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Twitter, Teenagers and One Direction

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This has been the easiest article I've ever had to write. Hopefully not because I am so egotistical that I've been planning for months to showcase my praise but because it's an exciting time to showcase how wonderful this world is, including the people that exist within it. I've previously written about the audacity that some people online have. To attack strangers and criticise them with no regard for the way they are making that person feel. HOWEVER, and that's a big however, there are tonnes of people online who have fabulous things to say and here I'd like to showcase them. Prove that positive comments should absolutely be given the limelight.

I mean look at the this great person, she was annoyed she didn't get tickets to see One Direction but still made time to say something nice:

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And this one here:

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And look at all these other grateful one direction fans who were gracious enough to congratulate the winners:

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And I'm so glad, they know that I care about them

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Here are some Selena Gomez Fans:

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Here are some people just bigging up my show in general:
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What is really fabulous is that there are so many more in my arsenal. Bucket loads of ruddy nice teenagers being kind and supportive to not just me but to strangers who have something they want. Who they'd have every opportunity to tear down through animalistic jealousy and the fact they don't, warms the cockles of my heart. I hope you can see this for what it is though. Perhaps in the same way that people sit behind computers and send abuse because it's something they'd never say in real life, sadly this might also be true of praise. If everyone said the nice things that I've experienced online to just one other person, once a day, it might make a difference. I genuinely believe that. Thank you once again to those who send me lovely messages, the really do matter.

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Chris Evans Confuses Adele With Beyoncé During Radio 2 Interview About New Song 'Hello' (And It's Super Awks)

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Chris Evans got his pop divas well and truly muddled up, mistaking Adele for Beyoncé during an interview with the ‘Hello’ singer on Friday (23 October) morning.

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The Radio 2 DJ embarrassed himself when he said he thought Sasha Fierce was Adele’s on-stage alter ego during the chat on his Breakfast Show, as the singer was promoting her new single.

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Beyoncé and Adele


“I love this stage persona you have to get over your nerves, what’s her name again?” Chris asked.

“What? Are you trying to make me talk in the third person?” Adele said.

“Don’t you have this alter ego who you pretend to become?” he continued.

Still puzzled, she replied: “Nah, not really. I chat a lot.”

“No, I’ve got a name here,” he insisted.

“Sasha Fierce? That’s Beyoncé!” she exclaimed, before exploding into her infamous cackle.

"Sasha Fierce is Beyoncé's alter ego, and she's now Mrs Carter. I wish I was Sasha Fierce!" she joked.

Left mortified, an embarrassed Chris added: “I can only apologise on behalf of the whole of the BBC.”

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Adele popped into Radio 2 to chat to Chris Evans


Adele appeared on a number of radio stations on Friday morning, after unveiling her first single in three years, ‘Hello’.

The stunning track sent Twitter into meltdown after receiving its first play on Nick Grimshaw’s Radio 1 Breakfast Show, with the singer becoming emotional at the response from fans who were delighted to have her back.

Explaining her decision to take such an extended hiatus after the release of 2011 album ‘21’, she said: “I always want to make music that I think is good. I didn't want to come back with something that people wouldn't like,” adding that becoming a mother to son Angelo had also delayed things.

She added that she nearly gave it all up during the recording process, explaining that her team didn’t believe the songs she was making were good enough following the huge worldwide success of ‘21’.

“I wanted to give up a lot because I couldn’t do it and I thought I’d run out of ideas and lost my ability to write a song,” she said.

“My team around me are very honest. They were like, ‘It’s not good enough. Go back to the drawing board’. It is such a relief because it’s been a really long time coming.”

Watch the video for ‘Hello’ below...



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Kara Tointon To Play Maria In ITV's Musical Drama 'The Sound Of Music Live!'

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It takes a brave lady to step into the shoes of one of the screen's most iconic roles, as made perfect by Julie Andrews, but that's exactly what Kara Tointon is doing, taking the lead role of Maria in ITV's 'The Sound of Music Live!', a new small screen dramatisation of the world's most popular musical.

Kara will be leading the cast in this ambitious two-and-half hour musical drama, being billed by ITV as one of the channels "must-see" events of the year.

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Kara Tointon will be taking on the role of Maria in ITV's 'The Sound of Music Live!'


The story, based on the true story of governess Maria and the von Trapp family will come to life on sound stages at London's Three Mills Studios. All the family favourites are in there from 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?' to 'Do-Re-Mi' and the anthemic 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'.

Also appearing in the show are Julian Ovenden ('Downton Abbey') as the object of Maria's affection, Captain von Trapp, Katherine Kelly ('Mr Selfridge', 'Coronation Street') as the Baroness and Alexander Armstrong ('Pointless') as Max Detweiler.

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Julie Andrews made the role her own in the 1965 big screen version, a classic to this day


Kara Tointon has made a successful name for herself since quitting her role in 'EastEnders'. She has been a hit in 'Mr Selfridge', and also won the 'Strictly Come Dancing' title in 2010 with her dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev. Kara and Artem became an item after their victory, but split in November 2014. She has since been spotted on the arm of TV host Matt Johnson.



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'The Bridge' Series 3 Teaser Trailer Debuts, With A Sad, Solitary Saga Noren Missing Her Partner Martin Rohde (VIDEO)

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We've waited a long time for her return, but Saga Noren is back and looking sadder than ever in the teaser trailer for Series 3 of Swedish-Danish crime drama 'The Bridge'.

Set to the morose tones of Johnny Cash's version of 'Hurt', the snippet shows Saga sitting in her wonderful car, alone, as the rain beats down by the Oresund Bridge that connects her town of Malmo in Sweden with Copenhagen in Denmark.

One reason for her misery - the absence of her police partner Martin Rohde, her Danish counterpart whom we last saw being arrested for the murder of his son's assailant at the end of Series 2. While the narrative makes sense, viewers will miss actor Kim Bodnia, whose chemistry with actress Sofia Helin was a big part of the appeal of the show which has followed its Nordic counterparts 'The Killing' and 'Borgen' in finding success across the world.

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The Bridge and the car are the same, but something's missing...


The show's creator Hans Rosenfeldt told HuffPostUK last year that he tried to persuade Kim to stick around for Series 3, promising to keep his character in jail if that's what he wanted, but the actor had made up his mind to go. Sure enough, Kim has found success in other projects, starring in Jon Stewart's directorial debut 'Rosewater' and currently making two further films.

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Saga is left alone to solve the crimes without the help of her partner Martin Rohde


Meanwhile, Saga must keep working, which this series finds her investigating the murder of Helle Anker, a high-profile activist and speaker on gender issues, the first in what proves to be a chain of gruesome, related crimes.

'The Bridge' Series 3 will be on BBC4 some time in November.



