Michelle McManus revealed the heartbreaking truth behind her drastic nine stone weight loss live on Good Morning Britain.
The Pop Idol winner, 44 told Rob Rinder and Kate Garraway on Friday that she had been trying to lose weight for years and had been scared about what would happen to her children if she were to die young.
She told the breakfast show that she had tried various diets over the years without success and revealed the key to her recent weight loss.
The Scottish singer explained that she had wanted to be happy with her body but struggled to like what she was seeing.
Michelle revealed that the key to her success has actually been a life coach and weight training, insisting that she’s now happier than ever.
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Michelle McManus, 44, revealed the heartbreaking truth behind her drastic nine stone weight loss on Good Morning Britain on Friday
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The Pop Idol winner told Rob Rinder and Kate Garraway that she had been trying to lose weight for years but she hadn’t found a diet that worked until now
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During the interview, Michelle shut down rumours that she had had surgery or tried the weight loss drug Ozempic
During the interview, Michelle shut down rumours that she had had surgery or tried the weight loss drug Ozempic.
She told host Rob that as a type 1 diabetic, she wouldn’t be able to take the celebrity favourite weight-loss drug and confirmed she had not used any shortcuts to achieve her new figure.
She then explained that over the years she had tried several weight loss programmes without success.
She said: ‘I started to try and lose weight and I tried all these diets.
‘But the more I tried to lose the more I gained and I was looking at myself in mirror thinking “this body has given you two kids and you should be happy”.
‘It shouldn’t matter about clothes size, you should like what you see in the mirror.’
Michelle also candidly discussed the heartbreaking truth that led her to diet.
She told the show that she had considered surgery but had been scared about the side effects and was terrified that going under the knife would mean leaving her children.
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Michelle explained how she felt conflicted by her body saying: ‘The more I tried to lose the more I gained and I was looking at myself in mirror thinking “this body has given you two kids and you should be happy”
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The singer and presenter added that she hadn’t realised what a transformation she had gone through until she went to get a new photo for her BBC staff card and they showed her an old photo
The reality star said: ‘I looked into surgery but it gave me heightened anxiety because what if I did it and what about my kids?’
Michelle explained that she didn’t want to put them through that experience and instead turned to calorie deficit.
She revealed: ‘I started calorie deficit and I thought it was old fashioned – it was something my mum would do in the 80s.’
Michelle criticised online fad diets, describing them as making weight loss look ‘sexy’ when the reality is a lot of hard work.
She said: ‘I met my life coach Liza Hardingbuck and we set out a plan and started weight training and swimming.
‘It’s totally changed my relationship with food. Slowly but surely I lost the weight.’
The singer and presenter added that she hadn’t realised what a transformation she had gone through until she went to get a new photo for her BBC staff card and they showed her an old photo.
‘I actually lost the weight a while ago but it wasn’t until they showed me my old picture card and I don’t think I realised how far I’d come.’
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Michelle criticised online fad diets, describing them as making weight loss look ‘sexy’ when the reality is a lot of hard work (pictured in 2021)
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The singer credited her life coach Liza Hardingbuck with he weight loss, revealing that the pair made a diet and exercise plan
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She told the morning show: ‘I met my life coach Liza Hardingbuck and we set out a plan and started weight training and swimming. ‘It’s totally changed my relationship with food.’
Michelle also candidly discussed the reaction to her weight loss, describing it as ‘lovely’.
‘I’ve lost nine stone and its been the most joyous experience on social media.’
The performer explained the importance of body positivity and emphasised that she had loved the previous version of herself but just didn’t recognise her anymore
‘It’s body positivity. It’s not that that person wasn’t beautiful but I couldn’t connect with her in the mirror but now I’m in a place where I like myself.’ she said.
‘I feel so much healthier and I think thy key to life is no one should tell you what to weigh – if someone feels happy then that’s fine.
‘At the age of 44 I’ve found inner piece because there was a lot of shame but now I’m happy.’
Michelle’s candid confessions come after she admitted that during her time on Pop Idol she struggled with people scrutinising her looks.
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Since her weight loss Michelle explained: ‘Its body positivity. It’s not that that person wasn’t beautiful but I couldn’t connect with her in the mirror but now I’m in a place where I like myself.’
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Michelle – who won season two of Pop Idol in 2003 (pictured) – revealed that during her time on the show she struggled with people scrutinising her looks
Speaking on Lorraine in 2016, she said: ‘It was difficult, everyone wants to look the best they can look. I was only 24, I’d never been to London, it was always made such a big deal, I’ve been up and down, It’s always going to be a part of me.
‘I think it will always be a part of me, even if I was to lose all the weight and become a real skinny minny, it would still somehow be there.’
Michelle also said that she wanted to ‘wire her jaw up’ ahead of her wedding in order to lose weight.
Last year, Michelle opened up on her decision to cut out alcohol, admitting that when drinking she ‘didn’t have a stop button’ and is now much happier.
A GB News presenter was left mortified after accidentally sending an intimate text to their boss.
While the presenter shared their embarrassment, their co-stars were left in hysterics over the blunder.
TV host Stephen Dixon inadvertently told the show’s producer that he was madly in love with him and was left seriously red-faced by the mix-up.
