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The fascination with royal families is widespread – not just within the UK but on a global scale, spanning both contemporary times and historical narratives. Even more intriguing are the mysterious deaths of royals that have stirred conspiracy theories and suspicions of foul play over the years.

Throughout history, the sudden or unexplained passings of regal figures have often incited doubt and whispers of concealed machinations. From the eerie circumstances surrounding the demise of royals to the potential ulterior motives, these deaths have gripped the world’s imagination, feeding into our inherent intrigue about influence, luxury and the clandestine affairs that linger behind majestic facades.

Notably, the untimely death of Princess Diana in 1997, as well as the execution of Tsar Nicholas II with his family in 1918, are events that have continued to shock and captivate people worldwide.

Memorial professionals at Affordable Urns delved into some of these cases and noted that the enticement of Royal conspiracies taps into a profound fascination and an appetite for dramatic revelations. “Royal figures live in a world of mystery and power, and when their deaths don’t add up, people are quick to fill in the gaps,” they commented. “We’re fascinated by the idea that even the most powerful lives might end in secrecy.”

Princess Diana (1961 – 1997)

The official story, as we all know well, is that Princess Diana tragically died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997. Official reports concluded that, in short, the crash was caused by a combination of the driver, Henri Paul, being intoxicated and speeding to avoid the paparazzi.

But conspiracy theories have been rife since that seismic day nearly 30 years ago. Many believe Diana’s death wasn’t just a tragic accident, but rather an assassination orchestrated by the royal family or other powerful figures. The theories suggest she was targeted due to her relationship with Dodi Fayed or because she had become too much of a public figure, overshadowing the royals. These theories gained traction due to Diana’s own remarks about fearing for her safety in the months leading up to her death.

Diana, Princess of Wales, her home, Highgrove House, in 1986
But these theories have largely been dismissed by official investigations – including a French judicial investigation and the inquest held in the UK, which ended with the jury concluding that they were the victims of an “unlawful killing” by Henri Paul and the drivers of the following vehicles.

Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (1981 – 2015)

The official story is that Sheikh Rashid, the eldest son of the ruler of Dubai, died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 33. His death was officially attributed to natural causes.

But some have speculated that Sheikh Rashid’s death was not due to a heart attack, but rather linked to internal family disputes or political struggles within the UAE. Reports of his previous involvement in scandals and his step back from public life only added to the rumours that his death may have been shrouded in secrecy.

Prince Friso of the Netherlands (1968 – 2013)

The official story is Prince Friso, the younger brother of King Willem-Alexander, died after being in a coma for over a year following a skiing accident in Austria. He was buried under an avalanche, and despite being rescued, he suffered severe brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

While the official story points to a tragic accident, some theories suggest foul play, particularly due to his wife’s controversial background and the fact that he had renounced his claim to the throne. The mystery deepened when reports about the delay in rescuing him surfaced, raising questions about whether this was more than just an unfortunate skiing incident.

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia (1868 – 1918)

The official story is that Tsar Nicholas II, the last emperor of Russia, was executed by Bolsheviks along with his family during the Russian Revolution in 1918. They were shot and killed in a basement in Ekaterinburg, ending the Romanov dynasty.

The family of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, 1910s. The Tsar (1868-1918), Tsarina Alexandra (1872-1918) and their children Grand Duchesses Olga (1895-1918), Tatiana (1897-1918), Maria (1899-1918), Anastasia (1901-1918) and the Tsarevich Alexei (1904-1918) ( 
Image:
Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Although the official story of the Romanovs’ execution is well-known, theories have long circulated that one or more members of the royal family survived, particularly Anastasia or Alexei. Numerous individuals have come forward claiming to be related to the Romanovs, and for decades, there was doubt about whether all the remains had been recovered. Although DNA testing has largely put these rumours to rest, the mystery around the Romanovs persists in the public imagination.

King George V of the United Kingdom (1865 – 1936)

King George V died in January 1936, with official reports stating that his death was due to illness related to long-standing health issues, including lung disease. But, 50 years later, there was a twist.

