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Although she is known for her sports career, Olympian Sam Quek has revealed that while on Strictly Come Dancing she discovered a lot about herself behind the scenes

Olympian Sam Quek has opened up about the personal journey she endured during her time on Strictly Come Dancing. The star found fame playing hockey but last year, she challenged herself in new ways while appearing on the BBC dancing competition.

Since retiring from professional sports, the 36-year-old has made a name for herself in the broadcasting industry and often appears on various shows – as well as turning her hand to reality telly, including ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and BBC’s Celebrity Masterchef.

Growing up in a sports loving household with her brothers, Sam is no stranger to intense training which followed her through her Olympic career but while on Strictly, she admits she learnt a lot more about herself.

“My Strictly experience was amazing, it was so hard – but in a good way,” Sam exclusively told the Mirror. The Liverpudlian star went on to say: “It was one of the toughest but most rewarding and enjoyable challenges that I’ve ever done. But I did find out a lot about myself.

Sam, who was partnered with Nikita Kuzmin on Strictly Come Dancing last year admits she learnt a lot about herself on the show(Image: PA)

“That competitive side that fighting spirit of me is still there, especially having kids, I think you can get quite stuck in the same routine, just wearing leggings and hoodies, so getting glammed back up, realising that I do still like getting my hair done, my make-up done it was such an amazing experience.”

Sam went on to joke: “I thought I could dance but it goes to show that maybe I need a few wines beforehand. It was such an amazing experience but I also realised I’m not very elegant and I’m probably more suited tt being out there for Soccer Aid, where you need pace, power, explosiveness.

“Putting in big tackles, pushing people off the ball. But Strictly was fab and I definitely learnt a lot about myself.” This year, Sam is returning to Soccer Aid for the second time and will be playing alongside Louis Walsh, Tom Grennan, Sir Mo Farah and Sam Thompson on the England team.

The Olympian struggled to contain her excitement as she opened up about returning to Soccer Aid(Image: ©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures)

“I can’t wait for Soccer Aid this year,” she excitedly revealed at Manchester’s Hotel Football – overlooking the pitch at Old Trafford. She added: “Last year was my first year and I was blown away. I think now it’s come up north, although I’m a Liverpool FC fan, and it’s at Old Trafford, I still think it’s going to be one of the most amazing experiences. I can’t wait.”

Football is nothing new to Sam though. Before pursuing a career in hockey, she was signed to Tranmere Rovers F.C as a junior and at the age of 16, made a decision to put football on the back burner to focus on hockey. “Growing up, I didn’t have many female sporting role models that I knew about or could see.

She added: “I grew up wanting to be Steve McManaman, my twin brother was Robbie Fowler and we used to play football all the time in the garden. So to be going out there at Old Trafford, almost living out a childhood dream is amazing. Sam the footballer is definitely still alive.”

Although she was signed to Tranmere, Sam never got to play at Prenton Park “we didn’t see any of that,” she said. But heading out onto the pitch at Old Trafford, home to Manchester United, one of the world’s biggest footballing clubs “besides Liverpool,” is “just going to be a special moment,” she gushed.

Taking part in Soccer Aid is a cause close to Sam’s heart as a mum-of-two

Taking part in Soccer Aid is a cause close to Sam’s heart. As a mum to daughter Molly, four, and son Isaac, three. “Soccer Aid for UNICEF is amazing for us to experience going out there to massive stadiums, playing with some of the worlds best footballers,” she said.

Sam continued: “Ultimately, underline it all – it’s the money raised for UNICEF, I think being a mum, you want your child to thrive, to give them the best start, to be health and to be happy. I think if anything comes in the way of that then any help, any money, any vaccinations and any support that you can get is the greatest thing in the world.

“To be out there playing is one thing, but to raise money, I think that’s just so important.” But while Sam is both excited and nervous for the match on June 15, she cannot wait to play alongside Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney – “it’s proper bucket list stuff,” she said.m “Scholsey is one of the best midfielders that England has ever had.”

