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Leona Lewis Reveals She Quit Simon Cowell's Record Label Because He Wanted Her To Record A Covers Album

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Leona Lewis has revealed that she decided to leave Simon Cowell’s record label, after he tried to get her to record an album of covers.

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The ‘Bleeding Love’ singer parted ways with Syco last year, eight years after emerging as the winner of ‘The X Factor’.

Following her ‘X Factor’ victory, she topped the UK singles chart on three separate occasions, but claims that when the music mogul tried to get her to record an album compiled of cover versions, she was pushed to walk away from the label.

leona lewis
Leona Lewis


Speaking to Sirius XM, Leona explains: “We had differences. The label wanted me to do an album of covers, and I just felt like I had not gotten to the point where I wanted to do that.

"I'd already done a Christmas album and done a lot of covers and had so much fun with it, then I was ready to do my own album, a studio album again.”

simon cowell
Simon Cowell


Leona’s final album under Simon Cowell’s guidance was the festive collection, ‘Christmas, With Love’.

She had previously discussed the differences with her old label after being signed with Island Records, claiming that she and Simon parted ways because she had been “asked to make a record that would not have been true to herself”.

In a statement on her Instagram page, she added: “I was threatened with the fact that if I left, it would come out that I had been dropped. That cut deep, but by this time nothing could stop me from walking away. The end of a relationship can really burn but underneath it all, there is still love there.”

Leona released her first album away from Syco earlier this year, which was led by the single ‘Fire Beneath My Feet’, which appeared to allude to her history with Simon in its lyrics.

Listen to her interview in full below:





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'Britain's Got Talent' Winners Jules And Matisse Land Own Children's TV Show, Despite Tightrope Controversy

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Their ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ win was clouded in controversy, after it was revealed they had used a stunt dog during their final performance, but that doesn’t look to be holding back Julie O’Dwyer and her dog Matisse.

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The pair have landed their own children’s TV series, less than two months after winning the ITV talent show.

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Jules and Matisse


Speaking to Dogs Monthly magazine, Jules let slip news of her telly deal, as she revealed that it was 2010 dancing dog act Tina and Chadi, that inspired her to chase her dreams.

“Tina had loved every minute of her ‘BGT’ journey and she kept telling me that even if it did just end up with us getting on the TV once, that could be all it took for the right person to see what we could do and a TV series to get commissioned.

"I can't say anything definite about my children's TV series as I shouldn't really be talking to the press about it, but if you won't tell anyone, I won’t!”

It was revealed last month that ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ is being probed by media watchdog Ofcom, after Jules used another pooch, Chase, to perform a tightrope stunt during her final performance.

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Jules with her two dogs, who both performed in the final


In the immediate aftermath of the scandal, ‘BGT’ producers issued an apology to viewers, stating that they should have made it clearer that Chase was part of the routine.

Show boss Simon Cowell went on to insist that the act would not be stripped of their £250,000 prize money.

“There's a cloud over her and I want that cloud to go. I want people to feel proud of her and that she did well and she should be happy,” he told The Mirror.

“The producers are absolutely gutted. I was so depressed for the show, for Jules and for the producers themselves, because they are not horrible people. They didn't think how it would appear.”

Jules also insisted that she had not attempted to mislead the public, telling ITV News: "I was disappointed when people said I allegedly hid Chase and I was trying to make it like Chase was Matisse. That's not so.

"I introduced Chase in the semi-final, and I said Chase is Matisse's best mate. Why put the pressure on the dog when I already have another dog who can perform it on television?"




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1000 Foo Fighters Fans Perform 'Learn To Fly' In Open Invitation To Dave Grohl

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A thousand heavy rocking Foo Fighters fans have taken part in an epic mass gig in a field in Italy.

Musicians and vocalists got together to recite the Foo's "Learn To Fly" - with the results documented in glorious HD on YouTube.

The gig was a very public plea to injured frontman Dave Grohl to come to Cesena, Italy to perform.



As open invitations go, it's hard to imagine one being more impressive.

Perhaps these fans should have taken up the Foo's open slot at Glastonbury in June...

Watch the full video above.


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Sinitta's 'Safeword' Episode Airs, Featuring Crude Jokes About Simon Cowell, Brad Pitt And 'Whoring Herself Out' To 'Love Island'

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Sinitta’s much-awaited episode of ‘Safeword’ aired on Thursday night - and we can see now why she was so upset about it.

