D'Wayne Wiggins, founding member of the R&B group Tony! Toni! Tone!, has died at 64
D'Wayne Wiggins, a founding member of the Grammy-nominated group Tony! Toni! Tone! behind the classic songs 'Anniversary,' 'It Never Rains (In Southern California)' and (Lay Your Head on My) Pillow," has died. He was 64.
Wiggins died Friday morning after battling bladder cancer for over the past year, according to a statement released by his family on social media.
'D'Wayne's life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,' his family said in a statement. 'He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many."
His family added: 'Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community.'
Wiggins was a vocalist and bass guitarist of the beloved R&B group, which included his brother Raphael Saadiq and their cousin Christian Riley. The group became mainstays of the New Jack Swing movement, blending R&B, jazz and traces of gospel melodies.
The Oakland, California, natives burst onto the music scene with their 1988 debut album, 'Who?' with songs like 'Baby Doll' and 'Little Walter.' But it was their 1990 New Jack Swing-infused 'Feels Good' record that gave the group mainstream success, peaking at No. 9 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
They released two more studio projects together, with party hits like 'Let's Get Down,' featuring DJ Quik, and timeless slow jams including 'Whatever You Want,' 'It Never Rains (In Southern California),' '(Lay Your Head on My) Pillow' and 'Anniversary,' a standard in the Black music romance canon.
The blood relatives also couldn't predict how their success would affect their relationship. The Tonyies went their separate ways after their fourth album, 1996's platinum-selling 'House of Music.' Fame, finances, miscommunication and creative differences were unsustainable for the group.
Wiggins and Riley toured under the group's name between 1998 and 2018, with Amar Khalil taking over lead singing duties. Wiggins also produced and helped grow young artists who would become some of today's brightest young stars, including Zendaya, H.E.R., Kehlani, and even Destiny's Child.
Ultimately, through Saadiq's efforts, the group made amends and reunited for a tour in 2023. It was the first road trip featuring the three original members in nearly 30 years.
The family members vowed not to let outside influences like managers, record executives and the entertainment business as a whole drive them apart again, realizing that time — at least in the professional sense — is no longer a luxury.
In a 2023 interview with The AP, The Tonyies had planned on a new project.
'We got a lot of material and now we just want to make sure that we put out the right energy through our music,' Wiggins said.
___
Associated Press journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton contributed to this report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I met ISIS bride Shamima Begum in prison camp – I felt sorry for her but saw true colours when I gave her wrong ‘gift'
SHAMIMA SHAM I met ISIS bride Shamima Begum in prison camp – I felt sorry for her but saw true colours when I gave her wrong 'gift' AS Andrew Drury made his way through a Syrian camp looking for notorious ISIS bride Shamima Begum, his mind began to race. Although the intrepid filmmaker had been in far more perilous situations - his nerves started to get the better of him. Advertisement 7 Andrew Drury with Jihadi bride Shamima Begum Credit: Supplied 7 The filmmaker said his view of Begum changed as he got to know her Credit: Supplied 7 The Al-Roj camp in north-eastern Syria where Begum lives Credit: AFP But when he was introduced to Begum - who left the UK aged 15 to join ISIS a decade ago in 2015 - he was taken aback. "She was very shaky, very nervous, very shut, emotional, tearful," Andrew told The Sun. Advertisement Father-of-four Andrew met Begum, who grew up in East London, for the first of six times at the Al-Roj camp in Syria in June 2021 while filming for a documentary, Danger Zone. He initially felt sorry for Begum, then 21, and became a close confidant of the Jihadi bride - even securing a Bafta-nominated live interview with her for Good Morning Britain. In less than two years his view of Begum - accused of serving in the feared IS "morality police" and helping make suicide vests - completely changed, however. He saw a colder side when she talked about how the death of her three children no longer upset her and even expressed support of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi. Extreme adventurer Andrew, who has made treacherous journeys to North Korea and Iraq, said at first Begum was a "thin, ill-looking, sad character" who was "very apologetic". Advertisement "We took a long walk around the camp, She started to relax, and she said she used to take this regular walk right around the perimeter of the camp to clear her head," he said. "After the interview finished, we walked back to the room. Normally she'd go off to a tent, but she wanted to come back to the room to get a cold drink. "Then I didn't want to insult her at that point, I wanted to say goodbye - I thought I'd never see her again. How Shamima Begum camps are fermenting twisted next generation of ISIS as kids make 'cutthroat' gesture & hurl firebombs "I said, 'Can I shake your hand?' and she asked for a hug. "So she gave me a hug and started to cry." Advertisement Andrew, from Surrey, said he felt they had formed a connection and believed she regretted turning her back on Western society to join the murderous death cult. "At that point I kind of believed that she was sincere," he said. I actually don't think the death of her children actually bothered her in the slightest. She was not at all affected by it Andrew Drury "I kind of felt sorry for her. I thought at that point she'd been radicalised online, sent out as a prescribed bridge to somebody. "She said she'd made a real bad mistake and really regretted what she'd done. "She owned up to being this person that everybody hates in the UK. Advertisement "And I felt sorry for her, I've got young daughters, not a lot of difference in age, so I thought people do make mistakes, and I should give her a chance." Andrew - whose book Trip Hazard details his experience in dangerous areas - returned to the camp months later after GMB asked for his help to get an interview with Begum. The author, who has exchanged hundreds of messages with Begum, said he noticed a "subtle change" in the former Brit. Begum, who was stripped of her British citizenship in 2019, appeared to have undergone a more "Western" makeover - ditching her hijab and abaya. 7 Andrew secured the Bafta-nominated live interview with Begum for Good Morning Britain Credit: Alamy Advertisement 7 Begum, then 19, pictured in 2019 Credit: Times Media Ltd 7 The former Brit at the camp in 2021 Credit: Getty "She had changed as a character," Andrew said. "She was more short. She wasn't this nervous-cry sort of character. "She looked assured, and she didn't seem such a waif character, and she seemed to be in control of herself and her emotions." Advertisement Andrew told how Begum spent the night before the live interview "rehearsing" with three of her friends In the camp, which is controlled by armed guards. He added: "Her friends said they'd had their music playing and they were tutoring Shamima what to say. "They seemed pretty together about what she should say, and they were schooling her." Begum married an IS fighter soon after arriving in Syria and went on to have three children, none of whom survived. Andrew - who said he had formed a "bond" with Begum - told how after the interview, Shamima opened her purse and showed him photos of her children. Advertisement The tragic loss of his own brother Robert as a child made him sympathise with Shamima's plight. "One of them was a scene where the child must have been eight, nine months old, had chocolate around his face," he recalled. "I said, 'What's that?' and she said, 'Oh we used to like baking cakes'. "And it actually makes me quite sad. It was really quite sad knowing the child had died. "She made it sound like an honour that she had shared these pictures with me, which I guess it probably was, because she hadn't shared them before she said." Advertisement 7 But it was Begum's attitude after Andrew returned to the UK that shocked him - and began to shatter their relationship. "I said to her, 'Those pictures you showed me really upset me, I hope you're okay'," he said. "She messaged back and said, 'Oh, they don't bother me anymore. That doesn't make me sad'. "I thought, was that because she's been traumatised so badly? Advertisement "But I think she is that hard. I think she's calculated. "I actually don't think the death of her children actually bothered her in the slightest. She was not at all affected by it." After meeting Andrew a couple of times, Begum started asking him to bring stuff into the camp for her - including clothes. The dad said he felt "at a crossroads" about whether to take what she wanted. "I felt bad and guilty that I'd be taking somebody that carried out what could have been some atrocities, clothes," he said. Advertisement "But then, probably on the soft side of me, and the fact is, she was a young girl, so I was playing with these emotions, but I took her the clothes from Primark. "We had a bundle of stuff, we took some toys for the children because it's not their fault." But then