The news anchor, 55, confessed to his mistake on Thursday’s show, explaining that his husband was away from home and in his hurry to respond to a ‘good morning’ text, replied to the wrong person.
He revealed: ‘[I wrote] “Good morning angel, love you, hope you had a nice sleep” and I sent it to my producer!’
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TV host Stephen Dixon, 55, was mortified after he accidentally told the news show’s producer that he was madly in love with him and couldn’t help but laugh at the mix-up
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While the presenter shared their embarrassment, his co-star Ellie Costello was left in hysterics over the blunder and ha to wipe away tears
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The news anchor explained that his husband was away from home and in his hurry to respond to a ‘good morning’ text, replied to the wrong person (pictured with his husband)
Ellie Costello then took over the story-telling, revealing to viewers that their producer had replied.
She said: ‘Our producer replied and was like, “Is this for me? I did sleep well thank you.”
‘Ah, it was brilliant!’.
This isn’t the first time Stephen mentioned his husband during the show, later revealing that if his beloved partner died, he would never re-marry or even date anyone new.
The candid confession came as the host read out messages from viewers which proved that you can find love later in life.
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This isn’t the first time Stephen mentioned his husband during the show, later revealing that if his beloved partner died, he would never re-marry or even date anyone new
One fan revealed she had got engaged at 70 while another had Stephen’s co-host Ellie blushing with the admission that he falls in love with his wife all over again on a daily basis.
Stephen replied to one viewer who told the show that he had recently found his partner for life.
He said: ‘That’s what I’d be like.
‘If anything happened [to my husband], I’d never ever be with anyone else ever again.’
Eamonn Holmes, who has since gone on to join rival GB News, took aim at former This Morning colleague Phillip Schofield, claiming that he is ‘renowned for snubbing people’
Eamonn Holmes has let rip at his former ITV bosses over his axing on This Morning, branding them “sly” and “hypocritical”.
The 62-year-old, who has since gone on to join rival GB News, also took aim at ex-colleague Phillip Schofield, claiming that he is “renowned for snubbing people”.
Eamonn had presented on Fridays and during half-terms alongside wife Ruth Langsford for 15 years to cover for main hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
However, it was revealed in November 2020 that the couple would be dropped from their usual slot and replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
The couple were rumoured to have been “hurt” by the change at the time and now Eamonn has suggested that ITV bosses wanted to make it look like he had walked away from the role.
Eamonn Holmes has let rip at his former ITV bosses
Speaking to the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine, he said that “no one explained anything” to him, adding: “They’re sly. They didn’t want to announce that I’d been dropped because it would adversely affect audience figures, so they made it look as if I’d walked away from them rather than the other way round.”
He went on to claim that bosses had had a chat with his agent and announced that he was going to GB News – despite the channel at the time only asking if he was interested in enjoying.
Eamonn also hit out at ITV’s diversity drive, branding his former bosses “hypocrites”.
Eamonn has taken aim at his former colleague Phil(
Image: S Meddle/ITV/REX)
The presenter questioned: “When are they going to start being diverse with their management? The diversity is only on screen. It’s hypocritical.”
He went on to address Ruth’s famous behind the scenes feud with Phil after he cut her short in the middle of. segment for Loose Women in 2019.
Eamonn said: “Phillip is renowned for snubbing people.
Eamonn has called ITV ‘sly and hypocritical’(
Image: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)“He’s very passive-aggressive. It’s up to Ruth to say how she felt, but I was feeling hurt for her. No one would have snubbed me like that.”
The Mirror has reached out to ITV for comment.
A spokesperson told the Daily Mail: “This isn’t a version of events we recognise and as we have said before we wish Eamonn all the very best.
“We are committed to improving representation both on and off screen and we publicly report on our progress against our commitments and targets.”
The former Apprentice and Celebrity Big Brother contestant has blasted ITV’s offering of daily TV as cheap, boring, awful and ‘soul destroying’ and says fans shouldn’t expect her to appear on any of the shows
Reality star Luisa Zissman has savagely hit out at ITV to slam Good Morning Britain for being cheap, Loose Women for being boring as sin, and describes This Morning as ‘soul destroying’.
The feisty 34-year-old shot to fame in 2013 as the runner up on season nine of The Apprentice before going on to win even more fans the following year thanks to a stint on Celebrity Big Brother.
While she is no stranger to TV, Luisa has hinted she is retiring from life on-screen because she finds it all a little bit too tedious – with ITV shows in particular testing her patience.
She has explained that guests on Good Morning Britain get paid £500 to appear on the show – but she says that is not enough money to warrant the early wake up time she’d need to undertake to make it to the studios.
Luisa Zissman has slammed a string of popular ITV shows(
Image: Matt Frost 2011)
While Loose Women has been dismissed by the star for being dull as dishwater.
Opening up to The Sun on Sunday, Luisa said: “I don’t really do TV any more — I can’t be bothered.
“It’s s*** money and I think that the whole industry is disingenuous. It’s just bulls***. I’m not going to get out of bed at 5am for £500 and go on Good Morning Britain. It’s not worth getting out of bed for.”
