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Comedian Chris McCausland made history when he became the first blind person to win Strictly Come Dancing, but it wasn’t an easy journey to get there, the star has revealed

Chris McCausland might have won Strictly Come Dancing – but it wasn’t an easy journey to get there.

The 47-year-old comedian made history when he was picked to be the BBC show’s first blind contestant. Not only that, he went on to win the famous glitterball in December alongside his pro partner Dianna Buswell, marking another monumental moment.

Fans were amazed when Chris managed to dance better than some of the stars competing against him who had their sight. Such was his success on the show that he’s had to add another 100 dates to his Yonks! stand-up comedy tour around the UK due to ‘phenomenal demand’.

But it almost didn’t happen as Chris, who was already a well-known comic before appearing starring on Strictly, has revealed he turned down the show twice believing it was ‘too risky for his career’ before finally agreeing to go on the 2024 series.

The gamble paid off and Chris’ comedy has now reached a whole new audience. Netflix have snapped up the rights to his 2022 stand-up show Speaky Blinder, which they will air as Chris McCausland: Live. And Chris is currently working on writing a memoir about his life, from going blind due to a hereditary condition that also affects his mum and sister, and kickstarting his comedy career because of a dare, to now.

Chris said the 15-hour days on Strictly ‘broke’ him by the end of the show ( 
Image:
BBC)
Though he’s on stage for hours as he currently tours the UK until 2026, Chris says it’s a doddle compared to the gruelling rehearsals he did on Strictly. In an interview with The Times, he said: “Towards the end it was 15 hours a day. I was broken. I mean, it was relentless. Physically I ached. I had lost weight. I’m probably fitter than I’ve been in ages, but I was held together with tape at the end.”

Opening up on losing his eyesight, Chris said he went to a specialist school for children with sight problems in his hometown of Liverpool as a kid. Later on he studied software engineering at Kingston University in London but was “surviving on the dregs of eyesight” by that point before going completely blind in his twenties.

It was at this point he began drinking a lot and went a “bit off the rails, probably a bit reckless, a bit self-destructive”. He applied for countless jobs, but says “company obligations and desires were different in 2000 and computer systems far less accessible”. For a laugh, he even applied for the MI5 graduate scheme to become a spy. Out of about 3,000 applicants he got down to the final 30.

He was then invited to the ‘sex, drugs and rock’n’roll interview’ at MI5’s headquarters in London. Chris joked: “They want to know all the skeletons. But unless you’ve tried to overthrow the government or kill the Queen they’re not really that fussed. They just want to know that you’re not lying because they don’t want you to be easily blackmailable. I genuinely said to the fella in the interview, ‘What’s more undercover than a blind bloke meeting their mate in the pub for a pint?’ I kind of said it as a joke, but he was, like, ‘Yeah, good point.’”

Though he’s comfortable in his own skin now, Chris has never used a cane and though he once had a guide dog, he had to give it back when his daughter Sophie was born as the lab became overly protective.

Speaking about how proud 11-year-old Sophie is of him, especially after his Strictly win, Chris said he wanted to bring laughs and positive representation rather than a hardships-overcome sob story to the show. He explained: “Making people forget about disability is often more powerful than just reminding them all the time.”

Gino D’Acampo – who is facing allegations of ‘distressing’ and ‘sexually inappropriate’ behaviour, which he has denied – has worked on shows like This Morning over the years

Concerns about Gino D’Acampo’s behaviour were reportedly raised by staff on This Morning years ago.

Gino, 48, has regularly featured as a chef on the ITV show over the years after first appearing in 2009. Amid allegations about his behaviour on other shows in his career, it’s now been claimed that colleagues on This Morning “raised concerns” about Gino 10 years ago.

Several crew and production members are said to have “flagged issues” with bosses about Gino, including bullying and sexually inappropriate comments, according to the Sun. The outlet claims that ITV management was alerted as recently as 2023.

A source told the outlet that it was “no secret” that Gino was “difficult” to work alongside and “many” colleagues “dreaded” being on set with him. They added: “He would constantly joke about his manhood and make sexually explicit comments that would make people uncomfortable.”

The source said that Gino “knew” he was “The Talent” and would “throw his weight around”. They continued: “A lot of people found him to be a bully, but felt they weren’t taken seriously when they approached senior staff members. Gino seemed to get away with it because it was all part of his cheeky charm and appeal, but underneath there was something more sinister.”

An ITV spokesperson told the Sun on Sunday: “ITV has made our position very clear. Our promise to those we work with is where a complaint is made to ITV or serious concerns raised, we’ll look into it, and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action.” Whilst Gino’s lawyer insisted to the Sun that no one at This Morning “has ever raised concerns with him”.

The claims come following the news that Gino is facing accusations of “distressing” and “sexually inappropriate” behaviour over several shows following an ITV News investigation. “Dozens” of people are said to have detailed experiences described variously as “unacceptable,” “distressing” and “horrendous” while working with him over a period spanning more than 12 years. He has however firmly denied the allegations.

Gino D’Acampo has appeared on This Morning over the years ( 
Image:
LightRocket via Getty Images)

It’s just one of the shows that the celebrity chef has worked on in his career ( 
Image:
LightRocket via Getty Images)
Earlier this week, it was reported that Gino had been ‘quietly dropped’ by ITV over the past year. A source said in an article published on Friday: “There is nothing currently commissioned or in development with Gino D’Acampo. The only outstanding show is a series of Family Fortunes which was recorded in October 2023, but is not currently scheduled.”

