MH17 Crash Forces Estonian Blues Festival To Drop Putin Supporter Steven Seagal From Bill

July 21, 2014, 9:02 am

≫ Next: Sinitta Reveals Harry Styles Flirtation During 'The X Factor': 'For Me, He's Definitely Forbidden Fruit'

≪ Previous: Lily Allen Blames Hormones For 'Not Good Enough' Songs On Sheezus Album

Steven Seagal has been dropped from the bill at an Estonian blues festival, with organisers made nervous by his ongoing support for Russian premier Vladimir Putin and his position regarding the Crimean peninsula.

With the deepening international crisis following the downing of Malaysian Airlines' flight MH17 on Thursday, schedulers have decided to replace the martial arts actor turned blues musician, due to public unrest over the situation in this part of the world.

Steven Seagal has been dropped from the bill of the Estonian Augustibluus Festival

Seagal's relationship with the Russian president has flourished since he was drafted in to help launch a national fitness programme, and their shared interest in martial arts has led to a series of celebratory photo-calls.

Further, Seagal has spoken out in political support of Putin. The Guardian quotes him saying to a Russian outlet, "He's one of the greatest world leaders alive today. I consider him my friend."

Seagal has spoken out in support of Putin's controversial policies in the Crimean peninsula

Seagal reportedly added that Russian's annexation of Crimea was "entirely reasonable".

Estonia's foreign minister, Urmas Paet, told Tallinn's newspaper Delfi: "Steven Seagal has become active in politics in the last few months in a manner not befitting a world which honours states based on the rule of law."

Although all eyes are currently on the Ukraine, where rescue workers continue to go through the wreckage of MH17, and international communities await anxiously the return of their victims of the crash, Estonia is understandably on edge, with Putin on the record calling to protect Russian populations in post-Soviet states.

No word yet on who will replace Mr Seagal, although it's probably safe to say it won't be Gerard Depardieu, another infamous Russian supporter.

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Sinitta Reveals Harry Styles Flirtation During 'The X Factor': 'For Me, He's Definitely Forbidden Fruit'

July 21, 2014, 9:50 am

≫ Next: Simon Cowell Responds To 'Antiquated' Gay Claims Made At Tulisa Drugs Trial As Case Is Thrown Out

≪ Previous: MH17 Crash Forces Estonian Blues Festival To Drop Putin Supporter Steven Seagal From Bill

Sinitta has revealed just how powerful her charms over men really are, confessing that she had to spurn advances from none other than Harry Styles while they were working together on ‘The X Factor’.

Before the sold-out arena tours and string of number one singles - we’re talking about Harry here, not Sinitta… - One Direction were just one of six groups competing at judges’ houses on ‘The X Factor’ in 2010, where mentor Simon Cowell had recruited the help of his BFF Sinitta to help him whittle the acts down to just three.

Harry Styles

However, while on screen viewers saw the boyband fighting hard to keep their place in the competition, it sounds like behind the scenes Harry’s mind might have been elsewhere, as Sinitta reckons he took quite a shine to her.

sinitta

How could any man resist?

She told Star magazine: “I'm aware I looked young for my age when One Direction were on ‘The X Factor’ and I remember having to remind him that I was old enough to be his mother!”

Right…

Of course, Sinitta was insistent that nothing ever came of their flirtation, adding: “For me, he's definitely forbidden fruit.”

Well there you go, ladies, clearly all you need to do if you want to catch Harry’s eye is perform a sultry rendition of ‘So Macho’, preferably while wearing a bikini made entirely out of foliage.

Sinitta recently proved just what it was that managed to turn Harry’s head when she stripped down to her flesh-coloured underwear and draped herself in a rainbow flag for a performance at London Pride.

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Simon Cowell Responds To 'Antiquated' Gay Claims Made At Tulisa Drugs Trial As Case Is Thrown Out

July 21, 2014, 11:22 pm

≫ Next: Cheryl Cole Celebrates Marriage To Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini With Second Wedding Bash In London

≪ Previous: Sinitta Reveals Harry Styles Flirtation During 'The X Factor': 'For Me, He's Definitely Forbidden Fruit'

Simon Cowell has responded to suggestions he is gay made during the drugs trial of Tulisa Contostavlos.

Tulisa's friend and PA, Gareth Varey, made the claims in a secret video recording played to the court last week.

Simon Cowell

Now lawyers for the 'X Factor' boss have issued a statement denying the star is gay, saying the comments had resulted in “widespread media coverage of untrue claims regarding his private life”.

They added: “In 2014 the question of whether someone is or is not gay is antiquated (As it happens he isn’t, though if he were, he would simply have said so).

“However, the issue was the false suggestion made by Mr Varey that Simon — who is renowned for his honesty and candidness — had thus not been truthful in the public arena and this is what we have been obliged to clarify.”

The statement came just hours after the judge threw out the case against Tulisa, due to "serious misconduct" on the part of a key witness for the prosecution.

The former 'X Factor' judge had stood accused of being concerned with the supply of class A drugs, after she was charged with helping an undercover journalist from The Sun on Sunday, Mazher Mahmood, to obtain 13.9g of cocaine for £860.

