Latest news with #AnotherLevel
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Vanessa Feltz 'furious' after ex Ben Ofoedu's comments at his wedding
Vanessa Feltz is said to be 'furious' with her ex-fiancé Ben Ofoedu after he took a swipe at her during his wedding speech last week, with friends claiming it's 'like he's on the wind up' Friends of Vanessa Feltz reportedly say the TV star is furious her former fiancé Ben Ofoedu is continuing to use her name to "raise his profile" two years on from their bitter split. "It's like Ben is on the wind up with Vanessa," pals claim after the Phats and Small singer took a swipe at his ex during his recent wedding. Ben, 52, has married Vanessa Brown, 29, in a lavish ceremony at a castle in Carlisle last week. The music star, who was engaged to his original Vanessa for 16 years, didn't solely focus on his bride during their special day. The singer-songwriter reflected on his failed engagement on his wedding day, declaring: "Never again will I do that. I wasted 17 years of my life. I don't believe in long engagements any more. You don't want to get married if there's a question mark over your engagement." In February 2023, Vanessa announced the end of their romance on social media. In an interview conducted a month prior, she had alluded to Ben's unfaithfulness and expressed concerns about their age difference in an interview conducted a month prior. And now, following Ben's latest mention of his former fiancée, Vanessa's pals are speaking out on her behalf. "The split was obviously not exactly amicable, but never did Vanessa think that Ben would still be going on about her now," a friend of the broadcaster has claimed. "To her it's pretty obvious that every time he speaks of her it raises his profile, and she simply won't play ball. She knows what his game is and she just wishes he could move on too. Vanessa absolutely hates it when Ben uses her in any way to increase his own publicity." Speaking to the Daily Mail, the star's friend added: "She takes the view that he might not stop – but she certainly won't be party to any of it. It's like Ben is on the wind up with Vanessa." Newly married Ben's recent wedding reportedly set him back £100,000, and during his heartfelt speech, as reported by The Sun, he confessed to the attendees: "I knew the first time I met Vanessa, I'm going to fall in love with this girl." He confessed: "It sounds crazy, but I told her that, I knew I was giving her attention, but I had intentions with this girl. So on the second date I told her I wanted to marry her and have children because I thought that by saying it, it separates the wheat from the chaff." However, his heartfelt declaration was hilariously cut short by his mate and former Another Level star Dane Bowers, who quipped: "That, and you're really old." The cheeky comment sent waves of laughter through the wedding guests. Reflecting on his journey to finding love again after a tough breakup with Vanessa, Ben expressed his newfound perspective: "Everything happens for a reason. I understand that now." In an unusual move, Ben chose his wedding day to open up about his past struggles, admitting to the attendees: "It's no secret that I went through a really hard two years. Not everyone knew how difficult a place I was in because I was putting up a brave front, but I was quite down behind the scenes." Ben's hardships didn't end with his breakup; he also faced the sudden loss of his younger brother at just 47. During the ceremony, he shared with the guests how his deep faith led him to a conversation with God, which ultimately brought him a new music opportunity and the chance to meet his current wife. He recounted, "I broke down in tears, I was crying uncontrollably. So I got down on my knees and prayed. I asked God, 'is it true? Are you still in business? Will you take a customer like me?" He added: "I know it sounds funny, but it's the truth. Two days later I got a call that changed my life."
