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  • Exclusive: Prince Harry and Meghan’s Invictus bombshells from on-stage horror to subtle royal dig

    Exclusive: Prince Harry and Meghan’s Invictus bombshells from on-stage horror to subtle royal dig

    Prince Harry is halfway through his beloved Invictus Games, which are being hosted in Canada, and now he is flying solo after Meghan Markle left the event to fly back home to California

    The 2025 Invictus Games are at its halfway point – and now Prince Harry is flying solo.

    After putting on a loved-up display with wife Meghan Markle during the opening ceremony and then appearing inseparable during the first few days of the tournament, the Duke waved goodbye to the Duchess of Sussex and she is now back home to California with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

    Aides had been keeping Meghan’s travel plans under wraps for security reasons – it is understood it had always been planned she would leave the Games early. However, Harry is expected to stay at the Games until after the closing ceremony this Sunday.

    After returning to sunny Montecito, Meghan posted a photo of Invictus themed goodies she took home for the kids, including green-coloured shirts with their names on. The haul also included an Invictus Games related teddy and a number of sweets and chocolates. Writing on her Instagram, Meghan said: “A taste of Canada and The Invictus Games for our little ones! Cheering you on from home!”.

    Despite the couple now spending the next few days apart, including Valentine’s Day, it hasn’t stopped several bombshells from emerging from their trip to Vancouver and Whistler. Here we look at the latest revelations from the event – including Meghan’s hidden message to the Royal Family during the visit…

    Secret date night

    After spending the first few days of the Games in Vancouver, the Sussexes then moved on to Whistler, where they met up with celeb pals Michael Buble and his wife Luisana Lopilato.

    Prince Harry with singer Michael Buble
    Prince Harry with singer Michael Buble 
    Image:
    Humphrey Nemar)
    And the foursome couldn’t resist having a secret date night at a special place for Harry and Meghan. They all went to Whistler restaurant Il Caminetto and spent over two hours tucking into delicious food. The Duke and Duchess previously visited the restaurant on Valentine’s Day last year.

    At the dinner Meghan wore a pair of earrings that were a gift from her husband with a Carolina Herrera cape and Aquazzura pumps, having changed out of the cream Mackage jacket and Sorell snow boots she wore all Monday afternoon.

    It was Meghan and Harry’s second time dining with friends Michael and Luisana since the Games began. They all enjoyed a low-key date night on Saturday at Vij’s Indian, with the restaurant’s chef, Vikram Vij, taking to social media to praise their visit. He wrote: “Another incredible night at Vij’s. When food brings people together, magic happens! We were honoured to once again welcome Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Michael Bublé, and Luisana Lopilato for another unforgettable evening at Vij’s.”

    Meghan’s shock

    However, it wasn’t all relaxed dinners with pals as the Sussexes also welcomed the hundreds of competitors to Whistler for the first-ever winter sports events at the Invictus Games.

    Harry and Meghan attended a special ceremony in Vancouver where Harry was introduced on stage by Michael Buble, who excited the 1,000-strong crowd with a rendition of Feeling Good. Welcoming Harry on stage, Canadian singer Michael said: “I know how difficult something like this is, so I wanted to make sure I did this right. Without the incredible effort of this young man, none of this would have happened, so please welcome my friend, Prince Harry.”

    Harry joked that Meghan was going to sing
    Harry joked that Meghan was going to sing 
    Image:
    Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer)
    Meghan joined Harry on stage at the end of his speech before he joked: “Now she’s going to sing!” leaving his wife horrified. However, according to body language expert Judi James, the pair seem to be in tune with their fun sides. She told the Mirror : “Harry loves playful behaviour and banter, but he usually adopts a different tone with Meghan, sticking to more romantic narratives.

    “Here though he brings her into his routine with a flapping hand that suggests good humour rather than any royal graciousness. There is some synchronicity here though as she actually seems pretty much in tune with his more fun side.

    “At first there is the usual mutual hugging, and Meghan shows empathy by rubbing Harry’s hand to thaw it out in the cold air. But when he jokes about her singing, her response is speedy as she looks shocked but then equally playful.

    “The last image of the pair leaning forward into the mic to take their goodbyes is one of the better images of them working as an upbeat, casual and relaxed team of two.”

    Hair-raising experience

    Meanwhile, Meghan did leave the winter sports to the competitors, she also got involved herself by trying her hand at tubing down a snowy slope.

    Meghan prepares to have a go at tubing
    Meghan prepares to have a go at tubing 
    Image:
    meghan/Instagram)

    Meghan slides down the snow run
    Meghan slides down the snow run 
    Image:
    meghan/Instagram)She shared a clip on her Instagram Stories screaming as she spins down the slope while seated in a purple inflatable inner tube. In earlier clips, she could be seen walking hand-in-hand with Harry towards the slope, before being given instructions about her tubing run.