After being cleared of the charges against her, the N-Dubz star delivered a speech on the steps of Southwark Crown Court, describing her "horrific" court experience and condemning the "lies" told by Mahmood during the trial.

tulisa

Tulisa Contostavlos

She said: "This whole case was a horrific and disgusting entrapment by Mazher Mahmood and the Sun on Sunday newspaper.

"Mahmood has now been exposed by my lawyers openly lying to the judge and jury. These lies were told to stop crucial evidence going before the jury."

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Cheryl Cole Celebrates Marriage To Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini With Second Wedding Bash In London

July 22, 2014, 12:08 am

≫ Next: Kanye West's Speech At Kim Kardashian Wedding Turned Into A 45-Minute Rant (Is Anyone Surprised?)

≪ Previous: Simon Cowell Responds To 'Antiquated' Gay Claims Made At Tulisa Drugs Trial As Case Is Thrown Out

Cheryl Cole and her new husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini were joined by friends and family in London on Monday night to celebrate their recent nuptials.

The newlyweds - who only had four guests at their surprise secret wedding in Mustique earlier this month - threw a lavish bash at The Library members club in the capital.

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Cheryl Cole and new husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini

Cheryl and JB both dressed in black outfits for the occasion, with Chezza dazzling in a stunning Ralph & Russo haute couture gown, complete with a see-through skirt.

Surprisingly, Cheryl also chose to wear her hair up, which revealed the 'Mrs.C' tattoo on her neck - a reference to her ex-husband Ashley Cole.

cheryl

Cheryl shows off her tattoo with her updo

Joining the happy couple at the party were her former Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts, although there was no sign of Nadine Coyle or Sarah Harding.

Cheryl's mum, Joan, and Marvin and Rochelle Humes were also among the 50 guests.

cheryl

Kimberley Walsh and her partner snapped at the event

And no expense was spared as guests sipped champagne and tucked into an Arabian-themed menu courtesy of La Roche restaurant.

Last week, the 'X Factor' judge played down rumours she was planning on starting a family with her new husband.

cheryl

Cheryl and Jean-Bernard arrive at the London bash

After marrying Jean-Bernard after just three months together, Cheryl admitted she isn't in quite the same rush to start a family.

“If it happens, don’t get us wrong it happens. But it’s not in me plans,” she told The Times.

"I went through a real phase in my life recently, of like: maybe it’s not for me."

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Kanye West's Speech At Kim Kardashian Wedding Turned Into A 45-Minute Rant (Is Anyone Surprised?)

July 22, 2014, 1:00 am

≫ Next: Cheryl Cole Married: ‘X Factor' Announcer Confirms The Judge Will Take Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini's Surname (LISTEN)

≪ Previous: Cheryl Cole Celebrates Marriage To Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini With Second Wedding Bash In London

In news that will come as a surprise to precisely no one, it turns out that Kanye West’s wedding speech turned out to be a 45 minute rant, as revealed in an eye-opening new magazine interview.

Kanye tied the knot with reality star and, more recently, video game protagonist Kim Kardashian in a lavish ceremony in Florence earlier this year, and while the guests tucked into their dinner, the chart-topping rapper launched into his wedding speech, which quickly turned into a 45-minute tirade.

Kanye West

In the latest issue of men’s magazine GQ, he gives readers a taste of his speech, which included the line: “Celebrities are being treated like blacks were in the '60s, having no rights.”

Whatever happened to “to the bride and groom”, eh?

kim kanye

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian

In the slightly bewildering interview, he goes on to compare himself to a blowfish, saying: “I'm not a shark, I'm a blowfish… I'm defending my name as someone's screaming something negative at me. That's a blowfish.”

Clearly a trip to the aquarium - or a cheeky viewing of ‘Finding Nemo’ with baby North - had him inspired.

Meanwhile, later in the interview he is full of praise for his new wife, but rather than the standard “luckiest man in the world” spiel most newlyweds bang on about in interviews, Kanye compares her to a “dinosaur”, saying: “You mean to tell me that this girl with this f***ing body and this face is also into style, and she's a nice person, and she has her own money and is family-oriented? That's just as cool as a f***ing fighter jet or dinosaur! And just as rarely seen.”

Once again, that’s “as cool as a f***ing fighter jet or dinosaur”. We can’t think of a more beautiful compliment than that.

That said, he does give us a taste of his family life with Kim, and the rest of the Kardashian family, now that they’re married, adding: “Family is super cool. Going home to one girl every night is super cool. Just going home and getting on the floor and playing with your child is super cool. Not wearing a red leather jacket, and just looking like a dad and shit, is like super cool. Having someone that I can call Mom again. That shit is super cool.”

D’aww.

Kanye recently came under fire for his performance at Wireless festival, where he regaled the 50,000-strong crowd with yet another of his famous rants.

kanye west

Read his full interview in the latest GQ magazine, out now.