She’s branded Loose Women ‘boring’, Good Morning Britain cheap and This Morning ‘soul destroying’(
Image: ITV)
Taking aim at Loose Women, Luisa continued: “I’m too controversial for Loose Women. It should be called Boring Women, it’s so dull.
“I can’t imagine being sat at home watching daytime TV, it must be so dull.”
ITV’s flagship daytime show, This Morning, was also targeted by Luisa who confessed she doesn’t watch it and that she finds it dire.
She explained: “I don’t watch This Morning either. I’m sure they’re nice people, but I’d rather sit in silence. It’s soul destroying and awful.”
It’s not just Luissa who has been lashing out at ITV in recent days – as former This Morning part-time host Eamonn Holmes has also hit out at the broadcaster.
The 62-year-old, who used to host Friday mornings on This Morning, hinted he felt betrayed by ITV after he was axed from the This Morning presenting line-up.
He told the Daily Mail: “They’re sly. They didn’t want to announce that I’d been dropped because it would adversely affect audience figures, so they made it look as if I’d walked away from them rather than the other way round.”
He also took aim at This Morning main host Phillip Schofield – who is rumoured to have a rift with Eamonn’s wife, Ruth Langsford.
Eamonn Holmes has also hit out at ITV(
Image: REX)
Eamonn said: “Phillip is renowned for snubbing people. He’s very passive-aggressive. It’s up to Ruth to say how she felt, but I was feeling hurt for her. No one would have snubbed me like that.”
He also claimed ITV is failing in terms of diversity despite instances like Alison Hammond being promoted to a main This Morning host.
He said: “When are they going to start being diverse with their management? The diversity is only on screen. It’s hypocritical.”
Jamal Edwards MBE – who founded the online urban music platform SB.TV – has reportedly died at the age of 31
Music pioneer Jamal Edwards MBE – credited with launching the careers of a number of music artists and inspiring a generation – has died, aged 31.
The entrepreneur was the founder of the online urban music platform SB.TV and the son of Loose Women star Brenda Edwards.
His pioneering work in the music industry led him to become friends with several celebs – including Ed Sheeran, Will.i.am, Professor Green and Rio Ferdinand.
Tributes have been pouring in on social media for the author who was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list in 2014 for his work in music and his business – including from his mum’s TV co-star Denise Welch.
The telly star typed: “My heart aches for my friend Brenda. I can’t bear it. Jamal Edwards was a wonderful son and brother.”
Loose Women star Brenda Edwards’ son Jamal Edwards has died(
Image: jamaledwards/Instagram)
He founded SB.TV(
Image: @jamaledwards/Instagram)
A fan added: “A pioneer in taking Black British music and culture digital via SBTV. Thank you for being the helm of visual content and a home for artists that didn’t feel seen in the mainstream. The impact is felt and will be for generations to come. An eternal talent. RIP Jamal Edwards.”
A second penned: “A true pioneer. Such sad news. Rest in peace, Jamal Edwards.”
“This is devastating news. RIP to the cultural behemoth that was Jamal Edwards. I seriously cannot believe we’ve lost such an important and universally loved figure in Black British culture,” another devastated fan joined in.
His cause of death has not be revealed.
Just three days ago, Jamal took to Instagram to upload a throwback snap of himself and hitmaker Ed Sheeran.
“Happy Birthday to the OG, Ed. Blessed to have you in my life brother. You know you’ve been mates a long time when you lose count on the years! Keep smashing it & inspiring us all G!” he penned in the birthday tribute.
He helped launch Ed Sheeran’s career(
Image: jamaledwards/Instagram)
He was friends with lots of famous faces – including Professor Green(
Image: Getty Images)Earlier this month he attended the BRIT awards and posed on the red carpet dressed in an eye-catching mustard yellow coloured suit.
He shared posts on social media following the biggest night in music business calendar.
Jamal – who grew up on an estate in Acton, West London – was destined for success after his mum gave him a £200 video camera for Christmas when he was 15.
Will.i.am was also a pal of the mogul(
Image: Getty Images Europe)
YouTube had just been launched and Jamal decided to upload some footage of foxes in his back garden and soon was astounded to see the clip got 1,000 views.
Understanding that the platform could be his way to success he went on to film his friend on the estate he lived on performing grime music.
“Back then, there was no place to showcase our sort of spitting and rapping, so I thought, OK, I want to create that platform,” he told MailOnline in 2013.
It took a while for Jamal’s idea to take off and in the meantime his mum made him get a job at Topman.
In his free time away from the shop floor he started hanging out at the BBC, sneaking into raves and messaging record labels to beg for interview time with their artists.
Three years later when he secured his first non-grime interview with Kelly Rowland – which kickstarted his career as he went on to interview big names including Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz.
Jamal accomplished a lot in his life including being featured in the ES Power 1000 – London’s most influential people 2013 – as well as being chosen to be the ambassador for the youth charity, The Prince’s Trust in 2013.
The following year he was listed as number 2 in The Guardian’s The top 30 young people in digital media and TIME Magazine named Edwards as one of their ‘Next Generation Leaders.
In 2015, he was awarded the Best New StartUp from Virgin Media and Virgin StartUp as well as being named in Debrett’s list of the 500 most influential people in Britain in the New Media section.
