Samantha Barks pregnant with second child as she debuts bump in royal show
The Masked Singer UK winner Samantha Barks has confirmed she's pregnant with her second child as she prepared to perform at the VE Day 80: A Celebration To Remember concert
Samantha Barks has announced she's about to become a mother for the second time. At 34, the West End star - who won The Masked Singer earlier this year - is expecting her second child with Alex Michael Stoll.
The pair are doting parents to their 19-month-old son, Rafael, but Samantha confirmed that another little one is on the horizon as she geared up to perform at the VE Day 80: A Celebration To Remember event.
"I'm nearly nine months pregnant, it's gonna be me and baby performing for royalty tonight. It's our first adventure!" she said. Samantha also acknowledged her previous royal engagements as she readied to belt out the wartime anthem We'll Meet Again.
She said: "It's my fourth time, actually. It never gets less nerve-wracking, it's always such an honour but I'm nervous! We have a choir, we have dancers, it's gonna be a really big finish and I'm super proud of it."
She reflected on the unifying force of music particularly for the concert's tribute, as she shared: "Music brings us all together, it still does, even tonight, it brings us back to those days - the power of music.
"A song like We'll Meet Again, it's so poignant and beautiful and I'm really looking forward to it."
Samantha initially stole hearts when she competed in BBC's I'd Do Anything in 2008, where she vied for the role of Nancy in Oliver and came third, just behind Jessie Buckley and Coronation Street star Jodie Prenger.
Not long after, she took on the role of Eponine in the London production of Les Miserables, and later reprised the role in the 2012 film adaptation, sharing the screen with big names like Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne.
From 2021 to 2024, she graced the West End stage as Elsa in the production of Frozen and also lent her expertise as a judge on ITV's Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream, joining fellow judges Alan Carr, Amber Riley and Jessie Ware.
Speaking about returning to her role in Frozen, she said last year: "With most parts I've played, there has been an expectation because the character is known in some way. I choose to not take that on. I want to do a good job and I want people to enjoy it, but it's not really a helpful emotion to take on in terms of thinking about what people might expect.
"Every other part I've played has a love interest, and that has been like the main focus. This is not that at all… Elsa is a really complex part. And she's so isolated, so that's very interesting. It's a lot of 'conceal and don't feel' until she has that moment of self-acceptance and self-love.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
37 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Love Island ‘spoilers' as winners predicted
The villa is not even full yet but already the winners of Love Island series 12 have been 'predicted'. At least this is according to the pre-show bookies odds. ITV revealed the cast for the latest season of the iconic reality show earlier in the week. One islander has pulled out early - and broke his silence after the departure. Love Island, which recently celebrated its 10th birthday, will be back on ITV2 throughout the summer starting on Monday (June 9). It will be plenty of time before a winner is crowned, but that hasn't stopped early frontrunners from emerging. In its latest odds, has named the series 12 cast members being backed to be among the running at the end of the summer. See who the favourites to be top male and top female before the premiere. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers. 1 . Alima - 7/1 23-year-old wealth management client services executive Alima, from Glasgow, has long odds at the start of the show. She is 7/1 to be the top female, via | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales 2 . Meg - 6/1 A payroll specialist from Southampton, 25-year-old Meg currently has fairly long odds before the start of series 12. She is 6/1 to be the top female, via | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales 3 . Tommy - 5/1 The boy with the longest odds heading into the start of Love Island series 12 is this 22-year-old landscape gardener from Hertfordshire. Tommy is 5/1 to be the top male, via | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales 4 . Sophie - 5/1 Motivational speaker and author Sophie, 29 from Manchester, has fairly long odds to be in the running to be top female in Love Island series 12. She is currently 5/1 via | ITV Photo: ITV Photo Sales
Wales Online
41 minutes ago
- Wales Online
BBC Death in Paradise star returns to beloved role and fans can't wait
BBC Death in Paradise star returns to beloved role and fans can't wait Josephine Jobert and Ralf Little left Death in Paradise at the same time - and it was a bittersweet goodbye. Death in Paradise star Josephine Jobert is returning to her beloved role in another detective drama titled Saint-Pierre In a joint post with the show's official Instagram account, it was confirmed that filming for series two had begun. Alongside a photo of Josephine in costume as her Saint-Pierre character, DC Geneviève 'Arch' Archambault, and her co-star Allan Hawco, who plays Sgt. Inspector Donny 'Fitz' Fitzpatrick, the caption read: "Thrilled to announce that principal photography has officially begun on Season 2, coming to @cbc and @cbcgem Winter 2026. Who's ready?" Fans rushed to the comment section to share their thoughts, with one writing: "I'M SOOOOO HAPPY." "OMG ALREADY!!!!!" another said while a third added: "Can't wait for season 2!!!" Someone else