“Rooney as well, one of the best strikers, I just can’t wait,” she exclaimed.

GEMMA Collins is in talks to join I’m A Celebrity All-Stars despite quitting camp after just three days.

ITV has begun initial talks with the best-loved campmates ahead of filming in South Africa.

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Gemma Collins is in talks to join I’m A Celebrity All-Stars despite quitting camp after just three daysCredit: Handout

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Gemma wants her and fiancé Rami Hawash to be the new Posh and BecksCredit: Instagram/@gemmacollins
The GC, 44, tops execs’ wish list after the reality star’s abysmal I’m A Celeb effort Down Under in 2014.

A source said: “She hated it first time round but knows it would be TV gold for her fans if she gave it another go.

“The discussions could go either way but signing her would be a huge win for execs.”

Back in 2014, Gemma’s complaints over the camp’s dunny and the lack of food made for hilarious scenes.

She claimed to have malaria and had a panic attack before being taken to the camp in a helicopter.

A year after quitting, Gemma told The Sun she wanted another go.

She said: “Everything would be different a second time.

“I’d be like Lara Croft and Angelina Jolie rolled into one, and I’d do the tasks. I’m not scared of nothing.

“Hopefully one day the producers may give me another chance.”

It comes after she said she wants to be the next Victoria Beckham, with fiancé Rami Hawash as David.

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I’m A Celebrity . . . South Africa first aired in spring 2023 and averaged 5.2million viewers across its consecutive weeknights run.

It reached more than a million 16 to 34-year-olds for the launch episode.

The new run will be filmed in October and air in 2026.

Katy Perry brought Orlando Bloom and their daughter Daisy to watch from the sidelines as she set off from Texas to space today, and her four-year-old daughter couldn’t hide her reaction

While Katy Perry was launched into space with other famous women, her daughter and partner were left on solid ground

Katy Perry’s young daughter Daisy Dove Bloom proudly smiled as the chart-mauling pops tar made history. Countless people from across the world watched live as the New Shepard NS-31 mission set out today, flying an all-female crew into space.

The special mission was operated by Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company Blue Origin, and saw Bezos’ partner, Lauren Sanchez handpick CBS News journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen to join her and Katy, 40, in space.

The trip only lasted a matter of minutes in a self-flying rocket, with a quick boost into space followed by four minutes to float around and look out of the window, and then a short journey home.

Little Daisy was all smiles as she watched her mum fly to space and land minutes later – while dad Orlando Bloom seemed much more scared

While some kids might be terrified by the idea of standing and watching their mum fly into the unknown, Daisy seemed in awe as she stood by the sidelines and smiled up at the rocket ship.

The group of famous women departed at 2:30 UK time, and Daisy was shown on the live stream standing at the launch site in Van Horn, Texas, and waiting with other loved ones for the lucky astronauts to return.

Daisy looked adorable with messy blond hair and a warm jacket, and smiled toothily at the sky as someone – perhaps dad Orlando Bloom, who was photographed covering his face in fear – wrapped their arms around her.

While Katy Perry was launched into space with other famous women, her daughter and partner were left on solid ground(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Katy opened up about her experiences as soon as she touched back down on solid ground, sharing that the experience made her feel “connected to love.”

After kissing the earth, Katy also revealed that she’d brought a little daisy to see space with her, and that flying into the stars only made her love being a mum even more.

Pop star Katy even took a daisy to space with her, after dedicating the rocket trip to her daughter

“This experience is second to being a mum… and that’s why it was hard for me to go, because that’s all my love right there,” she said of Daisy standing nearby, admitting that fears of leaving her little girl weighed on her mind when she debated whether to join the flight.

She added: “And I have to surrender and trust that the universe is going to take care of me and protect me and also my family and my daughter because I am full up from being able to get that gift of being a mum and to go to space is incredible and I wanted to model courage and worthiness and fearlessness.”

Katy previously shared that she was dedicating the trip to Daisy, and that she wanted to show her daughter and other young girls that science can be “glam” – alongside encouraging them to be brave and follow their dreams.

Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente – real name Bianca Castro-Arebejo – died this morning aged just 44, and stars such as Michelle Visage and Baga Chipz have penned emotional statements after the loss

Michelle Visage has shared a touching tribute to Jiggly

Singer Michelle Visage has joined a host of other celebrities from across the world in mourning the loss of RuPaul’s Drag Race star Jiggly Caliente. Jiggly’s family confirmed that she died early this morning at the age of just 44, days after surgery to amputate her right leg due to a severe infection.

Jiggly, who was also a judge on Drag Race Philippines, stepped back from the spotlight while trying to recover from the surgery, with a family statement announcing. The family statement said at the time: “She will not be appearing on the upcoming season, nor will she be participating in any public engagements for the foreseeable future. Her recovery will be extensive.”

The performer was hospitalised due to the infection, with her family announcing the amputation of ‘most’ of her leg on April 24. Tragically, their next update was a notice of her death on April 27, with the bereaved loved ones writing: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Bianca Castro-Arebejo, known to the world and cherished by many as Jiggly Caliente. Bianca passed away peacefully on April 27, 2025, at 4:42 am, surrounded by her loving family and close friends.”

Jiggly Caliente’s family revealed that she’d had her leg amputated on April 24, and three days later announced her death(Image: jigglycalienteofficial /Instagram)

Jiggly has now been remembered by countless fans and friends, after she rose to fame on the fourth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which was broadcast in 2012. The TV star went on to perform with Miley Cyrus at the VMAs, appear on Saturday Night Live, and even score acting roles in the shows Broad City and Pose.

Michelle Visage has shared a photo of herself and Jiggly on Instagram, showing the duo fully made up while Bianca smiled widely at the camera. Michelle wrote alongside the shot: “My jiggles…. The laughter was endless, our talks were special, your energy was contagious. You were and remain so very loved. This world has lost an angel and we want you to soar high… I love you so much honey.”

The Drag Race judge isn’t the only celeb to mark the loss of Jiggly, with drag queen and actor Bianca Del Rio, who won the sixth series of the US competition, writing on the platform: “Rest well, my good time gal @jiggly_official. Thank you for 20 years of laughter and friendship.”

Former Drag Race star Jaremi Carey described rushing to hospital to hold his ‘best friend’s hand one last time’(Image: Instagram)

Jaremi Carey, who competed on the same series as Jiggly as Phi Phi O’Hara, described: “The pain I’ve felt is something I’ve ever felt before,” adding that he “rushed to hospital to hold my best friend’s hand one last time as I wish her on her way to a place where she is no longer in pain.” The star, who has now moved away from drag, added that he was “broken and crushed” by the death.

Carey added: “I hope you know how proud I am of the woman you grew up to be and the spaces and hearts you touched. You have been a fighter your entire life and you will always be remembered for living life authentically and truthful. The world knew you as the superstar Jiggly Caliente, some knew you as Bianca Castro, and to me you were my best friend, my sister, my family.”

British queen Baga Chipz remembered Jiggly as ‘one of the most kindest, sweetest souls’ and sent well wishes to her family(Image: BANG Showbiz)

Others from the tight-knit Drag Race family continued to share their love of Jiggly, with Mystique Summers Madison penning: “Today we lost a true star. Jiggly you were my sister and a fierce light in this world. Thank you for your laughter, your fight! You’ll live on in all of us. Rest easy, sis.”

British drag icon Baga Chipz also shared some moving words, describing Jiggly as “one of the most kindest, sweetest souls.”

The Drag Race UK star added: “I’m gonna miss you, beautiful. Thank you for always being so lovely. Rest easy, legend. Sending your family so much love right now.”

This Morning presenter Sian Welby has revealed that her little daughter Ruby has spoken her very first word, with the star sharing an adorable video of the precious moment

This Morning star Sian Welby was all smiles on the ITV show today as she announced that her 10-month-old daughter Ruby had spoken her very first word. The presenter, who shares Ruby with fiancé Jake Beckett, shared a heartwarming clip of her tot speaking for the first time on the mid-morning show.

