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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.

Prince Harry unexpectedly pulled Meghan Markle on stage during an event at the Invictus Games in Canada and made a surprise move – and one expert has decoded the moment which she believes showed a shift in the Duke’s tone with his wife

Meghan Markle was left shocked by a bold move by Prince Harry at the Invictus Games that showed a change between them, according to an expert.

The Sussexes have put on a loved-up display at the event in Canada, which has Meghan spend five days alongside her husband at his beloved Games, before flying home to their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

During Meghan’s trip to Canada, she spent several days with Harry in Vancouver before the pair moved on to the ski resort of Whistler, where they both took to the stage at a welcome event. Harry was first introduced on stage by Michael Buble, who excited the 1,000-strong crowd with a rendition of Feeling Good.

Harry joked Meghan was going to sing on stage ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Welcoming Harry on stage, Canadian singer Michael said: “I know how difficult something like this is, so I wanted to make sure I did this right. Without the incredible effort of this young man, none of this would have happened, so please welcome my friend, Prince Harry.”

Meghan joined Harry on stage at the end of his speech before he joked: “Now she’s going to sing!” leaving his wife horrified. And body language expert Judi James told the Mirror the interaction was very telling.

She explained: “Harry loves playful behaviour and banter, but he usually adopts a different tone with Meghan, sticking to more romantic narratives. Here though he brings her into his routine with a flapping hand that suggests good humour rather than any royal graciousness.

The couple laugh as they walk off stage ( 
Image:
Samir Hussein/WireImage)
“There is some synchronicity here though as she actually seems pretty much in tune with his more fun side. At first there is the usual mutual hugging, and Meghan shows empathy by rubbing Harry’s hand to thaw it out in the cold air. But when he jokes about her singing, her response is speedy as she looks shocked but then equally playful.

“The last image of the pair leaning forward into the mic to take their goodbyes is one of the better images of them working as an upbeat, casual and relaxed team of two.”

Judi’s comments come as Meghan sent a touching message to Harry as she flew back home to their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilbet, while the Duke of Sussex remains in Canada.

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!”

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 Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was supposed to have some time alone – on his day off at the Invictus Games – but instead the royal surprised fans at a presentation ceremony

Prince Harry enjoyed a day off at the Invictus Games yesterday – but still found time to present some medals.

The royal surprised fans by turning up unannounced at the presentation ceremony for the alpine skiing in the centre of Whistler, Canada, causing a rush of excitement.

After presiding over the event alongside Invictus Games CEO Scott Moore, Harry later headed into a local bar and grill where officials were holding a private Invictus event.

It had previously been understood Harry was planning a “personal day” in order to “unwind and enjoy Whistler at his own pace”. Harry, 40, has remained at the Games with his team since Meghan, 43, headed home to look after their two children Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, in California on Tuesday.

The duke presented medals at the skiing resort ( 
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The duchess today posted a photo of Invictus themed goodies she took home for the pair, including green-coloured shirts with their names on. The haul also included an Invictus Games related teddy and a number of sweets and chocolates.

Writing on her Instagram, mum-of-two Meghan said: “A taste of Canada and The Invictus Games for our little ones! Cheering you on from home!”. Following her five-day visit to Canada, the Duchess of Sussex 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.

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.

But Meghan and Harry will spend Valentine’s Day apart, following their loved-up display at the Games earlier this week. A source, though, 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.”

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, left Vancouver, Canada, on Tuesday having spent several days with Prince Harry at the start of the Invictus Games but Harry remains at the event

Meghan Markle was spotted disembarking a private jet in California this week after leaving Prince Harry behind at the Invictus Games.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, was snapped stepping out of the aeroplane inside a hangar at Santa Barbara Airport on Tuesday evening. Donning a chic blue jumper, the mum was unaccompanied except for a security guard.

She’s back home in Montecito, California, while Harry, 40, remains at the Invictus Games, which conclude on Sunday. It means the couple, who tied the knot nearly seven years ago, will spend Valentine’s Day apart tomorrow.

Meghan was pictured loved-up with her husband at the event in Canada, images which have split opinion. One scathing critic even described the public display of affection as “miscalculated and nauseating”.

Others, though, said it shows Meghan and Harry’s relationship is as strong as ever and so it is thought they’ll overcome their different Valentine’s Days with ease.

Harry will be busy in Whistler, near Vancouver, as the swimming finals are expected to take place tomorrow. Meghan, however, is believed to be looking forward to spending time with their children; five-year-old Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who is three.

