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Danny Dyer left guests at Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen’s wedding in fits of laughter as he led them in a very rude West Ham chant which the footballer often faces

Proud dad Danny Dyer walked Dani down the aisle(Image: Danu Dyer Instagram / evieradfordsocials)

Danny Dyer reworded a West Ham chant to make sure he scored a winner with his speech as the father of the bride at the weekend. EastEnders star Danny walked his daughter Dani, 28, down the aisle so she could marry footballer Jarrod Bowen. White rose petals lined the aisle, with floral sculptures and candles creating a stunning backdrop which the bride and groom shared a kiss in front of.

And after Dani, wearing a designer Suzanne Neville dress, and Jarrod said ‘I do’, cheeky Danny then couldn’t resist bringing a bit of football into proceedings. With mic in hand on videos shared on social media, he can be heard urging the guests to sing “Bowen’s On Fire – and he’s married Dani Dyer ‘ to the tune of pop star Gala’s hit Freed from Desire.

They responded and also waved white napkins in the air. The usual lyrics are less family friendly – but also refer to Jarrod and Dani being an item. Despite a possible hangover today, Dani quickly changed her surname to Dyer-Bowen on Instagram, and is thrilled with how her big day went.

EastEnders hardman Danny Dyer led the ‘Bowen’s on fire’ chant

Other photos also showed her holding a bag from the celebrations saying ‘Wifey For Lifey’ making it clear she thinks the commitment and marriage is very much for keeps. The couple have twin daughters, Summer and Star, both one. Dani also has son Santi, four, from a previous relationship.

On her Instagram, Dani said, “The most perfect, special day,” alongside a video of herself getting married. A purpose-built glass marquee had been erected in the Buckinghamshire countryside for the event, although the ceremony itself took place outside to make the most of the sunny weather.

After the couple cut a giant white cake, a band could be seen in the background poised to begin, so everyone could get the party started with some dancing.

Dani gave fans a glimpse into her special day(Image: Danu Dyer Instagram / evieradfordsocials)

Around 60 people are said to have attended the ceremony, which is in keeping with the down-to-earth couple who have a small circle of close friends as well as family to invite.

Aside from dad Danny, other famous faces are thought to have included Jarrod’s former West Ham teammate Declan Rice. Other celebrities lined up on social media to praise the newly married couple and send their congratulations.

Podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, who recently had Dani on her show, said: “Whoooooooop!!! Huge congratulations!” Actor Vicky McClure said: “Huge congratulations!”

Dani celebrated with her friends at the reception

Liverpool footballer Andy Robertson said: “Congrats mate.” And former Love Island star Samira Mighty said: “Omgggggggg my beautiful babe.”

West Ham’s Instagram also commented, saying: “Congratulations to you both.” Dani later posted a video on social media of her whole day, which began with her drinking a glass of champagne for breakfast as she sang Hop Little Bunnies with her twins.

Doting dad Danny proudly watched on as his daughter got ready

After the ceremony she and Jarrod were showered in white confetti before both Jarrod and Dani’s dad Danny gave speeches. Dani’s bridesmaids wore pink whilst her team of stylists and make-up artists wore brightly coloured dresses on the day and also posed with her in her bridesmaids dress.

The video of the day appeared to show Dani’s having a first dance with both her dad Danny and Jarrod before other guests joined them on the dancefloor. After a late night partying with a live band, guests could help themselves to take away pizzas. The boxes were specially made for the day and said ‘D&J that’s amore’ on them.

Dani shared a sweet dance with her famous dad

As reported on Sunday, Dani Dyer has been in talks with the BBC and has now verbally agreed to take part in Strictly Come Dancing this year. It will be another thing to make 2025 a year to remember for her. In February, Dani spoke about how she first met her fiancé in 2021, because he was her neighbour and took in her parcels for her.

“Jarrod was my neighbour”, Dyer told the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast as she recalled the unusual story of how they met. I’ve never really spoken about this. I moved into the house I was in with Santi and he was only a few months old.

Dani and Jarrod had a huge wedding cake(Image: INSTAGRAM)

“It was a really small, cute little neighbourhood. I loved that house. People were like ‘oh, Jarrod Bowen lives next door’ but I didn’t follow football at the time, just wasn’t interested in football.

“Then he knocked on my door a couple of times because my parcels went there. I remember the first time I opened the door… you know what it’s like, slicked-back hair… and I opened the door and I didn’t know it was Jarrod Bowen and he was hot.

The couple also had a live band for entertainment(Image: INSTAGRAM)

“Blue eyes, blonde hair, a bit of me. I was like ‘ohh, thanks!’ Then there were a few times I’d see him. I used to know when he was leaving for football because I’d hear his car go and he’d reverse out and I was like, oh I can go put the bins out.

“There was once I knew I looked OK because I had a shoot that day and I remember walking back round and then I put the key in the door and he came out and I thought ‘I know I look good today’. So then he said ‘have you got a meter reading key?’ once, a meter reading key for your gas or something.