The presenter opened This Morning today by telling his co-host Dermot O’Leary the happy news, saying: “Something amazing happened to me last night. I’ve got little baby Ruby and I’ve been saying a word to her ever since she was born, hoping one day that she would say it back – and last night, she said it back.”

Sian with her daughter Ruby

In an adorable clip that aired on the show, Sian is heard saying, “Hiya!” to Ruby, who then repeats the word back before breaking out into giggles.

Capital Breakfast host Sian announced in June last year that she had given birth to her first daughter Ruby, who she shares with her radio producer fiancé Jake Beckett. Sharing the news on Instagram last year, Sian posted a photo of her newborn wearing a jumper with her name on it. “Our little Ruby,” she wrote in the caption.

Fans have taken to social media this week to praise Dermot and Sian’s hosting dynamic, as the pair fill in for Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard during the Easter school break. “I am enjoying your partnership with Dermot and have tuned in more this week. Please can this become a regular thing, you are a great presenter. Also love the dress,” one viewer wrote on Instagram.

Earlier this week, Sian fought tears as she opened up about her dad’s experience with dementia during a phone-in on This Morning. Delivering advice to viewers who have relatives with dementia, she said: “Mums and dads, if they’re the ones with dementia, they still want to feel like a dad.

“I still ask my dad to help me do things even if I could do it myself. It’s just so he feels like he has his purpose and he is my dad.”

Sian has previously spoken about her dad Ian’s dementia diagnosis and how her family has coped. “You’re scared to lose a person that you know, it is quite frightening! Like you say, would I want to take a test knowing I could be susceptible to it?” she said.

She later told OK! Magazine: “If someone calls, he puts the phone down and can’t remember who it was. If mum pops out to the shops, he can’t remember when she left – or when she’s coming back.”

Alesha Dixon has hinted that she preferred the judging line-up on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent before former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli joined the show

Alesha Dixon has taken an inadvertent swipe at Britain’s Got Talent co-star Bruno Tonioli(Image: PA)

Alesha Dixon has taken an indirect swipe at Britain’s Got Talent co-judge Bruno Tonioli after hinting she preferred the show before he joined the cast. The former singer, 46, has been a judge on the long-running ITV talent show since 2012.

When she first joined the cast – having been poached from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing where she served as a judge from 2009 until 2011 – she was on the judging panel alongside head judge Simon Cowell, actress Amanda Holden and comedian David Walliams. David, 53, dropped out of the show in 2022 after he was allegedly caught on tape making comments about contestants.

The Little Britain star was subsequently replaced by Italian dance expert Bruno, 69, who was himself a judge on Strictly from 2004 until 2019. In a new interview, Alesha suggested the current line-up of judges on the ITV show is not up to scratch.

Joining David on his Making A Scene podcast, the Scandalous singer remarked: “You never know what the chemistry is going to be like. But the four of us together were magic.”

She continued: “The ten years we did together was special. We were the best judging panel on telly – the Fab Four.”

Amanda judges alongside Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell(Image: PA)

Alesha then went on to recall her early days on the ITV variety show – admitting she had mixed feelings having recently walked away from her BBC role. She recalled: “I’d already made the decision to leave Strictly. I knew I was only going to do three years.

“I wanted to try something new. I enjoy Britain’s Got Talent so much, which is why I’ve been there for so long. It’s a different energy. You can be yourself more.”

Britain’s Got Talent is currently the throes of it’s 18th season – with live semi-final shows taking place each Saturday for the next six weeks. This weekend, Scottish singer Vinnie McKee became the first hopeful to be voted through to the live final thanks to a public vote.

The Mis-Teeq star has hinted she preferred judging with David Walliams(Image: ITV)

He wowed the judges and those watching along at home by belting out a rendition of the Snow Patrol hit Chasing Cars. Swiss dance troupe The Blackouts also made it through to the finals after they impressed Amanda Holden enough for her to bash the golden buzzer.