2016 saw the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) inducted Edwards into its Hall of Fame and he was crowned as one of GQ Magazine’s 100 Most Connected Men of All Time.
Jamal was given an MBE in 2014(
Image: Getty Images)In 2021, Jamal was appointed Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Sussex in September 2021 and the same year the University of West London gave him an honorary degree.
Jamal also fronted a documentary about mental health in the music industry.
Sharing on battling with anxiety, the businessman said: “Anxiety comes over me at the most random times. I wanted to create awareness. As much as music is my entry point, I feel a responsibility to talk about these other issues. I wanted to get people talking to each other and they have been, I’m happy.”
Denise Welch posted a heartfelt message on Twitter following the news of the death of SB.TV founder and music pioneer Jamal Edwards, the son of Loose Women co-star Brenda Edwards
Denise Welch has posted an emotional tribute to Jamal Edwards following news of the entrepreneur’s death on Sunday at the age of 31.
The SB.TV founder was the son of Denise’s pal and Loose Women co-star and the Geordie presenter, 63, took to Twitter to post her heartbreaking message.
She wrote: “My heart aches for my friend Brenda. I can’t bear it. Jamal Edwards was a wonderful son and brother.”
As her followers commented about the shocking and sad news, Denise went on to call it a “nightmare”.
Actress Kate Robbins took to Denise’s post to say: “Oh dear Lord. This is terrible.”
Denise said her ‘heart breaks’ after news of her Loose Women co-star’s son’s death(
Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
And a fellow follower replied: “Jamal has been a hero especially in the black community and within media and many owe him huge respect.
“Brenda – You are what we call in Jamaica, a mother in Zion. May you’re heavenly reward be great and the crown you wear shine brighter than any diamond.”
Another fan added: “Absolutely devastating. Can’t imagine what Brenda is going through. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brenda and her family at this sad time R.I.P love and light.”
Denise went on to share a message from Twitter’s popular account All On The Board, which shared a quote by Jamal on their board which read: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Their message continued: “RIP Jamal Edwards. As an entrepreneur with limitless creative bravery you will forever inspire those with nothing but their imagination, to be courageous in forging the art and the world of the future.
Jamal was awarded an MBE in 2015(
Image: PA)
“Sending love, thoughts and prayers to you, your family, your friends and your fans.”
Jamal’s cause of death has not be revealed as of yet.
Just three days ago Jamal had posted a throwback snap of himself and pop sensation Ed Sheeran to his Instagram account.
He wrote a special birthday message to the Shivers hitmaker, saying: “Happy Birthday to the OG, Ed. Blessed to have you in my life brother.
“You know you’ve been mates a long time when you lose count on the years! Keep smashing it & inspiring us all G!”
Denise Welch posted an emotional message on Twitter on Sunday evening(
Image: WireImage)
Jamal is credited with helping launch the career of Ed, as well as other huge stars such as Jessie J and Dave thanks to his online urban music platform.
His YouTube channel launched after he realised it could be a way to success in the early days of the platform after he filmed a pal on his estate in Acton, West London, performing grime music.
In 2013, he told MailOnline: “Back then, there was no place to showcase our sort of spitting and rapping, so I thought, OK, I want to create that platform.”
Jamal Edwards with Ed Sheeran(
Image: Instagram)Although it took a while for the idea to take off, Jamal stuck at it at after three years of launching he was able to secure his first non-grime interview with Kelly Rowland.
This helped to kickstart his career and led to him interviewing other big names in the industry, including Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz.
Hugh Grant will reprise his role as Daniel Cleaver in the Bridget Jones 4 – but he has revealed it almost didn’t happen
Hugh Grant is reprising his role as love rat Daniel Cleaver in the new Bridget Jones movie – but revealed it almost didn’t happen.
The 64-year-old Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral star appeared in the first two movies starring opposite Renee Zellweger’s Bridget as he fought Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth, for her affections.
He was missing from the third film after Daniel’s character appeared to have died in a plane crash, but in final scenes viewers discovered he had miraculously been found alive. At the same time, Bridget seemed to have got her happily ever after getting married and having a baby with Mark.
But Hugh warned audiences not to expect too many laugh out loud moments from the new film, which will be released on Valentine’s Day 2025. Appearing on The Graham Norton Show, he said: “It’s actually a very good and moving script, and I say that as someone who is horrid about scripts.
“Because Helen Fielding [Bridget Jones author] had a sad story. She got married to an American screenwriter and they had children, then he died, and she raised the children by herself. Then she started writing a novel about a woman raising children by herself with a dead father and husband. She realised the character was a bit like Bridget, so made it into a Bridget Jones book. As well as being extremely funny, it’s very, very sad.”
Will Bridget and Daniel rekindle their romance in Bridget Jones 4?(
Image: Universal Pictures)
When it came to writing Daniel Cleaver back into the movie, that was a bit harder. Hugh shared: “There was absolutely no role for Daniel Cleaver, as far as I could see, but they wanted to cram me in. So we sat down together.
“I’m quite difficult these days and I felt what they proposed was fine, but not great. I felt he needed a third dimension. He’s in his 60s now, he can’t just be making his way down the King’s Road eyeing up young girls. So they invented – well, I invented – a rather good interim story.”