In 1986, it was revealed in the personal diary of his physician, Lord Dawson, that the king’s death had been hastened with a lethal injection of morphine and cocaine. Dawson stated that he administered the injection to ensure the king would die before midnight, so his death could be announced in the morning edition of The Times, rather than in the “the less appropriate evening journals”. This revelation sparked outrage and renewed interest in the extent to which royal deaths are managed to maintain a desired public image.

King George V and Queen Mary aboard the Medina on their way to Delhi in 1911 ( 
Image:
PA)

There’s little point in spending £16million on an extravagant superyacht if you haven’t go some equally extravagant friends to share it with.

Fortunately for David and Victoria Beckham, close pals Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber were on hand to enjoy the very best their sprawling new boat has to offer.

The foursome made an appearance at Miami Marina on Monday, where the Beckham family’s pride and joy was moored, before venturing out for a cruise across the Atlantic.

Victoria, 50, caught the eye in a thigh-skimming black summer dress as she walked barefoot across the deck, a large leather tote bag slung across one shoulder.

With temperatures soaring across the Florida coast, the fashion designer stayed cool beneath a baseball cap ahead of their latest cruise.

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Victoria and David Beckham were pictured at Miami Marina on Monday as they prepared to venture out on their £16million superyacht

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Cindy Crawford showed off her cleavage in a loose fitting blue shirt as she joined the Beckham’s aboard their lavish boat

The Beckham’s newly purchased waterfront mega mansion is only a few blocks from Cindy and Rande’s Miami Beach home.

Meanwhile supermodel Cindy looked as chic as ever as she sported a pair of white linen trousers with a navy unbuttoned shirt.

She paired the summery look with a white cowboy hat and had a pair of sunglasses hanging from her shirt.

Spotted aboard their superyacht earlier in the day, Victoria and David proved they still had lots in common after 25-years of marriage as they read books by the same author amid their sun-soaked Miami getaway on Friday.

The former Spice Girl, 50, and ex footballer, 49, topped up their tans onboard the family’s £16M superyacht while leafing through chilling thrillers by American writer  Freida McFadden.

Victoria put on a very leggy display in a pair of tiny cut off denim shorts which she wore with black T-shirt and baseball cap as she read Never Lie.

Meanwhile David showcased his toned and tattooed physique and went shirtless while appearing engrossed in his paperback copy of The Housemaid’s Secret, the second in a series.

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Victoria, 50, caught the eye in a thigh-skimming black summer dress as she walked barefoot across the deck

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Meanwhile supermodel Cindy looked as chic as ever as she sported a pair of white linen trousers with a navy unbuttoned shirt

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David was seen beaming as the friends hopped onto a tender boat

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Friends Cindy and Victoria shared a grin as they got ready to leave the yacht and get onto a tender

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David was smiling as he enjoyed his lavish day

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The pals all picked up their flip flops as they prepared to leave the yacht

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Victoria was seen being helped off the swim platform of the yacht so they could get into a tender

Unable to put their books down the couple later took them ashore as they were helped off the vessel by a member of the crew.

It comes after Cindy and her family showed their support for Brooklyn Beckham last month as they attended his swanky launch party for his £15-a-bottle hot sauce Cloud 23 at Bar Marmont in LA.

Cindy, who was joined by Rande, looked incredible as she cut a stylish figure in a satin black top which boasted a lace insert at the side.

She teamed the top with a black leather biker jacket, which hung loosely over her shoulders, and donned a pair of dark blue denim flared jeans.

Cindy added inches to her slender frame with a pair of black high heels and further accessorised with a rose gold bangle.

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Cindy paired the summery look with a white cowboy hat

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Cindy and her husband Rande Gerber looked loved up for the outing, as Rande sported a striped t-shirt

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The pals all put on a chic display for the luxury day out

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Cindy and Rande were later seen hopping into a golf buggy as they made a stylish arrival

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In another snap, Cindy was also seen being helped off the yacht and onto the tender

David Beckham gets ready for holidays with Ninja Kitchen appliances

Meanwhile, her husband Rande cut a more laidback figure as he sported a grey T-shirt and a khaki denim overshirt.