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Cheryl Cole Married: ‘X Factor' Announcer Confirms The Judge Will Take Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini's Surname (LISTEN)

July 23, 2014, 6:29 am

≫ Next: 'Big Brother' Nominations Spoiler: Ashleigh's 'Power Trip' Leaves Four Housemates Up For Eviction (PICS, VIDEO)

≪ Previous: Kanye West's Speech At Kim Kardashian Wedding Turned Into A 45-Minute Rant (Is Anyone Surprised?)

Cheryl Cole and Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini shocked fans when they revealed they’d already got hitched in a secret ceremony, however one man who did know about the wedding was ‘X Factor’ announcer Peter Dixon.

Peter, whose voice is heard when the 'X Factor' judges step onto the stage, was told about the wedding weeks ago, so that he could begin practicing his pronunciation of JB's French surname.

cheryl

Cheryl Cole and Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini

Speaking on Capital Radio, Peter confirmed that he knew the judging line-up weeks before it was made public, adding that he was also told about Cheryl’s marriage.

"I had a phone call a few weeks ago from the producers to tell me who the new judges were,” he explained. “They said, It's Cheryl’, and I said, ‘Oh that's fine, she's back’, and they said, ‘No but she's changed her name, she's married Jean-Bernard and she wants to be known by his second name, so can you start practising?’

“So I have been… not very successfully!”

Peter then attempted to demonstrate how he will introduce Mrs Fernandez-Versini, proving that he definitely needs a lot more practise.

Cheryl and Jean-Bernard had been dating for just three months when they married in front of four people on the island of Mustique.

The former Girls Aloud singer announced her new relationship status via Instagram on Monday 14 July, sharing a snap of her engagement and wedding rings and writing: “I usually do not discuss my personal life but to stop the speculation I want to share my happy news. Jean-Bernard and I married on 7/7/14. We are very happy and excited to move forward with our lives together."

Earlier this week, the couple threw a party in London to celebrate their marriage, where they were joined by plenty of celeb pals, including Cheryl’s former bandmate Kimberley Walsh.

Listen to Peter's attempt at pronouncing Chezza's new name below...

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'Big Brother' Nominations Spoiler: Ashleigh's 'Power Trip' Leaves Four Housemates Up For Eviction (PICS, VIDEO)

July 23, 2014, 6:39 am

≫ Next: Tulisa's PA, Gareth Varey, Apologises For Claiming Simon Cowell Is Gay: 'It Is Not True, I Was Very Drunk'

≪ Previous: Cheryl Cole Married: ‘X Factor' Announcer Confirms The Judge Will Take Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini's Surname (LISTEN)

Four ‘Big Brother’ housemates will face the public vote in this week’s eviction, after Ashleigh’s ‘Power Trip’ left her with the chance to decide who will be up for the chop in Tuesday night’s highlights show.

After she chose Chris to become the first member of the 'Power Alliance', the pair first chose to put Steven up for eviction, claiming they didn’t see what he brought to the house anymore.

steven goode

Steven learns he could be leaving the house on Friday

As if he wasn’t already having a tough enough time of it, following the shock exit of Kimberly over the weekend, Steven found out that he would be the first housemate to face eviction, though he was adamant that it was the public making the decisions, saying: ““If it was normal nominations, I just know I wouldn’t be put up.”

No ego issues there, then.

Ashleigh and Chris were then told by Big Brother to recruit a new member to their secret alliance - and they went for Mark, despite his protestations earlier in the evening that he would be “the f***ing worst” decision-maker.

Together, the trio decided to nominate Ash for eviction, who was bemused to find out his head was once again on the chopping block.

ash

Ash was chosen by the 'Power Alliance' to face the public vote

In Wednesday night’s show, viewers will see the alliance making yet more tough decisions, tactically choosing to nominate Pav and Zoe, before finding out that one of the ‘Power Alliance’ must also sacrifice themselves.

Ashleigh finds out that, in a shock twist, she is up for eviction this week

Ultimately, it’s Ashleigh who ends up switching places with Ash, meaning that she is up for eviction alongside Pav, Steven and Zoe.

Watch a sneak preview of the moment the ‘Power Alliance’ are rumbled below, then tune in on Wednesday, July 23 at 10pm on Channel 5 to see how it all unfolds...

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Tulisa's PA, Gareth Varey, Apologises For Claiming Simon Cowell Is Gay: 'It Is Not True, I Was Very Drunk'

July 23, 2014, 6:57 am

≫ Next: Watch: 'Souvenirs', the Gorgeous New Video From I Draw Slow

≪ Previous: 'Big Brother' Nominations Spoiler: Ashleigh's 'Power Trip' Leaves Four Housemates Up For Eviction (PICS, VIDEO)

Tulisa Contostavlos's personal assistant and friend, Gareth Varey, has apologised for claiming Simon Cowell is gay in a video recording that was played in court during the former N-Dubz star's drugs trial.

Varey claims he was 'drunk' when he made the comments about the music mogul's private life in the recording that was heard by the jury prior to the case collapsing earlier this week.

Tulisa and her PA, Gareth Varey

Simon Cowell's lawyers issued a statement on Monday denying the claims made against him, which they said had made him appear to be not telling the truth about his sexuality.