As previously reported, responding to the claims in their entirety from the ITV News investigation, Gino said in a statement: “I have been told by ITN news that allegations have been made about me acting inappropriately, some dating back over ten years ago.”

The statement continued: “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.”

In a statement released over the news of ITV News’ investigation, as previously reported, ITV said: “ITV is completely committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect and feels able to give of their best. Our promise to those we work with is that where a complaint is made, or serious concern raised, we will always investigate and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action. The same standards are expected of all production companies who make programmes on ITV’s behalf.

“It is production companies who have the primary responsibility for the duty of care of everyone they work with, both on and off screen, when making shows. We make clear our expectations of producers and have robust and comprehensive policies which we implement contractually.

“We have strengthened these policies in the last 5 years and have set up a dedicated Complaints Handling Unit in 2024 to manage any complaints we receive about on screen presenters and ensure ITV has a centralised view across different productions. The standards of behaviour that ITV expects are very clear. Everyone working with ITV is subject to ITV’s Code of Ethics and Conduct. At ITV we treat everyone with courtesy, fairness, dignity and respect and do not tolerate abusive behaviour of any form in the workplace.

“We have also reiterated our expectations of our on screen presenters’ behaviour through our Conduct and Standards Guidelines for On Screen Personalities issued in 2024. All of the concerns and complaints raised by those who have spoken to ITN describe behaviour which is inappropriate and unacceptable. Most of them were not reported to ITV at the time. Where issues have been raised with ITV action has been taken.

“We can only act where we know that concerns have been raised, and will now be following up on those that had not previously been reported to us. If anyone has experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour while working on an ITV show, we encourage them to raise their concerns with us either directly or through our confidential speaking up hotline Safecall.”

Ruith Langsford is moving on following her devastating split from Eamonn Holmes but there is one creeping fear about her health that a source claims is ‘always in the back of her mind’

Ruth Langsford has revealed her health fears – after seeing both her parents suffer from dementia. In a candid new interview, Ruth opened up about her divorce from ex-husband Eamonn Holmes, and also talked about cosmetic surgery and turning 65 in March. But it was the comments about her parents’ battles with Alzheimer’s that really stood out, reports OK!.

“I’m a bit ‘head in the sand’ about Alzheimer’s,” she said in Woman & Home‘s March edition. “Both my parents have had it, I know what it entails and it horrifies me. There’s a test you can do to see if you’re more likely to get it, but, because there’s no medication to treat it, I’d rather not know. When I have senior moments, as people call them, I panic. Then I let it go, because I can’t bear to think about that.”

Ruth’s mother Joan has Alzheimer’s, as dad her late father ( 
Image:
@ruthlangsford/Instagram)

A source claims Ruth knows the devastating condition can run in families and it ‘scares her’ ( 
Image:
GC Images)The Loose Women star lost her father, Dennis, to dementia in 2012 and cares for her 93-year-old mum, Joan, who also has the condition. And now, a source claims that Ruth’s health worries have been heightened following her split from Eamonn last spring. “Ruth looks after her mum, so she’s very aware of Alzheimer’s, but it is scary for her,” they said. “She knows it runs in families and doesn’t want it to happen to her. It is at the back of her mind. She has been fearing more for her health, in that sense, since the split.”

Ruth’s admission comes almost a year after separating from fellow TV presenter and husband of 14 years, Eamonn, 65. They were in a relationship for almost three decades and share 22-year-old son Jack. The pair announced their divorce last May with a joint statement, which read, “Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.” Following the news, reports suggested their workloads were pulling the couple in “different directions”.

However, they have remained tight-lipped on what led to the decision, and GB News presenter Eamonn started seeing current partner Katie Alexander soon after. Now, despite the “very painful” and “very difficult” divorce, Ruth has confirmed that she does hope to find love again in the future – admitting that she is fine being on her own, but “not for ever”.

Ruth’s frank admissions come almost a year after her split from Belfast broadcaster Eamonn Holmes ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Of her mum’s heartbreaking condition, she says ‘You’re grieving for them while they’re still alive’ ( 
Image:
Instagram/ruthlangsford)One person who has been by Ruth’s side during the tough times is her mum, Joan. They share a close bond and Ruth often talks about Joan on social media. But the TV star hasn’t glossed over the difficulties of her mother’s Alzheimer’s. Ruth has previously spoken about the condition, admitting, “You’re grieving for them while they’re still alive. They are physically there but their spirit appears not to be. It’s like you’ve lost them… but there they are.”

She is now an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society. And losing her dad to the disease has also been something Ruth has talked emotionally about. “With my father’s Alzheimer’s, I was grieving and losing my dad, but you have to remember my mum was losing the love of her life,” she has said.

Despite Ruth’s health worries, she has been throwing herself into fitness and wellbeing since becoming single, and is clearly focusing on her physical health. Having lost weight since splitting from Eamonn, Ruth says she’s all about finding a balance between healthy living and enjoying life.

“I want to eat as well as I can, but I don’t want to be a bore,” she admitted. And our source claims Ruth is feeling better than ever for it. “She’s lost weight. There has been divorce stress, but she’s also been watching what she’s eating and taking her dog Maggie for lots of walks,” they said. “She’s upped her fitness and is being more careful with food. She’s weighing food and prepping her own lunches while still enjoying life. She’s really taking care of herself and it shows – inside and out.”

Prince Harry was spotted dad dancing at the Invictus Games today (Saturday February 8), with wife Meghan sharing footage of Instagram

PRINCE Harry dad danced with members of Canada’s Invictus Games team on Saturday.

