Blog

  • Dick and Dom legend unrecognisable as he shares brand new career away from showbiz

    Dick and Dom legend unrecognisable as he shares brand new career away from showbiz

    Dominic Wood – one half of children’s TV duo Dick and Dom – has watched his career go in a completely new direction after bursting onto the scene on the hit TV series in the early noughties

    One former kids television presenter has stunned with his new look – and change of career.

    In the early noughties, kids TV host Dominic Wood, now 46, was part of a formidable duo. Alongside Richard McCourt, the duo made up favourites Dick and Dom, with shows including Dick and Dom in da Bungalow. The hit show ran for five series, but Dom has now relaunched himself after stepping away from the small screen.

    Instead, he is now growing a following on social media. Under the Instagram and TikTok handle @the_houseofwood, Dom is sharing his best DIY tips with over 500,000 followers. His clips involve himself documenting his impressive home renovation projects. While they are informative, Dom hasn’t moved too far away from his satire, either.

    Dom on his Instagram page
    Dom on his Instagram page

    Dominic Wood
    Dom has gained a large following online
    His new project first began in the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020. He started to film his renovation project of his own home he bough in Surrey with his wife and young kids. In one of his first posts, Dom shared a caption alongside a series of images from the brochure of the estate agents who sold him the property.

    He said: “With no one able to work myself and Sandi had to do as much as we could on our own. It was hard work on top of homeschooling and losing work BUT we like a challenge and THIS was a challenge. The house had obviously been lived in and loved but needed some updating. These are the pics from the estate agents brochure. What would you do first?!?”

    After successfully capturing his audience, Dom continues to tell his transformation stories – and looks miles away from the character who catapulted him to fame. Projects have came in different sizes and stature, but they always appear to be “Hard and VERY messy work,” according to Dom.

    Speaking in 2019 about his experience working on the show, which aired between 2002 and 2006, Dom said: “All our mates worked on the show, we were mates together. You couldn’t wait to get to the studio – it was so exciting when the cab pulled up at 5am.”

    Speaking to The Mirror in 2021, Richard recalled his favourite moments of the show. “Kids still play Bogies nowadays and people shout it at us all the time. I think we are on the third generation of kids growing up,” explaining the enduring impact they made. He added humorously: “The kids that have grown up with Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow are between 25 and 35, so they’ve had kids and are teaching their kids Bogies.” Richard, then added a touch of amusement saying: “I’ll be in the supermarket and you can see them egg their kids on to shout bogies.”

  • ITV Pop Idol star Rik Waller unrecognisable 23yrs later with surprise new career

    ITV Pop Idol star Rik Waller unrecognisable 23yrs later with surprise new career

    Rik Waller was one of the standout stars of the first series of ITV’s Pop Idol in 2001, but his music career didn’t exactly go to plan – here’s what he’s up to now

    Pop Idol, one of the biggest TV sensations of the early 2000s, only ran for two series, but IT catapulted Kent-born singer Rik Waller to fame, who was a favourite to win the first series of the reality singing competition.

    Back in 2001, the then 20 year old wowed judges Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox with his stunning vocals, making it into the final ten. However, he had to bow out prematurely due to laryngitis. Despite this setback, he found chart success with his rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, which climbed to number six in the UK singles chart. He inked a record deal with EMI, rumoured to be worth around £400,000, and went on to release a cover of Something Inside (So Strong).

    Rik Waller
    Rik Waller competed in Pop Idol during the first series 
    Image:
    ITV)

    Rik Waller
    Rik appeared on Celebrity Boot Camp 
    Image:
    Granada Televison)
    Now 43, Rik has appeared on various UK reality shows, including Celebrity Fit Club, but around this time, he was dropped by EMI and formed a band that signed with Red Admiral Records. After disappointing ticket sales, they cancelled a planned tour and split up. The last time Rik graced our screens was in February 2007 on Never Mind The Buzzcocks. Rumours spread that he had lost his singing voice due to damage, reports OK!