He teamed the shirt with a pair of dark blue denim jeans and sported a pair of casual brown trainers.

Presley Gerber, 25, and his girlfriend Isabella Jones also joined his mother and father, who are close pals with the Beckhams, at the event.

Dancer Amy Dowden has been forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing after breaking a bone in her foot during training in a new blow to the star

Dancer Amy Dowden was tonight forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing after breaking a bone in her foot.

The professional dancer – recovering from breast cancer – suffered the injury in the days ahead of the show on 26 October. Now doctors have told her to rest indefinitely in order to allow the injury to recover, meaning her partner JB Gill will dance with Lauren Oakley for the rest of the series.

Tonight she spoke of her heartache at having to pull out.

She said: “My heart is breaking right now. The past few months I finally felt like me again. Cancer was no longer the first thing I thought of when I woke up. It was choreography, music choices, which dances in which order, what we needed to work on. I felt free again. My goal since hearing those words you have cancer was to get back on the strictly dance floor. It’s been such a challenge to get back, one I devoted 2024 too.

“Which with my incredible team we got there. Something I wanted to do for myself and loved ones. There was no feeling like it dancing again in the ballroom with my strictly family. Then I was partnered with the talented ,kind, gentle soul JB. Every day our training room was chilled, hardworking and full of big smiles enjoying what we was creating together with a blossoming friendship. JB thank you for being the perfect partner back. We topped the leader board week one and continued to work so hard and thank you for being so passionate about understanding the ballroom and Latin fundamentals. For me that rumba will always be one of my favs . I’m so sad, so upset and asking why me, why now that our journey has been cut short.

“My heart right now is breaking having to pull out of the competition due to a foot injury and I know only too well ‘this too shall pass’ and l’ll be soon better and back dancing. Something l’ve had to get used to in my life. I’m sure at some point we will dance again JB. To all the fans, to my loved ones, my strictly family thank you. I know you and Lauren will continue to ace that dance floor . I’ll forever be your biggest cheerleader.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden fought back tears last week but now her journey is over ( 
Image:
BBC)
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: “Sadly, Amy Dowden MBE will not be partaking in the rest of the competition this year. Whilst Amy focuses on her recovery following a foot injury, fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, will step in as JB’s dance partner. The health and wellbeing of everyone involved in Strictly are always the utmost priority. The whole Strictly family sends Amy love and well wishes.”

Her spokesperson said Amy was desperately upset to have to pull out of the hit show that she had to miss altogether last year while receiving chemotherapy treatment for her cancer.

But they stressed that she was expected to make a full recovery within the next few weeks. “Amy is hoping to be able to dance again on Strictly before the end of the series. It is a different injury to the one she had a year ago. It’s the same foot but a different bone. It’s just terribly bad luck.

“She did it during training, it was one of those things, nobody’s fault, but it got worse over the next few days.”

Millions of viewers saw her cheering on JB on Saturday in the studio. Her spokesperson added: “With this injury, there is no outward sign, she is ok to walk around, but she can’t wear heels.”

Amy Dowden has pulled out of the entire series in a shock development
On October 26 Amy needed medical attention after dancing in the Halloween special with JB with presenter Tess Day announcing Amy would not appearing on the Sunday results show because she was unwell. It was later announced that Lauren, who did not have a celebrity partner this year, would stand in for her with JB for just one week. On Saturday she was tearful as the pair danced the Couple’s Choice routine that she had choreographed – and the JLS singer got his first tens of the series.

For icons week, JB and Lauren, 33, danced to a medley of Bruno Mars hits. Following their performance, an emotional Amy struggled to hold back her tears as they earned 39 points. Telling Lauren she was “so grateful” for how she’d stepped in, she admitted to JB: “I wish I was there with you, you were amazing!”

Amy has had a lot of bad luck when it comes to health issues. She has suffered from Crohn’s disease since childhood, and then was diagnosed with breast cancer aged just 32, days before she was due to go on honeymoon.

