Dutch hope to make Eurovision final after last year's disqualification
Kiambe is seen as among those in contention for the top prize on Saturday, and is already a star of the Dutch charts, with the release of his 2022 debut single Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot), which has had more than 60 million listens on Spotify and which prompted him to leave his restaurant job.
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Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Raymond van Barneveld career move get thumbs up as tournament chief says 'darts is winner'
Raymond van Barneveld career move get thumbs up as tournament chief says 'darts is winner' Five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld will grace a World Seniors event this month after being given special permission to compete by the PDC Raymond van Barneveld's announcement surprised the darting world (Image:) Raymond van Barneveld has received special dispensation to compete in a non-PDC event. The darts community was taken aback this week when the Dutch icon, 58, revealed he had accepted a wildcard invite to participate in the World Seniors Champion of Champions tournament at the end of June. Normally, players with PDC Tour Cards are banned from featuring in TV or streamed competitions that aren't managed by the PDC. Therefore, Van Barneveld's involvement in the World Seniors event led to speculation over his future at the top level. But the five-time world champion is still part of the PDC, which has sanctioned his participation in the Champion of Champions, which will be held at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth on June 29. When approached, the PDC confirmed: "Raymond has asked for, and been granted, permission to play in the event." Meanwhile, Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Darts, confirmed on social media that van Barneveld had adhered to proper protocols. He shared on X: "RVB followed the correct procedures, and permission was granted. It's all good." In response to a question from former world champion Keith Deller about whether other PDC players could follow suit, Francis added: "The PDC contract allows players to apply for permission. In this case [we're] delighted it's been granted for @Raybar180 to play as he is a legend and a fantastic addition but 11 others will want to prove a point so should be fantastic competition. Darts is the winner here." Article continues below Van Barneveld's announcement surprised the darting world (Image: Getty ) Van Barneveld will renew his rivalries with the likes of Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who will also be part of the 12-player Champion of Champions field. He said: "I am looking forward to playing in this event. "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era." He insists he won't take his opponents lightly, adding: "I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament. Simon Whitlock will be part of the field at the Champion of Champions event (Image:) "With players like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, and Mervyn King - who've just stepped off the pro tour - plus Seniors World Champions like John Henderson, Robert Thornton and Ross Montgomery, it's going to be a real battle." Article continues below There is no suggestion that Van Barneveld is planning to leave the PDC Tour, and he is on course to be part of the field at next month's PDC World Matchplay at Blackpool's Winter Gardens. But his exception to play in the Champion of Champions does potentially open the door to lower-ranked PDC players and stars of Van Barneveld's age to play in the MODUS Super Series and World Seniors events.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Raymond van Barneveld given green light by PDC to go against normal regulations
Darts legend Raymond van Barneveld is relishing taking part in a World Seniors event against some of his old rivals after being granted permission to play by the PDC Raymond van Barneveld has shocked darts fans by entering a non-PDC TV tournament. The Dutch legend has accepted a wildcard invite to play in the World Seniors Champion of Champions tournament later this month. Typically, PDC Tour Card holders cannot participate in televised or streamed events outside the PDC's jurisdiction, but an exception has been made for the five-time world champion. Van Barneveld's involvement in a World Seniors event had sparked speculation over the 58-year-old's future in the PDC. However, he remains within the PDC fold, with the powers that be sanctioning his request to compete at the MODUS Live Lounge in Portsmouth on June 29. When contacted by the Mirror, the PDC confirmed: "Raymond has asked for, and been granted, permission to play in the event." Meanwhile, Jason Francis, chairman of World Seniors Darts, assured fans that all protocols were observed. On social media, Francis confirmed: "RVB followed the correct procedures, and permission was granted. It's all good." Responding to ex-world champion Keith Deller's query about whether other players could make similar requests, Francis said: "The PDC contract allows players to apply for permission. In this case [we're] delighted it's been granted for @Raybar180 to play as he is a legend and a fantastic addition but 11 others will want to prove a point so should be fantastic competition. Darts is the winner here." Van Barneveld is set to face off against icons like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton and Mervyn King, who will form part of the 12-play field in Portsmouth. The former Premier League champion insists he is taking the tournament deadly seriously, saying: "The sport has always loved big characters, and World Seniors Darts have brought them back, with most still playing to a high