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'EastEnders' Kat And Alfie Moon Actors Jessie Wallace And Shane Richie To Star On Stage Together

July 23, 2015, 4:16 am
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Jessie Wallace and Shane Richie are set to work on a non-’EastEnders’ project together, and will be treading the boards on stage.

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The co-stars, whose characters are currently taking a break from Walford, are set to star as as a married couple Victor and Joan Smiley, in the dark comedy ‘The Perfect Murder’.

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Jessie and Shane as Kat and Alfie


Admittedly, we’d prefer to have heard that ‘Kat And Alfie: The Musical’ was about to become a thing, but this is great news nonetheless.

The play is based on a book by crime writer Peter James, and the author has shared his excitement ahead of the production.

“Shane has been a fan of my books for a while, as I have been of Shane,” he stated.

“He and Jessie have been loved on television by huge audiences over a number of years, which just goes to show how great they are together and I can't wait to see Shane and Jessie planning to murder each other on stage every night!"

Kat and Alfie aren’t a thing of the past though, and Jessie and Shane will reprise their roles for a special spin-off show later this year, before returning to Albert Square.

While the soap couple are currently in Spain, the spin-off drama will be set in Ireland.

‘The Perfect Murder’ will start at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre on 2 February 2016, before going on a UK tour.



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EXCLUSIVE: Behind The Scenes Of 'Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation' With Rebecca Ferguson And Tom Cruise

July 23, 2015, 4:36 am
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Rebecca Ferguson is best known to British TV viewers for her striking rendition of 'The White Queen' last year on BBC1.

But the Swedish actress is about to find a whole new audience, courtesy of her role opposite Tom Cruise in the latest 'Mission Impossible' extravaganza.

Behind The Scenes Of 'Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation' With Rebecca Ferguson In Our Exclusive Featurette Above...

She admitted recently to Elle.Com that, as a young girl, she'd harboured a huge crush on her leading man, however, because her first meeting with him was so rushed, she didn't have time to be nervous - and it turns out she didn't even have to audition.

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Tom Cruise with leading lady Rebecca Ferguson on the set of 'Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation'


Director Christopher McQuarrie recently revealed that the pair got on so well when they met, both he and Tom realised she didn't need to read for her role of leading lady Ilsa. He remembered, "I said, 'It's ok, she's already got the job.'"

Rebecca took on a gruelling physical regime for the demands of her role - training up to six hours a day, six days a week, and recently revealed that she went on a special diet, too, with Tom Cruise sharing his specially-prepared food with her on set, between the high-action takes.

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Rebecca Ferguson was training for six hours a day, six days a week to get into shape as leading lady Ilsa


Tom Cruise hasn't been slacking on the physical side of things either. Footage released last week revealed his efforts, and those of his stuntmen, to cling to the side of a plane as it took off. Even this veteran of high-octane screen action - including leaping around the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest building - admitted he suddenly realised he was really scared doing this one.

Returning co-stars for the fifth film in the franchise include Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner, with newcomers including Alec Baldwin and 'Southcliffe' star Sean Harris.

Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation is in cinemas & IMAX from 30 July. Watch the trailer below...



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'X Factor' 2015: Caroline Flack Embarrassed At Auditions As Judges Joke About 'Cougar' Reputation

July 23, 2015, 4:39 am
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Caroline Flack hates her reputation as a cougar following her relationship with Harry Styles, but it seems her new ‘X Factor’ co-stars aren’t going to let her forget about it in a hurry.

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The show's new host, who is now 35, suffered embarrassment at Wednesday’s (22 July) auditions, when Cheryl Fernandez-Versini made a jibe about her love of younger men.

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Caroline Flack


After 20-year-old hopeful Ollie Marland drew criticism for his dated performances of Wham’s ‘I’m Your Man’ and Take That’s ‘A Million Lovesongs’, Simon advised him to go out for dinner with host Olly Murs to learn how to be cooler on stage.

As Simon asked if he would be up for it, Cheryl chimed in: “I know Caroline would. Right Flackers?"

But Simon didn’t seem to think this was a wise idea, adding: “If you’re going to go out with one of them, it's Olly. Trust me."

Oooh, so much subtext.