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'I'm A Celebrity' 2015: Ant And Dec Are Stranded In The Jungle In Epic Trailer For New Series (VIDEO)

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If, like us, you’re very excited for the new series of ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ then get ready to let out a little squeal, as bosses have unveiled a series of official trailers for the 15th (yes, FIFTEENTH!) run of the ITV reality show, and it shows Ant and Dec finally getting a taste of jungle life.

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In the clips, it transpires that the duo have actually been stranded in the Aussie outback since the last series finished (we’ll choose to ignore the fact that they hosted ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ back in May) and are waiting to be rescued.



With their overgrown beards and dishevelled appearances, the pair wouldn’t look out of place in alongside Tom Hanks in ‘Castaway’.

Sadly, however, there’s no football called Wilson in this tale.

The pair will be back on hosting duties when the show returns next month, with a new line-up of campmates ready to chow down on kangaroo testicles and endure other nasty Bushtucker Trials bosses have lined up.



Those rumoured to be entering the jungle this year include TV chef Rustie Lee, 'Men Behaving Badly' actress Leslie Ash, 'Made In Chelsea' lothario Spencer Matthews and West End star Denise Van Outen, while 'EastEnders' cast member Jake Wood has also expressed interest in going in.

Last year’s contestant Gemma Collins was also rumoured to be returning for a second shot, having previously quit the show after just three days.

However, medics reportedly blocked her decision, claiming that she is “too vulnerable” to take part.

Check out all the rumours in the gallery below...



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The Big Geek Debate: Ten Reasons Why 'Star Trek' Is Better Than 'Star Wars'

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With the imminent arrival of the new Star Wars Episode VII: Force Awakens in December and confirmation that Star Trek Beyond filming has just finished, the 30 year old debate 'which is better Star Trek or Star Wars?' has yet again been reignited. Being a Trekkie myself I thought it only appropriate that I share my reasons as to why Star Trek is indeed better!

Star Trek has far more content than Star Wars

With Star Trek: The Original Series, The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space 9, Enterprise and 12 films that's over 22 days of material! Star Wars currently has seven films and two television series. While both franchises have a sizeable amount of content available in the form of novels, comic books and games, Star Trek has a much vaster content library.

Trek Science and Wars Science

The science in Star Trek and Star Wars are not only similar to one another but also vastly different. Creator Gene Roddenberry did as much research as he could when it comes to current science capabilities, trends and where he felt it was going for the future. This research is evident in most episodes and you can see some of his predictions coming true with his famous communicators and tricorders becoming modern day smart phones.

Trek tackling real issues

One of the innovative things that Star Trek did was to use the cloak of science fiction to address and tackle many social issues that were a big deal at the time. Over the years Star Trek has discussed many issues such as racism, death, AIDS, homosexuality, sentience and a whole lot more.

Humanity

Not limiting itself to only tackling serious issues of its time, Star Trek also took on the personal struggles of the characters that we all can relate to in one way or another. With everything from Khan dealing with his own demons to Spock's interesting relationship with humans.

There's definitely something for everyone

With the enormous library of Star Trek content out there for your viewing pleasure, there's going to be something you not only relate to, but enjoy. Whether it's compelling storylines like Voyager's journey home or epic space battles like Deep Space 9's war with the dominion, there is definitely something that you or any of your friends will thoroughly enjoy.

Travelling through Time!

A fantastic plot device that Star Trek has used to create some of the most interesting episodes and films is time travel. Some of my favourite uses of time travel in the Star Trek saga have been Star trek IV: The Voyage Home, when they saved the whales, and meeting Mark Twain in the episode "Time's Arrow" in The Next Generation. Even in the latest incarnations, time travel was used to create an alternate timeline for Star Trek to explore.

Aliens and Androids!

Rather than being after-thoughts, or something the creators have put in because they have to, non-human characters have been a central part of Star Trek. With characters like Worf, T'Pol, Seven of Nine, Data, Spock and many more. These characters have had plenty of time and writing invested in them to give them rich and compelling backstories to turn them into the characters we know and love today. With a few notable exceptions, such as Chewbacca, C3PO, R2D2 and Yoda we don't find out much about the non-human characters in Star Wars.

Beam Me Up!

Teleporters are a unique piece of technology in Star Trek that simply doesn't exist in Star Wars. Travelling through space in amazing space ships is always going to be cool and both Star Trek and Star Wars do it brilliantly. However the ability to be simply teleported instantly pretty much anywhere you want is such a cool way to travel!

Star Trek came first

Because Star Trek has a head start of about a decade on Star Wars since their respective release dates, Star Trek has always been ahead of the game in some respects. Also, because Star Trek is primarily an episodic series instead of a film series there are a lot more chances to not create great episodes, but also to make for ones that aren't quite on par. Whereas Star Wars, currently a six episode film saga, has little to no room for error as any mistakes or poor films stand out much, much more.

No Jar Jar in Star Trek

The title says it all really.


Jonathan Bird is an avid Star Trek fan and the founder of TrekDating.com. When not watching re-runs of The Next Generation you'll find him tinkering with code making more Spock's match with Uhuru's.

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'EastEnders' Spoiler: Dean Wicks To Leave Soap After Actor Matt Di Angelo Quits

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EastEnders’ is saying goodbye to one of the soap’s baddest boys, as Matt Di Angelo is leaving his role as Dean Wicks.

MORE 'EASTENDERS':


The rapist will leave Walford next year in an explosive storyline, which will reportedly see him finally get his comeuppance for his attack on Linda Carter (Kellie Bright).

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Matt Di Angelo is leaving his role as Dean Wicks


An insider told The Mirror that viewers are in for “a nail-biting treat” from the plot adding: “We’re giving nothing away but there’s lots more drama to come.”

A spokesperson for the show has since confirmed to Digital Spy that Matt has quit the soap, saying: "We can confirm that Matt will be leaving and we wish him all the best."

After Dean raped Linda last September, viewers have seen his dark side emerge again in recent months, as he recently burnt girlfriend Roxy Mitchell (Rita Simons) with a pair of hair straighteners.

Thursday night’s episode of the soap saw her sister Ronnie (Samantha Womack) tell Linda to let her know if she wanted her to “get rid” of Dean.

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Dean Wicks raped Linda Carter last year


Last month, it was reported that there will be a showdown involving Dean and brother Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) in a watery situation in the New Year.

Speaking at the Radio Times Festival, Dominic said of the storyline’s climax: “There is a big resolution coming up in the New Year. Danny’s just been fitted for a wetsuit and he’s going into some water.”

Danny confirmed: “I found myself in a wetsuit the other day thinking, ‘What the f***?!’”

However, Danny suggested the character may not die, adding: “I did want to kill him but Dom was right, that’s not the way forward.”

Actor Matt returned to the show in 2014, having previously quit in 2008 after a two-year stint.