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The ‘So Macho’ singer and right-hand woman of Simon Cowell made headlines earlier this month, after taping an appearance on ITV2’s latest outrageous panel show, which sees a team of comedians laying into celebrity guests, until they use a pre-determined ‘safeword’ to get them to stop.

After recording her stint on the show, Sinitta took furiously took to her Twitter, branding it “vile” and something that “grown ups” wouldn’t want to watch, adding that she “wished she’d walked out” during the taping.

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Sinitta on 'Safeword'


During filming, several mysterious and crass tweets appeared on her Twitter page - which have since been deleted - containing crude comments about ‘X Factor’ judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s eating habits, and her past relationship with Simon Cowell.

Over the course of the episode, comedian Katherine Ryan also accused Sinitta of “whoring herself out”, remarking: "To Sinitta a wardrobe malfunction is any time we can't see your knickers, there is enough oil on your skin to make the next season of ‘Love Island’.

"Are you on ‘Love Island’ by the way? Or is that the only ITV show you won't whore yourself out for?"

Sinitta’s safeword - ‘Bradnips’ - also alluded to Brad Pitt, who she dated in the late 1980s.

Sinitta is currently gearing up for the latest series of ‘The X Factor’, where she’s hoping she’ll once again be asked back to help Simon narrow the talent down at judges’ houses, insisting: “If I'm not at Judges Houses there will be hell to pay, and I want you to print that.”



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'X Factor' 2015: Simon Cowell's Son Eric Set To Make His Debut, After Joining Bootcamp Filming

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Simon Cowell’s son Eric is looks set to make his first appearance on ‘The X Factor’ later this year.

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The tot was spotted with his dad at filming for the Bootcamp episodes on Thursday (30 July), so obviously, he's getting ready for his TV debut debut.

In a picture Si’s co-star Cheryl Fernandez-Versini posted on Instagram, Simon and Eric are scooting around on a golf buggy, in the grounds of the country mansion where the show is being filmed.

Simon and his mini me -

A photo posted by Cheryl (@cherylofficial) on




Little Eric looked the spit of his dad, in a pair of stone-wash denim jeans and a white shirt as he clung on to the wheel.

Simon recently revealed his concerns over how his young son will sound when he learns to speak, due to the various accents floating around their family home.

Eric’s mum, Lauren Silverman, is American, which he says could lead to an interesting drawl when he begins to talk.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Simon confessed: “I have no idea what he is going to talk like, because his mum is American, I am English and a lot of the girls in my house are from the Phillipines.

“He spends most of his time with Squiddly and Diddly. He is going to end up barking.”


Last week, Simon revealed the extent of his love for his pet pooches, telling reporters that he was planning to have crash helmets made for them, to prevent them being attacked by savage seagulls.



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Lord Sugar Thanks Police For Catching Teen Who Tweeted Him Anti-Semitic Messages

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A teenager has been ordered to pay compensation to Lord Alan Sugar after sending an anti-Semitic tweet.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sent The Apprentice star messages, including one beginning "old Jewish" followed by a swear-word.

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Lord Sugar thanked police for pursuing the boy who sent the tweet


The boy from Preston, Lancashire, admitted sending an offensive tweet at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

He was ordered to pay £100 in compensation, £85 in costs and must complete an eight-month referral to a youth offender panel, the court said.

SEE ALSO: Lord Sugar Leads Tributes To Apprentice Star Stuart Baggs

Anti-Semitic Hate Crime Doubles In London In A Year


Lord Sugar reacted on Twitter, saying: "One of my Twitter racial abusers was convicted yesterday at Chelmsford Magistrates Court. Very well done @EssexPoliceUK for tracking him down".




When someone remonstrated with him, saying the police "surely have better things to do".

Lord Sugar replied: "They do but the level of abuse was so great I had to ask for help and am truly grateful."


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Michael Jackson's White Sequinned Glove Sold At Auction For $64,000, Bad Jacket Also Sold

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An exceptionally rare white sequined glove owned by Michael Jackson was sold yesterday for $64,850 (£40,863) at auction.

Globally revered as the king of pop culture and music, Jackson was also recognized for his iconic sense of fashion.

The media called Jackson 'The Gloved One' because he adopted the habit of wearing a white rhinestone glove on his right hand, creating an instant sensation.