Dani looked sensational as she was seen getting ready for the wedding(Image: INSTAGRAM)

“But I did not think nothing of it and said ‘no, no I don’t’ and then he was like ‘oh I’m moving house’ and I was like ‘oh good luck with everything’.” Dyer said after he moved out, Bowen messaged her on her birthday to say ‘happy birthday’ and following that ‘they never stopped speaking’.

Dad-of-three and West Ham fan Danny is thrilled his daughter Dani has ended up marrying the West Ham star, who sources say is generally a private person and family man and not a flashy footballer by modern standards.

Dani was seen getting ready with those closest to her(Image: Danu Dyer Instagram / evieradfordsocials)

In the lead up to the wedding, Danny said: “I have met every single boyfriend that has walked through my door – and then she brings home the West Ham captain.

“I have gone from the lying scum, and I hate them, to a man who I would not mind tonguing myself! A strong man. If he lent in I would put my lips on this geezer.

Dani’s ‘something blue’ was a garter(Image: @danidyerxx/Instagram)

“He is just, as a father and joking aside, he took her on with a 14 month old son and that says a lot about a man I will tell you. He is amazing. I can’t wait to give her away. What a touch. But if he was to make a move on me before…

“I think I’m in love with him, slightly.” Jarrod joined West Ham in 2020 and has regularly been the best player on the pitch, including when he scored the winning goal to give West Ham their first trophy in 43 years during the 2023 Europa Conference League final.

Even before putting her dress on, Dani looked glamorous

Danny added: “Okay. He plays for West Ham. He’s one of West Ham’s hot ones. He’s the captain of West Ham. And he’s unbelievable, this guy. I mean, he comes in my house. I take his shoes off for him.

“And I give him the remote control. And I say, ‘Mate, this is your house now’. But he’s an incredible person. I just want someone to love my daughters the way I do. I want them to worship them and look after them. Let me tell you that. I love him.”

Teodora Marcu, who was 26 weeks pregnant, was gunned down in the street and shot dead while holding her toddler in her arms

Pregnant reality star gunned down while holding toddler in shocking street attack(Image: Jam Press)

A pregnant reality star was shot dead in the street with her toddler daughter in her arms. Teodora Marcu was allegedly gunned down in cold blood by her ex-boyfriend who turned the gun on himself when cornered by the cops.

She was 26 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. The TV star, 23, was carrying her three-year-old daughter in her arms when the suspected killer, named as Robert Lupu, 49, allegedly shot her at close range.

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She left him when she found out he was lying about his marriage and he never accepted the relationship was over, according to reports. The reality star was fatally shot outside the Cosmopolis residential complex near the Romanian capital Bucharest on Saturday (31 May).

Pregnant reality star shot dead while holding toddler in shocking street attack(Image: Jam Press)

Teodora, who found fame on a Love Island-type show called Insula Iubirii in her home country, had been at a kids’ party with her cousin and her children. The pair posted images of the party on social media just minutes before the attack happened.

They left the party and went to buy ice cream together when the victim was reportedly shot four times in the chest and abdomen. The relative helped her on the street and tried to console her young daughter.

Meanwhile, the suspect calmly left the scene and was later tracked down by the cops. He allegedly shot himself when he was cornered, as reported by NeedToKnow.

Teodora found fame on a Love Island type show(Image: Jam Press)

The police said: “Two lethal firearms were found on the man, one of which he used to commit suicide. The two weapons were seized by specialists from the Weapons Service of the Ilfov County Police Inspectorate and we are still trying to determine their origin.”

Teodora was expecting her second child with her partner Alexandru Marcu, an illusionist by profession, at the time of her death. She would have given birth to a son.

The investigation into her alleged murder is ongoing.

Actress Barbara Ferris has died after playing the role of Nona Willis on Coronation Street at the Rovers Return

Former model and Coronation Street actress has passed away aged 85. Barbara Ferris played a barmaid in Coronation Street in 1961, and enjoyed a decades-long career.

After a stint on Coronation Street as Nona Willis, actress Barbara stepped away from the show after just 10 episodes, admitting she found the Lancastrian accent too difficult to follow.

Film fans may also remember her as Dinah, the love interest who runs away with Dave Clark in the 1965 movie Catch Us If You Can. Her final screen appearance came in 1990’s The Krays, directed by Peter Medak.

Ferris eventually left acting behind to focus on raising her children and accompanying her husband on international work trips, with the couple settling in homes across Ireland, Zurich, and London.

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Image:
Manchester Evening News)

Born in London to Dorothy and Roy Ferris, she was the youngest of two children. As a student at the Italia Conti stage school, she took on pantomimes and commercials to support her family.

Following news of her passing, fans have shared touching tributes and vintage photos online to honour her memory. One wrote: “Absolutely gutted to hear about Barbara Ferris. She had such a quiet grace on screen — Catch Us If You Can was a core memory from my childhood. Rest easy, Dinah.”

Barbara has died at the age of 85 ( 
Image:
ExpressStar)
Another echoed: “RIP to Barbara Ferris – unforgettable in The Krays. That voice, that presence. We were lucky to have her, even if briefly.” And someone else wrote: “Barbara was one of the kindest, most generous actors I ever worked with. Her laughter lit up every set we shared. It was an honour just to be around her.”