standard. "They have a loyal crowd, and the popularity for the Seniors seems to grow and grow. I'm looking forward to catching up with the old faces of the sport, especially from my BDO era. "I'm not coming over to Portsmouth thinking this will be easy. I will be giving my full respect to all of the players involved, and I will be preparing hard for this tournament. "With players like Simon Whitlock, Steve Beaton, and Mervyn King - who've just stepped off the pro tour - plus Seniors World Champions like John Henderson, Robert Thornton, and Ross Montgomery, it's going to be a real battle." There's no indication that Van Barneveld intends to quit the PDC Tour, although he could play in fewer tournaments as he heads towards the end of his career. He is on course to be part of the field at the upcoming World Matchplay in Blackpool, which starts on July 19. The exception to play in the Champion of Champions potentially opens the door to lower-ranked PDC players and stars of Van Barneveld's age to compete in the MODUS Super Series and World Seniors events.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Ed Sheeran reveals secret boozy night out with major sports star as he lifts lid on his huge celeb pals
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS one of the nicest blokes in the music business, it's no wonder Ed Sheeran's little black book is crammed full of huge celebrities. And in a new chat on The Louis Theroux podcast, he talks about famous friends including Van Morrison, who once woke him up at 6am after a boozy night out with Rory McIlroy, demanding to see him. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 16 Ed Sheeran's little black book is crammed full of huge celebrities Credit: Getty 16 Van Morrison once woke Ed up at 6am after a boozy night out Credit: Getty 'I was doing a gig in Belfast and my grandmother had come down to the gig and she loves golf,' Ed said. 'Rory had come down and she loved being around him. We stayed up super late talking to him, and I'd say we went to bed at like 4am. 'About 6am, I got a call on my hotel phone from the hotel — 'Mr Morrison's in the lobby, he wants to have breakfast with you'. 'I was half asleep and half drunk. So I just hung up and I was like, 'I have no idea who Mr Morrison is.' 'Then I got another call and they said, 'Sorry, Van Morrison is in'. 'I ran downstairs and there he was waiting for me and we had breakfast, which is really surreal. 'I'm a huge fan. We spoke for ages about everything we did. One of the subjects was actually Spotify. 'I had embraced Spotify quite early in my career and I think he was asking me to explain Spotify to him.' Ed also talked about hanging out with Eminem after he worked on the rapper's 2018 song River. 'He loves comic books, Marvel movies and video games,' Ed explained. Ed Sheeran left red-faced after cops in India demand he shut down street performance 'I sent him a Nintendo 64 with Goldeneye on it because he'd never played it.' About his new album Play, which is out on September 12, Ed said it feels like a double-edged sword. He explained: 'The two joys of my life professionally are writing songs and performing. I f***ing hate releasing music. 'You love the songs so much and then suddenly you're putting them out there and that might change your relationship with them if other people don't like them. 'I'm trying my hardest not to let that happen. 'I find releasing it just kind of sucks the joy out of it.' ED ON DAVE... 16 British rapper and producer Dave Credit: AFP 'HE'S done a lot of production on the new record because aside from being a brilliant lyricist, he's also an incredible producer and writer.' ...ON SIR ELTON 16 Ed with fellow Brit Sir Elton John Credit: Rex 'HE still calls me Ed She-ran. I just think that's just programmed in.' ...ON STORMZY 16 Ed counts Brit rapper Stormzy as one of his pals Credit: Rex 'I BOUGHT my first car, a Mini, and I then drove him to the pub. He didn't fit in the back.' ...ON EMINEM 16 Ed in the studio with American rapper Eminem 'HE seems like he'd be quite shy but I don't think he is when you get to know him. His humour is very similar to mine.' ...ON SAM FENDER 16 Ed says he and Sam Fender have 'mutual respect' Credit: Getty 'I MESSAGED him just being like, 'I really like this song'. I still haven't met him, but I at least know that there's a connection somewhere of mutual respect.' PITBULL LEADS BALD E PARTY 16 Pitbull is back at London's O2 Arena Credit: Alamy 16 Pitbull fans love wearing bald caps Credit: Splash 16 The Sun's Jack in his outfit alongside a beaming Pitbull Credit: Supplied PITBULL is back at London's O2 Arena for another two sold out nights after a successful show earlier this year. Delivering possibly the most fun gig i've ever been to, his Party After Dark Tour is a nostalgic trip down memory lane with feel good banger after banger after banger. Everyone there simply wants to have a good time - with the tube to the venue packed with fans in costumes all singing at the top of their lungs. Chancing my luck, I opted to dress as Mr Worldwide himself... and safe to say it went down a treat backstage. After a flurry of possibly the hottest female dancers I've ever seen, Pitbull appeared out of his dressing room - catching my outfit and grinning from ear to ear. "Man I love it" he laughed before giving me a big hug. I quickly launched into a short tale of how I'd ran to Soho that afternoon to buy my baldcap - bumping into three other music lovers doing exactly the same thing. Smiling Pitbull said: "Well next time you see them you make sure you tell them from me thank you. I love all my Bald E's. "We are going to have a great show tonight. I can feel it. "For the first time tonight my band are going to dress as Bald E's too." He added on stage: "I