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Fans have claimed that he has had a smooth ride throughout the entire series and has managed to avoid two of the hardest dances.

Strictly fans are convinced that Strictly is fixed after Pete Wicks’ two semi-final dances were revealed. The BBC show revealed the double dances on Instagram where they were met with furious fans claiming that the show has been fixed for the benefit of the former Towie star.

Strictly revealed Pete’s selection in the caption that partly read: “Pete and Jowita Argentine Tango to Bittersweet by Symphony The Verve and Foxtrot to Beyond The Sea by Bobby Darin.”

One speculating user commented: “Another week and Pete has still avoided the jive ahahahahah the show is fixed mate.”

Whilst another added: “Why does Pete get to avoid doing a Jive & a Charleston? Those are 2 really difficult dances that everyone else has had to do…seems unfair.”

“Are you joking me we’re not going to see a Pete Charleston or jive this season at all!!??,” echoed a third. But one fan defended the dance selection replying: “Funny how it’s two of the hardest dances tho isn’t it!.”

Whilst others were just looking forward to the performance with one adding: “Bittersweet Symphony” for Pete and Jowita sounds totally amazing and I literally cannot wait to see them perform this Dance.”

Strictly fans are convinced that Strictly is fixed after Pete Wicks’ two semi-final dances were revealed

Pete and Jowita Przystal will be doing the tango to Bittersweet by Symphony The Verve and will Foxtrot to Beyond The Sea by Bobby Darin
Pete paid a gushing tribute to his Strictly partner Jowita Przystal just hours before Maura Higgins confessed all about their relationship on TV.

The ex Towie star, 36, and former Love Islander Maura, 34, have been keeping their relationship under wraps for the last few months – with the exception of a few sightings of them on dates across the capital. However, on last Monday’s episode of I’m A Celeb, Maura let the cat out the bag as she revealed she was seeing ‘someone special.’

Fans have been guessing over the last few weeks if Pete has been seeing Maura or his dance partner Jowita, with whom he appears to have struck up a very close bond. The pair wrapped their arms around each other on the BBC results show on Sunday night as they were saved by the public.

Pete paid a gushing tribute to his Strictly partner Jowita just hours before Maura Higgins confessed all about their relationship on TV ( 
Image:
@p_wicks01/Instagram)Minutes later, Pete took to social media to pay a gushing tribute to his dance partner, he penned: “I’ve been struggling to think of what to say and it’s not often I’m lost for words.

“I am so overwhelmed and blessed to have had your support over the past 3 months, I never expected it and I have never taken it for granted. The belief you guys have had in me has been incredible and at times I’m not sure I’ve deserved it. I’ve said it before but no amount of words will ever be able to repay what you have given me. People talk about the “journey” and let me tell you, this isn’t my journey at all. It’s our journey. Jowita, you and I have all been on this wild ride and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

“I literally have no idea how I’m gonna get through next week but I can guarantee you I’ll be giving it my all. Thank you,” he finished alongside a love heart emoji.

I’m A Celeb star Melvin Odoom opens up about life in the I’m A Celebrity camp, revealing for the first time how he nearly quit and had to be rescued by security during a storm

I’m a Celeb star Melvin Odoom has told how he was dramatically on the verge of quitting the show.

Talking to the Mirror, the star reveals for the first time how he had to be rescued in the middle of the night by a security guard during a storm after crying out for help

It came after he woke drenched in the middle of the night during a storm having barely eaten the night before. “I had my mic on, and I was like, ‘guys, I want help.’ This guy came out like a commando…he had a light on, and he’s like ‘Melvin are you okay, come with me,’” he says.

Viewers watched as Melvin sobbed on Oti Mabuse on the night in question. But the star says his meltdown was much worse as nearly all the campmates took it in turns to be with him.

 

Asked if he contemplated quitting, he admitted: “Yes, because I found it difficult, and I thought the finish line seemed quite far away.” But he says he decided to tough it out – because he left first in Strictly Come Dancing.

Tears: Melvin reflects on life in camp ( 
Image:
Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)
He added: “I didn’t want to let my family down. And the most similar process to this that I’ve ever done in my life was Strictly and I was the first person out, and I was aware of that in my head.”

