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As the Prince and Princess of Wales joined together for a rare joint appearance today for the Qatar state visit to the UK, Prince William was seen placing a protective-looking arm on his wife’s back – but one expert believes it had a secret meaning

The Princess of Wales was able to count on her husband Prince William for support as she made a striking return to royal duties today.

Kate wore an eye-popping maroon coat, with matching hat and heeled boots as she and the Prince of Wales welcomed the Emir of Qatar and his wife on a state visit to the UK today. Kate has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and her focus was “doing what I can to stay cancer-free”.

After greeting the Qatari guests at their hotel, William and Kate accompanied them to Horse Guards Parade where they met King Charles for a ceremonial welcome before heading back to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession.

William places an arm on Kate’s shoulder ( 
Image:
Victoria Jones/REX/Shutterstock)
While carrying out duties at Horse Guards, William was seen tenderly placing a seemingly supportive hand on his wife’s back as dignitaries shook hands. However, according to body language expert Judi James, the gesture actually took on a “different slant”.

She told the Mirror : “His hand on Kate’s back can be seen as supportive, but it actually looks more like a symptom of the affectionate and slightly flirty truncated hugs he’s been showering her with since their video update showed them as a truly tactile and flirty couple in private.

“His touch on Kate’s shoulder is more about showing polite priority, which could in turn reflect her power and strength signals here. It registers full attention when she speaks, which means both love and respect.”

William and Kate share a joke at Horse Guards Parade today ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
To mark the occasion today, Kate opted for a coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, a matching hat by Sahar Millinery and Gianvito Rossi boots. The colour was a nod to the national hue of Qatar and Kate also gave a nod to the late Queen by wearing a necklace and earrings once belonging to her.

And according to Judi, everything about Kate’s look screamed “I’m back in business” as a “royal rock”. She explained: “The razor-sharp tailored shoulders are a power option, as are the killer boots that match her outfit, to create a solid block of burgundy, a regal colour associated with strength and a desire to stand out rather than stand back.

“The brimless matching hat and the hair swept up into an immaculate chignon offers Kate no hiding place in terms of ducking behind her hair or a brim. This revealing option is clearly chosen to allow her to present what is a radiant smile to her fans and to the world, with not one micro-gesture of anxiety or nerves.”With the addition of the pearls Kate has perfected the same levels of regal presence and elegance as she did in the iconic photograph taken at Philip’s funeral, where she first emerged looking like the perfect future Queen. The slightly reflective eye expression we have seen since her illness has gone here and her eye smile, with one brow slightly raised, suggests a sense of fun and full engagement. Her poise in tailored coat dress involves her arms often hanging relaxed at her sides in a look of increased confidence.

“She seems to want to make meeting her an upbeat experience and also a status one too as she looks every inch the warmly hosting future queen here. Like any good host, she seems to want to make the event go well rather than call too much worried attention to herself and her recovery.”

A new documentary, titled Harry – The Lost Prince, risks threatening the progress Prince Harry has made at mending his broken relationship with the Royal Family

Prince Harry’s thawing relationship with the Royal Family risks going ‘back a peg’ amid the release of a new documentary, a royal expert tells The Mirror.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are the focus of a new film, titled Harry – The Lost Prince, which is scheduled to air on Germany’s ZDF network tonight. The documentary, produced by award-winning filmmaker Ulrike Grunewald, promises to reveal fresh revelations about the couple’s lives in the US after they quit their royal responsibilities in 2020.

Four years ago, Harry and his wife Meghan Markle relocated to California with the Duke telling Oprah Winfrey in a bombshell interview that he and Prince William were on ‘different paths’. Harry then shared potentially damaging stories about his older brother and father, King Charles, in his memoir Spare, further dividing the royals.

The Royal Family’s relationship has been turbulent in recent years ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
But in recent times, there have been signs of their frosty relationship thawing, royal commentator Duncan Larcombe told The Mirror – and this new film has the potential to further divide them. Mr Larcombe said: “It’s hard to say if the documentary will impact Harry’s relationship with the royals because there are signs that things might be thawing.

“It’s been quite a long time now since Harry and Meghan have dropped any bombshells. Since Harry’s book Spare came out in January, it’s been a relatively quiet time and he’s kept his mouth shut. Since then, he’s met up with his dad – albeit very briefly. It would be a real shame if the documentary put those possibilities of a thawing in the relationship back a peg or two.”