Varey said today that he does not know why he made the comment to undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood, which he conceded was 'not true.

In a statement, Varey said: "On 10 May 2013 in the course of seeking to entrap Tulisa, Mazher Mahmood supplied Tulisa, me and others with a lot of alcohol.

"I can no longer recall all of the details of that evening but I have listened to the recording made by Mahmood. I was clearly very drunk.

"At some point and utterly out of the blue Mahmood asked me if Simon Cowell was gay. I said he was. This is not true. I do not know why I said it, but assume it is because I was so drunk and felt that I was giving Mahmood the type of information he was seeking. I am very sorry for this."

Simon Cowell

The trial was halted on Monday after the judge said there were "strong grounds to believe" that Mahmood - known as the "fake sheikh" - had "lied" at an earlier hearing.

Contostavlos had vehemently denied brokering a drugs deal, which had been reported in The Sun on Sunday last year. Mahmood has been suspended by the paper.

Cowell's legal representatives spoke out after the case was stopped to clarify that the music and TV boss - whose son Eric was born earlier this year - was not gay.

And they added: "The issue was the false suggestion made by Mr Varey that Simon - who is renowned for his honesty and candidness - had thus not been truthful in the public arena and this is what we have been obliged to clarify."

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Watch: 'Souvenirs', the Gorgeous New Video From I Draw Slow

July 23, 2014, 7:25 am

≫ Next: 19 Famous People You (Probably) Didn't Realise Were From Glasgow

≪ Previous: Tulisa's PA, Gareth Varey, Apologises For Claiming Simon Cowell Is Gay: 'It Is Not True, I Was Very Drunk'

The restaurant receipt from your first date. The pictures from that trip away. That little moth you found on the window when you moved into your new place together. When you're in love, you collect little souvenirs. But what do you do when the relationship breaks up?

Louise Holden, lead singer and lyricist with folk band I Draw Slow, was wandering around Dublin's Natural History Museum when the moths in this "dead zoo" inspired her to write about the objects that people build up and save during a relationship. "They're the things that mark points that you would like to remember," says Louise. "But now the relationship is over and they are left with this stuff, these little souvenirs."

This kernel of an idea led to a beautiful video and a song that will break your heart and mend it again in the space of three minutes. It's exciting to watch because you know you're looking at, and hearing, something very special.

The Natural History Museum allowed Louise and her songwriting partner, her brother Dave Holden, to film inside. Director Ronan Fox, who recently won an Irish Film and Television Award (IFTA) for cinematography, shot the video. Unusually for this five-piece band that includes mandolin, fiddle, double bass, and banjo, this song is completely stripped back, featuring only the Holden siblings.

The theme of Souvenirs - the end of a relationship - echoes throughout I Draw Slow's critically acclaimed third album, White Wave Chapel. In their last single, "Valentine", Game of Thrones star Aidan Gillen (Petyr Baelish) played the role of a heartbreaker in the tale of a love affair gone sour, while "Grand Hotel" and "Now You're Gone" also focus on relationship breakdown - but with a twist.

"This album does have that string running through it, but it's not so much about the heartbreak as what you learn about yourself when you[re separating," says Louise. "What are the positives and the negatives that you take from the relationship and how do you move forward?"

I Draw Slow have become major stars on the global folk music scene, with increasing popularity in the United States. They topped the iTunes Ireland folk chart with White Wave Chapel and, demonstrating their mainstream appeal, reached number 2 in the overall iTunes Ireland Album Chart.

This weekend, they will play in Whelan's, one of Dublin's most popular music venues, as part of the "Dublin Goes Country" festival, which is being held after five Garth Brooks concerts were cancelled due to planning difficulties (although folk and country are often put in the same broad and overarching music category, I Draw Slow couldn't sound more different from Garth Brooks). They return to Whelan's on August 22 with their own headline gig to mark the release of "Souvenirs".

In early October, Louise and David, along with bandmates Colin Derham, Adrian Hart, and Konrad Liddy, will return to the United States for the International Bluegrass Music Association's Gig Fair, where major bookers scout for talent. When the band attended this festival in 2012, they were asked to play at many major US festivals. That was two years ago. Now, with White Wave Chapel, their best album to date, under their belt, it seems a matter of time before I Draw Slow will dominate the global folk scene.

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19 Famous People You (Probably) Didn't Realise Were From Glasgow

July 23, 2014, 7:43 am

≫ Next: With Release Of 'Community' Season 5 On DVD, We Survey Some Of TV's Strangest Misfits

≪ Previous: Watch: 'Souvenirs', the Gorgeous New Video From I Draw Slow

The Commonwealth Games are taking place in Glasgow - so what better time to celebrate all things Glaswegian, including Famous People You (Possibly) Didn't Realise Were From There?

Yes, you learn something new every day - and for us, it was that some of these celebrities hailed from the great Scottish city...