    In a 2007 interview, he confessed: “I’m getting tired of singing and I can’t rely on it for 100 per cent of my income. I’ve got two people to think about now, and talent doesn’t always pay the bills.” At the time, he was in a relationship with a woman who practised Paganism, and they planned a Pagan wedding ceremony. However, the relationship ended with whispers that she had encouraged him to quit performing.

    In a candid 2013 interview with the Daily Mail, Rik revealed the humiliation of visiting a Job Centre: “The most demoralising thing I’ve ever had to do was queue up at the Job Centre and have people look at me saying, ‘What a failure’.” He added: “When you’ve lost the ability to do the job you’ve always done, it’s an incredible stab in the back to find people are actually laughing at you.

    Rik Waller
    It was previously rumoured that he had lost the ability to sing 
    Image:
    PA Photo/Channel 5 Handout)

    Rik Waller
    The former Pop Idol star is now an exam invigilator 
    Image:
    SWNS Group)“It’s why I don’t make a lot of effort to talk to the press these days – it can be more trouble than it’s worth.” He added: “If you’ve got a roof over your head and food on the table I don’t know how anyone can be truly unhappy.” By 2014, Rik had moved back in with his parents and was working as a secondary school exam invigilator under his birth name, Richard. He also helped his father run a local mobile karaoke and disco service. According to his Facebook page, he still works as an exam invigilator and resides in Leicester.

  • Sunday Brunch hosts Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy announce huge shake up to Channel 4 show

    Sunday Brunch hosts Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy announce huge shake up to Channel 4 show

    TV presenters Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy announced a major change for their Channel 4 show Sunday Brunch after 13 years as hosts of the weekend cooking programme

    Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy have confirmed a huge shake up to their hit show Sunday Brunch after 13 years.

    The presenting duo have been entertaining Channel 4 viewers for over a decade after launching the Sunday show in March 2012. They began hosting the programme when their BBC series Something for the Weekend was axed. Simon and Tim wrapped up their final episode of Sunday Brunch for 2024 today and made an annoucement.

    The pair confirmed the show would be returning in the new year, yet with a different timeslot. Sunday Brunch will now air 30 minutes later and run from 10am till 1pm. Currently, the show kicks off at 9:30am until 12:30pm. Fans will still get their full three-hour fix of the cooking show with the change in place.

    Simon and Tim said the new schedule will officially start on their next programme on January 5. Sunday Brunch initially ran for two hours from 9:30am and 11:30am. However, bosses were impressed and soon added an extra hour to the show. Spin-off programme Daily Brunch aired in 2014 as well as a Saturday edition, which aired on weekends when major horse racing events took place.

    Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer
    Tim and Simon have been hosting the show for 13 years 
    Image:
    (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANNEL 4 PICTURE PUBLICITY 124 HORSEFERRY ROAD LONDON SW1P 2TX This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 programme publicity purposes in connection with the current broadcast of the programme(s) featured in the national and local press and listings. Not to be reproduced or redistributed for any use or in any medium not set out above (including the internet or other electronic form) without the prior written consent of Channel 4 Picture Publicity.)

    The show would be renamed as Weekend Brunch and saw Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh step into hosting duties. She would host the show alongside Simon and Tim on-location at various racing events. Tim had to take some time out of the show when he had a back operation, meaning Johnny Vegas filled in.

    Earlier this year, Simon revealed to the Mirror how Sunday Brunch isn’t just about celebrating fine food, but also there to help platform up and coming music artists. “I think the older I get, then the more varied my musical tastes go, and we’re very lucky on Sunday brunch that we have such a diverse range of acts [performing on the show] – we really do,” Simon told us.

    Sunday Brunch's Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy
    Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer and Tim Lovejoy made a huge show annoucement 
    Image:
    Channel 4)
    “For example, we had Ride on last weekend, who I hadn’t really listened to since the nineties, and they’re got a new album out and it’s fantastic,” the Sunday Brunch presenter continued. “Then equally, you’ll get somebody like English Teacher who were on our playlist and you go ‘Wow! What a fantastic different sound that they’ve got’.