Mr Larcombe went on: “I think any documentary that continues the criticism of Harry and Meghan’s modus operandi is going to be damaging. It’s in Germany so it’s probably not going to make a big storm over in the US. But it’s still a major blow for a couple who have seen their popularity plummet like a stone falling in a well since they left the UK.”

The documentary comes as Meghan and Harry’s professional distance has increased since they embarked on a joint tour of Colombia in the summer. Sources close to the couple say it shows their new “twin-track approach” with Harry focusing on his charity endeavours and Meghan on her entrepreneurial projects and business.

It is a marked difference from just two years ago when Meghan once likened herself and her husband to salt and pepper as they always “move together”. Now, Meghan is gearing up to launch her brand American Rivieria Orchard next year, while Harry’s Invictus Games will take place in February in Vancouver and Whistler in Canada.

Their solo public appearances are set to continue this week. Meghan is expected to appear at a glitzy Hollywood party honouring her celeb pal Tyler Perry tomorrow (December 4), meanwhile, thousands of miles away in New York, Harry will be at The New York Times DealBook Conference.

The former England player and his fashion designer wife were invited as guests to the glittering state banquet following Beckham’s role as an ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar

David and Victoria Beckham arrived at Buckingham Palace’s glittering state banquet this evening, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The former England player and his fashion designer wife were invited as guests following Beckham’s role as an ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar. The Emir of Qatar, who is on a two-day visit to the UK, will join the the King to deliver speeches in front of dignitaries from both countries in the palace’s grand ballroom.

Last year, Beckham opened up about his decision to sign the £125 million deal after questions were raised over Qatar’s human rights record. He told the Daily Telegraph: “I do a lot of research into partners that I’m going into business with. And I wanted to be involved in another World Cup.

David and Victoria Beckham at Buckingham Palace this evening

The pair were invited following Beckham’s role as an ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar
“I knew there’d be questions, I knew there was going to be criticism, but I’ve always been a believer that football is such a powerful tool. I spent a month out there […] I was around the LGBTQ community, I spoke to people on the ground. So I was happy with my decision.”

David and Victoria processed into the ballroom at Buckingham Palace alongside fellow guests at the state banquet. David, dapperly dressed in white tie and tails, chatted to Victoria as they made their way through the East Gallery.

Victoria, dressed in a fitted dark floor-length evening gown with long fitted sleeves, wore her hair swept into a sleek pony tail and gave a small chuckle as they headed towards the ballroom. She slowed as she appeared to spot a photographer and moved closer to her husband to hold his hand.

Charles and Camilla with the Emir of Qatar and his wife Sheikha Jawaher ( 
Image:
PA)
David has developed a strong bond with the royal family over the years, recently becoming a celebrity ambassador for Charles’s charity The King’s Foundation, with fellow ambassador Sir Rod Stewart teasing him that his knighthood was “coming soon”.

The former Manchester United midfielder also met Charles at Highgrove in the spring. He joined the Prince of Wales in October to celebrate smashing a £15 million target to replace London’s ageing air ambulance helicopters, and headed to the Palace in 2003 when he was made an OBE.

The couple also attended the Sussexes’ wedding in 2018 and William and Kate’s wedding in 2011. In 2022, Beckham joined the long public queue to see the late Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall, waiting in line for 13 hours.

The finishing touches are applied in the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace ( 
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POOL/AFP via Getty Images)The two-day visit by Qatar’s head of state is expected to celebrate and strengthen UK-Qatari ties both economically and strategically. Qatar’s reserve of natural gas makes the Gulf state one of the richest countries in the Middle East, earning it several high-profile investments in the UK. The Savoy Hotel, The Shard and Harrods are among these investments.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, accompanied by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al Thani, flew to Stansted Airport yesterday afternoon.

Today, following a full ceremonial welcome and carriage procession, they will attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace as part of two days of events hosted by the King. Queen Camilla will only join for part of the event having suffered “lingering side effects” from a chest infection.