Though he stopped short of revealing further details of what becomes of Daniel, fans already know some of the upcoming storyline for Bridget. Sadly Mark – like writer Helen’s husband in real life – dies in the film, so it’s a new chapter for Bridget as she navigates life as a widow.
But we know it will focus on Bridget as a single mum trying to get the knack of dating apps. And she bags herself a toy boy in the latest film – or at least dates one. Pictures from filming around London, show Bridget with her younger lover called Rockstar, played by 28-year-old One Day and White Lotus star Leo Woodall.
She is also set to have a fling with PE teacher Mr Walker, played by 12 Years A Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. And fans could be rooting for her to revive her on-off romance with Daniel Cleaver, but will have to wait and see what happens when the movie comes out on February 14.
Prince Harry has accepted the Pat Tillman Award despite calls from veterans to reject it and used his speech to pay tribute to the fallen soldier’s mother after she said he was too ‘privileged’ and other soldiers were more deserving.
The Duke of Sussex, watched by his wife Meghan Markle, spoke of the ‘eternal bond’ between mother and son – a nod to Mary Tillman and Princess Diana.
Harry has faced calls to reject the award because it has typically gone to unsung veterans. More than 76,000 people signed a petition demanding the decision was reversed.
And Mary Tillman told the Mail last month that she was ‘shocked’ it would go to ‘such a controversial and divisive figure’, adding: ‘There are recipients that are far more fitting. These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has’.
But last night at the glitzy ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, hosted by Meghan’s close friend Serena Williams, Harry extended an olive branch to Mr Tillman’s mother.
Meghan beamed with pride as Harry spoke of his ‘respect’ for how she was preserving her son’s bravery and memory, as he also applauded the sacrifice of wounded veterans and praised the Invictus Games in his victory speech.
‘Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,’ he said. ‘The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.’
Mary Tillman was not at the ceremony but Pat’s widow Marie was, and she watched on seriously as the award in her husband’s memory went to Harry.
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Meghan Markle beamed with pride as Prince Harry collected a prestigious military honour at the ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles
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Harry accepted the award at the ceremony despite critics having called for him to turn down the honour – while an online petition was set up condemning the prize
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The Duke of Sussex raised the trophy in the air to the crowd of veterans and A-listers
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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex accepts the Pat Tillman Award onstage from veterans Kirstie Ennis, Israel Del Toro and Elizabeth Marks
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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at the 2024 ESPY Awards
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Pat’s widow Marie watched on seriously as the award in her husband’s memory went to Harry
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The couple received a huge cheer as they were announced at the event by host Serena Williams, who jokingly warned them not to ‘overshadow’ her
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The award is named after Pat Tillman, an NFL player who gave up his lucrative career to enlist in the army in the wake of 9/11. He died in Afghanistan in 2004
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Mary Tillman testifies about the information surrounding her son’s death in battle. She does not appear to have attended last night’s awards
Harry brushed off calls for him to turn down the prize from critics including the former head of Britain’s Royal Navy Lord West, who warned the royal risked the wrath of military veterans.
The Pat Tillman Award is named after the iconic NFL player and late US Army Ranger who gave up his lucrative sporting career to enlist in the army in the wake of 9/11. He died in Afghanistan in 2004 due to friendly fire.
Prince Harry accepted the prestigious military honour, and he used his time on stage to pay tribute to wounded veterans.
As he accepted the award from three previous winners, Harry – who served two tours in Afghanistan – noted the struggles that military personnel face after they return from duty.
Although some condemned the choice of Prince Harry as a recipient of the award, ESPN defended it and cited his role in setting up the Invictus Games – which he mentioned as he dedicated the award to ‘the entire service community’.
‘Tonight, we celebrate healing through sport,’ he said, ending the speech by addressing veterans around the world, telling them: ‘We will leave no one behind.’
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The Duchess of Sussex was embraced as she and her husband Prince Harry arrived at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 32nd ESPY Awards
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they take their seats in the Dolby Theatre
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Prince Harry, who raised eyebrows last month when he was announced as the winner, was greeted on stage by three previous recipients of the Pat Tillman Award
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Harry dedicated his award to ‘the entire service community’, and pledged to leave ‘no one behind’ as he touched on the sacrifice of wounded veterans
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Harry told the crowd: ‘I’d also like to acknowledge the Tillman family especially Mrs Mary Tillman, Pat’s mother – her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect’
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The Duke of Sussex rejected calls not to accept the award and was said to be ‘stunned’ by the reaction
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Prince Harry leaves the stage in Los Angeles after accepting the prize
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Meghan and Harry were all smiles in the audience
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The pair were seen chatting before the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre
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Meghan enjoys a laugh with athlete Sadie Engelhardt as Harry speaks to basketball player Cooper Flagg
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Serena Williams, who posed with Harry backstage, received an enthusiastic reception as she joked to the audience about her hosting role, saying: ‘You may be asking what I’m doing up here’
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The tennis star has grown close to Meghan Markle in recent years, and their friendship was on show at the event
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Weatherwoman Indra Petersons, former Pat Tillman Award recipient Jake Wood and Prince Harry
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined other award nominees including Patrick Mahomes and Caitlin Clark at the glitzy ESPN event on Thursday evening, hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams.