    “So my [musical taste] is incredibly diverse and even with things that I was listening to when I was growing up in the seventies, I still like. I still listen to The Eagles in Fleetwood Mac and and ELO So I I find the older I get, the more diverse my musical taste.” Just a few weeks ago, the Sunday Brunch hosts were mocked over the name of a new segment.

    Tim told viewers: “Since it’s Spotify Wrapped season we wanted to look back at Simon’s ‘Rimcaps’ and see which dishes have been the most popular online.” He stumbled: “It’s Rimcaps Wrapped… Unwrapped,” Tim stumbled, setting off a wave of giggles. Guest Joe Lycett cheekily said: “Is it wrapped or unwrapped?” and added: “Just to clarify, it’s called Rimcap? And everyone’s OK with that?” Simon responded with a grin: “I’m fine with that, Joe.”

  • Matty Healy fans go wild as his cameo in mum Denise Welch’s reality TV show teased

    Matty Healy fans go wild as his cameo in mum Denise Welch’s reality TV show teased

    Loose Women star Denise Welch is set to appear in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted alongside her husband, Lincoln Townley, next month – but her son Matty Healy stands to steal their thunder

    Fans of the 1975 have been left stunned to see frontman Matty Healy will appear in a reality show with his mum, Denise Welch.

    The 35-year-old musician is the son of 66-year-old Loose Women star Denise and her ex-husband Tim Healy, 72 – who she was married to from 1988 until 2012. Earlier this year it was revealed that Denise would be taking part in the Channel 4 reality series Celebrity Hunted which sees a cast of stars attempting to make it to a specified location while avoiding professional hunters that plan to catch them.

    Fans of the 1975 have been left stunned to see frontman Matty Healy will appear in a reality show with his mum, Denise Welch.

    The 35-year-old musician is the son of 66-year-old Loose Women star Denise and her ex-husband Tim Healy, 72 – who she was married to from 1988 until 2012. Earlier this year it was revealed that Denise would be taking part in the Channel 4 reality series Celebrity Hunted which sees a cast of stars attempting to make it to a specified location while avoiding professional hunters that plan to catch them.

    Matt Healy performing with the 1975 in 2022
    The 1975 star stands to steal all the attention on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted 
    Image:
    Getty Images)

    His mum then says: “They’ve [the hunters] have got our phone,” before Healy adds: “Well I’ve been saying I’ll meet you in Sunderland and stuff” – suggesting that Denise’s plan to secretly meet her son could ultimately lead to her getting caught. Channel 4 could see a boost in ratings for the upcoming season as fans of the 1975 have been flooding social media with comments and promises to tune in to watch the reality show.

    One fan gushed on X: “Celebrity hunted with matty omg need it.” Another typed: “Saw the trailer. I’m so watching it just to hear Matty talking or whatever.” Sharing footage via Instagram, one fan highlighted the star’s involvement, writing: “Matty Healy appears with mum, @denise_welch and her husband @lincolntownley who star in Channel 4 Celebrity Hunted Season 6! Matty helping them elude capture by sending misleading messages? Can’t wait to see how Denise and Lincoln do.”

    The 1975 have been largely out of the spotlight in recent months after vowing to take time off after an exhausting 60 date world tour. The lads hit the road in September 2023 with their Still… At Their Very Best Tour which took in dates across Europe and North America – and didn’t conclude until March 2024.

    Matty sparked alarm when he told fans the band intended to go on an “indefinite hiatus” upon the conclusion of the tour. He later explained: “I didn’t mean to scare any hardcore fans by insinuating that we were splitting up or anything like that. That’s not happening. Don’t worry.” Their last album, titled Being Funny in a Foreign Language, was released in October 2022.

  • How Gavin and Stacey star Laura Aikman fooled fans before comeback – NDA to hotel isolation

    How Gavin and Stacey star Laura Aikman fooled fans before comeback – NDA to hotel isolation

    Fans of the BBC’s long-running sitcom Gavin and Stacey were stunned to see Laura Aikman back in her role as Sonia for the last ever episode – and so were her family

    Gavin and Stacey star Laura Aikman’s involvement in the last ever episode was so top secret that even her own family had no idea she would be in it – and she kept it a huge secret from them for months.