The grand ballroom was adorned with flowers ahead of the State Banquet ( 
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Camilla donned a red velvet evening dress by Fiona Clare as she and Charles posed for a photo with the Emir of Qatar and his wife Sheikha Jawaher ahead of the banquet. She accessorized with a diamond kokoshnik tiara belonging to The late Queen, diamond earrings from a private collection and a diamond necklace, belonging to The late Queen.

Human rights groups have since protested the visit, accusing the UK government of “royal washing Qatar’s troubling rights record”. The Peter Tatchell Foundation are among those who have criticised Qatar’s record on LGBT rights, women’s rights and the treatment of migrant workers.

The UK government said in response that it regularly discusses human rights with its Qatari counterparts and is opposed to discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender.

Lady Gabriella said Thomas Kingston’s death was “likely provoked” by an adverse reaction to the medication he had begun, though a coroner ruled the financier took his own life

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s daughter Lady Gabriella Kingston yesterday spoke out for the first time since her husband Thomas Kingston took his own life.

Lady Kingston, 43, warned about the effects of drugs used to treat mental health problems as a coroner ruled Thomas stopped taking his medication in the days leading to his death. The coroner said Mr Kingston, 45, then used a shotgun to end his life, and was discovered dead at his parents’s house in Gloucestershire.

The financier, who married Lady Kingston on May 18, 2019, at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, died of a head injury on February 25 and the inquest on Tuesday in Gloucester was told he had struggled with stress and with sleeping in the weeks before his passing.

He had initially been given sertraline, a drug used to treat depression, and zopiclone, a sleeping tablet, by a GP at the Royal Mews Surgery, a practice at Buckingham Palace used by royal household staff. Mr Kingston returned to the surgery saying they were not making him feel better, and his doctor moved him from sertraline to citalopram, a similar drug.

But Lady Kingston, a freelance writer, told the hearing she believed his death was “likely provoked” by an adverse reaction to the medication he had begun, and subsequently stopped. She said: “The lack of any evidence of inclination, it seems highly likely to me that he had an adverse reaction to the pills that led him to take his life.

“I believe anyone taking pills such as these need to be made more aware of the side effects to prevent any future deaths. If this could happen to Tom, this could happen to anyone.”

Thomas Kingston’s death has left Lady Gabriella Kingston heartbroken ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Toxicology tests had showed caffeine and small amounts of zopiclone was in Mr Kingston’s system when he died. Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, recorded a narrative conclusion of suicide.

In her statement, read out by Ms Skerrett on Lady Kingston’s behalf, the grief-stricken widow added: “(Work) was certainly a challenge for him over the years but I highly doubt it would have led him to take his own life, and it seemed much improved.

“If anything had been troubling him, I’m positive that he would have shared that he was struggling severely. The fact that he took his life at the home of his beloved parents suggests the decision was the result of a sudden impulse.”

In his final weeks, Lady Gabriella said, her husband had “seemed normal”, apart from early in the day after previously taking zopiclone, which she said made him seem “almost hungover”.

In her statement, the royal described their marriage as “deeply loving and trusting” and said he had never expressed any suicidal thoughts to her or others. She added that he had been deeply affected by the suicide of a friend and the “devastating impact it had on other people’s loved ones”.

The coroner said said she intended to draft a prevention of future deaths report, which would be sent to medical bodies. Mr Kingston’s father, William Martin Kingston, broke down in tears as he described finding his son in the locked bathroom of a detached annexe, having used a crowbar to break down the door.

The financier married Lady Gabriella in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
He told the court his son had always had a strong, resilient character, having previously suffered from a pain condition which left him needing help to get up the stairs.

He told the coroner that leading up to his son’s death there did not appear to have been any searches for suicide, and no will or note was left, describing the method as “very ragged” which was simply “out of character”.

Dr David Healy, a psychiatric medical expert who gave evidence to the hearing, said zopiclone could also cause anxiety, while sertraline and citalopram were both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and essentially the same.

Dr Healy said Mr Kingston’s complaints that sertraline was continuing to make him anxious was a sign SSRIs “did not suit him”, and he should not have been prescribed the same thing again.

He said the guidelines and labels for SSRIs were not clear enough about going on the drugs in the first place, or what the effect could be when moving from one to another.

“We need a much more explicit statement saying that these drugs can cause people to commit suicide who wouldn’t have otherwise,” he said.

