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She shared that ‘life is about making memories’

Jane McDonald, who is hosting the Soap Awards tonight (Thursday, June 5), once offered some heartwarming advice to fans.

The star, 62, who was hosting her show, Jane McDonald‘s Florida, at the time, opened up after taking part in a lifetime first.

Jane made a confession (Credit: Channel 5)

Jane McDonald on ‘making memories’

Back in 2022, during an episode of Jane McDonald’s Florida, Jane, who was 59 at the time, went swimming with a manatee. This was despite being initially apprehensive to do so.

After the event, she admitted that she was “glad” she plucked up the courage to take part in the activity.

She then issued some wise words to the viewers at home. “I’m really glad I took the plunge and I did that,” she said.

Jane McDonald on having the ‘time of my life’

Jane then continued. “Sometimes I think, am I going to be alright? You know, because I’m nearly 60 now. And then I get in, and I have the time of my life,” she then said.

“And I think this is what we forget. Life is about making memories,” she said wistfully. “It doesn’t matter what age you are. Just get in the water, as cold as it is, and come face to face with a manatee. Because it is something you will never ever forget,” she then added.

Jane and Eddie were together 13 years (Credit: ITV)

Jane puts house she shared with Eddie on the market

The TV show aired a few months after the death of Jane’s long-term partner, Eddie Rothe, in 2021.

She once admitted that his death had left her with PTSD. “Sue [her friend] could see I was traumatised and advised me to see a PTSD therapist. Walks, sometimes to nearby Sandal Castle, helped me reconnect with the outside world. I also went back to work,” she said.

Four years on from Eddie’s death, Jane has now put the house they shared on the market.

Jane has reportedly lived in a £1 million bungalow in Wakefield for the past 18 years. Since 2022, her pal, Sue, has been living with her.

She hinted last year that she could be on the move.

“I converted the bungalow into a house during lockdown. I had everything done and it’s gorgeous, but now it’s far too big,” she told The Times.

“All I do is clean. I’ll probably downsize. The sea is calling,” she then added.

“Looks so bizarre,” a royal pundit claims

The sight of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry twerking in video footage will only distance them further from the royal family, an expert claims.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams has exclusively weighed in to Royal Insider on the controversial booty-popping clip featuring both the Duke and Duchess of Sussex shaking their respective things.

The video, which portrays the heavily-pregnant Meghan and hubby Prince Harry awaiting the arrival of Princess Lilibet in hospital four years ago, has been condemned as “vulgar” and “unnecessary attention-seeking” by detractors.
How does Meghan Markle twerking fit in with her credo as an influencer, or a royal? (Credit: YouTube)

Verdict on Meghan Markle twerking video

Mr Fitzwilliams also feels the footage is at odds with the perception that Prince Harry and Meghan desire privacy.

He told Royal Insider: “The Sussexes howl about privacy, but come out with this. It’s a surreal to release a video which simply looks weird and I can’t see how it fits into the narrative they are supposedly trying to get across, where she is an important influencer.”

Mr Fitzwilliams also argued the Sussexes’ social media rules aren’t consistent with their actions.

“They knew the photos which show Princess Lilibet in close up would get worldwide attention. But it is unclear why they are usually reluctant to show their children’s faces unless they using them for promotional purposes,” he added.

‘Far too erratic to be trusted’

An unimpressed Mr Fitzwilliams also questioned the Sussexes’ strategy for sharing their brand messaging.

“The twerking video will become notorious,” he went on.

“They made great play of relaunching with a new [communications] team recently. I can’t believe they consulted their advisors before releasing something that looks so bizarre.”

Pondering the decisions that led the second son of the monarch and his wife to release footage of them gyrating their hips on social media, an incredulous Mr Fitzwilliams maintained any hope of a reconciliation would be squashed.

One has to ask, what planet do both of them exist on?

He reflected: “One has to ask, what planet do both of them exist on? The royal family will simply be confirmed in their view that both of them are far too erratic to be trusted.”