Begum's requests started turning into demands, Andrew said. "The messages continued," he added. Camps breeding next ISIS generation Exclusive by Henry Holloway, Deputy Foreign Editor and Alan Duncan A CHILD no older than eight draws his hand across his neck in a chilling throat-slitting gesture - the message is clear, "You are not welcome here". Other kids hurl stones, shout and scream - while one exasperated camp official shows us CCTV of two youngsters hurling a firebomb. Welcome to camps al-Hol and al-Roj in northern Syria - the fates of which remain uncertain after the fall of tyrant Bashar al-Assad. It is warned these stark detention centres are now the breeding ground for the next generation of the bloodthirsty cult. And much of this new wave of radicalisation is feared to be coming from the mothers inside the camps. Senior camp official Rashid Omer said: "The reality is - they are not changing. This is not a normal camp - this a bomb." He went on: "They are saying it was ISIS who 'liberated' Damascus - and soon they will be coming here." "And then they want to spread to Europe, to Africa, and then to everywhere." The two sprawling sites hold a total of nearly 60,000 including ISIS fighters, families and children. At least 6,000 Westerners are still held among them - including infamous jihadi bride Shamima Begum, the 25-year-old from London. READ MORE HERE "This time they became slightly more angry, slightly more direct." Advertisement Before he planned to return to Syria again, Begum told him she wanted two books - Guantanamo Bay Diaries and Sea Prayer - which is inspired by the Syrian refugee crisis. Andrew said she was also being schooled by her lawyer about her media presence. He added: "What she declared by then is that she was hostage in a prison camp - where they were legally held. "That's how she started to see herself. All apologies had gone. "She'd done a documentary with the BBC and was on the front of The Times magazine. Advertisement "She'd become a celebrity and was loving all the attention. She'd read all the newspaper articles." Andrew - who returned to the camp with a friend and no crew - took some clothes for Begum with him. I could see things in her I didn't like. I didn't trust her. Her behaviour was poor. She was angry and aggressive Andrew Drury But it was his decision not to take the books she had demanded that revealed her true colours. "I did go back again, but my feelings were already changing towards her," Andrew said. "It was a little boy's birthday, and I felt so sorry for him. Advertisement "He wanted a Superman outfit, so I would have gone just for that, because I spend a lot of time in refugee camps. It's not fair for these kids. "I didn't take the books Shamima wanted because I didn't want to. I didn't want her to have that opportunity to what I saw as studying how to be a victim. "She opened the clothes, said she didn't like them. I mean, this is a girl in a prison camp. "She said, 'I didn't really care about the clothes, it was the books I wanted'. So she became quite aggressive in her nature." Begum's attitude then worsened when Andrew became interested in another girl's story. Advertisement It was one of the final nails in the coffin in the bond Andrew believed they had initially formed. "Shamima had a tantrum that the attention had been taken away from her," he said. "She was like a child that was pretending they were ill. "So during this period of time I was beginning to feel like the connection was gone. "It was broken, and I was beginning not to like her. Advertisement "I could see things in her I didn't like. I didn't trust her. Her behaviour was poor. She was angry and aggressive. "I had found out from other girls what she was accused of, and they told me the same thing that I had heard before, like sewing suicide vests "Things were ringing in my head like she said early on that the Manchester bombing was legitimate because of what happened in Iraq and Syria. "So I didn't trust her." Andrew's last contact with Begum was around two years ago in a fiery text exchange. Advertisement She accused Andrew of "selling her out", to which he shot back: "You've sold your country out." Begum last year lost her final appeal challenging the removal of her British citizenship. She can now no longer fight to overturn the revocation of her citizenship within the UK legal system. Andrew said: "I think she's a danger for what she stood for, and I don't think she could ever come back. "I think she needs to go on trial in Syria for the crimes she committed against the Syrian people."
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island's most shocking moments EVER from physical fights to X-rated romps and even a marriage proposal!
