United Kingdom

Puccini, who has been called as the greatest Italian composer after Verdi, enjoys some of the most celebrated operas such as: La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly and Turandot. Music and plots that remains in everybody's imagination. However, it is less known that he also composed a Western somehow more like a play in the ancient Greece style rather than the later Hollywood counterparts. Pity they did not see this before; the quality might have improved.

Rather experimental in the sense of the theme, twisted plot, mise en scene with rather claustrophobic sets like an Edward Hopper's painting, and music influences by Strauss and Debussy and American folk music. Even as my friend noted: "one could hear the traditional Mexican Rancheras in some of the melodies". It demonstrates Puccini's capacity to absorb a diverse range of styles.

The Girl of the Golden West, or La fanciulla del West, follows the lives of saloon-bar owner Minnie and a community of gold miners who are struggling to cope with the harsh realities of daily life in a bleak and unforgiving environment. They have put their lives on hold in the hope of a better and brighter future. The local sheriff Jack Rance proclaims his love for Minnie, yet she rejects him in favour of stranger Dick Johnson who, unknown to the rest of the cast, is the notorious bandit Ramerrez in disguise. Minnie and Dick declare their love before Johnson's true identity is revealed. Minnie forces him to leave and he is then shot by one of Rance's men who are hunting him. Minnie tries to hide him but he is discovered by Rance. She begs Rance to spare Dick's life but he refuses. Minnie challenges him to a game of poker, if she wins Dick is saved but if she loses she will marry Rance. Can she outwit him and save her love?

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Photograph courtesy ENO and Robert Workman

Celebrated opera director Richard Jones returns to ENO to direct the first of two productions this season. This new production of Puccini's 'American' opera set in the Wild West during the Californian gold rush will be ENO's first for 50 years with the great British soprano Susan Bullock making her stage debut in the title role. Leading the ENO orchestra and all-male chorus, experienced opera conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson makes her British debut. Richard Jones collaborates with designer Miriam Buether to create a stark and claustrophobic setting, highlighting the desperation and sacrifice felt by the community of miners who live there. Costume designs reflective of the period are by Nicky Gillibrand.

Leading the cast of outstanding singers is British soprano Susan Bullock who makes her stage debut as Minnie. Susan impersonates the feisty character with great ease and illuminates the stage with a charming presence. Susan began her career as an ENO company principal before going on to major international success.

British tenor Peter Auty, a joy to the ear, debuts in the role of the bandit Dick Johnson. Beautiful coloratura that enchants the audience as soon as he starts singing. A true virtuoso. He has previously sung for ENO in Der Rosenkavalier, Rigoletto and La bohème. Formerly a company principal at the Royal Opera House he has also performed with Grange Park Opera, Glyndebourne, Opera North and Scottish Opera. Peter's professional musical career started at the tender age of 13, when as a choir boy at St Paul's Cathedral he was chosen to sing 'Walking in the Air', the theme to the 1982 animated film of The Snowman.

American bass baritone Craig Colclough makes his European and role debut as the Sheriff Jack Rance. He started his career at LA Opera before joining Florida Grand Opera's Young Artist Studio. In 2012 he became a Filene Young Artist at the Wolf Trap Opera company. He has also performed with Arizona Opera.

The role of the miner Sonora will be performed by British baritone and former ENO Young Artist Leigh Melrose. Although a minor role, he manages to steal the limelight with a charismatic character. Leigh has performed numerous roles with ENO, including the title role in Carrie Cracknell's production of Wozzeck in 2013 where the Observer commented that he was 'phenomenal'. Most recently he sung Ned Keene in David Alden's critically acclaimed production of Peter Grimes.

Go and watch a Western not as you imagined.

2014-10-03-ENOTheGirloftheGoldenWestSusanBullockandcastcRobertWorkman.jpg

Photograph courtesy ENO and Robert Workman

The Girl of the Golden West opens at the London Coliseum on Thursday 2 October for 9 performances - 2, 10, 15, 22, 24, 27, 30 October at 7.30pm, 18 October and 1 November at 6.30pm. For more information, please visit website www.eno.org

Rupert Grint has described the amount of money he got paid for starring in the Harry Potter films as "kind of ridiculous" - adding that he does not know the exact amount.