The Duke of Sussex attended the Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Novice Finals on Tuesday ( 
Image:
PA)
Harry had a day off scheduled on Wednesday but, without Meghan’s company, the royal instead surprised fans at a presentation ceremony. The father of two gave out medals at the event, which was held in a restaurant in Whistler.

Meghan, meanwhile, is back in the couple’s £12million home. Aides, though, said that Meghan had always planned to leave and let Harry attend the remaining events solo.

Plans were not given in advance for security reasons, and a source close to the couple said: “This was always planned. Meghan is going home to be with her children.

“Meghan left the Games in Düsseldorf early after five days to go home. This is Prince Harry’s event and she is there to support him, but this was planned.”

But the Düsseldorf event was held in September 2023, and so did not clash with Valentine’s Day. However, neither Harry or Meghan have referred to altering February 14 plans. The Duchess has posted on Instagram, writing: “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.

King Charles, monarch since September 2022, is subject of a new book by royal expert and journalist Tom Quinn, which also explores the lives of various royal servants

King Charles is prone to “lose his temper in a split second” if his very particular demands aren’t fulfilled, insiders claim in a new book.

The monarch, 76, is said to lash out over small details before instantly regretting it, the bombshell document by royal expert and journalist Tom Quinn says. The book, out on Tuesday February 18, details accounts from royal servants over the years.

Mr Quinn offers a fresh perspective on what life was really like inside the royal household over the decades. Insiders explained that Charles and Queen Camilla always treat their staff “well”, but that the King is prone to “little bursts of irritation”.

Charles, who has previously fumed in public over his pens not working, has very particular demands for how tasks are carried out, the dicument reveals. The monarch was said to have kicked up a fuss if he wasn’t given the “right teacup” and also had opinions on how his toothpaste was placed on his brush.

The monarch gives a speech during a dinner at Highgrove House this month ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

In an extract from Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, one servant is said to recall: “Charles and Camilla do treat their staff well, but you always feel that they would no more fly without an aeroplane than invite you to have tea with them.

“And Charles does have little bursts of irritation with his staff – perhaps he hasn’t been given exactly the right teacup, perfectly polished shoes and toothpaste neatly squeezed on to his toothbrush in exactly the way he likes it. He loses his temper in a split second but usually quickly regrets it.”

In 2022, Charles vented his frustration at a leaky pen while signing the visitors book at Hillsborough Castle – telling courtiers he “can’t bear this bloody thing”. Just a few days earlier, the King furiously motioned for an aide to move an ink pot as he signed documents when he was proclaimed the new King.

And last year a frustrated King Charles moaned “we can never be on time” as he waited in coach outside Westminster Abbey ahead of his Coronation, lip readers claimed.

Opera singer and GoCompare advert star Wynne Evans appeared to brush off the scandal surrounding him following his axe from the Strictly Come Dancing tour as he prepares to ‘fight the BBC’

Wynne Evans appeared unbothered by his Strictly Come Dancing scandal as he stepped out for the first time since reports he’s willing to fight the BBC over their decision to axe him from the Strictly tour.

The GoCompare advert star and opera singer was kicked off the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour last month after he was caught making an inappropriate sexual comment. He confirmed he is “taking some time out” from his BBC radio show and the tour “to prioritise my wellbeing”.

Evans was filmed making an inappropriate sexual comment to Strictly’s Janette Manrara when she joined in a group photo at the tour’s press call. He was heard singing: “Go Compare,” before adding: “Not too close to Jamie [Borthwick].” He then was heard using the demeaning term “spit roast” in reference to a lewd sexual act.

Evans was seen for the first time since reports he will fight the BBC ( 
Image:
CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

He grabbed a coffee in Cardiff ( 
Image:
CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
Now, Evans is reportedly planning to take action and seek “recompense” due to the dire consequences of his ongoing scandal. “He said he is going to a tribunal with the BBC and will fight with every breath in his body. Wynne feels he has been treated unfairly and won’t go down without a fight,” a source told The Sun.

They explained that Wynne is fighting on the grounds of an unfair dismissal, and added: “Wynne thinks he has a case for loss of earnings, as well as a potential breach of contract. He is being advised by a legal team and thinks he has a strong case to take forward.”

The star was axed from the Strictly tour ( 
Image:
CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Evans is also taking time away from his BBC radio show ( 
Image:
CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)He has been seen for the first time since reports he will fight the BBC as he stepped out for a coffee in Cardiff. Wynne appeared unbothered by the drama surrounding him as he walked along a city street holding a coffee cup. He kept his hand his his pocket and wore a beige buttoned up jacket with dark jeans and brown shoes.