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A photo posted by Ollie J (@olliemarland) on



Cheryl thought Caroline would enjoy a date with 20-year-old Ollie


Caroline’s relationship with One Direction star Harry became a national talking point in 2011, owing to their 14-year age gap, and the fact that the singer was just 17 at the time.

She went on to find love with music manager Jack Street, who is eight years her junior, but the pair split while she was on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ last year.

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Caroline with ex Jack Street


However, recent reports suggested that the pair have reunited after they were spotted getting cosy at Glastonbury last month.



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'I'm A Celebrity': Gemma Collins To Return To The Aussie Jungle?

July 23, 2015, 4:40 am
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Gemma Collins didn’t exactly fare well during her - very, very - brief stay in the ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ jungle last year, but it looks like the ‘TOWIE’ star could be heading back Down Under.

The star famously fled the camp after a dramatic three days last November, shortly after declaring that she thought she had malaria. (Note: Gemma, obviously, didn’t have malaria.)

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What could possibly go wrong?


Now, it seems GC wants to get back on the horse plane, and make peace with the Aussie jungle.

A source has told The Sun that ITV are willing to give her another chance, explaining to the paper: “Although Gemma’s last stint in the jungle was a disaster, she made great TV.

“Bosses are fascinated to see if she can overcome her fears and stay for the duration.

“Talks are at an advanced stage but Gemma is up for it and is desperate to prove she can stick it out.”

“If she comes through the Bushtucker Trials and wins over the public, Gemma could end up having a bright future at ITV.”

That’s a big ‘IF’ though, isn’t it?

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This was before Gem had even arrived in the jungle


Either way, it seems Gemma is certain to be venturing out of Essex this Autumn, as she’s also reportedly considering a stint in the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house.

Hmmm. Being forced to make conversation with totally-get-married-and-so-in-love-yah couple Chloe Jasmine and Stevi Richie, or watching Spencer Matthews cry over forsaking caviar? We’re not sure what would be worse.



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Nirvana Photos Of First Ever Gig Posted On Twitter By Unknowing Teen Maggie Poukkula

July 23, 2015, 5:26 am
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A 19-year-old from Seattle has unknowingly tweeted out previously unseen photos of Nirvana's first ever gig.

Maggie Poukkula shared the photos of her dad, Tony Poukkula, rocking out with Kurt Cobain at a house party in 1987, four years before the band shot to fame with 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'.

She found the photos hidden in a copy of Kurt Cobain's biography, but didn't realise the historic significance of them until she posted them on Twitter.




Poukkula received messages of astonishment from all over the world, and cashed in on her 15 minutes of fame when she was approached by Rolling Stone to talk about the photos.




"I had no idea that those were during Nirvana’s first concert. My dad showed me them a while back, but he never mentioned that’s what was going on in the photos. I found out because of all the articles," she told Rolling Stone.

"I didn’t realise it was such a historical thing. I thought they were just cool pictures of my dad and Kurt jamming together."

She also revealed that her father had attended high school with Cobain, and used to have jamming sessions with Nirvana. Her dad’s name is mentioned in the band’s biography.

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'Coronation Street': Sarah Harding Jokes About Pleasing Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Ahead Of Soap Debut

July 23, 2015, 5:40 am
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Sarah Harding will make her ‘Coronation Street’ debut tonight (Thursday 23 July), and ahead of her big moment, the star has revealed she’s hoping Cheryl Fernandez-Versini tunes in to watch.

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Chezza’s a huge ‘Corrie’ fan, and once made a cameo appearance during a special Text Santa episode, and Sarah’s admitted that she wants to impress her former Girls Aloud bandmate.

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Sarah and Cheryl


Speaking on ‘Lorraine’, Sarah referred to Cheryl’s ‘X Factor’ role, laughing: “I know I’ve got to please the judge!”

“The one person I want to please is my mum,” she later added. “She’s my biggest fan and she’s Corrie’s biggest fan and she’s biased!”

Sarah also revealed that her while Cheryl and co. congratulated her on nabbing the job, none of the ladies had any advice to offer.

Sarah’s character Joni Preston is set to arrive with a bang, and immediately lock horns with the villainous Tracy Barlow.

Tracy’s ex Robert Preston arrived back on t’cobbles for Deirdre Barlow’s funeral, and soon enough - AKA minutes after the service - Tracy and Robert were playing tonsil tennis together.