The actor, who played Ron Weasley in the hit films alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, said he "loved" being a part of it and said it has been "weird" since it finished.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, the 26-year-old said: "It was kind of ridiculous what we got.

Rupert Grint

"And I must admit I don't actually know how much I earned - the exact number.

"I've always known it was kinda 'there', and I've got quite an active involvement in stuff like that now, but I don't really know the exact figures. And I've never really wanted to.

"I'm quite a laid-back person and not overly ambitious, really."

Grint said the film series was a "huge part" of his life, and while it caused him to lose a few friends "on the whole it's been pretty good".

He told the newspaper: "I loved doing the Potter films but it's so nice to try different characters and explore different things. It's been weird since Potter finished, adapting to life now. It was such a huge part of us.

"For now I am just enjoying being free. It was a bubble world, and quite suffocating. A bit like a school, really. Now I'm out I still feel there are things I want to do."

Michaela Strachan has revealed that she has had surgery to remove both her breasts, after being told she had cancer.

The popular 'Springwatch' presenter has revealed she opted for the double mastectomy after a routine mammogam earlier this year revealed she there was a high chance of it spreading and the operation offered her best chance of survival.

Michaela Strachan reveals the reasons behind her double mastectomy earlier in the year

Michaela says, "The tears started to roll as my doctor tried to tell me what would happen next but I only took in every fifth word or so.

“The one word that registered was cancer.”

The popular presenter reveals she was told her breasts were too small for a lumpectomy (removal of a fraction of the breast), which would have left her breasts mis-shapen so she opted for the double mastectomy instead.

She reveals, "My breasts have never been a big part of my personality - they have always been rather average 34Bs.

“I didn't think I felt too emotional about losing them. But knowing I would in the next few days I found myself wearing tight tops and celebrating them.”

She was back at work only a few weeks after the operation earlier this year, and is planning to have reconstructive surgery very soon.

Michaela first made her name in the 1980s with 'The Really Wild Show' which she presented alongside Chris Packham and Terry Nutkins. She was awarded a BAFTA in 2005 after being voted most popular presenter in an award voted for by children.

She lives in South Africa with her partner Nick and their son, but regularly flies to the UK to work. She continued to film 'Springwatch' in May.

Michaeala is now an ambassador for charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer, which stresses the importance for women to undergo regular mammograms, of which Michaela is a great example, as she says herself.

Angelina Jolie went through the same procedure as Michaela last year, after discovering she was carrying the gene which made her chances of getting breast cancer unusually high.

‘EastEnders’ will welcome a new arrival in the coming weeks when Linda’s mum Elaine, played by Maria Friedman, arrives in Albert Square.

Elaine has been called in by Linda’s husband Mick, who’s struggling to work out why his wife has become so withdrawn.

Elaine tries to comfort withdrawn daughter Linda, at Mick's request

Unbeknownst to Mick, Linda was the victim of a shocking sexual assault at the hands of Dean.

However, while Mick hopes Linda will open up to Elaine, the Pub Landlady remains quiet.

In the coming months, Linda will struggle to cope and it will be a long time before she reveals the truth about her attack.

Earlier this week, Kellie Bright and Matt Di Angelo, who play Linda and Dean, revealed how the storyline will pan out, while the show’s Executive Producer has stated that Dean won’t stand trial for the crime.

After Elaine reveals some of her own secrets to her daughter, it all gets too much for Linda who breaks down in her mother’s arms

The Carter family are set to take centre stage in the run-up to to the ‘EastEnders’ 30th anniversary week in February 2015.

Elsewhere in the Square, the investigation into the murder of Lucy Beale is ongoing and the murderer will be revealed during a special live episode to commemorate the soap’s anniversary.

Watch ‘EastEnders’ from 13 October to see the events unfold.

Dave Lee Travis has reportedly been offered the sum of 300,000 to be a contestant on the next series of 'Celebrity Big Brother'.

The Sun quotes a show source claiming that the disgraced former DJ has been offered the gig, following his conviction for a 1995 indecent assault, for which he received a suspended sentence at Southwark Crown Court last month.