Lauren Oakley replaced Amy Dowden last week and is now set to partner JB Gill for the rest of the series ( 
Image:
BBC)

After receiving treatment throughout 2023, she suffered another setback with a broken foot last November. She has said that striving to get back to Strictly Come Dancing was one of the factors that most helped her to get through her cancer treatment.

Fans were thrilled to see her back on the show and she received huge support when she had to sit out on Saturday. “I adore Amy she deserves the world and more,” one wrote, with another adding: ”Seeing Amy cry has made me cry. She should’ve been on that dance floor.”

Prince William has revealed that the past year has an annus horribilis as he supported both his wife Kate and father, King Charles, in their fights against cancer

Prince William has opened up about the King and Princess of Wales being diagnosed with cancer, describing the year as “the hardest in my life”.

In a searingly honest interview during a solo visit to South Africa, William also spoke of his pride in his father Charles, 74, and his wife Kate, 42, for the bravery they have shown throughout their ordeal. The future king said of his annus horribilis – which is Latin for terrible year: “Honestly? It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.

“So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult. But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal.”

William with model Winnie Harlow in Cape Town ( 
Image:
PA)
The late Queen branded 1992 an annus horribilis after the royal family suffered a series of setbacks including a fire at Windsor Castle. This year, Charles went to hospital with an enlarged prostate, spending three nights at The London Clinic in January, while Kate spent nearly two weeks there after abdominal surgery. Buckingham Palace announced on February 5 the monarch had a form of cancer, while the princess was diagnosed just days later, although she did not share the news until late March.

William took a leave of absence to care for Kate and their children but announced his return to royal life on foreign soil this week
with the culmination of the 2024 Earthshot Prize awards at a ­glittering ceremony in Cape Town. The prince heralded the success of the fourth instalment of his global environmental awards – giving five £1million prizes each year over a decade for solutions to the most pressing climate issues, as well as taking the phenomenon to Africa for the first time.

William, 42, met inspiring young people from townships who are using sport to lift themselves from poverty, entrepreneurs, environmentalists and the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa. He also joined supermodels Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow – who presented awards – on a boat tour of the picturesque fishing village of Kalk Bay.

With local fishermen in Kalk Bay ( 
Image:
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Royal aides said the trip was evidence of William emerging into a new era of statesmanship after being in the role of the Prince of Wales for the last two years since his father became King. There is no doubt William has entered a new phase, from the causes he has taken on to his ambitions for the future.

In the last year he has also launched Homewards, an ambitious five-year project to tackle homelessness. Such projects – and his wife Kate’s crusade to highlight the importance of early years development in children – appear to now be the bedrock of their future.

William and Kate in their famous cancer video
Asked whether he was enjoying the responsibility and the freedom in his new role, he said: “It’s a tricky one. Do I like more responsibility? No. Do I like the freedom that I can build something like Earthshot, then yes. And that’s the future for me. It’s very important with my role and my platform, that I’m doing something for good.

“That I’m helping people’s lives and I’m doing something that is genuinely meaningful. So, the Earthshot is a culmination if you like all that put together. But it takes a lot of work; meetings, people coming in, a lot of chatting and phone calls, letters, all trying to sort of make the Earthshot get to being the best possible entity it can be.”

The Prince met locals in Cape Town ( 
Image:
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)William admitted his duties had been a place of solace amid such testing times. Although appearing to be relaxed this week, he said he had struggled with the balance of home and work life. He revealed: “I couldn’t be less relaxed this year. It’s more a case of just crack on and you’ve got to keep going. I enjoy my work and I enjoy pacing myself and keeping sure that I have got time for my family too.”

In Cape Town, William spoke of his love for the country and his desire to bring his children George, 11, ­Charlotte, nine and Louis, five, to Africa with him in the near future. He also revealed he had upset his daughter so much with his recent beard he was forced to take drastic action. William said: “Well Charlotte didn’t like it the first time. I got floods of tears, so I had to shave it off. And then I grew it back. I convinced her it was going to be OK.”