The 40-year-old shook his hips and moved his feet during a breakfast meeting with competitors from the host nation.

Canada’s Governor General, the BC Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and the Chief of Defence Staff also attended the event alongside officials from True Patriot Love and presenting sponsor ATCO.

The amusing footage was posted on Instagram by Harry’s wife Meghan, 43.

Harry appeared to be enjoying himself ahead of the ceremony ( 
Image:
@meghan/Instagram)

The Invictus Games begins today ( 
Image:
@meghan/Instagram)

The couple, whose children Archie and Lilibet have stayed in California, also attended a breakfast meeting with competitors from Team USA, as well as a number of US government and military officials.

Held in the city’s 40,000-capacity BC Place Stadium, the star-studded opening ceremony will feature the likes of Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

This year marks the first time the Invictus Games will include winter sports such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing. Kicking off today (February 8), the Games, which are known to be Prince Harry’s passion project, will continue until February 16.

Prince Harry first founded the Invictus Games in 2014 with the aim of championing wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans. The prince is known to be very hands-on with a project regarded by many to be his legacy, which, given his own years as a soldier, holds a deeply personal significance.

The Invictus Games holds a personal significance for Prince Harry ( 
Image:
@meghan/Instagram)

This event is set to be the biggest yet ( 
Image:
@meghan/Instagram)Organisers have said that this year’s event, which comes after previous Games’ were held in London, Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, The Hague and Dusseldorf, will be the biggest yet. It will take place at eight separate venues in Vancouver and the ski resort of Whistler, located on the traditional territories of the Four Host First Nations of Lílwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh.

Harry and Meghan were seen arriving in Vancouver yesterday evening after landing via private jet from Santa Barbara, close to their home in Montecito. The prince’s ongoing commitment to the project was highlighted yesterday (Friday 7) at an evening welcome reception for competitors, where Meghan warmly described participants as “family”.

Addressing attendees, Meghan said: “You will see him throughout this week, you will see him at the Games, you will see him probably curling with you, cheering you on. He wants to be there with you, he is in it with you.

“What you won’t have seen is all of the moments in the lead-up to these Games. All of the moments with, as you know, with families, the big rush in the morning, and getting ready for school and packing the lunch boxes and making breakfast and my husband’s in all of that with us.

“And then he’ll be on his phone, and Archie will say, ‘Papa, why are you on your phone?’. He’s like, ‘cos it’s Invictus… I’m getting ready for Invictus’. It means so much to him.”

Meghan continued: “You are his family, just as we are his family, and I hope you recognise how much of his heart he has poured into every single beat that has gotten all of you to this week that is going to be spectacular. I need you to know that, I need you to know how much it means to him and how much each of you means to you.”

This comes at a tricky time for the Sussexes, who have been subjected to considerable scrutiny in recent weeks.

A recent Vanity Fair piece, published January 17, cast a critical eye over the couple’s five years outside of the palace fold, with the couple having famously stepped back from their duties as senior working members of the Royal family back in 2025.

The usually supportive publication spoke with various insiders about what it was like to work for the power couple, and there were some less than rosy accounts of Meghan’s allegedly “painful” management style towards staff members.

A source who worked on Sussex media projects told the outlet: “[It was] really, really, really awful. Very painful. Because she’s constantly playing checkers—I’m not even going to say chess—but she’s just very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”

The article, titled ‘American Hustle,’ also addressed speculation over the alleged state of Harry and Meghan’s marriage, which the couple have strongly denied. It even speculated on rumours that Meghan had been approached to write a ‘post-divorce’ book. However, it also stated that this was not on the cards for the Duke and Duchess, with another source revealing their “love is real”, while asserting they are “still hot for each other.”

Now, a new book by royal author Tom Quinn has seen the Sussexes come under scrutiny once again, with its numberous revelations including the claim that Meghan allegedly didn’t care for hers and Harry’s first “small” home together, Nottingham Cottage.

In Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants – which has been excerpted in The Times – Quinn penned: “‘Meghan felt it was so small that it must be a reflection of how the royal family were belittling her husband. She just didn’t understand that real royals don’t care much about houses and material possessions because, having always had them, they take them for granted, said one member of staff who helped out regularly at Nottingham Cottage.”

He continued: “A rather beautiful house in the grounds of a famous palace hardly seemed to Harry the equivalent to being forced to live in a shed at the end of the garden. But for Meghan, things were more complex. She saw Kate and William living just a few yards away in Kensington Palace itself with teams of live-in servants.”

Meghan also spoke about the couple’s two children Archie and Lilibet, who she said call Harry papa

Meghan spoke to injured veterans about Prince Harry at the Invictus Games and told them: “You are his family”.

The duchess, 43, was speaking about her husband’s commitment to the event during a behind closed doors welcome reception for competitors in Vancouver on Friday night.

She made the remarks while introducing her husband, who has suffered high-profile fall-outs with his father King Charles and his brother Prince William, on stage at the event at the competition’s main venue the Vancouver Convention Centre.

It was the couple’s first public outing together since the publication of a distressing Vanity Fair cover last month. Meghan, who was dressed in a long brown ensemble, said of Harry: “You will see him throughout this week, you will see him at the Games, you will see him probably curling with you, cheering you on. He wants to be there with you, he is in it with you.

Harry was earlier been smiling while arriving in the Canadian city following a private flight from Santa Barbara ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)
“What you won’t have seen is all of the moments in the lead-up to these Games. All of the moments with, as you know, with families, the big rush in the morning and getting ready for school and packing the lunch boxes and making breakfast and my husband’s in all of that with us.

