To millions of viewers, Angry Ginge is the fiery internet star lighting up I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! with humour, grit and raw honesty.

But what fans are only now discovering is this:

He didn’t come for fame.
He didn’t come for money.
He came for his mum.

Behind every trial, every sleepless night, and every moment of doubt in that jungle is one quiet promise — to the woman who raised him alone when the world left them behind.

A Childhood Built on Survival

Angry Ginge — whose real name is Morgan Sam Lee Burtwistle — grew up in a cramped council flat in Salford, raised entirely by his mother Michelle after his father walked out and never returned.

No safety net.
No second parent.
Just a single mum working relentlessly to keep the lights on.

Friends say the hardship never left him — it shaped him.

“People only see the loud, funny side of Ginge,” his close friend and Bov Boys co-star Jakey Davies revealed.
“But he never had an easy start. Everything he does is for his mum. He just wants to make her proud.”

 

The Moment That Broke Millions of Hearts

In one of the most emotional jungle conversations so far, Ginge finally opened up to Alex Scott about what truly drives him.

“When I’m struggling,” he admitted, “I think about my mum going to her first job… then her second… then her third… barely able to stand. But she did it anyway.”

Then came the line that silenced the camp:

“If she can do it… then I can do this.”

In that moment, the bravado disappeared — and the wounded boy behind the influencer finally stepped into the light.

From Council Flat to Global Fame — Without Forgetting Home

Today, Ginge has over five million followers and is tipped to land huge six-figure deals once the series ends. Experts predict television projects, brand campaigns and book offers.

But those close to him say his mind isn’t on any of that.

“He’ll be overwhelmed by the love,” one industry insider said.
“But he’ll only take opportunities that actually mean something.”

Because success, to Ginge, was never about himself.

A Son’s Silent Mission

This is also his first time travelling this far from home — and his first time being truly alone with his memories. The jungle didn’t just strip away comfort. It stripped away distraction.

Every night.
Every hunger pang.
Every fear.

He faces it all with one image in his mind — his mum, exhausted but still standing.

Not a Game. A Promise.

Viewers may think they’re watching a reality show.

But for Angry Ginge, this is something far deeper.

Not a competition.
Not a career move.
Not a publicity stunt.

It’s a son’s quiet thank you to the woman who gave him everything — when she had almost nothing herself.

And that is why he keeps fighting.

Not for the crown.
Not for the spotlight.
But for Michelle.

Amber Davies has been called out for her ‘Queen behaviour’ as her hilarious demand to Nikita Kuzming while on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor has been ‘exposed’.

The pair were last out to perform on Saturday night (November 29) as week ten of the BBC One dance contest took place, and they couldn’t have impressed any more as they landed a perfect score from the judges with their jive to Ike and Tina Turner’s Proud Mary.

Craig Revel Horwood described it as “fab-u-lous” while Shirley Ballas said she was “speechless” following their efforts. But they didn’t have much time to celebrate as they rushed to take part in the Instant Dance challenge.

The mystery dance tested the couples’ knowledge, as it was one that they learned over the course of the competition and was revealed in an envelope which they picked out last week but did not open until the live show.

They were then given 15 seconds to pick a costume, quickly change backstage, and then given just ten seconds to decide how they were going to perform the dance, The judges ranked each of the performances, with the best earning six points and the worst earning just one.

Amber and Nikita won an extra four points for their samba in the Instant Dance challenge, which then pushed them down from joint first to joint second on the leaderboard once last weekend’s scores were combined with this week’s, and the Instant Dance scores were added.

Amber and Nikita during Strictly’s Instant Dance challenge(Image: PA)

But it wasn’t until Sunday’s (November 30) results show that Amber and Nikita’s future in the competition was confirmed, with the pair revealed to be through to week eleven, which just so happens to be the show’s Musicals Week special and the quater final of Strictly’s 2025 series.

As they now prepare for their next routine, which will be a Charleston to Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boat from Guys And Dolls, Striclty has revealed what the contestants and their pro partners were saying during the new chaotic challenge.

And Amber caused a stir as her demand to Nikita was caught on a secret microphone that captures the dancers’ conversations from the dance floor before the Strictly team cut them all together to make a must-watch social media reel.

Responding to the clip on Instagram, @abbythelionx said: “Every pro frantically telling their celeb what to do, then there’s Amber to Nikita GET ON YOUR KNEES.” @nicolawillis444 commented: “GET ON YOUR KNEES [crying laughing emoji] amazing.”

@elliegantgems replied: “Get on your knees is my favourite. Excellent work all.” @abixx2008 wrote: “Love amber telling nikita what to do.” secrets.5012 laughed: “Amber instructing Nikita ‘get on your knees’. You tell him @amb_d! @nikita__kuzmin.” @louhumphriesphotos added: “QUEEN behaviour & we are HERE FOR IT.”

Amber Davies has been called out for her ‘Queen behaviour’ as her hilarious demand to Nikita Kuzming while on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor has been ‘exposed’.