Love Island celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, with a new set of singletons set to enter the famous villa during Monday night's launch show. Over the years, hundreds of contestants have walked through the doors looking for love, fame and big budget brand deals. Yet while some of the Islanders have gone on to make lucrative careers from their time in the show, many have admitted they regret going on. Islanders have found themselves embroiled in several controversies - with some involved in physical fights, X-rated romps and one couple even got engaged. Now, ahead of the season 12 launch show, MailOnline takes a look at the most shocking Love Island moments of all time... From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Joey Essex enters the villa - 2024 Last year, jaws dropped when Joey Essex was the first bombshell to enter the Love Island villa. In what was the biggest signing in the show's history, the TOWIE star, 34, shocked his fellow Islanders when he sauntered in at the end of the launch episode. MailOnline later revealed that bosses took 'every precaution' to keep Joey's entry into the villa a secret. While the rest of the singletons were flown out to Mallorca, the reality star was forced to travel by ferry to keep his appearance under wraps. However, while viewers were delighted by his shock arrival, things quickly went downhill, with his disastrous stint on the show deemed possibly 'career killing'. Viewers turned on the Essex Islander just two weeks after he made his bombshell entrance, after he dropped Samantha Kenny when his ex Grace Jackson came in. Things then went from bad to worse as the weeks went on with Joey's 'pot-stirring' and 'manipulative' antics slammed - even resulting in hundreds of Ofcom complaints. He later coupled up with Jessy Potts but the couple were sent packing just one day before the series final when their former co-stars returned to settle scores. The dumped Islanders were tasked with picking who they believed to be the least compatible couple, with Jessy and Joey - who accused them of picking on him for personal reasons - ultimately dumped from the villa. Molly-Mae Hague is the victim of a 'c*** punt' - 2019 She's arguably one of the most successful stars from Love Island. Yet during Molly-Mae Hague's stint on the show she was embroiled in a drama with fellow Islander Sherif Lanre - who was ultimately kicked off the programme. At the time, his exit was shrouded with mystery, yet he later revealed he was removed after accidentally kicking Molly-Maw in the groin. He explained that the Instagrammer appeared to be in pain at first but soon laughed it off, with Sherif then turning to Tommy Fury and joking: 'That was a c*** punt.' Confessing that he didn't think anything was wrong, Sherif noted that they all continued laughing and joking following the accidental kick, and 'he didn't feel the need to apologise for his remark.' However, the following morning ITV producers woke him up before everyone else to interrogate him over what had happened. Noting that the whole interrogation looked worse than what had actually happened, Sherif claimed he was sent home 'without a chance to say goodbye or pack my bags.' Emma-Jane Woodhams and Terry Walsh put on a sex show - 2016 Viewers were left in shock during season two when Emma-Jane Woodhams and Terry Walsh had sex in the communal bedroom in full view of their fellow Islanders. While many of the couples had admitted to getting down and dirty underneath the sheets, Emma and Terry took things a step further by doing the deed on top of the covers. After investigating the scenes following a string of complaints from viewers, Ofcom eventually ruled the clips did not breach its rules. In its ruling on Love Island, Ofcom said broadcasters which showed 'real sex' should exercise caution as it could cause more offence than lovemaking in a film or TV drama. But it concluded that broadcaster ITV2 had not breached its rules. ITV2 claimed the show was aimed at a young adult audience and that it regularly featured sexual activity, meaning viewers should have known what to expect. Emma, who was just 19 when she appeared on the show, later admitted she regretted having sex on TV and confessed she thought that by 'doing it openly' the scenes wouldn't be aired. Zara Holland is stripped of her Miss GB crown - 2016 Back in the days when sex was still shown on the programme, Zara Holland's romp with Alex Bowen resulted in grave consequences. Zara was the reigning Miss Great Britain when she entered the villa but furious pageant bosses instantly stripped her of the title and crown after watching the steamy scenes. In a statement they shared: 'The feedback we have received from pageant insiders and members of the general public is such that we cannot promote Zara as a positive role model moving forward. 