Does Prince Harry deserve to receive the award?
He began his acceptance speech by expressing his ‘deepest gratitude to everyone at the Pat Tillman Foundation’ including the ex-NFL player’s widow Marie Tillman Shenton who was among those attending.
He then made his remarks addressing Mary Tillman, before adding: ‘I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality.
‘This award belongs to them, not to me.’
He also spoke of the inspiration Invictus Games competitors provided amid what he called ‘an age of polarisation and divison’.
The duke said: ‘While so much progress has been made since those first Invictus Games, the world outside seems to be in an even more precarious state.
‘Conflicts rage around the globe – anger and resentment towards those who are different seem to pervade societies everywhere.
‘Our community challenges that. Our community proves that unity is not just possible but formidable.
‘The beauty of the Invictus Games lies in how it brings people together no matter one’s nationality, background or personal struggles.
‘It is a collective, built from courage and mutual respect – where athletes discover time and time again the common denominator of their humanity.
‘Having survived the crucible of armed combat and forged through the challenge to rebuild bodies and minds impacted by conflict, they form a family. They exemplify the very best in all of us.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex had received a huge cheer when they were announced by Williams, a close friend of Meghan, as she jokingly warned them not to ‘overshadow’ her on ‘my night’.
Williams also received a warm welcome on stage as she admitted the role was a departure from her usual talents, saying: ‘You may be asking what I’m doing up here.’
‘This is my night,’ she quipped while pointing out Harry and Meghan. ‘I don’t want to be overshadowed by you two breathing too much oxygen.’
Williams also paid tribute to the banner year women’s sports has had in 2024, and took aim at the hosts ESPN for a lack of airtime given in years past.
Hours before the event began, a small aircraft flew a mysterious message aimed at Prince Harry overhead, cryptically urging him to ‘investigate Mum’s death.’
The announcement of Harry as the winner of the award last month drew scrutiny on event organizers, with ESPN personality Pat McAfee implying that Harry was picked as a purposefully divisive winner to increase TV ratings.
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The award ceremony was hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams, who cut a glamorous figure on the red carpet before she joked with Harry and Meghan
Mary Tillman also claimed that she was not even consulted over the winner.
‘These individuals do not have the money, resources, connections or privilege that Prince Harry has. I feel that those types of individuals should be recognized,’ she said.
ESPN quickly defended its decision to give the award to Harry following Mary’s remarks, saying it chose the Duke of Sussex ‘specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation.’
‘While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,’ the network said in a statement to the New York Post.
The award notably joins together the worlds of sport and the military, and aims to recognize those who made ‘remarkable civic contributions, extraordinary fortitude, and spirit of service’ in both realms.
Former winners of the award came out in support of Harry after critics scathed his victory, with 2017 and 2018 winners, US Marine Jake Wood and USAF Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr. respectively, defending the Duke.
Wood told TMZ that he saw Harry’s military record as deserving, with the royal having served in two tours of Afghanistan, the same number of tours he himself had done.
Del Toro Jr. also cited Harry’s work with the Invictus Games, and said he was looking forward to watching the royal win this year’s award.
The Pat Tillman Award has previously been given to unsung heroes and last year it went to members of the Buffalo Bills American football team training staff who revived a dying player on the field.
An online petition urging ESPN to reassess its decision last night had more than 75,000 signatures.
The petition page set up by New Jersey resident Patti Mickel states: ‘Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honor of this magnitude.
‘In contrast, Pat Tillman exemplified duty, honour, and sacrifice. He gave up his successful NFL career to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks, and tragically lost his life during his service.
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Mary Tillman, the fallen NFL star-turned-veteran’s mother, she was ‘shocked’ her son’s award would go to ‘such a controversial and divisive figure’
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The Duke of Sussex completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot
Previous winners Jake Wood (left, 2018) and Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr., (right, 2017), defended Prince Harry’s win this year and paid tribute to his military service amid the backlash
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Hours before the event began, a small aircraft flew a mysterious message aimed at Prince Harry overhead, cryptically urging him to ‘investigate Mumis death’
‘Awarding this honour to someone who does not reflect the award’s intent diminishes its value and disrespects Tillman’s memory.’
Comparisons have been drawn with how Harry, who completed two tours of Afghanistan as an Apache helicopter pilot, was recognised as a Living Legend of Aviation at a star-studded ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, in January.
As he joined astronauts Buzz Aldrin and James Lovell in collecting that honour, former Royal Navy head Admiral Lord West said of Harry: ‘He is not a living legend.’
Lord West said this week of the prince’s latest honour: ‘I really think Harry should be well advised to sit back and not accept awards like this.
‘It doesn’t travel well with people in the military. And when the mother of the man who died doesn’t want him to get this award, he should think about that.
‘My advice to him is to sit back and not accept any awards at the moment. They are going his way because has such a high profile and people want to take advantage of that.’
Former NFL player McAfee has also been among ESPN’s critics, saying: ‘We should celebrate sports. The worldwide leaders should celebrate sport but doing something like this is obviously trying to p*** people off.’