Melvin explains he was already a naturally emotional person, and that his tears in camp left him embarrassed. “You’ve got people like Oti and Alan who are really strong, and Coleen, who I don’t think she shed a tear once during the time when I was there,” he says. “And I was like, ‘How can I sit here crying when these guys have got little babies at home and they’re just holding it together?’”

He says Danny Jones offered to make his bed, while Maura Higgins gave him a tissue, as Dean McCullough and Oti also came over. He adds: “When Oti came she just reminded me of family and she held my hand and I started bawling. I thought that was the worst thing ever. I was quite embarrassed.”

Mirrorman Tom with Melvin ( 
Image:
Tim Merry/Staff Photographer)
Later Barry McGuigan came and hugged him, and held him tightly. “When he held my head, I was just like, ‘this guy loves me.’ He helped me like a father. I thought these lot love me and that’s what got me through the whole thing,” he says. “The best thing about the camp was the people. If it wasn’t for them, I feel like I would have wanted to leave a lot sooner.”

Melvin also confirmed that Dean WAS work-shy despite his insisting to the Mirror he did the chores. He said: “I was like, ‘bro, let’s get to work.’ There’s buckets to be carried here, and then my man was doing Reiki on Coleen, or he was having a shower.”

But he said that he hoped his stint on the show would secure his dream date with Carol Vorderman, who he spoke about regularly on the show. “I knew she was a fan of the show, and she’s been on it, so iit might be something she sees,” he says. Asked if he fancied an invite to the Mirror’s Pride of Britain to meet her, he laughs: “I mean, I enjoy any kind of party, I could DJ there. Carol Vorderman is such a woman. She’s so intelligent, she can fly helicopters. I just think she’s like the coolest person ever.”

When he came out of the jungle, he was met by his sister Yonah on the bridge. And she reassured him that he had not put a foot wrong in camp, or “cancelled”. “When I saw my sister, I said, ‘was everything okay?’ And she’s like, ‘bro you did so well.’” he says. “And that settled me, because you’ve got no idea what people think of you. Oti was my sister in there, but I trust my real sister. She just knows me 100% so when she said it, I could relax. I’ve not been canceled yet.”

Gregg Wallace stepped down from MasterChef this week amid the ongoing controversy around allegations of alleged inappropriate behaviour on the BBC show

Gregg Wallace has presented MasterChef since 2005, but he wasn’t the BBC’s only choice for the role.

Before the former greengrocer, 60, who has stepped down from the show amid the ongoing controversy around allegations of inappropriate behaviour, became a household name on MasterChef, presenter Giles Coren was also up for the job.

Giles, who has presented BBC’s Amazing Hotels with MasterChef star, Monica Galetti, was called into do a screen test for the series back in 2004 alongside John Torode, who had already got the gig.

Admitting he didn’t really want to present that “c**p old show from the nineties” believing “it will never work”, Giles went along to audition anyway. However, after claiming he had zero chemistry with John, who he claimed “would stare blankly” while Giles delivered “pristine culinary witticism like something out of Oscar Wilde”, he was called a taxi home.

Giles Coren was up for Gregg Wallace’s role on MasterChef ( 
Image:
PA Archive)

But then he saw Gregg on his way out, telling The Times: “When I was done, they called me a cab and as I sat waiting, a bald bloke with a very loud voice went through into the “studio”, shouting and laughing as he went. “Who’s that?” I asked. “That’s your competition,” they said. “He’s a greengrocer. Different sort of vibe.”

Giles continued: “The rest, of course, is … well, 20 years of melodramatically raised voices, fake jeopardy, irrelevant cooking and now poor old decent, baffled, wildly out-of-context Gregg hung out to dry by the BBC for being nothing more nor less than exactly what they were looking for. They didn’t want Oscar Wilde for John Torode’s foil in 2004, they wanted a greengrocer. And they got a greengrocer.”

MasterChef fans have called for the show to be taken off air amid the recent controversy surrounding Gregg. The dad-of-three has been accused of making “inappropriate sexual jokes” amongst other behavioural complaints. However, the presenter’s lawyer says: “It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”.