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With Release Of 'Community' Season 5 On DVD, We Survey Some Of TV's Strangest Misfits

July 23, 2014, 7:43 am

≫ Next: Amy Winehouse's Dad Mitch Speaks Out On The Anniversary Of His Daughter's Death

≪ Previous: 19 Famous People You (Probably) Didn't Realise Were From Glasgow

This Monday sees the release of 'Community' Season 5 on DVD, seeing the antics continue amid the mismatched study group from Greendale College.

Season 5 sees the exit of regulars Chevy Chase and Donald Glover, but the return of recurring favourite Professor Ian Duncan, played by British comedian and talkshow host John Oliver.

In aid of its release, and inspired by the show’s bunch of unlikely friends, here are some of the most singular misfits to grace the small screen.

'Community' Season 5 is available now on DVD.

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Amy Winehouse's Dad Mitch Speaks Out On The Anniversary Of His Daughter's Death

July 23, 2014, 7:46 am

≫ Next: 'Celebrity Big Brother': Josie Cunningham Thinks She's 'Stolen' 'Benefits Street' Star White Dee's 'CBB' Slot

≪ Previous: With Release Of 'Community' Season 5 On DVD, We Survey Some Of TV's Strangest Misfits

Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch has spoken out on the third anniversary of his daughter’s death.

Mitch, a former London taxi driver who now performs his own concerts, has said that he feels Amy’s presence every time he steps on stage.

amy winehouse mitch

Amy and Mitch in 2008

When asked if he feels Amy's presence still, Mitch tells The Sun: “She’s [Amy] there all right, I feel her, sense her.

“She’s standing next to me, every time I go out on that stage.

“She’s in here now saying, ‘Just get on with it, Dad’. I’m always speaking to her, all day, every day.”

Mitch also reveals that, in the time since Amy’s death, caused by an alcohol overdose, in 2011 he has become more focussed on “doing something that mattered”.

“Her passing was a mistake and at first she was very angry and upset — I could feel that — but now she’s more settled,” he explains. “Before she passed I wasn’t very industrious but now I’m a different person. It changed my life.

“After Amy died, I wanted to do something that mattered, which is how the Amy Winehouse Foundation came about.

“Who would have thought that three years on we would have achieved so much?

“I know Amy is very proud. She would not have wanted us to wallow in grief.”

Mitch also reveals that he does hold Amy’s former husband Blake Fielder-Civil responsible for her death, stating: “I saw a documentary about Blake recently and I just felt bad for him. I saw a young man who looks desperately ill.

“Amy loved him and he loved her. I’m sure he misses Amy greatly.”

Following Amy’s death, Mitch established the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which works to educate young people on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Amy was found dead in her North London flat on 23 July 2011. Coroners later ruled that her death was due to alcohol poisoning.

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'Celebrity Big Brother': Josie Cunningham Thinks She's 'Stolen' 'Benefits Street' Star White Dee's 'CBB' Slot

July 23, 2014, 7:50 am

≫ Next: As 'Glee' Chalks Up 100th Episode, We Remember Best Performances And Cameo Appearances

≪ Previous: Amy Winehouse's Dad Mitch Speaks Out On The Anniversary Of His Daughter's Death

Josie Cunningham, the young mum famous for getting a £4800 boob job on the NHS, has sparked fresh rumours that she’ll be making an appearance in the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house after stealing ‘Benefits Street’ resident White Dee's spot.

Josie was originally linked to 'BB' earlier this year, when she revealed that she was planning to abort the baby she was carrying to ensure she’d land a place in the house, however, she later changed her mind and decided not to have the termination.

josie

Josie Cunningham

When the new batch of ‘BB’ housemates entered the Borehamwood bungalow without Josie among them back in June, it was thought that Josie must be joining the celeb version instead.

She responded to these claims by taking to Twitter to state that she wouldn’t be appearing on the show - unless producers promise to shell out £150,000.

However, it now seems that either she’s had a change of heart or Channel 5 bosses have decided to dig deep after all, as Josie has suggested that we can look forward to seeing her in the ‘CBB’ house once the current ‘civilian’ series is over.

In posts that have since been deleted, Josie retweeted a news story which claimed White Dee - who’d been originally tipped to appear in the reality series after the success of her documentary ‘Benefits Street’ - had rejected the offer to appear in ‘CBB’ as it clashed with other projects she was working on.

White Dee

Josie then added that Dee wasn't telling the truth, writing, according to The Mirror: “Actually LOLing at someone claiming they have turned down a TV opportunity when the truth is... I stole their slot #Kerching!!”

She then deleted the post, writing: “Whoops, got told off!”

If we do see Josie in the ‘CBB’ house it will mark the first time a pregnant woman has been a contestant in any series of 'Big Brother'.

Meanwhile, it seems the controversial 23-year-old is trying to add as many strings to her bow as possible, as it was reported over the weekend that she's hoping to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest next year.

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As 'Glee' Chalks Up 100th Episode, We Remember Best Performances And Cameo Appearances

July 23, 2014, 8:25 am

≫ Next: Psy And Snoop Dogg's 'Hangover' Music Video - Without The Music

≪ Previous: 'Celebrity Big Brother': Josie Cunningham Thinks She's 'Stolen' 'Benefits Street' Star White Dee's 'CBB' Slot

If it feels like you can't remember a world pre-'Glee', you'd be almost right. The show celebrating the William McKinley High School song and dance club chalks up its 100th episode tonight on Fox in America.