William, who returned home last night, staged the ceremony in a purpose-built reusable eco-dome in Cape Town. It started with an “emotional” live broadcast of The Circle of Life from the Lion King.

Speaking after meeting William, model Heidi said: “He has been so amazing, so welcoming to all of us.” Fellow model Winnie said William’s work reminded her of his late mother Diana. She said: “It was beautiful to see him following in her footsteps.”

Strictly Come Dancing is now nearing the halfway point of the 2024 season with 10 couples remaining – but one duo have been sent packing after failing to impress at the dance off

The Strictly Come Dancing spoiler has struck again – and, as always, fans of the hit BBC show are shook about the latest result.

Fans of the long-running dance contest will be well aware that the BBC airs the Saturday night episode live as it happens – and then immediately after records the results show that airs on Sunday nights. While the cast and crew are sworn to secrecy over who gets voted off week after week, there are moles working on the show who gleefully release the details hours before they are due to be revealed on the show.

On Saturday night, fans watched the cast take to the floor to perform a Rumba, Waltz, Samba, Cha-cha-cha and more. The judges scored the couples – with the stars with the least scores hoping the public would vote to keep them in the contest. Those found to have the absolute lowest scores would then face the dance off.

As is now practically tradition, a Strictly Spoiler social media and website account holder has ruined the news by leaking the results hours early. And while the Mirror has witnessed the shock news, we have decided not to reveal who is allegedly being asked to leave the dancfloor and never return.

Fans who have witnessed the result, however, have been let gobsmaked by the outcome. Taking to X aka Twitter, one fan raged: “actually so annoyed at this??? neither of the couples in the dance off deserved to be there when they’ve improved week after week and then there’s others that have had several bad weeks and keep sailing through.”

“WHAT?! I’M FLOORED!! This has fully pissed me off actually,” another raged after reading the shock result online, with a third adding: “I’m sorry what!! My first question is why was either couple in the dance off??!! And 2nd why are the worse ones still in?” A fourth declared: “what the hell did i just saw ??? the two couples in the dance off was not supposed to be in the dance off to begin with.”

Strictly fans feel the judges got it wrong ( 
Image:
BBC)
The 2024 season of Strictly Come Dancing is nearing the halfway point – although roughly six weeks remain before the grand finale. Stars still fighting for the Glitterball Trophy include EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and his dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas, Olympian-turned-Gladiator Montell Douglas and her dance partner Johannes Radebe, Opera singer Wynne Evans and his dance partner Katya Jones, and model Tasha Ghouri and dancer partner Aljaž Škorjanec.

JLS star JB Gill and his dance partner Lauren Oakley – who stepped into Amy Dowden’s shoes as she has been dealing with a health issue – performed their couple’s choice on Saturday night, attracting warm comments from the judges. While actress Sarah Hadland and her dance partner Vito Coppola took to the floor to show off their Cha-cha-cha.

Blind comedian Chris McCausland performed the Tango with his dance partner Dianne Buswell, and Olympic star Sam Quek glided across the ballroom floor to perform her American Smooth with dance partner Nikita Kuzmin. Remaining couples Shayne Ward, of X Factor fame, and his dance partner Nancy Xu, and Towie Lothario Pete Wicks and his dance partner Jowita Przystał, performed a Quickstep and Salsa respectively.

Great British Bake Off drama as host Alison Hammond comes a cropper twice in the latest episode including slipping backward from a kitchen worktop

Host Alison Hammond struggles to stay upright in the next episode of The Great British Bake Off with not one but TWO spectacular falls.

She sparks concern as she slips backwards from a kitchen worktop, landing with a thud on the hard floor below. There are gasps all round as she disappears completely from sight and all that remains to be seen are her feet sticking out from the end of the workstation

In the same episode to mark 70s Week, she is also seen sprawled on the grass after falling off a space-hopper – leaving her co-host Noel Fielding collapses in hysterics

The drama kicks off when Noel kicks off the episode by telling viewers they are aiming for a “very serious, sophisticated show” ahead of the following week’s quarter-final. He says this means absolutely no disco balls or lava lamps – as Alison bounces forwards on the orange toy shouting “Yee har, ride the pony baby!” Noel admits it looks like fun and asks for a turn – just as she comes a cropper.