Meghan shared the clip to mark Princess Lilibet’s fourth birthday (Credit: Splashnews.com)

What song are Meghan and Harry twerking to?

Meghan shared the previously-unseen clip on Instagram yesterday (Wednesday June 4).

It was released to celebrate daughter Princess Lilibet turning four.

The footage shows the parents-to-be making moves in front of a phone’s camera to viral song Baby Mama Dance by Mic Drop Mama.

The tune was popular on social media in 2021 with pregnant women boogying on down with their bumps.

Meghan shared in her post’s caption: “Four years ago today, this also happened. Both of our children were a week past their due dates… So when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn’t work – there was only one thing left to do!”

BBC Radio listeners were told tonight that presenter Bryan Burnett would be taking time off from his evening show in Scotland to have treatment for cancer next week

A radio host has announced that he will be taking some time off from his show as he undergoes treatment for cancer. Bryan Burnett shared the news with listeners live on BBC Radio earlier this evening ahead of surgery next week.

Bryan, 60, opened up about his health on his BBC Radio Scotland show Get It On tonight, which he said would be his last episode for a few months. He said that a tumour was discovered during appendix surgery earlier this year, with it announced that he will now have abdominal surgery and chemotherapy as treatment for appendiceal cancer.

He revealed that he’s expected to make a “full recovery” and shared that colleague Grant Stott, 58, will cover for him whilst he’s off work. Bryan also thanked his team at the radio station for their support during the latest episode.

Bryan told listeners: “This is gonna be my last show for a wee while and I want to explain why that is.” He went on to say: “Unfortunately, I’m gonna have to take some time off the show to have some treatment for cancer.”

BBC Radio Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett announced tonight that a tumour was found during recent surgery on his appendix(Image: bryanb1965/Instagram)

He explained: “When they removed my appendix recently, they discovered a tumour and appendix cancer is incredibly rare but the good news is it is treatable but I do have to have some fairly hefty abdominal surgery next week.”

Bryan added: “It’s going to mean I’m gonna be off work for a couple of months and you know how hard I will find that. However, I am expected to make a full recovery, which is good news, and I will be back on air, on the show that I truly love, later in the year.”

Speaking about his team, who he said are “close,” he added: “I also want to take this opportunity to so say a massive thank you to my brilliant producers for all the hand holding and all the encouragement that they’ve given me since they found out my news. And I’m sure they’ll let you know how I’m doing over the new few weeks.”

He then named his cover on the radio show as Grant, before paying tribute to his colleague. Bryan said: “When I’m off, Grant Stott will do most of the shows, so I know that Get It On will be in good hands.”

The radio host told listeners live on air that he will be taking a break from his show whilst he has treatment for cancer following the news(Image: bryanb1965/Instagram)

The BBC shared this evening that in a short statement Bryan explained that his treatment involves complex abdominal surgery and chemotherapy.

Bryan also said in a statement shared by the BBC: “I’ve experienced the most incredible care and kindness from the NHS staff who have been looking after me. My surgeon is a Get it On listener so I know I’m in good hands.

“I will really miss the music and the chat when I’m off but our listeners have given me hundreds of great playlists so that will keep me going over the next few months.”

BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine added: “Bryan is one of our most popular broadcasters on Radio Scotland and I know listeners will join us in wishing him well as he embarks on his treatment. We look forward to welcoming him back to the Get it On studio once he’s recovered.”

Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick has been chatting with her Coronation Street pal Vicky Myers about the looming ITV soap crossover, amid fans wanting their characters to feature

There could be an epic Vanessa Woodfield and Lisa Swain scene on the way, if Emmerdale and Coronation Street fans have their way.

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the British Soap Awards, Vanessa star Michelle Hardwick confessed she’d had discussions with her pal and Corrie star Vicky Myers. Ever since fans learned of the shocking crossover between the two soaps, set to air early next year, they’ve been calling for a number of characters to be involved.