In its long run, the series has been praised for its engagement with social, relationship and sexual issues - for its blatant scene-stealing by sports coach Sue Sylvester (a mega-phoned Jane Lynch) and its focus on inclusion.

Some of 'Glee's finest performances...

Along the way, its seen a high-profile romance between two of its main stars Lea Michele and Corey Monteith, and the tragedy of Corey's death last year, when the show recorded a special tribute episode 'The Quarterback'. There have also been many themed episodes featuring music from the likes of Madonna and Queen, and the odd always-appreciated appearance by a very famous face.

Series creator Ryan Murphy has announced that the sixth season of the show will be the last.

Can you remember ALL of these stars' appearances on 'Glee'?

'Glee' continues on E4.

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Psy And Snoop Dogg's 'Hangover' Music Video - Without The Music

July 23, 2014, 8:44 am

≫ Next: Arts and Culture in the Regions - Why It's Not All Doom and Gloom

≪ Previous: As 'Glee' Chalks Up 100th Episode, We Remember Best Performances And Cameo Appearances

If you loved the recent 'Dancing In The Street' musicless music video, then you're in for another treat.

Check out House of Halo's version of Psy and Snoop Dogg's 'Hangover' - sans the music.

If you want to compare and contrast with the original, here it is:

(Via Tastefully Offensive)

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Arts and Culture in the Regions - Why It's Not All Doom and Gloom

July 23, 2014, 8:49 am

≫ Next: On Getting Old

≪ Previous: Psy And Snoop Dogg's 'Hangover' Music Video - Without The Music

Sitting at my desk in Manchester and considering the North of England, which is the area I cover, the view of arts and culture seems far more positive than painted in Laura Maw's recent Huffington Post blog. In fact, the North is home to some of England's most exciting and entrepreneurial arts and cultural organisations, continuing to be ambitious and to operate on a national and international playing field despite the current austerity climate, and this richness is embodied in the National portfolio here.

Laura's blog - 'Arts Council Funding 2014 Will Damage Local Arts Venues' - mentions a number of organisations that aren't being funded within the Arts Council's National portfolio in the current round but omits to mention our new investment in exciting companies, like Dance United in Yorkshire and Juice Festival in the North East, both of which create opportunities for young people in their own communities.

In fact, it's disappointing that Laura's blog didn't acknowledge the great art that is happening in cities and smaller towns across the North. There are world class clusters of arts organisations in Liverpool and Manchester, in Leeds and in Newcastle/Gateshead - with companies such as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Ballet and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Our investment of £5.5 million will help Hull's arts organisations and museums prepare for its year as City of Culture in 2017. Durham had the vision to host Lumiere - now the foremost light festival in England - which attracted an audience of 175,000 in 2013. Many other towns have arts and cultural organisations playing a central role in the community and contributing to the local economy - Brewery Arts in Kendal, Queen's Hall Arts Centre in Hexham, CAST in Doncaster, Junction in Goole and The Maltings in Berwick upon Tweed to name just a few. The only specialist children's theatre venue north of London is being built by Theatre Hullabaloo in Darlington, Eden Arts in Penrith brings the arts into small rural communities in one of the most sparsely populated rural districts in the country and youth theatre organisations including Action Transport in Ellesmere Port, The Ashton Group in Barrow in Furness and Burnley Youth Theatre give opportunity to talented young people. I could go on - all of these organisations have received investment as part of the National portfolio in the North from 2015-18 - as have 193 organisations in total.

Of course it can be tough when we reduce or remove funding from organisations but often that is not the end of a resourceful organisation and we often offer them project funding. We know from our experience three years ago, when a number of former regularly funded organisations did not join our National portfolio, that there are other opportunities to continue to be supported through the Arts Council. We have continued to invest in the activity of a number of those organisations through our other funding streams, and indeed some of those organisations - like Castlefield Gallery and Third Angel here in the North - have been successful in their application to join the National portfolio this time round. And by opening up a competitive process once every few years we provide an opportunity for exciting new organisations to develop.

Of course we could use more money - we had far more applicants to our National portfolio than we could afford to support. Yes, there is more to do in terms of the balance of the Arts Council's investment and yes, progress is slow (we take the view we won't damage highly performing organisations by crudely cutting their funds to shift elsewhere) - but it is purposeful and targeted. Overall investment outside London has actually increased in this National portfolio round, and for the next three years we will build on the current trend of 60% of income from Treasury and 70% of National Lottery income being invested outside London.

The National portfolio is far from the only story of how we invest in arts and culture. Alongside National portfolio funding we have new targeted schemes for specific areas to retain talent or build culture in communities. Our Strategic touring programme for example has seen South Tyneside based Customs House tour its theatre and visual arts project, Follow the Herring, to 14 east coast venues from Scotland to the South coast, including venues in Musselburgh, Hartlepool and Grimsby. With a grant of £1.5million from our Creative people and places scheme, the Heart of Glass project in St Helens is using Rugby League and glass - two strong cultural identities of the town - as the focal points to create new arts experiences for local communities.