He suggested a new category award just for Harry, adding: ‘ESPY for Royal Family member who doesn’t want to be called “Royal Family member” who loves sports?’
Sources close to the prince have told of him feeling hurt by the backlash against the prize nomination – describing the fallout as ‘a bitter pill to swallow’.
One was quoted by the Telegraph as saying: ‘Harry’s legacy on Invictus, the things he has achieved, that’s his real passion.
‘This is the space in which he truly feels at home, it is something he deeply cares about. The reaction certainly took the shine off the award.’
And former Pat Tillman Award winner Wood defended Prince Harry on TMZ Live, saying: ‘He’s a royal prince – there’s 100 different things he could have done with his life after his service in the British Armed Forces but he’s chosen to dedicate a big portion of his post-military life to helping veterans.’
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Prince Harry used his acceptance speech after receiving his award to praise the Pat Tillman Foundation and said he was there ‘as a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation’
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Tillman won legions of fans over his three years in the NFL playing for the Arizona Cardinals
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The NFL star’s death in 2004 sparked a media frenzy as it was later revealed that he died by friendly fire, but the military covered it up until a month after his funeral
Tillman was already a famous name in the NFL before he gave it up to enlist, having spent three successful years playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2002, he gave up a $3.6million three-year contract extension in favour of the Army, and although his time in the military captured headlines the same as in his NFL career, he was earning just $1,600-per-month before taxes, according to Bleacher Report.
He was first deployed to Iraq in March 2003, and returned to the US to complete Ranger school – a gruelling 62-day course – before re-deploying to Afghanistan in April 2004.
Tillman’s death just weeks into his tour of Afghanistan sparked a media frenzy, as it was initially reported that Tillman died at the hands of ‘enemy combatants’ after his squadron was ambushed.
However, it later emerged that Tillman had run up a hill during a gun battle to protect his fellow soldiers, but was actually shot three times in the head by his own men in a tragic case of friendly fire.
The military only admitted the truth a month after Tillman’s very public funeral, with many speculating it did so to avoid further bad press as his death came in the same week that torture at the Abu Ghraib prison facility was exposed.
The Invictus Games was established in 2014 by Harry as an international multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women – including those still serving as well as veterans.
Earlier this week the prince told of being excited to see the ‘passion, determination, and resilience’ of the Team UK squad taking part in the next Invictus Games, the first to include winter sports.
He predicted a ‘memorable experience’ scheduled for next February in Vancouver which will include alpine skiing, snowboarding and skeleton, after a 64-strong Team UK squad was named.
Harry and Meghan quit frontline royal duties in January 2020 and moved across the Atlantic for a new life in Montecito, California, with their children Archie and Lilibet.
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Meghan and Harry won applause from fellow guests at the 32nd ESPY Awards
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The pair were seen catching up with friends after arriving for the event ahead of Prince Harry collecting his award and delivering his acceptance speech
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Although Meghan and Harry skipped the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, they did pose for photos with their pal Serena Williams backstage at the event
He released a tell-all memoir Spare in January last year, which became the UK’s fastest-selling non-fiction book after he clinched a £16million ($20million) advance as part of a £32million ($40million) four-book deal with publishers Penguin Random House.
The book included allegations that he was pushed into a dog bowl by his brother Prince William during an argument over former Suits actress Meghan.
It also claimed William teased Harry about his panic attacks, that King Charles put his own interests above his second son, and saw Harry talk about taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
Harry and Meghan gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 in which they accused an unnamed member of the royal family of raising concerns about how dark their son Archie’s skin might be.
After Princess Diana‘s tragic death, many have chronicled her life in works of fact and fiction.
But none has revealed the identity of one of her closest confidantes, Violet Collison, whom she affectionately called ‘Collie’.
‘A number of times she was asked to contribute to various books, and she just flatly refused,’ a relative of Collie tells me.
As head housekeeper to Diana’s parents at Park House on the Sandringham estate, Collie had been a significant figure in Diana’s formative years.
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One of Princess Diana’s closest confidantes was Violet Collison, whom she affectionately called ‘Collie’
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Pictured: An envelope addressed to ‘Mrs V Collinson’ at 5 Bradfield Close, North Walsham in Norfolk, in December 1984
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In her letter dated December 13 1984, Diana thanks Collie for Christmas presents bought for her sons Prince William and Harry
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As head housekeeper to Diana’s parents at Park House on the Sandringham estate, Collie had been a significant figure in Diana’s formative years
The bond remained strong until the fatal car accident that took Diana’s life in 1997.
Only now, more than a decade since Collie’s death in 2013, is her relationship with the princess coming to light, as unseen letters go up for auction at Sworders at the end of this month.
‘Collie and Diana had this relationship until she died that goes over and beyond what a housekeeper would normally experience,’ the relative tells me.
Diana’s difficult relationship with her mother is well-documented. There were periods when they would not be in contact, while Collie was a constant.
‘When Diana and Charles were staying at Sandringham,’ the family member explains, Diana ‘used to try and escape — I think one of her boltholes was a little two-bedroom bungalow in a village two miles down the road [Collie’s home]’.