'We wholly understand that everyone makes mistakes, but Zara, as an ambassador for Miss Great Britain, simply did not uphold the responsibility expected of the title.' Zara broke down in tears when she learned the news and ultimately left the show days later after her mother was taken ill. She later revealed that she received no aftercare from show bosses and was 'in no way prepared' for life after her stint on the smash-hit programme, resulting in a negative impact on her mental health. Jon Clark's indecent proposal - 2015 In the inaugural series of Love Island's reboot, Jon Clark, later of TOWIE fame, popped the question to glamour model Hannah Elizabeth - and she happily accepted. He wrote a poem for the star, penning: 'Love is mad, love is crazy, love makes me feel like a daisy. Love is scary, love is cool though. Loving you makes me feel like a rainbow'. He later said: 'For us to win Love Island as a couple would just finish off the fairytale story that we've started. 'We met each other the first day, we've come on leaps and bounds, we've got to know each others. S**t bits, ugly bits, bad bits, great bits, lovely bits, sexy bits… you've watched us grow as a couple into where we are now', Hannah added: 'I've met the love of my life and winning Love Island would just help start our future together'. However, their romance ended catastrophically when Hannah slammed Jon for his treatment of her through their relationship. Hannah went on to appear in the first Love Island All Stars season in 2024. Faye was at the centre of Love Island's most complained about moment ever when she lost her temper and launched into an expletive-filled row with Teddy Faye Winter was at the centre of Love Island's most complained about moment ever when she lost her temper and launched into an expletive-filled row with Teddy Soares. A whopping 24,763 viewers took to the media watchdog to express their upset during the Movie Night challenge episode, where a clip showed Teddy telling fellow contestant Clarisse Juliette that he was 'sexually attracted' to her. Faye's rant - branded 'horrendous', 'abusive', and 'gaslighting' by fans of the show - resulted in the most expletive-ridden episode ever, with reports that contestants swore 125 times, while Faye is said to have said 'f**k' 57 times. It wasn't just Teddy in the firing line, as Faye was also quick to shut down Matthew Macnabb when he protested against her fiery behaviour, telling him: 'Keep your mouth shut like you normally do.' As well as complaining to Ofcom, viewers also called on producers to remove Faye from the villa. Faye later said she was embarrassed by the row and refuses to watch it back but she has apologised to Teddy and the pair are still happily together. Dani Dyer was inconsolable after season four's Casa Amor twist when the girls were given a video postcard showing what their partners were getting up to in the other villa Dani Dyer was inconsolable after season four's Casa Amor twist when the girls were given a video postcard showing what their partners were getting up to in the other villa. Viewers blasted the 'cruel' decision to show Dani a clip of her boyfriend Jack Fincham coming face to face with his ex girlfriend Ellie Jones, implying there was something unsavoury afoot. Making things crueller, Jack had barely spoken to Ellie, remaining loyal to Dani throughout. Despite 2,525 viewers complaining, host Caroline Flack justified the producers' actions by saying the point of the show is to 'test relationships.' Although Ofcom didn't investigate they confirmed that it broke records at the time for the highest number of complaints about a single issue in Love Island history. Jack and Dani went on to win the show but ended up going their separate ways nine months later. Malia Arkian's fight with Kady McDermott - 2016 In 2016 Malia Arkian made sure to make a lasting impact on the ITV2 dating show after she was thrown out following an 'altercation' with fellow contestant, Kady McDermott. Malia entered the show after texting Scott Thomas showing a romantic interest and the pair later got to know each other over a date. Appearing jealous over Scott's date with 26-year-old singer Malia, Kady decided to get to know the newcomer by the fire pit at the luxury Majorca mansion. However, during an unfortunate accident, Kady then spilt some drink on Malia's leg. Believing the act was deliberate, Malia said: 'If you wanna speak to me, just come in there. You don't do that with me, not at all.' Kady then stood up and shouted back: 'I swear to God, if you want to get rowdy… that's a f**king joke. Do you honestly think I'd waste my wine over you? It was a f**king accident.' Malia replied: 'Shut up you b**ch. Who the f**k do you think you are?' The girls then erupted into an argument and during that time an altercation took place, where Malia was alleged to have 'shoved' Kady. In the Beach Hut, Kady reflected on the night's events. She said: 'I'm a rowdy girl, but I've never in my life been in a physical fight. I think we both over-reacted to be honest. I just wish I'd let her shout, I wish I didn't react back. I really regret it.' Malia also tried to explain her actions in an interview after leaving the house. She said: 'I'm not an aggressive person, I've never done anything like that in my life. I completely regret it. I've not had a chance to reveal who I am and what I've got to offer, and everything's ended way too quickly. 