    Over 12 million fans of the BBC sitcom tuned into watch the series final on Christmas Day and they were all left in disbelief when a shock twist showed James Corden’s character Smithy was preparing to marry girlfriend Sonia – played by Laura, 39.

    The last Christmas special that aired in 2019 ended with a cliffhanger proposal where Ruth Jones’s Nessa proposed to Smithy, and fans were expecting the episode to focus on their long-awaited wedding. However, in an unexpected twist Sonia was the one to be revealed as his blushing fiancée.

    During the weeks that Gavin and Stacey filmed in Essex and Wales over the summer, paparazzi shots showed the familiar cast of characters moving around for scenes – but actress Laura was nowhere to be seen on set. That’s because her involvement as Sonia was kept top secret until the episode actually aired on Christmas Day.

    Laura made a shock return as Sonia
    Laura made a shock return as Sonia 
    Image:
    BBC)

    It was so top secret that even her own family had no idea she was going to feature in the episode. Taking to social media after the episode aired, Laura shared video footage of her family reacting in shock to see her on their TV screen – and how she managed to keep the exciting news so well hidden.

    Laura posted the video to her Instagram grid alongside a caption that stated: “I take an NDA very seriously.” And she added: “The moment my family realise Sonia is ruining Christmas again…” Her family were stunned by the reveal – and one could be heard gasping: “You never told me” – with Laura replying: “We never told anyone.”

    The actress later divulged how she managed to keep her involvement in the Christmas Day finale under wraps. She revealed that the cast grid even left her out so as to avoid any spoilers being leaked.

    She shared a photograph of the order of cast with headshots of all the actors – with a huge gap where cast member number 13 was supposed to be. She then shared a screenshot of herself in the episode and wrote: “Many apologies for my behaviour.”

    Laura didn't even tell her family that she was involved in the finale
    Laura didn’t even tell her family that she was involved in the finale 
    Image:
    lauraikman/Instagram)

    The actress shared he family's reaction
    The actress shared he family’s reaction 
    Image:
    lauraikman/Instagram)
    Gavin And Stacey director Christine Gernon also took to Instagram after the finale aired to reveal the extent of the extreme measures taken to her epic return a secret.

    Sharing a photo of Laura alongside Alison Steadman, who portrays Pam in the BBC show, the director revealed that Laura was hidden away from the rest of the cast, and when they were filming, she stayed a different hotel to the rest of her co-stars in another huge attempt to keep her return a secret.

    “Laura spent the whole g&s shoot being hidden away. Staying in a different hotel, not allowed to come to wrap or screening parties so no one knew Sonia was back. Such a great reveal. And she’s amazing as both actor and person,” the director shared.

    Gavin and Stacey: The Finale drew in a whopping 12.5 million viewers to become the most watched show on Christmas Day. Now, fans are hoping that show creators James Corden and Ruth Jones will make a spin-off show.

  • Denise Welch Says ADHD Medication Made Her ‘Want a Drink and a Cigarette’ After 11 Years of Sobriety

    Denise Welch Says ADHD Medication Made Her ‘Want a Drink and a Cigarette’ After 11 Years of Sobriety

    “It was horrendous how it affected me,” the actress said, while also emphasizing that ADHD medication can be beneficial for many people

    “It was horrendous how it affected me,” the actress said, while also emphasizing that ADHD medication can be beneficial for many people

    Denise Welch attends the Rainbow Honours 2023 at Natural History Museum on May 17, 2023 in London, England.

    Denise Welch. Photo: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty

    Actress Denise Welch is detailing how her ADHD diagnosis almost led to her breaking her sobriety after more than a decade.

    The 66-year-old appeared on the Nov. 18 episode of the ADHD Chatter podcast alongside host Alex Partridge, where she opened up about receiving a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis two years ago.

    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders and can result in difficulty paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active, according to the CDC.

    Welch admitted that she was caught off guard by the diagnosis because she thought clinical depression was her only mental health issue. She’s struggled with post-natal depression since 1989 when her son Matty Healy was born.