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Sarah's character wastes no time before putting Tracy in her place


Unfortunately, Robert neglected to mention his wife Joni. Whooops.

Sarah’s not the only popstar who’s popping up in Weatherfield this summer, as Shayne Ward will arrive on the Street next month.

See Sarah’s ‘Corrie’ debut in tonight’s (Thursday 23 July) episode.



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Ruby Rose Deletes ‘Gunman' Tweets As Police Make An Arrest

July 23, 2015, 6:36 am
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Ruby Rose has deleted a series of tweets that she posted, while a ‘gunman’ was loose in her back garden.

The ‘Orange Is The New Black’ star, who lives with her fiancée Phoebe Dahl in Los Angeles, live-tweeted her ordeal and police later made an arrest.

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Ruby Rose


On Wednesday night, the star wrote: “There is a gunman in my back yard . This is petrifying. Helicopters, police, dogs... And a crazy person.” [sic]

She also shared a video of LAPD officers arriving at her house, reports state, in which she commented: “There's a policeman looking for a fucking gunman, and there is a helicopter in my backyard.”

Ruby later tweeted an update, telling fans: “Man arrested. Wow. Crazy. And now I won't be watching horror films before bed anymore.”

However, hours later, all of the tweets and the video were removed from the actress’s account.

Model-turned-actress Ruby has become a global sensation, thanks to the latest series of ‘OITNB’.

The Aussie star plays Stella in the hit Netflix Original, and her character has caused quite a stir since arriving at Litchfield Prison.



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Myleene Klass Has Her Own Unique Take On Chef's Whites (That'll Be A Cut-Out Swimsuit)

July 23, 2015, 6:57 am
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Myleene Klass obviously has a total disregard of the dangers involved in frying food, judging by this snap of her rustling something up on holiday.

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With so much flesh on display, the presenter and musician’s own take on chef’s whites weren’t going to protect her from spillages or, worse still, spitting fat.

*casualty music*

A photo posted by myleeneklass (@myleeneklass) on






And we don’t fancy that cut-out swimsuit’s chances on a boil wash, either.

Myleene shared her Nigella moment on Instagram and it comes just a day after she posted more snaps of her on holiday in an array of different bikinis.

Honestly, it’s like she’s got a clothing line or something.

☕️ #britabroad

A photo posted by myleeneklass (@myleeneklass) on






It’s been an eventful few days for the mum-of-two after her ex-husband kicked off the week with an astonishing rant about his former wife on Twitter.

Celebrity bodyguard Graham Quinn saw red after Myleene gave an interview to the Daily Mail in which she claimed she lost money during their divorce.

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Myleene Klass and Graham Quinn were married for just six months and divorced three years ago


Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "I've stayed quiet for three years now but enough is enough.

"Please explain to me how I took your money? I lost so much money from our divorce and our house that we bought together."

"One day I hope you will put the interests of your children first and let them see their father…. Instead of focusing on what lies you can tell to boost your career."



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'X Factor' 2015: 5 Surprising Things We Learned Watching Auditions For The New Series

July 23, 2015, 7:00 am
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x factor auditions

2015 heralds a year of change for 'The X Factor', with a new hosting line-up, a refreshed judging panel and some big format switch-ups, but how is the overhaul working out?

As auditions drew to a close this week, HuffPost UK headed down to Wembley Arena to find out for ourselves, and here's the five most surprising things we learned...

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People Love R Kelly's Ignition So Much That They've Been Talking About It On A 12 Year Long Thread

July 23, 2015, 8:09 am
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R Kelly's 'Ignition (Remix)' was an anthem. We know it, you know it, everybody knows it.

But we didn't know that people were still so into it, that they're still contributing to a thread that was started 12 years ago.

On 15 June 2003, someone with the username 'J0hn Darn1elle' started a thread on ilXor.com, titled '100 Reasons Why Ignition Remix Is So Damned Great'.

r kelly

He kicked off with number 1, which was: "The rhythm is really insistent without being hard - it's got this sort of bossanova groove, just bubbling under the song, easing it gently but irresistibly across."

They reached 100 reasons within a day, and the R Kelly bants continued, until the thread reached it's natural conclusion -- Ignition is, in fact, the best song in the whole world.