On Monday, the Peckham native apologised for his remarks suggesting complaints about his conduct came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”. Taking to Instagram, he said: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people.

“I wasn’t in a good headspace when I posted it, I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it. It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out, now while this investigation is under way. I hope you understand and I do hope you will accept this apology.”

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Coleen Rooney took part in the Arcade of Agony with Danny Jones, GK Barry and Richard Coles

I’m A Celebrity star Coleen Rooney had to be seen by a medic after the latest Bushtucker Trial went wrong.

On Wednesday night, viewers tuned in as WAG Coleen, Danny Jones, GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles took on the Arcade of Agony. The stars were each allocated a grabbing a machine loaded with balls to win the task. Each ball they won from the machine contained tickets they could use to deposit into the ticket collection box.

Every go on the machine required the stars to use a coin, which were only available to get from a box of fish guts. The campmates had 10 minutes to win as many tickets as possible. The two stars with the most tickets at the end of the trial would get to go through to the final round and be one step closer to winning the ticket to Cyclone.

In classic Bushtucker Trial style, bugs and creepy crawlies were poured over the stars, including the classic mealworms, crickets, cockroaches and more. Coleen was the first star to get a coin but it didn’t come without a price. When their time ran out, Coleen came out of her grabbing booth and said: “I’ve got one in my ear!”

A creepy crawly came out of Coleen’s ears ( 
Image:
ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The medic came in to take a closer look at her ear to remove it with a syringe, but it crawled out as they were taking a look. Ant said: “Oh my god! It just jumped out!” Meanwhile, Coleen knocked Danny off the top spot as the fan-favourite to become King/Queen of the Jungle.

Loose Women’s Jane Moore, radio star Dean McCullough singer Tulisa Contostavlos, and Melvin Odoom were the recent stars to be eliminated from the Australian jungle. With not long to go, fans are hoping their favourites will reach the final and be crowned the King or Queen of the jungle.

Danny used to be the fan favourite to win the show but he was knocked off the top spot for the first time since the show started. Wagatha Christie icon Coleen became the new favourite to win the show, with Grosvenor Sport revealing she came in at 5/4 while Danny Jones came in at 7/4 to win.

Richard Coles is near the top with 4/1 while Maura Higgins is at 16/1. The other stars’ odds are GK Barry at 25/1, Alan Halsall at 33/1, Oti Mabuse at 66/1, Barry McGuigan and Melvin Odoom at 150/1. A spokesperson for Grosvenor Sport said: “Coleen Rooney has emerged as the new favourite to win I’m a Celebrity overnight, knocking Danny Jones off his perch for the first time this series.

Gino D’Acampo appeared on ITV Loose Women on Wednesday afternoon alongside panellists Kaye Adams, Frankie Bridge, Kelly Brooks, Kelly Holmes

Loose Women hosts were left taken back as Gino D’Acampo made an ‘awkward’ remark about an on-screen ‘kiss rule’.

During Wednesday’s episode of the ITV hit chat show, panellists Kaye Adams, Frankie Bridge, Kelly Brooks, Kelly Holmes were joined by the Italian TV chef, 48, as he promoted his new cook book.

However just seconds after appearing on the panel, things took a turn as Gino went around a gave each of the presenters a kiss on the check.

It appears as though he broke a rule as he went on to reveal: “They told me ‘please don’t kiss the ladies on the table’ but what kind of Italian would come on the show without kissing the ladies. The rules are rubbish.”

The panellists laughed off the remark as Kelly turned to Gino and joked: “Well I think you’ve just got fired.” Everyone burst out laughing as a baffled Gino questioned: “What, for a kiss?”

Gino D’Acampo appeared on Loose Women on Wednesday ( 
Image:
ITV)
Viewers watching at home wasted no time sharing their reaction online as one viewer took to X, formally known as Twitter and pointed out: “That was very awkward…. #loosewomen Frankie looked uncomfortable.”

#Another commented: “#loosewomen Gino being so careful with his innuendo today.” One wrote: “Careful Gino they’ll be wanting to cancel you. #loosewomen.” Meanwhile another asked: “Do you really think they told him not to kiss them?? #Loosewomen.”