Ferris is survived by her husband and their three children: Nicholas, Christopher, and Catherine ( 
Image:
GRANADA TELEVISION)Ferris, who passed away on May 23, 2025, led a life touched by both quiet stardom and personal devotion. Her younger sister, Liz, achieved athletic acclaim, becoming a springboard diving champion and taking home bronze at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

That same year, Ferris married film producer John Quested. But the newlyweds had little time to celebrate – their honeymoon was a single night at The Dorchester, cut short by Ferris’s imminent professional stage debut.

Ferris is survived by her husband and their three children: Nicholas, Christopher, and Catherine.

Focus Features has released the first trailer for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale the third film in the Downton Abbey franchise and the long-awaited conclusion to the story that began with the ITV series in 2010.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. As the beloved cast of characters navigates how to lead Downton Abbey into the future, they must embrace change and welcome a new chapter.

The new series stars Simon Russell Beale, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Raquel Cassidy, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Joanne Froggatt and Paul Giamatti. It will also include Harry Hadden-Paton, Robert James-Collier, Allen Leech, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern, Sophie McShera, Lesley Nicol, Alessandro Nivola, Dominic West, Penelope Wilton, Arty Froushan, Joely Richardson, Paul Copley, and Douglas Reith.

Downton Abbey is set for a lavish farewell as the final film in the trilogy arrives this September. A striking red-and-gold teaser hints at high drama and elegance, with the tagline: “It’s almost time to bid farewell.”

Michelle Dockery, 43, returns as Lady Mary, seen in the poster standing in Downton’s grand doorway in a crimson gown, tiara, and gloves – poised between legacy and goodbye.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will be released in September ( 
Image:
Focus Features)

Original cast members Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, and Jim Carter will reprise their roles, reuniting for one last story written by series creator Julian Fellowes and directed by Simon Curtis.

The series first captured audiences in 2010 and concluded on Christmas Day 2015, collecting multiple Emmys along the way. Its cinematic follow-ups began in 2019 with a royal visit, followed by Downton Abbey: A New Era in 2022, which saw the Crawleys travel to the French Riviera.

This final chapter marks the end of an era – one that will carry the memory of Dame Maggie Smith, who died in 2024, and whose iconic portrayal of Violet Crawley helped define the beloved saga.

The third film debuted its trailer during CinemaCon, and is now sharing it with audiences everywhere. Julian Fellowes returns to write the installment, which is set in the same universe as his show “The Gilded Age.”

Fellowes previously teased that the elusive plot of “The Grand Finale” is “emboldened” by the clock timer invention that takes place in “The Gilded Age.”

The logline for “The Grand Finale” reads: “The time has come to say goodbye to ‘Downton Abbey.’ Focus Features is bringing the beloved Crawley household to theaters for the final installment of the wildly successful franchise written by creator Julian Fellowes.”

Back in April, actress Joanne Froggatt shed light on the anticipated new Downton Abbey film during an appearance on The One Show, chatting with hosts Gethin Jones and Alex Scott.

The BBC host eagerly asked about the final chapter of the cherished period drama, which drops in September, as she questioned: “Are you ready to say goodbye?”

Downton Abbey will return for one last time ( 
Image:
Focus Features)
To which Joanne responded: “Oh my goodness, it’s going to be hard! We’ve said goodbye a few times, thinking, ‘This is the end’, at the end of the seasons. Then we did one movie and we wondered if we’d get a second movie.

“This really is, the third and final, so this really is goodbye. It’s going to be emotional, but all good things must come to an end, I suppose.”

Audiences recognise Joanne from her enduring role as Anna Bates in the ITV saga, emerging onto the scene back in 2010. The series concluded in 2015 with her role capping off an impressive run, though she reprised her role for the subsequent movies, with the first launching four years post-finale in 2019.

As Joanne confirmed this marks the cast’s last curtain call, host Gethin Jones couldn’t resist probing for some juicy tidbits about the finale.

Challenged about spilling any details, Joanne divulged: “Look, I think I can say Anna, my character, is pregnant because I was pregnant when we were filming and there’s been pictures out there, so that’s one spoiler.”

Gethin appeared oblivious to the revelation as his reaction conveyed visible astonishment. In jest, Joanna supplemented her confession with: “I wrote my own storyline there.”

Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon-Cho opens up all about her baby news and shares the IVF story that took her from heartbreak to happiness in an exclusive chat

Liz McClarnon-Cho couldn’t be more grateful to be expecting her first baby at 44 – but she’s also the first to admit she’s somewhat “petrified” of what’s to come. The Liverpool-born singer, who lives in London, tells the Mirror how she’s “loving life” as a mum-to-be, but also explains why her IVF journey pushed her to her limits.

The Atomic Kitten star announced the happy news on her social media earlier this month, and as she opens up about her fertility treatment, miscarriages, and her “rock” of a husband, she reveals she’s been stunned at the reaction to her news. “I really didn’t expect people to be interested,” she laughs. “I just thought I should probably put it out there before someone else mentioned it. I’m still at that ‘is it a baby bump or is it just a big tummy?’ stage I think, but it was only a matter of time.”