Click here to see the thread in its full, glorious entirety...

Then four months later, 'M Matos' popped on to say: "355. I just heard this for the first time last week and I'm still recovering. Also, this is the greatest thread ever."

In 2007, 'teeny' revived the thread, just to say 'still great' (we agree). In 2009, it was hailed the 'ultimate weekend song'.

Someone returned to the thread in 2010 to boldly claim: "I think it's both a universal standard hit song and an extension of Kelly's catalog. I wasn't trying to imply that it was an outlier or anything -- it's just so perfectly constructed to me that it's almost inhuman."

And 12 years after the original post, people are still coming back to declare their love.

Who can blame them?

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Piers Morgan For Permanent 'Good Morning Britain' Role? Susanna Reid Could Be Getting A New Co-Host

July 23, 2015, 8:16 am
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Piers Morgan is reportedly close to signing a deal to make him a permanent host on ‘Good Morning Britain’.

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Producers are said to be impressed with his on-air chemistry with Susanna Reid, after he covered regular presenter Ben Shephard’s holiday earlier this year.

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Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on 'Good Morning Britain'


Bosses are now are hoping to pair Susanna and Piers up together for two days a week on the ITV breakfast show.

An insider told The Mirror: “Piers did incredibly well in April and although he is something of a Marmite figure, he really got viewers talking.

“He had instant chemistry with Susanna and the pair really ‘got’ one another.

“Also, Susanna won’t stand for any of his nonsense – she takes his humour and ego with a pinch of salt.

"The hope is for Piers and Susanna to build on the show’s growing ratings, and to pinch back viewers from BBC Breakfast.”

Piers was meant to guest present the show last week, but was pulled last minute, as he is currently acting as the face of an advert for the National Lottery. According to broadcasting rules, those who present news programmes cannot star in adverts.

His first stint presenting ‘GMB’ was also not without controversy, as not only were Twitter users unhappy with his appearance, he was also at the centre of an investigation by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, after he laughed at a swearing guest on the show.

As Ofcom confirmed they would not be taking the matter further, they did note how Piers’ response had not been appropriate.



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'I Am Cait' Preview: Caitlyn Jenner Worries About Her 'Responsibility To The Transgender Community' In New Clip (VIDEO)

July 23, 2015, 8:25 am
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There are just days to go until ‘I Am Cait’ premieres in the UK, and fans have been given another look at Caitlyn Jenner’s new reality TV show in this clip.

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The newly-released video shows Caitlyn in bed at home, taping herself in the early hours of the morning.

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Caitlyn Jenner


In the clip, which can be seen above, the star speaks candidly about her transition, and admits her fears over being a representative for the transgender community.

“I feel bad that these [people]—especially young people—are going through such a difficult time in their life,” she explains. “We don't want people dying over this. We don't want people murdered over this stuff.

“What a responsibility I have towards this community. Am I going to do everything right? Am I going to say the right things? Do I project the right image? My mind's just spinning with thoughts. I just hope I get it right. I hope I get it right."

While it’s unclear when the clip was filmed, one things for sure - so far, Caitlyn’s doing just great.

The star recently accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for courage, and during her speech she praised the transgender community, telling the star-studded audience: “This transition has been harder on me than anything I could have imagined.

“Trans people deserve something vital. They deserve your respect. We've come a long way, but we have a lot of work to do.”

The first episode of ‘I Am Cait’ airs on E!, on Sunday 2 August.



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'EastEnders' Spoiler: Charlie Cotton To Leave Walford After Actor Declan Bennett Quits Soap

July 23, 2015, 8:34 am
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Another ‘EastEnders’ favourite is set to wave goodbye to Walford, after actor Declan Bennett quit the soap.

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Charlie Cotton will be written out of the BBC One soap in the coming weeks, with Declan currently filming his final scenes.

charlie cotton eastenders
Declan Bennett as Charlie Cotton


An ‘EastEnders’ spokesperson confirmed the news to Digital Spy, saying: "We can confirm that Declan Bennett will be leaving EastEnders. We wish him all the best for the future."

It is believed the character was dropped by bosses, rather than it being the actor’s choice to leave.

Declan joined ‘EastEnders’ as Dot Branning’s long-lost grandson in 2014, as Charlie arrived on the Square to inform her that her son Nick had died.