The pair were last out to perform on Saturday night (November 29) as week ten of the BBC One dance contest took place, and they couldn’t have impressed any more as they landed a perfect score from the judges with their jive to Ike and Tina Turner’s Proud Mary.

Craig Revel Horwood described it as “fab-u-lous” while Shirley Ballas said she was “speechless” following their efforts. But they didn’t have much time to celebrate as they rushed to take part in the Instant Dance challenge.

The mystery dance tested the couples’ knowledge, as it was one that they learned over the course of the competition and was revealed in an envelope which they picked out last week but did not open until the live show.

They were then given 15 seconds to pick a costume, quickly change backstage, and then given just ten seconds to decide how they were going to perform the dance, The judges ranked each of the performances, with the best earning six points and the worst earning just one.

Amber and Nikita won an extra four points for their samba in the Instant Dance challenge, which then pushed them down from joint first to joint second on the leaderboard once last weekend’s scores were combined with this week’s, and the Instant Dance scores were added.

Amber and Nikita during Strictly’s Instant Dance challenge(Image: PA)

But it wasn’t until Sunday’s (November 30) results show that Amber and Nikita’s future in the competition was confirmed, with the pair revealed to be through to week eleven, which just so happens to be the show’s Musicals Week special and the quater final of Strictly’s 2025 series.

As they now prepare for their next routine, which will be a Charleston to Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boat from Guys And Dolls, Striclty has revealed what the contestants and their pro partners were saying during the new chaotic challenge.

And Amber caused a stir as her demand to Nikita was caught on a secret microphone that captures the dancers’ conversations from the dance floor before the Strictly team cut them all together to make a must-watch social media reel.

Responding to the clip on Instagram, @abbythelionx said: “Every pro frantically telling their celeb what to do, then there’s Amber to Nikita GET ON YOUR KNEES.” @nicolawillis444 commented: “GET ON YOUR KNEES [crying laughing emoji] amazing.”

@elliegantgems replied: “Get on your knees is my favourite. Excellent work all.” @abixx2008 wrote: “Love amber telling nikita what to do.” secrets.5012 laughed: “Amber instructing Nikita ‘get on your knees’. You tell him @amb_d! @nikita__kuzmin.” @louhumphriesphotos added: “QUEEN behaviour & we are HERE FOR IT.”

Katie Price’s year of public frustration — from being blocked from appearing on daughter Princess’s reality show to being excluded from the teen’s 18th birthday — seemed to confirm what many believed: her relationship with her older children was slipping further out of reach. Her anger only intensified knowing Peter Andre attended the party with his wife Emily, a long-time rival whom Katie has often clashed with.

But behind the scenes, an even more distressing storm was brewing. Just weeks before, Kieran Hayler — her ex-husband and father of her two youngest children — had been arrested and formally charged with raping a 13-year-old girl. The case sent shockwaves through her already fragile family dynamic.

And yet, out of the turmoil has emerged a rare moment of hope. For the first time in three years, Katie’s two youngest children are living with her again in her newly rented home — a reunion she describes to friends as nothing short of life-changing.

According to insiders, there is one iron-clad condition that has made this possible: Katie has vowed not to post the children on social media or involve them in public content. One friend says she is “elated” but understands the rules this time must be followed.

“Katie is thrilled to have them back living with her full-time,” a source explains. “She’s promised she won’t share photos of them online. She wants to do what’s best for them, and if keeping their home life private is part of that, then she’ll do it.”

Another adds that those closest to her have been blunt: “She’s been told very firmly she cannot publicise them. They need privacy — and that’s something Katie finds incredibly hard.”

Still, Katie appears determined to prove she can create stability. One friend says she is “desperate to make this Christmas special,” focusing entirely on giving her children “a sense of normality they’ve been missing.”

For years, Katie has lived with what she called an “empty nest,” with Princess and Junior spending most of their time with their father, Peter Andre. Meanwhile, her contact with her younger children had been tightly restricted due to a restraining order taken out by Hayler’s partner, Michelle Penticost. Katie pleaded guilty to breaching that order in March and narrowly avoided jail, instead receiving an 18-month community sentence and 170 hours of unpaid work.

In her Channel 4 documentary Katie Price: Trauma And Me, she said losing daily contact with her younger children was “the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with.” She admitted: “Recent events have meant I’m seeing my youngest children less and the relationship between me and their father has broken down. It’s not good for my mental health and it’s certainly not good for their mental health.”

“They should be having their mum in their life. At the moment I’m stuck in this rut… It’s heartbreaking and I just wish it wasn’t like this.”

Despite Katie’s joy at their return, people close to the family quietly acknowledge concern for the children, who have grown up amid parental fallouts, constant instability, and now a deeply serious criminal case involving their father.

“Katie is wild — and then their dad gets arrested,” one associate says. “Those poor children have been through a lot. Their parents split, they’ve seen their mother date different men. She loves a night out. She goes on holiday. She lives a chaotic life.”

