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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Joel and Harriet had been in contact with Davina

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Harriet revealed she’d actually met one of the finalists

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The couple shared some affectionate moments during their time at the Invictus Games together ( 
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meghan/Instagram)

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

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

Meghan shared the moment she went tubing ( 
Image:
meghan/Instagram)

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

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

Prince William visited the London Screen Academy today to learn about film and TV production – and there he took a shine to a rather unusual outfit in the costume department

Prince William took a turn behind the camera as he joined budding movie makers on a film set.

The Prince of Wales took a tour of the London Screen Academy today and helped out with the production of a film about a dystopian future where music is banned. The specialist sixth form college in Islington, North London, is where 900 students learn every aspect of film and television production.

As he arrived, William laughed and shouted to some cheering students waiting outside: “Shouldn’t you be in class?” Touring the academy, William, who is president of BAFTA, took part in the filming of “Melomania”, set in a dystopian future where music is banned. Visiting the costume department, the prince, 42, saw outfits created for the film.

William helped out with the production of a film about a dystopian future where music is banned ( 
Image:
PA)
He was shown a costume which he was told included “steam punk aspects” and featured a long chain draped over the head which then attaches to a belt worn over a tartan top. When Charlie Kennard, principal of the trust, asked the prince if it was something he might wear, William smiled and jokingly replied: “You know, I might do… Saturday night out? Why not.” William was shown a hair and make-up room where students learn prosthetics and special effects.

Talking about films that used prosthetics, William said that he had seen The Darkest Hour, the film about prime minister Winston Churchill. William added that he had also seen the prosthetics used in The Last of Us, a gory TV series with zombie-like creatures. He said: “I watched a bit of it but then I realised that it was quite full on.”

Hannah Wing, the academy’s hair and make-up teacher, demonstrated how to create a fake scar by trying one on the prince’s hand, saying she had checked in advance of the royal visit that he didn’t have any allergies. “Do you want to have a go at putting some of this on yourself?” she asked the prince. “It just needs to dry and then you stretch your skin and create a scar.” William said: “It’s quite a punchy smell.”

William takes a turn behind the camera ( 
Image:
PA)
The prince saw a student applying metal spikes in a line above another student’s eyebrows. William asked: “Is this your imagination? Is this your design?” He added of the spikes: “Do they stay on all day? That’s quite long, isn’t it.” William then went up to a roof space to see where students were filming and took a turn behind the camera.

When asked to review the prince’s filming skills, Kendra Nwogu, an 18-year-old year two student, said: “Amazing, actually. I was kind of scared watching on the monitors. But very smooth, nice pan. [He] did a great job.” The engagement started with William being told about the academy, which is the only one of its kind in the country.

Sitting down with six executives, including co-founders Lisa Bryer and Tim Bevan, William was told that more than half of sixth form students in the UK expressed an interest in working in film and television but only one in five believed it was feasible. Co-founders of the screen academy who were not there during the engagement include David Hayman and Barbara Broccoli, the film producer behind the James Bond films.

The prince poses for a photo with students ( 
Image:
PA)Sitting in front of an indoor film set created by students, William asked: “How early in the pipeline of someone’s life do you have to expose them to the idea that they can be in the film industry?” He was told that the academy takes young people aged 16-18 from across London. The school also offers a foundation course, where students can stay on for a third year instead of going straight on to university or into employment.

Tim Bevan, who has produced My Beautiful Laundrette, Atonement and Blitz, said 20 students from the academy had been working on the new Bridget Jones film, Mad About The Boy, which is made by Working Title Films, the production company of which Bevan is co-chair.

When William asked Bevan about his Oscar prospects this year, the producer replied that it was his film The Substance starring Demi Moore that probably stood the best chance.

Speaking at the end of the engagement, Bevan said: “Having the prince visit the school is a dream for us to get the word out about the school, to encourage young people to apply, for young people to see that this is a viable and real opportunity.” William will not be at the BAFTA awards on Sunday night, an event he doesn’t always attend.

However it is understood that he wanted to use the visit to the LSA to show his support for up and coming talent and the British TV and film industries. The LSA opened in 2019 and is a free-to-attend sixth form academy which provides students with hands-on skills and training through a range of courses including film production, costume, editing and animation.