Liz was shocked by the huge response to her pregnancy post(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

“I wore a Baby On Board badge on the Tube the other day because I didn’t want to be knocked, and I noticed someone really look at me… So I decided to just let people know what was happening, then I think it’d been seen by half a million people within a few hours. I’m just here living my fabulous little life, I didn’t think people would care. But I think IVF is something that a lot of people can relate to – maybe more than we realise.”

Meanwhile, Liz and her doctor husband, Peter Cho, are well into the second trimester and now that the pregnancy sickness has worn off, she’s determined to not dwell on the past.

That said, she’s decided to share her own experiences, the good and bad, in the hope it adds something to the IVF conversation in general. It’s also a rare opportunity for Liz, with some gentle cajoling, to tell the world a little more about Peter, who she says has been nothing short of “brilliant” since they first met online during the Covid pandemic.

The couple first connected on dating app Hinge, mid-2021 lockdown – shortly after she was “kicked off Bumble for impersonating a famous person”. “Me!” she giggles.

Liz met the love of her life online, and couldn’t be happier today(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

After a month of messages and FaceTimes they were finally allowed to meet in person in July 2021, and within another four months, Liz had moved down to London from Liverpool to move in with Peter. Fast forward another four months, and Peter surprised Liz with a shock proposal by the Pulteney Bridge in Bath, complete with fairy lights and gorgeously sparkling ring.

“I’d actually taken him away for his birthday, then he started leading me down some steps… it was really dark so I had no clue what was going on. Then I saw all the fairy lights and he asked me to marry him!”

While she’s had a number of high-profile relationships, Liz doesn’t actually adopt a “thank God I didn’t settle before” attitude because, she says, that feels like “peeing on someone else’s chips, and I wouldn’t do that”.

Liz admits she felt ‘broken’ before getting their happy pregnancy news(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

She adds, “I’m just really grateful for what we found, and I genuinely hate the cheesiness of it, but I just knew it was right. On the outside we seem so different, but we’re actually the same.”

Their IVF journey started quite early in their relationship because, Liz explains, they both knew they wanted children and were aware that her being 40 could delay the natural process. In 2022, the couple had three failed embryo transfers, which hit Liz hard.

“The first time we did it, I thought, ‘This will be it,’” she recalls. “But by my third cycle, it was obviously very different. When that one didn’t work, I was really quite sick and I was in a dark hole.

“I’d put on so much weight but I didn’t want to tell anyone why, because I didn’t want the IVF to become my identity, my whole personality. I was still doing shows and I’d see the comments online talking about me.

“I remember one said, ‘She’s getting really thick,’ and others were like, ‘She’s unrecognisable.’ I tried to remember that those people didn’t know what was happening, but it was hard. I just felt broken after the third time, so we took a break before the wedding.”

At times Liz found it hard keeping her IVF experience private(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

Liz explains that it was a conscious decision to be honest in her pregnancy announcement on Instagram about her “dark times” and “loss after so much hope”. “The whole process made me truly appreciate that having a baby is a miracle,” she says. “There are so, so many things that need to happen correctly for someone to get pregnant, and for that to result in a healthy baby.

“If you fall pregnant naturally maybe you’re not as aware, but at times we would be waiting every single day for the phone call to say how many eggs had been retrieved, or how many embryos they had, or if the embryos were healthy, or growing, or to tell us if I was pregnant. Then when it doesn’t work, you’re just in shock.”

Towards the end of last year, the couple suffered two heartbreaking miscarriages following their first successful cycles.

“I said I was ‘done’ after the last one, and Peter was absolutely on board with that, he didn’t say anything other than, ‘This is your body and I’ll support whatever you decide you want,’ which was a huge thing for me. I felt so bad emotionally, it was really tough. But then we spent Christmas at home in my tiny two-bedroom flat, and my mum and dad came down from Liverpool and we all squeezed in. That time actually helped me heal.”

Time with her loved ones helped her heal, she says(Image: Alex James / Reach PLC)

It’s definitely the start of a new chapter for Liz, who still performs Kitten songs today, more than 20 years after shooting to fame alongside Kerry Katona, Natasha Hamilton and later, Jenny Frost.

Liz is “loving life” now that the anxiety that lingered because of her earlier pregnancies has dissipated. The next milestone, she says excitedly, is finding out if it’s a boy or a girl. She has no preference, but wants to remove any uncertainty where she can. She’s also aware of the potential impact of her age on her pregnancy and labour, and is already taking aspirin as she falls into the “high risk” category. She is being monitored for pre-eclampsia, and will soon start taking regular blood-thinning injections.

We suggest that once the baby is here, she’ll be full of energy. “Oh God no, my knees already hurt,” she laughs. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m so grateful, but I’m also petrified. But you know what? It’s happened to women older than me before, and it’ll happen again – so we’ll just get on with it!”