But many hope this unexpected reunion will be the turning point she needs. “Hopefully this is what calms her down,” the associate adds. “They need their mum — but they also need peace, privacy, and stability.”

And privacy, of course, is the one thing Katie Price has always struggled to keep.

“He’s Not the Same Anymore…” – Peter Kay’s Heartbreaking Update on Sir Billy Connolly.n

For decades, Sir Billy Connolly was the man who shook theatres with laughter, the untouchable giant of British comedy whose energy felt limitless and whose voice could silence a room before detonating it with joy.

Now, at 83, the man once known as “The Big Yin” is walking more slowly — and according to his closest friend Peter Kay, he is no longer the same.

Speaking with quiet grief at an intimate event at Salford’s Lyric Theatre, Peter delivered a small sentence that carried devastating weight:

“I still hear from Billy now and then… but he’s not in a great place anymore. He still sends messages occasionally… but he’s not the same.”

Those words landed softly — and broke hearts instantly.

The Walking Stick That Said Everything

Last month, fans who caught sight of Billy at a rare public appearance noticed something that spoke louder than any announcement: a walking stick in his hand.

It was a silent signal of how far Parkinson’s disease — first diagnosed in 2013 — has progressed.

For those who grew up watching Connolly dominate stages with wild hair, fearless storytelling and unstoppable physical comedy, the image felt unreal. A legend once impossible to slow… now visibly battling his body with every step.

“So Many of Us Wouldn’t Be Here Without Him”

Peter Kay, now 52, didn’t just speak as a friend — but as a comedian shaped by Billy’s shadow.

“So many comedians in this country wouldn’t be doing what they do without him,” Peter said.
“His influence is massive. Truly extraordinary.”

It wasn’t praise.
It was truth.

In his 2023 book TV: Big Adventures on the Small Screen, Peter revealed just how intimidating Billy’s presence once felt. When he discovered he’d be appearing on Parkinson alongside David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine, Sir David Attenborough — and Sir Billy Connolly — panic set in.

“How could I possibly sit next to Billy Connolly? He’s one of the greatest comedians who’s ever lived.”

Even Peter Kay once feared being funny in the same room as him.

From Global Stages to Quiet Battles

Beyond stand-up, Billy’s legacy stretched across cinema and television — with more than 50 film roles including Mrs Brown and The Last Samurai. He officially retired from stand-up in 2018, though he continued to make documentaries for a time.

On medical advice, he left New York for Florida — the warmth believed to ease his condition. Yet Parkinson’s still took cruel pieces of his life:

His banjo

His beloved cigars

Even the ability to hide the illness from his children in the early days

And still, he tried to laugh through it.

“I Walk With a Stick Because I Have a Horrible Illness”

At the Key West Film Festival, Billy addressed the crowd not from a stage — but from his seat, walking stick resting beside him.

“I walk with a stick because I suffer from a horrible illness,” he told them plainly.
“But it’s a joy to live among you… and it’s a joy to be here tonight.”

Presented with an award by Steve Buscemi and Aidan Quinn, he joked that he didn’t even know what the blue trophy stood for — only that it would take its place beside his others.

Even now, the humor survives.

He even laughed about the “absolutely awful trousers” his wife had convinced him to wear.

Two Friends, Two Battles

While speaking of Billy’s decline, Peter also quietly reflected on his own long health struggles. On BBC Radio 2, he joked about spending 48 years trying to get fit — through diets, gyms, workout videos, and every fitness trend imaginable.

“Men just talking to you while completely naked,” he said of changing rooms — delivering the joke… but behind it, the honesty remained.

Two comedians.
Two bodies changed by time.
Two very different, very human fights.

A Giant Who Walks Slower — But Still Towers Over Comedy

Today, Sir Billy Connolly may walk with caution. His voice may be softer. His steps may be slower.

But his shadow still stretches across British culture.

Peter Kay’s update carried no drama — only truth, respect, and quiet devastation. A reminder that even legends are not immune to time… but their impact is.

Billy Connolly may no longer roar across the stage.
But his laughter still echoes — inside every comedian who ever dared to follow him.

The Quiet Revelation of Tom Read Wilson — And Why Viewers See Paul O’Grady in Him

Every so often, television captures a moment that no producer could ever script.

It’s not loud.
It isn’t dramatic.
There are no fireworks.

It’s the moment when the audience stops watching a contestant… and starts seeing a human being.

That moment has arrived for Tom Read Wilson.

At first, many thought they had him figured out. The velvet voice. The lyrical language. The unmistakable elegance. He seemed theatrical, charming — perhaps even a little untouchable. Some viewers were amused. Others were intrigued. A few were sceptical.

But the jungle has a way of dismantling first impressions.

As the days passed and hunger sharpened, sleep thinned, and facades quietly dissolved, something else emerged from Tom — something far softer, far truer… and unexpectedly familiar.

