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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC MasterChef's self-taught Welsh cook who's modelled for Dior
BBC MasterChef's self-taught Welsh cook who's modelled for Dior 23-year-old Finley Richards from Newport is on the new series of BBC One's MasterChef, but cooking is just one of his talents "Making cooking videos online led me to applying as I had amassed a total of two million views, and I had a few comments from friends and family urging me to apply so I thought 'why not?'." A logistics manager, part-time model and social media chef from south Wales is one of this year's MasterChef contestants. 23-year-old Finley Richards has managed to fit a lot into his young career and now the self-taught chef from Newport is on one of the BBC's most hotly discussed shows. Finley grew up in Newport where he lives today with his mum, dad, brother, sister and two dogs. Both before and after graduating from Cardiff University, he pursued a career in modelling, where he landed himself opportunities with huge fashion houses Louis Vuitton and Dior. So how did the leap from modelling for some of the biggest designers to being on MasterChef come about? The idea to apply for the cooking show, which in recent months has been mired in controversy due to investigations levelled against hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode, came soon after Finley began showing off his cooking skills on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Viewers will see Finley's journey air after the BBC decided to still show this year's amatuer series because it was the "right thing to do" for those who took part. Torode and Wallace were both fired last month after a report into conduct on the cooking show upheld allegations against them. Content cannot be displayed without consent The Welsh cook told WalesOnline: "I wanted to challenge myself and see how good I was under pressure so I applied to MasterChef. "Making cooking videos online led me to applying as I had amassed a total of two million views, and I had a few comments from friends and family urging me to apply so I thought why not." Finley and his girlfriend Molly went viral on TikTok, accumulating hundreds of thousands of views as they started their own "Come Dine with Me" style series, cooking for each other and rating the dishes. There was one important rule - make everything from scratch. The popularity of this series not only created a trend, with couples recreating it across the UK, but also sparked some more food content from Finley, where he shows his followers how he makes his 'Sunday morning eggs,' and other fun recipes. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Content cannot be displayed without consent "I've always enjoyed cooking from a fairly young age. I think I've cooked for myself since I was mid-teens. At that point it was probably just pesto pasta, but the obsession has evolved," said Finley. "Cooking at university forced me to get creative and experiment with what I had. It also taught me that if I don't know how to cook then I'd starve. "If anything, I'd say my dad has impacted my love for cooking the most. He's great and has always cooked at home. "His late brother was a chef, and his dad also cooked in the army. Perhaps it's innate in me." "My style of cooking is intuitive and creative. I like to think I can open a fridge or a cupboard and work with whatever is in there. "I just cook what I love to eat, and I enjoy being creative with it. I've learned a lot from watching chefs online and on social media, but my favourite way to learn is sitting at a restaurant counter, watching chefs cook right in front of me." As for his plans after the show, Finley hopes to grow his social media platforms and eventually, make a cookbook of his own. "I'd love to work with food in some capacity. Whether that's on social media or something else." You can follow Finley on TikTok @finleyrichardss and Instagram @finleyrichards for his latest recipes. "I've always wondered whether I could cope in a professional kitchen and seeing chefs operate intrigues me," he added. "I would love to have my own cookbook, but it would have to be really credible. I've got such respect for chefs who do this for real in a professional kitchen. "I think that's why I applied, to prove I'm capable to myself and everyone else that I can cook under pressure. "So maybe if I was to be successful one day, I'd create a cookbook with all of my favourite dishes, that I've created myself." You can watch the start of Finley's MasterChef journey on BBC One on Thursday night at 8pm. You can click here to catch up on BBC iPlayer. Article continues below
Metro
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
This woman thinks celebrating your own birthday is narcissistic — is she right?