Since then, he’s been involved in many dramatic storylines, including the reveal that Charlie had faked Nick’s death, only for him to arrive in Walford and then die from a heroin overdose a few months later.

He is currently at the centre of a love triangle with wife Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack) and her sister Roxy (Rita Simmons).

It remains unclear whether his exit will see him leave with one of the sisters and baby son Matthew.



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Unlikely Celeb Arrests: From Barbara Knox And Melanie Sykes To George Clooney And Hugh Grant

July 23, 2015, 8:50 am
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As the saying goes, it's always the quiet ones, and that's certainly the case when it comes to celebrities ending up on the wrong side of the law.

Whether it's A-list royalty or OAP sopstars, the showbiz slammer has played host to some very unlikely names over the years.

Take a look at some of the most surprising celebrity arrests in our gallery below...



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Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Charity Ball: Showstopping Model And Celebrity Fashion Looks

July 24, 2015, 4:10 am
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St Tropez was abuzz with the best dressed from Leonardo DiCaprio's A-list contacts book as he threw his second annual environmental foundation gala.

While we're all about recycling and reusing our teabags, we couldn't help but get side-tracked by the show-stopping fashion on display worn by attending models and celebs.

Sheer fabric, embellishments, cut-outs and panels were the order of the day.

Michelle Rodriguez, Kate Hudson, Irina Shayk and DiCaprio's girlfriend Kelly Rohrbach's outfits were some of the highlights - take a look...




SEE ALSO:

Met Gala 2015: Our 10 Favourite Fashion Moments


Model Nykhor Paul Pens Powerful Letter To Makeup Artists Working With Black Skin

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Jenner and Gender Performativity

July 24, 2015, 4:29 am
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The celebration of Caitlyn Jenner's transition to womanhood is evidence of a now widespread acceptance that gender is performative, rather than the outward manifestation of an inner biological fact. This should be liberating and hopefully for many trans-women and men it will be.

What perhaps is disappointing for many women is the extremely conservative way in which Jenner has manifest this identity. Appearing corseted on the front cover of Vanity Fair is hardly a portrayal of a liberated woman: instead it harkens back to a period where gender roles were more entrenched and punishing, for women in particular. In fact the whole photo shoot looks backwards to an age of old Hollywood glamour: the fetishizing of women as exquisite object at a remove from physical life, perhaps drinking highballs in the afternoon, high on valium waiting for a husband to return from work. This is a woman who is trapped within the narrow confines of gender normativity, and hardly the example of a strong, independent woman that we might want to give our daughters. Or for that matter our sons.

This is not her problem alone: others are complicit in this aggressive assertion of strict gender binaries. Bodies, both masculine and feminine, have taken on cartoon like proportions: while in high fashion models are skeletal elsewhere busts and butts are swollen in exaggerated parodies of 'womanly-ness' and men's musculature is increasingly defined and inflated into bulging lumps. Almost no one, it seems, can just let their body be. Outrage earlier this year at the pernicious "beach body ready" advert sparked a number of curious reactions. What was interesting about the fury was that this advert seemed no different from any number of other bikini ads which plague our billboards in the run up to the summer. These ads, with the message implicit, suggested rather than outspoken, are perhaps more insidious for their silence. However the battle against this kind of body fascism will not be won by incorporating a wider range of body types into the commodifying gaze that is at the service of capitalism. The bikini advert for 'plus sized' women made in response only shows what we already know, that there is just as much scope to sexualise these women, placing them firmly as objects, rather than subjects of desire, as their slightly slimmer sisters. All this reminds me of the "blessed with curves" type narrative often set forth by burlesque dancers, the inverse of the supermodel's "gangly and awkward teenager" story. Both miss the point, falling instead in to a well-set trap, as if pleased that these bodies too have been deemed acceptable for consumption. Neither offer a way out of the deadlock where the female body is seen as commodity, seeking to please a consumer, gendered male. Entering into the frame that is at the service of this system, even when this is elective (as with selfies) is not liberation, but rather its opposite - we have become self-policing.

Equality of objectification is equality of objectification, rather than anything more human that might recognise and acknowledge that we are more than the sum of our parts. Surely the joy of having a body is to be found in the living in it. The increasing pressure to project our image outwards, to view our selves as these complete concluded things, rather than something that may be closer to how we actually experience life, is to be at constant war with ourselves, in what essentially is a loosing battle. Why not enjoy ourselves while we can?