The 2025 season has introduced a new rule that one judge will be granted the chance to hit the golden buzzer for an act during each of the semi-final shows. The move has proved controversial, however, with some viewers fearing that the final will be overstocked with the judges favourites rather than the choices of the viewers.

And others have complained that the live studio audience have become unbearable in the semi-finals as they urge the judges to hit the golden buzzer after every performance. One complained on X on Saturday night: “the golden buzzer in the semi finals already causing havoc cause the audience won’t shut up #bgt.” And another complained: “Will this audience shut up #BGT.”

Many viewers hit out over the decision to introduce a golden buzzer during the live semi final rounds. One wrote: “#BGT so basically the judges may as well ljust pick the finalists and forget about the semis … what a joke.”

Another typed: “A live show golden buzzer is completely unnecessary. What if she doesn’t press it at all? #BGT.” And another raged: “#BGT in other words it’s so the judges can fix it!”

Others took to social media to blast the format of multiple semi final shows stretched over more than a month. One complained, writing: “So every Saturday for the next 6 weeks, is the Semi Final episodes #BGT.”

Coronation Street fans are questioning if two characters on the ITV soap could secretly be linked or related, after they developed a friendship in a recent episode

Coronation Street fans are questioning if two characters on the ITV soap could secretly be linked or related(Image: ITV)

Fans are questioning if two Coronation Street teens could secretly be related on the ITV soap.

Just this week we learned of a DNA bombshell, as Lauren Bolton found out her dad Reece Bolton was unlikely to be her biological father. It left fans speculating who her real dad could be and if it was someone already on the famous street.

Now a new theory could suggest Lauren has a secret sibling, and they could be a familiar face. There’s nothing to suggest from Corrie themselves that we will meet Lauren’s real dad or her secret family.

But this is soap land, so fans cannot help but suspect there is a reason for the bombshell to have been dropped. One theory from a viewer suggests the recent scenes and new friendship between Lauren and Betsy Swain could be a major hint of what is ahead.

Betsy was introduced as the teenaged daughter of detective Lisa Swain and her late wife Becky last year on the soap. We saw her mother Lisa open up about raising the teen, and the loss of her wife in the line of duty.

Fans are questioning if two Coronation Street teens could secretly be related on the ITV soap(Image: ITV)

The identity of Betsy’s biological father has never been revealed, and details around Betsy have also not been mentioned that fully. It’s known that he is not a part of Betsy’s life, and it’s likely that he was a donor with no plan to be involved with her upbringing, with Becky and Lisa being her parents.

There doesn’t seem to be any plans to explore this on the ITV soap or to introduce the biological father, with Betsy never mentioning him. Becky and Lisa were her parents and that’s that.

But it hasn’t stopped fans speculating over the paternity of Betsy, convinced Corrie will bring him into the show at some point, if he isn’t already on the street. Now the scenes with Lauren have left some viewers wondering if there’s a link, after Lauren’s comment about finding her family on the street.

The theory suggests new pals Lauren and Betsy will find out they are sisters, following Lauren finding out a mystery man she doesn’t know is her real father. The theory questions whether Lauren will uncover her real dad’s identity, and it will turn out he is also the father of Betsy.

Betsy was introduced as the teenaged daughter of detective Lisa Swain and her late wife Becky(Image: ITV)

The comment online read: “Just had a thought about if Betsy’s dad is unknown. Lauren’s dad is not her real dad [who is unknown]. I wonder if they are half sisters with the same dad [as a] connection. I’ve got you Corrie writers.”

Again there has been nothing from Corrie to suggest this is the case or that either Lauren’s dad or Betsy’s biological father will join the show. There’s also nothing to suggest an existing character is the father of either teen, let alone both teens.

But viewers are constantly speculating over DNA twists and secret siblings as it’s a repeated storyline across the soaps. There’s been a fair few DNA twists in recent years, and now fans think there could be another one linked to Lauren.