    Meghan can then be heard asking about “keeping your body weight back” on the inflatable, before saying “No, I really don’t want to do it” during a countdown.

    Meghan’s bold message to royals

    And in another eye-raising move by Meghan she appeared to flash her royal cypher – despite previously ditching it.

    Eagle-eyed royal watchers spotted that at Invictus Games in Canada, the Duchess of Sussex had been sporting a brand new signet ring on her pinky finger on her right hand.

    Royal watchers noticed Meghan wearing a new signet ring
    Royal watchers noticed Meghan wearing a new signet ring 
    Image:
    WireImage)

    It appears the ring features Harry and Meghan's royal cypher
    It appears the ring features Harry and Meghan’s royal cypher 
    Image:
    WireImage)
    And it seems that the new piece of jewellery is engraved with Prince Harry and Meghan’s joint cypher that they unveiled when they married back in 2018. The monogram is made up of the letters ‘H’ and ‘M’ in cursive writing. The logo is topped with a coronet with two cross pattées, four fleurs-de-lys and two strawberry leaves.

    The monogram was used on their previous Sussex Royal website and social media accounts – and even after they dramatically quit as working royals back in 2020, they continued to use the logo on their letterheads.

    Meghan isn’t the only royal to wear a pinky finger signet ring. King Charles also wears one with the Prince of Wales feathers and he gifted one to Princess Diana the night before their wedding in 1981.

    Early exit

    But despite appearing as close as ever, it emerged that Meghan didn’t plan to stay for the full duration of the Games when it was confirmed yesterday she would be heading back to California.

    The couple left their children Archie and Lilibet behind at home in Montecito and after five days away, the Duchess made the decision to get back to her children. The Games have come after a tough time for the Sussexes, who were branded ‘disaster tourists’ in the wake of visiting victims of California wildfires. They were also the subject of a scathing Vanity Fair article about what it is really like to work for them.

    Meghan left the Games yesterday
    Meghan left the Games yesterday 
    Image:
    Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)
    And according to PR expert Edward Coram James, the CEO of Go Up, Meghan should have rethought going to the Invictus Games altogether. He told the Mirror: “Meghan should leave the Invictus Games to Harry. It’s his project, and he’s more than capable of drumming up support and publicity for this incredible cause. Their joint brand has become tainted over the years — not through any fault of their own, but due to woeful PR.

    “Meghan’s presence was always going to be a lose-lose situation — damned if she did, damned if she didn’t. But ultimately, it’s a distraction for many people. That said, from a PR standpoint, she handled it well. She was engaged but not overbearing, affectionate but not too performative. Still, she needs to recognise that no matter what she does, her critics will say she’s making it about herself.”

    Harry’s telling three words

    Meanwhile, Harry revealed how he felt about having Meghan Markle “by my side” during his Invictus Games – just days before she flew home without him.

    And speaking to PEOPLE magazine before Meghan flew home, the Duke of Sussex revealed what it was like to have her with him at the event. He said: “To have my wife here supporting me is amazing. I love that she’s by my side. It’s such an important piece to this whole adventure.”

    Meanwhile, Harry also opened up about Archie and Lilibet and how they are also ‘fascinated’ by the event for sick and injured service personnel. He added: “It’s a very interesting conversation to have with your kids — to explain why that person is missing a leg, why that person is missing an arm, why do they look the way they do. It’s challenging but important.

    “Our kids are still so young, but Archie especially is asking those questions. I’m constantly trying to make sure that I get it right in explaining what’s happened to [the competitors] and what we do at Invictus to try to make their lives better and give them a chance to redefine themselves.”

  • King Charles’ true feelings on Trump’s savage swipe at Harry and Meghan revealed

    King Charles’ true feelings on Trump’s savage swipe at Harry and Meghan revealed

    Donald Trump took another swipe at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after ruling out deporting the Duke of Sussex from the United States – and an insider has revealed how the comments reportedly went down at Buckingham Palace

    A royal insider has revealed how Donald Trump’s savage swipe at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have gone down with King Charles.

    The US president declared several days ago that he had no plans to deport Harry from the United States amid an ongoing battle over his visa application after questions were raised over why Harry was allowed into the US after admitting to taking drugs in his memoir Spare

    But in a brutal dig, Trump said he would not deport the prince because he claimed he had “enough problems” with Meghan, describing her as “terrible”. It comes amid a war of words between Trump and the Sussexes, with Meghan previously calling the now-president misogynistic and Trump saying he was “no fan” of the Duchess.

    Harry and Meghan at the Invictus Games in Whistler this week
    Harry and Meghan at the Invictus Games in Whistler this week 
    Image:
    Humphrey Nemar)
    And now a royal source has revealed that Trump’s stance when it comes to Harry’s immigration status might actually be of relief to the King, who once expressed his love for his son and daughter-in-law as they “build their lives overseas”.