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The State of Nature

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For this blog, I thought I'd post the content of the speech I was privileged enough to give in Westminster last week, an introduction to the 'Response for Nature' report.

Nearly a thousand years ago, one of William the Conqueror's officials came to Westminster and found enough meadows to keep 11 plough teams busy, as well as enough woodland to support 100 pigs (this is not intended as biting satire). His findings were recorded in the Domesday Book, the king's attempt to survey his new country and assess its value. It was a spot-check on the financial health of the nation.

In 2013 Sir David Attenborough also stood in Westminster to present its modern equivalent - almost a Domesday Book of wildlife. They called the report that followed The State of Nature. It was a health check on our wildlife.

David Attenborough had his own surveyors for the 21st Century Domesday. They came from 25 conservation organisations, small and large, most of them represented here today, and from many more besides. This was based on a truly stupendous amount of recording by volunteers.

Seventeen thousand birdwatchers had trampled over about a quarter of the land surface of the British Isles, gathering data. Countless botanists entered more than nine million plant records. In all, information was available for in excess of 3,000 species, recording everything from pipistrelles to periwinkles, natterjacks to nightingales, Bloody Crane's Bill to Bristly Ox Tongue, and let's not forget the horrid ground weaver spider. I'm not describing it, that's its actual name.

That representative sample on land and by sea was enough for us to gauge just how well our nature was doing. Let me draw out the top line figures and please take a moment to consider their significance:
• 60% - nearly two thirds of the species assessed - were found to be in decline. Almost a third of those were in serious decline.
• Numbers for conservation priority species had, overall, fallen by 77% in the previous 40 years, with little sign of recovery.
• Of more than 6,000 species assessed using modern Red List criteria, more than one in ten are thought to be in danger of extinction in the UK.

These are sobering, shocking statistics. One of our most eminent naturalists, Cambridge University professor Andrew Balmford, writes that we are the last generation that can avoid mass extinction. He said: "I think we have, at most, one generation left to avoid such an appalling prospect". So that's it. We can't hide from this issue. We can't leave it to our children or our grandchildren to sort this out. We are nature's last chance.

The State of Nature report shows where we are. Now we need a plan for where we should go. The document I have the privilege to launch today starts us on that long road.

So this is what today is all about - it's called Response for Nature: England. This booklet, the summary of a much bigger report - draws together the views of more than 130 experts in the field. These experts are "conservation practitioners"; having a working knowledge of environmental policy. They have been pulled in from NGOs, government agencies, and independent conservation agencies to comment, and I'm delighted that many of them have joined us here this evening, we owe you a debt of gratitude. Me more than most, as I have been flagrantly plagiarising the research of proper scientists for my programmes for the last sixteen years. You all pay my mortgage!

In a painstaking process, which took over a year, the practitioners were asked - quite simply - how are things working for nature at the moment? And what, if anything, needs to change to make things better?

All of that knowledge, cooperation and eagerness to put things right has been distilled and brought together in this document. This then is our blueprint for the future here in England. This is the moment when NGOs, people in government, and civil servants alike have the opportunity to work together with a clear purpose.

While this is going on in England, there are companion documents being launched by our counterparts in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, laying out their own parallel paths ahead. Each country is working towards the same goal. In the next phase of this project, it will be time to turn to the business world, to explore ways in which industry and commerce can work with us to turn the fortunes of nature around.

There is no doubt that the public is behind us. Not just the six and a half million members that the organisations represented here have between them. An independent survey showed that 88% of the UK population - of the whole population - believe that biodiversity - the variety of life - is indispensable in the production of our food, fuel and medicine. Many people may not know that bumblebees and other pollinators contribute over £690 million to the economy every year in ecosystem services. But they do know that bees pollinate crops. Bees mean food on your plate.

Some 90% of the population tells us that our wellbeing and quality of life are based on nature. I'll say more about that later.

And 94 % - in other words, practically everyone - tell us that we have a moral obligation to halt biodiversity loss. We can all marvel at a gambolling dolphin we can be won over by a diving gannet, the fluted song of a blackbird or a swooping swift, and enjoy its beauty for beauty's sake, but there is an ethical dimension to conservation too, and a growing awareness that we are using up our natural capital at the expense of future generations.

This was put most eloquently more than 150 years ago by a Scottish emigrant to the US by the name of John Muir. A great explorer, pioneer, visionary and a founder figure in the creation of America's National Parks, John Muir wrote about the pillaging of America's landscapes that he saw around him, using words that have an eerie resonance today: "a grand harvest was reaped every year while nobody sowed."

The figures I quoted from the survey demonstrate the strength of feeling among the public: people understand that nature makes a massive contribution to the true wealth of our nation. If such a powerful public endorsement is not a mandate for action, then I don't know what is.

So what must we do? Where do we go from here? This document lists 10 points for all of us to act upon. I won't go through all of them here, but I will pick up on just some of the key issues.

The first brings good news. The Government has recognised that it must do something. It has promised to publish, in the near future, a 25-year plan, not just to halt biodiversity losses, but to restore wildlife and bring nature back into all of our lives.

You can read in here about the partnership's vision of where we should be by the year 2040, twenty-five years from now. We must have, to quote: "a country richer in nature on land and at sea - with healthy habitats, thriving species and more protection for a network of special places". We should have: "people connected to nature, appreciating wildlife and wild places, and benefitting from the health, wealth and prosperity they can provide."

Twenty-five years. It's a significant number for me. I spent my summer filming a series called Big Blue Live in California. Twenty-five years ago a previously dead defunct bay where nothing lived was declared a marine sanctuary. Today, Monterey Bay is one of the world's greatest natural marvels, Even mighty blue whales have returned, at which I got so excited I nearly pushed a local biologist overboard. There are fish, great whales, dolphins and seals in unparalleled abundance. Proof, REAL proof in the form of millions of tonnes of scales and blubber that conservation, protection, human care really does work. They wrecked it, then they protected it, and it came back. And if the Americans can manage something so magnificent... surely we can too?

The prospect that we Brits could achieve things on such a scale thrills me. I've just got engaged, and such a big life event sets you thinking. The thought that my kids could go out into the British countryside, and see not just the wonders I see today, but BETTER... surely that has to be our greatest motivation.

But let's be realistic about how this challenge must be tackled. This can't be a Government target for action that's simply hived off to a single, hard-pressed department in Whitehall. It must run as a matter of course through every department, from Defra to the Treasury. Every department needs to understand that restoring nature will be a key solution to some of our most pressing social, environmental and economic problems. Every individual, from top to bottom, needs to embrace it, and act on it.

If you are not familiar with some of the subjects raised in this document, then you might be surprised by some of the findings. For example, the NGOs are calling for the Government to "defend and implement the laws that conserve nature". And, of course, you would expect them to say that.