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Michael Jackson's single glove became an integral part of his iconic look and performance


The glove being auctioned was given by Jackson in1984 to his personal artist, Paul Bedard. Jackson commissioned Bedard to create more than a dozen paintings for Jackson’s home and for Neverland Ranch. Bedard’s paintings featured historical figures, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Albert Einstein and E.T., all of whom were depicted wearing a sequined white glove on their right hand.

Included in the lot are images of art Bedard created for Jackson,, a photo of Bedard wearing the glove and a 2005 typed declaration signed by Bedard attesting to his ownership of the glove and its authenticity. Bedard had previously sold the glove to a private collector in 2005.

Nate D. Sanders Auctions, who handled the sale, also parted with a prototype jacket worn by Michael Jackson for the creation of the 'Bad' video and album cover. This jacket, not even the final garment but one which inspired it, went for $12,500.

More memorabilia is going on sale in the UK, with items from films including 'Star Wars', 'Star Trek' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' all being given up for auction by Odeon World. How much would you be willing to part with for a genuine Stormtrooper's helmet? Details on that here...



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Dame Helen Mirren Snapped Looking At Her Own Waxwork's Cleavage, During Madame Tussauds Event (PICS)

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Dame Helen Mirren put in an appearance at London’s Madame Tussauds on Tuesday night, for a special event to commemorate her 70th birthday.

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As part of the ‘Calendar Girls’ actress’s birthday celebrations, she was seen posing alongside three waxworks of some of her most recognisable looks, with one being flown in specially from Berlin… and the other coming from the slightly less exotic shores of Blackpool.

Dame Helen was seen rubbing shoulders with waxworks sporting the likeness of two of her most memorable roles - ‘Prime Suspect’ and her Oscar-winning stint in ‘The Queen’ - but it was the third wax statue which really caught her fancy.

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Oo-er


Standing next to a replica of herself in a red carpet gown, Helen couldn’t keep her gaze away from her likeness’s décolletage, and was photographed giving herself a real eyeful.

She went on to admit that this was her favourite of the three wax figures, adding: “I love this one, it's very me, I look happy.”

Dame Helen later joked: “This is amazing, I feel like my husband looking at me! It's like having three sisters, I love it.”

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We think that's her on the left


But she isn’t the only A-list star to have been struck by their wax likeness’s *ahem* appendages.

Earlier this year, Ed Sheeran celebrated the unveiling of his own waxwork at New York’s own Madame Tussauds museum.

Although the ‘Lego House’ singer’s waxwork was one of the most realistic we’ve ever seen, when he shared a photo of it on Instagram there seemed to be only one thing he was concerned about, after he wrote: “Met my waxwork at [Madame Tussauds], he didn't say much but he's got a bulge so it's all good.”



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Grammy-Winning Jazz Star Gregory Porter Becomes Dance Music Remix Sensation At Ibiza 20 With 'Liquid Spirit'

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Gregory Porter may have already earned his stripes in the jazz community with the Grammy-winning album 'Liquid Spirit', but he's gone and conquered a whole new audience, with the remix of his song 'Liquid Spirit' becoming one of the summer's biggest dance music sensations.

gregory porter
Jazz star Gregory Porter has found a whole new audience


As a result, Gregory is releasing Claptone's remix of his song as a UK single, after the new version broke out of the clubs in Ibiza, to Shazam, where it has been streamed more than four million times.

Watch Gregory in action on 'Liquid Spirit' above...

And now it's got to Radio 1 with fans including Pete Tong and Annie Mac, and Gregory - yes, jazz purist Gregory more usually seen at Ronnie Scott's - will be joining the Radio 1 lineup this weekend at Ibiza 20, an event marking 20 years of the station broadcasting shows from the island.

Gregory, primarily known in the UK for his jazz/soul inspired vocals, has surprised many with hisremarkable success within the dance music scene, which has also included featuring on collaborative Disclosure single ‘Holding On’.

Nearly two years after its release, his Grammy-winning album, ‘Liquid Spirit’, shot up into the Top 10 of the UK Album Charts, reached Gold sales and became the most streamed jazz album of all time.

This year Gregory’s televised appearances and performances have included his Glastonbury Festival debut. Gregory will be playing V Festival in August, and touring the UK next spring, including the Royal Albert Hall on 4 April 2016 - if he can be dragged out of the clubs.

Gregory is performing at BBC Radio 1’s Radio 1 Ibiza 20 event, in Ibiza - info here.