It was the couple’s first public outing together since the publication of a distressing Vanity Fair cover last month. Meghan, who was dressed in a long brown ensemble, said of Harry: “You will see him throughout this week, you will see him at the Games, you will see him probably curling with you, cheering you on. He wants to be there with you, he is in it with you.

Harry was earlier been smiling while arriving in the Canadian city following a private flight from Santa Barbara ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)
“What you won’t have seen is all of the moments in the lead-up to these Games. All of the moments with, as you know, with families, the big rush in the morning and getting ready for school and packing the lunch boxes and making breakfast and my husband’s in all of that with us.

“And then he’ll be on his phone and Archie will say ‘papa, why are you on your phone?’. He’s like ‘cos it’s Invictus… I’m getting ready for Invictus’. It means so much to him.

“You are his family, just as we are his family, and I hope you recognise how much of his heart he has poured into every single beat that has gotten all of you to this week that is going to be spectacular. I need you to know that, I need you to know how much it means to him and how much each of you means to you.”

The couple are said to be planning to give a ‘show of strength’ at the Invictus Games ( 
Image:
Getty Images for W+P)
Meghan spoke at the event, which was held just hours after she and Harry touched down in Vancouver after travelling on a private plane together from Santa Barbara, close to their home in Montecito.

They were later seen arriving at Vancouver’s five-star Fairmont Pacific Rim, where they are staying, in a convoy of three large blacked-out SUVs, ahead of the start of the nine-day event, which will begin on Saturday afternoon with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring live performances by a host of stars, including Katy Perry, Chris Martin and Nelly Furtado. Harry is also set to make a speech on stage at the event in front of a sold-out audience of 40,000 people at the city’s BC Place stadium.

The couple are no strangers to the area having moved to nearby Vancouver Island immediately after they quit royal duties in what became known as ‘Megxit’ in 2020. They later moved to Montecito in Meghan’s native California, but are both known to be keen lovers of Canada after also starting their relationship with secret dates and stays in Toronto, where Meghan lived while filming the TV drama Suits, for five years.

Beginning her remarks on Friday night, Meghan said: “I was not planning on speaking tonight and we just arrived, I don’t know, a couple of hours ago and I touched Candian soil and I went ‘ohh, feels like home!’.

Meghan also told how the couple’s children Archie and Lilibet are cheering on competitors from California ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)of the LA fires. However, it appears they are keen to put any negativity behind them.

Organisers say this year’s Invictus Games, which comes after previous Games’ were held in London, Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, The Hague and Dusseldorf, will be the biggest ever. It will be held at eight separate venues in Vancouver and the ski resort of Whistler, which are on the traditional territories of the Four Host First Nations of Lílwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh.

More than 1,900 volunteers have signed up to help stage the £34million event, which will see up to 550 participants from up to 25 nations compete in eleven sports, including six winter ones for the first time in Invictus Games history. They will include Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, Biathlon, Cross Country Skiing, Skeleton and Wheelchair Curling, as well as Indoor Rowing, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Rugby.

Speaking on Friday night, Meghan added: “We are just thrilled to be here and I would be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity to introduce somebody who means a lot to me and I know means quite a lot to all of you.

“So it is my entire pleasure and complete honour to introduce to the stage, my husband, the father of our very sweet excited children, who are cheering you on from California… Prince Harry, founder of the Invictus Games, the Duke of Sussex.”

As Meghan looked on lovingly, Harry joked with the audience asking if anyone was tired, to which there were shouts of ‘no!’ from the audience.

He laughed before adding: “Well, obviously team Canada is not tired, everybody else had to travel half way round the world to be here!”.

The Invictus Games opening ceremony is now underway at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, with musical performances from stars such as Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and Chris Martin

Prince Harry’s Invictus Games are now underway in Vancouver-Whistler, Canada, with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring the likes of Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

Held in the city’s 40,000-capacity BC Place Stadium, the glittering ceremony began at 9pm UK time, ahead of what is anticipated to be the biggest and best Invictus Games to date.

After Team United Kingdom entered the stadium, the camera then cut to Harry and Meghan watching from the stands, both received huge cheers as they smiled, with Harry seen waving to the crowd. The whole stadium then stood for the national anthem after hosts Canada entered to a standing ovation.

The crowds cheered as Harry and Meghan smiled ( 
Image:
PA)
Indigenous leaders from the traditional territories of the Four Host First Nations of Lílwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh, where the Games are being held, raised wooden paddles in a symbolic welcome gesture to the competitors.

More than 500 competitors, from 23 countries, will take part in the Games. They entered the stadium in an Olympic-style parade while escorted by Canadian Armed Forces Cadets carrying placards displaying their country’s names.

Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado played some of her best-loved hits to enthusiastic applause as attendees settled in for a night of music and celebration.

Harry and Meghan watched the action unfold from the stands ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin then performed the Invictus Games anthem, which he composed the score for back in 2014.

Martin paid tribute to Prince Harry and could be seen joking with him. Harry and Meghan could also be seen on screen laughing

Crowds were on their feet as Martin sang Coldplay hit Viva La Vida – including Harry and Meghan. Meghan also appeared to be filming Harry on her mobile phone.

Master Corporal James Gendron led “a shared moment of healing” on his bagpipes. The serviceman, who previously suffered psychological injuries in Afghanistan after playing at 63 separate funeral-style ceremonies for fallen soldiers, was then joined on stage by more pipers, as well as drummers, who helped him create a cacophony of sound inside the arena. Harry spoke about the Team Canada competitor at the closing ceremony of the last Invictus Games.