But even as I speak, a small minority in the European Parliament is pushing for the most important laws of all - the Nature Directives that safeguard species and special places - to be watered down or merged. The inference is that legislation is hampering business with bureaucrats and red tape. That is simply not true. In fact, careful research has shown quite the opposite! The EU Nature Directives are actually good for nature, good for people and good for business. For the sake of all three, they should be strengthened, not weakened.

The final issue that I want to address - and one that is particularly dear to my own heart - is one that is crippling all levels of society. A United Nations document provided the big picture. It said: "It is in our environment where we find recreation, health and solace, and in which our culture finds its roots and sense of place". But for an increasing number of people, that's simply not happening. We're losing touch with nature. We are fast becoming a sick society... and it's costing us money. Lots of money.

More than half of all adults in the UK are physically inactive, and overweight or obese, costing the economy some £20billion every year in treatment and time off through sickness. One in four adults suffer from mental health problems in the UK. The government spends on average £100billion trying to tackle the problem and help those suffering.

But there genuinely is a panacea for these ills... and it's free. It's nature. Peer-reviewed science proves it: given easy access to nature, people are three times more likely to participate in physical activity and 40% less likely to become overweight or obese. And if that's not enough, "People living near quality green space, full of wildlife and thriving habitats, are twice as likely to report low psychological distress as those living near low quality open spaces." This is something I see all the time. We get letters every single week from parents or teachers of children suffering with autism or ADHD who have found a way to connect with the world through wildlife. I've seen countless 'problem' 'unreachable' young people with bright eyes and smiles, enthused by simply riding their first wave, pond dipping or rock pooling, and adults suffering from depression who've sought solace in birdwatching or walking in our wild places. Take these apocryphal reports and extrapolate them to a national scale, and we have a powerful force; a resource that we are simply not making the most of. We're fed a depressing stereotype of vile juveniles plugged into their laptops and smartphones, and becoming automatons, but I don't see that. I am lucky enough to meet young people who have discovered the outdoors and nature and they have an energy and enthusiasm that is infectious, even overwhelming. They think they can change the world. I believe they're right.

It's imperative that we, understand and learn from all this. And it's essential that our children benefit too. Natural England produced a report more than five years ago, which said that fewer than one in 10 children regularly play in wild places, compared to just half a generation ago. You can bet things haven't improved since. We want learning to care for the environment to be enshrined in law, to be a compulsory part of a child's education at school, so that we, as a society, have a legal duty as well as a desire to connect children with nature. That just has to happen.

So now we are at a crossroads. A critical point. But this is a time for great optimism. Everyone in this room has the power to do something about this. It's truly awesome being in the presence of so many movers and shakers in conservation. I can practically feel the ground shifting beneath my feet. Although of course that may just be from the fracking!!!!!

To the government, I say - we are waiting for you to read this report, take note and act on its recommendations. Come back with the details of your 25-year plan. People and nature need you to make it a great one.

And to everyone in this room, I say be ready and prepared to work in partnership to make things happen. We are the last generation who can avoid mass extinction. Nature needs our help, and we need nature more than we will ever realise, let's not leave it too late to turn the tide.

Steve Backshall will be embarking on his nationwide 'Wild World' theatre tour from 15 October - 15 November. To book tickets please visit http://www.stevebackshall.com/tour.php

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Fitness in Ibiza

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I don't know about you, but when I think of Ibiza I think of sunshine, friends, and partying... But mainly the partying. You may even remember my last trip to Ibiza last summer, if not then you can read about it here. So when my friend and fellow presenter Lilah Parsons asked me if I'd like to go on a fitness holiday there with 38oN I was excited to see a different side to the party capital of Europe and spending quality time with my friend, all whilst getting fit. 

This probably sounds ridiculous but I was also excited to go abroad so that I could show off my passport case and hand luggage case. Ok not probably, definitely ridiculous BUT if you've followed my blog for a while you'll know that I'm a massive fan of Aspinal and I recently spent hours mulling over which colour luggage tags and passport covers to get. As you can see I settled with pretty pink as I like the way they coordinated with the sophisticated black case. What do you think? It definitely made finding my suitcase way easier when they came out onto the carousel at the airport.

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The Hotel

We left last Sunday night arriving into Ibiza late and were taken straight to our hotel for the three nights, the Sol Beach House in Santa Eulalia, located on the East side of the island. I've never stayed in such an instagram-friendly hotel (this is the 21st century so please don't judge that statement ok?)! Every corner of every area on both the inside and outside of the hotel are picture perfect - from the incredible decor, to the motivational quotes, to the hammocks and pool area. Lilah and I were shown up to our amazing suite where we and drank our welcome bottle of champagne and tried on bikinis - well technically the fitness wasn't starting until morning.

I always wake up every morning looking forward to breakfast, and whilst the breakfast was divine (you can never go wrong with a buffet of fruit and cooked food) it was something else that made my morning on my first day in Ibiza, and that was waking up to realise my bedroom window looked out onto the Mediterranean sea.

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38oN

After finishing breakfast we strolled along to our neighbouring hotel and the home of 38oN, Aguas de Ibiza, for our introduction chat where we met James, 38oN's founder who was incredibly friendly, ensured we were well looked after, and gave us lots of tips on things to do and see during our stay.

Our first activity of the morning was rooftop yoga. I've only recently got into yoga, and find the more I do it the more I enjoy it, but I think even the most cynical yoga bunny would have struggled not to love doing yoga in the warm air and with sea views - it was the perfect start to the day. Well, that and waking up to the sea view. Oh and the breakfast.

Over the course of the three days we were spoilt with a huge range of activities: yoga, bootcamp, circuits, hiking over the beautiful island, and I even lost my pilates virginity, which was the most insanely relaxing experience ever. Pilates and indoor yoga were enhanced by the fact the studio is situated right next to a water feature, a sound I find so calming. The outdoor circuit training and bootcamp sessions got my pulse racing and I burnt as many calories as the sun burns Brits, which is lucky as we had to strip to our bikinis for probably my favourite activity of the trip - Paddleboarding. This was an activity I'd never tried before and as it's been several years since my surfing days I worried I wouldn't be able to maintain my balance and stand up on the board, but I did (YES!) and so did Lilah. It's an excellent activity for body toning your body so we paddled like pros before calling it a day.

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When not working up a sweat from exercise we worked up a sweat around the pool and maximised our opportunity to wear itsy bitsy teeny weenie bikinis. I came across a really cool website called Simply Beach who stock different bikinis of varying price ranges and brands, so all my bikinis were from there.

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I believe that food is one of the most important parts of fitness so I just had to mention the most amazing little cafe we went to on our final night with 38oN's own James, a raw organic cafe called Passion. Not only are there positive quotes dotted around the place, but there's an outdoor seating area, which is always such a novelty for a little Brit like me. They had a huge selection of food, from meats and fish, curries, to the indulgent salad bowl I tried. I know I know, indulgent and salad are two words that shouldn't go together but I couldn't even finish my bowl. To top it off they had sweet potato fries and avocado fries for the first time, which I'd never even heard of before!