tell you why I call you guys [fans] the bald E's. Because we fly high, and we soar high like bald eagles. So therefore we are the bald E's "And everywhere we go, and anytime you're there, you put on that bald cap and you already know you are going to have the time of your life. In fact new date from QR Code Generator have revealed searches for 'bald cap' have it an all time high in the UK amid Pitbull's tour. It's hard to quite put into words the energy in the O2 - 90% of the sold out 20,000 venue has come dressed as the star. Sure concerts like Taylor Swift have an amazing atmosphere and everyone dresses up but vibe at Pitbull is... different. No one cares about looking sexy or Instagram-ready as they are wearing a rubber bald cap and shirt. They are simply there to have a good time - and boy does he pull it off. You don't need therapy. You just need two hours at a Pitbull gig. By Jack Hardwick MARIAH BACK TO HER GOLD SELF 16 Mariah Carey dazzles in a glittering mini-dress Credit: Getty 16 Jennifer Hudson was also at the event Credit: AP 16 Doechii won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist Credit: Getty GOLDEN girl Mariah Carey turned back the clock and looked remarkably youthful as she performed at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. Wearing a glittering mini-dress, she sang her new single, Type Dangerous, before collecting the Ultimate Icon Award. Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart were also at the event celebrating black entertainers, as was breakout rapper Doechii, who used her Best Female Hip-Hop Artist speech to take aim at Donald Trump for his crackdown on people protesting against immigration raids. The star, who will perform at Glastonbury later this month, said: 'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest. 'I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' PULP HEAD TO GLASTO 16 Jarvis Cocker of Pulp performing on stage Credit: PA GLASTONBURY got fans into a frenzy when organisers announced the full festival line-up, including a mysterious band called Patchwork. Now I can reveal who the band destined for the Saturday Pyramid Stage actually are – as I have been told punters can expect a set from Pulp. Jarvis Cocker and co headlined the festival 30 years ago and last did a surprise set there in 2011. But they are about to return following their comeback with new music. The band are set to top the charts this Friday for the first time in 27 years thanks to their album More, so this will be the perfect way to celebrate. There are also plenty of whispers about surprise Glasto performances from Lewis Capaldi and Haim, so there's lots to look forward to in three weeks' time. But organiser Emily Eavis kept schtum about who Patchwork are when asked about them during the Sidetracked by Glastonbury podcast on BBC Sounds. Speaking to hosts Annie MacManus and Nick Grimshaw, she said: 'I've been working on Patchwork for a long time. I tell you what, pretty much since I saw you this time last year I've been working on Patchwork.' Asked if that meant they took 'a lot of persuading', she added: 'Well, it's more logistical.' Foo Fighters did a set under the name The Churnups in 2023, and this sounds just as exciting. MILEY END TO FAMILY QUARREL 16 Miley Cyrus says she was the one who ended her family fallout Credit: Splash MILEY CYRUS has revealed she was the one to end the family feud following her parents' divorce. On the Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky podcast yesterday, she explained: 'My family and I have had a really difficult, dark decade. 'Half of us weren't speaking to each other at one point. And we cleaned all that up. That was a really important part of my year.' She added: 'I watched what happens when you don't clean things up as they're happening.' Asked if they'd had therapy, Miley said: 'We're so messy. We didn't even do any of that. To get each other in a room to even get to counselling would have been a war. So it was easier to just go, 'white flag'.' Miley, above, has written a song, Secrets, for her next album, about reconnecting with dad Billy Ray. RONNIE'S A PAINT ROLLER 16 Rock great Ronnie Wood shows he's handy with a paintbrush Credit: Getty FANS of Ronnie Wood can get their hands on his new art as he celebrates 50 years as a member of the Rolling Stones. The rock great, who is as handy with a paintbrush as he is with a guitar pick, had his work on display at the band's official store in London's Carnaby Street last week, before putting the items up for sale on his website. The musician's new exhibits include 50 – The Portraits which are hand-finished canvases of Sir Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the band's late, great drummer Charlie Watts. Superfans can also buy an exclusive bundle that includes four portraits and a setlist from Ronnie's first show with the Stones in 1975, along with a limited-edition 7in vinyl single which contains a new recording by Ronnie. MUSE, the best live band I've ever seen in my life, have stepped in at the last minute to replace Kings of Leon as top of the bill for Madrid's Mad Cool Festival. The American rockers were forced to pull out after singer Caleb Followill injured his foot. But British act Muse will headline the opening night on July 10 instead. MICK HUCKNALL will be awarded ASCAP's Golden Note Award as he celebrates Simply Red's 40th anniversary. He will be handed the honour – recognising extraordinary career milestones – at an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers ceremony in London on June 17. Previous winners include George Michael, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder and Sir Elton John. London singer and songwriter Lola Young will pick up the ASCAP Vanguard Award. Mick, you're my hero.