Dave Lee Travis has had to sell his mansion home to pay for his longrunning court case, which finished last month

However, the offer may be withdrawn, apparently, following the Attoney-General's decision to have the case reviewed by the Appeal Court, following complaints the sentence was too lenient.

DLT, real name David Griffin, was found guilty of squeezing a TV researcher's breast in 1995, when he appeared as a guest on The Mrs Merton Show. He was cleared of 13 other indecent assaults and one alleged sexual assault.

Jim Davidson called himself the show's "unlikeliest ever winner" after triumphing earlier this year

Jim Davidson was a contestant on CBB earlier this year, after being arrested in 2013 and investigated as part of Operation Yewtree's enquiries into alleged historical sexual assaults by celebrities. No charges were brought, and Jim went on to win the series.

Do you think DLT should appear on CBB? Share your thoughts below...

Jeremy Clarkson has revealed how he and his fellow 'Top Gear' presenters were forced to hide under their hotel beds, as their hotel was surrounded by an angry mob in Argentina.

Now safely back in the UK following his team's premature exit from the country after their perceived Falklands War taunt, Clarkson reveals in today's Times of his fear that the Argentines “100 per cent wanted to kill us”.

"There is no question in my mind that we had walked into a trap," he says. "Make no mistake lives were at risk. Bonnets were banged, abuse was hurled. The police arrived and immediately breathalysed us.

“Richard Hammond, James May and I bravely hid under the bed in a researcher’s room as protesters went through the hotel loooking for us. The car park was filling up. This was starting to get ugly.”

The presenter, no stranger to controversy, had caused an outrage locally with the licence plate of his Porsche - H982 FKL - perceived to be a sly reference to the 1982 conflict between Argentina and the UK.

Clarkson reiterates on Twitter that this was not the team's intention, saying, “This was not a jolly jape that went awry. For once, we did nothing wrong. We had planned a good ending to the show. But thanks to the government’s foolishness, it’s now even better.

“They threw us out for political capital. Thousands chased crew to border. Someone could have been killed.

“My profound thanks to all the people who helped. And to the sensible Argentinians who have apologised.”

BBC bosses have said the number plate was merely a coincidence and was not chosen deliberately, but it led to protests in Argentina, including a demonstration by a group of war veterans outside the hotel used by the show team.

A story about their visit in the Patagonian daily newspaper Diario Jornada is headlined: "Top Gear is filming in Patagonia and there's controversy."

The paper says: "Even though the BBC authorities asked the popular presenter Jeremy Clarkson to behave himself during his time in Argentina, he chose to use the provocative number plate H982 FKL on his Porsche, in reference to 1982 Falklands (Malvinas)."

But Clarkson has insisted: "We knew absolutely nothing about the number plate, it was just an unbelievable coincidence."

The executive producer of Top Gear, Andy Wilman, back the controversial presenter's argument.

"Top Gear production purchased three cars for a forthcoming programme; to suggest that this car was either chosen for its number plate, or that an alternative number plate was substituted for the original, is completely untrue," he said.

This year's 'X Factor' finalists have been revealed after a nail-biting triple dose of the ITV show over the weekend, and we all know what that means too - it's makeover time!

The 12 hopefuls have already been styled to within an inch of their lives for their official photos ahead of the first lives shows this coming weekend, and don't they scrub up well?

They will all now battle it out in the weekly themed live shows, with one act eliminated each week.

x factor

Simon Cowell is mentoring the Over 25s category and picked his final three - Jake Quickenden, Jay James and Fleur East - with a little help from music legend Sinitta, who not only dazzled viewers with her incredible musical knowledge but also her hair-kini. Yes, that's actually a thing now.

x factor

New girl Mel B had her old Spice Girl pal Emma Bunton on hand in Mexico to help pick her favourites in the Boys category, with Paul Akister, Andrea Faustini and Ben Haenow all making the final cut in arguably the strongest category on this year's show.

x factor

Fresh from all of those nasty drug dealing and assault allegations , former judge Tulisa assisted Louis Walsh in picking the Groups. They opted for Blonde Electra, Only The Young and the new 8-piece boy band made up of solo acts who didn't make it past the early audition stages, a la One Direction.

x factor

Finally, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini had Tinie Tempah along to join her in Nice to help her pick her final three girls with Chloe Jasmine, Lauren Platt and Steph Nala all striking it lucky.