One such twist hoped for by viewers would see Corrie detective Lisa meet with Emmerdale vet Vanessa. Michelle and Vicky have seen all the comments about their characters meeting, and they are so on board.

They too would love to be involved and would love to have a scene in the crossover where their characters meet, with Michelle telling us they’d been discussing it. She teased to us: “It’s so exciting, I think everyone is hoping for a Vanessa and DS Swain crossover aren’t they.

“Me and Vicky have been talking about it. It would be hilarious.” With fans also calling for Vanessa’s ex Charity Dingle and Lisa’s partner Carla Connor to feature in a scene together, two soap icons, Michelle seemed keen for this too.

There could be an epic Vanessa Woodfield and Lisa Swain scene on the way(Image: ITV)

She responded: “Yes! Those two and me and Vicky!” Michelle’s character Vanessa features in heavy scenes this week and going forward, with her brother-in-law Nate Robinson’s murder finally exposed. After his body being discovered and identified, Vanessa faces a tough time supporting her grieving sister Tracy Robinson, Nate’s wife, who is left reeling over the loss.

Not only that, but Tracy faces accusations and could be framed for the crime that fans know was actually committed by John Sugden. Michelle told us of the emotional scenes ahead: “Vanessa will be there for Tracy through the whole thing. Fingers do get pointed, and they all start blaming each other.

“The thing is Vanessa doesn’t think it’s Cain [Dingle] who’s done it, but Tracy does. Equally she wants to support her sister and be there for her, but she is trying to be the rational one really, and be strong for her.”

One such twist hoped for by viewers would see Corrie detective Lisa meet with Emmerdale vet Vanessa(Image: ITV)

There does come a moment where Vanessa fears her sister is to blame as other residents question her motives, but Michelle assured us this is very much in the moment and then it’s gone. She shared: “There is one little point where she has this conversation with Rhona [Goskirk], and in one instant she says, ‘she couldn’t have done it… could she?’

“Then it’s like no, no she wouldn’t. I just think with the lies that Tracy has told about Eric it’s, oh my goodness, but she doesn’t think it at all and really does stand by her.” Vanessa and Mary’s friendship will remain going forward, after they cleared the air over Mary’s kiss with Vanessa’s late girlfriend Suzy Merton.

She said: “Mary of all people! She was so nice to Vanessa, I couldn’t believe it. But she has buried it, as long as we don’t talk about it we’re fine.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

“No turning back,” royal observer reckons

King Charles “can’t risk” being in touch with Prince Harry amid speculation the Duke of Sussex may wish to seek a reconciliation with his father, a royal commentator has claimed.

According to Fox News, one royal expert reckons Prince William‘s wishes could prove an obstacle to any making up.

And following bombshell revelations in interviews and memoir Spare since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped away from royal duties, the antipathy on his brother Prince William’s side is said to run deep.
Prince William, King Charles’ heir, has “shut the door” on a reconciliation with Prince Harry (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Did Prince Harry reveal he still wants to reconcile with King Charles?

At the beginning of May, Prince Harry conducted an eye-opening interview with the BBC in which he claimed he “would love a reconciliation” with his royal relatives.

It came after he lost his court appeal over the decision to downgrade his UK security when he stepped back from duties.

He said at the time: “This current situation, which has been ongoing for five years with regard to human life and safety, is the sticking point.

“Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. But I would love reconciliation with my family.”

However, Prince Harry also maintained he had no regrets about the decision behind “Megxit”.

He went on: “There’s no point in continuing to fight any more. Life is precious. I don’t know how much longer my father has. He won’t speak to me because of this security stuff. It would be nice to reconcile.”

Since then, royal commentator and historian Dr Ed Owens has tipped King Charles to “take that step toward reconciliation”.

But it has also been reported by Fox News that King Charles would not “go against” his eldest son over the alleged rift.
King Charles and Prince Harry pictured together during the September 2022 funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Is there any chance of a Prince Harry reconciliation?

“There is no turning back,” pundit Hilary Fordwich is quoted as claiming.