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'X Factor' 2015: Winner Sam Bailey Admits She Thinks This Year's 'Over 25s' 'Don't Stand A Chance', Thanks To Younger Judges

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‘X Factor’ winner Sam Bailey has admitted she’s not holding her breath for another winner in the ‘Over 25s’ category of this year’s competition.

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For the past two years, a singer from the ‘Overs’ category has been crowned ‘X Factor’ champion, with Ben Haenow being voted the public’s winner last December, the year after Sam.

However, the ‘Skyscraper’ singer has revealed she doesn’t think she’d have made it had she waited until this year to audition, claiming she thinks the upcoming series will be too youth-oriented to give older singers a chance.

sam bailey
Sam Bailey


Speaking to The Mirror, Sam explained: “The ‘Overs’ don’t stand a chance this year. Would I survive? No, because three of the judges are very young and looking for young talent.

“You have got someone from Radio 1 and I’m not really played on Radio 1. So I wouldn’t have much of a look-in there.”


Sam has previously been critical of this year’s newly-updated judging panel, which has seen Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora taking over from Louis Walsh and Mel B - and it sounds as though she’s still not won over by their credtentials.

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The 'X Factor' judges and hosts at recent auditions


“I’m old school,” she says, “I’d rather have someone like Michael Bolton, Celine Dion or Bette Midler judging me.

“They’ve been in the business long enough to be respected in it. I couldn’t have been luckier with the line-up I had in 2013.”


After triumphing ‘The X Factor’, Sam has since parted ways with Simon Cowell’s Syco record label, months after topping the UK album charts with her debut release.

Following this, she’s made headlines for performing at bingo halls, though it sounds like people’s sneering comments aren’t exactly getting to her.

Sam reveals: “I’ve got a house, three kids and my husband is a stay-at-home dad.

“If someone offers me a gig I think, ‘Right, I can use that money to do this’. It doesn’t matter where I work, my audiences are great. I’ve heard, ‘Oh, she’s past it, she’s doing Mecca Bingo’.

"Well, I performed at Mecca Bingo before I was in the public eye and I’m the same person I was then. I’ll go where the money is to provide for my family. As long as people don’t take the ****.”


The upcoming series of ‘The X Factor’ has undergone a total transformation, with Olly Murs and Caroline Flack taking over presenting duties from Dermot O’Leary, in addition to the new judging line-up.

Fans of the show were also shocked earlier this week to learn that Peter Dickson, who provides the iconic voiceovers for the show, has decided to bow out, and won’t be returning for the new series.



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'EastEnders': Carol Jackson's Pre-Watershed Swearing Attracts Ofcom Complaints

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EastEnders’ has come under fire for airing scenes containing bad language before the watershed, on Thursday (31 July) night’s episode.

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Ofcom have received 29 complaints after Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) branded her brother Max Branning (Jake Wood) “a complete and utter b*****d”, having discovered he was trying to get his daughter Abi (Lorna Fitzgerald) to confess to Lucy Beale’s murder.

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Max and Carol in 'EastEnders'


The media regulator will now decide whether or not to investigate the complaints, with a spokesperson telling Digital Spy: "We will assess these complaints before deciding whether to investigate or not."

Writer Daran Little, who penned the scene, dismissed viewers' concerns about the use of language, after Carol’s words sparked a debate on Twitter.

He retweeted a fan who wrote: “I don't care what anyone says @DaranLittle is an absolute legend for making Carol such a mouthy person in tonight's episode. #EastEnders.”

Earlier this month, ‘EastEnders’ received a number of complaints after it aired an implied gay sex scene between Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) and Paul Coker (Jonny Labey).

A scene that showed the pair kissing next to an open coffin in a funeral parlour, before later getting dressed when they were interrupted, attracted 48 complaints, which are now being investigated.



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Rita Ora Is A Beyoncé Look-A-Like In New Glamour Magazine Photoshoot (PICTURES)

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If it all goes wrong for Rita Ora on the new series of ‘The X Factor’, it’s good to know she’s got a career as a Beyoncé look-a-like as a back up.

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The talent show judge looks the spitting image of Queen Bey as she posed for a new photoshoot with Glamour magazine.

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Rita Ora looking the spit of Beyoncé


In fact if it wasn’t for those heavy brows (and the fact Beyoncé would never wear pink PVC), you’d have had us genuinely believing it WAS Mrs Carter.