The full list of Celebrity Traitors stars were caught on camera as they did their best to sneak off to their secret location where filming will start ahead of the new series

Celebrity Traitors stars pictured being whisked off to secret location

Filming for Celebrity Traitors is officially underway as the cast of the latest series were spotted being whisked off to a secret location to start the epic game. Bundled into the back of a black people carrier, the cast included Good Morning Britain star Kate Garraway, TV talk show host Jonathan Ross, Charlotte Church, Stephen Fry and singer Paloma Faith.

The group have been on strict instructions by production staff to maintain a low-key profile ahead of filming and were also banned from liaising with each other.

But yesterday, the entire cast were rushed out of a side door exit as filming is set to start at a secret location. TV star Jonathan Ross, looking suave in a pink blazer, was seen climbing into the back of a car before sitting down next to Clare Balding, who was also in the car, and having a chat.

Jonathan Ross is taking part in this year’s Celebrity Traitors(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

TV sensation Stephen Fry was seen wearing a bright blue blazer and yellow waistcoat with a red and blue checked shirt while clutching on to a large plastic bag. He smiled widely while chatting with crew, ahead of his highly-anticipated appearance on the celebrity reality show.

Stephen Fry looked in high spirits as he chatted with crew(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Meanwhile, comedian Alan Carr looked excited for filming to kick off as he stood with production staff. Alan, 48, looked dapper in a grown suit jacket and checked brown trousers.

Alan Carr was spotted heading into a vehicle ahead of filming(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Good Morning Britain star Kate Garraway was pictured with rollers in her hair as she gets camera-ready as she climbed into an awaiting car.

An glamorous singer Paloma Faith was spotted wearing an all black outfit as she was escorted into an awaiting car.

Paloma Faith was sporting an all black ensemble ahead of filming(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Meanwhile, Charlotte Church was seen in deep conversation while sat in the back of a car with Bob Mortimer and Nick Mohammed, ahead of the start of filming. Meanwhile, Olympian Tom Daley also emerged from the side exit of a building. The smartly-dressed star looked deep in thought, perhaps getting his head in the game.

Charlotte Church was pictured in deep discussion while in the back of the vehicle(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Elsewhere, Ruth Codd, Joe Marler and more stars were spotted at the location. Rugby star Joe covered his distinctive blond mohawk with a navy blue hat.

Earlier this week, the cast were pictured arriving at Inverness Airport. It has been reported that nineteen high-profile names are joining host Claudia Winkleman at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, as they embark on the game which test their levels of deception.

Joe Marler covered his distinctive mohawk with a hat as he chatted with crew(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

YouTuber Niko Omilana and Line Of Duty and Shetland star Mark Bonnar, as well as comedians Joe Wilkinson and Lucy Beaumont have also signed up for the new series, as well as EastEnders actress Tameka Empson and actresses Celia Imrie and Ruth Codd.

Niko Omilana looked fashionable in a burgundy two piece and a pair of trainers(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Claudia Winkleman will be back to host the hit show, which launched three years ago in the UK. A celebrity version also airs in the United States, but differently, it has both celebrities and civilians in it.

Filming for the BBC series is said to be gruelling, with one of the series’ stars Charlotte Chilton revealed that they would film for 17 hours a day, as she admitted she would spend hours on end with them.

Stephen Fry looked in high spirits as he chatted with crew(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

“That’s the hardest part. It sounds crazy – you might go ‘you were only together for like 3 weeks or whatever’. But that 3 weeks, where some days like… 17 hours in a day and you’re sat with those people constantly,” she told The Mirror.

Host Claudia recently confessed that bosses have banned the inclusion of her A-list celebrity friends to take part in future series as it could compromise the game.

Kate Garraway has also joined this year’s line-up of Celebrity Traitors(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

During a recent interview alongside her co-presenter Mika from Channel 4’s The Piano, Claudia was asked by The Sun if Mika would be a Faithful or a Traitor, if he were to appear on the celebrity spin-off.