The curriculum is designed to ensure students are learning relevant industry skills as well as additional qualifications such as Maths or English A-Level.

Eagle-eyed royal watchers noticed Meghan Markle appearing to show off the royal cypher that she and Prince Harry were given when they married on a brand new piece of jewellery

Meghan Markle has raised eyebrows by appearing to flash her royal cypher – despite previously ditching it.

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

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

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

It appears the ring features Harry and Meghan’s royal cypher ( 
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WireImage)
The monogram was used on their previous Sussex Royal website and social media accounts – and even after they dramatically quit as working royals back in 2020, they continued to use the logo on their letterheads.

However, in 2021, after coming under fire for still using the cypher despite stepping back from their royal roles, they started to use stationery with the Archewell logo instead. Their current Sussex.com website does not feature this cypher, however, instead, it features Meghan’s coat of arms.

The coat of arms honours her Californian background – with a blue shield representing the Pacific Ocean, and rays, symbolising sunshine. When it was unveiled, Kensington Palace revealed how the duchess worked closely with the College of Arms in London to create the design.

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

It is not the first time that Meghan’s jewellery has been the subject of much debate. Just weeks ago many believed that her engagement ring had gone through yet another tweak.

Meghan was first given the ring, which was made with two diamonds from Princess Diana’s collection and one from Botswana, when she and Harry became engaged in 2017. It underwent a major redesign two years later when the plain gold band was swapped for a thinner micropave style.

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

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

Meghan’s other rings including her engagement and wedding ring ( 
Image:
PA)Taking to X, one asked: “Is that a new engagement ring?” While another said: “Looks like she’s changed the centre stone from a round diamond to the more expensive square cut.”

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

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle dazzled fans with their huge public displays of affection at the Invictus Games, but what are they really like behind the scenes? The Mirror’s Patrick Hill spent four days with the Sussexes and delivers his verdict

It was a moment that involved no speech, yet said more than a million words ever could.

After months of speculation about their marriage, Meghan leaned into Harry and tenderly put her head on his shoulder as they held hands. They may have been surrounded by more than 40,000 people at the Invictus Games opening ceremony, but despite the gaze of many being on them, it was clear they only had eyes for each other.

While enjoying a shared moment of satisfaction in what Harry, 40, has achieved to change the perception of injured military veterans worldwide, they were also sending a message of love, unity and togetherness about themselves.

The pair shared a loving kiss at the Invictus Games opening ceremony in Vancouver on Saturday ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)

The Duchess of Sussex watches the wheelchair basketball match between the USA v Nigeria during day one of the 2025 Invictus Games ( 
Image:
Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Some may baulk at the former actress and Harry’s public displays of affection during these Games, including a kiss worthy of ending any Hollywood movie. But watching them together here in Canada I have absolutely no doubt every single one is absolutely genuine and heartfelt.

I have been lucky enough to see them up close, as an accredited journalist, at three previous Invictus Games, including the one held in Toronto when they were pictured together for the first time. I was sent to Windsor to watch as they blissfully paraded through the streets after getting married in May the following year.

And I also saw them at events during their royal style tour of Colombia in August last year. But in all that time, I have never seen them looking so happy and in-step with each other as they have here in Vancouver and Whistler.

Outside temperatures have at times plunged as low as -12, but everywhere they have been together they have radiated genuine warmth and happiness.

The couple were in good spirits despite freezing temperatures on Tuesday ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)

They laughed together on stage in Whistler after Harry joked Meghan was about to sing ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)Harry publicly addressed rumours about he and Meghan’s marriage in December last year, as well as speculation about why they had chosen to carry out some work independently of each other. He laughed as he said: “Apparently we’ve bought or moved house 10, 12 times. We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well. So it’s just like, what?’.

“It’s hard to keep up with, but that’s why you just sort of ignore it. The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls. Their hopes are just built and built, and it’s like, ‘Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,’ and then it doesn’t happen. So I feel sorry for them. Genuinely, I do.”

During the same sit-down chat on stage in New York City, Harry also spoke of how he loves his life in Montecito, California, with Meghan, 43, and their two children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. He added: “I feel as though it’s the life that my mum wanted for me.

“To be able to do the things I’m able to do with my kids that I undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK — it’s huge. I’m hugely grateful for that.”

