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Evelyn Murphy, Kyiv (2026)

31/05/2024

Bellingham arrived at Dortmund as a 17-year-old with just a single season of senior football under his belt, yet the Englishman impressed his new team-mates with his technique and physicality.

13/05/2024

The Dutch artist Joost Klein has been disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest after a backstage incident.

An allegation of intimidation was made to Swedish police by a female member of the production crew.

The Netherlands Songfestival said Klein had "repeatedly indicated" he did not want to be filmed and that he "did not touch the camera woman".

Meanwhile, Ireland's entrant Bambie Thug missed their dress rehearsal, but hoped to be on stage for the show.

On their Instagram story, Bambie Thug explained that there had been a "situation" prior to the flag parade rehearsal "which I felt needed urgent attention" from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Bambie Thug made no reference to Klein's exclusion and there is no suggestion the two incidents are related.

Separately, Norwegian media is reporting that their jury spokesman Allesandra Mele has pulled out, citing the "inflamed situation" in Malmo. She came fourth representing Norway last year with the song Queen of Kings.

Dutch broadcaster Avrotros called Klein's disqualification "disproportionate".

In a statement on social media, the company said it was "shocked by the decision" and would "come back to this later".

The contest organisers said "it would not be appropriate" for Klein to participate "while the legal process takes place".

25/04/2024

Rapper Kid Cudi has been forced to cancel his world tour, after breaking his foot at the Coachella Festival.

The star, best known in the UK for the hit single Day 'n' Nite, injured himself after jumping off the stage during a performance on Sunday night.

After landing awkwardly, he had to be carried away by the security team and was later treated in hospital.

However, the break was "much more serious" than it initially appeared, he told fans, and he will be unable to keep his touring commitments.

“I have a broken calcaneus,” the star posted on social media .

“I’m headed to surgery now and there’s gonna be a long recovery time. We have to cancel the tour so I can focus on getting better to be out there in top shape to rage with you all.”

Separately, German pop star Kim Petras cancelled all of her summer festival appearances, due to unspecified "health issues".

"My buns, I'm devastated to be writing this but I'm going through some health issues and under medical advice I have had to make the hard decision to not perform at festivals this summer," she wrote on social media.

Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, promised to announce rescheduled tour dates as soon as possible.

"I can’t wait to get back out there with you guys and turn up how we do,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"I’m really disappointed as I’m sure you guys are too, but I will be back. That’s a promise.”

Kid Cudi's tour was due to kick off in Texas this July, with dates in Europe and the UK next year.

21/03/2024

Radio 1 Breakfast presenter Greg James said he was excited to see the Big Weekend come to an "often overlooked" Luton.

The three-day music festival - headlined by Brit winner Raye - will take place in Stockwood Park in Luton between 24 and 26 May.
James said announcing the event in January "couldn't have felt less like festival season".
He said: "A place like that can often get overlooked for events like this."
James broke the news from Kenilworth Road, the home of Luton Town Football Club, which is currently enjoying its first-ever Premier League season.
"It didn't feel real then but it does now and I'm so excited to come to Luton," the presenter said.
"It's great that it's coming to Luton because a place like that, which is quite close to London, can often get overlooked for events like this."

15/03/2024

Squid Game actor O Yeong-Su has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence for sexual misconduct by a court in South Korea.

The 79-year-old was charged in 2022 with sexually assaulting a woman twice.

The assaults took place five years earlier when O was staying in a rural area for a theatre performance in 2017, AFP reported the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court as saying.

O has said he will appeal against the verdict and has seven days to do so.

The allegations were that he hugged a woman and kissed her on the cheek against her will, the Yonhap news agency reported.

O has also been ordered to attend classes on sexual violence, it has been reported.

According to AFP, judge Jeong Yeon-ju said the victim's records of the assault and her claims were "consistent ... and appear to be statements that cannot be made without actually experiencing them".

O had denied the claims which, according to Suwon District Court, took place on a walking path and in front of the victim's residence.

The actor rose to international fame after starring in Squid Game, a dystopian drama which sees contestants take part in deadly versions of traditional children's games.

It was a huge and unexpected hit on Netflix - attracting more than 100 million viewers around the world within weeks of its release in 2021.

The following year O became the first South Korean actor to win a Golden Globe for his role as Oh Il-nam, the oldest participant in the competition.

The controversy caused by the accusations against O saw him dropped from an upcoming film in South Korea, Reuters reported.

Womenlink, a prominent feminist organisation, spoke to reporters shortly after the sentencing and said:

"Now we can say that the sexual violence in the theatre is not an old custom but sexual violence. The accused must stop trying to make his assault go away, apologise to the victim and accept his mistake."

29/02/2024

With a record-breaking seven nominations at this year's Brit Awards, Raye has put a full stop on one of pop's greatest comeback stories.

The pop star, whose real name is Rachel Keen, has been barrelling about the record industry since she was a teenager. To a casual onlooker, it seemed like things were going well.

She wrote for big names like Beyoncé, Little Mix and Charli XCX. She produced records for Rihanna and John Legend. She collaborated with Stormzy and David Guetta. Songs like You Don't Know Me and Secrets sold enough to buy her a house.

But, as a solo artist, her music was constantly questioned and rejected.

In 2021, five years after she signed a four-album deal with Polydor Records, the label was still refusing to release her debut.

Not knowing what else to do, Raye posted a video message to social media, tearfully explaining her frustration.