Over she goes: Alison slips over dramatically ( 
Image:
DAILY MIRROR)

Once she’s dusted herself off and made it inside the tent, the bakers are busy with their technical challenge. But there are screams and gasps as Alison, 49, hurtles backwards after pretending to perch like a model on the edge of the worktop. “I’m just going to add a little bit of happiness in here,” she says, before losing her balance and ending with her legs flying over her head.

As Georgie declares: “She fell off,” mum-of-one Alison can only lie behind the counter in shock. “Don’t come over here,” she laughs. “Leave me. Leave me with my shame.”

Happy that she has somehow escaped unscathed, Noel lies on top of her and declares: “Oh Alison! That’s the best thing I’ve ever seen ever.”

One show source confirmed that the presenter did not hurt herself. “She was absolutely fine – the only thing Alison injured was her pride.”

Poking out: Alison Hammond’s feet post accident ( 
Image:
DAILY MIRROR)

Illiyin says “wow” at their antics but afterwards Alison tries to re-enact what happened to see what on earth caused her to plummet so dramatically to the floor. “What did I do wrong?” she mutters, limping away with a grimace.

In the episode, which airs on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday, viewers will find out which of the remaining five bakers will make it through to the quarter-finals ahead of the grand final, which is due to air on November 26.

Alison also ended up on the floor after a space-hopper accident ( 
Image:
DAILY MIRROR)The bookies currently have mum-of-three Georgie Grasso and 20-year-old shop assistant Dylan Bachelet as neck and neck in the race to triumph.

Loose Women star Charlene White previously revealed the real reason why she doesn’t wear a poppy on air but viewers tuning into the ITV show are not happy

Loose Women’s Charlene White has sparked backlash from viewers as she appeared on screen without a poppy.

During Friday’s (November 1st) episode of the hit ITV daytime chat show, viewers and the live studio audience were joined by Charlene and co-stars Nadia Sawalha, Judi Love and Frankie Bridge.

Introducing the show, Charlene started off by saying: “We’ve got that Friday feeling guys. Welcome to your final Loose Women of the week and we definitely have that Friday feeling.”

She added: “It’s the first of November, which means we are heading a lot closer to Christmas.” However just minutes in, eagle-eyed viewers were quick to notice that Charlene was the only panellist that wasn’t weaning a poppy live on air.

Loose Women’s Charlene White sparked backlash from viewers on Friday afternoon

It didn’t take long for fans to rush straight to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their reaction. One fan asked: “Where’s your poppy Charlene????????? #LooseWomen.”

Another said: “So what acceptable reason has Charlene got to NOT wear a poppy like most people would.” A third commented: “Anyone know why Charlene isn’t wearing a poppy?”

Meanwhile one viewer leaped to Charlene’s defence and said: “The poppy police are pathetic, bet there the same people who usually harp on about free speech yet they can’t handle someone not wearing a poppy #LooseWomen.”

However Charlene has previously revealed the real reason behind her decision not to wear a poppy as she admitted that she feels ‘uncomfortable’ supporting just one charity above others.

Charlene White, Frankie Bridge, Nadia Sawalha and Judi Love presented Loose Women on Friday ( 
Image:
ITV)
She also said that the racist and sexist abuse that she receives made the decision even more difficult. The TV presenter explained: “I support and am patron of a number of charities, and due to impartiality rules, I am not allowed to visually support them all whilst presenting news programmes. That includes things like a red ribbon for World Aids Day, or a purple band for Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

“Both these and many more charities do great things in the UK, but I’m not allowed to give them exposure on screen. So I feel uncomfortable supporting just one charity above all others, namely The Royal British Legion, but I fully support my colleagues who do choose to wear the poppy on screen.”

Charlene said that the racist and sexist abuse that she receives made the decision even more difficult. ( 
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)However, she went on to say that she continues to wear a poppy when she isn’t on screen. “In my private life, it’s very different. I wear a poppy on Armistice Day – in fact I wear one that my friend Jen’s mum knitted for me a few years ago, she explained. “And I proudly have one of the ceramic poppies from the Tower Of London on my mantelpiece.