Alongside losing fans and his losses from missing out on the Strictly tour, Evans’ other work is also said to be at risk. There are rumours the singer could be dumped as the face of GoCompare, for whom his work made him a household name. An insider previously told the Mirror that Evans was “in a bad way” considering the status of his career, and was “worried he could lose everything.”

They told us: “At the end of the day, he has been a bit of an oaf and made a stupid mistake but does he deserve such hatred? Yes, using the term spit-roast was absolutely wrong, and he realises this. His problem is that he is a joker and he continually wants to play to the crowd.”

The opera singer issued an apology ( 
Image:
CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Reports suggest he may lose his GoCompare job ( 
Image:
CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
Speaking about being caught on camera using the word “spit-roast”, the pal added: ”Jamie Borthwick is his mate and he was laughing and joking, and Katya plays along with the joke too. It’s just schoolboy comedy. He is more Jim Davidson than Peter Kay, and if anything, is more guilty of having a terrible sense of humour.”

They continued: “Talk of his career ending is premature – at the end of the day, his radio show is very popular, and he is very much liked. Everyone hopes he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.” BBC bosses had initially let Evans off with a warning but caved in as anger grew by axing him from the live dates.

The Welsh star apologised again for his behaviour and said: “I’ve agreed with the BBC that I’ll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing. I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection. Apologies to those I won’t get to see at the remaining performances and I’m grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.” It has also been reported Evans had taken on top London law firm Russells to represent him in seeking damages from lost work.

Gregg Wallace shared a cryptic post about ‘regret’ and ‘change’ on Tuesday – after returning to social media.

The disgraced TV presenter has been accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by several women he has worked with, including a Celebrity MasterChef contestant.

Gregg, 60, has strenuously denied the allegations against him, which include making inappropriate sexually suggestive comments to female co-workers.

In a statement via his legal team at the time, they said: ‘It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.’

As he makes a bid to move on from the claims, Gregg took to his Instagram page on Tuesday to share the quote which read: ‘Change isn’t easy but what will happen if we don’t?’

The image behind showed two train platforms labelled as ‘change’ and ‘regret’ as he linked to his website which offers weight loss tips and recipes.

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Gregg Wallace shared a cryptic post about ‘regret’ and ‘change’ on Tuesday – after returning to social media

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Gregg took to his Instagram page on Tuesday to share the quote which read: ‘Change isn’t easy but what will happen if we don’t?’

Gregg finally returned to social media this month after stepping down from MasterChef last year amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

He left the show while TV bosses conducted an investigation into claims made by 13 individuals, including Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark, accusing him of ‘wrong’ and ‘sexualised’ behaviour during filming.

Among the allegations, Gregg was accused of removing his shirt in front of a female colleague, claiming he was giving her a ‘fashion show,’ and making inappropriate remarks about his sex life to others on set.

Having co-hosted MasterChef since 2005, he ultimately resigned after multiple complaints surfaced.

Following the scandal, Gregg went silent on social media, with his last post dating back to November 27 – just one day before the allegations made headlines.

After months away, he made an unexpected return, sharing a recipe video tutorial with his followers for easy protein pancakes.

He has since shared several more recipes in the following days, including healthy pizza, lentil curry and breakfast crumble.

Fans flooded the comments section, ecstatic over his return to social media.

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The disgraced TV presenter has been accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by several women he has worked with, including a Celebrity MasterChef contestant

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Several high-profile names – including TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – have condemned his remarks in public statements

They said: ‘Nice to see you back Greg. We’ve missed your 7am stories!!’

‘Back where you belong,’

‘Here he is! Good to have you back pal,’

‘I’ve missed you, welcome back,’

‘Good to see a post from your good self, hope you are doing marvelously,’

‘Good to see you back GW. Hope you’re well pal.’

Gregg is currently under investigation by the BBC amid a raft of allegations about his misconduct.

He was initially bullish in the face of the allegations, taking to Instagram to say they mostly came from ‘middle class women of a certain age’.

He went on to ask: ‘Can you imagine how many women on MasterChef have made sexual remarks or sexual innuendo?’

Since then, several high-profile names – including TV presenter Ulrika Jonsson as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – have condemned his remarks in public statements.

The former greengrocer later apologised for the controversial comments which caused a PR storm.

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Gregg Wallace returns to TV for first time since leaving MasterChef amid ‘sexual misconduct probe’

The under-fire presenter said of his middle class women slur: ‘I wasn’t in a good headspace when I posted it. I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion.

Among those to come forward with allegations against Wallace is a woman called Lisa, not her real name, who worked on BBC show Eat Well for Less in 2015.