She continued: “King Charles remains tender towards his son but can’t risk communication. Prince William now has absolutely no interest in mending fences. Those close to the king say he [shouldn’t] make peace with Harry in a way that would burden Prince William’s future reign.

Prince William has shut the door on Harry.

“The animosity is so deep that William has shut the door on Harry. Charles is not willing to go against his heir’s wishes.”
Prince Harry mentioned a potential reconciliation in early May (Credit: BBC/YouTube)
Ms Fordwich also claimed the alleged situation boils down to a “lack of trust” between the royals.

Meanwhile, royal author Valentine Low recently indicated PEOPLE there is no appetite for a reunion on this side of the Atlantic.

“There is not a good angel in [King Charles’] ear to say, ‘Be a good dad. Make the first move,’” it was claimed.

Royal Insider has approached Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace for comment on Fox News’ claims.

They have been together for years!

Martin Kemp has spoken out following his shock sex confession about wife Shirlie.

Spandau Ballet singer Martin, 63, and Shirlie, 63, are one of the UK’s most loved showbiz couples.

Since meeting in 1983, the pair have gone from strength to strength – tying the knot and welcoming two children, including Roman, 32.

However, last month, Martin made an outrageous sex confession – and this week he was quick to defend himself…

The pair have been together for years (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Martin Kemp’s sex confession about Shirlie

During an appearance on Loose Women in May, Martin shocked his co-stars with a bedroom confession about his sex life with Shirlie.

I even feel under pressure if it’s a Sunday morning!

The conversation soon turned onto the topic of scheduling sex with a partner – and Martin wasn’t a fan of it. “I don’t think you can schedule sex,” he said.

“If I had to look in my diary and it says 7:30pm on a Thursday night, I’m going to do it… I don’t think it works. I even feel under pressure if it’s a Sunday morning!” he quipped, as the live audience laughed along.

He made a shock sex confession (Credit: ITV)

What else did Martin say?

Later on, after listening to the debate on Loose Women, Martin was quizzed on whether he would schedule intimacy.

He said: “I will definitely give it a try.”

Martin added: “I’ll give Shirl a call in a minute,” as he looked down at his watch.

“I’ll book it in… Hang on, this is going out live isn’t it?” he added, before pointing down at the camera. Martin then quipped: “Shirl, get yourself ready, I’m on the way home.”

Martin was grilled about his admission (Credit: ITV)

Martin defends himself on This Morning

Fast forward to Thursday (June 5) and Martin was quizzed about his outrageous confession while on This Morning.

Sitting down with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, the show aired a clip from Martin’s interview on Loose Women.

Defending himself after previously insinuating he felt “pressure” to have sex with Shirlie, Martin said on This Morning: “You cut out the bit where I look down the lens and say: ‘Get yourself ready Shirl, I’m coming home!’”

Martin then insisted that there were no hard feelings and he reflected: “My family have grown up taking the mickey out of each other.”

He added: “We’re really open, sex isn’t taboo, never has been.”

Revealing the difference from his own upbringing Martin continued: “Growing up, if we saw people kissing on TV, people would pretend to be asleep.”

Martin Kemp on marriage to Shirlie

After meeting in 1983, Martin and Shirlie tied the knot back in 1988 in a clifftop ceremony in St Lucia.

But it seems the romantic ceremony may not have been as official as he first thought.

“Me and mum were in St Lucia. We were standing on this clifftop overlooking the Caribbean,” Martin recalled on his podcast with son Roman, FFS! My Dad Is Martin Kemp.

He added: “Mum had this kind of mini skirt, white dress thing on and I remember standing on the clifftop waiting for her and she climbed out the back of a truck to climb up the rocks to get to the clifftop. When she got there, there was this person that we’d collared to be the witness….I don’t remember signing anything.”

Martin went on: “I just remember going to the clifftop, giving someone a couple of hundred dollars! She basically said to me and mum: ‘Martin do you love Shirlie?’