commented: "Yay, awesome news..." Article continues below Another fan beamed: "They are back." Josephine and Ralf in Death in Paradise (Image: PA ) British Soap Awards 2025 full list of winners as event airs on ITV READ MORE: One went on: "AAAAAHHHH WINTER 2026 NEEDS TO HURRY UP…..IM SO EXCITED." The Canadian drama, which first hit screens in January 2025, follows two detectives who are forced to team up to solve unique and puzzling crimes. The synopsis for the series reads: "Fitz's arrival disrupts the life of Deputy Chief Geneviève 'Arch' Archambault, a Parisian transplant who is in Saint-Pierre for her own intriguing reasons. Josephine plays a detective in Saint-Pierre (Image: Red Planet Pictures/Denis Guyenon ) "Saint-Pierre is a police procedural with French star Josephine Jobert as Arch and Canadian star Allan Hawco as Fitz, and James Purefoy rounding out the stellar team." Josephine joined Death in Paradise as Florence Cassell in 2015 before leaving the first time in 2019. She returned in seasons 10 and 11, and even had a surprise comeback in 2024 when her character emerged from witness protection. Article continues below The detective eventually sailed off into the sunset with the show's longest serving detective Neville Parker (played by Ralf Little) Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island reintroduces bold hideaway rule for the first time in five years
Love Island fans are set to enjoy again the x-rated sex scenes happening in the famous Hideaway as a new summer instalment looms in. The hit dating ITV show is set to bring sexy back for the very first time in five years, according to bosses' comments. 'If sex happens, we'll show it. The Hideaway will be open 24 hours,' Mike Spencer, Love Island's Creative Director said. He added: 'We need to keep the show fresh and exciting. After 10 years, the stats speak for themselves. The show will continue to thrive.' And although the usual play of Love Island is to couple up with one other person from the opposite sex - b osses are hoping for potential throuples in the villa this year as they 'tear up the rule book' and install new furniture to help encourage bonking and create drama. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. One of the new additions includes a trampoline bed that sits across the swimming pool, and the Love Island exec has insisted it has been tested for up to four people. The secret hideaway - which includes a bed and hot tub - is now open 24 hours a day for those that aren't coupled up. Speaking ahead of the 10-year anniversary series of the hit reality show, which will air on Monday, Mike told the Mail: 'There's a new trampoline bed, that would be good for throuples. 'It can take the weight of four, we've checked. It's all about keeping the show fresh and exciting. And that's what we've got.' ITV bosses have attempted to give the new villa and series a glam-up to avoid the show being boring. The TV executive also revealed ITV will broadcast intimate activity if and when it happens and that they've had to 'tear up the rule book' this year, after viewing figures have dwindled after years of tame series of the reality show hit. 'The hideaway is open for business for 24 hours all the time, as long as they don't come with their partner,' Mike said. 'We told the islanders last year they could but they kept forgetting they could come in here. We've seen the same things time and time again how and it's boring. We've got to move on. 'It felt static, and the show needs to feel fresh. People that come in, all do the same thing. Because they've all watched it time and time again. It became too formatted. 'We've got to push forward. All the twist and turns, we're going to give it all we've got to make it an exciting series.' Last year the show had a shock entry when TOWIE favourite Joey Essex, 34, entered the villa. Asked if they will be getting another former reality tv star or celebrity in as a contestant this year, Mike said something else will be a surprise. 'No former love islanders are coming in this year,' he said. Something big is coming in week one though. Not another reality star like Joey Essex.' 'We've got a big week one planned. It's not a celebrity, but totally new. It's even different this year the way islanders will couple up. 'You can't rest on people loving the show, we have to keep it exciting. Tear up the rule book a bit.' Love Island's 2025 lineup has already been mocked after unveiling 'clones' of previous stars. Love Island producers - who have long been accused of lacking diversity in their casting - seemed to be sticking to 'their type on paper' as they opted for new stars who bear striking resemblance to past contestants. Fans were left doing a double take when Harry Cooksley was unveiled as the final Islander of the 2025 series, with many commenting that they had mistaken him for Tom Clare. In a spooky coincidence, Harry, 29, and Tom, 25, don't just have their rugged good looks in common, but their careers too - with both working as semi-professional footballers. Both the epitome of a blonde bombshells with their long, flowing curls and striking features, Helena Ford could be mistaken for Danielle Sellers. 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? 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 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 Timothé e 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! 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. 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. 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! NAME: Kyle Ashman AGE: 23 FROM: Stafford OCCUPATION: Water operative WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that's fun, confident and just themselves.