Let us know what you think of this year's finalists - and their makeovers - by leaving a comment below...

Gregg Wallace has become the first of this year's 'Strictly Come Dancing' contestants to be turfed off the dance floor.

He and his partner Aliona lost in the dance-off to 'Mrs Brown's Boys' star Jennifer Gibney and her partner Tristan MacManus.

In their battle to avoid elimination, Jennifer and Tristan did their Waltz to 'Natural Woman' by Aretha Franklin and Gregg and Aliona performed their Charleston to ‘Hey Good Looking’ by Ray Charles.

strictly come dancing

It was goodbye to Gregg Wallace and his partner Aliona, this year's first contestants to be eliminated

After both couples had danced a second time the judges delivered their verdicts which were unanimous in their choice to save Jennifer, with Bruno summing it up, saying, “I have to go with the most accomplished couple this evening and that is Jennifer and Tristan.”

Reflecting back on the results of tonight’s show, Gregg said, “I have to say it is the most terrifying thing I have ever, ever done. What I really liked most of all was practice, coming in here [the studio] really scared me. If I come back again, can you just watch me while I practice?!"

To his professional partner, Aliona, he said, “Thank you so much for your patience – you are a saint!”

Who do you think will win this year's Glitterball? Check out all the contestants below...

A quick look at the comments under Adam Levine's 'Animals' video will leave you in no doubt about how 'sexy' the stalker look is perceived to be. In it, Levine is playing a butcher who doubles as a stalker, secretly following an unsuspecting customer's every move (Behati Prinsloo, played by his wife). Levine sneaks into her house, takes pictures of her, lies next to her while she sleeps and has Halloween-style wet dreams about having sex/butchering her. 'Baby I'm preying on you tonight/Hunt you down eat you alive,' he serenades in his trademark nasal voice, in case you were unclear about his intentions. This is not even the first stalking song by the Maroon 5 singer. She Will Be Loved was kind of stalky too. I'll make a wild guess here when I suggest the people who find this sexy have never been stalked in real life.

'I wish someone would love me so much' was the sort of comment I'd get if I mentioned being followed. That is what we're told after all; the music industry and Hollywood clearly think stalking is romantic. Don't believe me? Think back to some of your favourite romcoms; While You Were Sleeping, There's Something About Mary, Twilight or Love Actually. In fact, my first stalker (yes, I've had more than one) took a page out of this last movie when he stationed himself outside my job with a series of love messages written on cardboards. When a colleague gave me a ride to help me escape, he followed us in a cab, waited for me hidden outside my home and grabbed me as I tried to walk in, holding me in a suffocating embrace that he hoped would somehow ignite in me reciprocal feelings. Unnerving as that was, it didn't take long before he realized he was acting irrationally and gave up. I call that temporary insanity.

The second time I was stalked by an ex, he could see nothing wrong in his behaviour. After a year of relentless pursuing and begging interchanged with swearing and threats, I was forced to leave my job and rent a second flat, as my contract hadn't expired. I was soon broke. I only contacted the police once during that period; on a night when I received over 200 texts including murder threats. I had not called the police before because my ex was constantly threatening to kill himself and I was laden with guilt. I didn't know then that 62% of stalkers threaten to commit suicide to manipulate their victims into meeting them.

When registering with a GP in my new address, the nurse took one look at me and sent me straight in to see a doctor. At 7.5 stones, sleepless and shaking I must've made for a sorry sight. The doctor asked if I was thinking of killing myself and I said 'sometimes'. She gave me a prescription for antidepressants and a list of domestic violence services. I didn't want the pills and I already knew all about DV services; I work in the sector. My friend and anti-FGM campaigner Leyla Hussein, once told me 'abusers go on with their lives and leave you to cope with the shame.' Back then, I'd rather hide my shame than ask for help from the people I worked with. Instead, I asked if there was counseling, already knowing the answer. There was, if I managed to stay alive for the year-long wait.