Coldplay’s Chris Martin laughed and joked with harry from the stage ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Prince Harry paid tribute to injured veterans at the Invictus Games tonight, telling them: “We need you… and we’ll always need you.”

Harry, 40, was speaking on stage at the event’s opening ceremony, which included performances by pop stars Katy Perry, Chris Martin and Nelly Furtado.

The former soldier, who completed two tours of Afghanistan, said: “The Games were born more than a decade ago, from a promise I made to myself. A promise to uphold my obligation—a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service —to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for.

“Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself. It was you, who pushed through the doubt and despair.

“You, who summited your own mountain and brought us along with you. It was you who kept going even when you didn’t think you had any more to give. We didn’t do that. You did.

“The Games simply reveal what is already within you. That scarcest—and most precious—of the world’s resources: character. A spirit—of fortitude and perseverance that can never be defeated. That is the magic of the Invictus Games.”

As Meghan, 43, proudly watched on from the crowd, Harry added: “Today, and for the next week – warriors unite. In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity.

“We represent 23 nations. Speak many different languages and reflect the full breadth of the world’s religions and faiths.

“Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another. Supporting one another. And rooting for one another.”

The Sussexes could be seen sharing a kiss in the stands ( 
Image:
Karwai Tang)Harry and Meghan had earlier been treated to huge cheers from the 40,000 crowd inside Vancouver’s BC Place stadium after they were shown together in the crowd on the arena’s giant jumbotron.

The two-hour show ended with a high-energy performance by US star Katy Perry, who is a pal and neighbour of Harry and Meghan in Montecito, California.

She belted out a number of her biggest songs, including Roar, Part of Me and Firework, alongside soldiers from The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, the 15th Field Regiment Band and The Royal Canadian Artillery Band. The ceremony also included a performance by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Noah Kahan.

Former soldier Harry delivered a heartfelt speech ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)Performers later transformed the floor of the stadium to resemble the waters of the Pacific coastline, while giant models of whales and dolphins flew over the audience, who waved blue pom-poms to create the illusion of water.

The show also featured art and music by members of all four separate First Nations, including singers, drummers and even a DJ, who combined electronic music with traditional Indigenous rhythms.

Men and women from the Canadian Armed Forces also starred throughout the ceremony, including during a rendition of the Canadian national anthem by band members.

Soldiers and cadets formed an honour guard, under the direction of Lieutenant Ben Van Slyke, before Governor General of Canada The Honourable Mary Simon gave a speech welcoming the more than 500 competitors and their families from 23 different countries.

The Invictus Games Flag entered the stadium escorted by Canadian Rangers before being passed to Chief of Defence Jennie Garignan and Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann. And there was an emotional moment when Master Corporal James Gendron led “a shared moment of healing” on his bagpipes.

The serviceman, who previously suffered psychological injuries in Afghanistan after playing at 63 separate funeral-style ceremonies for fallen soldiers, was then joined on stage by more pipers, as well as drummers, who helped him create a cacophony of sound inside the arena.

It was a night of music and ‘unity’ ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)
This year marks the first time the Invictus Games will include winter sports such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, and Nordic skiing. Kicking off today (February 8), the Games, which are known to be Prince Harry’s passion project, will continue until February 16.

Prince Harry first founded the Invictus Games in 2014 with the aim of championing wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans. The prince is known to be very hands-on with a project regarded by many to be his legacy, which, given his own years as a soldier, holds a deeply personal significance.

Meghan could be seen waving blue pom poms as she watched the show ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Organisers have said that this year’s event, which comes after previous Games’ were held in London, Orlando, Toronto, Sydney, The Hague and Dusseldorf, will be the biggest yet. It will take place at eight separate venues in Vancouver and the ski resort of Whistler, located on the traditional territories of the Four Host First Nations of Lílwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh.

The ceremony is now underway ( 
Image:
@meghan/Instagram)

The Duke and Duchess landed in Vancouver yesterday ( 
Image:
@meghan/Instagram)
Chief Executive Officer Scott Moore said: “We will deliver the best ever Invictus Games over the next nine days. These Games will be life-changing.”. Mr Moore added: “I was lucky enough to do eleven Olympic Games in my career. People ask me what is the difference between the Olympic Games and the Invictus Games. The Olympic Games changes lives… the Invictus Games saves lives.”

Prince Harry and Meghan were seen arriving in Vancouver yesterday evening after landing in the city via private jet from Santa Barbara, close to their home in Montecito. Harry’s ongoing commitment to the project was highlighted yesterday (Friday 7) at an evening welcome reception for competitors, where Meghan warmly described participants as “family”.

Addressing attendees, Meghan said: “You will see him throughout this week, you will see him at the Games, you will see him probably curling with you, cheering you on. He wants to be there with you, he is in it with you.

“What you won’t have seen is all of the moments in the lead-up to these Games. All of the moments with, as you know, with families, the big rush in the morning, and getting ready for school and packing the lunch boxes and making breakfast and my husband’s in all of that with us.

“And then he’ll be on his phone, and Archie will say, ‘Papa, why are you on your phone?’. He’s like, ‘cos it’s Invictus… I’m getting ready for Invictus’. It means so much to him.”

This year’s event is expected to be the ‘best ever’ ( 
Image:
@meghan/Instagram)

The Sussexes have described participants as ‘family’ ( 
Image:
@meghan/Instagram)
Meghan continued: “You are his family, just as we are his family, and I hope you recognise how much of his heart he has poured into every single beat that has gotten all of you to this week that is going to be spectacular. I need you to know that, I need you to know how much it means to him and how much each of you means to you.”

