Five Great Reads: Heather Graham, Ozzy Osbourne, and the dirtiest race in Olympic history
Families can be difficult, as the actor Heather Graham can attest.
She says she ceased all contact with her mother and 'really religious' father when they vetoed her taking a role in the cult 1988 comedy Heathers. From Twin Peaks to playing Rollergirl and Felicity Shagwell, her Hollywood career has subsequently thrived – and even survived a couple of run-ins with the notorious Harvey Weinstein.
Directorial debut: Graham has stepped behind the camera for Chosen Family, a comedy-drama film about a child-free yoga teacher called Ann struggling with her manipulative, dysfunctional family.
How long will it take to read: Five minutes.
Watching Donald Trump move fast and break a lot of things has been exhausting enough from a distance. David Smith, our Washington DC bureau chief, has witnessed the carnage first hand. He runs the ruler over what the Democratic veteran Chuck Schumer has dubbed '100 days of hell for the American people'.
Survey says: A recent US poll had disapproval for Trump's presidency at 55%. He received 49.8% of the popular vote in the presidential election.
How long will it take to read: Four minutes.
Further reading: This interactive breaks the first stanza of Trump's second term down into 41 bite-sized fiascos.
He (allegedly) bit the head off a live bat. He (allegedly) snorted a line of live ants. Now Ozzy Osbourne, one of the wildest of all the rock'n'roll wild men, is in a lot of pain after five spinal surgeries and a Parkinson's diagnosis.
He and his Black Sabbath bandmates talked exclusively to Alexis Petridis ahead of the heavy metal titans' reunion/final farewell show – and assured fans Ozzy will make it on stage.
'I think Ozzy might be on some kind of throne, but I'm in the dark as much as anybody else.' – Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi on how his frontman will get through the gig.
Best line-up ever? Support acts include Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, Pantera and Tool. All proceeds will go to charity.
How long will it take to read: Five minutes.
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Jess Davies was 15 when the first intimate photo she shared with someone she trusted was circulated more widely. When she was a glamour model for Britain's 'lads' mags', she says a man she was dating snapped her sleeping naked and sent the pic to his mates.
Years later, other photos of her were used to scam or catfish a series of men. The BBC learned of her plight and a documentary, When Nudes Are Stolen, followed. Now 32, Davies's new book turns the spotlight back on the online scam perpetrators and the 'anonymous, secretive world' they inhabit.
Risk, Captions and Make Me Ashamed: The names of some of the 'games' Davies observed men playing with women's photos in the darker recesses of the web.
How long will it take to read: Five minutes.
Britain's Lisa Dobriskey was unusually candid to the BBC after placing 10th in the women's 1,500m at the 2012 London Olympics: 'I don't believe I'm competing on a level playing field.'
She was right. Five of the top nine finishers, including the gold and silver medallists, have since been hit with doping violations and had their placings stripped. Dobriskey and other athletes who were cheated out of medals that day tell the story of the dirtiest race in Olympic history – and its long-running aftermath.
How long will it take to read: Ten minutes.
Further reading: Gout Gout's coach, Di Sheppard, on guiding the Australian sprint sensation.
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Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Yungblud says 'Ozzy is everything' as he opens up about 'raw' documentary
Yungblud, whose real name is Dominic Harrison, paid another fitting tribute to his pal and mentor Ozzy Osbourne as he gets set to release his 'raw' documentary Yungblud fans are set to get a sneak peek behind his rise to fame in his upcoming documentary, and the singer has once again paid a fitting tribute to his late pal rocker Ozzy Osbourne. The duo held a special relationship with Yungblud - whose real name is Dom Harrison - taking to the stage to sing a brilliant version of Changes at Back to the Beginning last month. Now, as he gets ready to release his new documentary, Yungblud has revealed his love for the Black Sabbath star weeks after his tragic death. "Ozzy is everything to me, always has been," he revealed. He went on to label the 76-year-old star his "hero" and saying being a part of his final farewell was an honour. 'I went to Ozzy Osbourne's last gig - it was the perfect send off that was written in the stars' Speaking to Sky News, the 28-year-old singer added: "To be able to go on stage and honour my hero and sing that song to him, without knowing that they were his final days, was everything to me. "I will try my best to keep that spirit and keep that energy alive. I love that guy. I got to know him personally at the end and I love that family. I've got nothing but love, always." Yungblud's documentary, titled Are You Ready, Boy?, was filmed at the famous Hansa Studios in Berlin. The studios were also used by the likes of David Bowie and U2. The feature-length film, directed by Bafta-winner Paul Dugdale, charts Dom's early life growing up in Doncaster and shows him performing at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, the birthplace of David Bowie's album Heroes, and U2's Achtung Baby. Ever proud of his northern roots, Dom made his new album in Leeds so it could have an authentic vibe. And the artist admitted it as been "pretty uncomfortable" to watch his latest production as he took in the premiere. "I think in this day and age, it's very easy for us to cut around things and make them palatable and digestible. "I wanted to do something that would be raw and uncomfortable, and this is what came out." It comes after he hinted at a "secret recording" before friend Ozzy Osbourne's death. Speaking at the time, he hinted he was working with Sabbath star Ozzy at a possible secret recording with his mentor, saying: 'There is a lot in the works as me and Ozzy are friends.' However, he recently shared the heartbreaking way her found out Ozzy had died. The Hello Heaven, Hello singer revealed he learned of the rock icon's death while he was on an island that had no internet service available. As he shared his feelings about his death recently, he said he found it "overwhelming" after previously declaring the star as "the greatest of all time" in a touching tribute. The chart topping singer has candidly explained that the sudden death of his friend has been hard to process. "I just love him and right till the very end he supported me. I get emotional, because I've loved him since I was about two," he said. He added: "He taught me self-belief and so I'm going to take his spirit and make sure everybody knows for the rest of my life who Ozzy Osbourne was - he meant everything to me."