Addressing the coroner, Martin Porter, counsel for the family, said: “The family don’t blame (his GP) Doctor Naunton Morgan, she was acting as good doctors do. But the question is whether there is sufficient advice to doctors on SSRIs.”

GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes attended the 2024 TRIC Christmas lunch at The Londoner Hotel where he used a walking aid while on the red carpet

Eamonn Holmes looked in good spirits amid his chronic pain battle as he leaned on walking frame during a lavish Christmas lunch.

The former This Morning star, 65, looked dapper in a black suit and tie as he smiled for the cameras at the 2024 TRIC Christmas lunch at The Londoner Hotel on Tuesday afternoon. Eamonn walked the red carpet and posed for photos before indulging in some festive food.

The Northern Irish TV presenter, who ended his marriage with Ruth Langsford a number of months ago, recently admitted that he can’t wait for his “tough year” to be over.

The GB News star left fans reeling when he split from his wife of 14 years Ruth, who he had been with for more than two decades. It was reported that he had promptly moved on with new girlfriend Katie Alexander, 43, as the split with Ruth no longer seems amicable.

Eamonn arrived with Katie while holding a walking aid ( 
Image:
BACKGRID)

Eamonn looked in high spirits as he beamed for the cameras ( 
Image:
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Eamonn, who has also long struggled with his health, especially in the past year, revealed: “It’s been a tough year and I’ll be glad to see the back of it.” The Belfast born presenter added: “But there are lots of things to be grateful for and I hope that my health improves next year.”

The TV has suffered from a number of health conditions in recent years and has expressed his fears that he may never be able to walk unaided again. He refused to have his hip replaced for three decades before finally undergoing surgery on both in 2016. Eamonn went ahead with the major op to tackle the chronic hip, leg and back pain which caused him ‘sleepless nights’ and ‘not being able to drive, let alone do anything more physically active’.

He made a good recovery from his double hip replacement and went on to lose three stone in a battle to boost his health, but said he just wished he had had it done sooner. “Waiting was the worst decision I ever made,” he told the Telegraph. “After having both of mine replaced aged 55, I haven’t had a single regret: in fact, it’s been life-changing.”

Eamonn has long suffered with chronic pain ( 
Image:
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Eamonn and Ruth split earlier this year ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)The most serious of Eamonn’s health woes began in early 2021. The broadcaster soon shared his chronic pain with his social media followers, writing: “A month ago I did something to my back. I don’t know how I did it – getting into the car, getting out of a car, getting out of bed, whatever. I’ve got an MRI scan but the trouble is everything closes for Easter. I haven’t got it analysed yet but what I do know is I can’t sleep at night.”

The star went onto discover he had three slipped discs, which are caused by the soft cushion of tissue between the bones in the spine bulging outwards. They were affecting movement in Eamonn’s right leg, meaning he had to walk with a stick. He had epidural injections to manage his pain, saying they ‘helped to a degree but didn’t cure the problem’.

Eamonn flew over to Belfast to host an event for pal Gloria Hunniford in May 2022 and ended up in A&E after his spinal problems caused bladder and bowel issues. He spent nine days in hospital at The Royal Victoria Hospital, with doctors feeling surgery would be too risky, returning with problems in his left leg as well as his right.

He then received advice from an unlikely source – S Club 7 original Jo O’Meara. “She got in touch to say she had the same disc problems I did and had just had surgery with a German surgeon,” he told Mail Online. “I asked if she could pass on his details, because by now I was desperate.”

The TV presenter has tried everything to help his chronic pain ( 
Image:
@EamonnHolmes /Instagram)

The star often gets physiotherapy ( 
Image:
Eamonn Holmes Instagram)
Eamonn went under the knife in September 2022, saying: “It went well – the doctor tidied things up and generally the pain has gone which is brilliant. The flip side is that it has now left me with an issue in my left leg, which would collapse unexpectedly.”

From back stretching to daily physiotherapy and ice-cold showers, Eamonn has thrown everything he can at his body in his quest to get better. Recent photos showed the star working with a physio in London’s Notting Hill, first using two sticks and later a wheelchair. He was also seen pictured using a mobility scooter on holiday in the US.