“And I said yes. Then she said: ‘Shirlie do you love Martin?’ and she said yes, and then she said you’re married. It was as basic as that.”

Meghan and Piers have been feuding for years

Piers Morgan has had a longstanding feud with Meghan Markle, and now his wife Celia Walden has got involved.

Ever since Meghan posted a video yesterday (June 4) of her dancing right before she gave birth to daughter Lilibet in 2021, numerous people have blasted her for it, including Celia.

Piers and Meghan have had a long and complicated history. While they may have been friends in the beginning, it quickly turned bitter after Meghan “ghosted” him.
Meghan has been sharing more of her life recently (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Meghan Markle called out by Celia Walden

The Duchess of Sussex has received a lot of backlash for numerous different things over the years. But after sharing the throwback video of her and Prince Harry to celebrate Lilibet’s fourth birthday on June 4, she has faced an intense amount of hate.

Celia Walden, Piers‘ wife, appeared on the British ITV morning show Lorraine to discuss Meghan’s post. And she didn’t hold her thoughts back.

She said to host Ranvir Singh that Meghan was “desperate”.

Celia explained: “I think we’re going to see more and more stuff offered up for public consumption. As she gets a big more desperate to make people like her.”

Ranvir asked why Celia thinks she’s desperate, and doesn’t believe Meghan was just “oversharing” like “everybody does”.

Celia responded: “That is true. But I do feel with her, very, very little is not premeditated, I have to say. I’m not sure how much he has to do with the decision-making. I could be being very unfair, perhaps he is fully in charge in that relationship.”

Fellow guest reverend Richard Coles jumped in, explaining that the video helps the pair fund their new lifestyle, away from the royal family.

As she gets a big more desperate to make people like her.

He commented: “The opportunities for earning that kind of money you’d need to keep that show on the road are few. And the pressure then is on if you’re going to feed the beast. What’s the next tip that you throw?”

However, Celia disagreed, believing there was a different way for Meghan and Harry to fund their lives together. She believes they can’t have the wish for privacy, and publicly share things.

She stated: “There is no judgement. But you can’t have both.”

On the opposite end, Ranvir defended the couple, calling the video “funny and warm”.

Celia’s comments aren’t too surprising given her husband’s very public fallout with Meghan.
Celia made her feelings known (Credit: ITV)

Piers Morgan and Meghan Markle feud

After Meghan apparently “ghosted” Piers, he began to take digs and swipes at her and Harry’s relationship whenever he had the chance. Over the years, he developed the nickname “Princess Pinocchio” for her.

In the end, Meghan and Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021 actually acted as the catalyst for Piers leaving his role on UK news show Good Morning Britain.

While discussing some of the comments made by Meghan and Harry, Piers clashed with some of his colleagues on the show, and dramatically walked off set.

The comments Piers made were in regard to not believing Meghan when she admitted her struggles about mental health. And his words sparked 58,000 Ofcom complaints – including one from Meghan herself.

That wasn’t the end of their feud though, as the TV presenter continues to make digs and comments about the duchess.

It has been claimed that Loose Women will be scrapping its live studio audience when it returns with a reduced schedule next year

ITV have decided to axe a huge part of Loose Women in a desperate bid to save money, it has been reported. It has been claimed that the show will be scrapping its live studio audience when it returns with a reduced schedule next year.

This will come as a major blow to its panellists, who enjoy interacting with the audience as part of the programme. The decision to eliminate the studio audience is reportedly a cost-saving measure, with insiders revealing that it’s a pricey feature due to being managed by an external company, which also provides security and a warmup person.

However, for the presenters, this change is predicted to be a ‘disaster’. This move follows ITV’s announcement of significant budget cuts to their daytime schedule, from reducing Lorraine to 30 minutes and only broadcasting the show during school term times, to slashing Loose Women’s output to 30 weeks a year.

It comes after the Mirror revealed last month that staff fury at the channel is growing over the sweeping cuts, which includes the axing of 220 jobs.