Luckily, my ex gave up after I disappeared and all this now seems like a distant memory. That doesn't mean I didn't have to stop myself from breaking my screen after watching Animals. According to the government, 20% of women and 10% of men over 16 experience stalking. A third of victims lose their jobs, their relationships or are forced to move. A national study by the University of Leicester found that only 41% of stalking victims contacted the police. The types of harassment I experienced are very common; suicide threats, hacking, spying, persistent calls and texts, breaking in, threatening the person or their loved ones. Stalking also often leads to murder. Some 76% of women murdered by their ex partners were stalked in the lead up to their deaths.

I'm not here to lecture. There's probably no research linking music videos and romantic comedies to stalking; it'd be too difficult to control all the variables to prove a causation. However, such films and videos blatantly demonstrate how little we think of such a life-destroying crime. You may say that I, and everyone else slating Animals, are ruining your fun. But that's okay. Reality checks are important.

If you are affected by stalking you can call the National Stalking Helpline on 08088020300. If you are in immediate danger always call 999.

WARNING: This video contains very strong language

Professor Green took matters into his own hands - literally - when he was repeatedly verbally abused during a gig at the weekend.

Shocking video footage has emerged of the rapper slapping a student during a performance at Durham University's Student Union Welcome Ball on Saturday after he was called a 'c***'.

Following the altercation, the musician can be heard telling the crowd: "This is what happens when you call me a c**t."

Professor Green

Witnesses at the event have told The Tab that a male student close to the stage shouted the profanity shortly after Pro Green started his set.

“Some guy at the front of the crowd shouted ‘c***’ at [Professor Green] so he stooped and slapped him," one said.

The student in question, who was described as 'very, very drunk', was then thrown out of the venue.

A rep for the star said: "During Professor Green's live show at Durham University on Friday night, a student verbally abused Green repeatedly and then went to strike him. Green reacted.

"The student was subsequently escorted out from the venue for being too drunk. Green carried on the show to perform his full set."

If you haven't already got your ticket for next year's Glastonbury Festival then it looks like you'll be watching it on the box after the final 120,000 tickets sold out in less than half an hour.

All 15,000 pre-sale tickets were snapped up in 15 minutes last week and the remaining 120,000 went in just 26 minutes over the weekend.

That's a whole hour quicker than it took for the 2013 festival to sell out.

glastonbury pyramid stage

The line-up hasn't even been confirmed yet but that didn't put music fans off from getting up at bright and early and coughing up £225 as the tickets went on sale at 9am on Sunday morning.

Glastonbury co-organiser, Emily Eavis took to Twitter to thank fans for their support and also apologised to those who weren't lucky enough to grab themselves a ticket.

While Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis and his family are determined to keep the line-up a secret, he has confirmed that he’s already booked the three headliners.

So far, everybody from Fleetwood Mac to Queen have been tipped as potential headliners, and there’s also plenty of talk about who could take on the Sunday afternoon legends’ slot, following Dolly Parton’s stand-out performance in 2014.

See all the acts rumoured to be heading to Worthy Farm next summer below...

Winona Ryder is the latest victim of the celebrity nude photo hacking scandal, after her private images were reportedly leaked online on Reddit on Thursday.

Before the ‘Girl, Interrupted’ actress’s private images were stolen and posted on the Internet, a number of female stars had already had their intimate photos illegally obtained and shared on websites like Reddit and 4Chan, including Kim Kardashian, Rihanna and, perhaps most famously, Jennifer Lawrence.

Winona Ryder

As well as Winona, wrestler Hulk Hogan’s son Nick Hogan’s “voluminous and graphic” pictures have also been shared - according to TMZ - becoming the “first male celebrity” to be targeted by the ongoing hacking scandal.

However, while it’s been claimed by Apple that the wave of celebrities’ photos being stolen has been caused by hackers illegally obtaining their iCloud login details, Nick has denied that some of the photos were in his iCloud account, including one particularly graphic picture of him, as well as two photos of his mum wearing a thong.

Nick Hogan

The latest wave of leaked photos comes following last week’s news that Marty Singer, a lawyer who represents a number of the victims was reportedly planning to sue Google, claiming that they had “made millions from the victimisation of women” and not done enough to prevent the stolen photos from being accessed.