'I want to apologise to Kady, I didn't want that to happen. It's not a ladylike thing to do, and I wouldn't do that usually. It's a horrible feeling.' Ahead of his date with Malia and the explosive row, Scott had been confessing his feelings to Kady. Misogynistic movie night - 2022 Thousands of viewers complained about the Movie Night challenge during season 8 which sees both the girls and boys watch clips of their partners' antics during their time in Casa Amor Thousands of viewers complained about instances of misogyny and bullying throughout season eight but the Movie Night challenge wracked up a whopping 2,648 in just one episode. The annual challenge sees both the girls and boys watch clips of their partners' antics during their time in Casa Amor. Tasha Ghouri was one of the main targets during both Movie Night and the dares game after Luca Bish and Dami Hope repeatedly criticised her behaviour during her relationship with Andrew Le Page. Viewers also expressed concern for Luca's treatment of his love interest Gemma Owen as he had a heated outburst after watching a clip of Gemma supposedly flirting with fellow islander Billy. As footage was shown of Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu in bed with George during Casa Amor, her partner Davide branded Ekin-Su a liar when she claimed 'nothing happened.' Viewers hit out at the boys for clubbing together and cheering when their Casa Amor antics were shown but lashing out at the girls for their clips. One of the most controversial moments in season eight came during the Snog, Marry Pie challenge, where Islanders were tasked with selecting one person to kiss, one to 'propose' to and one to have a custard pie thrown in their face. The challenge appears on the show each year and while it's meant to be playful in tone, viewers accused the boys of 'going too far' this time and 'misogyny and bullying'. Tasha Ghouri, who was coupled up with Andrew Le Page, had three pies thrown in her face, by Davide Sanclimenti, Dami Hope and Luca Bish after they had accused her of not having good intentions towards Andrew - leaving Tasha in tears. Luca and Dami had received harsh criticism from viewers for the way they have treated Tasha in the days leading up to the challenge and later apologised for their comments. Elsewhere in the challenge, Dami chose to kiss his Casa Amor ex Summer Botwe to the shock of his partner Indiyah Pollack. Billy Brown also came under fire when he ignored partner Danica Taylor and chose to snog Gemma Owen, who he has previously been accused of flirting with, and marry Paige Thorne, labelling his actions 'banter.' Amy Hart's Casa Amor turmoil with Curtis Pritchard - 2019 Viewers were left disturbed by Amy Hart's treatment in the villa during season five, with 314 complaints made regarding her wellbeing when she split from Curtis Pritchard While season five is often hailed as one of the best Love Island seasons, viewers were left disturbed by Amy Hart 's treatment in the villa. The flight attendant had never been in love or had a boyfriend before entering the villa, but thought her luck had changed when she met professional dancer Curtis Pritchard. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be and Amy was left in tears claiming she had 'no future' after 'half-boyfriend' Curtis admitted his head had been turned by new girl Jourdan Riane during his fleeting visit to Casa Amor. Fans raised concerns for Amy's mental health after she broke down in tears following the dancer's betrayal in devastating scenes, with the dramatic recoupling sparking 314 Ofcom complaints. Amy was later taken off set and offered psychological support after viewers urged producers to step in amid her heartbreak over Curtis' wandering eye. A spokesman for the hit ITV2 show said psychological support was on-hand for any of the Islanders at any time 24/7, particularly if they were upset or appeared to be struggling with life in the villa. Amy later quit the show and is now expecting her first child with boyfriend Sam Rason. Love Island's first winter series received 377 Ofcom complaints after show favourites Paige Hurley (left) and Siânnise Fudge were upset by the News Splash Challenge Love Island's first winter series received 377 Ofcom complaints