Stating that he could be either, she then confirmed she was not allowed friends as she could give the entire game away. She explained: “But I cannot have a friend there, otherwise I would just say [gestures to who would be the Traitor].”

Actress Ruth Codd was also spotted(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

The host also claimed that she would love to take part in the game herself but fears she would not be good at deceiving people confidently enough.

She revealed: “I would love to play that game. I would not be very good at it but I would love to play.”

Olympic swimmer Tom Daly is also part of this year’s series(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

The Strictly Come Dancing presenter was recently pictured arriving at Inverness airport dressed casually in a pair of denim jeans, teamed with a black bomber jacket. She accessorised her look with a green scarf.

It remains unknown if she was under strict instruction by bosses to maintain a low profile but onlookers claimed that while she appered in a good mood, she coyly engaged with the crowd as she went through baggage reclaim. She was joined by a male pal and the pair headed towards their vehicle.

Joel Dommett has explained what happened when his 2025 London Marathon attempt took a disastrous turn – with the star passing out and coming around inside an ambulance

Joel Dommett has revealed he woke up in an ambulance after he collapsed while trying to complete the 2025 London Marathon. The 39-year-old Masked Singer star was one of the thousands running the annual race in the UK capital today.

Ahead of the race, Joel shared an ambitious itinerary that showed his plan to perform stand up in Leeds on Saturday night before returning to London to take part in the marathon the next morning. He planned to take on the race and complete it in less than three hours – before then enjoying an ice bath.

The TV star also had plans to film a project on Sunday evening – but his day was thrown off schedule when things went wrong in the middle of the race. Fans following Joel as he made progress grew concerned when they noticed his status hadn’t updated after the 15th mile.

And the star himself later revealed that he had passed out and collapsed not long after that point and needed emergency treatment. Taking to Instagram later on Sunday, the Masked Singer host revealed he managed to complete the race despite passing out in the middle of the race.

Taking to Instagram after forcing himself to complete the challenge, Joel wrote: “Not the race I expected! I fainted at mile 17 – don’t really remember much but I woke up in an ambulance!”

Joel Dommett has revealed what went wrong during his 2025 London Marathon attempt ( 
Image:
INSTAGRAM)
He continued: “Thanks to Frankie and Barry for being amazing. I really wanted to finish it. After a few hours my pulse was back and I got going again at a very different pace but really got to soak it all in. Proud of myself for finishing.”

Earlier, photographs had shown Joel being assisted by two friends as he struggled around the Canary Wharf stretch of the marathon. And further snaps showed him wincing after he crossed the finish line.

Joel ultimately crossed the finish line in 6 hours, 3 minutes and 27 seconds. He posed at the finish line with a medal in hand and a bright smile – but appeared to wince as he walked away from the scenes of the marathon.

Ahead of the race, Joel had urged fans to donate to his chosen charity.

Joel ultimately finished the marathon in just over six hours – more than twice the time he hoped to achieve ( 
Image:
PA)
He wrote on his donation page: “I am challenging myself to run a sub 3 hour London Marathon this year before I reach 40 years old (eeeek!). I’m doing it to raise vital funds and awareness of Brain Tumour Support.”

Sharing details about the charity, he went on: “[Brain Tumour Support is] a charity close to our family’s hearts after they supported my wife Hannah following her mum’s brain tumour diagnosis. Anything you can donate will be so appreciated, thank you so much.”

Before taking on the race, Joel shared a photo of himself posing with McFly drummer harry Judd as they prepared to compete together. The presenter wrote: “HERE WE GOOOO! Pleasure to run with this dude @harryjudd.”

After revealing he had successfully completed the race, many fans left messages of support for Joel. One fan wrote: “Sorry your race didn’t go to plan, hope you still make the schedule and get to your gig!”

This Morning host Ben Shephard commented: “What a challenge and awesome you got back up and finished!!” And fellow TV star Nicky Chapman wrote: “But you did it!! Well done for finishing and now take it easy.”