Talk soon turned to Gino’s ‘ultimate air fryer cookbook’ that has quickly become one of Sunday Times Bestsellers. Kaye was quick to point out: “So you say what type of Italian doesn’t give someone a kiss when they greet them but what kind of Italian uses an airfryer.”

Pointing at the book, Gino insisted: “An Italian who made a hell of a lot of money.” Kaye jumped in: “At least you are honest.”

Gino’s remark comes following the Gregg Wallace controversy surrounding allegations of inappropriate comments to female contestants.

Gregg has been hit with allegations of inappropriate comments to female contestants ( 
Image:
BBC)
The former MasterChef presenter, 60, has recently been embroiled in scandal after a number of people stepped forward to claim he had used inappropriate sexual language on the set of his BBC show.

Attempting to address the allegations, Gregg released a string of videos to his Instagram Stories in which he argued those making claims against him were “a handful of middle class women of a certain age” but he later apologised for the remark.

Meanwhile, Celebrity MasterChef Christmas specials have been dropped from TV schedules. The BBC has confirmed that it will not air the previously recorded specials, Radio Times reports.

Two episodes, titled Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook Off and MasterChef Meets Strictly Festive Extravaganza, were due to air over the Christmas period, but have since been pulled after the BBC faced mounting pressure.

“It’s cream version but still princess,” Waterhouse wrote below the upbeat montage

Suki Waterhouse’s TikTok video; Princess Diana in 1985. Photo: Suki Waterhouse/TikTok; Brendan Beirne/Shutterstock

Suki Waterhouse is channeling Princess Diana’s bold style.

Last week, the 32-year-old actress and singer made a fashion splash on TikTok with a sartorial tribute to the late Princess of Wales. The quick clip showed Waterhouse modeling a whimsical vintage dress by Zandra Rhodes, the same style that Princess Diana wore several times in the 1980s.

“It’s cream version but still princess,” the star captioned the clip of herself laughing and twirling in the drop-waist dress with neutral heels.

The video flashed to throwback photos of Princess Diana in a pale pink version of the frock and was overlaid with audio from The Devil Wears Prada. Waterhouse mimed the dialogue from the 2006 comedy where Anne Hathaway’s character told Emily Blunt’s character, “Yeah, I am” wearing “the Chanel boots” after her makeover. In text displayed on the video, the Daisy Jones & the Six star replaced the movie lines with her own version: “The Zandra Rhodes dress that Diana wore to dinner in Kyoto? Yeah…I am.”

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The Zandra Rhodes brand confirmed the provenance of Waterhouse’s look on Instagram, explaining that the “it girl” was wearing the label’s “Buttons and Bows” dress from 1986.

The dress came to be after Princess Diana popped into the label’s London shop and was struck by the design for the dress, which was planned to be made in black with a fluorescent pink print. The designer suggested switching the colors to pink and white, and Diana commissioned the combination. It was later made for her following two fittings at her ​​Kensington Palace apartment, and the color scheme and print were kept exclusive to her, Kerry Taylor Auctions reported.

The future King Charles and Princess Diana arrive to attend a state banquet in Kyoto, Japan in May 1986.Anwar Hussein/Getty

The ethereal look with off-the-shoulder neckline, beading and zigzag hem apparently became a favorite in her royal rotation, and the Princess of Wales wore it to a Torvill and Dean party in 1985, an official state visit to Japan with the future King Charles in 1986 and a benefit for the London City Ballet in 1987.

A decade later, the Zandra Rhodes dress was part of the lot at the Christie’s of New York auction Diana held shortly before her tragic death in 1997. In 2011, it changed hands once more and was bought by Historic Royal Palaces for almost $32,000, the Daily Mail reported.

Princess Diana at a Torvill and Dean party in July 1985.Brendan Beirne/Shutterstock

Princess Diana’s Most Glamorous Looks of All Time

The dress was later displayed at Kensington Palace, Princess Diana’s former home in London, for the Fashion Rules exhibit in 2016.