Twitter, on the other hand, were quick to take action when compromising photos of Jennifer Lawrence were posted online earlier this year, alerting users that anyone who tweeted the pictures would have their accounts suspended.

A representative for the ‘Hunger Games’ actress also warned that they would be taking legal action against anybody “who posts the stolen photos of Jennifer Lawrence”.

Kelly Brook could be about to jet off to LA for good, following her split from ex-fiancé David McIntosh.

However, rather than nursing her broken heart, it’s been reported that Kelly is taking a break from the UK so she can focus on her career in America, on the recommendation of her new mentor, Ellen DeGeneres.

Kelly Brook

Earlier this year, Kelly got her big break Stateside when she was cast as Prudence in the upcoming American sitcom, ‘One Big Happy’, which sees Ellen acting as an executive producer.

It seems that Ellen and Kelly have grown close while working together, and it’s now reported that the chat show presenter and professional selfie-taker is encouraging her to make a move across the pond.

A source told The Mirror: “England will always be Kelly’s home but ‘One Big Happy’ looks like it is the start of her really cracking the States so she is very seriously considering a permanent move over to Hollywood.”

Ellen DeGeneres

But it’s not just career advice that Ellen is dishing out, it’s also reported that she’s been there for Kelly during her split from former ‘Gladiator’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ star David McIntosh.

The insider added: “Not only has she been completely behind her with her career but also with her romantic life falling apart. She was sad for Kelly when she heard that her engagement was over and has been very caring and has told Kelly she will easily find a nice man over in America.

“Ellen and her team do not want Kelly’s love life to become the main focus surrounding the ‘One Big Happy’ show though. They are happy to see Kelly just focusing on her work rather than letting her mind wander and worry about all of this scandal surrounding her break up.”

Last month, Kelly broke the news that she and David had decided to go to their separate ways, after revealing in April that they’d become engaged following a whirlwind 11-week romance.

He’s since denied newspaper reports that his infidelity and drug use was behind the split, insisting: “I did not cheat on Kelly whatsoever. Kelly is my world and, other than my son, she’s the only person I’ve ever truly cared about in my life.”

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin are reportedly enjoying a romantic honeymoon in Britain.

Now, we know what you’re thinking, because we thought the exact same thing. Have they hit up Blackpool, spending their days at the Pleasure Beach, taking donkey rides and getting drenched on the log flume?

Sadly not.

george clooney amal alamuddin

George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin

Instead, it’s claimed that the newly married couple are spending their honeymoon a bit more lavishly, at the £5 million mansion he reportedly bought her as a wedding present.

A source told The Sun: “Buying her a house must be up there with the most expensive wedding gifts in history, but the thought behind it was to give them a proper place to call home in the future.

“They want it to be the place where they bring up a family. They have already talked about having kids.

“The fact they have barely left the house so far other than to walk the dogs implies they’re keen to get cracking.”

Graphic.

George and Amal finally said “I do” in an intimate Venice ceremony last month, which was attended by a host of stars including Bill Murray, Matt Damon and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

The first photos of Amal in her Oscar de la Renta wedding gown created a massive buzz when they were unveiled last week, showing the happy couple posing together on their big day.

The Oscar-winning actor had previously been snapped on a boat on his way to the ceremony, looking his usual suave self in his wedding tuxedo.

‘EastEnders’ bosses have announced that Timothy West, who plays Stan Carter, is leaving the soap.

The veteran actor arrived in Albert Square almost a year ago and he looks set to have a dramatic time in the build-up to his exit.

eastenders stan

Timothy as Stan

Speaking to the Star on Sunday, the show’s Executive Producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins stated: “When you have an actor of Tim's calibre joining your cast, you treasure every day that you have him - and we knew from the start that Stan's stay with the rest of the Carter Family would be a finite one.

"But what a stay - and as we draw towards Stan's exit from the show, the audience should get ready as one of Britain's finest actors pulls out all the stops and gives his King Lear..."

In the coming months, viewers will see the Carter family pushed to their limits, following tonight’s episode, which sees Dean attack Linda.