However, the broadcaster’s mobility has been slow to improve and he has voiced his fears that he will never be able to walk again unaided. “I have tried every treatment but you go: ‘Maybe I’ll never get out of it,’ which is a harsh reality to face,” Eamonn said.

Gregg Wallace stepped down from MasterChef this week amid the controversy surrounding allegations of his inappropriate behaviour on the show

Gregg Wallace’s wife defiantly flashed her wedding ring as she was papped following the news that MasterChef has been pulled off air.

The sighting, in which Anne-Marie, 38, drives her car away from the family home she shares with Gregg in Kent, wearing sunglasses, comes just hours after it was revealed that two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials have been pulled from the BBC’s schedule after the former greengrocer stepped away from hosting the cooking show.

The broadcaster previously announced a Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza as part of its festive schedule, both billed as hour-long programmes for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Gregg Wallace’s wife, Anne-Marie, was papped leaving the family home in Kent ( 
Image:
STEVE FINN PHOTOGRAPHY)
A BBC spokesperson said: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.

“The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.”

Wallace, 60, apologised on Monday for claiming complaints about his behaviour came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”, adding he will now “take some time out”.

He faces allegations from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News on Thursday, with many others since sharing their experiences.

Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off, hosted by Wallace and John Torode, was to see celebrities competing for the glittery Golden Whisk Trophy.

Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, comedian Shazia Mirza, reality star Luca Bish, and The Wanted singer Max George, who all appeared on Celebrity MasterChef last year, were set to feature.

The BBC previously announced the Strictly Come Dancing-themed special would involve appearances from professional dancers Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.

Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse was billed as a mystery guest on the show, with the dancers tasked with creating a two-course menu that would impress the judges. Three episodes of BBC Two’s Inside The Factory, which are repeats, are also coming out of the schedule, the BBC said.

The show featured Wallace alongside Cherry Healey and saw the pair explore factory floors across Britain to get a closer look at production lines. The episodes were due to air on December 11, 17 and 18 on BBC Two.

A BBC series of MasterChef: The Professionals has remained on air since it was announced Wallace would step down amid the external review by Banijay UK, with episodes airing on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Monday, when asked if the cookery show should be pulled off air, that the decision was for the BBC and the show’s production company and reiterated that Downing Street believes it is “right” that a thorough investigation is conducted.

Wallace’s lawyers were previously quoted by BBC News as saying “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.

Anne-Marie, who shares son, Sid, four, with Gregg, is yet to speak out about the scandal. However, she was spotted on Monday as she topped up on petrol at a service station. The mum-of-one looked sombre as she filled up her car and kept her head down.

The couple got married in 2016 after Anne-Marie, who Gregg calls ‘Anna’ slid into his Twitter DMs, asking whether duck and rhubarb went as well together as he claimed.

Gregg, Anne-Marie and their son, Sid, live in Kent. However it isn’t just their family-of-three living at home, as they’re joined by Anna’s parents after Gregg suggested she needed the extra help to remain his ‘fun, sexy girlfriend’ after becoming a mum.

As well as Sid, the 60-year-old has two children, Libby and Tom, with his second wife, former pastry chef Denise, whom he was married to between 1999 and 2004. Before that, he tied the knot with his first wife, Christine, in 1991 – but their marriage only lasted six weeks.

I’m a Celeb star Ant McPartlin has revealed how there has been drama in the camp as a spider bit Dec – causing medics to come and inspect him

Presenter Dec Donnelly had to be looked at by medics after a spider bit his neck in in the I’m A Celeb camp.

The incident happened behind the scenes on the show earlier this week. Ant McPartlin opened up about the bite to viewers of an Instagram Live.

He said: “We’ve had quite a lot of drama not only on the show but off the show as well because Dec had a spider on his neck and was bitten by a spider and the medic was called in to have a look.”

Dec had a picture of the spider on his phone and shared it with the viewers, as well as the mark on his neck. He said: “Look at that spider, it bit me on the neck.”

He said it jumped onto his script before biting his neck.

Dec then joked: “The medic said I was lucky to be alive. If I wasn’t so fit and healthy, and masculine, I might not have survived.”

Shock bite: Ant says a medic was called ( 
Image:
ITV)
But Ant gave him short shrift saying: “No, she didn’t, she said it was a jumping spider and it was absolutely fine.” It’s the latest drama to befall the camp.