This comes at a tricky time for the Sussexes, who have been subjected to considerable scrutiny in recent weeks.

A recent Vanity Fair piece, published January 17, cast a critical eye over the couple’s five years outside of the palace fold, with the couple having famously stepped back from their duties as senior working members of the Royal family back in 2025.

The usually supportive publication spoke with various insiders about what it was like to work for the power couple, and there were some less than rosy accounts of Meghan’s allegedly “painful” management style towards staff members.

A source who worked on Sussex media projects told the outlet: “[It was] really, really, really awful. Very painful. Because she’s constantly playing checkers—I’m not even going to say chess—but she’s just very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”

The article, titled ‘American Hustle,’ also addressed speculation over the alleged state of Harry and Meghan’s marriage, which the couple have strongly denied. It even speculated on rumours that Meghan had been approached to write a ‘post-divorce’ book. However, it also stated that this was not on the cards for the Duke and Duchess, with another source revealing their “love is real”, while asserting they are “still hot for each other.”

Now, a new book by royal author Tom Quinn has seen the Sussexes come under scrutiny once again, with its numberous revelations including the claim that Meghan allegedly didn’t care for hers and Harry’s first “small” home together, Nottingham Cottage.

The couple has faced some criticism in recent weeks

In Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants – which has been excerpted in The Times – Quinn penned: “‘Meghan felt it was so small that it must be a reflection of how the royal family were belittling her husband. She just didn’t understand that real royals don’t care much about houses and material possessions because, having always had them, they take them for granted, said one member of staff who helped out regularly at Nottingham Cottage.”

He continued: “A rather beautiful house in the grounds of a famous palace hardly seemed to Harry the equivalent to being forced to live in a shed at the end of the garden. But for Meghan, things were more complex. She saw Kate and William living just a few yards away in Kensington Palace itself with teams of live-in servants.”

In a heartfelt speech read at today’s Invictus Games opening ceremony, Prince Harry spoke about finding “unity” during a “moment of difficulty and division”. Read the full speech here

Prince Harry’s Invictus Games are now underway in Vancouver-Whistler, Canada, with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring the likes of Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

Held in the city’s 40,000-capacity BC Place Stadium, the glittering ceremony began at 9pm UK time, ahead of what is anticipated to be the biggest and best Invictus Games to date.

Harry and Meghan watched the ceremony from the stands ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Addressing the crowds, Harry said: “Hello Canada and Bienvenue! So, the Toronto Games in 2017 were incredible, and I’m told there is no rivalry between East and West Coast, especially when it comes to sport, but I have a question for you Vancouver:

“Are you ready to show Toronto—and the world—how the Games are done? I would like to begin by honouring the First Nations, who are hosting this year’s Games. Lílwat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh. Hite-sap —— coo-cwee-lum.

“From the bid for the Games through to this week’s competition, we have walked together, side-by-side on this journey, and are so grateful to you for having these games on your land. Today, and for the next week – Warriors unite.

“In this moment of difficulty and division in many parts of the world, we gather here in Vancouver in a spirit of unity. We represent 23 nations.
Speak many different languages and reflect the full breadth of the world’s religions and faiths.”

Harry declared that the Invictus Games were about ‘competing fiercely, but believing in one another’ ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
He continued: “Beyond any differences, here at the Invictus Games we are grounded in mutual respect, competing fiercely, but believing in one another. Supporting one another. And rooting for one another.

“The Games were born more than a decade ago, from a promise I made to myself. A promise to uphold my obligation—a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service —to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for.

“Over the past decade I’ve lost count of the times we’ve heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn’t save you. You saved yourself. It was you, who pushed through the doubt and despair.

The prince referred to the competitors as ‘warriors’ ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)

“You, who summited your own mountain and brought us along with you. It was you who kept going even when you didn’t think you had any more to give. We didn’t do that. You did.

“The Games simply reveal what is already within you. That scarcest—and most precious—of the world’s resources: character. A spirit—of fortitude and perseverance that can never be defeated.

“That is the magic of the Invictus Games. For one of the most powerful ways of healing comes not from the hospital or recovery center, but from having a sense of purpose. A sense of belonging. From being a part of something greater than ourselves.

“And that healing, though it begins with you, extends to your children and loved ones, who delight in the simple gift of seeing you smile again…of knowing your mind isn’t someplace else. That you are fully present.

“At this moment, when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, no lack of weak moral character in the world, the values you embody—the way you carry yourselves—not only at the Invictus Games, but each and every day… your courage, your resilience, your humanity…illuminate a path forward for us all.

His speech included a quote from Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)“And for that, we thank you. Your leadership did not end when you stepped off the battlefield or took off the uniform. It endures. The example you set is a compass for the world. We need you.

“And we’ll always need you. Someone once asked Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison how we survive whole in the world. She replied: “Sometimes, you don’t survive whole, you just survive in part. But the grandeur of life is that attempt. It’s not about that solution. It is about being as fearless as one can, and behaving as beautifully as one can, under completely impossible circumstances.”

“So as we embark on this year’s competition, here is my challenge to all of you: Show the world how you behave under completely impossible circumstances. Show the world your fearlessness. Show the world the grandeur in your attempt at victory. Show the world why You…Are…Invictus.”

