This Morning presenter Ben Shephard has paid tribute to Liverpool star Diogo Jota following news of the footballer’s tragic death in a car crash.

Jota, 28, was killed alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva, when their car crashed and burst into flames in Spain’s Zamora region in the early hours of Thursday morning. During his regular slot on the ITV programme, Ben Shepherd spoke about the devastating news, telling viewers: “Diogo Jota has died in a car crash aged just 28. He was with his brother Andre Silva in the accident.

“It is really shocking because he only just recently got married. He’s the father of three young children as well. He’d had a very big footballing season and then a special summer marrying his wife. It’s really, really sad.”

Diogo Jota has been killed in a car crash ( 
Image:
PA Wire)
The Portuguese international had tied the knot with long-time partner Rute Cardoso on June 22. The couple shared three children.

Jota and his brother were reportedly travelling along the A52 motorway, known locally as the Palacios de Sanabria, when the accident happened. Emergency services were called shortly before 1am after the car left the road and caught fire.

The Guardia Civil confirmed the details of the accident in a statement, saying: “The information we have so far is that the car, which was a Lamborghini, was in a road traffic accident and left the road due to a tyre blow out while overtaking.

“It was in the early hours, 00:30 BST, in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora. The car caught on fire and the two occupants were killed.”

Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolves in September 2020 and soon became a big figure in the squad. He played an important role in Liverpool’s Premier League title-winning campaign last season, as he made 26 appearances and scored six goals.

His brother, Andre Silva, 26, was also a professional footballer, and played for Portuguese second-division side Penafiel. Jota had been on holiday after helping Portugal secure the UEFA Nations League title last month.

The Premier League have issued a lengthy statement paying tribute to Diogo Jota. It read: “Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre.

“Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time. Football has lost a champion who will be forever missed. We will continue to support our friends and colleagues at the club.”

Jota’s former club Wolves have also issued their tribute, saying they are ‘heartbroken’ by the news. A statement on social media read: “We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him during his time at Wolves.

“The memories he created will never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and loved ones of Diogo and his brother, Andre. You will be truly missed, and always remembered.”

From a high-octane spy thriller with Keeley Hawes, to tribal drama with Jason Momoa and a rom-com from Lena Dunham, this is your ultimate guide to this summer’s scorching telly

Suranne Jones plays the British Prime Minister in upcoming Netflix thriller Hostage(Image: PA)

From gritty crime thrillers and psychological dramas, to comedies, documentaries and entertainment, telly is set to be as scorching as the weather this summer. There’s lots of top returning telly, including Wednesday and Only Murders In The Building, with The Bear, Squid Game and The Gilded Age already back and pulling in top ratings. But it’s no silly season when it comes to telly this year, there are brand new bingeable shows too. So don’t move too far from the small screen – here is our sizzling hot guide.

The Assassin, Prime Video, July 25

Starring Keeley Hawes and Freddie Highmore, this spy drama is set to be the thriller of the summer. Keeley plays Julie, a retired hit-woman living a secluded life on a remote Greek island. However, her quiet existence is interrupted by the arrival of her estranged son, Edward (Highmore), from England, desperate for answers about his father. Before long, things take a deadly turn when Julie’s past catches up with her and they are forced to go on the run together. It’s a fight for survival, testing a dysfunctional relationship to its limits.

Freddie Highmore and Keeley Hawes star in The Assassin, coming soon to Prime Video(Image: Prime Video)

The Count Of Monte Cristo, U&Drama, early August

This eight-part mini-series starring Sam Claflin and Jeremy Irons is based on Alexandre Dumas’s classic novel of the same name. Falsely accused of treason, Edmond Dantes (Claflin), a young sailor, is imprisoned without trial in the Chateau d’If, a grim island fortress off Marseille. After many years of captivity, he finally escapes and assumes the identity of the wealthy and enigmatic Count of Monte Cristo. With his newfound resources, he embarks on a journey of revenge on those who have wrongly accused him.

Mix Tape, BBC2 / BBC iPlayer, July

If you know what a mix tape is, you’re definitely at the age where you’ll appreciate this nostalgic four-part romantic drama. It follows Daniel (Jim Sturgess) and Alison (Teresa Palmer) as they move between their teenage romance in 1989 Sheffield and the modern-day reality of their adult relationships living on opposite sides of the world. The pair reconnect through a song from their shared past and explore their burning curiosity to understand if this is the love, and the life, they were meant to have. Listen out for an absolutely cracking 80s soundtrack.

Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy star in Hostage, coming soon to Netflix(Image: PA)

Hostage, Netflix, August 21

Suranne Jones plays the lead in this British political thriller that you’ll definitely want to binge. She plays the British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, while Julie Delpy plays the French President Vivienne Toussaint. An international summit between the two leaders in London goes terribly wrong when Abigail’s husband is kidnapped and Vivienne is blackmailed. The two political leaders both face unimaginable choies, forced into a fierce rivalry where political futures and lives hang in the balance. They must work together to uncover the plot that threatens them both.