Ruth Langsford is among presenters at Loose Women expected to be affected

Sources have informed MailOnline that key talent on Loose Women are ‘upset’ about the loss of the live studio audience, as it’s what distinguishes the show from Lorraine and Good Morning Britain. There are concerns that viewers may ‘switch off’ completely.

Meanwhile, a source told the Mirror: “While there is a proposal to not have a studio audience for Loose Women from 2026, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ll never have a studio audience again, it just won’t be in the same way as it is now. At this stage we are still exploring new ways of working and producing the show when we move to a new studio next year.”

Loose Women panellists such as Ruth Langsford, 65, Kaye Adams, 62, Nadia Sawalha, 60, and Charlene White, 44, have become household names thanks to the ITV show, but that hasn’t stopped big names speaking out about the changes.

The changes are expected to cause job losses across ITV’s morning offering including This Morning, Lorraine and Loose Women, which will be broadcast from a new location in central London while still being produced by ITV Studios.

Good Morning Britain is to be extended by half an hour from January, while Lorraine Kelly’s morning talk show will be reduced to 30 minutes for 30 weeks of the year, ITV said earlier this month.

This Morning, hosted by Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, will remain in its 10am-12.30pm slot on weekdays through the year, with panel show Loose Women on from 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Last month, Nadia criticised cuts to ITV daytime’s schedule, saying they have been “absolutely brutal” to production staff and came “out of the blue”. Speaking on her YouTube channel, the former EastEnders actress called conversations about the cuts “misogynistic”.

The Mirror also previously revealed that many are blaming chief executive Carolyn McCall for the “death of daytime” and have criticised her for pocketing a massive £4million salary, including bonus, last year.

Michelle Collins has opened up about her upcoming break from playing Cindy Beale on EastEnders and even admitted that playing the character was ‘exhausting’

Michelle Collins has revealed that playing infamous Cindy Beale is “exhausting”. The actress left EastEnders fans gobsmacked when she returned from the dead in 2023, and since heading back to Walford, she’s left no stone unturned in her plan of destruction.

Since returning, Cindy has certainly made her mark – reuniting with her former husband, George Knight, and their children, Anna and Gina, after completely vanishing from their bar in Marbella, and even leaving her mother-in-law, Kathy Beale, speechless when she first appeared in her kitchen.

Cindy also found herself having an affair with George’s son, Junior, leaving the Knights’ and Beales’ in a state of disbelief when the bombshell was announced. Over Christmas, she was almost killed when Kathy hit her around the head with a shovel, leaving her for dead in the middle of the square.

Michelle Collins admits playing Cindy Beale is ‘exhausting’(Image: GMB)

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Now, she’s opened up about playing the controversial character and admits she finds Cindy “exhausting.” Speaking to Ed Balls and Kate Garraway on Good Morning Britain, Michelle said: “I am loving it, Cindy has taken over The Prince Albert which is really fantastic, so we’re kind of seeing another side to Cindy, a lighter side – which I think, Cindy can be exhausting for people to watch and exhausting for me to play.

“Which is why it’s nice to go off and do something nice. Years ago, they didn’t let people go off and do many things – maybe the odd panto or something but we have a very new lovely producer and I was very quiet.” Speaking about taking a break to pursue another project, Michelle said: “When I broached the idea, he said ‘Maybe we can make it work’ and he has made it work, which is really exciting.

The actress is taking a break from her role on EastEnders(Image: GMB)

“You go off and I am going back, you go back and feel re-engergised, you bring something else to the table.” Michelle added: “You’re doing a continuing drama, continuing throughout the year, it’s good for the soul. It’s good to go and do something else.”

But now, the actress, 63, is heading towards taking a break from the BBC One soap opera and will be turning her hand to a live stage production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Michelle will be taking part in a one-woman show, which she says is “exciting.”

Michelle will be performing in Motorhome Marilyn, a dark comedy following Denise, an aspiring actress, who had an obsessive relationship with the late Hollywood pin-up.

