Simon Cowell's former X Factor colleague Tony Adkins tragically dies while on tour, age 64
X Factor favourite Tony Adkins, known affectionately as 'Big Tony', has died at the age of 64.
Mr Adkins was best known for working as Simon Cowell's personal bodyguard for eight years during his time on The X Factor, where he became a familiar face to fans of the show.
Often seen stepping in to de-escalate tense moments, viewers will remember him calmly escorting emotional or unruly contestants out of the audition room when things didn't go to plan.
After his time on the hit talent show, Mr Adkins gave fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of life with Cowell during an interview with
The Mirror
.
'He's a very private person. He doesn't give much away. You never see him drunk or out of control,' Mr Adkins said of Cowell.
'Simon is vain, he does his hair all the time. If there are five breaks in filming, then Simon will do his hair five times.
'And I think he has about 20 identical T-shirts. I remember once he had a hole-in-one, so he just reached into a bag and pulled out another from a big pile.'
Beyond the glitz of television, Mr Adkins was also remembered as a dedicated clubman and friend. Hammersmith and Fulham RFC, where he was a beloved member, confirmed he passed away while on tour with the club in Poland on Easter Sunday.
In a tribute shared on their website, the club wrote: 'It is with immense sadness that the club pays tribute to a true gent and great Hammer, Tony Adkins, who passed away whilst on tour with the Club in Poland on Easter Sunday'.
Tributes have since poured in online from fans and former colleagues, remembering Mr Adkins for his calm presence, big heart, and iconic appearances during one of Britain's most memorable TV talent eras.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Stereophonics star Kelly Jones ditches junk food and alcohol from tour rider
Kelly Jones no longer has junk food and alcohol in his tour rider. The Stereophonics frontman has confessed that he opts for healthier snacks backstage in order to make sure that his jeans still fit him. Speaking to The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column ahead of Stereophonics' headline slot at the Isle of Wight festival this weekend, Kelly said: "The Nineties were crazy – a totally different social situation. It's like another planet now. "I think there are some things on our rider that are still the same as back then – because nobody has bothered to change it. "There's always beer and wine. It used to be 12 boxes of pizza and a crate of lager. But when your jeans stop fitting you, you've got to get that right – those requests don't work at 50!" The Dakota artist revealed that the rockers now have gym equipment and organic food ready for them when they come off stage. Kelly explained: "Let's say the takeaway order at the end of the night is a little more extravagant and healthier these days. "Now there's more gym gear backstage – that was definitely not there in the Nineties. "Like a weight bench and stuff. It sits there – it gathers clothes a lot. "We all still travel on the bus together, we all still go out for dinner together, we go for a drink after together. "Thankfully, we all get on – not every band does – and we've had the same crew for 25 years, so it's a family-orientated vibe." Meanwhile, Kelly revealed earlier this year that he turned down the chance to see a Stereophonics tribute band who have a lead singer called "Belly Jones". The Welsh rocker describes it as a privilege when people cover the band's music but chose not to attend a working men's club in his homeland to watch the tribute act over Easter. The 51-year-old musician told The Dave Berry Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio in April: "I wake up on Sunday mornings, and people send me clips of people at weddings and bars and pubs singing my stuff a lot. "And when I went home for Easter this weekend to see my family in Wales, my cousin said, 'Do you want to come up to the working man's club?' I said, 'Why? What's happening? And she said, 'There's a Stereophonics tribute band playing.'" He continued: "I think the singer, he's a big guy, he's called Belly Jones. So I said, 'No'. My missus was like, 'No, let's go.' Take the kids, have a good night."