    “Because depression has always been my illness… I never thought of having another thing,” she said on the show. “[Depression] was always my thing.”

    Denise Welch

    Denise Welch.ADHD Chatter Podcast/YouTube

    Welch was ultimately prescribed medication to manage her ADHD. She recalled telling her husband Lincoln Townley that she didn’t “feel the need” to take medication because she didn’t want to “change who I am.” She said he reminded her how she advocates for antidepressants when necessary and told her it was a similar situation. She agreed to try it.

    “Lincoln said to me, ‘If someone else was diagnosed with something and they were advised to take the medication, you would tell them they should,’ because I’m a huge advocate for antidepressant medication when prescribed for the right reasons.”

    The Loose Women panelist said she took the medication for the first time in January 2023 before attending one of her son’s shows. Healy is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of The 1975.

    “I honestly thought, because of the way that it had been described to me,  that my head would be clearer. I would be much more focused. I wouldn’t be trying to multitask a million things, my head wouldn’t be scrambled,” Welch explained.

    “I took the tablet and an hour later, I wanted a drink and a cigarette for the first time in 11 years,” she said. “And it was horrendous how it affected me. Had I not been so many years into and so secure and capable of managing my sobriety, it would have been a very very very dangerous tipping point for me.”

    Welch said she wished she’d known about the potential side effect. “It was really quite frightening,” she added. “I made the decision, literally the day after, to not take it. My sobriety is just too important to me to ever risk that.”

    The star noted that she concealed her craving for alcohol the entire night but her husband still noticed.

    “Lincoln, he said the next day, ‘I never want you to take that again… because your energy was like when you used to drink.’ He felt that old energy coming back,” she recalled. “His observation of me was, ‘This is scary.’”

    Despite not having a positive experience herself, Welch emphasized that medication can be extremely beneficial for many people with ADHD.

    “One of the things I am always glad of the opportunity of being able to tell people is that, ADHD medication changes so many people’s lives for the better, but there are some people it is not good for and I was absolutely one of them,” she said.

  • Outrage over Gregg Wallace was ‘fake’, says TV chef

    Outrage over Gregg Wallace was ‘fake’, says TV chef

    Andi Oliver says MasterChef host’s ‘antics’ were an ‘open secret’ and real change needs to be implemented

    Andi Oliver - Outrage over Gregg Wallace was 'fake', says TV chef Andi Oliver says she isn’t interested in ‘thousands of people shouting about Gregg Wallace on Twitter’ Credit: Getty Images/Jim Dyson

    The outrage over the Gregg Wallace sexual misconduct allegations was “fake”, Andi Oliver, a TV chef, said.

    Oliver, host of the BBC’s Great British Menu, claimed there are “tonnes of others who go around behaving badly” in the industry.

    Last month it emerged that Wallace is to step away from MasterChef while historical misconduct complaints are externally reviewed by Banijay UK, the show’s producer.

    Oliver told the Guardian she was “not surprised” by the allegations being made about Wallace, which include making “inappropriate sexual jokes” and sexual harassment.

    Advertisement

    Wallace’s lawyers previously told the BBC “it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.

    Oliver added: “There’s a certain culture that allows it to happen. Somebody should have nipped that s–t in the bud a long time ago. It’s not like nobody knew it was happening. I heard stuff. Everyone did. And there are tonnes of others who go around behaving badly.”

    Oliver, who was first a judge and later became the host of Great British Menu, added: “But culture will only change if we stop all the fake outrage and actually implement change.

    “Thousands of people shouting about Gregg Wallace on Twitter doesn’t interest me.

    “What does is whether we remember this in six months, or will there be more fake shock and outrage when it happens all over again with the next person whose antics were an open secret?”

    Gregg Wallace
    Gregg Wallace has stepped down from presenting MasterChef while sexual misconduct allegations are investigated  Credit: Getty Images/David M. Benett

    Oliver revealed people have been asking her if she is going to join the MasterChef team to which she replied: “I can’t talk about that.”