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ben Ofoedu takes aim at ex Vanessa Feltz during wedding to parter 23 years his junior
Ben Ofoedu has tied the knot with his fiancée Vanessa Brown two years after he admitted to reaching rock bottom following his split with former fiancée Vanessa Feltz Vanessa Feltz's ex fiancé Ben Ofoedu has finally tied the knot with his new bride Vanessa Brown, in a lavish ceremony surrounded by celeb pals and family. The 52 year old Phats and Small singer married in an opulent castle in Carlisle to Vanessa, who is 23 years his junior. Despite appearing to move on from his failed romance with TV star Vanessa, 63, he couldn't help but take aim at her when speaking about his new love. The music artist, who had been engaged to Vanessa Feltz for 16 years, revealed: "I know what true love is now." Back in February 2023, the This Morning star took to social media to shared with fans that her 16 year relationship with Ben was over. At the time, the TV and radio presenter had hinted at Ben's infidelity but also mentioned in another interview a month earlier that her age gap became a subject of concern. Meanwhile, Ben's main heartbreak was that he felt he had missed out on an opportunity to become a father. And so with his new bride being younger than his years, it looks as though Ben's dreams of being a husband and a father in the future could quite easily be a possibility. The couple's wedding is believed to cost an estimated £100,000 and during his wedding speech, he told guests, according to The Sun: "I knew the first time I met Vanessa, I'm going to fall in love with this girl." He added: "It sounds crazy, but I told her that, I knew I was giving her attention, but I had intentions with this girl. So on the second date I told her I wanted to marry her and have children because I thought that by saying it, it separates the wheat from the chaff." But his emotional speech was interrupted by his close pal and Another Level singer Dane Bowers, who shouted out: "That, and you're really old." Dane's outburst made everyone in the wedding reception burst out laughing. After meeting his new bride following the end of his relationship with Vanessa, Ben now firmly believes that his split happened for a reason. He said: "Everything happens for a reason. I understand that now." It's perhaps uncommon to speak of an ex during his wedding to another woman but Ben did just that. He told the wedding party: "It's no secret that I went through a really hard two years. Not everyone knew how difficult a place I was in because I was putting up a brave front, but I was quite down behind the scenes." Despite grieving the loss of his relationship, Ben was going through further turmoil as his younger brother had died suddenly at the age of 47. Digging down into his faith, Ben explained to his guests the conversation he had with God, which resulted in his landing a music gig and meeting his new wife. He explained: "I broke down in tears, I was crying uncontrollably. So I got down on my knees and prayed. I asked God, 'is it true? Are you still in business? Will you take a customer like me?" He went on to say: "I know it sounds funny, but it's the truth. Two days later I got a call that changed my life." And then Ben received a phone call to be part of Boyz on Block and perform at the last minute at the Elite Awards in Carlisle. He then meet Vanessa in April last year. This came after Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife, were forced to pull out. Ben seized the opportunity to seal his relationship with Vanessa and proposed while in New York on Valentines Day this year - just 15 months after they first met.
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
90s boy band star unrecognisable in normal job after band reunites without him
Bobak Kianoush was a member of boy band Another Level alongside Dane Bowers, Wayne Williams and Mark Baron, but he has since turned his back on the music industry Another Level were one of the most popular boy bands of the late Nineties, enjoying massive chart success with hits like Freak Me, Be Alone No More and Bomb Diggy. But many might find it hard to recall who the band's most famous member, Katie Price's ex Dane Bowers, shared the stage with. Dane performed alongside Wayne Williams, Mark Baron and Bobak Kianoush from the band's early triumph in 1997 until their break up in 2000 after seven Top 40 hits. Dane has had intermittent stints in the limelight since then, including a spotlight on his relationship with Love Island's Laura Anderson, a brawl at Butlin's and a stint on Celebrity Big Brother. In 2013, he also took part in ITV's Big Reunion documentary, with the other band members declining. Wayne said he was at a different stage in his life, Mark – who is married to The Apprentice star Lord Sugar 's daughter – felt his work commitments for his father-in-law prevented him from participating and Bobak was heavily engaged with other projects. After the band's break-up, Bobak moved to Los Angeles and carved out a successful second career as a model for brands such as Gap, Valentino, Macy's and even became the face of Diet Coke. He has also lent his expertise as a consultant on projects including the MOBO and Brit Awards, Fashion Rocks, Valentino, Reebok and Mastercard Europe. Adding more feathers to his cap, the multi-talented former singer then transitioned into a brand manager and head of marketing role for luxury computer hardware manufacturer OrigenAE. But his diverse new career didn't stop there - he also attended Queen Mary's University of London to study law and ventured into property development, taking on a 17-acre luxury real estate project that emphasises sustainable systems. He's also a doting dad of two, frequently sharing snaps of his young children on Instagram. In his boy band days, Bobak was known for his closely-shaved head. So, fans at the Kisstory festival in 2021 might have found it difficult to recognise the singer who appeared on stage with dark hair and heavy stubble, hiding his signature dimples. He seemed overjoyed to reunite with the group for the performance at the festival on Streatham Common in London. However, it seems this was a one-off return to the stage for Bobak, as Another Level reformed earlier this year without him or Wayne. The former singer hit back after he found out two new members had joined the band and he hadn't been consulted over the reunion. "They didn't have the courtesy to consult me - so it's made me speaking out about this inevitable," he told MailOnline. "I'm not trying to create any animosity but it's the fans that are important in this and it's not sitting right with them. They're telling me the band have been editing me out of videos and deleting their comments asking where I am!' Another Level's reunion comes hot on the heels of another 90s boy band's comeback, as Slam Dunk (Da Funk) singers Five thrilled fans earlier this year when they announced a huge 25-date tour after 24 years away.