“So please don’t think that I don’t support the work that our service personnel do, or that I don’t understand the sacrifices made by servicemen and women 100 years ago. I do.”

Charlene explained that her dad and uncle were part of the armed forces and she made it clear that she thinks it’s important to fight for freedom of speech.

She said: “I come from a Forces family. My Dad served in the RAF, and my uncle served in the Army. When I first decided not to wear the poppy on screen, I spoke to both of them to make sure they were okay with it. And they both support my decision.

Charlene added: “It is always important to remember what my family, your family, and millions of people over many generations have fought for: the right to choose, and the right of freedom of speech and expression.”

Three years ago, the 54-year-old experienced body pains so extreme that she couldn’t do a single push-up. Now, she’s lifting a lid on the health struggle that many women face

Olympic hero Kelly Holmes has made a name for herself as a health and fitness guru, sports pundit and gracing our screens on Loose Women. But, despite her confident TV persona, the 54-year-old has been secretly battling the menopause, confessing to OK! that she had previously been ‘in denial’ about it.

“About three years ago, I was getting bad body pains to the point where I couldn’t even do one push-up,” Kelly told the publication. “If anyone knows me, they know I keep myself fit. So to not be able to do one push-up was alarming. The worst pains were in my wrists, then I ached through to my bones. It was just constant pain, I could feel it in my body the whole time.”

In addition to these crippling symptoms, she’s been wrestling with insomnia, something she didn’t at first link to hormonal changes affecting her sleep. With ongoing issues, the celebrated Olympian sought medical advice and underwent tests to see if she was going through the menopause.

Now in a better place, Kelly is keen to educate women on the importance of exercise ( 
Image:
Mike Marsland/Getty Images for P)“I did the blood tests, reluctantly, because again, I was in denial of my age and now I realise that’s almost a naïve thing to think, as you could experience the menopause from late thirties upwards,” she said. “I was not in a great place mentally,” she explains. “But now I know that the menopause was probably a contribution.”

Kelly’s test results revealed alarmingly low levels of oestrogen and testosterone, leading her doctor to suggest hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Kelly shared her initial reluctance: “But I didn’t want to have HRT, as I didn’t want to put anything I don’t understand into my body… But I also knew that I needed to try it. So I started taking it and I realised I didn’t like it.”

In addition to the crippling menopause symptoms, she’s been wrestling with insomnia ( 
Image:
WireImage)Opting for a more natural approach, she stopped HRT and began using collagen supplements, noting the positive effects: “I wanted natural ways to feel better. When I started taking collagen, I felt like my body pains were alleviating,” she added.

Now feeling stronger, Kelly is passionate about spreading the word on the benefits of exercise, especially weight training, to combat muscle loss from reduced oestrogen. “It’s brilliant doing fitness when you’ve been feeling low and it’s important when you’re getting weaker. So weight training has become something important to me,” she explained, before adding: “Conversation is key. And those of you who are suffering, just book that appointment with a doctor. It can really make a huge difference.”

EastEnders icon Shane Richie appeared on This Morning to discuss his latest storyline as Alfie Moon but the interview took a turn as he took made a cheeky dig a Loose Women

Shane Richie couldn’t help but take a cheeky swipe at Loose Women in front of his ex-wife Coleen Nolan during his appearance on This Morning.

The EastEnders legend spoke to hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley about his upcoming storyline during Wednesday’s (November 6) episode of the ITV daytime show.

As Shane hinted that his character Alfie Moon could be about to get together with ex Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace), the actor made a joke about Loose Women, the show Coleen stars on.

After being welcomed to the studio by Ben, Shane said: “It was either This Morning or Loose Women and I only watch Loose Women now to find out what I’m doing” before adding: “If you know you know”. Ben left out a chuckle and Shane pointed out: “You got it didn’t you.”