Love Island star Georgia Steel has been slammed on her latest social media post after sharing her ‘risky’ outfit for bestie Dani Dyers countryside wedding to Jarrod Bowen

Former Love Island star Georgia Steel has been slammed online by fans after she attended Dani Dyer’s wedding in a ‘white’ lace dress. Dani tied the knot with West Ham United footballer Jarrod Bowen in an intimate wedding in the picturesque English countryside at the weekend, surrounded by her close friends and family.

Just before attending the wedding as a guest, Georgia took to TikTok where she shared a video showing off her wedding attire. The influencer is seen walking away from the camera, ensuring a full-length view, before spinning around and showing all angles of the dress.

The lacey midi dress featured a cutout feature on her chest and frilly fringe detailed around the top. Georgia, who first met Dani on Love Island, paired the look with white heels and a white clutch bag. While fans agreed the dress was beautiful, there was a dispute over the colour and whether it was wedding-appropriate.

Georgia has been criticised for her choice of dress for the wedding(Image: TIKTOK)

The dress, which can be bought online for £206, had followers claiming that it was a ‘risky’ and ‘too bridal’ for a wedding due to its light colour and lace trim. One follower commented: “Why would you wear a dress that’s too close to white to a wedding?”

While another added: “Stunning on you! It’s a shame that it’s such a pale yellow it looks cream. maybe it’s brighter off camera but it’s a risky colour for a wedding IMO”.

Other fans jumped to Georgia’s defence and said: “All the colourblind people in the comments, it’s YELLOW”, while another added: “Let the girl wear her YELLOW dress in peace”.

Georgia hugged Dani as she embraced the special day(Image: INSTAGRAM)

While Georgia looked the epitome of a spring/summer wedding guest, embracing this year’s ‘butter yellow’ trend, bride Dani, of course, stole the show in a beautiful Suzanne Neville dress. The wedding dress was simple and elegant with off-the-shoulder sleeves. Striker Jarrod also cut a smart figure in a classic three-piece black suit.

The newlyweds confirmed they’ve officially tied the knot with a sweet Instagram post. Sharing a loved-up snap of their ceremony, Dani simply wrote: “The Bowen’s.”

Dani and Jarrod tied the knot on Saturday

On her Instagram, Dani said, “The most perfect, special day,” alongside a video of herself getting married. A purpose-built glass marquee had been erected in the Buckinghamshire countryside for the event, although the ceremony itself took place outside to make the most of the sunny weather.

After the couple cut a giant white cake, a band could be seen in the background poised to begin, so everyone could get the party started with some dancing.

The couple walked the aisle than a year after Jarrod popped the question to Dani. After seeking Dani’s dad’s permission, Jarrod got down on one knee during to boat trip in Ibiza. The proposal came a year after the couple welcomed twins into their family, Summer and Star, who are now two.

As Meghan Markle has began opening up more about her two pregnancies, a psychologist shares how the Duchess Of Sussex is trying to ‘rewrite memories’, but excluding struggles.

An expert has shared how Meghan Markle may be failing to recognise the struggles she went through whilst pregnant and could be ‘rewriting memories’(Image: Getty Images for TIME)

Experts have revealed how Meghan Markle may be failing to recognise her struggles as a mother and presenting an ‘overly polished’ image, after the duchess gave an intimate insight into her pregnancies with her children Archie and Lilibet last week.

Explaining that she gained just over 4½st during each pregnancy, she said, “I always wear my five-inch, pointy-toed stilettos. You have the most enormous bump and your tiny little ankles are bracing themselves in these high heels… So you’re just going, how on earth am I not just tipping, you know, face-planting? I was clinging very closely to my husband, like, ‘Please don’t let me fall.’”

But as well as the more humorous memories, Meghan, 43, also opened up about sometimes feeling consumed by motherhood. “People forget that Lili is three, and Archie is five. So you look at the past five, six years of my life, it’s yes, with being pregnant or with a newborn or with a toddler, and then another one.”

Meghan recently opened up about her experience being pregnant and shared how her life has been ‘consumed’ by motherhood in recent years(Image: Getty Images)

According to psychologist Stefan Walters, Meghan’s increasingly frequent disclosures on her Confessions Of A Female Founder podcast could well be a sign that she is feeling broody.

“Women often romanticise and enjoy that stage of pregnancy and having a newborn baby, and want to really share that with the world at large because it can be such a unique and beautiful time,” he tells Mirror.

Stefan also suggests that Meghan’s podcast has given her a much-needed platform to be able to work through some of the traumatic episodes she experienced during her pregnancy and the early years.

During one shocking interview at the end of the Sussexes’ official tour to South Africa shortly after Archie’s birth, Meghan seemed to be struggling under the weight of the spotlight amid the growing tensions with their extended royal family.

When a reporter asked how she was coping, Meghan responded, “Any woman, especially when you’re pregnant, you’re really vulnerable, so that was made really challenging. So then when you have a newborn… especially as a woman, it’s a lot.”

According to Stefan, Meghan’s recent personal disclosures could be rewriting some of these memories. “There’s an element of getting a second chance here,” he explains. “Pregnancy was a difficult, painful time for them, and at times she seemed to be struggling. It wasn’t necessarily associated with a lot of happy memories.