    The insider told the Daily Mail: “The fact is that Harry and Meghan are a source of strain and worry for His Majesty,’ a royal source tells me. ‘While he is sorry that he does not have a relationship with his grandchildren in America, it is easier for his peace of mind that there’s an ocean between him and Harry.”

    It comes after last week when a judge in the US hinted that he is open to the possibility of releasing some of the sealed documents from Harry’s US visa application. Judge Carl Nichols has seen secret records revealing details of Harry’s visa status in the US, but they are currently sealed. The latest development in the two-year legal battle saw the judge explain in a Washington DC hearing last week that he wanted “maximum disclosure as long as it doesn’t violate privacy.”

    US President Donald Trump
    US President Donald Trump 
    Image:
    AFP via Getty Images)

    The long-running case was sparked when conservative Washington DC think tank The Heritage Foundation questioned why Harry was allowed into the US in 2020 after he admitted in his book Spare taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.

    The think tank has argued that Harry either received special treatment from the Biden administration or had lied on his immigration forms. It requested for the release of his visa records under the Freedom of Information Act, arguing that the prince should not have received a visa due to a history of drug use, but the request was rejected by the DHS.

    US visa applications specifically ask the individual about current and past drug use, which can have a detrimental impact on the progress of the application. Prolific drug use can lead to applications being rejected, however, immigration officers use their discretion against a range of factors. Omitting information or lying is deemed enough grounds to have a visa revoked, though there is no suggestion that Harry has lied.

  • Exclusive: King Charles to be drafted in on ‘charm offensive’ US trip to smooth Trump relations

    Exclusive: King Charles to be drafted in on ‘charm offensive’ US trip to smooth Trump relations

    King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to head to both America and Canada next year on their biggest royal tour yet and will be deployed to help with diplomatic relations with Donald Trump

    The King and Queen are to be deployed on their biggest royal tour yet – a “charm offensive” in the USA.

    Charles and Camilla are expected to head to America and Canada, in a jaunt our government hopes will help diplomatic relations with Donald Trump. The royals will first be deployed to Canada, Charles’ first visit to the British realm as monarch, before being welcomed to the US by President Trump.

    Next year is also the 250th anniversary of American Independence, which will be celebrated across the nation on July 4, 2026. Sources close to the planning say discussions between governments have already begun, with an official invitation from Washington expected imminently.

    Charles with Trump and First Lady Melania at Clarence House in 2019
    Charles with Trump and First Lady Melania at Clarence House in 2019 
    Image:
    POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
    The Mirror understands both North American tours will be agreed for the first half of next year, most likely the Spring. In line with the King’s continued cancer treatment, a US visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales has been earmarked as a contingency, although it is the preference to host Their Majesties, sources said.

    King Charles arrives at the French Senate

    It will be the first time a British monarch has visited the United States since 2007, the last of five royal tours the late Queen Elizabeth II undertook. As Prince of Wales, Charles undertook more than 20 official visits to the US. The King’s most senior aides will be key to developing the framework for the highly anticipated trip.

    Buckingham Palace is understood to be “overwhelmingly keen” on the tour and is committed to working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for the plans, sources suggest. A government source said: “This will undoubtedly be the biggest tour of the King’s reign so far, a huge undertaking for a British monarch to be hosted in the United States.

    King Charles is expected to be welcomed in the USA by Trump next year
    King Charles is expected to be welcomed in the USA by Trump next year 
    Image:
    Getty Images)
    “Americans love the British royal family and it is a great opportunity for both sides to reaffirm the special relationship in such an important and historic year for the US. The King has been especially keen to travel to Canada, a country and people he holds so much affection for, it will be a charm offensive on both sides.”

    However, the palace last night remained tight-lipped over the royal tour plans, with one palace source remarking: “There are no current dates in the diary for Their Majesties to tour either Canada or the USA, or active Palace planning taking place for either option.”

    The Royal Visits Committee, on which representatives from Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace sit alongside Foreign Office officials, has not yet met to discuss the plans, but it is understood to be on the agenda during the next quarterly meeting. The UK government is still open to plans to host President Trump on an official state visit at some stage throughout his five-year term, but conversations with the White House have already gathered pace for the King to meet Trump on his turf.

    It was reported this week how the King, described as “one of life’s great letter writers” has kept up his personal correspondence with the former president. The Telegraph this week revealed how Charles had posted “a hand-written missive every now and then to the delight of Trump and his wife Melania”.

    Prince William during a meeting with Donald Trump in Paris
    Prince William during a meeting with Donald Trump in Paris in December 
    Image:
    Getty Images)A royal source said: “It is clear there is warmth and respect for the office from both the King and President Trump. There is no clearer demonstration of soft diplomacy in action. It will be a huge success.” Trump was hosted in 2019 for an official State Visit where Charles undertook the then-Prince of Wales-level duties at Buckingham Palace.

