My 20 years as The Times's questionable quiz master
However, I was given several freelance jobs to cushion the blow of the news desk wanting nothing to do with me, one of these being taking on the existing Times2 quiz. Previously it had been anonymously compiled, with many a repeat question. As someone who had steered The Times to victory at the prestigious PEN quiz, I was given the job of remoulding it.
I thought that a display of QI-style general knowledge prowess would impress the readers. I included things like the origin of the name of the Harrington jacket (a character in the TV show Peyton Place). But I was wrong: the scathing complaints poured in, asking what the hell this obscure garbage was. I had forgotten one of life's immutable rules: people hate change.
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Daily Mail
32 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island's Dejon and Megan put on a loved-up display as they join their glamorous co-stars at the boozy reunion party - after he broke his silence over 'exposé' book
The Love Island cast reunited for a boozy off-screen party at the One Hundred Shoreditch in London on Thursday night. Leading the way, Megan and Dejon proved their romance is still going strong as they put on a loved-up display for the cameras - after he broke his silence amid news of the release of a book detailing his alleged 'gaslighting and abuse'. Megan wowed in a daring mesh gown adorned with glittering accents and bold cut-outs, while Dejon kept it sleek in a dark-toned look. Helena made an entrance in a black corset top paired with a flowing maxi skirt. Emma and Andrada opted for plunging designs that highlighted their enviable figures, while Meg F commanded attention in a deep-red mini with a structured neckline. Emily exuded elegance in a flowing ivory halter dress, and Billykiss brought the heat in a burnt-orange set that showcased her defined midriff. Ty and Angel stepped out hand-in-hand, with the influencer dazzling in a shimmering silver co-ord. Poppy stunned in a bold green cut-out number, while Lauren turned heads in the same striking piece worn by Emma. Also spotted arriving were Giorgio, Boris Vidovic, Caprice Alexandra, and Will Means. The Love Island stars kept fans in the loop throughout the evening, sharing plenty of updates on their Instagram Stories. Winners Toni and Cach captured a tender moment on video, while Shakira joined Emma and Rheo for a playful pose. Harry shared a lively shot alongside Dejon, and Yasmin smiled brightly next to Andrada and Alima. Lucy linked up with Toni for a quick snap, and Cach gathered with Boris and Ty for another cheerful photo. The night out comes after Dejon broke his silence amid news of the release of a book detailing his alleged 'gaslighting and abuse'. Helena made an entrance in a black corset top paired with a flowing maxi skirt. Megan F was a vision in a strapless mini dress Poppy caught the eye in a green cut out dress The former semi-professional footballer and personal trainer, 26, came under fire in the villa for his treatment of now-girlfriend Megan, with whom he failed to reach the final of the show earlier this month. In announcing news of her book, Niah said: 'Dejon is a narcissist, he's manipulative. I've been telling everyone this for the past 10 years now but no one believed me.' Following the announcement, Dejon took to Instagram to share a trio of images alongside a caption defending himself against the allegations. In his caption, Dejon penned: 'I've stayed quiet, but that doesn't mean it hasn't affected me. I hold my self accountable for my communication and everyday I'm growing as a person, so thank you for those who see the good in me... Dejon is the subject of a book - entitled Surviving Dejon - penned by Niah Sienna, who is said to be his brother's sister and no blood relation to the star. 'I'm not just a character on an entertainment reality tv show I'm also a human being with real emotions, some of the stuff I've seen said about me has been hard to deal with and they are the furthest thing from the truth... 'I questioned why people would do these things and it was getting me nowhere as I couldn't understand and is something I would never do to somebody else but what's kept me grounded is movement... 'Running, training, pushing myself when everything in my head feels heavy. It clears my mind, helps me breathe, reminds me of who I am outside of the noise. 'If you're struggling mentally, I get it. I really do. You don't have to have it all figured out just find that one thing that brings you back to yourself and take it one step at a time.' The Daily Mail has contacted Dejon for comment. It's been over a week since Toni and Cach won the twelfth series of Love Island on Monday evening, making show history in the process. ITV shared the voting breakdown for the four couples that made it to the final, with the figures confirming it was the narrowest win since the show launched in 2015. In total, Toni and Cach received 33.5% of the vote, with Shakira and Harry taking 26.2% - showing the result was a close call. Yasmin and Jamie came third with 22% and Angel and Ty placed fourth with 18.3%. With just 15% between fourth and first place, it's the closest final vote in history. The results of the votes come after host Maya Jama, 30, announced that the couple had received the highest percentage of the public vote and would take home the £50,000 cash prize. In announcing news of her book, Niah said: 'Dejon is a narcissist, he's manipulative. I've been telling everyone this for the past 10 years now but no one believed me' Toni has made history as the first American contestant to enter the UK Love Island villa, and she and Cach seem set on making their relationship work despite the transatlantic distance. The couple had a rocky beginning after meeting during Casa Amor, as it wasn't long until the pair found themselves in a major love triangle with Harrison. Yet once Harrison decided to leave the villa with Lauren, Toni set her sights on Cach, and the pair went from strength to strength. Toni and Cach won despite the bookies' odds revealing it was Harry and Shakira in the running to win, just hours ahead of the live final.