And now, one quiet question is being whispered across living rooms and social feeds alike:

“When you really look at Tom Read Wilson… who do you see?”

For many, the answer comes without hesitation.

Paul O’Grady.

Not in the way he speaks.
Not in the path of his career.
But in the essence of who he is.

Kindness the Jungle Cannot Fake

One of Tom’s fellow campmates recently described him in the simplest, most revealing way:

“He’s one of the kindest souls I’ve ever met in my life.”

Not posh.
Not eccentric.
Not performative.

Just kind.

And for many viewers, that was the moment everything clicked.

Because real kindness isn’t something you can rehearse. It doesn’t appear on cue. It reveals itself only under pressure — in exhaustion, in frustration, in fear. And the jungle, more than any stage, strips people back to their truest selves.

What it has revealed in Tom is not performance… but gentleness.

Campmates have quietly spoken about how he lowers his voice when tension rises instead of raising it. How he notices when someone is struggling before they ever need to ask. How he treats even the animals in trials with softness — one camper joked that Tom apologises to spiders before touching them.

Another said, half-laughing, half-awed:

“He doesn’t just survive the jungle… he blesses it.”

And somehow, everyone understood exactly what they meant.

The Paul O’Grady Connection

Paul O’Grady possessed something increasingly rare on television:
the ability to command attention without demanding it.

He could be funny without cruelty.
Tender without naivety.
Mischievous without malice.

He made people feel safe just by being himself.

And now, many viewers say they feel that same quiet safety when Tom appears on screen.

One fan wrote:

“He doesn’t entertain you — he comforts you.”

Another shared:

“He reminds me that not everyone on TV is trying to be loud, cruel or shocking. Some people are just… good.”

In a jungle where tempers thin and bodies weaken, this kind of goodness becomes even more visible. Tom never fights for the spotlight. He doesn’t push himself to the front. He fills space without dominating it. He listens without interrupting. And when others falter, he steps in gently — never as a hero, only as a human being.

That is where the Paul O’Grady comparison stops being sentimental… and starts being accurate.

Both men carry a kind of soul that feels almost old-fashioned now:
A gentleness that isn’t performative.
A compassion that doesn’t seek applause.
A softness the world has failed to harden.

A fellow camper once whispered:

“He feels like someone you trust instantly, even if you’ve just met him.”

Online, someone replied simply:

“That’s exactly what Paul did too.”

And so the comparison spread — not because it was forced, but because it felt true.

Why Tom Is Quietly Becoming the Heart of This Season

Paul O’Grady made people feel less alone in the world.

And now, in a strange and beautiful echo, Tom Read Wilson is doing the same.

In a television landscape filled with noise, confrontation and spectacle, Tom has become something rarer than controversy:

A presence that softens instead of sharpens.
That warms instead of wounds.

One fan summed it up perfectly:

“When I look at Tom, I don’t just see a TV personality. I see the best parts of a human being — kind eyes, a gentle smile, and a heart that never needs to prove itself. I see Paul O’Grady’s spirit living on in another soul.”

And perhaps that is why, without strategy, without scandal, without shouting, Tom is quietly becoming one of the most loved figures of this season.

Not because he tried to be extraordinary.

But because he dared to remain gentle in a world that so rarely rewards it.

The Emmerdale actor and his professional dance partner missed out on a spot in next week’s semi-final

Lewis Cope’s elimination from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing has prompted a flood of outraged reactions from BBC viewers watching at home.

Despite being one of the frontrunners for the Glitterball Trophy during his stint in the ballroom, Musicals Week proved to be his downfall after his West Side Story-inspired Salsa failed to reach the high standards he’d set himself previously.

On Saturday evening, Mr Cope found himself joint-second with Balvinder Sopal and George Clarke on the leaderboard, just one point above the bottom-placed Karen Carney.

Combined with the results of the public vote, Mr Cope found himself in the dreaded dance-off. However, in a rather surprising turn of events, he was up against Amber Davies, despite her topping Saturday’s leaderboard. with a perfect 40.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope faced Amber Davies in the dance-off

The soap star and his Love Island winner co-star had to perform their routines once again, with Ms Davies repeating her perfect-scoring Charleston alongside dancer Nikita Kuzmin.

After Mr Cope and Katya Jones wheeled out their Salsa once more, it was left to the judges to decide who deserved a spot in next week’s semi-final.

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Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood all threw their support behind Ms Davies. Motsi Mabuse, who had this week’s casting vote, should it have been tied, also said she’d have sent Mr Cope home.

The actor joined host Tess Daly once the writing was on the wall to reflect on his time on the show. “It’s been more than I could have ever wished for,” he began to Ms Daly.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were eliminated from the show

“If someone would have said that I’d have done 11 weeks on the show at the beginning, I’d have been over the moon and snap their hand off.

“So, thank you to the full show, to everyone for having a space where people can be themselves, grow, learn, express themselves.

“It’s been incredible and a memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life, and I think it’s all down to you,” he added, gesturing towards Ms Jones.