Meghan and Harry are parents to daughter Lilibet and son Archie(Image: PA)

“So, now she’s perhaps feeling that she’s able to create and relive some happy memories around pregnancy and the early years of her children’s lives.”

Speaking recently about those hazy early months of new motherhood, Meghan recently confessed that, despite always wanting to be a mum, it didn’t go as she had imagined or hoped.

“I was like ‘Oh gosh, I’m going to give a speech with a baby on my hip,’” she revealed on her podcast. “I had a whole vision – and then you fast forward… granted, I had a lot of external things happening by the time I had both pregnancies and both babies. But it was not the way I envisioned it.”

Today, her glossy Instagram feed is packed with personal posts featuring Harry, 40, and, increasingly, their children, including a sweet recent clip of her and Lilibet, who turns four this week, beekeeping in matching bee suits, and her wedding anniversary montage.

The latter featured a baby scan labelled Archie, who turned six in May, as well as one of Harry cradling one of the children as a newborn.

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It’s in stark contrast to the protocol that governs most working royals, when family photos are generally only released on occasions like birthdays or at Christmas. Indeed, Stefan believes Meghan appears to be embracing the freedom of no longer being bound by strict royal rules.

“I think she’s partly creating a platform for herself, because she was ridiculed publicly and when she and Harry left the UK, there was a lot of scorn directed at them. By doing her podcast she now has a brand, but more importantly a voice.

She has been sharing more insights of the children to social media in recent months, including pictures of the family’s hobbies such as beekeeping(Image: @meghan/instagram)

“She probably feels that she wasn’t allowed to have an authentic voice before because it went against what the royal protocol was, and it went against the brand of the royals. So she’s creating an authentic voice and just being honest and open.”

Branding expert Lynn Carratt claims the couple, and Meghan in particular, are walking a bit of a PR tightrope when it comes to their public image because there’s a fine line between sharing the positives of their life and appearing “overly polished”.

“While recent glimpses into her life hint at a softer side, some of the narratives still feel unattainable for many people,” she says. But Lynn says it’s a definite “positive shift” to see the pair focusing on their life in California as a family of four, rather than in conversations involving the wider royal family.

“I think their future PR strategy should aim to portray a family image that is still positive but maybe more grounded and relatable,” she adds.

“Life isn’t perfect – and acknowledging the struggles, much like she does when discussing the challenges of running a business with two young children on her podcast, would resonate more authentically with the public.”

Danny Dyer left guests at Dani Dyer and Jarrod Bowen’s wedding in fits of laughter as he led them in a very rude West Ham chant which the footballer often faces

Proud dad Danny Dyer walked Dani down the aisle(Image: Danu Dyer Instagram / evieradfordsocials)

Danny Dyer reworded a West Ham chant to make sure he scored a winner with his speech as the father of the bride at the weekend. EastEnders star Danny walked his daughter Dani, 28, down the aisle so she could marry footballer Jarrod Bowen. White rose petals lined the aisle, with floral sculptures and candles creating a stunning backdrop which the bride and groom shared a kiss in front of.

And after Dani, wearing a designer Suzanne Neville dress, and Jarrod said ‘I do’, cheeky Danny then couldn’t resist bringing a bit of football into proceedings. With mic in hand on videos shared on social media, he can be heard urging the guests to sing “Bowen’s On Fire – and he’s married Dani Dyer ‘ to the tune of pop star Gala’s hit Freed from Desire.

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They responded and also waved white napkins in the air. The usual lyrics are less family friendly – but also refer to Jarrod and Dani being an item. Despite a possible hangover today, Dani quickly changed her surname to Dyer-Bowen on Instagram, and is thrilled with how her big day went.

EastEnders hardman Danny Dyer led the ‘Bowen’s on fire’ chant

Other photos also showed her holding a bag from the celebrations saying ‘Wifey For Lifey’ making it clear she thinks the commitment and marriage is very much for keeps. The couple have twin daughters, Summer and Star, both one. Dani also has son Santi, four, from a previous relationship.

On her Instagram, Dani said, “The most perfect, special day,” alongside a video of herself getting married. A purpose-built glass marquee had been erected in the Buckinghamshire countryside for the event, although the ceremony itself took place outside to make the most of the sunny weather.

After the couple cut a giant white cake, a band could be seen in the background poised to begin, so everyone could get the party started with some dancing.

Dani gave fans a glimpse into her special day(Image: Danu Dyer Instagram / evieradfordsocials)

Around 60 people are said to have attended the ceremony, which is in keeping with the down-to-earth couple who have a small circle of close friends as well as family to invite.

Aside from dad Danny, other famous faces are thought to have included Jarrod’s former West Ham teammate Declan Rice. Other celebrities lined up on social media to praise the newly married couple and send their congratulations.

Podcaster Giovanna Fletcher, who recently had Dani on her show, said: “Whoooooooop!!! Huge congratulations!” Actor Vicky McClure said: “Huge congratulations!”