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Beyoncé


In the accompanying interview, Rita revealed how Simon Cowell persuaded her to jump ship from ‘The Voice’, to become an ‘X Factor’ judge.

"Simon and I planned to meet and just chat. There wasn’t any pressure,” she said.

“We spoke about the changes in the show, about his goals and aims, and I started to agree with the changes that were gonna happen…. We had a two-hour conversation and I really liked his vision. And on that fact only, I looked at my diary, I spoke to my team because it is a lot of commitment. And having that responsibility of being able to change someone’s life is beyond pressure.

"It gets me emotional because I watch these kids performing in school and they’re already above me for even finishing school… It’s so inspirational, that’s why I do these TV shows."

She continued: "It’s not about thinking, ‘Oh my God, I want to be on TV every Saturday night! I’m a musician, I’ve built this bond with my team, with the music industry. I’ve worked hard to be involved with everything you see my name associated with. It doesn’t happen overnight, and I feel I have as much right to be on that panel as everyone does.”

rita ora glamour

The full interview appears in this month’s Glamour magazine, on sale 6 August.



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American Soul Singer Macy Gray's Cute Ode To A Vibrator Is An Empowering Watch

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"He can go all night, dark until the light."

That's Macy Gray paying a loving tribute to her vibrator who is also known as B.O.B. (Battery Operated Better - "cuz he's not complicated") in this cute video that was released on 27 July.

Even though it addresses the sexual relationship of a woman with her sex toy and how she hits the big 'O', the video that shows an animated vibrator traversing across a home is pretty non-sexual.



The American Jazz singer's well-loved raspy voice only adds to the cuteness and humour that also brings female empowerment to the forefront by addressing her sexual needs.

There are also more than a few not-so-subtle hints on how this relationship with B.O.B. works beautifully, perhaps even better than a real-life man: "He's always the same, he never complains when I want another."

Go Macy go.

SEE ALSO:

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‘EastEnders' Tiffany Jackson Is All Grown Up And She Looks So Different (PICTURES)

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Remember cheeky little Tiffany Butcher from ‘EastEnders’? Well, the actress who played her is all grown up, and you would have a hard job recognising her.

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Maisie Smith was just seven-years-old when she first appeared in the BBC One soap in 2008, but she is now 14 and quite the fan of Instagram, where she has been posting a stream of selfies.

A photo posted by @maisiesmith8 on




Tiffany was written out of ‘EastEnders’ in September last year, when her on-screen mum Bianca (Patsy Palmer) left the Square to begin a new life in Milton Keynes, with new partner Terry Spraggan.

While in Walford, Tiff’s storylines included finding out that Ricky Butcher was her real dad, and coping with the death of legendary pooch Wellard.

A photo posted by @maisiesmith8 on




A photo posted by @maisiesmith8 on




Since leaving ‘EastEnders’, Maisie, who won Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress at the British Soap Awards in 2009, has returned to her studies.



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EXCLUSIVE LIVE STREAM: Metallica, James Bay, FKA Twigs, Charli XCX, Alt-J Perform At Lollapalooza Festival

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Lollapalooza Festival rolls into town this weekend - wherever you happen to be, courtesy of our EXCLUSIVE LIVE STREAM above!

Headliners Metallica, Paul McCartney and and many more will be entertaining the crowds at Grant Park in Chicago from today until Sunday, and you'll be able to watch all the action above, or tune in for your favourites by consulting the schedule below, and choosing the appropriate camera!

What started out in 1991 as a farewell tour by Jane's Addiction star Perry Farrell for his band, has turned into a must-go event for crowds of up to 160,000, with tickets for this year's extravaganza selling out in less than an hour, according to US music magazines.

As well as the big names above, Tove Lo, The Weeknd, Hot Chip, James Bay, Charli XCX, FKA Twigs, George Ezra, Marina and the Diamonds and A$AP Rocky are all part of this year's diverse lineup. Check the schedule below and remember to tune in for your favourites - the schedule listed below shows UK times, starting at 8.15pm on Friday!




lollapalooza


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15 Facts About Clowns for International Clown Week

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(Photo: D McPherson)


Every day is something day, but forget clown day, because clowns have an entire week, from Aug 1 - 7 every year. It was even written into American law by President Nixon. To celebrate, here are 15 facts about funny men!