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As I returned to the beautiful yet freezing climate of London I felt refreshed yet rather sad that my healthy trip had come to an end, so I decided to maintain the positive and zen space that I'd found on my trip. I've been going to the gym every weekday (I even tried pilates but it just wasn't the same here), and embarked on a three juice detox from the original juicemaster himself, Jason Vale. I had four juices per day to drink (five on the last day) and each one was a completely different flavour, so it felt like I had variety in my day despite the fact I was only having juice. I've tried several of these diets in the past and have never ever been able to last for more than a day without cheating so I was amazed to find that I was actually full from these juices. I finished my third day with radiant hair and skin and felt full of energy.

When I think back to the state in which I returned from Ibiza last summer, I feel smug that I felt so refreshed this time round. Whilst I do love to let my hair down I'm already excited about returning to the magical little island for another fitness break. And ok, perhaps I'll mix in a bit of partying too - life is about balance after all!

Credits:

Find me on ashleylouisejames.com / twitter: @ashleyljames / instagram: @ashleylouisejames
Photography:
All my images were shot on a Canon PowerShot G7 X which has wifi ability so you can send images straight to your phone.

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How to Juggle the Half-Term

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Am I the only parent that can't believe how quickly this half term has come along?! I'm sure you've all been settling into your routines again after the lengthy summer holiday and now it's time to have that routine dashed so we can go back to wearing the occasional hat that requires us to become an entertainer, a taxi driver or a referee depending on how many you have and what ages they are. I can snigger slightly at myself here, with two of a similar age I actually fit into all three but sadly, in reverse order!

It's been a transitional few months for us; we moved to Brighton in August so the boys could settle in to the area before they started in their new schools. However, in order to do so we had to rent temporarily because our house purchase was still going through. We finally complete next week so while you are all at soft play, the trampoline centre or packing your bags to enjoy some winter sun, think of me as I'll be enjoying the pleasures of moving everything out of storage and into our new home.

Ok, lugging the crates around and manoeuvring the sofa bed upstairs is not a job I relish but I am really excited to get settled once and for all and actually I'm sure the boys will be more than happy to help on the first day of their break. Their rooms have been predetermined so no arguments expected there! I just know that with my priorities being getting us settled into the house as quickly as we can, I'm probably not going to be as much use to the boys in that week as I would like to be. I'm good at pre-empting things though; the last thing I want to feel is guilty that they've had a boring half term so here's some advice to myself that would no doubt speak for many others.

1) Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!

The boys know I'm not going to be able to take them for days out in the early part of next week so I've given them a fair amount of options for things they can do without me. I'm really lucky (well in fact I'm not because that's why we moved here) that Brighton is full of activities for the kids so I'm awaiting decisions to be made on whether it's the outdoor activity course or the Brighton & Hove F.C football in the community course instead. This will be great for helping them meet new friends outside of their schools too.

2) Put it all down on paper

Or a white board if you're particularly keen on organisation! I have learnt that being 'off the cuff' with two lads of 11 and 12 years old might work on holiday but when at home can often be the prelude to a wasted day or worse, disappointment and frustration, and guess who that gets taken out on?!

Simply list the days from top to bottom on the left hand side then list next to it what each child would like to do and obviously discuss the necessary compromises when those interests clash. When it's approached in advance it's a compromise, when it's dealt with on the actual day its war. You decide which you prefer!

3) For a quiet life, empower the kids to make choices

The problem with us telling the kids what they are doing because WE think it would be a nice enjoyable activity is that it won't stop them from moaning , so to avoid feeling like you're not appreciated or they are so ungrateful just let them decide.

Here's a little tactic for you. Why don't you put five options in front of them, all of which are things you fancy going along to do yourself, and if two of the five are chosen by the child they think that they instigated the whole thing and everyone wins.

That's good management, however, if your child is too clever for that you must fall back on compromise, for every two things you do that suits their taste they must in turn accompany you to do one thing you would like. I think we all accept that we become less important when it comes to making family decisions as the kids grow older.

4) Let them handle the budget

When you start empowering your children to create their own plans, compromise on clashes in the diary with siblings, and negotiate deals with parents so that everyone gets the chance to do what they want, you are forming a highly sophisticated business person in the making.

If you tell them that for the whole week they have £100 between them (or whatever you can afford) watch them completely blow you away with how good they are at completing the necessary changes to the plan.

This is such a good exercise for them, they do it completely without judgment as to the amount you can afford and the little entrepreneurs out there may even ask what jobs they can do in order to create a bigger budget so they can go to the cinema too!

Living in Brighton means our Family & Friends Railcard is getting a good work out; a tip for all parents out there, I always thought a railcard would be expensive but it's really not and it saves you a fair bit when the family is on their travels so I highly recommend you take a look here and start saving now and check out my top tips while you're at it.

5) Identify your support and create leverage

One of my well used tools as a single parent is to create mutually beneficial relationships with the parents of the boys' good friends so when I'm not busy I make a point of taking the opportunity to entertain a friend or two of theirs, giving their parents some time to do whatever they please. Then, when I'm stuck getting home from work early enough to get the boys after school I know I can call in the favour from them without feeling like I'm really taking the mickey when Bob has been at a friend's house three times that week!

You don't earn points for soldiering through as a parent doing everything bravely by yourself, you earn points by being resourceful and organised, in fact you don't actually earn points, you gain time and the right to feel calmer for longer.

6) Lastly, don't fall in to the Halloween trap

I'm absolutely terrible at getting the outfits sorted out for Halloween before the actual day itself so I've already asked them what they would like to dress up like and have ordered the costumes and face paints online already which for once in my life means I won't have the last minute panic I've experienced all too often.

Also don't forget, as busy as we all are, the best things we can do with the kids don't always come at a cost, they only ever truly want our time and attention, our praise and our acceptance so get the balance right between the stuff that looks good and the stuff that feels good and you're set for a cracking half term.

If anyone has any family, planning, budgeting or half term related concerns, drop me an email with your issue to jeff@comecoachwithme.com and I'll be sure to give you a little help in the right direction as your coach and friend.

Jeff

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‘EastEnders' Actress Lin Blakley Talks Les Coker's Christine Reveals And Teases Christmas Episodes: ‘Pam And Les Will Both Be Lonely' (EXCLUSIVE)

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‘EastEnders’ actress Lin Blakley has opened up about Friday night’s emotional episode, telling Huffington Post UK that the moment viewers saw on screen was actually completely real, as she'd never seen actor Roger Sloman dressed as Christine before.