    After his triumphant return to the White House was confirmed in November, the incoming president also met heir to the throne Prince William in December, during a whistlestop trip to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral following the devastating fire in 2019.

    Trump described William, 42, as “really very handsome” while praising him for doing a “fantastic job”, both before and after their 40-minute meeting at the British ambassador’s residence. As King, Charles has already undertaken official visits to Germany, Romania, France, Kenya, Dubai, Australia, Samoa and Poland.

    As revealed by the Mirror, his spring tour with the Queen is to Italy where he will meet the Pope in April. Following his successful trip to Australia and Samoa in October, palace aides said the King would return to a “full schedule” of regular overseas trips this year after the hiatus from official foreign duties he has taken since his cancer diagnosis.

    Royal sources say the King has been keen to travel to Canada for “a long time”. Plans for his first tour of Canada as head of state were set for May 2024, but were delayed due to his cancer diagnosis. This yeah he was prohibited from an official visit as the country is undertaking national elections.

    As Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the couple last visited Canada in 2022 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. Buckingham Palace did not comment.

  • Exclusive: Meghan Markle’s thinly-veiled message to Royal Family before leaving Harry solo

    Exclusive: Meghan Markle’s thinly-veiled message to Royal Family before leaving Harry solo

    Meghan Markle has been spotted wearing a new piece of jewellery that eagle-eyed fans have noticed appears to have a major reminder of her previous royal life

    Meghan Markle’s new bold piece of jewellery could be a hidden plea to the royals, according to an expert.

    During her time at the Invictus Games in Canada, earlier this week with Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex has been sporting a brand new signet ring on her pinky finger on her right hand.

    And according to eagle-eyed royal watchers, the new piece of jewellery appears to be engraved with Harry and Meghan’s joint royal cypher that they unveiled when they married back in 2018. The monogram is made up of the letters ‘H’ and ‘M’ in cursive writing. The logo is topped with a coronet with two cross pattées, four fleurs-de-lys and two strawberry leaves.

    Royal watchers noticed Meghan wearing a new signet ring
    Royal watchers noticed Meghan wearing a new signet ring 
    Image:
    WireImage)

    It appears the ring features Harry and Meghan's royal cypher
    It appears the ring features Harry and Meghan’s royal cypher 
    Image:
    WireImage)
    The emblem was used on their previous Sussex Royal website and social media accounts although it appears it was ditched from their stationery in favour of the Archewell logo several years ago. And royal expert and biographer Ingrid Seward says the new piece of jewellery is certainly sending a statement – especially to the Royal Family.

    She told the Mirror: “Traditionally signet rings have a larger face than the one Meghan is wearing, but there is no reason why she can’t use her royal cypher on an article of jewellery. I don’t think it has any particular significance apart from the snob value of reminding people that she has a royal cypher.

    “I think Meghan wants to be accepted by the firm for the sake of the children. The royal family must know she will never go away so the less fuss they make about what she does the less attention is focussed on her.”

    Meghan isn’t the only royal to wear a pinky finger signet ring. King Charles also wears one with the Prince of Wales feathers and he gifted one to Princess Diana the night before their wedding in 1981. It is not the first time that Meghan’s jewellery has been the subject of much debate. Just weeks ago many believed that her engagement ring had gone through yet another tweak.

    Meghan left the Games yesterday
    Meghan left the Games earlier this week 
    Image:
    Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.Meghan was first given the ring, which was made with two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection and one from Botswana, when she and Harry became engaged in 2017. It underwent a major redesign two years later when the plain gold band was swapped for a thinner micropave style.

    In 2023, she was spotted without the ring on several occasions and it was reported this was due to the delicate piece being fixed due to a loose stone. And now fans believe the ring might have had another change – and it’s all down to the shape of the central diamond.

    In one moment of the trailer for her new Netflix show With Love, Meghan, the duchess can be seen reaching for some flowers with her full ring on show. And many believe that the main diamond appears to now be a square cut – rather than the round cut of the original.

    Taking to X, one asked: “Is that a new engagement ring?” While another said: “Looks like she’s changed the centre stone from a round diamond to the more expensive square cut.”

    Meghan then made a string of appearances in 2023, including at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, where she was seen not wearing the ring. However, speaking to Page Six at the time, a source claimed the ring was “being fixed”, hence the fact that it is missing from her ring finger. In recent months she has been seen wearing it again.

  • Simon Cowell’s life ‘saved’ by Britain’s Got Talent crew in dramatic moment

    Simon Cowell’s life ‘saved’ by Britain’s Got Talent crew in dramatic moment

    Simon got home from BGT audition in Blackpool and thought ‘that was dark – I nearly got killed 12 times’

    Trying not to move a muscle while a blindfolded man wielding a mallet attacked a watermelon next to his head – Simon Cowell admits he feared for his life during the making of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent.