She told the BBC Wallace ‘touched her inappropriately’ when they were filming in a supermarket.

‘He brushed past me at the checkout, and touched my bum with his waist and penis and laughed and said ‘oooh you liked that didn’t you’,’ she alleged.

‘It was the way he reacted, other people would’ve said ‘oh I’m sorry can I squeeze by’ which would’ve been ok.’

Lisa also claims that she felt she had to continue working but was ‘not ok about it’, describing it as ‘slimy and disgusting’. She claims she raised it with a senior colleague but that nothing was ever done.

Banijay say they have no record of this incident being raised at RDF Television, which produced Eat Well For Less.

A second woman claims that she came across Wallace while working at an event in 2022.

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It comes after he shared another cryptic quote last week about ‘fearing change’

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Gregg finally returned to social media this month after stepping down from MasterChef last year amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour – as he shared a pancake recipe

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Gregg is currently under investigation over a string of allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour

The woman, known only as Sarah, claims that Wallace asked her to take him to the car park at the end of the event.

‘As we walked down, he started putting his arm around me, saying ‘go on, hold my hand, don’t you want to stand next to me’,’ she told the BBC.

Other claims include talking about his sex life on set, asking for women’s numbers and repeatedly questioning a gay woman about the ‘logistics’ of dating other women.

Gregg’s lawyers said ‘it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature’.

Gavin and Stacey duo Ruth Jones and James Corden have announced that the beloved characters from the show will be making a comeback in a new form next year

Gavin and Stacey creators Ruth Jones and James Corden have revealed the sitcoms much-loved characters will return in a new form next year.

Gavin And Stacey: The Finale will air on Christmas Day on the BBC and it will be the show’s final episode following 2019’s festive special which ended on a cliff-hanger when Vanessa ‘Nessa’ Jenkins, played by Ruth, proposed to James’ character Neil ‘Smithy’ Smith.

But the story doesn’t end there! Ruth and James have announced that they are writing a new book together, titled When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story Of Love And Friendship. The pair’s literary offering with hit book shops in Autumn 2025 and will detail their journey to creating a comedy that touched the hearts of a nations.

Speaking in the wake of the book deal being announced, Ruth, 48, and James, 46, told fans: “We’re so excited to be sharing the story behind the story of Gavin and Stacey. The show has played a huge part in our twenty-five-year friendship and we hope this book will give readers a fresh insight into how it all came about.”

A teaser image of the final episode ahead of it airing next week ( 
Image:
PA)

“Gavin and Stacey is a TV series like no other. Now, for the first time, its creators James Corden and Ruth Jones tell the full extraordinary story of how they turned their little show into a full-on cultural phenomenon,” the book’s publisher Penguin added in its description of the upcoming book.

“As they recount the rejection, obstacles and challenges they faced on the way to giving birth to their beloved comedy creation, James and Ruth also explore the flourishing of their own real-life friendship. While their now legendary on- screen characters Nessa and Smithy had a profound awkwardness to negotiate, culminating in that marriage proposal in the 2019 Christmas special, Ruth and James forged a magical relationship of mutual support based also on a deep, shared sense of subversive fun.

“Here, from their tentative initial pitch to the emotionally overwhelming final day of filming, the duo detail what’s occurred every step of the way, bouncing off each other in inimitable style. Full of revelations and never-before-heard stories, this is a one-of-a-kind book about a show that’s already gone down in history.”

The book announcement comes in the wake of James admitting he “never ever thought” Gavin and Stacey would be a long-running show and that its success had been “a dream come true”. The 46-year-old added that just having a show that is “worthy of a Christmas special” was enough for him and that he thought ending at three series was the right decision.

“Gavin and Stacey is a TV series like no other. Now, for the first time, its creators James Corden and Ruth Jones tell the full extraordinary story of how they turned their little show into a full-on cultural phenomenon,” the book’s publisher Penguin added in its description of the upcoming book.

“As they recount the rejection, obstacles and challenges they faced on the way to giving birth to their beloved comedy creation, James and Ruth also explore the flourishing of their own real-life friendship. While their now legendary on- screen characters Nessa and Smithy had a profound awkwardness to negotiate, culminating in that marriage proposal in the 2019 Christmas special, Ruth and James forged a magical relationship of mutual support based also on a deep, shared sense of subversive fun.

“Here, from their tentative initial pitch to the emotionally overwhelming final day of filming, the duo detail what’s occurred every step of the way, bouncing off each other in inimitable style. Full of revelations and never-before-heard stories, this is a one-of-a-kind book about a show that’s already gone down in history.”