Lin also revealed what soap fans can expect from the coming months, and sadly, there’s bad news for anyone hoping Les and Pam will have a happy Christmas.

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A nervous Pam meets Christine


Les's secret was revealed on Monday, ahead of Christine's introduction during Friday's episode.

Lin tells HuffPost UK: “[The scene viewers see, ]That’s the first take. I asked if it was possible to do that and they said ‘yes, it is, we’ll make sure you don’t see one another beforehand’.

“As she comes through that door, it’s the first time I see her as well as the audience.

“I can remember thinking ‘I don’t know if want to look at her’ and that’s when our director said ‘don’t look straight away, wait until she says something to you’.

“I remember my whole insides shaking. When i first looked at her it did go very silent, and the writers wrote it that so that Christine would be the first one to break the silence, and I remember looking at her and not believing that it was Les.

“It had to be real. We wanted to hear a gasp from everybody.”

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Paul interrupts their secret meeting


Despite the couple’s best efforts, their grandson Paul came home and found his grandfather dressed as Christine - but will he be a help or a hindrance as the months go on?

“I think he’s going to understand it far quicker and far much more than his nan,” Lin says. “But then he’s not his grandad’s wife.

“I think he understands it and feels very sorry for Les having to keep this secret all these years. Les must have been so frightened for it to be coming out.”

At the end of Friday’s episode, viewers saw Pam declare that she was leaving the Square, however she will stay in the flat, as Les agrees to leave instead.

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A distraught Les is comforted by his grandson


Sadly, anyone hoping the couple would be back together for Christmas might want to look away now...

“I think it’s going to be a lonely one for both of them,” Lin tells us. “Whether they bump into one another or not, I think it’s going to be lonely.

“I don’t completely know what is going to happen as we’re slowly being written into certain scripts.

“Pam will be in her flat, and Paul will be with her, and maybe that’s when they might talk a bit more.

“Hopefully in the New Year she will start to understand things but I do think it’s going to take a while, and that’s the only way to play it really. But I hope they do get over it because they’re so lovely together!”

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Lin added that she purposefully didn’t do any research until the reveal scene had been filmed, stating: “I did go online and started reading bits but i thought, ‘oh, I don’t want to’.

“I wanted it to be a shock for Pam, as it would an audience so I didn’t do anything until after we filmed the episode.

“Then I started reading because I wanted to know how a woman would feel after being married, but each woman I read about hadn’t been married as long as Les and Pam.”

‘EastEnders’ continues on Monday 26 October. Catch up on all the latest news and spoilers here.



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Peter Baldwin Dead: Ex-Coronation Street Actor Dies Aged 82

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Actor Peter Baldwin, best known for his 21-year role as Derek Wilton in Coronation Street, has died aged 82, it was reported tonight.

A Coronation Street spokesman was quoted on the ITV News website saying: "It is with great sadness we've learned respected former Coronation Street actor Peter Baldwin has died. Peter passed away at his home in north London last night after a short illness. 

"We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this sad time."

Tributes have started to pour in from friends and colleagues.

Sally Ann Matthews, who plays Corrie's Jenny Bradley, posted on Twitter: "Lovely Peter Baldwin. Such a gentle, kind, funny man and a wonderful actor and toy shop purveyor x."

Baldwin first appeared as Coronation Street's Derek in 1976. His character began dating dithering Mavis Riley shortly after, but their protracted relationship did not lead to marriage until 1988.

Derek was written out of the soap in 1997 when he had a heart attack after arguing with a driver in a road rage incident.

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‘EastEnders' Spoiler: New Trailer Teases Halloween Drama For Kathy Beale And Ben Mitchell (VIDEO)

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The ‘EastEnders’ team look set to follow 2014’s dramatic Halloween episode with more of the same, if this new (very creepy) trailer is anything to go by.

Bosses have already revealed that there’s plenty of action in store for Stacey Slater and Martin Fowler, and the new clip hints at what’s to come for Kathy Beale.

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The short video gives soap fans a glimpse at Kathy, and it’s fair to say, it looks as though her evening isn’t exactly going to go smoothly.

Since returning to Walford, Ben Mitchell and Ian Beale’s mother has been doing her best to resume a ‘normal’ life, however her husband Gavin - who’s been described as the “nastiest” villain to ever set foot in the Square - just won’t go away.

Check out the clip above…



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‘Strictly Come Dancing': Carol Kirkwood Reveals Dating Offers From Viewers Following Surprise Success

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Despite being tipped to exit the competition first, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant Carol Kirkwood has been a hit with viewers and she’s now revealed that some have even made ermmm, interesting offers.

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The fact she’s already said she’s in no hurry to get hitched again hasn’t stopped some fans, who have sent Carol messages asking if she fancies going on a date.

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Carol Kirkwood


Chatting to The Sun, she explains: “Nobody has been setting me up on ‘Strictly’ and I’m not doing any online dating or anything.

“Sometimes you do get invited out by viewers but I don’t know these people that are writing emails to me saying ‘Let’s go to dinner’.

“I’m very flattered that anybody would be bothered to do that but I don’t know who they are so I’m not tempted to follow them up.”


To be honest Carol, we reckon that’s probably a good move.

This isn’t the first time Carol has opened up about her romantic life, and she previously stated: “It’d be nice to be seeing somebody but it’s not the be all and end all - I wouldn’t get married just for the sake of being married, because I’m happy as I am.”

The BBC host has made it to week five of the competition, and tonight she’ll be doing her best to remain on the show, by dancing the Viennese Waltz with her pro partner Pasha Kovalev.

So far, a number of this year’s ‘Strictly’ contestants have seriously impressed the judges, and Jay McGuiness nabbed the first 10 of the seriesd during movie week, with his ‘Pulp Fiction’-themed routine.

Catch up on all the latest ‘Strictly’ news and gossip here.



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Adele's ‘Hello' Music Video Director Answers Everyone's Burning Question (Yes, The Flip Phone One)

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Adele’s ‘Hello’ video had the expected effect on Friday morning, but it’s fair to say that everyone was left asking the same question - why on earth is the global superstar using a flip phone?

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Thankfully, the video’s director Xavier Dolan has cleared things up, revealing why the ‘Hometown Glory’ star wasn’t filmed using a iPhone (or any of the other perfectly good smartphones on the market).

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WHY?


Speaking to LA Times, he addressed the furore over Adele’s out-of-date mobile, admitting his surprise at the fact fans honed in on such a tiny aspect of the vid.

"It drives me crazy," he told the paper. "I could see the GIFs on Twitter. I'm like, 'Guys, get over it. It doesn't matter.'
“But the real explanation is that I never like filming modern phones or cars.

They're so implanted in our lives that when you see them in movies you're reminded you're in reality.