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While speaking to Forbes in 2021, Rhodes reflected on what it was like to work with Princess Diana and the practical mindset she had about how things should fit.

A dress worn by Princess Diana on display at Kensington Palace for the Fashion Rules exhibit.John Stillwell/PA Images/Getty

“She would always check that the dress was not too daring or indiscreet. Especially the skirt as she got out of the car. She said that the photographers would always be there to get the wrong angle!” the designer told the outlet, adding that the royal didn’t need to do much to make an outfit pop.

“She was so natural and beautiful that simple pearls looked fabulous!” Rhodes added about what accessories Diana liked.

Spice Girls star is married to husband David Beckham, the former England captain and ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint Germain star.

Spice Girls star is married to husband David Beckham, the former England captain and ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint Germain star.

Victoria Beckham has issued a scathing response after she was asked if she’s “excited” to become a grandmother. The Spice Girls star is married to husband David Beckham, the former England captain and ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint Germain star.

Victoria and David share eldest son Brooklyn, as well as daughter Harper Seven, and sons Romeo and Brooklyn. Their son Brooklyn, now aged 24, is married to Nicola Peltz, a US heiress, and Victoria has been discussing seeing her boy get wed.

But when pressed by Vogue, who asked about becoming a grandmother, Victoria exclaimed: “What?! Woo. Hang on! I don’t think it’s happening just yet, unless you guys know something that I don’t. It’s not happening just yet.”

READ MORE UK braced for snow by ‘end of week’ and ‘three places’ will be worst-hit

Speaking of Anna Wintour, she said, “The last time I was with Anna, I was like, ‘Anna, what do your grandchildren call you?’ And she said to me, ‘Anna.’ And I was like, well that is very elegant, so maybe I’ll take that route.

“But it’s not happening just yet. But, you know, hopefully one day if I am blessed, then that would be wonderful. But we’re not there just yet!” Budding chef Brooklyn and actress Nicola are looking forward to their second wedding anniversary this April.

They both can’t wait to start a family, with Nicola telling Cosmopolitan UK: “I want to have a baby and get right back to work.” She then added: “We definitely want kids. We need a house first, especially because we have so many puppies. Brooklyn really wants kids now.

“But I want to do a few more things in my career first.” The pair got married in April 2022, with David and Victoria in attendance as they tied the knot in style in the United States of America.

The festive season is set to sparkle, but it seems Harry and Meghan could be decking the halls away from Royal traditions again this year, by sticking close to home in sunny California. The Sussexes, who set up their new life stateside in 2020, have a cosy Christmas lined up with hints that the couple may snub any UK invites – reportedly including one from Harry’s dear uncle, Charles Spencer – in favour of family time in the States.

Speaking to OK! , former Royal correspondent Jennie Bond shared touching insights on why Meghan might opt for a California Christmas, saying: “I think most women like to be with their mums on Christmas Day. Given that Doria does not seem to have any other family she wants to share the festivities with, I think it’s a fair bet that Meghan will want to be with her and that would mean them all being in California. I don’t imagine that Doria would want to spend such a special time with people she barely knows – in other words the Spencers.”

Coleen Rooney’s childhood phobia that could sabotage grim I’m A Celeb trials

Meghan and Harry haven’t celebrated Christmas in the UK for many years now ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Gossip has been swirling about an invitation to join Charles Spencer at Althorp House – a childhood haunt of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, which he last visited in August – yet it looks increasingly like the couple’s heart is set on a warm, familial Noel with Doria. Despite the Duke’s close ties with the Spencers, Royal commentator Jennie Bond reckons it’s unlikely he’ll jet off for festive celebrations. She shared: “It’s nice though, to think that Harry might have an option to be with his uncle in the UK, although I have no reason to believe the Earl actually has invited Harry and family to stay.”

As for other European trips during the holiday season, the former BBC Royal correspondent doesn’t see them heading to Portugal unless Eugenie and Jack are there. Even though 34 year old Eugenie and her hubby Jack Brooksbank started splitting their time between Portugal and the UK in 2022, Jennie believes that “Eugenie will want to be with her mum [ Sarah Ferguson ] on Christmas Day”. This wouldn’t be the first time Meghan and Harry have ‘snubbed’ any invites to the UK for Christmas as they’ve chosen to spend it in California for several years.