He paid tribute to his pro partner further: “You’ve literally given me absolutely everything I could wish for as a friend, as a teacher, and yeah, I couldn’t imagine it with anybody else. So, thank you very much.”

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were embraced by their co-stars

Ms Jones was equally full of praise for the actor. “I think you have created so many moments for Strictly Come Dancing that will be in the history books and you will be remembered as one of, if not, the best male celebrity we’ve ever had on the show,” she said.

“But also you will be remembered for being an incredible person you are. Kind and genuine people still exist – what a gentleman you are, so humble and so kind.

“And I’m so glad that we had a chance to see you and showcase your talent and what a beautiful person you are to the world. Thank you.”

Mr Cope rounded off the discussion by applauding the support he’s received during his time on the programme.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones shared one final dance

While Mr Cope was all smiles and took his exit graciously, several at home weren’t as understanding.

Taking to X once the result was confirmed, one fan fumed: “To dance to music without lyrics. Difficult. To dance in amongst professional dancers, keep up, and not get lost in amongst it. Difficult. Lewis, I am so very sorry you were pushed too far. #Strictly.”

“Yep, I’ve never watching again #Strictly,” a second added, while a third hit out: “Did he have the worst routine of the night? Yes. Did he deserve to be in the finals? ALSO YES!! We’ve been robbed. They’d have done the Charleston again in the finals…I can’t #Strictly.”

Elsewhere, a fourth echoed: “Lewis provided two of the BEST DANCES we’ve ever seen on #Strictly this series. Even if he didn’t run he deserved to be in the final. This is a travesty that he’s gone. Also KATYA is a genius choreographer. Gutted for her.”

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were applauded by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

|A fifth concurred: “Oh my that was the most ridiculous dance off in #Strictly history. The person who went home is the best dancer to have not won.”However, others did wade into the online debate to throw their support behind Ms Davies given she made it through to the semis.

One X user commented: “Amber and Nikita are semi finalists whether the trolls like it or not, this competition would be boring without iconic dances like her Charleston! She deserves to go all the way to the final #strictly.” (sic)

The reaction to Mr Cope and Ms Jones’s elimination from the contest shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the reception the leaked result received earlier today.

BBC Strictly: Lewis Cope and Katya Jones’s Salsa failed to win over the public

Much like most of the series so far, the BBC competition was plagued by online spoilers yet again, meaning fans were able to access the results before Sunday’s show.

Once news of Mr Cope’s exit emerged online, several who’d seen it branded it the “biggest shock in Strictly history”, while others similarly claimed they had been robbed.

“YOU’RE NOT WELCOME HERE!” A furious landlord has barred Rachel Reeves from her local pub, igniting a firestorm after the reason behind the ban was revealed.

 

Rɑchel Reeves hɑs been bɑrred from her locɑl pub becɑuse of her crippling tɑx rises bringing the hospitɑlity industry to its knees

Lɑndlord Mɑrtin Knowles hɑs told the Chɑncellor not to try to enjoy ɑ festive pint in the Mɑrsh Inn in her Leeds constituency ɑfter he wɑs hit with ɑ £2,500 hike in business rɑtes.

The Chɑncellor posed with Mr Knowles in his pub lɑst July, soon ɑfter she took over ɑt the Treɑsury following Lɑbour’s election victory, but now the publicɑn hɑs put up ɑ sign mɑking cleɑr thɑt ɑll Lɑbour MPs, including Ms Reeves, ɑre not welcome on his premises.

He sɑid: ‘I thought I’d bɑn them ɑll, including the locɑl MP, ɑs they ɑre not doing our industry ɑny fɑvours ɑt ɑll. Our clientele seem quite hɑppy with the bɑn.’

Spirɑlling Nɑtionɑl Insurɑnce cσsts ɑnd ɑ hike in the minimum wɑge imposed by Ms Reeves hɑve ɑlso helped drive hundreds of pubs to the brink.

Despite the crippling effect of her tɑx rises ɑcross the economy, the Chɑncellor this weekend declɑred thɑt she could not rule out further tɑx rises in 2026.

Hospitɑlity bosses hɑve borne the brunt of her policies, especiɑlly business rɑte hikes which will see ɑ typicɑl pub’s tɑxes doubling by 2029.

Neɑrly three pubs ɑ week went bust in the six months to October – ɑn 85 per cent increɑse on the sɑme period in 2024 – ɑnd it hɑs been estimɑted thɑt ɑ further 2,000 could be forced to close next yeɑr unless the Gσverпment chɑnges course.

Rɑchel Reeves (centre) hɑs been bɑnned from her locɑl pub the Mɑrsh Inn by lɑndlord Mɑrtin Knowles (left)

Mr Knowles (pictured gesturing to ɑ ‘No Lɑbour MPs’ sign) bɑrred the Lɑbour Chɑncellor ɑfter he wɑs hit with ɑ £2,500 hike in business rɑtes

Ms Reeves visited the pub lɑst July, soon ɑfter she took over ɑt the Treɑsury following Lɑbour’s election victory

Mr Knowles sɑid thɑt if Ms Reeves wɑs to be ɑllowed bɑck into his pub, she needed to lower VAT ɑnd PAYE, stop increɑsing the minimum wɑge ɑnd stop business rɑtes going ‘through the roof’.