"If you see an iPhone or a Toyota in a movie, they're anti-narrative, they take you out of the story. If I put an iPhone or a modern car in a movie it feels like, ‘I'm making a commercial.’"


So there you have it. And we think he’s got a point, to be honest.

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Adele


Sadly, Xavier didn’t address the other burning question which has taken the internet by storm:



Adele’s long-awaited comeback is well underway, and unsurprisingly, the singer’s track ‘Hello’ is expected to land the number one spot in next week’s chart.

Her album ‘25’ will follow next month, and while no other songs have been revealed yet, the tracklisting was unveiled earlier this week.

Watch the ‘Hello’ video again (and again, and again) below…





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‘Hollyoaks' Spoiler: Soap To Echo ‘EastEnders' With Mercedes McQueen Stillbirth Storyline

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‘Hollyoaks’ is set to feature an emotional stillbirth storyline in the coming months.

Mercedes McQueen is currently pregnant, but in scenes that will be screened in early November, Jennifer Metcalfe’s character will be at the centre of the devastating storyline, Digital Spy reports.

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Jennifer Metcalfe as Mercedes


Mercedes will tell her brother John Paul McQueen that she hasn’t felt her baby kick in almost 24 hours, and a hospital visit confirms the worst.

Jennifer and the soap’s writer have worked with a charity to ensure the episodes are written sensitively and accurately, and she tells the website: “I'm honoured to have been given this storyline to raise awareness of such an important cause.
“Count the Kicks is a fantastic charity, which aims to teach expectant mothers about noticing changes in their pregnancy to reduce the risk of stillbirth. And working with Sands has helped me understand how Mercedes would cope with life after her baby has died.

"Mercedes has already been through so much tragedy in her life, but the death of her son will show a much more fragile side to her character.

“The scripts are brilliantly written by Anna Clements and with the help of the two charities, I was able to really understand what Mercedes is going through."


The storyline follows a similar ‘EastEnders’ plot, which won actress Rakhee Thakrar praise for her portrayal of Shabnam Masood.

Rakhee discussed her character’s trauma with Huffington Post UK, telling us: It’s such a complicated time, because their grief is still raw and everyone has their own way of dealing with it.

“There’s no instruction book on how to deal with it.”



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Maureen O'Hara Dead: 'How Green Was My Valley' Star Dies Aged 95

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Maureen O'Hara, the flame-haired Irish movie star who appeared in classics ranging from the grim "How Green Was My Valley" to the uplifting "Miracle on 34th Street" and bantered unforgettably with John Wayne in several films has died. She was 95.

O'Hara died in her sleep at her home in Boise, Idaho, said Johnny Nicoletti, her longtime manager.

"She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family as they celebrated her life listening to music from her favorite movie, 'The Quiet Man,'" said a statement from her family.

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This 1960 photo shows movie actress Maureen O'Hara photographed in her front yard in Los Angeles


"As an actress, Maureen O'Hara brought unyielding strength and sudden sensitivity to every role she played. Her characters were feisty and fearless, just as she was in real life. She was also proudly Irish and spent her entire lifetime sharing her heritage and the wonderful culture of the Emerald Isle with the world," said a family biography.

O'Hara came to Hollywood to star in the 1939 "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and went on to a long career.

During her movie heyday, she became known as the Queen of Technicolor because of the camera's love affair with her vivid hair, pale complexion and fiery nature.

After her start in Hollywood with "Hunchback" and some minor films at RKO, she was borrowed by 20th Century Fox to play the beautiful young daughter in the 1941 saga of a coal-mining family, "How Green Was My Valley."

"How Green Was My Valley" went on to win five Oscars including best picture and best director for John Ford, beating out Orson Welles and "Citizen Kane" among others. It was the first of several films she made under the direction of Ford, whose grouchy nature seemed to melt in her presence.

The popularity of "How Green Was My Valley" confirmed O'Hara's status as a Hollywood star. RKO and Fox shared her contract, and her most successful films were made at Fox.

They included "Miracle on 34th Street," the classic 1947 Christmas story in which O'Hara was little Natalie Wood's skeptical mother and among those charmed by Edmund Gwenn as a man who believed he was Santa Claus.

Other films included the costume drama "The Foxes of Harrow" (Rex Harrison, 1947); the comedy "Sitting Pretty" (Clifton Webb, 1948); and the sports comedy "Father Was a Fullback" (Fred MacMurray, 1949).

Often she sailed the high seas in colorful pirate adventures such as "The Black Swan" with Tyrone Power, "The Spanish Main" with Paul Henreid, "Sinbad the Sailor" with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and "Against All Flags" with Errol Flynn.

With Ford's "Rio Grande" in 1950, O'Hara became Wayne's favorite leading lady. The most successful of their five films was 1952's "The Quiet Man," also directed by Ford, in which she matched Wayne blow for blow in a classic donnybrook.

With her Irish spunk, she could stand up to the rugged Duke, both on and off screen. She was proud when he remarked in an interview that he preferred to work with men — "except for Maureen O'Hara; she's a great guy."

"We met through Ford, and we hit it right off," she remarked in 1991. "I adored him, and he loved me. But we were never sweethearts. Never, ever."

O'Hara's other movies with Wayne were "The Wings of Eagles" (1957), "McClintock!" (1963) and "Big Jake" (1971).

After her studio contracts ended, she remained busy. She played the mother of twins, both played by Hayley Mills, who conspire to reunite their divorced parents in the 1961 Disney comedy "The Parent Trap."

She was also in "Spencer's Mountain" with Henry Fonda (1963), a precursor to TV's "The Waltons"; and a Western, "The Rare Breed," with James Stewart (1966).

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Maureen O'Hara, 18-year old Irish actress on the ship Queen Mary on June 19, 1939


In 1968, she married her third husband, Brig. Gen. Charles Blair. After "Big Jake," she quit movies to live with him in the Virgin Islands, where he operated an airline. He died in a plane crash in 1978 and she took over management of the airline before eventually selling it.

"Being married to Charlie Blair and traveling all over the world with him, believe me, was enough for any woman," she said in a 1995 Associated Press interview. "It was the best time of my life."

She returned to movies in 1991 for a role that writer-director Chris Columbus had written especially for her, as John Candy's feisty mother in a sentimental drama, "Only the Lonely." It was not a box-office success.

Over the following decade, she did three TV movies: "The Christmas Box," based on a best-selling book, a perennial holiday attraction; "Cab to Canada," a road picture; and "The Last Dance."

While making "The Christmas Box" in 1995, she admitted that roles for someone her age (75) were scarce: "The older a man gets, the younger the parts that he plays. The older a woman gets, you've got to find parts that are believable. Since I'm not a frail character, it's not that easy."

Maureen FitzSimons (pronounced Fitz-SYM-ons) was born in 1920 near Dublin, Ireland. Her mother was a well-known opera singer, and her father owned a string of soccer teams. Through her father, she learned to love sports; through her mother, she and her five siblings were exposed to the theater.