It’s likely that Meghan will want to spend Christmas with her mum, according to a royal expert ( 
Image:
PA)

In fact, Meghan hasn’t returned to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022. Royal expert Jennie added: “All in all I think the chances are that Harry, Meghan, the children and Doria will enjoy Christmas in the sunshine in Montecito. It will probably be a time of some reflection for Harry – he has written about his nostalgia for times when his UK family were all together. But, as any parent knows, when your kids are rushing around, manically ripping opening presents and getting thoroughly over excited at Christmas, there’s not much time to think of anything other than keeping them happy and stopping them fighting. So, I reckon it will be a fun and sun filled Christmas in Montecito.”

After Princess Diana‘s tragic death in 1997, it was only natural for her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, to choose a personal item of hers as a reminder of their mother.

Harry reportedly selected Diana’s Garrard sapphire engagement ring, while William opted for her Cartier Tank Française watch.

In 2010, it is believed the brothers swapped items, so William could use the ring to propose to Kate Middleton. Later, Harry gave the luxurious timepiece to Meghan Markle.

However, in his bombshell biography Spare, released last year, the Duke of Sussex branded these reports ‘absolutely rubbish’.

Instead, Harry claimed William was already in possession of their mother’s ring when he proposed to Kate, so he was never asked to give it up.

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One of the most famous pieces of jewellery in history, the Garrard sapphire and diamond engagement ring was purchased by Charles for Diana in 1981. It cost £28,000 and is now valued at upwards of £300,000

Additionally, Harry said he was unaware of William’s intention to marry Kate until the engagement was publicly announced.

‘Soon after we returned to Britain the Palace announced that Willy was going to marry. November 2010,’ the Prince wrote.

‘News to me. All that time together in Lesotho, he’d never mentioned it.

‘The papers published florid stories about the moment I realised Will and Kate were well matched, the moment I appreciated the depth of their love and thus decided to gift Willy the ring I’d inherited from Mummy, the legendary sapphire, a tender moment between brothers, a bonding moment for all three of us, and absolute rubbish: none of it ever happened.’

Harry went on to deny ever asking for the piece of jewellery after Diana’s death and wrote: ‘I never gave Willy that ring because it wasn’t mine to give. He already had it. He’d asked for it after Mummy died, and I’d been more than happy to let it go.’

One of the most famous pieces of jewellery in history, the Garrard sapphire and diamond engagement ring, was purchased by Charles for Diana in 1981. It cost £28,000 and is now valued at upwards of £300,000.

The ring, inspired by Queen Victoria‘s sapphire brooch from 1840, which she wore as her ‘something blue’ on her wedding day, symbolised marriage, family and love.

When presented with various options, Diana and Charles reportedly selected this ring together, as it complemented her blue eyes.

The choice of a catalogue ring rather than a custom-designed piece broke royal tradition, making it possible for others to purchase the same engagement ring.

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William presented his fiancée Kate with the 12-carat oval blue Ceylon sapphire, surrounded by fourteen solitaire diamonds, which was crafted by Garrard

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After Diana’s death, it was reported that Harry requested to keep his mother’s Garrard sapphire engagement ring, while William selected her Cartier Tank Française watch

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Kate has been proudly wearing Princess Diana’s ring for almost 14 years

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In his bombshell memoir, Spare, Harry alleged that William was already in possession of their mother’s ring when he proposed to Kate – so he was never asked to part with it

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Diana’s choice of a catalogue ring rather than a custom-designed piece broke royal tradition, making it possible for others to purchase the same engagement ring

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In another twist, Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, told the Mirror that he was present when the brothers selected the items to remember their mother by.

Paul claimed: ‘Harry said to me, “I always remember holding Mummy’s hand and that ring hurting me because it was so big”.

‘And that’s why, when the boys came to Kensington Palace, I said to them, you must take something of your Mother’s. You must take something to remind yourself of your time here at Kensington Palace and your mother’s life.’