Jenner's Arthur Ashe award speech last week exemplifies this oppressive reduction of women to their outfits, their image:

Picking out this outfit, ok girls I get it, you've got to get the shoes, the hair the make up. The whole process it was exhausting


It also plays on a dull stereotype where women care only about clothes. This can be hard for those women identifiers amongst us who want to broaden out the notion of what it means and most importantly how it feels to be a woman. All this is not to say that Jenner does not deserve respect for going through what must have been a gruelling process, both physically and mentally. I have no idea what it feels like to be a transwoman and look forward to learning more, though I doubt much will be gleaned from her forth coming reality tv show. What seems fairly clear from this transition is that progress towards recognising and living out gender as a set of varied characteristics that exist upon a spectrum is slow: Jenner conforms to exacting and normative standards of feminine beauty. While the world's celebratory embrace of her may be a triumph for the trans community, most of all this is a victory for capitalism and a glaring reminder of its endlessly recuperative abilities.

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Sonic Vistas - Rocking Out for All!

July 24, 2015, 4:33 am
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I must admit I don't have the time to write an exploration of how music saved my life as a teenager, when I began my life as a wheelchair user, or how the underground Disability Arts Scene has been a major player in the battle for equal right for disabled people, although my last column did announce the funding of the NDACA which will highlight that fight. You see I am deep in the middle of rehearsals for a performance of a music project called "Sonic Vistas" that will take place this Sunday at the Liberty Festival, part of the National Paralympic Day 2015 over at the Queen Elizabeth Park in East London. What makes this project so special is that it uses the most up to date technology to open up the joys of making music to anyone, no matter how much their impairment might impact on their physical ability to play an instrument. Yes, Sonic Vistas is at the cutting edge of what is called Assistive Music Technology.

The man behind the project, musician and videographer Ivan Riches, planned the project to showcase the technology to it's very best, and I feel he has succeeded far beyond his wildest dreams. It might sound immodest, but Sonic Vistas has become a band that not only pushes the boundaries of what is physically and technologically possible in the world of music, but it's done it with some really catchy pop/rock tunes. OK, I am in the band and have helped write some of these tunes, but trust me this is one band you don't want to miss.

To a backdrop of videos that have all the lyrics to the songs of our set, musicians Sophie Partridge and Rosie Vachet, who both have impairments that would deny them a chance to play conventional instruments, will play assistive tech that demonstrates their huge talent and skill. They use equipment such as a soundbeam, which uses air pressure to trigger electronic instruments, and i-Pads loaded with software that turns them into any instrument you can imagine. Tech wizard Kris Halpin will unveil a huge leap forward in music tech, the MiMui Gloves, used for the first time in anger on this project. The gloves convert hand movement into MIDI data which allows them to trigger computerized music. Until you see Kris do "air guitar" style movements that actually make guitar sounds you haven't seen music live. We have Deaf rapper MC Geezer doing song sign, alongside his polit-rapping and Howard Jacques doing things with micro synths that twist the mind. Alongside all this outlandish tech Ivan and myself play conventional synthesizers and all together we create something that rocks out, while asking why shouldn't rocking out be for all?

To catch Sonic Vistas, be at the music stage (stage F) of the NPD2015/Liberty Festival around 2.25pm. Miss it and be sorry!

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'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2' Trailer: Jennifer Lawrence As Katniss Declares War On Snow And The Capitol (VIDEO)

July 24, 2015, 4:45 am
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Jennifer Lawrence is at the centre of the ultimate revolution in the first full trailer for the final 'Hunger Games' film, to be released in cinemas in November.

"Tonight turn your weapons to the Capitol," her character Katniss Everdeen commands her army in 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2'. "Turn your weapons to Snow."

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Jennifer Lawrence is leading her army on the Capitol for the final confrontation


Snow, played with relish by Donald Sutherland, is the architect behind the Hunger Games that have cost Katniss, her family and friends so much pain and taken so many lives.

"Nothing good is safe while he's alive," she says in a voiceover. "Snow has to pay for what he's done."