As a new TV documentary is set to air about the plot to kidnap and murder her, Holly Willoughby just wants to move on from the ordeal and put it behind her, a source says

A new documentary will explore the Gavin Plumb plot against Holly(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)

The terrifying kidnap and murder plan devised by Essex security guard Gavin Plumb that “changed Holly Willoughby ’s life forever” is laid bare in a new TV documentary. However, a source says the mum-of-three is determined not to let it traumatise her all over again.

The Plot To Kill Holly Willoughby is due to air next week on 5, just ahead of the second anniversary of the implosion of her and This Morning co-presenter Phillip Schofield ’s 14-year reign as daytime TV’s golden couple. According to our source, Holly, 44, just wants to put the ordeal behind her and focus on the wellbeing of herself and her loved ones.

Holly’s ordeal will be re-examined in a new TV documentary(Image: GC Images)

“She’s a very strong woman. As far as she’s concerned, it happened, it’s in the past, and she wants to get on with her life and move on,” they claimed. “In an ideal world it would be something that’s never spoken about again, but Holly knows that’s not going to happen, so she’ll just ride it out. She’s haunted by the past but she won’t be retraumatised by it. She feels the same about the whole Phillip Schofield thing at This Morning – it happened, it’s over, move on.”

The documentary’s synopsis says, “When Holly learned of the plan, just hours before she was due to go on air, her life was changed forever. With little choice but to put her glittering career on hold, she withdrew from public life while the police built their case against Plumb.

“Could Plumb’s disgusting plan ever have come to pass? He was housebound, morbidly obese and incapable of walking even short distances. Yet he spent years looking for an accomplice to help turn his obsession into a reality. Was Plumb a dangerous predatory stalker… or a sad and lonely fantasist, guilty of nothing more than a warped imagination?”

Plumb spent years delving into the details of Holly’s personal life and assembling what the Crown Prosecution Service called his kidnap kit. The horrifying haul included leg shackles, handcuffs, pocket knife, 400 metal cable ties, and bottles of chloroform.

The court heard shocking details of Gavin Plumb’s twisted plot(Image: PA)

Plumb, who already had convictions linked to false imprisonment and kidnap, also tried to recruit others he met online to join him in his plan to break into her home before incapacitating her with chloroform and kidnapping her. In July 2024, he was found guilty of soliciting murder and inciting kidnap and rape, and handed a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 16 years before he becomes eligible for parole.

Stefan Walters, a psychologist specialising in trauma and brainspotting therapy, tells us that while Holly waived her right to anonymity and was in control of that process, she has no control over the reaction to the TV show. “It may open up different stories in the public and there may be a response to it, but I would hope that it’s part of her healing,” he says. “It can be difficult watching a re-enaction of a trauma because that can be a bit like reliving it, but actually sometimes that can be a kind of exposure therapy.

“The more we’re able to expose ourselves to it and develop resilience to it, then the less we’re activated. So again, I would hope Holly has done her own therapy and trauma work, and feels in control of the narrative. That’s so important.”

As the anniversary of Phillip’s departure from This Morning approaches, Stefan says Holly will possibly experience an unconscious reactivated trauma. “Our bodies and our subconscious minds absolutely do remember dates and occasions – and anniversaries can unconsciously reactivate trauma in that way. It may be that people dream about someone, or wake up feeling low, and then find it’s 10 years to the day that the event happened.”

Holly hosted Bear Grylls’s Celebrity Bear Hunt earlier this year(Image: hollywilloughby/Instagram)

Earlier this year, Holly reflected about her life since the court case, saying, “When something like that happens, you have a decision to make. You either decide, right, I can take this on board and it can absolutely affect all aspects of my life. Or I can make a choice to go, let’s focus on everything that’s positive and good, all those important things.”

She recently presented Netflix ’s Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls, and our source says the star is now looking forward and not back.

“It’s probably hard to imagine that two years ago she was presenting one of the biggest morning TV shows, without a real care in the world, because things changed so much for her.

“But Holly is determined and strong, she’ll still have her eyes on the prize, for sure, and she’ll be focusing on what she wants, not what she’s lost.”