The former royal employee claimed that William asked to keep Diana’s Cartier watch, which had been a present from her father on her 21st birthday, while Harry chose her engagement ring, which has now been worn by Kate for almost 14 years.

What’s more, Paul says that William was ‘happy with the arrangement’.

Diana wore her beloved Cartier Tank Française on several occasions, including a 1997 visit to London’s Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu Temple and an engagement at the British Lung Foundation that same year.

At the time, the yellow gold watch was priced at £17,800. Harry later gave it to Meghan, who has worn it countless times, often stacked with a Cartier Love bracelet.

It is a clear favourite from her inherited collection.

Birmingham City play host to Wrexham in one of League One’s most hotly-anticipated clashes of the season

David Beckham and Tom Brady speak prior to a game between the Inter Miami and the FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Image: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Traditionally, this evening’s clash between Birmingham City and Wrexham might not seem the likeliest place to spot a A-list star, but these are strange times we live in.

The Blues host the Red Dragons in an eagerly awaited League One contest that is expected to draw a bumper crowd to St Andrew’s, with both teams having their sights set on promotion to the Championship come the end of this season.

Driving the plans behind the scenes for positive change at the respective has included a sprinkling of stardust, with Birmingham owner Tom Wagner and his Knighthead Capital team bringing on board one of American sport’s most famous faces in former NFL star Tom Brady.

This evening’s opponents, Wrexham, have had their fortunes turned around by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with the popular Disney+ series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ having seen the club’s popularity on the other side of the Atlantic grow significantly.

READ: Blues announce partnership with $59b company to kickstart ‘defining era’

READ: David Beckham set to add to Tom Brady stardust at Birmingham City

Famous faces from sport and entertainment have started to become more commonplace when it comes to investing in football, with Will Ferrell an investor in Leeds United alongside basketball stars Russell Westbrook and Larry Nance Jnr, while actor Michael B. Jordan has a stake in Bournemouth. Across the pond, the likes of Natalie Portman and Eva Longoria both have investments in teams that compete in the both men’s and women’s football.

David Beckham, English football royalty, is expected to be in attendance for the clash this evening.

Since retiring, the 49-year-old ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United star has become an active investor with a diversified portfolio, with one of his main deals being that of acquiring an ownership stake in MLS side Inter Miami, playing a significant role in bringing Lionel Messi to America.

Brady and Beckham are said to have grown close and, according to US magazine Life&Style, are on the lookout for investment opportunities that they can enter together.

A source told the magazine: “There’s talk of everything from a fashion line to sports equipment and an alcohol brand. The idea of buying an NFL team together is even on the table.”

Beckham already has a minority ownership stake in an EFL side through his 10% of the ‘Class of 92’ owned Salford City. Him taking any kind of ownership stake in Birmingham is highly unlikely.

However, Brady is understood to want to play an active role in Birmingham’s growth and not just be a passive investor, and business collaborations with Beckham could have a line back to the Blues in an indirect way.

Leveraging the Birmingham brand through Brady and Beckham’s friendship, and unique positioning among the American sporting public, with Brady one of the country’s all-time sporting greats and Beckham having had huge popularity since being a driving force for Inter Miami and the ‘Messi effect’, is something that could be done.

In the same way that Reynolds and McElhenney have been cute in terms of bringing on board major sponsors through association, a Brady and Beckham alliance could also have a significant impact when it comes to bringing on board new commercial partners or other forms of investment.

Brady’s long-standing history with the NFL, and the potential of NFL team ownership in the future, means that the prospect of a link-up between the two entities could be on the cards. With the NFL to open itself up private equity investment, Wagner and Knighthead Capital have been weighing up options for an NFL investment, with the Las Vegas Raiders mentioned as a potential target.

Making the most of relationships that allow for the club to cut through in major markets like the US will be an important tactic for the Blues moving forward, with Knighthead Capital’s investment thesis being one of a long-term view.

On the face of it, famous faces being in attendance may seem to be something of a sideshow that may detract from the importance of what happens on the pitch, but in making football club’s stand out in the crowd and maximise a golden opportunity, especially in the US where the ‘soccer’ market is enjoying something of a boom, means that for those that can pull on such levers, they will see the value in doing so.