    And the fruit-crusher is just one of many weird and wacky acts taking part in the upcoming 18th series, which also features the show’s most grotesque performer yet – in the shape of Auzzy Blood. The American drew howls of disgust as he threaded a huge screw, and then a tube, through his nose and mouth – even persuading Simon to drink some wine from the tube running through his body. Welcome to the extraordinary world of BGT 2025, brought to ITV viewers this year from the seaside town of Blackpool, where head judge Simon says he really thought it was all over for him.

    When the new series starts, the audience will see Simon lying on the stage with mallets and bits of watermelon flying all around as co-judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon scream in horror. When a crew member finally steps in to stop the act, Simon looks dazed and shaken as he sits up and asks: “Are you f***ing crazy?” Speaking about that moment afterwards, he told the Mirror: “It’s that feeling when you kind of think somebody doesn’t want you on the show any more. It was that. It was the closest, genuinely, where I’m thinking ‘they actually want to kill me’. And I swear to God, that’s how I felt because this guy got really nervous and he’d slipped and was shaking as he was smashing these watermelons.”

    Britain's Got Talent is back for a new series!
    Britain’s Got Talent is back for a new series! 
    Image:
    PA)Simon, 65, said the laughing producers were telling him to ‘carry on’ but he was hugely relieved when it was all over. “The health and safety guys, normally quite annoying, actually stopped him. Thank God, they saved my life. When you’re up there you’re immersed in it and then you go home and think ‘that sh*t is dark, I nearly got killed twelve times’.”

    Amanda, 53, said that watching Simon nearly get battered had been “horrific” because he had been told to stay entirely still, but kept moving and said he’d felt the “wind of the hammer” next to his ear. “Even with St. John’s Ambulance – I don’t know what they would’ve done – but in the wings it was so precarious because it was melon they were smashing, so the water was everywhere,” Amanda recalls. “Any kind of safety that there must have been was out the window. It was very hard to watch.” Alesha, 46, said she felt the same: “We were genuinely worried. I realised how much I cared about you, Simon! Please don’t do that again. It is funny though, the hardest acts to watch end up being the most entertaining to watch back.”

    The judges say the acts this year are the best they've ever been
    The judges say the acts this year are the best they’ve ever been
    Another act which viewers may find difficult not to turn away from is Auzzy Blood, from Las Vegas who, at one point, hoists himself off the ground using a nasal hook. The judges admit the gruesome scenes might spark complaints. “Let’s hope so. Because I’ve kept fully dressed and covered up, so we’re praying for Ofcom,” Amanda quipped – a reference to previous complaints over her skimpy outfits.

    Simon agreed that the TV regulator might receive moans but felt sure his ten-year-old son, Eric, would enjoy it. “We do have kids in the audience and I’m always looking behind going, ‘Do they like it?’ And actually, yeah, they do. But we probably will get some complaints. I love it when they say ‘don’t try this at home’ like we’ve all got screws and things just waiting to do that.” He claimed that he hadn’t actually swallowed any of the wine going through Auzzy Blood’s nasal tube into his mouth, insisting: “It got to a millimetre away – it’s close, but not quite.”

    Simon discussed one stunt during the auditions
    Simon discussed one stunt during the auditions
    Guest judge KSI – a boxer, singer and YouTuber who has 80million followers – was relieved, saying: “The guy with the screws. What the hell? It was ridiculous. I can’t believe you drank from his face. I would’ve thrown up.” Despite this, Alesha defended the American act, insisting: “I found that fantastic to watch. It’s entertaining. It’s funny. And I do think all our kids will love that.”

    This year’s show features some brilliant solo singers including Scottish bingo-caller Vinnie, chicken-shop Stacey who works on a supermarket cooked poultry counter and Linda from Zimbabwe. Simon said: “Some of those singers, they’re a bit shaky at the beginning. And then you see the audience are rooting for them and it gives them that boost. And when that moment happens and it works it’s amazing. Still to this day I love it. Those clips really reminded me of when we first started making the show, whether it was Paul Potts or Susan Boyle – it’s that moment when you can just feel everyone is involved and they like it and it’s going to change that person’s life.”

    Simon gets involved as ever!
    Simon gets involved as ever!Amanda agreed that over the 18 years, Simon had changed but was regaining some of his Mr Nasty persona. “He did go soft for a bit, but I feel like he’s coming back now.” The series also has several choirs, including a very special one made up of entirely of sub post masters caught up in the huge scandal, brought to life last year in the ITV drama Mr Bates Vs the Post Office. The choir formed because they wanted to do something positive to redress the negativity brought on by the scandal. Simon declared: “I will never buy a stamp again – I really won’t. I watched Mr. Bates – it was probably the most powerful piece of TV drama I’ve ever seen in my life. They were treated in the most disgusting way. They were bullied. So when I actually saw them, I was actually quite starstruck and it was a really, really powerful moment. I think it will remind people at home that it’s not finished yet – what happened to them is still going on. And they were really good.”