And we're off... in what looks to be the most jaw-dropping yet of the epic series adaptation of Suzanne Collins' books, with the film poignantly including some of late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman's final ever scenes.

hunger games
Philip Seymour Hoffman appears on one of his last ever filmed scenes


He's in the trailer, too, with the director recently revealing filmmakers made the decision not to finish his role of Plutarch Heavensbee with CGI, but to rewrite some of the dialogue and give it to other actors.

Other stars in the pedigree cast include Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Natalie Dormer and Willow Shields.

Although the penultimate film took a dip at the box office when it was released last year, but the final film in the series is expected to bring the total box office purse for the series to a staggering $3billion.

hunger games
Donald Sutherland plays the tyrannical Snow, sitting complacently in the Capitol


The films have also proved the impressive versatility of Jennifer Lawrence. As well as helming this series throughout its run, she has done this alongside completely different roles in more character-led films, bringing her an armful of awards, including an Oscar for 'Silver Linings Playbook'.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2' is in cinemas from 19 November.




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'X Factor' 2015: Caroline Flack And Olly Murs To Miss Judges Houses As Part Of 'Live' Revamp

July 24, 2015, 4:54 am
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One of the perks of being the host of ‘The X Factor’ is getting to jet around the world to exotic locations for Judges Houses, but sadly that won’t be the case for Caroline Flack and Olly Murs.

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The new presenting duo have been denied the chance to join the judges as they pick their finalists, as part of another shake-up of the ITV talent show, according to reports.

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Olly Murs and Caroline Flack


The stage of the competition will now be broadcast live over one weekend, making it logistically impossible for Olly and Caroline to join the judges and contestants, forcing them to stay in a London studio to present their links.

"Olly and Caroline are gutted they won’t get to join the judges in all of these locations,” a source told The Sun.

"Being with the judges and contestants at this crucial stage is one of the best bits of the job. And it beats being stood in a cold studio in Wembley.

"But they are excited about the series. Of course there’ll be banter with the judges about them missing out."

Former host Dermot O’Leary was always on hand to congratulate and commiserate contestants as they sang for their mentors, usually in front of a swimming pool.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the Six Chair Challenge will return as part of this year’s series, despite previous reports it was being axed in favour of Bootcamp returning to a country mansion instead of the arenas.

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The Six Chair Challenge will return


Ticketing company Applause Store have released tickets to filming of the challenge, which has proved divisive among viewers, with many branding it cruel.



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Michael Jackson Wanted To Play Jar Jar Binks In 'Star Wars', Reveals Actor Ahmed Best

July 24, 2015, 4:54 am
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Ahmed Best, the actor who played Jar Jar Binks, has revealed that he had some unlikely competition for his ‘Star Wars’ role, from Michael Jackson. Yes, really.

During a chat with Vice, Ahmed recalled a bizarre moment, where he was backstage at one of Michael’s gigs with George Lucas and his family, and Natalie Portman.

michael jackson jar jar binks
It would have been quite something...


“We were at Wembley Arena at Michael Jackson’s concert. We were taken backstage and we met Michael. There was Michael and Lisa Marie [Presley],” Ahmed explained.

“George introduced me as ‘Jar Jar’ and I was like, ‘That’s kind of weird.’ Michael was like, ‘Oh. OK.’ I thought, ‘What is going on?’"

Ahmed then quizzed the director, who revealed why he’d used the actor’s character’s name.

He continued: “After Michael had driven off, we all go back up to a big afterparty. I’m having a drink with George and I said, ‘Why did you introduce me as Jar Jar?’

“He said, ‘Well, Michael wanted to do the part but he wanted to do it in prosthetics and makeup like Thriller.’

“George wanted to do it in CGI. My guess is ultimately Michael Jackson would have been bigger than the movie, and I don’t think he wanted that.”

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Ahmed Best


The whole thing is very bizarre, isn’t it?

While ‘Star Wars’ remains one of the most successful movie franchises of all-time, it’s widely acknowledged that Jar Jar is probably the most-hated character.

JJ Abrams, who’s directed the upcoming movie ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, previously revealed that he’s thinking of killing off the foolish gungan, telling Vanity Fair: “I have a thought about putting Jar Jar Binks’s bones in the desert there.

“I’m serious! Only three people will notice, but they’ll love it.”



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