The Independent
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- The Independent
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Daily Mail
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- Daily Mail
The hardest-working royal with the hardest-working wardrobe: Princess Anne's most memorable recycled outfits dating back to the mid-70s as she celebrates 75th birthday
Princess Anne, often hailed as the hardest-working royal, is equally celebrated for her commitment to rewearing and repurposing her favourite pieces. Over the decades, she has given new life to an array of coats, dresses, hats and handbags - some of which have been in her wardrobe for decades. Speaking once about her approach to fashion, she remarked: 'A good suit goes on forever. If it is properly made and has a classic look, you can wear it ad infinitum. The economy was bred into me.' Now, as the Princess marks her 75th birthday, we take a closer look at some of the most memorable moments from her 'time capsule' wardrobe. Turquoise dress The Princess Royal first wore this turquoise dress during the 1978 state visit of President Khama of Botswana in London when she was 26. Since then, Anne has worn the garment on a number of occasions, including Royal Ascot in 2013 and a visit to the Queen Elizabeth 2 hotel in Dubai in March. Astonishingly, it retains its pristine condition. Lilac coat Anne wore this lilac coat on at least six royal engagements between 1982 and 2004. The Princess debuted the outerwear, with a corresponding John Boyd veiled hat, when welcoming Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands for a state visit in 1982. A year later, she wore it for the unveiling of the Mountbatten Memorial Statue in London, followed by an appearance in 1988 to launch the submarine HMS Talent. Anne wore the elegant coat again for the 1992 Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey and then for a fourth time on a visit to Greenwich's Royal Naval College in 1997. More recently, she reached for the A-line wool design on Christmas Day in 2001, 2004 and 2013, pairing it with her original hat. Pink satin dress Anne has demonstrated her style prowess in this perfectly eighties frock. Attending the 1984 Bafta Awards at Grosvenor House Hotel, she made a bold statement in a satin gown, featuring voluminous puff sleeves and a houndstooth-printed skirt. When it came to re-wearing the dress in 2001, Anne redesigned the sleeves to make it more appropriate for the decade. Yellow and navy coat Anne has showcased this yellow and navy coat five times since 2007. She debuted the tailored single-breasted design at the Easter Sunday service in Windsor 18 years ago. She dusted it off for Royal Ascot in 2009 and, a decade later, wore it for the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George's Chapel in Windsor. Most recently, she wore the coat while visiting New Zealand and then Jersey in 2023. Printed skirt suit Initially seen at Royal Ascot in 1988, this skirt suit played a key role in Princess Anne's nineties wardrobe. She notably selected the printed jacket and mid-length cream skirt for the wedding of Lady Helen Windsor and Tim Taylor at St George's Chapel in Windsor in 1992. It was next spotted at Ascot in 1994 and later at a VE Day commemoration in 1995. Following a 19-year break, the look was revived at Royal Ascot 2014, complemented with the same ivory gloves and court shoes. Floral wrap dress The Princess has worn this floral print dress by Maureen Baker for two royal weddings - 27 years apart. Anne debuted the wrap dress, adorned with orange tulips and ruffles, at the wedding of her brother, Prince Charles, to Princess Diana in 1981. She added pearl jewellery and a John Boyd floral hat in complementary tones. Almost three decades later, Anne re-wore the look to the 2008 wedding of her cousin, Lady Rose Windsor, to George Gilman at the Queen's Chapel in London. Coral dress and floral jacket In 2011, Anne excelled with her vibrant mother-of-the-bride outfit. The proud parent looked radiant in a floral print jacket, layered over a coral pleated dress that fell to the knee, as she witnessed her daughter, Zara Phillips, tie the knot with Mike Tindall at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. The next year, Anne recycled her ensemble for Royal Ascot, swapping her fascinator for a wide-brimmed hat. Orange-trimmed skirt suit Anne first wore this sleek skirt suit to Trooping the Colour in 1987. Since then, she has reached for the two-piece numerous times, including during a three-day visit to Pretoria, South Africa, to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in 2012. While her pearl jewellery remains untouched, Anne has paired the look with various hats - and once went bareheaded. Initially, she accessorised with an orange fascinator, before opting for a cream chapeau at the 2008 Founders Day Parade at Chelsea Royal Hospital. However, Anne wore the outfit sans hat to attend the Centenary Annual meeting of the National Federation of Women's Institute at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015. Embellished gown The Princess demonstrated her fearless fashion sense in this embellished lavender gown. In 1989, she wore the vivid design to an event at the Royal Albert Hall, marking the 70th anniversary of the Save the Children fund. The royal swapped her velvet choker for a three-strand pearl necklace when she re-wore the dress to Grosvenor House in 2005. Fur-trimmed coat This fur-lined coat has seen Princess Anne through five decades of winters. Aged 23, she wore the pastel-coloured coat to the 1976 wedding of eventing friends Chris Collins and Susanne Lumb, teaming it with a Yvette Jelfs hat and patent boots. It reappeared for a meeting with church dignitaries, which she attended with her husband, Mark Phillips, in 1983. A blue scarf and bag appeared to be the only alterations when Anne sported the look for Christmas Day services at Sandringham in 2003 and 2006. By 2008, she upgraded her knee-high boots and added a new hat, repeating this combination in 2012. Cream and navy coat Princess Anne has worn her smart cream and navy coat on no less than five occasions since 1980 Simple yet striking, this coat is another favourite of Anne's. She first wore the design with a white pillbox hat at Royal Ascot in 1980, recycling the look at the Derby at Epsom Downs in 1985. The Princess Royal dusted off the timeless coat for two Buckingham Palace garden parties in 2015. She repeated the flawless ensemble for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2018. Yellow coat dress Anne has been loyal to this yellow double-breasted coat by Susan Small for over four decades. It was initially worn to Trooping the Colour in 1980, teamed with a matching printed dress and wide-brimmed hat - an ensemble that was replicated at the Epsom Derby in 1983.