The show has been inspired by Michelle’s real-life encounter with a woman known in Hollywood as Motorhome Marilyn, who is often spotted on Hollywood Boulevard cosplaying as the movie icon.

But Michelle admits she “wasn’t obsessed” with Marilyn. Speaking about her break, Michelle told the Mirror at the British Soap Awards: “Well I’m going off in the summer. I’m doing my one woman show at the Edinburgh festival, called Motorhome Marilyn.

“I don’t think she’s anything like Cindy. It’s a play about a woman impersonator lookalike who lives in a trailer and dresses as Marilyn Monroe. But she’s 60, it’s kind of strange. It’s about failure, lost dreams, and feeling like life has passed you by. She’s an interesting character. I’m really excited to play it. EastEnders have let me have a month off so I’m very excited.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX. EastEnders airs at 7.30pm each weekday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood – who played Rick Hackett and his Chelsea in The White Lotus – have broken their silence months after their reported feud

The White Lotus’ Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood(Image: waltongogginsbonafide/Instagram)

Their on-screen chemistry and complicated love story left White Lotus viewers enthralled – but that didn’t help stop rumours of a backstage feud between actors Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood after one particularly awkward social media interaction.

But the pair, who played mysterious Rick Hackett and his girlfriend Chelsea, have finally spoken out – revealing why they’ve only seen each other once since season three’s February premiere.

And Walton, unable to hold back his emotions, declared “I love this woman madly” about Aimee in a bid to set the record straight.

Two months since the show’s dramatic finale, the pair have reunited for Variety magazine as they got up close and personal once again. Speaking of the moment they met for the very first time, Aimee revealed he had texted her to come over for lunch. She said: “I didn’t know what to order. I was like, ‘Can you pick for me?’ I was so nervous.”

Walton added: “The minute she walked around the corner, I felt, ‘This is gonna work. Two minutes into the conversation, it felt like I’ve known this person for 100 years.”

Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood have spoken out about their rumoured feud(Image: Dan Doperalski for Variety)

Despite suggestions of a feud, Walton was also very keen to reiterate that Aimee is “so important” to him as he began to choke up.

He told the magazine: “There is no feud. I adore, I love this woman madly, and she is so important to me.” Turning to Aimee, he continued: “This is Goldie Hawn. This is Meg Ryan. She can do anything, and she will. You watch what the next 20 years of her experience will be. I’ll be on an island, I think Greece. But she’s special. There is no feud. She is love and I know that I am that to her. We care about each other very deeply.”

Aimee also responded to the feud rumours and Walton unfollowing her on Instagram, which she doesn’t appear fussed about at all.

The pair played mysterious Rick Hackett and his girlfriend Chelsea(Image: Fabio Lovino/HBO)

“I think it’s such a comment on where we’re at culturally. Why is everyone obsessing over Instagram? That is irrelevant. We don’t give a s***e about Instagram,” she said.

While she had initially wanted to respond to the feud claims over the following, Aimee said that she decided to just “sit back and watch these people making something out of absolutely nothing”.

Explaining further about the unfollowing, Walton – whose first wife tragically died by suicide in 2004 – suggested that he simply wasn’t good with goodbyes and unfollowed anyone who was part of the show after filming wrapped up.

In tears, he said: “I knew what we had gone through, and I knew how close that we had gotten, and I needed to begin to process saying goodbye to Rick and Chelsea.”

Walton broke down in tears in the emotional interview(Image: Dan Doperalski for Variety)

Walton went on to say that he had just needed to take a step back from everyone after filming ended and he hasn’t spoken to anyone as he “couldn’t handle it”. He added: “Judge me or don’t. I don’t give a f*** what you think. This is my process. Rick means everything to me, and Chelsea means everything to me.”

As the interview wrapped up, Walton declared that he would follow Aimee on Instagram again, declaring it all “ridiculous” and that he would be friends with her “for f***ing ever”.

Crying again as he hugged his former co-star, Walton added: “I’m emotional because we haven’t been in the same city to ever talk about this. So for me, this is just so wonderful.”