He joins hundreds of lɑndlords ɑcross the country bɑnning Lɑbour MPs over the dɑmɑge they ɑre wreɑking to their business.

Among them ɑre   presenter Jeremy Clɑrkson who displɑys the ‘No Lɑbour MPs’ sign ɑt his Cotswolds pub The Fɑrmer’s Dog.

He hɑs explɑined: ‘Our ɑnnuɑl business rɑtes hɑve gone up ɑstronomicɑlly from something like £28,000 to well over £50,000. It is ɑ disgrɑce.’

Shɑdow Business Secretɑry Andrew Griffith sɑid on Sɑturdɑy night: ‘Business rɑtes hikes ɑre hɑmmering pubs with eye-wɑtering increɑses. It is no wonder Rɑchel Reeves is bɑrred from her locɑl.

‘Lɑbour doesn’t understɑnd businesses. They should undo these punishing chɑnges before they drive the Greɑt British pub to extinction.’

Mr Knowles’ wife Melɑnie confirmed thɑt Ms Reeves ‘won’t get through the door ɑgɑin’ ɑdding: ‘Every single dɑy is ɑ struggle for us. Other people ɑre shutting the doors on these plɑces ɑnd throwing the keys bɑck becɑuse they cɑn’t mɑke ɑ living ɑny more. They’re not even breɑking even.

‘It’s down to the cσst of living, too, becɑuse customers ɑre struggling ɑnd where is the first plɑce thɑt you cut down? Sociɑlising. It’s becɑuse the Lɑbour Gσverпment hɑve mɑde everything so expensive for people to do.’

Ms Reeves wɑs ɑlso pictured enjoying ɑ pub lunch ɑt The Britɑnniɑ pub in her constituency lɑst yeɑr – ɑnd they too hɑve cɑlled on her to ‘chɑnge course ɑnd support pubs rɑther thɑn tɑxing them to ɗeɑтh’ in ɑ post on sociɑl mediɑ.

Emmɑ McClɑrkin, CEO of the British Beer ɑnd Pub Associɑtion, sɑid: ‘New sky-high business rɑtes hɑve left mɑny publicɑns ɑt their wits’ end ɑnd could threɑten the very existence of mɑny pubs ɑcross the country.’

Dɑwn Hopkins, vice-chɑir of the Cɑmpɑign for Pubs, ɑdded: ‘The Gσverпment is in complete deniɑl over the impɑct their business rɑtes betrɑyɑl will hɑve on pubs.

The Mɑrsh Inn, in Pudsey, Leeds now hɑs ɑ sign up which mɑkes cleɑr thɑt ɑll Lɑbour MPs ɑre not welcome

Ms Reeves wɑs ɑlso pictured enjoying ɑ pub lunch ɑt The Britɑnniɑ pub in her constituency lɑst yeɑr – they too hɑve cɑlled on her to ‘chɑnge course ɑnd support pubs rɑther thɑn tɑxing them to ɗeɑтh’ in ɑ post on sociɑl mediɑ

‘They promised lower business rɑtes, yet insteɑd pubs will be hit with ɑ huge hike next April ɑnd completely unsustɑinɑble Ƅill levels. This is cleɑrly ɑ broken promise, but it’s ɑlso literɑlly unɑffordɑble for pubs. Unless they wɑnt to be responsible for closures of pubs up ɑnd down the country, the Gσverпment must think ɑgɑin.’

In ɑn interview with the I Pɑper this weekend, Ms Reeves would not promise to eɑse bɑck on the tɑx rises, sɑying: ‘The world is incredibly volɑtile ɑt the moment. It would be wrong to stɑrt writing future Budgets.’

She sɑid only thɑt her policies will ‘hopefully meɑn further chɑnges to tɑx ɑre less necessɑry’.

On Sɑturdɑy night the Treɑsury declined to comment on the Chɑncellor being bɑrred from her locɑl pub, but ɑ spokesmɑn insisted: ‘We’re protecting pubs, restɑurɑnts ɑnd cɑfes with the Budget’s £4.3 Ƅillion support pɑckɑge.

‘This comes on top of our efforts to eɑse licensing to help more venues offer pɑvement drinks ɑnd put on one-off events, mɑintɑining our cut to ɑlcohol duty on drɑught pints, ɑnd cɑpping Corporɑtion Tɑx.’

He sɑid there wɑs ɑlso Gσverпment help to cɑp business rɑte Ƅills for compɑnies fɑcing steep increɑses in their vɑluɑtions.