    Other top moments in the series, which has a record number of golden buzzers, are a pole-dancing seagull and comedian Will Burns, from Leeds, who does impressions of TV stars including presenters Ant and Dec – from their Byker Grove days. Influencer KSI, 31, said he’d loved being a guest judge while standing in for Bruno Tonioli, 69, when he had a filming clash, and for Simon when he took time off after Liam Payne’s death. “There’s one moment which I know is going to come out and it’s going to go viral and I’m going to hate it,” KSI laughed. “It’s very good. And you’re going to enjoy it. But I hate it. I hate it a lot.”He was impressed by one guy from the audience who begged for an audition – and got his way. “I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say it was out of this world for sure.”

    A new set of hopefuls want to make it through to the finals!
    A new set of hopefuls want to make it through to the finals!

    The judges said Blackpool was the rowdiest audience they’d ever encountered – with Bruno saying the noise made his ears bleed. There were also some strange characters in the theatre, including one woman who flicked the Vs at Simon for an hour – and then demanded a selfie. “She was mental,” Bruno said. “We called security.” But Simon loved the atmosphere and says they will now make Blackpool BGT’s permanent home. “A million per cent. It was amazing. I’d like to go back there every year – you wouldn’t have got that off a London audience.”

    *Britain’s Got Talent airs on ITV on Saturday 22nd February at 7pm.

  • BBC The Apprentice star quits after ‘using racist language’ during task

    BBC The Apprentice star quits after ‘using racist language’ during task

    The Apprentice candidate and cosmetic dentist Dr Jana Denzel reportedly used racist language in a task and decided to leave the process

    The Apprentice candidate Dr Jana Denzel has reportedly quit the BBC show after ‘using racist language’.

    It has been reported that the cosmetic dentist used the term ‘coloured’ to describe a black person during a task. The incident was said to have been reported to the show’s producers and he was asked to do diversity training following the filming.

    Next day, Dr Jana is said to have told Lord Sugar he was leaving – but said his exit was unrelated to the reaction from bosses. During scenes in the boardroom, Dr Jana told Lord Sugar he didn’t feel he was a “good fit” and was leaving the process.

    It is believed he used the term during a task which saw the team creating a character for a marketing campaign. Two female candidates were shocked by his comment and told show bosses. All 18 contestants had been given a warning about sensitive language during an earlier task too.

    His exit is expected to air at the end of the fifth episode in two weeks time, and his “ill-informed comment” won’t be explained on the show itself, but his exit scenes will air for viewers in a fortnight.

    Dr Jana has left the process
    Dr Jana has left the process 
    Image:
    BBC/Naked/Ray Burmiston)

    Lord Sugar is looking for his new business partner
    Lord Sugar is looking for his new business partner 
    Image:
    PA Photo/BBC/Boundless)
    “The team had been discussing what the character should look like, and there were suggestions from some members to make sure the character was inclusive. It was then that Jana made the “coloured comment”, which particularly upset two female candidates on his team. The team were particularly shocked because, coming from a minority background himself, they did not expect Jana to use such offensive language to describe their marketing campaign,” a source told The Sun.

    “While his co-stars did push back and made it clear to Jana the comment was unacceptable, it was then escalated further when it was flagged to the production team, who pulled Jana aside.”

    A spokesperson for the show said: ” Jana withdrew from the process for completely unrelated and separate reasons, and he has our full support.” Of the use of the alleged term, the spokesperson said: “We were made aware of an ill-informed comment. As soon as it was flagged, we took swift and comprehensive action to address the issue.

    “Whilst we have made it very clear to Jana that his use of language was not acceptable, we are confident there was no ill-intent behind it. The concerns of all parties involved have been addressed and resolved.”

  • The Masked Singer host shares Davina McCall update after health battle

    The Masked Singer host shares Davina McCall update after health battle

    The Masked Singer hosts Joel Dommett and Harriet Rose appeared on ITV’s Loose Women ahead of the final and shared an update on Davina McCall

    The Masked Singer hosts Joel Dommett and Harriet Rose had a message for ITV fans on their co-star Davina McCall, who is currently recovering from brain surgery.

    Appearing on Loose Women, Joel and Harriet joined the panel that included Charlene White, Sunetra Sunetra, Gloria Hunniford and Nadia Sawalha.

    It was Nadia who swooped in at the last minute of the interview to ask for an update on their co-star. The TV judge recently disclosed that she had undergone an operation to remove a colloid cyst from her brain. Post-surgery, Davina found herself in intensive care before she was allowed to carry out her recovery in the comfort of her own home.

    Harriet, who hosts spin-off show The Masked Singer: The After Mask, confirmed that she’d been in regular contact with her.