Dean McCullough revealed to the Mirror this week how the rainy conditions in the jungle were so bad t hat campmates are getting trenchfoot.

As part of an exclusive interview, Dean opened up about how gruelling the recent storms really were.

“Imagine the worst camping trip you’ve ever been on. You think it’s going to be gorgeous, then everything gets wet and you’re stuck there for weeks. Nothing ever dries out,” he says.

“It’s kind of a thing now in camp where if you don’t have trench foot, you’re kind of not cool. It was a real thing, and it does bring the mood down. Me and Coleen were both like: ‘when are we going to get a chance to do some sun bathing?’”

Dean McCullough opened up about more drama in the camp ( 
Image:
ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He says that one night the rain got so bad they all had to shelter in the Bush Telegraph for 45 minutes.

“All our crocodile tail for dinner was ruined, so they gave us tofu instead,” he says. “If that’s not a short change, I don’t know what is…from crocodile tail to tofu.

“I’m from Belfast, and I live in Manchester, the two wettest places in the UK. I will never whinge about that rain ever again. It was biblical.”

Dean was the second celeb to leave the camp after Jane Moore. Tulisa has since left too.

I’m A Celebrity 2024 viewers tuned into spin-off series Unpacked only to realise Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly would not appear like usual, with no warning of their absence

Viewers of I’m A Celebrity were left demanding answers on Tuesday night, as hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly were a no-show on spin-off series Unpacked.

Just as campmate Tulisa failed to appear on the ITV2 show hosted by Joel Dommett, moments later fans realised Ant and Dec had also skipped proceedings. Normally Ant and Dec appear on the show directly after hosting the main series on ITV1.

They appear moments in to discuss the latest goings on, and who has left the jungle. But on Tuesday there was no real announcement by Joel, and Ant and Dec did not appear.

It came moments after Dec had announced the vote had been closed and would not reopen, meaning fans could not send someone home on Wednesday’s episode. It wasn’t clear whether an elimination would still happen, and fans were convinced something was going on.

But after Dec teased “a massive surprise” to be revealed on Wednesday night, he and Ant then didn’t appear on Unpacked. Taking to X, fans demanded answers as they wondered where they were.

One fan said: “I need answers,” as another asked: “No Ant and Dec tonight, and no Tulisa… what’s going on?” A third fan commented: “It’s a bit strange that Ant & Dec haven’t had their little chat with Joel like they normally do too.”

Viewers of I’m A Celebrity were left demanding answers ( 
Image:
ITV)
A fourth viewer wrote: “No Ant and Dec, hmmm very odd.” A further comment said: “Why didn’t Ant and Dec appear?” as a sixth viewer posted: “Hang on… are Ant and Dec not on Unpacked tonight??” The comments kept on coming with another saying: “I only watch Unpacked for ant and Dec,” as another asked: “Also where is Ant and Dec?!”

It comes as fans predicted why the public vote had been cancelled. Dec had said to viewers: “We are not reopening the vote for tomorrow because we’ve got a massive surprise for them. More will be revealed in tomorrow’s show.”

Taking to X, one fan theorised: “No vote tomorrow because Houdini is returning,” referring to axed contestant Dean McCullough. Another fan predicted: “The twist is definitely either no one’s out (which I doubt) or camp vote but camp vote kinda seems obvious.”

A third fan agreed: “What’s this surprise twist? The campers can vote against each other over the normal public vote.” A fourth fan said: “The big surprise will probably be a free for all head to head and the bottom either go or go up for a quick vote. That’s my prediction anyway.”

The BBC has axed this year’s MasterChef Christmas special in light of the ongoing investigation into allegations against host Gregg Wallace

Two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials have been pulled from the BBC ’s schedule after Gregg Wallace stepped away from hosting the cooking show, a BBC spokesperson has said.

It comes after the presenter, 60, issued a controversial video statement at the weekend in which he hit out at a handful of “middle-class women of a certain age” over complaints made against him. He has since apologised for his remarks.

The broadcaster previously announced a Celebrity MasterChef Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza as part of its festive schedule, both billed as hour-long programmes for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

A BBC spokesperson said: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned. The celebrity Christmas specials are obviously a different type of show and in the current circumstances we have decided not to broadcast them.”