    It was announced earlier this month that restaurant critic Grace Dent will judge the next series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode.

    Author and podcaster Dent has appeared regularly as a guest on MasterChef, and last year was a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics.

    BBC bosses previously said the corporation will not “tolerate behaviour that falls below the standards we expect” and will continue to champion “a culture that is kind, inclusive and respectful”.

    A memo sent to staff by Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, and Charlotte Moore, the BBC’s chief content officer, said the corporation would be supporting MasterChef producer Banijay UK in its investigation.

    Earlier this month, Banijay UK said in a statement: “It is important to note that MasterChef welfare processes are regularly adapted and strengthened and there are clear protocols to support both crew and contributors.

    “These include multiple ways of reporting issues, including anonymously. HR contact details are promoted and contributors are assigned a point of contact on set available to discuss any issues or concerns.”

  • Gavin and Stacey extra reveals all about deleted scene that didn’t air on Christmas Day

    Gavin and Stacey extra reveals all about deleted scene that didn’t air on Christmas Day

    Gavin and Stacey supporting artiste Scott McGlynn has revealed details of a deleted scene that didn’t make the final cut of the Christmas Day finale episode

    Gavin and Stacey extra Scott McGlynn has detailed a scene that didn’t make the final cut in the show’s finale.

    The long-awaited last-ever episode aired on Christmas Day with fans breaking viewership records as they flocked to see the final instalment of the hit BBC comedy series. The actor featured in the special as part of James Corden’s character Smithy’s stag do and has been busy sharing a series of behind-the-scenes insights with his followers in recent days.

    Now he has revealed details of a deleted scene between Dawn and Chinese Alan that ended up not being featured in the finale. He said: “Alright guys so I’ve got another little insight for you here and this happened at the wedding between Dawn and Chinese which did not make the final cut and I’m gonna tell you what happened because I was right there, right behind them and I saw it all happen.”

    Gavin and Stacey
    The supporting artiste has been revealing behind-the-scenes secrets 
    Image:
    TikTok/scottmcglynnofficial)

    Gavin and Stacey
    Scott is seen in several Gavin and Stacey scenes
    Scott then explained the scene adding: “I watched it again and I thought where is this scene? It didn’t make it. But this is what happened. When Dawn and Peter arrive they go in and sit down. The boys then sit down just after them, then Chinese whispered into Dawn’s ear and said: ‘Did someone order a Chinese?’ and then she just went ‘F off.’

    “The amazing Julia Davis who plays Dawn there, she is amazing, so sweet, smiling and waving. I don’t know why that did not make the final cut because I thought it was so funny. I was behind laughing, and don’t forget they do so many takes so I was behind watching it and every time I was laughing just behind Chinese and it was so funny I wish they kept it in honestly.”

    Scott then concluded his video saying: “But, that was a deleted scene that no one would have known about unless you were there. That’s a little insight on Gavin and Stacey for you. More coming soon.” He then captioned the video writing: “Gavin and Stacey a scene that didn’t make the final cut, by me (smithy’s stag). If you have any questions comment below.”

    Scott, 37, featured in various scenes over the course of the 90 minute last ever episode – including helping show creator James’ character Smithy, celebrate his stag do. He was directed by co-creator Ruth Jones, who also plays Nessa, and seemingly found the need to keep the secrets of the last ever episode a challenge.

    Fans of the long-running BBC sitcom, which has been on the air since 2007, watched the last ever episode on Christmas Day and were left overjoyed when Nessa and Smithy finally acknowledged their love for each other and decided to get married.

  • Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton’s ‘tense text exchange’ revealed by Prince Harry

    Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton’s ‘tense text exchange’ revealed by Prince Harry

    Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton had a falling out prior to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding, with various claims made after the disagreement became public. Prince Harry gave his account of the incident in his bestselling memoir, Spare.

    Tabloid reports suggested that Meghan allegedly made Kate cry over a dispute about Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress before the Sussexes’ wedding. However, during their landmark interview with Oprah Winfrey in early 2021, Meghan claimed that “the reverse happened”, and it was actually Kate who made her cry before the wedding.