    Davina McCall
    Davina McCall underwent brain surgery 
    Image:
    Samir Hussein/WireImage)

    She disclosed to the panel: “I’ve text her [Davina] a few times she’s one of the best people on this earth, she is so positive and amazing and was so fantastic with me on the show and she seems really well.”

    Joel also shared: “Me and my wife [Hannah Cooper] have gone over to her house since and she’s doing really well and what a mad thing to happen to you in your life and it completely changes your outlook and she’s a very positive person anyway so… ”

    Joel and Harriet join Loose Women
    Joel and Harriet said Davina “is doing well”
    Eight weeks after going under the knife, Davina joined Dragons’ Den star Steve Bartlett to tell her story in a “safe space”. During their discussion she revealed the risks attached with benign tumours.

    On her podcast Begin Again, Davina wanted to shut down any myths about benign tumours not posing serious health implications. She detailed a WhatsApp group that she had created incase the worst case scenario happened.

    Joel and Harriet on The Masked Singer
    Joel and Harriet had been in contact with Davina

    Sharing her concerns, she explained: “I said, ‘Look, I’ve got to plan for it if it doesn’t go according to plan’. When I’d spoken to the doctors, they talked about things like stroke, epilepsy, these being risks.

    “Nicking an artery or a blood vessel in the brain and having a bleed… so there were a lot of things that could be a risk.”

    Davina, mother to Holly, 23, Tilly, 21, and Chester, 18, stated that her life would “never be the same” post surgery but insists the frightful situation has only enhanced positive change.

    She bravely said on her podcast post-surgery: “There’s that saying, ‘A life lived in fear is a life half-lived’.”

    Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1, from 12:30pm.

  • The Masked Singer host lets slip on ‘accidentally’ uncovering identity of finalist

    The Masked Singer host lets slip on ‘accidentally’ uncovering identity of finalist

    Joel Dommett and Harriet Rose appeared on Loose Women, spilling The Masked Singer tea

    The Masked Singer UK hosts Joel Dommett and Harriet Rose appeared on Thursday’s (February 13) episode of Loose Women.

    Joel and Harriet took to the show, alongside panelists Charlene White, Sunetra Sarker, Gloria Hunniford, and Nadia Sawalha. They were there to chat about the impending final that will see Pufferfish, Dressed Crab and Wolf, all compete for the chance of winning the 2025 title this weekend.

    The six TV stars were discussing predictions and backstage gossip when Joel and Harriet revealed they actually didn’t have any inside intel on who was behind each mask.

    Harriet blurted to the panel that she’d “screamed her head off” when Eastenders legend Natalie Cassidy had been unmasked because she had “guessed her early on” and “had been right”.

    Sunetra wasn’t buying any of it and was totally unconvinced that the two hosts didn’t have a clue about any of the celebrities on the show.

    Harriet and Joel on Loose Women
    Harriet let slip on a backstage accidental meeting by chance
    “Do you not know?” probed Sunetra, as the two hosts said in sync: “No.” Gobsmacked, the panelist replied saying: “No, I don’t believe that,” then stating: “I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it.”

    ITV host, Harriet stepped in, asserting: “I’m telling you now, that set is locked down,” she then went on to reveal: “I got more access, not boasting, but I got more access than Joel.”

    Harriet and Joel on ITV's Loose Women
    Harriet and Joel joined Loose Women’s panel
    It was at this point Harriet, who hosts the spin off show The Masked Singer: After Mask, shared with the panel that she’d accidentally bumped into a contestant backstage, breaking show protocol.

    Ordinarily strict sanctions are installed to make sure the identities of celebrities on the show are hidden from pretty much everyone, with very few people in the know about the cast, this to reduce the risk of a leak before air time.

    Harriet Rose
    Harriet revealed she’d actually met one of the finalists

    Speaking about the backstage mishap, Harriet let slip that she had actually met one of this years finalists and hinted that she now knew their identity.

    The host said: “I got to go backstage where they all hangout and we actually bumped into one of the Masked Singers,” Harriet then teased: “Who is yet to be revealed.”

  • Gino D’Acampo made vile comments about ‘DEPRIVED PEN!S’ on I’m A Celeb, claims Kim Woodburn

    Gino D’Acampo made vile comments about ‘DEPRIVED PEN!S’ on I’m A Celeb, claims Kim Woodburn

    Gino D’Acampo allegedly made vile comments about his penis to his I’m A Celeb co-stars.

     

    His former co-star, Kim Woodburn has publicly criticised TV chef Gino D’Acampo, describing him as “a full-of-himself little pig” and accusing him of inappropriate behavior during their time on the show. Kim alleges that D’Acampo’s actions, including inappropriate gestures and language, made her uncomfortable. She also claims that he cheated during a Bushtucker trial and was verbally abusive towards the crew. Kim accuses ITV of covering up his behaviour and giving him a favourable edit, leading to his win in the 2009 series.