King & Conqueror, BBC1 / iPlayer, August

This stars James Norton, which is all the information you need to know to tune in. He plays Harold, Earl of Wessex, in this eight-part historical epic, alongside Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William, Duke of Normandy, Emily Beecham as Edith Swan-neck and Clémence Poésy as Matilda, as well as Eddie Marsan as King Edward and Juliet Stevenson as Lady Emma. It’s the story of a clash that defined the future of a country – and a continent – for a thousand years. Expect big battles, betrayal, rage and Succession-style family dynamics.

Necaxa, Disney+, Summer

Created by the producers of Welcome To Wrexham, this spin-off sees Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria set out to reignite the soul of one of Mexico’s oldest football clubs, Club Necaxa. The documentary series follows Eva, enlisting the help of fellow owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, fresh off their headline-making revival of Wrexham AFC. It chronicles a turbulent time, marked by staff shake-ups, career-defining injuries and the relentless grit of a team determined to defy expectations and deliver hope to its city of Aguascalientes in Mexico

Ladies In Black, U&Drama, July 12

This stylish six-part Australian import, inspired by Madeleine St John’s bestselling book, is set in the 1960s and follows the lives of women working at a fictional department store in Sydney. At a time of huge social change, they must navigate love, ambition and identity. Miranda Otto, who plays the head of model gowns, Virginia, says: “I loved the book and thought the TV series was a great chance to take the story further.” Also stars Clare Hughes, Debi Mazar, Jessica DeGouw and Azizi Donnelly. Expect glamour, gloss and girdles.

Eddie Karanja in Washington Black, Disney+

Washington Black, Disney+ July 23

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, this follows the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington ‘Wash’ Black, an eleven-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny. When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom and love as he navigates uncharted lands and impossible odds. Stars Ernest Kingsley Jr, Sterling K. Brown and Tom Ellis.

The Narrow Road To The Deep North, BBC1 / BBC iPlayer, July

A heart-wrenching and epic saga which weaves together several stages in the life of surgeon Dorrigo Evans, played by Europhia and Saltburn star Jacob Elordi. From the passion of his first love and his life as a prisoner of war in occupied Burma, to his later years as a revered surgeon and reluctant war hero, it’s an intimate study of a complex man. Based on Richard Flanagan’s novel, the adaptation also stars Odessa Young as his young lover Amy, and Ciaran Hands as the older Dorrigo.

Jason Momoa stars in Apple TV+ drama Chief Of War(Image: Apple TV+)

Chief Of War, Apple TV+, August 1

Who else could play Hawaii’s ferocious warrior than Hawaiian-born American movie star Jason Momoa? On a normal day, he looks like a warrior. Based on true events, this saga follows what happens with Hawaii’s four kingdoms divided by war. Warrior Ka’iana (Momoa) embarks on a mission to unite his people as an existential threat approaches their shores. Expect stunning scenery, epic battles, a fight for peace and Jason with his shirt off… He says: “It’s a story rooted in my home, my culture, and my heart.”

Created by and starring Mark Gatiss, he plays Gabriel Book, who owns a bookshop in Archangel Lane, London, in 1946. But he has a side hustle, helping the police to solve the strangest of crimes and the knottiest of murders. And his close association to the force is not without its dangers. For although he is very happily married to his childhood best friend, the captivating Trottie (Bridgerton’s Polly Walker), Book is a gay man living at a time when homosexuality was illegal. Also starring Daniel Mays and Joely Richardson, this is a stylish period detective drama with a difference.

In the year 2120, the Earth is governed by five corporations where cyborgs and synthetics (humanoid robots with AI) exist alongside humans. But the game changes when hybrids are introduced – the first prototype is named ‘Wendy’. When the mysterious deep space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash-lands on Earth, Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat. It’s a new dawn in the race for immortality.

Megan Stalter plays Jess in Too Much, Netflix

Too Much, Netflix, July 10

From Lena Dunham, the creator of Girls, and the producers of Love Actually, there is already a heavyweight reason to watch this rom-com. Jessica (Megan Stalter) is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever. She takes a job in London where she plans to live a life of solitude like a Bronte sister. But when she meets Felix (Will Sharpe) – a walking series of red flags – she finds that their unusual connection is impossible to ignore.

Untamed, Netflix, July 17

A gripping character-driven mystery-thriller that follows Kyle Turner (played by Eric Bana), a special agent for the National Parks Service who works to enforce human law in nature’s vast wilderness. The investigation of a brutal death sends Turner on a collision course with the dark secrets within the park and in his own past. Sam Neill stars as the chief park ranger in Yosemite, while Lily Santiago plays an ambitious young, former Los Angeles cop, and Rosemary DeWitt is Turner’s ex wife.