1 - The word clown is believed to come from the Icelandic word klunni, meaning a clumsy person.

2 - The earliest record of the word clown dates from around 1560.

3 - Clowns are nicknamed Joeys after the early 19th century pantomime star Joseph Grimaldi.

4- Grimaldi was the first panto clown to wear white face make-up instead of a mask.

5 - The full name of Krusty the Clown in The Simpsons is Herschel Shmoikel Pinchas Yercham Krustosky. He's voiced by Dan Castellaneta.

6 - The declaration of International Clown Week was passed into US law by President Richard Nixon on August 2, 1971.

7 - Traditional clowning centres on the relationship between the 'whiteface' (the straight man) and the 'auguste' (foolish or mischievous clown).

8 - All straight man/funny man comedy double acts, such as Laurel and Hardy, are derived from circus clowning.

9 - The first circus clown was called Mr Merryman.

10 - Coulrophobia describes the fear of clowns.

11 - The world's oldest clown society, Clowns International, was founded in 1947.

12 - The first killer clown in fiction appeared in the 1892 Italian opera Pagliacci.

13 - Johnny Burnette had a hit with Clown Shoes, written by PJ Proby.

14 - Ronald McDonald was first played by Williard Scott in a 1963 TV commercial.

15 - Serial killer John Wayne Gacy was a clown known as Pogo.

This post originally appeared on the author's blog Circus Mania.

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Review: The Beaux Stratagem, National Theatre "Its Fun is Infectious"

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I so wanted to be cynical about The Beaux Stratagem but it is just impossible. Its sense of fun is infectious and if you don't find yourself laughing and smiling, well, you're probably dead.

Aimwell (Samuel Barnett) and Archer (Geoffrey Streatfeild) are two opportunists, two charming but devious young men who've blown their fortunes in London, and who've come to Lichfield with the great idea of swindling a local beautiful heiress out of her fortune - pretend to love her and live off her income for years!

What a great idea. What could possibly POSSIBLY go wrong?

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So they pose as man and servant at the local inn, engaging the innkeeper (Lloyd Hutchinson) and his daughter (Amy Morgan), with hints of a secret life and access to vast sums of money.

But the naïve heiress Aimwell has his cruel heart set on is Dorinda (Pippa Bennett-Warner) only she is protected by her feisty, streetwise sister-in-law (the ever impressive Susannah Fielding) and what started off as a simple plan soon starts to unravel.

Of course it does! And of course we all know where this will end up. Everyone will fall in love - in spite of themselves - and we'll all wind up with a big song and dance number to send us on our way. We know this. WE KNOW THIS. But we don't care. Why? Because the journey is just so, so good.

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The cast are energetic and enthusiastic, throwing themselves into their clichés with gusto, whether it's the tavern wench trying to make good, the savvy and scheming wealthy woman from London, or the moping French Count pouring his deep and profound emotions into every word and interaction.

And it was that which worried me - could I withstand a Restoration Comedy without judging it through my modern, feminist eyes? How many mother-in-law jokes could I take? How many saucy Carry On-esque nods and winks could I sit through?

But I needn't have feared as, much like George Farquhar's other play, The Recruiting Officer, which was brilliantly revived recently at the Donmar, the myriad of overlapping plots and stories keep the mind engaged and the combined efforts of the cast and creative team enable this production to navigate quite nimbly around the more tricky parts of this 300 year old play.

2015-07-30-1438292742-4031708-Beaux4.jpg



The direction from Simon Godwin is glorious. Music and dance numbers are effortlessly segued in, often preluded with a nod and a wink. The writing is mined for all the humour it's worth, and the pacing is superb with moments of high farce blended with corny but sweet declarations of love.

You can fight it all you want, people, but resistance is futile. The Beaux Stratagem will lift you up and make you smile.

National Theatre, London to September 20, 2015

Image Credits:
1.Timothy Watson, Jane Booker, Pearce Quigley, Amy Morgan, Molly Gromadzki and Nicholas Khan, The Beaux' Stratagem © Manuel Harlan
2.Jane Booker (Lady Bountiful), Samuel Barnett (Aimwell), Geoffrey Streatfeild (Archer) and Pippa Bennett-Warner (Dorinda), The Beaux' Stratagem, © Manuel Harlan
3.Timothy Watson (Count Bellair) and Susannah Fielding (Mrs Sullen), The Beaux' Stratagem ©Manuel Harlan
4.Mark Rose (Hounslow), Esh Alladi (Bagshot), Lloyd Hutchinson (Boniface) and Chook Sibtain (Gibbet), The Beaux' Stratagem © Manuel Harlan

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'Game Of Thrones' To End After Series Eight? Show Exec Reveals Finale Plans

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As if ‘Game Of Thrones’ fans hadn’t been through enough following the shocking season five finale, they’ve now been hit with more bad news.