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While Diana had a difficult relationship with her mother, Collie remained a constant contact
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Diana with her son, Prince William. The Princess’s visits to Collie’s home were kept secret and she would go without any security staff
These visits were kept secret, and Diana would go without any security staff.
In retirement, Collie worked part-time at the Sandringham ticket office.
One day royal biographer Penny Junor came snooping, the family member reveals.
‘When Penny asked at the ticket office if anyone knew a ‘Collie’, the lady working behind the counter said no . . . that person was Collie.’
In 1995, Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy Jr. were two of the most closely-watched people on the planet – so organizing a secret meeting between the two of them was no easy feat.
But that is exactly what their respective staffers managed to orchestrate during a brief trip that Diana made to New York City, the details of which have been kept largely under wraps. Until now.
The meeting was initially arranged at the behest of JFK Jr. who had hoped to convince the newly-separated Diana to appear on the cover of his magazine, George. However a new biography detailing the life of the political scion has now revealed that her real reasons for agreeing to the meet-up may have been far less formal.
‘It was never made public so that made it quite fun, actually,’ Diana’s private secretary, Patrick Jephson, recalls in the pages of JFK Jr: An Intimate Oral Biography, written by RoseMarie Terenzio, Kennedy’s former executive assistant, and Liz McNeil.
‘Diana wanted it to be discreet because it had all the makings of a great gossip story, didn’t it? World’s most eligible bachelor… and she had just got unmarried or was in the process of getting unmarried. It would’ve been a rather intriguing thing to dream about.
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A new JFK Jr. biography is lifting the lid on the truth behind a secret meeting that he held with Princess Diana back in 1995
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The political scion requested a meeting with Diana in New York City in the hopes of persuading her to appear on the cover of his magazine, George, an offer she ultimately turned down
‘She didn’t want that, but she was curious to meet him. Partly, I think, because Sarah Ferguson had the hots for him and Diana wanted to, I think, do one up on her.’
RoseMarie, Kennedy’s former executive assistant and chief of staff at George, writes that Diana was due to be staying at the Carlyle hotel, and she’d arranged for a meeting with the princess on a weekday afternoon to discuss the potential cover.
‘There was all this worry,’ she recalls. ‘Should he go in the front door? Should he wear a disguise: because won’t there be rumors that he’s having an affair with her? … They were the two most famous people on the planet.’
In the end, he walked right through the front door without being noticed, avoiding the paparazzi who were waiting around the side for Diana.
Jephson met Kennedy outside the hotel’s Bemelmans Bar in a ‘rather dark passageway’ and took him up to the penthouse, where Diana was staying.
‘He was smart. And she was smart,’ he recalls. ‘It was a working meeting. Business attire.’
However, Jephson says Kennedy seemed in awe of the beautiful woman sitting opposite him, explaining that he was ‘not uncomfortable but he certainly seemed to be on his best behavior.
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The meeting between the world’s most eligible bachelor and the princess had all the makings of a great gossip story – and the pair’s staff went to great lengths to keep it hidden
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The pair met in Diana’s penthouse suite at the Carlyle – and stayed in touch afterwards
‘He rather sat on the edge of his chair and looked nervously at her,’ he continues.
‘She was very cool – and jolly, you know, and smiley and welcoming.’
He made his pitch for the cover and Diana respectfully declined, with Cindy Crawford ultimately going on to serve as Kennedy’s cover star, but the pair continued talking until their allotted time was over.
‘I can’t remember the words,’ says Jephson, ‘but there was a degree of sympathy. I think she might have spoken about the famous picture of him as a little boy.
‘And she had sympathy for him growing up with the name and being the object of public fascination. These were things that she could relate to.
‘She didn’t see him as the rest of the world saw him. As this big, famous, handsome guy. She saw him, I think, as rather vulnerable because he had grown up in public.
‘She saw in him a fellow victim… of life in the public eye and difficulty knowing who to trust. And I think that that did create a connection between them.’
Terenzio reveals that Diana and JFK Jr stayed in touch, and he asked her again for an interview two years later.
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Diana’s former secretary Patrick Jephson believes that Diana agreed to the meeting in order to ‘one up’ Sarah Ferguson whom she knew had a crush on JFK Jr.
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She saw Kennedy as vulnerable because he had grown up in the public eye
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John Kennedy Jr dancing with the author, RoseMarie Terenzio, to Prince at George’s Christmas party in 1999
‘On February 3, 1997, she wrote John a note from Kensington Palace. I still have a copy of it,’ she writes
‘She said “regrettably” she must decline his offer and that she would get back in touch when the time was right. At the end, she wrote: “I hope” – and she underlined “hope” – ‘the media are leaving both you and Carolyn alone. I know how difficult it is, but believe it or not, the worst paparazzi are here in Europe.’
Matt Berman, the creative director of George, reflected on the deep irony of that first meeting at the Carlyle: ‘I sent him over with a bunch of covers. I would draw sketches – Magic Marker on tracing paper.
‘I did one of her in a limousine with paparazzi flash bulbs – it was her in the back with the windows half up.
‘How weird is that? They were both not gonna be around in the next few years. Who would’ve called that one?’