Body language expert Judi James has picked up on a ‘fitting, symbolic gesture’ made by Meghan Markle during the opening ceremony of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games

Cheers erupted in Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium today as the camera panned to a beaming Prince Harry and Meghan. Now, a body language expert has picked up on some intriguing details about the pair’s interactions, including Meghan’s telling “seal claps”.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were in attendance at the glittering opening ceremony of this year’s Invictus Games, which saw performances from Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

It’s well-known that the Invictus Games, a sporting tournament that champions injured servicemen and women, is a cause very close to Harry’s heart – and Meghan, 43, couldn’t have been prouder of her husband as the pair enjoyed the show from the stands, dancing away to pop hits just like the rest of the audience. And one fun gesture was apparently particularly symbolic.

The Duchess could be seen waving blue pom poms ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Body language expert Judi James told the Mirror: “When Meghan picked up two big blue pom-poms and danced with them above her head, it was a fitting, symbolic gesture as her body language at the games so far seems to very emphatically define her in the role of Harry’s cheerleader and number one fan.

“She has put herself in the role of vector here, pointing the audience and their affection in Harry’s direction. Her speech included comments like ‘You will see him throughout the week, you will see him at the Games’ to create a sense of anticipation and her gestures and poses during the opening ceremony showed contagious adoration and awe as she clung to his arm in excitement and support or gazed at his face as he was mentioned from the stage.

“Meghan’s gestures to Harry were almost maternally affectionate. As he sat looking bashful with his lips sucked in or threw a cheeky double thumbs-up during some banter from Chris Martin, Meghan performed mouth-puckered smiles of pride or ‘seal-clapped’ him to his face, a form of clapping with the hands pointing upward that registers praise and recognition.

Harry delivered a heartfelt speech at today’s opening ceremony ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)
“She also touched his face more than once. At one point, she leant an arm out to stroke the back of his neck, and then when he stood to go to the stage, she tenderly cupped his face in both of her hands and kissed him on the lips as though he was her hero.

“Founded by Prince Harry in 2014 to champion wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans, the Invictus Games is regarded by many as the Duke’s crowning achievement. Harry is known to be very hands-on with the competition, which has grown considerably since its conception and has previously addressed its deep personal significance to him as a former soldier.”

Judi continued: “Meghan acted like any other proud wife as the show progressed, turning her camera towards Harry as he enjoyed the music beside her. This seems to be part of the more relatable version of Meghan that she showed in the Instagram post, a very excited, loving wife taking her own photos like any other member of the audience.”

This year’s Invictus Games, the first-ever winter edition of the sporting tournament, begins today (February 8) and will last until February 16 in Vancouver-Whistler, Canada. During a welcome reception for competitors hosted yesterday evening (Friday 7), Meghan spoke about her husband’s commitment to the Games, describing participants as “family”.

Yesterday, Meghan emphasised her husband’s enduring commitment to the Games ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)Meghan said: “You will see him throughout this week, you will see him at the Games, you will see him probably curling with you, cheering you on. He wants to be there with you, he is in it with you.

“What you won’t have seen is all of the moments in the lead-up to these Games. All of the moments with, as you know, with families, the big rush in the morning, and getting ready for school and packing the lunch boxes and making breakfast and my husband’s in all of that with us.

“And then he’ll be on his phone, and Archie will say, ‘Papa, why are you on your phone?’. He’s like, ‘cos it’s Invictus… I’m getting ready for Invictus’. It means so much to him.

“You are his family, just as we are his family, and I hope you recognise how much of his heart he has poured into every single beat that has gotten all of you to this week that is going to be spectacular. I need you to know that, I need you to know how much it means to him and how much each of you means to you.”

This follows a difficult few months for the Sussexes. A Vanity Fair article published last month cast a critical eye over their first five years after stepping down as senior working members of the Royal family, which included some negative accounts of Meghan’s alleged management style towards staff.

One source who worked on Sussex media projects told the publication: “[It was] really, really, really awful. Very painful. Because she’s constantly playing checkers—I’m not even going to say chess—but she’s just very aware of where everybody is on her board. And when you are not in, you are to be thrown to the wolves at any given moment.”

This piece, headlined ‘American Hustle’, also contains speculation over the state of Harry and Meghan’s marriage, which the couple have vehemently denied. The article even went as far as to speculate on rumours that Meghan had been approached to pen a ‘post-divorce’ book. However, it also stated that this was not on the horizon for the Duke and Duchess, with another source confirming their “love is real” and that they are “still hot for each other”.

Now, a new book by royal author Tom Quinn has seen the Sussexes come under scrutiny once more, with its revelations including the claim that Meghan was unhappy with hers and Harry’s first home together, Nottingham Cottage, or ‘Nott Cott’ as it’s often affectionately referred to.

In Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants – which has been excerpted in The Times – Quinn wrote: “‘Meghan felt it was so small that it must be a reflection of how the royal family were belittling her husband. She just didn’t understand that real royals don’t care much about houses and material possessions because, having always had them, they take them for granted, said one member of staff who helped out regularly at Nottingham Cottage.”

He continued: “A rather beautiful house in the grounds of a famous palace hardly seemed to Harry the equivalent to being forced to live in a shed at the end of the garden. But for Meghan, things were more complex. She saw Kate and William living just a few yards away in Kensington Palace itself with teams of live-in servants.”

Shortly after giving a speech at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, Prince Harry and Meghan made a surprise stop off at an ice hockey match, where they made a sweet nod to Harry’s late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II

Prince Harry and Meghan have made a surprise visit to watch an NHL ice hockey match between Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The couple arrived at the Canucks’ Rogers Arena home just minutes after leaving the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games at nearby BC Place.