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I've dated Love Island hunks & soap stars – but the WAG life is a game changer, says Laura Anderson
LOVE Island star Laura Anderson has revealed she loves being a WAG – as she fancies her footballer boyfriend even more when he's on the pitch. The Scots influencer, 36, from Stirling, has been waiting to find her soulmate after finishing runner-up on the 2018 series of the hit dating series with Paul Knops. 6 Laura Anderson says she loves being a football WAG Credit: Getty 6 Laura is loved up with Scots footballer Clark Robertson Credit: lauraanderson1x/Instagram 6 Clark plays for Dundee FC Credit: Willie Vass She later split up with the reality star and dated Another Level's Dane Bowers, 45, and Hollyoaks actor Gary Lucy - with whom she had daughter Bonnie - before meeting her Dundee defender beau Clark Robertson, 31. The ex-air hostess admits she used to hate watching football - but is now learning the rules so she can fawn over her fella. Laura said: 'I guess I'm a WAG now. I actually really like football. I didn't really like it before. To be honest, it just reminded me of my dad hogging the remote when we were young and I never got to watch what I wanted to watch. 'But now I like going to the games. I think he looks very sexy actually because he's quite bossy on the pitch and he's not like that day-to-day. He's such a relaxed, chilled out guy. 'So on the pitch he's always pointing and I'm like 'what the hell what's going on?'' Clark even reckons that Bonnie, who turns two in September, could be the next in line for soccer stardom. Laura added: 'Clark did say Bonnie's got a good left foot and she's actually really good at football already. 'I think I'm going to take credit for it because I started her out on the ball before I met Clark, but I think he might be trying to take credit that she's somehow following in his footsteps.' Single mum Laura, who split from Lucy during her pregnancy, quit her radio presenting gig on Capital Scotland's Breakfast Show in February. She walked away after less than a year due to suffering burnout from juggling super early rises for work while looking after Bonnie. Love Island's Laura Anderson gives tour of her HUGE new mansion with en-suite rooms and garden so big it could be a park The blonde bombshell would love to return to the airwaves one day - but until then she wants to fit everything around watching her daughter grow. Laura said: 'She is wild. It was her first day at nursery last week and I dropped her off and cried my eyes out. 'She's a sassy little thing but a mummy's girl at heart. There's so much to learn with being a mum and it's ever-changing as they grow. There's a new milestone each week. 'I need to keep up with her and meet those needs and I just want to do the best I can. There's definitely more pressure doing it alone as all the responsibility is on me. 'Sometimes I think that maybe if I wasn't doing it alone, I wouldn't be as good a mum. So I have to take it as a blessing because I do feel quite proud of myself that she's doing so well and she's so happy.' She added: 'I just fit my work around Bonnie now. There's jobs I have to knock back and I'd love to be going to London and going to these events all the time 'But it's just not worth it. I left Capital because I couldn't really be the energetic mum I wanted to be. I had to make a tough decision but I don't regret choosing my daughter over any work opportunities because they're only young once. 'I like doing brand deals and my Instagram and stuff like that because it is so flexible and I can work from home or anywhere else. 6 Laura and Clark went official with their relationship last year Credit: lauraanderson1x/Instagram 6 Laura previously dated Love Island's Paul Knops Credit: PA:Press Association 6 She was also romantically tied to Dane Bowers Credit: The Mega Agency 'I did actually love doing radio so it would be great if I could have a wee weekend show on Heart - as you get older you go from Capital to Heart apparently. 'Maybe even when Bonnie goes to school I could be back on. Right now it's just not working to get up at 4.30am five times a week.' One of the biggest changes in Laura's life since becoming a mum is the type of following she has. With 1.5million on Instagram alone, people love following her life and finding out what she's up to. Fellow mums often reach out to pay her lovely compliments and she admits it's a relief to be told she's doing a good job. She said: 'There's parts of being a mum that's relatable and I definitely feel it's a nice little community where other mums help me and then I help them back. 'You get a lot of comfort from realising you're not the only one going through things. I've had a lot of private messages from other mums telling me how much they love watching me and Bonnie and that they want to be friends with us. 'Like when I took Bonnie on holiday myself when she was young, you get other mums saying they never thought they could do it and that it helped them realise they could. 'It's little things like that that make me feel good as I see that it's the right decision for me to share if it's making someone else feel better.'