It has also been confirmed that three episodes of BBC Two’s Inside the Factory, which are repeats, have been taken out of the schedule.

Two Celebrity MasterChef Christmas special episodes have been axed ( 
Image:
BBC/Shine TV)
Wallace, 60, apologised on Monday for claiming complaints about his behaviour came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”, adding he will now “take some time out”.

He faces allegations from 13 people across a range of shows over a 17-year period, as reported by BBC News on Thursday, with many others since sharing their experiences.

Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off, hosted by Wallace and John Torode, was to see celebrities competing for the glittery Golden Whisk Trophy. Emmerdale actor Amy Walsh, comedian Shazia Mirza, reality star Luca Bish, and The Wanted singer Max George, who all appeared on Celebrity MasterChef last year, were set to feature.

The BBC previously announced the Strictly Come Dancing-themed special would involve appearances from professional dancers Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.

Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse was billed as a mystery guest on the show, with the dancers tasked with creating a two-course menu that would impress the judges.

A BBC series of MasterChef: The Professionals has remained on air since it was announced Wallace would step down amid the external review by Banijay UK, with episodes airing on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Monday, when asked if the cookery show should be pulled off air, that the decision was for the BBC and the show’s production company and reiterated that Downing Street believes it is “right” that a thorough investigation is conducted.

Wallace’s lawyers were previously quoted by BBC News as saying “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.

Fans of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! were shocked when N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos failed to appear on spin-off show Unpacked after erasing all trace of her time on the series on social media

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! fans are worried about Tulisa Contostavlos as she failed to show up on spin-off show Unpakced.

The N-Dubz icon, 36, was something of a fan favourite while appearing as a contestant on the long-running ITV reality show’s 2024 season. On Monday night, viewers were sad to see her bid farewell to the camp as she was voted off the show.

However, fans were alarmed to learn she would not appear on Tuesday night’s instalment of spin-off series Unpacked on Tuesday night. The abrupt news came just hours after the singer erased all evidence she had been on I’m A Celeb from her social media accounts – and reports suggested she had been left “raging” over her time on the show.

Fans were confused to see her seemingly turn on the show after she had been filmed having a great time in the jungle. Viewers watched her bond with her fellow contestants, excel at trials, and win praise for her warm and nurturing nature.

Joel Dommett confirmed the N-Dubz icon would not appear on the show on Tuesday ( 
Image:
ITV)

But the singer has seemingly turned her back on her jungle experience – and fans grew more worried when Unpacked host Joel Dommett revealed she would not be on the spin-off show on Tuesday night. Addressing the cameras, Joel revealed: “Unfortunately we don’t have Tulisa on the show today.” A show source told the Mirror her absence was due to “personal reasons”.

His comments sparked a frenzy of speculation on social media – with many questioning where the N-Dubz icon was. One wrote on X: “Where’s Tulisa? Exclusive interview elsewhere? #ImaCeleb #unpacked.” And others questioned if there was a link between her absence and the sudden erasure of all the I’m A Celeb related posts that had been added to her Instagram page by her team while she was in the jungle.

One fan wrote: “Tulisa removed everything off her instagram to due with the show and now a no show for unpacked…something has pissed her off! #imaceleb.” And another asked: “Oh, what’ s up with Tulisa I wonder?*” #ImACeleb.” While a further viewer wrote: “Is Tulisa having a strop? Going on this show is a publicity move.. don’t f*ck it up. #ImACelebity #ImaCeleb.”

Tulisa reportedly doesn’t follow boxer Barry McGuigan, who is the only campmate she doesn’t have on social media. “Tulisa was in high spirits when she left the set, but something appears to have happened that’s left her raging,” a source told the Sun. “She wasn’t in a great mood for her post-show interviews and appears to be already distancing herself from the programme. It’s all a bit of a mystery at the moment.”

During her exit interview on Monday, Tulisa said: “You’re just going to be more grateful for everything. The food you eat, the people that you love… you don’t realise how good you’ve got it.” She also said it was “testing” in there, but she stayed true to herself. She appeared on ITV’s Lorraine on Tuesday morning, where she shared more details of her time in the I’m A Celebrity jungle as she hinted that not all of her famous friends were being as authentic as she had been.