     

    The TV chef has been accused of “distressing” and “sexually inappropriate” behaviour after dozens of people detailed experiences described variously as “unacceptable, distressing and horrendous”. The claims to ITV News have been made over a period spanning more than 12 years. Gino has “firmly denied” the allegations made by “dozens of people”, adding that they were “deeply upsetting”.

    Now, in a new interview, Kim has made claims about his alleged behaviour while they filmed the show together in Australia. The 82-year-old claimed: “He used to stand over a log and stroke his penis area over his shorts. He’d talk to his penis saying, ‘I know you haven’t had any sex, but when you get out of here, you will get so much’.”

    Kim Woodburn claims she felt uncomfortable

    Kim Woodburn claims she felt uncomfortable 
    Image:
    Brian Cassey/Shutterstock)

    She went on to tell The Sun: “He would say his penis was being deprived and neglected, and his wife would give him a good seeing to when he got home. We would all just turn away. It made me uncomfortable because it was vile and crude. It’s not appropriate to do that in front of women. But Gino thinks he can do what he wants.”

    Since ITV News’ investigation, they have now spoken to “over 40 people” who have either witnessed or experienced alleged inappropriate and intimidating behaviour by Gino. His TV shows have been removed from the ITV schedule as a result. The TV chef has appeared on shows including ITV’s Family Fortunes and Gino and Fred: Emission Impossible.

    In response to all allegations, Gino told ITV News: “I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago. I have never been made aware of these matters previously and the allegations are firmly denied. I would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone. This is simply not in my nature. I do not recognise the version of events being put to me.

    “Not only have these allegations never been raised with me before, I have been repeatedly supported by executives at the highest level and was commissioned on prime-time programmes during the period in which it is now suggested I was acting inappropriately. I am a father, husband and have worked with well over 1,500 people on around 80 productions in my career, which I have been so proud of. I take such matters extremely seriously and the suggestion that I have acted in an improper way against is deeply upsetting.”

  • Meghan Markle sends sweet message to Harry after giving Archie and Lilibet special gift

    Meghan Markle sends sweet message to Harry after giving Archie and Lilibet special gift

    Shortly after touching back home in California, the Duchess of Sussex sent a sweet message to her husband Prince Harry, and revealed sweet gifts she took home for Archie and Lilibet

    Meghan Markle has sent a touching message to Prince Harry as she flew back home to their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilbet, while the Duke of Sussex remains in Canada for the Invictus Games.

    The Duchess of Sussex arrived in Vancouver on Friday afternoon and spent five days with her husband at the multi-sport competition before heading back home. She flew back home on Tuesday and just hours later, shared a sweet message to Harry, 40, as she continued the Invictus Games celebrations at home with their two children.

    Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Meghan posted a photo of personalised shirts for Archie and Lilbet, along with a selection of Canadian snacks. In a nod to her husband, she wrote, “A taste of Canada and The Invictus Games for our little ones! Cheering you on from home!”

    Following her five-day visit to Canada, Meghan delighted her 1.7 million followers when she shared a video of walking hand in hand with Harry as they were bundled up against the cold during an event in Whistler, Vancouver. Meghan looked chic in cream boots, a long black coat, a knitted beanie and dark sunglasses as she participated in the sporting activities.

    Meghan Markle's Instagram story
    Meghan shared a message to Harry after returning home from the Invictus Games 
    Image:
    Instagram/Meghan Markle)

    Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
    The couple shared some affectionate moments during their time at the Invictus Games together 
    Image:
    meghan/Instagram)

    Following the clip of her and Harry strolling from behind, Meghan posted a playful video of herself getting ready to go tubing – sitting on a rubber ring and sliding down a snowy run. The Duchess seemed apprehensive and admitted she was too scared to do it, but after some encouragement from Harry, she let go and zoomed down the slope. Meghan could be heard screaming while Harry chuckled behind the camera, reminding her to keep her feet up.

    While Meghan has returned home to Archie and Lilbet, Harry, who founded the Invictus Games in 2014, is expected to stay at the Games until after the closing ceremony on Sunday. The Duchess was by her husband’s side for the initial days of the competition, and they were spotted being very affectionate at various events.

    Meghan prepares to have a go at tubing
    Meghan shared the moment she went tubing 
    Image:
    meghan/Instagram)

    Meghan slides down the snow run
    Meghan sliding down the snow run 
    Image:
    meghan/Instagram)Meghan was seen next to Harry during the opening ceremony in Vancouver, where they shared a passionate kiss in the stands. The couple were also spotted enjoying beers while watching winter sports in Whistler one day. Harry even playfully teased his wife during a speech, inviting her on stage and joking that she was going to sing for them.

    During the Games, which celebrates injured servicemen and women, Meghan has been using her newly launched Instagram account to share her experiences, posting several stories of her interacting with competitors’ children and zooming around the stadium during the opening ceremony on a golf buggy.