Harry followed in the footsteps of his late grandmother by dropping the ceremonial first puck before play commenced in the match, said to be the most watched NHL game of the season.

Queen Elizabeth II performed the same feat at a Vancouver Canucks match in 2002 during her two-week Golden Jubilee tour of Canada.It was the first NHL match the then Queen had attended since 1951, when still a princess, she and Prince Philip watched the Montreal Canadiens take on the New York Rangers.

Harry and Meghan could have been forgiven for having mixed feelings about who to support at the match due to their shared links to both Vancouver and Toronto.

Hockey fans were in for a surprise when Prince Harry turned up ( 
Image:
SNOHD)They moved to nearby Vancouver Island immediately after they quit royal duties in what became known as ‘Megxit’ in 2020 and previously watched a match between Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks at the same venue in November 2023.

But they also began their romance with secret dates and stays in Toronto, where Meghan lived while filming the TV drama Suits for five years.

Canada holds many memories for the Duke and Duchess ( 
Image:
NHLI via Getty Images)Harry alluded to the rivalry between the two cities at the Invictus Games opening ceremony earlier in the day, where he and Meghan were seen enjoying performances by a number of stars, including Katy Perry, Chris Martin and Nelly Furtado.

Harry, 40, also gave a speech on stage at the event in front of a sold-out audience of 40,000 people.

Harry alluded to the rivalry between the two cities during today’s opening ceremony ( 
Image:
SNOHD)

With his tongue placed firmly in his cheek, he had told them: “Hello Canada and Bienvenue! So, the Toronto Games in 2017 were incredible, and I’m told there is no rivalry between East and West Coast, especially when it comes to sport!”.

Meghan spoke about her love for Canada on Friday night while appearing at a welcome reception for competitors behind closed doors at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Meghan spoke fondly of her love for Canada at last night’s welcome reception ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)

SIMILAR ARTICLES TO THISIt came just hours after she and Harry touched down in Vancouver after travelling on a private plane together from Santa Barbara, close to their home in Montecito.

Meghan, 43, said: “I was not planning on speaking tonight and we just arrived, I don’t know, a couple of hours ago and I touched Canadian soil and I went ‘ohh, feels like home!’.Earlier in the day, the couple, whose children Archie and Lilibet have stayed in California, attended two separate breakfast meetings, including one where Harry was caught dad-dancing.

The first saw the couple meet with Team US competitors and was also attended by a number of US government and military officials.

The second event saw the Duke and Duchess meet with Team Canada competitors, as well as officials from True Patriot Love and presenting sponsor – ATCO, the Governor General, the BC Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and the Chief of Defence Staff.

Martin Kemp made a sweet parenting admission about son Roman, 31, on Thursday’s Loose Women, leaving the panellists surprised

Martin Kemp stunned the Loose Women studio on Thursday as he made a sweet parenting admission about son Roman.

The Spandau Ballet icon, 62, shares son Roman, 31, and daughter Harley, 35, with wife Shirlie Holliman, who he married in 1988.

On Thursday’s episode of Loose Women, panellists Denise Welch and Judi Love were joined by Martin and Vernon Kay in a Loose Men shake-up. During the instalment, the panellists discussed the topic “do you parent boys and girls differently?” which prompted a surprising response from Martin.

Host, Denise, 66, asked: “Do you worry more about Harley though than you do Roman just because she’s a girl?” to which Martin admitted: “I didn’t, actually, it was the other way round. I used to worry far more about Roman because boys have that thing of getting into fights. That made me worry a lot more.

Martin Kemp stunned the Loose Women studio on Thursday as he made a sweet parenting admission about son Roman ( 
Image:
ITV)

“To a point where when Roman started going out, you know when they start going to the house parties, about 16 to 17, Shirlie and I would take them. We would drive them to wherever the house party was and instead of going back home we would wait there in the car for four hours with sandwiches.”

This admission led to gasps and laughter from the Loose Women studio as Judi asked: “Waiting for them to come out?” to which a giggling Martin explained: “Yeah, waiting for them to come out!”

Martin has a very close bond with presenter son Roman and only recently his son teased his famous father over his unique wardrobe choices on their podcast FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp. During their chat, Roman noticed his dad’s new sunglasses. Initially, Martin said, while noticing his son’s facial expression: “When I came in this morning, I thought I looked quite cool.”

Roman then quizzed: “What is that? You got mum’s sunglasses on?” In defence, Martin then said: “I haven’t got mum’s sunglasses, they’re my new ones. Bit of Tom Ford.” Believing that his dad was pranking him as the glasses were seemingly feminine, Martin then added: “Ro what are you laughing at?”

Martin has a very close bond with presenter son Roman and the duo have their own podcast ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
In response, Roman continued: “They’re not yours, please don’t tell me that. How much did you spend on them?” To make matters worse Roman was then told his dad spent £300 at an airport for his new purchase.

He replied, in between fits of laughter: “No you didn’t.” And it looks as though fans of their podcast enjoyed their banter, while some sided with Roman over his view of his father’s so-called trendy purchase. One person added in the comment section of the post: “You two are definitely a good replacement for Morecambe & Wise lol.”

Another added: “Ha ha agree with your son. They are just not your style.” Meanwhile, a third person said: “Best podcast ever .. I’m going to listen to them all again & hope you get another series.” And a fourth fan wrote: “You can rely on your kids to tell it straight.”

Roman recently quit his role on Capital Breakfast with his replacement announced as BBC Radio One Drivetime host Jordan North. Roman has been busy with his podcast and presenting duties on The One Show.