This is what I see when I consider the North - many, many artists, creative leaders and museums professionals doing excellent work and having a positive impact on their audiences, participants and wider communities. Of course it's right to note those who will no longer be supported through our National portfolio - but it must also be right to celebrate the work of the many more who will.

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On Getting Old

July 23, 2014, 8:57 am

≫ Next: Peaches Geldof Inquest: Katie Hopkins Hits Out On Twitter After Heroin Overdose Verdict

≪ Previous: Arts and Culture in the Regions - Why It's Not All Doom and Gloom

One thing I really will never recover from is the realization that I am an adult as in a grown up person. I never thought this would happen. I only realized when one day I was called 'ma'am' instead of 'miss'.

When exactly did this 'ma'am' transformation happen, what was the giveaway? Getting old is something that happens to other people, not me. I know at one point I saw visible evidence of aging (dark circles) around the eye area and almost immediately had them hoiked. Wrinkles can be de-wrinkled in minutes thanks to the miracle of dermatology and so as far as my constant battle with aging I believe I am winning, on the outside anyway, I can't speak for my insides. Several hundred birthdays ago I was slightly drunk during my speech and asked all my 'then' friends "What happened to all of you? You look so old have I been in a coma?" Some of them are no longer speaking to me. I then fell forward into my chocolate cake and had to be lifted out by the hair.

Clearly I'm in complete denial. Recently a woman told me she had three adult children and I responded with incredulous disbelief, "You have three kids?" It was my girlfriend who pointed out, so did I. It seems other people know how to act like thing called a grown up. Having coffee mornings where they don't digress from the topic of 'the children.' I know women in their 40s still blathering about how long their delivery took. Get over it! Exchanging phone numbers for kids party entertainers who in the spirit of wackiness pull live rabbits out of their pants. My idea of hell are those cocktail parties my parents used to have where you stand holding a drink and make small talk about absolutely nothing. I never know how or when you're supposed to end one conversation and then move on and start again. I wish we could be as honest as when we were kids and just blurt, "I want to go home I don't like you."

Dress-wise I go for the 14-16 year old range. I borrowed my daughter's thong - I can no longer find it. I'm going to need miners to go in there and dig it out. My look is Nikes and skinny jeans even though my stomach hangs over the top like a tutu made of flesh. My behind is on permanent display but at least I don't have to look at it. If I'm this deluded now imagine when I really hit the skids, I'll be the one wearing my incontinence pads at a jaunty angle and body surfing on my Zimmer frame. Wish me luck.

I'm on the road again this Autumn, and in Edinburgh this summer. You can find details on my website!

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Peaches Geldof Inquest: Katie Hopkins Hits Out On Twitter After Heroin Overdose Verdict

July 23, 2014, 8:58 am

≫ Next: Get Out, Beyonce... Go

≪ Previous: On Getting Old

Katie Hopkins has taken to Twitter to have her say following the inquest into Peaches Geldof’s cause of death, which ruled that the mother-of-two died following a heroin overdose.

The former ‘Apprentice’ contestant posted two tweets regarding the verdict and then retweeted a number of reactions to her posts.

lkatie hopkins peaches geldof

Katie Hopkins and Peaches Geldof

Katie, who was famously taken down by Peaches during an appearance on ‘This Morning’, shared her thoughts on the inquest verdict, writing: “Peaches' fatal syringe was in a box by the bed - along with some sweets. She was taking care of her baby son after all.

“Let's turn the tables. It (sic) was me that took an overdose whilst caring for my 11 month old,” she added. “Would I be a fallen angel too?”

Katie then retweeted a variety of posts sent after her outburst, some of which were negative reactions.

After Peaches’ death in April, Katie wrote about the former model in her newspaper column, stating: “Peaches and I met once, on a TV sofa in central London. We were strangers and remained adversaries.

“Peaches didn’t want a tweet from me. She didn’t welcome it in life. She certainly didn’t need it in death.

“She was tough enough not to seek approval from anyone. I admire that trait in others. Peaches didn’t need tweets from celebrities or strangers — she just needed a mother’s love.”

On 7 April, Peaches was found dead at her Kent home by her husband Thomas Cohen.

An inquest on 23 July ruled that Peaches died of a heroin overdose the evening before her body was discovered.

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Get Out, Beyonce... Go

July 23, 2014, 9:22 am

≫ Next: Dora Bryan Dead: ‘Last Of The Summer Wine' Actress Dies Aged 91

≪ Previous: Peaches Geldof Inquest: Katie Hopkins Hits Out On Twitter After Heroin Overdose Verdict

If you believe their fans, Beyonce and Jay Z are about to kill real love.

Rumour has it that Beyonce and Jay Z will get divorced when they finish their Mr and Mrs Carter world tour. They're travelling with relationship counsellors, and they've both been seen without rings. Cheating and beating rumours have been around a long time, but this time it's different. This time it's louder. There's momentum.