Dani celebrated with her friends at the reception

Liverpool footballer Andy Robertson said: “Congrats mate.” And former Love Island star Samira Mighty said: “Omgggggggg my beautiful babe.”

West Ham’s Instagram also commented, saying: “Congratulations to you both.” Dani later posted a video on social media of her whole day, which began with her drinking a glass of champagne for breakfast as she sang Hop Little Bunnies with her twins.

Doting dad Danny proudly watched on as his daughter got ready

After the ceremony she and Jarrod were showered in white confetti before both Jarrod and Dani’s dad Danny gave speeches. Dani’s bridesmaids wore pink whilst her team of stylists and make-up artists wore brightly coloured dresses on the day and also posed with her in her bridesmaids dress.

The video of the day appeared to show Dani’s having a first dance with both her dad Danny and Jarrod before other guests joined them on the dancefloor. After a late night partying with a live band, guests could help themselves to take away pizzas. The boxes were specially made for the day and said ‘D&J that’s amore’ on them.

Dani shared a sweet dance with her famous dad

As reported on Sunday, Dani Dyer has been in talks with the BBC and has now verbally agreed to take part in Strictly Come Dancing this year. It will be another thing to make 2025 a year to remember for her. In February, Dani spoke about how she first met her fiancé in 2021, because he was her neighbour and took in her parcels for her.

“Jarrod was my neighbour”, Dyer told the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast as she recalled the unusual story of how they met. I’ve never really spoken about this. I moved into the house I was in with Santi and he was only a few months old.

Dani and Jarrod had a huge wedding cake(Image: INSTAGRAM)

“It was a really small, cute little neighbourhood. I loved that house. People were like ‘oh, Jarrod Bowen lives next door’ but I didn’t follow football at the time, just wasn’t interested in football.

“Then he knocked on my door a couple of times because my parcels went there. I remember the first time I opened the door… you know what it’s like, slicked-back hair… and I opened the door and I didn’t know it was Jarrod Bowen and he was hot.

The couple also had a live band for entertainment(Image: INSTAGRAM)

“Blue eyes, blonde hair, a bit of me. I was like ‘ohh, thanks!’ Then there were a few times I’d see him. I used to know when he was leaving for football because I’d hear his car go and he’d reverse out and I was like, oh I can go put the bins out.

“There was once I knew I looked OK because I had a shoot that day and I remember walking back round and then I put the key in the door and he came out and I thought ‘I know I look good today’. So then he said ‘have you got a meter reading key?’ once, a meter reading key for your gas or something.

Dani looked sensational as she was seen getting ready for the wedding(Image: INSTAGRAM)

“But I did not think nothing of it and said ‘no, no I don’t’ and then he was like ‘oh I’m moving house’ and I was like ‘oh good luck with everything’.” Dyer said after he moved out, Bowen messaged her on her birthday to say ‘happy birthday’ and following that ‘they never stopped speaking’.

Dad-of-three and West Ham fan Danny is thrilled his daughter Dani has ended up marrying the West Ham star, who sources say is generally a private person and family man and not a flashy footballer by modern standards.

Dani was seen getting ready with those closest to her(Image: Danu Dyer Instagram / evieradfordsocials)

In the lead up to the wedding, Danny said: “I have met every single boyfriend that has walked through my door – and then she brings home the West Ham captain.

“I have gone from the lying scum, and I hate them, to a man who I would not mind tonguing myself! A strong man. If he lent in I would put my lips on this geezer.

Dani’s ‘something blue’ was a garter(Image: @danidyerxx/Instagram)

“He is just, as a father and joking aside, he took her on with a 14 month old son and that says a lot about a man I will tell you. He is amazing. I can’t wait to give her away. What a touch. But if he was to make a move on me before…

“I think I’m in love with him, slightly.” Jarrod joined West Ham in 2020 and has regularly been the best player on the pitch, including when he scored the winning goal to give West Ham their first trophy in 43 years during the 2023 Europa Conference League final.

Even before putting her dress on, Dani looked glamorous

Danny added: “Okay. He plays for West Ham. He’s one of West Ham’s hot ones. He’s the captain of West Ham. And he’s unbelievable, this guy. I mean, he comes in my house. I take his shoes off for him.

“And I give him the remote control. And I say, ‘Mate, this is your house now’. But he’s an incredible person. I just want someone to love my daughters the way I do. I want them to worship them and look after them. Let me tell you that. I love him.”

Former Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner has died aged 24 following a car crash in Manchester on Monday night as the vehicle left the road and rolled on its side

Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner has died aged 24. The former BBC show contestant died following a car crash in Manchester last week as his parents have paid an emotional tribute.

He had been driving on the A34 on Monday 26 May when his car left the road and rolled before landing on its side, Greater Manchester Police said. Sam had been working in Scotland and travelled to Stockport to attend a family birthday celebration earlier in the week, his uncle has said.

The landscape gardener appeared on the BBC travel show alongside his mum Jo. They trekked across South America in the second series of Race Across the World that aired in 2020. In a statement, Sam’s parents Jo and Andrew said they were “devastated”.