after one of its pivotal games forced two contestants into uncomfortable confrontations with their respective partners. Viewers tuned in as the season six Islanders took part in the News Splash Challenge, which saw the group given partial tabloid headlines about each other before guessing who they are referring to. But many accused the show of intentionally baiting the Islanders after one headline suggested Finley Tapp had been tempted to stray during a short stay in Casa Amor, prompting inevitable outrage from villa girlfriend Paige Turley. Luke Trotman also found himself in hot water after a private revelation about girlfriend Siânnise Fudge came back to haunt him during the challenge. In an earlier chat with the lads he admitted she stripped off during their night in the Hideaway, and the brunette was left stunned after the moment was served up in another bombshell headline. Despite the turmoil, Paige forgave Finn and the couple went on to win the series, while Siânnise and Luke also made amends, finishing in second place. Prompting 632 complaints was the 'emotional abuse' of Laura Anderson during season four after she was left feeling betrayed and confused when she was told her friend Georgia Steel kissed her partner Jack Fowler. Jack admitted that Georgia had instigated the kiss, while Georgia vehemently denied it, leading to multiple arguments, all with Laura caught in the middle. The emotional turmoil followed on from another upsetting incident that saw Laura dumped by Wes Nelson during the first few weeks, after he decided he preferred Megan Barton Hanson. Kissgate worsened when host Caroline Flack oversaw a VAR breakdown of the kiss on Aftersun, only for viewers to point out continuity errors in the playback of the kiss from different angles. Georgia later admitted the kiss was filmed more than once but she was quick to defend the ITV2 show, pointing out: 'It is a TV programme, things have to get filmed in different angles to get put on television, that's how television works. 'But, nothing is fake, nothing is said that is staged, it's all to do with how you feel.' Maura Higgins was accused of 'sexually harassing' Tommy Fury in season five when she attempted to kiss him in uncomfortable scenes. Viewers saw Irish grid girl Maura, who was then a newcomer to the villa on the ITV2 series, fix her sights on boxer Tommy, who had been coupled-up with Molly-Mae Hague. Whilst Tommy dodged her attempts at seduction, the undeterred model later climbed on top of him, attempted to kiss him and asked if she 'turned him on.' Despite the hundreds of complaints Ofcom decided not to investigate, with a spokeswoman saying: 'We took into account the context in which it occurred, including the nature of Maura and Tommy's relationship, before and after.' Tommy declined Maura's advances and went on to finish in second place with Molly and the pair are now expecting their first child together. Maura has remained close with the pair, often referring to Molly as her 'best friend.' LOVE ISLAND 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS NAME: Sophie Lee AGE: 29 FROM: Manchester OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and 'do not cross' signs IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self. NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! NAME: Tommy Bradley AGE: 22 FROM: Hertfordshire OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously. I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though. WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair NAME: Alima Gagio AGE: 23 FROM: Glasgow OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she'd hire me because I'm a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number. But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway. NAME: Ben Holbrough AGE: 23 FROM: Gloucester OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here. NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 24 FROM: Dublin OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really. CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto. NAME: Blu Chegini AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting! Shakira Khan NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. Harry Cooksley NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. Conor Phillips NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! Toni Laites NAME: Toni Laites AGE: 24 FROM: Connecticut OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together. I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners. Kyle Ashman - AXED NAME: Kyle Ashman AGE: 23 FROM: Stafford OCCUPATION: Water operative WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that's fun, confident and just themselves. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I'd say I'd be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there.