With so many fans chanting, "Don't do it, Beyonce!" you may not be able to hear what I'm going to say next. It may surprise you. It might actually make you angry.

Because while millions of people want the Mr and Mrs Carter fairytale to endure, I'm yelling, "Run, Beyonce. Run! Get out, get out, get out."

Judging by the emotional tweets of their fans, perhaps it's just me and Solange Knowles who think Beyonce would be better off without Jay Z. The consensus out there seems to be that if Bey and Jay can't make it, nobody can. Romance is dead, love is over, all hope is gone, etc.

But before we mourn the possible end of Bey and Jay, let's get real about their relationship. Their public romance has been painstakingly manufactured, but not even Bey's publicist can make rumours of infidelity, dysfunction, and aggression disappear completely.

We're talking about one of the most powerful couples in the world. They're friends with the Obamas, they make more than $63million a year, and they can dominate the international news cycle for six days with one well-timed elevator fight that wasn't even directly between them.

Together, they've got 27 Grammys, 20 Billboard Music awards, $1billion in personal wealth, 112million social media followers, 11 houses, seven fragrances, two world tours and one very cute child.

But all of their success and the angst about them splitting is based on a very questionable idea: That Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter is a good person.

I dispute that.

Consider this.

Jay Z has spent the past decade rebranding himself, forcing the world to forget that he can be a terrible human. It's one of the most stunning public transformations in pop culture history - the young criminal who turned himself around from rough beginnings, became a rap god, and married the undisputed queen of pop.

This isn't just about bad boy made good. Of course people can change. But there are many who believe Jay Z hasn't actually changed. He's just done a very good spin job.

Don't underestimate Beyonce's halo effect on Jay Z's image - being married to a strong, beautiful, wealthy feminist is an astoundingly smart business move.

Cynical? Perhaps.

Sure, Jay Z rides the subway to concerts (which is conveniently captured for social media) and chats to old ladies (ditto). When his daughter, Blue Ivy, was born, he publicly promised to stop using the word 'bitch' in his lyrics. And he cultivates a real good-guy image, popping by the White House to visit President Obama, being a dad, and touring with his wife.

But Jay Z's also the guy who shot his brother with a shotgun when he was 12, dealt cocaine for years, and got three years probation for stabbing record producer Lance "Un" Rivera in 1999 with a nine inch blade. That's only 15 years ago.

He's the guy who punched and shoved a young female fan backstage at one of his concerts, when she asked for an autograph. He's the guy who defiantly sang about domestic violence in his duet with Beyonce, compared himself to Ike Turner, tried to get a coke dealer out of jail to work with him, and stands by fully clothed while his wife gyrates on-stage in her underwear. And he still uses the word 'bitch' in his lyrics.

Despite a $63million-a-year income, it appears Jay Z rarely donates to charity or does philanthropic work of a visible kind. In an interview with Rap Radar journalist Elliot Wilson, Jay Z explained this lack of generosity: "My presence is charity. Just who I am. Just like Obama's is. Obama provides hope. Whether he does anything, the hope that he provides for a nation, and outside of America is enough. Just being who he is."

Oh, and there was that time he said something so vile, his sister-in-law Solange Knowles fly-kicked him in the elevator of a hotel. Whatever that was.

Look, making judgments about a marriage - whether it's between famous strangers or friends - is not really possible. Divorce is devastating, especially when there's a child involved. We will never truly know what goes on between Beyonce Knowles and Shawn Carter... But enough people have whispered bad things about Jay Z now (rumours we cannot publish here but have gained a certain level of credibility because independent sources have verified them), it's possible that Beyonce would be better off without him.

Beyonce's fans worship her in an almost cult-like way. She's such a prominent role model, she has the genuine ability to affect the way people think and behave. If she's in a relationship that's affecting her negatively, she needs to get out.

Because if she can get out, so can the women who worship her.

This post was originally published on mamamia.com.au

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Dora Bryan Dead: ‘Last Of The Summer Wine' Actress Dies Aged 91

July 23, 2014, 9:28 am

≫ Next: Suck It Up: How to Deal With Your Bad Review

≪ Previous: Get Out, Beyonce... Go

The ‘Last Of The Summer Wine’ and ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ actress Dora Bryan has died at the age of 91.

The actress died with her two sons Daniel and William Lawton by her side, reports the Brighton Argus newspaper.

Dora Bryan

Dora spent most of her life in Brighton, before moving to a nursing home in Hove.

Her son Daniel has said: "It was heartbreaking but it was peaceful. She just left us.

"She was a tiny woman but her constitution was incredible.”

He also commended his mother’s acting career, adding: "She loved being on stage, that's what she wanted. Not only did she do it, but she was good at it.

"She was a star, and a mum."

Dora starred in a number of British TV shows including ‘Last Of The Summer Wine’, which she starred in for five years as Ros Utterthwaite, and ‘Ab Fab’.

Dora also made appearances in ‘Doctors’, ‘Holby City’ and ‘Dinnerladies’.

In 1996, she was made an OBE for her services to drama.

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