There will also be two new Carter arrivals, as Stan’s ex-wife - played by Linda Marlowe - turns up, following the arrival of Linda’s mother Elaine, played by Maria Friedman.

The explosive Carter family storylines will unfold in the run-up to the soap’s 30th anniversary, which will be celebrated with a live episode in February 2015.

It's been a long time since Mariah Carey hit the road on a live tour and now I think I know why.

MC kicked off her Elusive Chanteuse world tour in Tokyo on Saturday night and, unlike Britney, opted to sing live.

But while the 44-year-old might have once been known for her six-octave range, she struggled to find a single note she could sing in tune during the show.

mariah carey japan

Yeah, Mariah, we were covering our ears too

Video footage of Mariah ~~murdering~~ singing some of her biggest hits, including 'Hero', has appeared online and well, let's just say I doubt she'd make it too far on this year's 'X Factor' (and that really is saying something).

And it didn't take long for fans of the star to take to Twitter to voice their disappointment and shock at Mariah's inability to hold a tune.

"It's a wrap for Mariah Carey's singing career. You're a legend. Time to retire. She can't sing anymore. At all. What happened?" one wrote.

Another tweeted: "Y'all. Mariah Carey really can't sing anymore. That was hard to listen to. I see why Mariah Carey never sings live anymore. That's why."

Mariah's bum notes comes just weeks after her split from her husband of six years, Nick Cannon.

Last month she was named as (ahem) the Most Successful Singer Of All-Time by Time Magazine, beating the likes of Whitney Houston and Elvis Presley.

Watch Mariah perform in Japan below (**WARNING: This video contains sounds that may cause injury to ears)

Jeremy Clarkson's insistence that Top Gear did "nothing wrong" and did not mean to provoke offence in Argentina - where they were attacked and chased by angry mobs - has left plenty of people unconvinced.

Clarkson has described having to hide under the bed as a mob surrounded his hotel, having rocks thrown at his car and being chased all the way to the border while filming the show's Christmas special.

One of the cars bought for the episode had the licence plate H982 FKL - which was construed as a reference to the 1982 war in which 258 Britons and 629 Argentinians were killed - which remains a source of acute tension between the UK and Argentina.

Clarkson said "someone could have been killed".

The BBC has said the licence plate was not intentional and was changed when it was pointed out by someone on Twitter.

Bookies William Hill said the odds of buying a car with that licence plate by coincidence are 13 million to one, the Mirror reported.

top gear argentina

The car in question

Writing in Monday's Daily Mail, columnist Peter McKay said Top Gear must have considered making reference to the Falklands War in their Argentina show given it propensity for causing offence deliberately.

He said the plate may have been "a genuine mistake" but said he is "suspicious" of the explanation.

"Given the nature of Top Gear, which specialises in stereotyping foreigners for comedy purposes, motoring into Argentina with a number plate that would annoy the locals might seem a top jape," he said.

"Indeed, it’s hard to imagine Top Gear making a show in Argentina without some sardonic reference to its defeat by Britain in the 1982 Falklands War.

But he added this would have been "tricky taste-wise, even for cocky Clarkson".

Top Gear was filming in Ushuaia, in the extreme south of the country, from which the cruiser General Belgrano sailed during the war on its final voyage.

It was sunk by a British submarine with the loss of 323 sailors.

Argentinian politicians claimed the provocation was clearly deliberate.

"I have no doubt they came to mock us and I'm proud of the peaceful reaction of our people," said Juan Manuel Romano, human rights secretary of Ushuaia.

"We told them we would not give them any collaboration and to avoid, as much as possible, driving their cars through our city with those licence plates."

"We don't believe it was an unfortunate coincidence," said Sergio Araque, a politician from Tierra del Fuego, the province that claims to the Falkland Islands, which the Argentinians call Las Malvinas.

In his column, McKay asks why Top Gear's production crew did not notice the potential offence until it was pointed out by someone on Twitter.

"So just who is the well-informed Tweeter in possession of this knowledge and how did they hear about H982 FKL? We are left none the wiser," he wrote.

"And if the potentially contentious number plate issue was noticed by the anonymous tweeter, why not by Top Gear’s 29-strong team?"