Additionɑl reporting: Jɑcintɑ Tɑylor

In a moment that instantly became television history, Rod Stewart’s brief yet powerful words sent shockwaves through a conversation many thought would follow a predictable path.

During a live interview with Piers Morgan, the legendary singer was confronted with a harsh accusation—that he was merely surviving on past fame.

Morgan’s sharp remark that Stewart was “selling nostalgia to keep your old fame alive” was clearly meant to provoke. For a split second, it seemed the rock icon might choose to stay silent.

Then Stewart leaned in, calm and unshaken, and delivered a response no one saw coming.

With quiet confidence, his six words—
“But passion never goes out of style.”
—hung in the air like a thunderclap.

It wasn’t an angry rebuttal.
It wasn’t a defensive rant.

It was a statement of pure conviction—a declaration that cut straight to the heart of creativity, purpose, and legacy.

The weight of those words rippled through the studio, leaving both the audience and the host momentarily speechless.

For a brief, tension-charged moment, Stewart proved that he is defined not only by his music, but by the enduring fire of his passion.

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What followed was a rare silence in live television.

The cameras kept rolling, but the familiar buzz of studio chatter vanished.

Piers Morgan—usually so quick with sharp words and controversy—was left momentarily speechless.

Stewart’s calm yet powerful response had disarmed him in the most unexpected way.

In a single exchange, Stewart achieved what many thought impossible: he froze the entire room—not with anger or theatrics, but with the sheer force of truth.

A Legend, Unshaken by Time

Rod Stewart, a name etched into the very fabric of rock history, has always been far more than a relic of past glory.

For decades, his unmistakable voice has crossed generations, captivating audiences with timeless hits.

Yet in recent years, critics have grown louder, suggesting that his finest days are behind him.

The idea that Stewart’s career is nothing more than a string of nostalgia-driven performances is often echoed by those who fail to truly understand the depth of his artistry.

But his response to Morgan’s challenge made one thing unmistakably clear: the critics have missed the point entirely.

The power of Stewart’s answer lies not only in the music he has created over the decades, but in the way he continues to pour genuine passion into his craft.

While some argue that his success is rooted in revisiting the past, the truth is far more compelling—his passion today is just as alive as it ever was.

For Stewart, the notion that passion could ever “go out of style” is almost laughable.

His life’s work stands as undeniable proof that true passion, when it is real, never fades with time.

In fact, it only grows stronger with the passing years.

It’s easy to assume that the rock stars of yesterday are simply replaying their glory days, clinging desperately to a past era.

But Rod Stewart’s career tells a very different story.

He is not an artist living off nostalgia—he is a performer who continues to evolve, to challenge himself, and to breathe new life into every appearance.

Even after decades in the spotlight, Stewart still commands the stage with the same fire and enthusiasm he had at the very beginning.

The Power of Timelessness

Rod Stewart’s brief but powerful exchange with Piers Morgan served as a striking reminder that true artistry is not confined by time.

The belief that an artist’s best work lies behind them often comes from a narrow understanding of creativity itself.

Passion—unlike trends or fleeting fame—transcends generations. It cannot be boxed into a single era.

For Stewart, that passion for music and performance has only grown stronger with age.

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In a world that often celebrates the new while dismissing the old, his message resonates more deeply than ever.

His words speak to anyone who has ever been told their best days are behind them—that they no longer matter.

As Stewart so powerfully proved, passion has no expiration date.

Passion, as Stewart so powerfully expressed, has no expiration date.

It is a flame that burns by its own rules, untouched by the passage of time.

For the millions watching, Stewart’s response was more than a defense of his career—it was a universal truth.

Passion, in any form it takes, does not need permission, explanation, or defense. It speaks for itself.

When it is real, it cannot be ignored or dismissed, no matter how many years have passed.

And in that brief moment of silence, Rod Stewart reminded the world that what truly matters is not the past or the future—but the authenticity of the passion you bring to the present.

Conclusion: A Masterclass in Defiance and Integrity

Rod Stewart’s quiet pause and his razor-sharp reply to Piers Morgan captured everything that defines him as a living legend.

In a world that so often celebrates trends and fleeting fame, Stewart’s reminder that “passion never goes out of style” stands as both a deeply personal statement and a universal truth.

It challenges anyone who believes that age, time, or nostalgia can weaken the force of genuine artistry.

In that brief exchange, Stewart didn’t need to trade insults or wage a war of words.

He simply spoke the truth.

And in doing so, he not only silenced his critics—he reaffirmed his place among the most enduring icons in the history of music.

Because passion, in the end, is timeless—and Rod Stewart remains one of its brightest examples.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! favourite Aitch was firmly in festive mode this week as he was spotted stocking up on booze in Manchester ahead of Christmas.

The 25-year-old rapper, whose real name is Harrison James Armstrong, pulled on a bright red Santa hat while popping into a local shop to buy three bottles of Southern Comfort whiskey.

Cutting a laid-back figure in a grey tracksuit and Nike trainers, Aitch also grabbed a Christmas wreath, hinting that he is planning a cosy – and possibly boozy – festive celebration.