Metro
8 hours ago
- Metro
'I had to snort pure glucose': Inside BBC's outstanding 80s crime drama
It's a first-world problem but, while I'm at a chilly, damp Twickenham Studios on Valentine's Day, I can't help wishing the team from The Gold had invited me on set a couple of weeks later. When the Bafta-nominated first series finished, several of the criminals who had stolen and laundered the bullion from the 1983 Brink's-Mat heist – at the time, the biggest robbery in British history – were behind bars, yet DCI Brian Boyce and his compact task force were realising that half the gold remained unaccounted for. The second series rejoins the money-laundering trail in the late 1980s as it splits between the UK and the Isle of Man and the sunnier climes of Tenerife (which also doubles as South America and the British Virgin Islands). 'We'll be filming in Tenerife for eight weeks,' grins Hugh Bonneville, who returns as the dogged, incorruptible Boyce. 'It's a much bigger canvas this time – we shot in some buildings in London that clearly were built on Brink's-Mat money for season one, but this time you see the money leaking out into Tenerife and the tax havens. 'You begin to realise it funded drug imports and the beginnings of the ecstasy boom in the UK. The ripple effect of this one event in November 1983 is remarkable.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video I watch on as Boyce subjects a quivering suspect to a fearsome grilling – with retirement drawing near, the copper clearly intends to leave on a high, and Hugh clearly relished the opportunity to talk to Boyce himself, now in his mid-80s but still a formidable figure. 'Brian took me and [series creator] Neil Forsyth out to lunch as we were starting season one, so I reciprocated after it had been on. He likes to talk about the old days and took me through his entire career: he was on the squad that knocked down the door to get Ronnie and Reggie Kray! 'He was very courteous and thanked us for respecting the way they went about their work, which was very heartening. You get the sense he was a good leader who absolutely relied on teamwork.' Boyce and his team – returning coppers Nicki Jennings (Charlotte Spencer), Tony Brightwell (Emun Elliott) plus maverick newcomer Tony Lundy (Stephen Campbell Moore) – have two main quarries. One is Charlie Miller (Sam Spruell), a minor villain briefly glimpsed in series one waiting it out in Spain for the dust to settle. Now, though, he's back to claim his stash from its Cornish hiding place. 'It's a cat-and-mouse chase around the world as Charlie tries to use his ill-gotten gains to go legit, to be taken seriously and become a financial player,' says Sam. 'He has a strategy and he's very determined – no matter what goes wrong, he will make the best of it. He just keeps going despite the knockbacks, and as an actor I could relate to that, even admire him for it.' Miller, Sam concedes, doesn't quite have the capacity to realise his aspirations, and brings in Joshua Maguire's crooked lawyer Douglas Baxter to assist him. 'Baxter is the brains and has that class confidence and access Charlie lacks,' says Sam. 'They spend a lot of time being cross with each other, a bit like Laurel and Hardy.' Boyce's other prime target is the returning west-country gold smelter John Palmer (Tom Cullen) who, in contrast to Miller, works alone and is sitting pretty as the self-styled 'King of Tenerife'. 'Since he successfully defended himself in court [in season one], Palmer has a sense of freedom,' explains Tom. 'He's fitter, happier and wearing nicer suits. He can grow into his wealth now and enjoy it, having been driven all his life to better himself after growing up in immense poverty. Not a nice person, but fascinating to play.' Palmer's improved physical condition, though, is undermined by a deteriorating psychological one. 'Palmer has this innate confidence,' explains Tom. 'He's always assessing every option, like a chess player. But other factions are moving in on his empire so he's cutting deals and making alliances along with having to juggle his wife, children and mistresses, which comes with its stresses for him. 'I don't know how he had the energy for it all! The gold is infecting him as greed and power become complete obsessions.' More Trending The problems only mount as Palmer starts to sink into cocaine addiction – an experience, laughs Tom, almost as trying for the actor as it was for the character. 'The fake coke is pure glucose, and it absolutely f**ked me. We did one scene, the last of the day at about 8pm, where I had to snort this humongous line in Palmer's private plane, which is just ridiculous – everything in it is gold. I think I fell asleep about 1am.' He wags a finger at me – a final warning in a cautionary tale for the ages. 'Don't do glucose, kids!' View More » The Gold season 2 begins at 9pm on June 8 on BBC One. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: BBC's 'brilliant' true crime drama made me question my own morals MORE: Divisive horror movie full of 'grotesque monsters' now streaming on BBC iPlayer MORE: 'Doctor Who's finale infuriated fans – but the next series will fix everything'