"My first ambition was to be the No. 1 actress in the world," she recalled in 1999. "And when the whole world bowed at my feet, I would retire in glory and never do anything again."

Maureen was admitted to the training program at Dublin's famed Abbey Theater, where she was a prize student. When word of the beautiful Irish teen reached London, she was offered a screen test, and a friend convinced her reluctant parents to allow it.

Maureen considered the test a failure, but it led to a few small roles in English films. The great actor Charles Laughton, who was producing and starring in films made in England, saw the test and was intrigued by her dancing eyes. At 17 she co-starred opposite him in a pirate yarn, "Jamaica Inn," directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Laughton gave her a more manageable name: O'Hara.

With the onslaught of World War II, filmmaking virtually halted in England. Laughton moved to RKO in Hollywood and starred as Quasimodo in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," with O'Hara as the beautiful gypsy girl, Esmeralda.

Her first husband was director George Hanley Brown, whom she met while making "Jamaica Inn." When she moved to Hollywood, he remained in England and the marriage was annulled.

In 1941, she married a tall, handsome director, Will Price, and they had a daughter, Bronwyn, in 1944.

"The marriage was a terrible mistake, and we divorced in 1952," she said. She remained unmarried until the wedding to Blair in 1968.

O'Hara's career was threatened by a manufactured scandal in 1957, when Confidential magazine claimed she and a lover engaged in "the hottest show in town" in a back row in Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theater.

But at the time, she told AP, "I was making a movie in Spain, and I had the passport to prove it." She testified against the magazine in a criminal libel trial and brought a lawsuit that was settled out of court. The magazine eventually went out of business.

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Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne converse over a rocky wall in this scene from the film "The Quiet Man," which was shot on location in 1951 at the west Ireland village of Cong


On the screen, O'Hara always played strong, willful women. In a 1991 interview, she was asked if she was the same woman she appeared in movies.

"I do like to get my own way," she said. "But don't think I'm not acting when I'm up there. And don't think I always get my own way. There have been crushing disappointments. But when that happens, I say, 'Find another hill to climb.'"

She is survived by her daughter, Bronwyn FitzSimons of Glengarriff, Ireland; her grandson, Conor FitzSimons of Boise and two great-grandchildren.

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'X Factor': Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Reveals Her Final Three Acts During Judges' Houses Live

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‘X Factor’ judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has chosen the three groups she’ll be taking through to this year’s live shows.

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Cheryl whittled her last six acts in the competition down to three during Saturday night’s show, which marked the first time ever that the Judges’ Houses results were chosen live.

She decided to put Alien Uncovered, 4th Impact and Reggie ‘n’ Bollie through, meaning it was the end of the road for BEKLN Mile, Melody Stone and New Kings Order.

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Cheryl Fernandez-Versini


Explaining her decision, the former Girls Aloud singer told presenters Olly Murs and Caroline Flack: “We’ve got two totally different girl groups, which I’m so excited about, we’re going to girl power it up. And then we’ve got a group who are going to bring so much excitement and fun.

“There’s only so much you can do with a choir. But honestly, the people who have just left the stage are just as talented as the ones still on stage.”

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Two of Cheryl's finalists


Alien Uncovered said they were “so grateful” to have been given a spot during live shows, while 4th Impact thanked the ‘X Factor’ UK audience for welcoming them so much, despite them not originally hailing from Britain.

Meanwhile, Reggie ‘n’ Bollie promised: “We’re going to entertain you every weekend, we will bring it on and on and on.”

This year's 'X Factor' live shows kick off on Saturday, 31 October, on ITV.



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'X Factor': Simon Cowell Reveals Final Three 'Over 25s' During Live Judges' Houses Show

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‘X Factor’ judge Simon Cowell has picked the three acts he’s putting through to live shows.

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Simon, who is mentoring the ‘over 25s’ this year, chose to save Bupsi, Anton Stephans and Max Stone, revealing his decision during Saturday’s live Judges’ Houses show.

The music mogul admitted at the beginning of the show that he’d not yet made his final decision, even going as far as changing his mind after watching everyone’s Judges’ Houses performances back.

bupsi
Bupsi is through to live shows


After putting through Anton and Bupsi (claiming “we all need a little bit of nasty”), he then revealed to viewers: “I have actually changed my mind tonight… I’m really sorry to the person I was going to put through, but the person I’m choosing is Max.”

Praising Anton, Simon also claimed: “This competition would not be the same without [him].”

His decision means Jennifer Phillips, Kerrie-Anne Phillips and Ebru will now be leaving the competition, despite impressing viewers with their Judges’ Houses performances.

simon
Simon and his final three acts


Simon was initially less than thrilled when it was revealed that the public had voted for him to mentor the ‘over 25s’, but it seems he’s had a change of heart, telling his finalists: “I know I was a bit down on you guys first of all, but I think we might have the winner of the show amongst you three.”

Saturday night also saw Cheryl Fernandez-Versini announcing her final three groups.

The former Girls Aloud singer decided to save Alien Uncovered, 4th Impact and Reggie ‘n’ Bollie from her category.

This year’s ‘X Factor’ live shows kick off on Saturday, 31 October, over on ITV.



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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.

'X Factor': 4th Impact Stun Cheryl Fernandez-Versini With Rihanna 'Love The Way You Lie' Cover (VIDEO)

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‘X Factor’ girl group 4th Impact showed a different side to their personalities, during Saturday night’s show.

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So far in the competition, the four-piece sister act have wowed the judges and viewers at home with their energetic performances, which have mixed elaborate dance routines with impressively tight harmonies.

However, performing for Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and guest judge Jess Glynne at Judges’ Houses, the girls showed a more vulnerable side, performing the Rihanna ballad, ‘Love The Way You Lie, pt. II’.

4th impact
4th Impact


And while the decision to stray from what we’ve seen them do so far might have been a risk at this stage in the competition, it obviously paid off, as Cheryl decided to give them a spot in the live shows during Saturday night’s show.

Watch their performance in full in the video above.

4th Impact were one of three groups Cheryl chose to put through to live shows, alongside Alien Uncovered and Reggie ‘n’ Bollie, meaning it was the end of the road for Melody Stone, New Kings Order and BEKLN Mile.

Explaining her decision, Cheryl told Olly Murs and Caroline Flack: “We’ve got two totally different girl groups, which I’m so excited about, we’re going to girl power it up. And then we’ve got a group who are going to bring so much excitement and fun.

“There’s only so much you can do with a choir. But honestly, the people who have just left the stage are just as talented as the ones still on stage.”

This year's 'X Factor' live shows kick off on Saturday, 31 October, on ITV.



MORE 'X FACTOR':


LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

-- 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.

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