I’m A Celeb star Aitch, 25, was well and truly getting into the Christmas spirit while stocking up on booze in Manchester on Tuesday

Despite being one of the breakout stars of this year’s jungle series, the fourth-placed finalist appeared to go largely unnoticed by passers-by as he loaded his shopping into the boot of his £70,000 Porsche.

Aitch narrowly missed out on the crown earlier this month, finishing behind his close friend AngryGinge, who went on to be named King of the Jungle.

The festive shopping trip comes just days after his I’m A Celeb co-star Shona McGarty finally addressed speculation about a possible romance between the pair, following their sweet on-screen bond.

The rapper, real name Harrison James Armstrong, donned a Santa’s hat as he called into a local shop for three bottles of Southern Comfort whiskey

Speaking on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show, the EastEnders actress, 34, laughed off the rumours and insisted the pair are just close friends.

She said: ‘I came out and apparently me and Aitch were in a relationship… He’s great, still my little brother!’

Shona added: ‘He’s so fun to be around, he’s just hyper, and he matched my level of hyper. He hasn’t been round for karaoke yet, but it’s on the cards.’

She had previously opened up about how protective she felt towards the rapper after his shock exit from the jungle, which saw her go on to finish third in the final behind Tom Read Wilson and AngryGinge.

During her exit interview with Ant and Dec, Shona admitted she had been immediately drawn to Aitch.

Explaining why they bonded so quickly, she said: ‘When he came into the jungle, this rapper, he was all giving it this and that, but underneath it all I could tell he was quite scared of the whole experience. He’s very normal, down to earth, and we had a similar upbringing – I felt like an older sister to him. I wanted to protect him.’

His semi-final departure clearly hit her hard, with Shona left visibly shaken after he was voted out.

Speaking in the Bush Telegraph during the final, she said emotionally: ‘I had to say goodbye to Aitch today… just one more day until I see him again.

’

Last week his I’m A Celeb co-star Shona McGarty, 34, opened up about romance rumours surrounding the pair, after sharing several sweet moments in the jungle (pictured on the show)

The comment sparked immediate reaction from fans, with viewers flooding social media to speculate about a possible romance.

One wrote on X: ‘Shona was devastated!’
Another added: ‘The way Aitch & Shona hugged… they are SO SWEET!!’
A third posted: ‘THE AITCH AND SHONA POTENTIAL ROMANCE?! I must know cos they’d be cute af!’

And now, with Aitch back home donning a Santa hat and filling his Porsche with whiskey, fans are left wondering what festive surprises – on or off screen – could be coming next.

Janette Manrara and her husband Aljaz Skorjanec have announced some exciting news(Image: Suzan Moore/PA Wire)

Strictly Come Dancing’s Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara have shared an exciting joint announcement. The couple both worked as professional dancers on the popular BBC programme. In 2021, Janette moved away from her role and it was announced she was becoming the new presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, taking over from Zoe Ball.

Meanwhile, Aljaž is currently partnered with La Voix on this year’s series. The RuPaul’s Drag Race star wowed fans last weekend with a spectacular performance of a paso doble to Beethoven’s The 5th.

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Away from the ballroom, Aljaž and Janette often share family updates and offer glimpses of what their life is like outside of Strictly Come Dancing.

The two met in 2010 at a studio in London and worked on the dance show ‘Burn the Floor’ together. The dancers tied the knot in 2017 after seven years together.

Janette and Aljaž have one child together, daughter Lyra. The presenter welcomed daughter Lyra in July 2023.

Earlier this year, the couple set off on their UK tour with their show “A Night to Remember”. The performances featured a variety of dance styles, accompanied by a live big band.

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They have now announced they are “back” for more, confirming a new tour for next year. A post on Instagram said: “They’re back! Aljaž and Janette are back with a brand new tour for Spring 2026 ‘Let’s Face The Music And Dance!’

“A dazzling tribute to the legendary songwriters, composers and producers whose music has sound tracked our lives, performed live with the incredible Tom Seals & his Big Band, and a supporting cast of the UK’s very best dancers!

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“Expect show stopping routines, timeless tunes, and all the sparkle you’ve been waiting for. Tickets on sale Friday 7th November.”

The tour has 16 dates, including Manchester, Blackpool and York. Fans are excited for the couple to return to the stage, with one user commenting they are “over the moon”.

On Instagram, one fan said: “How exciting” while another said: “Yesss can’t wait.” A third added: “Over the moon yes they are back” and a fourth said: “Amazing”.

Vicky Pattison also commented: “I WANT TO COME.” The reality  TV star is taking part in this year’s competition with professional dancer Kai Widdrington.

Gorka Marquez also added to the comments, sharing round of applause emojis. The Strictly pro is not partnered with a  celebrity this year due to other work commitments. Gorka is a judge on the second series of “Bailando con las estrellas” which is the Spanish version of Strictly Come Dancing.