    In Spare, Harry wrote that Kate contacted Meghan four days before the wedding to say the dresses needed to be remade. He explained that Meghan couldn’t respond to Kate’s text immediately due to the numerous wedding-related texts and the “chaos” surrounding her father, Thomas Markle, who had to undergo heart surgery before the big day.

    Princess Kate, with (right) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day
    Princess Kate and Meghan Markle were embroiled in an upset over bridesmaids dresses 
    Image:
    Getty)
    According to Harry, Kate complained that Charlotte’s dress was “too big, too long, too baggy” and that Charlotte “cried when she tried it on [at] home”.

    Meghan reportedly clashed with Kate over bridesmaid dresses, as revealed in Prince Harry’s memoir. Meghan is said to have insisted that Princess Charlotte’s dress could be altered by the tailor, Ajay Mirpui, who was on standby at Kensington Palace, texting Kate: “Can you take Charlotte to have it altered, as the other mums are doing?” Kate’s alleged response was: “No, all the dresses need to be remade.”, reports the Express. The Duke explained:”So the next morning she (Meghan) texted Kate that our tailor was standing by. That wasn’t sufficient.”

    Princess Charlotte with Princess Kate on Harry and Meghan's wedding day
    Princess Charlotte’s dress was too big and too baggy 
    Image:
    Getty)
    When Meghan questioned if Kate understood the stress she was under with her father’s situation, Kate acknowledged she did, but highlighted the wedding was in just four days from then.

    Meghan’s purported retort was: “Yes, Kate, I know.”

    She then urged Kate to visit the tailor, saying: “I’m not sure what else to say. If the dress doesn’t fit then please take Charlotte to see Ajay. He’s been waiting all day”. Kate’s reported answer was a simple: “Fine.”

    Princess Kate Attends The Christmas Morning Service
    Princess Kate apologised, according to Prince Harry’s account 
    Image:
    Getty)
    The Duke of Sussex describes returning home to find Meghan distraught and even “sobbing on the floor”. Later, Kate extended an olive branch with flowers and an apology card for the supposed misunderstanding. Harry reflects on the high tensions, noting: “Emotions were running high, of course, after the stress of the last week, the last month, the last day. It was intolerable – but temporary. Kate hadn’t meant any harm, I told her.”

    Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace have remained silent on the allegations made by the Sussexes in the book Spare, their interviews, and the Netflix series Harry & Meghan.

    Prince Harry And Meghan Markle On Their Wedding Day

  • Meghan Markle Shaken as Archewell Foundation Faces IRS Scrutiny Over Financial Documents

    Meghan Markle Shaken as Archewell Foundation Faces IRS Scrutiny Over Financial Documents


    In a world where the intersection of celebrity and philanthropy often garners intense scrutiny, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have found themselves at the center of a controversy that has sent shockwaves through both media and public opinion.

    The recent IRS leak, which has exposed what many are calling a fraudulent scheme involving their charitable organization, has raised serious questions about the integrity of their philanthropic efforts. This revelation has not only tarnished their public image but has also ignited a fiery debate about the responsibilities of public figures in managing charitable endeavors.The tale begins with the formation of the couple’s charity, which was heralded as a beacon of hope and generosity aimed at making a significant impact on social issues ranging from mental health to gender equality.

     

    In the wake of their departure from royal duties, Meghan and Harry positioned themselves as champions of change, leveraging their fame to attract funding and support for their causes. However, as the IRS documents reveal, the reality behind their operations paints a starkly different picture. The leaked information suggests that a substantial portion of the funds raised may have been misallocated, diverted from their intended purposes, and potentially misrepresented to donors.

    As we delve into the timeline of events leading up to the leak, we explore the couple’s high-profile public engagements and the criticism they faced for their lavish lifestyle. Every aspect paints a portrait of two individuals caught in a web of contradictions. Their commitment to charity has been overshadowed by allegations of self-serving behavior, raising the question: Can one truly champion the cause of the underprivileged while living a life of luxury?