Sam competed on the BBC alongside his mum Jo, who has issued an emotional statement
“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident. Sam left us far too soon, and while words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special,” they said.

Sam’s parents said he was “adored by his family” and described him as “loyal, funny and fiercely protective”. They added his time on the BBC show “opened Sam’s eyes to the wonder of adventure”.

His parents continued: “He was willing to go wherever the trail might lead and he touched everyone he met on the road. He found great happiness working as a landscape gardener on the west coast of Scotland.

“Sam brought warmth, laughter and a smattering of chaos wherever he went. He leaves behind a huge hole in our hearts. We will miss him endlessly, but we’ll also remember him with smiles, tall tales, and a depth of love that will never fade”.

Sam and mum Jo were unable to compete in the final leg of the race after they ran out of money. However, Sam had described his time on Race Across the World as a “life-changing” experience.

Sam said Race Across the World was a ‘life changing experience’ for him
He said his sister Jo and Sam had a “special relationship” and were an “enormous hit on the show”. “The public really loved them,” he said.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We sadly must confirm that the driver of a white VW Golf R estate involved in a single vehicle collision on Monday 26 May on the A34 in Gatley has since passed away from his injuries.

“The driver, a 24-year-old man, has been named as Sam Gardiner. His family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. They have asked for privacy at this terrible time.

“We’d like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and have sent their best wishes to Sam and his family.”

In a statement at the time, police said: “Emergency services attended the scene and the driver, 24-year-old man, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, suffered serious head injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious and life-threatening condition.”

They added: “Initial enquiries suggest that the car, a white VW Golf R estate, was travelling north on the A34 in Gatley and officers believe that the vehicle went off the carriageway and rolled before landing on its side.”

Following the devastating news, a Race Across the World spokesperson said: “Everyone who worked with him and indeed everyone who watched Sam could see just how precious and transformative the trip was for both him and his mum, Jo.

“Sam embraced the seven-week trip with an energy, love and a determination that saw the pair enjoy adventures across Mexico to Argentina making audiences fall in love with them and their special bond as a result.

“Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to his parents, Andrew and Jo; his brothers, William and Charlie; his step mum Justine; his family and friends.”

Prince Harry raised eyebrows when he appeared in China to address a travel conference in Shanghai, just as King Charles began his historic visit to Canada – and Jennie Bond believes the irony of Harry’s trip was ‘hard to ignore’

Prince Harry’s surprise appearance in China appeared to fall short with the ‘irony’ of the trip hard to ignore, according to an expert. The Duke of Sussex jetted all the way to Shanghai to be at a global travel and tourism conference in the city, where he gave a keynote speech urging the travel industry to support sustainable travel and tourism and shared climate goals.

Harry is the co-founder of the not-for-profit organisation Travalyst, which promotes sustainable travel. However, the timing of the visit came just as his estranged father King Charles was arriving in Canada for a historic visit, where he gave a speech in parliament. But despite Harry’s trip to China also marking a first, as it was his first trip to the country, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes it didn’t make the waves Harry might have been hoping.

Harry waves to those at the conference (
Image:
Trip.com Group Envision 2025/Travalyst)

She told the Mirror: “Fortunately it seems not to have overshadowed Charles and Camilla’s trip to Canada. In fact, it seems to have made very little news at all. If the idea was to garner as much publicity for the cause as possible, it would seem to have fallen rather short.

“There was no advance information about it and not much of a splash when he was there. But he is clearly employed by Travalyst to make keynote speeches like this, and I’m sure he made a good job of it. The timing of the conference would have been coincidental to the King’s trip to Canada, certainly not deliberate.

“However, the irony of flying across the world to promote sustainable, environmentally friendly travel is hard to ignore. Surely a video speech would have been more ethical? The same criticism could be lobbed at William flying around the world to host the Earthshot Awards but sometimes it just raises the profile in a way nothing else could. I’m not sure that Harry’s presence did the same.”

King Charles and Queen Camilla on a trip to Canada (
Image:
AP)
Harry’s trip came amid reports that have suggested that all that could be set to change as he attempts to find a ‘new purpose’. It is reported that Harry could be launching his own commercial venture in the next few months, while also concentrating on his Invictus Games Foundation.

There are no details so far on what the venture could be, which will be one of the first tasks for the Sussex’s newly formed team of advisors.

But Jennie said: “Personally, I think this commercial route opens him up to all sorts of accusations of trading on his royal status which would make him an even angrier young man than at present.

“I think Harry is still trying to figure out where he goes from here. By normal standards, he’s a very rich man, but life in Montecito doesn’t come cheap, especially with all the security costs he deems necessary.

“So is he content for his wife to be the breadwinner while he concentrates on the children and charity work? There’s nothing wrong with that but he might feel he needs to pursue commercial ventures too.”

Prince Harry’s recent appearances have seen him promote his charitable and non-profit causes. And Jennie added: “There’s nothing wrong with being a stay-at-home dad and using his influence to help charities around the world. He’s brilliant at interacting with people and at just being Harry. He should perhaps stick to what he’s born to, trained for and truly good at.”