Harry and Meghan watching wheelchair curling in Whistler on Monday ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)
There have been recent negative headlines about Meghan’s upcoming Netflix TV show, titled With Love, Meghan, and she and Harry have been upset by a new book and a cover piece in Vanity Fair, which included a string of lurid claims.

And everyone it seems has an opinion about Harry and Meghan and the way they are publicly perceived, including a group of women linked to the Nigerian Invictus team, who refused to speak to British journalists at one Invictus event on Sunday due to their belief they are against Meghan.

Biographer Tom Bower, who wrote a best-selling book about the couple and their separation from the royal family and was sitting in the press seats at the opening ceremony, also came in for some tough treatment from a Harry and Meghan fan in Vancouver earlier this week.

But broadly, everywhere Harry and Meghan went during their five-day trip together, there was nothing but positivity. From the very first moment they were first spotted arriving here in a cavalcade of cars, they have been seen almost constantly smiling and laughing, while enjoying each other’s company.

Meghan enjoyed Harry’s impression of a Canadian moose ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar)
At the wheelchair basketball finals on Sunday night, Meghan couldn’t help bursting out laughing at Harry’s goofy impression of a Canadian moose. She chuckled heartily, before jokingly admonishing him, after he joked that she was about to follow in their close pal Michael Buble’s footsteps by singing on stage to a crowd of more than 1,000 people on Monday.

And she was also seen visibly amused at the thought of him racing ten-year-old Australian schoolboy Hamish Greenstreet down the slopes in Whistler, before celebrating with a triumphant “yes!” at the finish line on Tuesday.

Cynthia Phelps, whose husband James served alongside Harry at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan in 2012, perfectly summed up the mood here about Harry and Meghan. She told me: “Meghan is always personable and very down to earth and just really cares about us. Every time she talks to us it’s very visible and genuine.

“They genuinely care about the healing journey of every single one of the competitors. It’s a blessing to be able to spend time with them.”

Former Suits star Meghan, who held Cynthia’s seven-month-old baby Laramie in her arms as she told how she was missing her own children, is now back in California on motherly duties.

For her, this year’s Invictus Games is over. But the memories she and Harry made here and the message it sent to the world will continue to be poured over and remembered for a long time to come.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, had been with Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, for the beginning of the Invictus Games in and near Vancouver, Canada, before flying home

An athlete at the Invictus Games described Meghan Markle as “really caring” and “so down to earth” after meeting the duchess.

Others also praised the Duchess of Sussex, who spent time with competitors before returning home alone on Tuesday. Bryce Ewing, who competes in snowboarding, rowing, and swimming, said: “When Meghan looks at you, she really looks at you, and you feel it in your soul. She’s really caring. She’s very intuitive. She’s so down to earth, and she looks like she really cares.”

And Leandra Moehring, who competes in skiing, rowing, skeleton, and swimming for Team USA, said: “We told her we saw her on Suits. And she’s like, ‘I’m sorry I’m not wearing a pencil skirt.’”

She told People magazine: “They [Harry and Meghan] really took the time with each and every one of us. And despite people who are trying to keep them on schedule, they just did not mind taking pictures at all. And it was just super neat.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will spend Valentine’s Day apart ( 
Image:
Humphrey Nemar/staff Photographer.)

Prince Harry, 40, remains in Canada as the tournament is to end on Sunday. His 43-year-old wife is back in California to spend time with their children; Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

But the Duchess of Sussex still found time for the lighthearted moments with some of Team USA’s competitors and fans. One supporter, Cynthia Phelps, told reporters: “She said her kids were at home and she missed them.”

Aides said it was always the plan for Meghan, the former Suits actress, to leave Canada earlier, as was the case at previous games. It means, though, she and Harry will spend Valentine’s Day apart, following their loved-up display at the Games earlier this week.

A source said: “This was always planned. Meghan is going home to be with her children. Meghan left the games in Dusseldorf early after five days to go home. This is Prince Harry’s event and she is there to support him, but this was planned.”

Prince Harry co-founded the Invictus Games in 2014, following his visit to the Warrior Games in the United States, where the royal witnessed the ability of sport to help both psychologically and physically. It has since been held across the world, including in London in its maiden year and Sydney in 2018.