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HBO president Michael Lombardo has revealed that the show could soon be coming to an end.

During the TCAs press tour, he explained that showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss have a plan to call it quits after the eighth series.

game of thrones
'Game Of Thrones' could end after series eight


"I think seven seasons and out has never been the conversation; the question is how much beyond the seventh season are we going to do," Michael explained.

"[The producers are] feeling like there's probably two more years after six. I would love for them to change their minds, but that's what we're looking at right now."

However, it isn’t all bad news, as Michael revealed that there could be a prequel.

"I would be open to anything [the producers] want to do," he said.

"There's enormous storytelling to be mined in a prequel… At this point, all the focus is on figuring out the next few years with this show."

Phew.

Michael also addressed speculation that Jon Snow might not be dead, after fans were sent into meltdown when actor Kit Harington was spotted arriving in Belfast, where the show is filmed, with the rest of the cast.

Asked about his fate, he replied: “Dead is dead is dead," adding, "Everything I've seen, heard and read, Snow is dead.”

So there you go.



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-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Caitlyn Jenner's 12 Biggest Achievements Since Her 'Call Me Caitlyn' Cover Made Its Debut (PICS)

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Believe it or not, it’s only actually been two months since Caitlyn Jenner first introduced herself to the world, with her already-iconic ‘Call Me Caitlyn’ cover shoot for Vanity Fair magazine - but what an eventful two months they’ve been, right?

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After first revealing she was transgender in an emotional ‘20/20’ interview with Diane Sawyer, we were then blown away by the Annie Leibovitz-shot photo spread and its accompanying interview, which detailed Caitlyn’s transgender journey so far.

Since then she’s never been far away from the headlines.

During her initial Diane Sawyer interview, Caitlyn insisted that her main aim in coming out as transgender in such a public fashion was that she wanted “to do some good” with her huge public profile, and in the two short months since her Vanity Fair cover first appeared online, it’s safe to say she’s already achieved that goal.

Here are 12 of Caitlyn Jenner’s best moments since her ‘Call Me Caitlyn’ cover debuted...



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-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

Jeremy Clarkson Reveals Relief At Amazon Prime Giving Him, Richard Hammond And James May Creative Freedom For New Series

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Jeremy Clarkson has spoken about his forthcoming new series, which he will front alongside his former ‘Top Gear’ producers, Richard Hammond and James May, revealing his relief at being given the freedom to make the show they want to make by Amazon bosses.

MORE JEREMY CLARKSON:


After much speculation, it was confirmed earlier this week that the trio had signed a new deal with Amazon Prime, to make three series of an as-of-yet-unnamed car show with the on-demand network.

Writing in his column for The Sun, Jeremy has now admitted that he was pleased to learn from Amazon bosses that they wouldn’t be interfering with the upcoming project.

top gear presenters
The show will begin airing next year


The controversial TV personality says: “Along with our long-time producer, Andy Wilman, we have formed a production company which is called W Chump and Sons and we are now looking for an office, a rubber plant, some company cars and a name for our new programme.

“Then we will be off. To make what will be a seriously well-funded, British-based show with no commercial breaks and, better still, no editorial pressure from on high.

“Amazon has been delightfully clear on that. ‘Just make the show you wanna make, guys.’ Music to my ears.”


Clarkson and co. previously hosted ‘Top Gear’ on the BBC together for over a decade, until he was sacked earlier this year, following a now-infamous with a producer while filming on location.

Addressing the forthcoming series of ‘Top Gear’, which will be be fronted by Chris Evans, Jeremy writes: “As I’m sure you know, Top Gear is to soldier on under new management. And that’s great.

“But if you’re a fan of three middle-aged petrolheads falling over and catching fire, then I have good news.

“Because Richard Hammond, James May and I are to make a new show with the American giant Amazon.”


It was previously claimed that the presenting team will be earning as much as £160,000 in their new deal, with the first series airing on Amazon Prime next year.



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