Metro
5 hours ago
- Metro
Ozzy Osbourne 'was having fun' with daughter Kelly in poignant moment at funeral
Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo has shared his reflections on iconic Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne's funeral. Last month the musician – whose real name was John Osbourne – died aged 76 following a long period of living with Parkinson's and other health problems. His death certificate listed his cause of death as 'acute myocardial infarction' and 'out of hospital cardiac arrest'. Osbourne's funeral was held the following week, with an emotional funeral procession through the streets of Birmingham where his widow, Sharon Osbourne, was seen sobbing alongside their children. In a private service, Osbourne was buried on the grounds of his mansion and Trujillo has now said he believes the late rocker was 'having fun' during the funeral. The Metallica bassist was among the attendees at his late friend's private farewell service earlier this month and he reflected on the extreme weather changes throughout the day – including a sudden gust of wind that swept through as Kelly Osbourne sang for those gathered. Trujillo, who was a longtime member of Osbourne's backing band, told SiriusXM's Trunk Nation: 'It had been raining at the beginning of the service and then as it sort of progressed through the service, the weather would change and different things would happen. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'When Kelly was singing, her lyrics flew. Like the wind blew her lyrics away. It was almost like Ozzy was having fun with her.' Then when Osbourne's Black Sabbath bandmate Geezer Butler delivered his eulogy, the sun suddenly came out to shine on those paying their respects. Robert said: 'Geezer broke down in tears. He had a hard time, obviously, speaking. And then he came back up and he delivered an amazing eulogy. 'The sun actually came out, and then it was beautiful from that moment on.' The Enter Sandman hitmaker said there were many 'very magical moments' and a lot of laughter despite the sombre occasion. He said: 'It was a small group of people but it was very, very beautiful. It was very sad, but at the same time, some of the speeches were, as you could imagine, pretty funny. More Trending 'People sharing stories and all of a sudden there's laughter, and 'I remember this, I remember that'. There's so many stories. It felt like there was closure from this. I'm glad that we went…and we were able to have that moment with the family.' The Crazy Train hitmaker had long said he wanted his funeral to be a 'celebration' and even feature some 'pranks'. Osbourne told The Times in 2011: 'I do want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest. 'I'd also like some pranks; maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin; or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of death. There'll be no harping on the bad times.' 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: What's Happening!! actress Danielle Spencer dies aged 60 MORE: Kelly Clarkson's ex Brandon Blackstock's cause of death aged 48 revealed MORE: Blue Peter 'pioneer' Biddy Baxter dies aged 92
Sky News
6 hours ago
- Sky News
Yungblud pays tribute to his hero Ozzy Osbourne as he opens up about 'raw' documentary Are You Ready, Boy?
Why you can trust Sky News Yungblud has told Sky News he hopes he can keep Ozzy Osbourne's "spirit and energy" alive after performing at the metal legend's final gig. The singer-songwriter paid tribute to his hero at the premiere of his upcoming documentary, Are You Ready, Boy?, which he admitted had been an "uncomfortable" watch as it shows him at his most vulnerable. It gives fans a glimpse behind the curtain during the process of recording live tracks from his fourth studio album, Idols, which topped the charts in June. Just a few weeks later, he was on stage at Back To The Beginning - Ozzy Osbourne 's "final bow" reunion gig with Black Sabbath, held at Villa Park in Birmingham. The metal pioneer died less than three weeks later. Yungblud, whose real name is Dom Harrison, performed a cover of Osbourne's song Changes, and went on to release his version as a single, raising funds for the same charities as the concert. Afterwards, Ozzy gifted him a cross which he keeps around his neck. " Ozzy is everything to me, always has been," he says. "And to be able to go on stage and honour my hero and sing that song to him, without knowing that they were his final days, was everything to me. "I will try my best to keep that spirit and keep that energy alive. I love that guy. I got to know him personally at the end and I love that family. I've got nothing but love, always." Now, Harrison is getting ready for the release of Are You Ready, Boy?, which was filmed at the famous Hansa Studios in Berlin, the birthplace of albums including David Bowie's Heroes and U2's Achtung Baby!. Making music and all of his creative output he sees as "life or death", he says in the film. "I mean, 100%," he adds while on the red carpet. "I think that's how I like to play, you know? I mean, red or black, every time. "I love taking risks and this film is the most vulnerable I think I've ever been. It's pretty uncomfortable for me to watch. I've seen it once, I'll watch it tonight and probably never watch it again... "I think in this day and age, it's very easy for us to cut around things and make them palatable and digestible. I wanted to do something that would be raw and uncomfortable, and this is what came out." The film comes during an intense period for the star, who has just opened his own music venue and shop in London, and is also planning a world tour and the return of his own festival, Bludfest, in 2026. "I think it's important for [fans] to know who I really am," he says, of why he wanted to make the film. "I think 30 seconds on an Instagram video doesn't quite cut it. It's a fly-on-the-wall documentary… we didn't have an overarching narrative at the start of it. "I said, come with me for two weeks, roll the cameras and see what happens." The star also spoke about Bludfest, which he launched in 2024. The third event next year will be "bigger and better," he says. The festival was set up as he felt prices had become too expensive and he wanted to show it could be done differently. "I had something to prove," he says. "I think this festival was important… It made me sick, the price of tickets. And a lot of promoters, I don't think, took me seriously. "We made a massive statement and I will continue to do that. I love my community, I love my fanbase. They're all I care about."