Dozens of potential hits were "sat in folders collecting dust", she said, while others were being given away to bigger stars "because I am still awaiting confirmation that I am good enough".

"I've done everything [Polydor] asked me, I switched genres, I worked seven days a week," she said. "They either listen to me now or we part ways and they can save themselves this headache.

"Because I'm about to make it a headache."

The decision to post that video "wasn't at all planned", she later told the BBC. "It was more of a desperate cry to be free."

22/02/2024

A comedy club that hosted Peter Kay's first stand-up gig and John Bishop and Johnny Vegas as newcomers has celebrated its 30th birthday.

Manchester's Frog & Bucket has also welcomed stars including Sarah Millican and Jason Manford since opening in 1994.

Founder Dave Perkin said it had seen a "smorgasbord" of comedians who found stardom after performing there.

Vegas said it was "the best club".

06/02/2024

Kate Garraway has described the 'extraordinary bravery' of her children in her first appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain following her husband's death.

Speaking from home via video, she said her family's "emotions are at 110%" after Derek Draper's funeral on Friday.

Draper died in January after living with extreme complications from Covid.

The TV host will return to hosting the show on Thursday, alongside Ben Shephard.

24/01/2024

Over the last 20 years, British photographer Rankin has profiled the world's most famous people ranging from David Bowie to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Supermodels and fashion shoots helped make his fortune. But it is charity projects that continue to keep him grounded.

Rankin, who was once labelled a 'bad boy' celebrity photographer, has mellowed since the Britpop heydays of the noughties and becoming a father. In an interview with the BBC, the Glasgow-born creative reflected on his journey from a working class background to the dizzying heights of fame.

"When my kid was born, and they started to grow up, I was very concerned that I needed to correct that balance of having this incredible job where you do get paid extraordinary amounts of money to do what you love. You need to balance the art of giving something back."

Rankin, full name John Rankin Waddell, has used his profile to support numerous charities ranging from women's health issues and combating plastic waste, to recognising the contributions of NHS workers.

His latest campaign is for the Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTi) where his images are used in the book 'Tear Couture' which aims to bring attention to the continued risk of acid attacks as a form of gender-based violence.

ASTi, which counts the Princess Royal as its patron, estimates that more than 10,000 attacks take place globally each year, mostly on women and children. The charity found a large proportion occur in South Asian countries where garment and jewellery industries operate.

Anecdotal evidence shows attacks using corrosive liquids of hydrochloric, sulphuric and nitric acid occur at higher rates in locations where these substances are easily accessible, and where factories use acids in their manufacturing processes.

Some 710 acid attacks were recorded in England and Wales last year, an increase from 421 in 2021, according to ASTi which compiled the data by submitting a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to 43 police forces.

11/01/2024

The trust that runs a Grade I listed stately home said it was "very exciting" to double as Clarence House in The Crown.

Lamport Hall in Northamptonshire was also chosen for exterior shots of the Windsor Castle stables for the series.

The sixth and final season of the Netflix drama has dramatised events, including the death of Princess Diana.

Mark Herrod from Lamport Hall said the crew "put everything back where it was and we didn't notice a difference".

28/12/2023

Cher: Star 'files for conservatorship' for son Elijah

Cher has reportedly filed for a conservatorship of her son Elijah Blue Allman due to his alleged substance abuse and mental health issues.

Court documents seen by US media, such as People and TMZ, reportedly claim Mr Allman, 47, is "substantially unable to manage his financial resources".

US outlets report that the documents say a conservator is "urgently needed" to protect Allman's property.

Cher's publicist has been approached for comment.

Mr Allman has not commented publicly on the legal filing.

A conservatorship is granted by a court for individuals who are unable to make their own decisions, like those with dementia or other mental illnesses.

It can be used to manage a person's financial affairs or personal affairs or both.

Cher accused of hiring men to kidnap her son
Mr Allman is due to receive assets from a trust before the end of the year.

According to TMZ, the documents state he is entitled to regular payments from the trust set up by his late father, musician Gregg Allman.

The court papers, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, reportedly state Mr Allman is "currently unable to manage his assets due to severe mental health and substance abuse issues".

The filing adds: "Elijah is entitled to regular distributions from the trust, but given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues, [Cher] is concerned that any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself and putting Elijah's life at risk."

It says that Cher, 77, has "worked tirelessly to get Elijah into treatment and get him the help he needs".

"[Cher] loves Elijah immensely and has always acted with his best interests in mind," the filing states, adding that she has been "unable to discuss his preferences concerning the appointment of a temporary conservator" because of his "current mental and physical health issues".

19/12/2023

Olly Alexander says Eurovision will be 'a wild ride' and that song is 'not a ballad'

I'm scared, but I'm excited," says Olly Alexander. "I've wanted to do this for a really, really long time."

The star is backstage at Strictly Come Dancing, minutes after revealing live on air that he would be singing for the UK at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.

"It's all a bit of a blur," he says of the announcement, but reality is starting to sink in.

His phone buzzes with an endless stream of messages from family, friends, cousins and even his neighbourhood pet owner's group.

He has yet to organise who will look after his cats when he heads to Malmö for the contest next year - but that's just one of the many big decisions heading his way, including choreography, staging, costumes, and expanding his Swedish vocabulary from its current tally of one word: Tack (thank you).

Olly Alexander to represent the UK at Eurovision
Plumping himself down on a horrible lime green sofa, he settles in for the first (of many) interviews about his Eurovision dreams.

Evelyn Murphy

31/05/2024

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15/03/2024

29/02/2024

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