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Mouse-terious prankers delight at Kwinana Marketplace
Co-workers at Kwinana Marketplace have taken workplace pranks to a new level. The sight of a small hatchback parked at the shopping centre wrapped completely in cling wrap delighted shoppers at the weekend. The harmless prank was complete with the addition of a set of Mickey Mouse's signature smile, nose, eyes and, of course, the iconic mouse ears. A photo of the car was posted on social media, where it received thousands of reactions. 'That's not a car … that's clearly Mickey's long-lost cousin 'Mick-Auto' out for a late-night grocery run! Whoever did this deserves a standing ovation and a permanent spot in the Kwinana Hall of Fame!' one commenter wrote. 'They're taking the Mickey!' another added. 'They'll be 'wrapped' to see their car,' a third joked. Commenters shared the car's new look was the creative work of night-fill colleagues from Big W. But the Sound Telegraph can reveal this prank war goes back to at least 2022. Photos shared in April of that year show the same car wrapped in cling wrap, but this time decorated with an Easter theme. The Easter version from 2022. Credit: Facebook The car sported festive bunny ears, rabbit teeth, a cute bunny tail and helium balloons. But we'd also love to know more! Email editor@ if you know the lore behind the Big W prank war.
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Perth Now
‘In love' Hurley posts racy nude 60th birthday post
Elizabeth Hurley has stunned fans, celebrating turning 60 by stripping down to her birthday suit, posting a nude but wholesome photo to mark the occasion. In the photo posted to her Instagram account, the British beauty sits with her legs crossed in a sunny meadow with wildflowers, showing off her beaming smile, lush hair and physique. 'Happy birthday to me!' Hurley posted. 'This year has already been a wild ride; my 30th year of working with the Estée Lauder Companies, my 30th year as the Global Ambassador of the @esteelaudercompanies Breast Cancer Campaign, the 20th anniversary of @elizabethhurleybeach.' Hurley went on to declare she was 'in love' with new flame, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. 'I'm in love ♥️♥️♥️' she wrote. 'Feeling very blessed and grateful for having the best friends & family in the world ♥️ pic taken this afternoon… in my birthday suit.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Her post was liked more than 65,000 times, and she received a flood of birthday messages, with fellow celebrities, friends and fans in awe of her beauty. 'Congratulations beautiful smart funny Elizabeth. Wishing you the best birthday. Love you,' wrote model Heidi Klum. 'Hehe now you're just mocking us mere mortals!' actress Victoria Ekanoye posted. Not long after, Cyrus also declared his love in a sweet Instagram post, 'Happy birthday to the love of my life ❤️,' he wrote alongside a photo of Hurley sitting on his lap. Hurley and Cyrus confirmed their romance on April 20th with a joint Instagram post on Easter, sharing a cute photo of Cyrus kissing Hurley on the cheek. They had previously met in 2022 while filming the movie Christmas in Paradise. Friends close to the pair have told The Sun that despite their different backgrounds, Hurley and Cyrus have 'a lot in common' and 'share the same interests,' with insiders suggesting that 'marriage could be on the cards'. 'Billy is very much Elizabeth's type — he's got a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous streak she can't resist,' one source said. Hurley was previously married to businessman Arun Nayar, tying the knot in 2007 in lavish ceremonies spanning England and India. The couple divorced amicably in 2011. Following her marriage to Mr Nayar, Hurley entered a high-profile relationship with Australian cricket legend Shane Warne. Cyrus has married three times, first to Cindy Smith from 1986 to 1991 and then to the mother of his daughters, Miley and Noah, Tish Cyrus, from 1993 to 2023. He also briefly married Firerose in 2023. Their tumultuous relationship ended in 2024 after seven months when Cyrus filed for divorce. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Hurley's relationship with Cyrus seems to be going well, with both families embracing their love. Hurley's son Damian commented below Cyrus' birthday post with a slew of love hearts, and popstar Miley has spoken openly about her dad's new-found happiness. Miley says she has now warmed to her dad's latest romance, after their messy fallout at the end of his marriage to her mother. In an interview with The New York Times, the Grammy winner spoke candidly about her turbulent relationship with her dad, as well as her mum Tish's new marriage to actor Dominic Purcell. 'Now that my mum is so in love with my stepdad, who I completely adore, and now that my dad, I see him finding happiness, too — I can love them both as individuals instead of as a parental pairing,' the former Disney star said. While she's now happy for both her parents, Miley said it was a difficult adjustment. 'At first it's hard, because the little kid in you reacts before the adult in you can go, 'Yes, that's your dad, but that's just another person that deserves to be in his bliss and to be happy.' My child self has caught up,' she said. 'I'm being an adult about it.' Miley confirmed she has fully reconciled with her dad, but admitted her closeness with her mum played a major role in their falling out.