He added: "Clarkson's bad-boy status - he is said to be drinking in the BBC's last chance saloon - enhances (Top Gear's) appeal. So we're entitled to be suspicious about this new row."

The BBC did not comment on McKay's column when contacted by The Huffington Post UK.

In a statement issued before McKay's column, Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman said: "Top Gear production purchased three cars for a forthcoming programme; to suggest that this car was either chosen for its number plate, or that an alternative number plate was substituted for the original is completely untrue.”

The Mirror asked questions it said "the BBC still won't answer", including who was in charge of "making sure no mistakes are made again" after a line of controversial incidents in the show.

A BBC spokeswoman said the corporation had no comment to add in light of today's coverage.

JK Rowling has managed to send ‘Harry Potter’ fans into a spin with one simple tweet, which revealed she was “close to finishing a screenplay”, that’s thought to be ‘Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them’.

The plans to release the Potter prequel movie were confirmed earlier this year, and now it seems the author has nearly completed the film’s screenplay.

JK Rowling

JK’s mini-announcement came as she revealed that she’s taking some time off Twitter to focus on a number of projects.

“Very busy at the moment working on a novel, tweaking a screenplay and being involved in @lumos campaigns. Back when I've finished something,” she wrote.

After replying to one fan and admitting that she was tempted to post an anagram or teaser, Rowling then returned to Twitter, leaving what seems to be a cryptic clue.

Earlier this year, Rowling delighted ‘Harry Potter’ lovers when she revealed two new stories online, on her Pottermore website.

While one story focussed on the tale of a new character, the singer Celestina Warbeck, another saw Harry and his friends as adults, attending the Quidditch World Cup.

The ‘Fantastic Beasts’ film adaptation is expected to be a trilogy of movies, set in New York City, 70 years before Harry Potter arrived at Hogwarts.

Gregg Wallace has admitted that he caved under pressure before hitting the ‘Strictly’ dance floor on Saturday night.

The ‘Masterchef’ judge became the first celebrity to be given his marching orders over the weekend, when his cookery-inspired salsa dance to Ray Charles’ ‘Hey Good Looking’ failed to impress the general public - or the judges.

Gregg Wallace dancing live on Saturday night

Gregg has now admitted that he found his routine particularly difficult, admitting that he was left in tears before performing his dance routine live on BBC One.

Speaking about being voted off first, he told The Mirror: “It’s a huge relief - I wasn’t as good at it as I thought I was. It was causing me a great deal of anxiety and stress.

“I was suffering from so much stage fright that on Saturday morning I was actually crying. I was really, really scared. I was so frustrated that I could do it in rehearsal but not in the studio.”

gregg

Gregg finds out he won't be going any further in the competition

Gregg also said he was afraid of his professional dancing partner Aliona Vilani, admitting there was “nothing warm” about her, adding: “I was never going to earn her affection but I did earn her respect. She actually produced a dance from me I’m very proud of. I’m very proud of last night’s performance and she did that.”

Following his disappointing performance, Gregg landed himself in the bottom two alongside ‘Mrs. Brown’s Boys’ actress Jennifer Gibney, although she was ultimately saved by the judges, with Bruno Tonioli explaining: “I have to go with the most accomplished couple this evening and that is Jennifer and Tristan.”

Fourteen couples now remain in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, including 'EastEnders' actor Jake Wood, whose salsa routine to ‘Mambo no. 5’ once again shot him to the top of the leader board, alongside popstar Pixie Lott.

If there's one thing that's guaranteed to fill us with warm, comforting feelings, it's the opening bars of the theme tune to 'The Great British Bake Off'.

And it turns out that this holds true not just for many of us humans but also this cat.

Yes, Roger the cat (now there's a double entendre worthy of Sue Perkins) likes 'The Great British Bake Off' as much as we do - as this video shows.

And, like us, it appears to be a comfort thing. For according to SWNS, poor little Roger suffered horrific injuries when his collar became lodged underneath his front leg - hence his little supportive jumper - and he was taken in by his owner, Rachel McDermott, when this series of GBBO started.

No word, though, on who he wants to win the final.

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