Shane Richie couldn’t help but take a cheeky swipe at Loose Women in front of his ex-wife Coleen Nolan during his appearance on This Morning

As the interview came to an end, Ben and Cat crossed to the Loose Women studio to find out what was coming up on the programme. Host Charlene White reassured Shane that they wouldn’t be talking about him on the show as she stood next to co-stars Coleen, Judi Love and Brenda Edwards. Shane could be heard saying: “What am I doing today?” and “I recognise her” as the broadcasted returned to This Morning.

Coleen and Shane tied the knot in 1990 and share two sons Shane Jr and Jake. They split in 1999 after their marriage ended in heartbreak after both parties cheated. The couple first crossed paths in 1986 and planned a grand wedding four years later but eloped to Florida at the last minute when their plans went awry.

Coleen was on the Loose Women panel alongside Charlene White, Judi Love and Brenda Edwards
In 1996, Shane relocated to Manchester to take on the role of Danny Zuko in Grease, leaving Coleen and their two children in the south. In an excerpt from her 2009 autobiography, Coleen revealed that was the moment she began to suspect something wasn’t right.

At an industry party for one of Shane’s musicals, her suspicions were aroused when she noticed an attractive brunette woman across the room. “At the after-show party, I can distinctly remember examining this one girl. There were loads of people there but she just stood out. She had really long dark hair and was wearing a skin-tight white dress,” Coleen reminisced.

Shane and Coleen were married for nine years ( 
Image:
Getty Images)“Well, it must have been female intuition because that turned out to be the girl Shane had an affair with.” In his memoir, Rags to Riches, Shane confessed to being unfaithful to Coleen with dancer and actress Claire Taylor.

He disclosed: “I was lying so much that I couldn’t remember which story I’d told to each of them. And I’d lie to cover up the lies.”

Queen Camilla was once known best as the infamous third person in King Charles’ first marriage to Princess Diana, and back then no one could have predicted that she would one day be so accepted by the public that she would be crowned alongside Charles as his wife.

Charles’ relationship with Camilla caused issues in his first marriage even from its early days – when Diana was still a very young woman. Before the tragic and untimely of the former Princess of Wales in 1997 she opened up about the “filthy row” she once had with Charles after she had overheard one particular whispered comment he made to Camilla. The revelation came from royal author Andrew Morton, with whom Diana secretly collaborated on a biography of her life, and provided all manner of insider detail on the acrimonious breakdown of her marriage.

Diana broke down to Morton just how heartbreaking she found her husband’s infidelity over the years when the issue repeatedly reared its head. On one occasion, after overhearing an affectionate whispered comment Charles had made to Camilla, Diana admitted that there had been an unpleasant confrontation over their relationship. “I once heard him on the telephone in his bath on his hand-held set, saying: ‘Whatever happens, I will always love you.’ I told him afterwards that I had listened at the door, and we had a filthy row,” the late Princess admitted.

However, the rows and discussions over his relationship with Camilla didn’t stop there, with Diana admitting to the royal author that the couple regularly discussed the matter and that even before then Diana Spencer married Charles, his dynamic with Camilla gave Diana enough pause that she wanted to call off the wedding.

This particularly came up because Charles had a personalised engraved bracelet made for Camilla shortly before his wedding to Diana, “Somebody in his office told me that my husband had had a bracelet made for her, which she wears to this day. It’s a gold chain bracelet with a blue enamel disc. It’s got ‘G and F’ entwined in it, ‘Gladys’ and ‘Fred’,” nicknames that Charles and Camilla are said to refer to one another by.

“I walked into this man’s office one day and said: ‘Oh, what’s in that parcel?’ He said: ‘Oh, you shouldn’t look at that.’ I said: ‘Well, I’m going to look at it.’ “I opened it, and there was (the) bracelet, and I said: ‘I know where this is going.’ I was devastated. This was about two weeks before we got married.” Diana also referred to herself as the “virgin” and “sacrificial lamb” in her marriage to Charles, and that despite his affection for Camilla, “in a way he was obsessed with me. But it was hot and cold, hot and cold. You never knew what mood it was going to be — up and down, up and down.”