    The implications of the IRS leak extend far beyond the couple themselves. Various charities and nonprofit organizations are now grappling with the fallout as public trust in philanthropy wavers.

    Donors are left questioning the transparency and accountability of the organizations they support, leading to a broader discourse on the role of celebrities in philanthropy and the ethical considerations that accompany it. This scandal serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for reforms within the charitable sector to ensure that funds are utilized effectively and ethically.

    The media coverage surrounding this story has been relentless, with tabloids and news outlets dissecting every detail and speculating on the future of the couple’s charitable endeavors. How will Meghan and Harry respond to these allegations? Will they be able to salvage their reputation, or has this scandal irreparably damaged their standing in the public eye?

    The timeline of events leading to the IRS leak surrounding Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s charity is a complex narrative intertwining their personal lives, public engagements, and the evolution of their philanthropic efforts.

    This saga begins in early 2020, shortly after the couple’s highly publicized exit from royal duties—a decision branded as “Megxit.” This marked a significant turning point not only for their personal lives but also for their professional trajectories as they sought to redefine their roles outside the constraints of the monarchy.

    In the months that followed, Meghan and Harry launched their charity, Archewell, an initiative aimed at addressing various social issues, including mental health awareness, gender equality, and community support.

    The announcement was met with a flurry of media attention as the couple sought to establish themselves as influential advocates for change. Their high-profile engagements, including collaborations with other organizations and public speaking events, painted an image of commitment and sincerity to their causes.

    However, as the couple began to enjoy their newfound freedom, they also faced increasing scrutiny from both the media and the public. Critics questioned the authenticity of their philanthropic efforts, suggesting that their celebrity status was being leveraged more for personal gain than for altruistic purposes.

    This skepticism was compounded by the couple’s lavish lifestyle, which included a multimillion-dollar mansion in California and expensive vacations. Many began to wonder how their royal commitments to charity could coexist with such opulence.

    As they navigated this tumultuous phase, the couple continued to raise funds for Archewell, securing donations from high-profile individuals and corporations. Yet whispers of irregularities began to surface.

    Concerns grew regarding the allocation of funds, with some critics alleging that a significant portion of the donations were not being channeled into the programs they had promised. These claims were initially anecdotal but set the stage for a deeper investigation into the inner workings of their charity.

    Fast forward to the summer of 2021, when the first hints of trouble began to emerge. Investigative journalists started digging into Archewell’s financial records, seeking to uncover the truth behind the couple’s philanthropic claims.

    As media scrutiny intensified, it became apparent that the couple was under increasing pressure to demonstrate transparency and accountability. Public sentiment began to shift as critics launched campaigns to hold them accountable for their alleged mismanagement of funds.

    The turning point came in early 2022 when a whistleblower—reportedly a former employee of Archewell—came forward with alarming information. This individual provided documentation suggesting potential misallocation of funds and discrepancies in the reporting of financial activities.

    The whistleblower’s revelations quickly caught the attention of regulatory bodies, including the IRS, leading to an investigation into the charity’s operations.

    By mid-2022, the investigation had escalated, and the IRS leak became inevitable. Documents detailing the financial activities of Archewell emerged, revealing a troubling picture of how donations were being utilized.

    The leaked information indicated that a significant portion of the funds raised were not being directed toward the charitable programs that had been advertised but rather toward administrative costs and personal expenses. This revelation was explosive, as it contradicted the couple’s public narrative of altruism and commitment to social change.

    As news of the IRS leak broke, the couple faced an avalanche of criticism from both the media and the public.

    The fallout was immediate and severe, with many calling for greater scrutiny of celebrity charities and the ethical obligations of public figures. Meghan and Harry, once seen as champions of philanthropic causes, were now portrayed as figures of controversy, struggling to reconcile their public image with the realities of their charitable practices.

    In response to mounting pressure, the couple issued statements defending their actions and vowing to cooperate fully with the investigation.

    However, the damage was done. Trust in their charity was severely eroded, and the public began to question not only the integrity of Archewell but also the couple’s motives for entering the philanthropic space in the first place.