The book announcement comes in the wake of James admitting he “never ever thought” Gavin and Stacey would be a long-running show and that its success had been “a dream come true”. The 46-year-old added that just having a show that is “worthy of a Christmas special” was enough for him and that he thought ending at three series was the right decision.Speaking at a screening in London earlier this week ahead of the Christmas Day episode airing, the Smithy actor said: “We’ve honestly never ever thought past what we’ve been commissioned to do, when we were writing the scripts for the first series, we didn’t know if the show would get green lit.

 

The final episode of Gavin and Stacey airs on Christmas Day ( 
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“Then it gets green lit, then you shoot it, and then you’re hoping that someone finds it, then you get to do another series. And then suddenly, as that one starts coming out, it feels like lots of people are watching it. And then we did the first Christmas special, which was just a dream come true for us, like an absolute dream come true, to have a show that was considered worthy of a Christmas special, that was enough for us is the truth.

“And then we really felt like we probably told enough of the story, and if we’re honest with ourselves, we were finding it hard to construct ways for the families to keep meeting up… And so I think when we ended the third series, it was definite that was it.”

He explained that a finale episode was not certain and there was a chance that he and co-writer Ruth would leave the show at its cliff-hanger ending. James added: “We had a week in September, where we were like let’s get together then, and if there’s nothing there, if the characters don’t show us what the story is, it doesn’t matter.

“We haven’t told anybody, we haven’t told the cast, we haven’t spoken to the BBC, and it’s kind of lovely hearing Charlotte (Moore, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer) talk about those moments. We didn’t contact Charlotte till we’ve written, I think 70 pages of this special, because by then we felt like, ‘oh, we’ve got something that we feel that we’re ready to share’. Because it may sound like a complete nonsense but it doesn’t really feel like we’re in charge of writing, I feel like we just have to be together, and we sort of open a portal and the characters arrive, and they tell us what they want everybody to know.”

*Gavin And Stacey: The Finale will air on BBC One from 9pm on Christmas Day and will also be available on BBC iPlayer. The documentary Gavin And Stacey: A Fond Farewell will be shown at 7pm on New Year’s Day on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Zoe Ball, 53, announced on her Radio 2 Breakfast Show that she is stepping down from the role after six years, with her final show set to air on December 20.

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Ball said she will miss her listeners and colleagues but not getting up early

Ball heaped praise on her successor: “Scott and I go way back to our Radio 1 days, when he was doing early mornings before me. He’s been a close friend for years, and I’m beyond thrilled it’s him taking over the Breakfast Show.

“Breakfast has always been his dream. He’s not only a blooming brilliant producer but one of the best in radio. I can’t wait to tune in on the school run!”

Mills recently stood in for Ball when she took a few weeks off from her show.

Trevor Nelson, who currently presents in the evenings Monday to Thursday, will replace Mills as the presenter of the 2pm to 4pm weekday afternoon show from January.

Nelson said: “I’m looking to have lots of fun and will be bringing a bit of soul to the new show.”

Meanwhile, DJ Spoony will extend his weekly edition of The Good Grove (Friday nights – 9-11pm) to four weekly shows on Monday – Thursday nights and Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco will be extended from one to two hours, kicking off on Friday nights at 9pm.

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Ball hosted the BBC One Saturday morning children’s show Live and Kicking in 1997

Ball first joined BBC Radio in October 1997 as the co-host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show with co-presenter Kevin Greening. From October 1998 to March 2000, Zoe hosted the programme solo, the first woman to do so.

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: “Zoe has woken up the nation on Radio 2 with incredible warmth, wit and so much joy since January 2019.

“I’d like to thank her for approaching each show with as much vim and vigour as if it were her first. I’m thrilled that that she’ll remain an important part of the Radio 2 family.”

She was the BBC’s highest-paid on-air female presenter in 2023/24.

Her salary of between £950,000 and £954,999 ranked her second on the list of top-earning talent behind Gary Lineker, according to the corporation’s annual report published in July.

Many more stars don’t make the list, with several of them almost certainly earning more than Ball and Lineker but they are not named because the BBC does not have to disclose the salaries of stars who are paid through production companies.

The latest figures from radio industry body Rajar state that Ball’s programme is the most listened to breakfast show in the UK.

But it dipped by 146,000 listeners to 6.28 million in the most recent quarter, according to industry figures from Rajar.

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 13.3 million, the figures show.

At the 2024 Audio and Radio Industry Awards, also known as the Arias, Scott Mills won gold for the best music entertainment show, while Ball won bronze for the best music breakfast show.