Be it a birthday, an anniversary or simply surviving a tough week, I've always loved finding an excuse to celebrate. But according to the internet, this makes me a 'narcissist'. Taking to the Am I Being Unreasonable forum on Mumsnet, one woman sparked a heated debate this week when she proclaimed: 'I think celebrating one's birthday is a very narcissistic thing to do.' She confessed she'd never understood the need to celebrate a birthday as an adult, as she thought it was just 'attention seeking' behaviour. 'Look at me…it's my day, make me feel so special blah blah blah,' she continued. 'I find it all so narcissistic. People getting extremely offended if their birthday is forgotten. Do you really care if someone has just got a year older?' For the most part, the comments read like variations of the iconic Come Dine with Me line: 'Dear Lord, what a sad little life, Jane.' Some branded the woman's view 'miserable' and and argued that birthdays were just meant to be 'a bit of fun'. A few also pointed out that getting older is a 'privilege' not everyone is afforded. However, there were some who agreed with the original post, saying adults who celebrate their birthdays were 'childish' and 'cringe'. While others said they didn't want to 'make a fuss' and felt 'awkward' about celebrating themselves. 'I like birthdays but some people do go over the top,' a fellow Mumsnet user posted in response. 'I have a mate who got her whole garden decked out in a certain theme and booked a DJ for her last birthday, which was her 34th, so not even a big birthday. She organised it all herself. A bit self-indulgent, but if it makes her happy that's up to her.' Someone else shared: 'It is one thing, if others decide to celebrate your birthday. Lovely! But to insist on it and winge on if others forget? Get over yourself. I've always thought throwing your own birthday party is very cringe too.' Metro asked registered members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) for their thoughts. And the good news is celebrating your birthday doesn't make you a narcissist – at least, not in the diagnosable sense of the word. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is estimated to affect around 1% of the population and is characterised by a grandiose sense of self-importance, a lack of empathy, an intense need for admiration, a deep envy of others, the belief they're unique and deserving of special treatment, and a preoccupation with brilliance and unlimited power. While many of us display some of these traits from time to time, it's considered pathological when it's a pattern of behaviours which impair a person's daily functioning – with others often caught in the crossfire. According to the NHS, a person with a personality disorder 'thinks, feels, behaves or relates to others very differently from the average person.' Therapist, LJ Jones believes most people who throw around the term 'narcissism' have little understanding of what the disorder actually is. But she's clear that celebrating your own birthday isn't an example of this. 'We all know that certain someone who is elaborate, extravagant or simply stretches their birth date to span the whole month; however, this does not warrant a diagnosis of narcissism.' She adds that celebrating your birthday only becomes cause for concern in 'extreme cases of self-obsession'. 'It only becomes over-indulgent when it's rooted in entitlement or a need for admiration at the expense of others,' she explains. 'For example, expecting everyone to bend over backwards, purchase expensive gifts, or reacting with anger when attention isn't given, or gifts aren't bought. Using your birthday to feel superior in such ways are possible red flags, but still not necessarily an indicator that a person is narcissistic. There are many other considerations, including people's unconscious need to stand out on social media.' Debbie Keenan, a senior accredited psychotherapist, agrees that celebrating your birthday isn't narcissistic. However, she claims there is a line where a person's behaviour could veer towards it. She explains: 'Celebrating your birthday isn't narcissistic, unless it stops being about joy and connection and starts being about attention and entitlement. Clinical narcissism is a deeper pattern of behaviour, constant validation-seeking, lack of empathy, and a sense that the world revolves around you. How you chose to celebrate another trip around the sun could reveal something else about yourself though. For counsellor Georgina Sturmer, it can be an indicator of your attachment style. There are four main attachment styles according to attachment theory, which are Secure, Anxious-Preoccupied, Dismissive-Avoidant and Fearful-Avoidant). These are thought to influence how we form and maintain relationships throughout our lives. Georgina says: 'A securely attached individual is likely be flexible and enjoy the festivities without needing to go over the top. By contrast, someone who has a preoccupied, or anxious, attachment style, might seem quite needy in how they approach celebrations. 'Festivities and attention might be an important part of how they seek reassurance and attention from others. ' At the other end of the spectrum, someone who has a dismissive, or avoidant, attachment style, might shy away from festivities all together. 'The spotlight might feel intrusive or awkward if we feel more comfortable on the outside, looking in,' says Georgina. She continues: 'This isn't black and white, it's about understanding the reasons behind the behaviour.' Experts actually told us it's 'healthy' to celebrate yourself. More Trending LJ Jones adds: It is totally normal and healthy to want to acknowledge your own existence, joy, and milestones,' she tells us. 'Some people might appear to go more 'over the top' but perhaps they weren't made much of a fuss of from caregivers during their childhood or adolescence.' So, as Debbie Keenan says: 'Throw that party, enjoy your birthday week and mark the moment however you like. It's not narcissistic, it's just being human.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I bought the online poison that killed my son – it was easy MORE: People are sharing their favourite 'mega walks' — these are the best routes in London MORE: The one phrase that will make your doctor realise there's something seriously wrong
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Downfall of Darren Day: What happened to the notorious lothario who dated Hollywood stars after brutally dumping mother of his child Suzanne Shaw as she battled Postnatal depression
At the height of his fame actor, singer and TV personality Darren Day was one of UK's most well known faces after being catapulted to stardom as Phillip Schofield 's replacement in West End musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He became a regular on the celeb party scene and gained a reputation as a ladies man, with numerous engagements including to future Hollywood stars Isla Fisher and Anna Friel, before settling down with Hear'Say's Suzanne Shaw, 13 years his junior. However Darren's reputation and career took a major nose dive after he walked out on the singer and their seven-week old son Corey on Mother's Day in 2005, as she battled postnatal depression, reportedly uttering the phrase 'I don't do family.' Speaking about it on Vanessa Feltz 's Channel 5 show this week, Suzanne, who also shares 10-year-old son Rafferty with partner Sam Greenfield, revealed that her ex 'pretty much went out to get a curry and didn't come back' and said the fact she developed postnatal depression was 'no surprise'. Darren famously embarked on the romance with the singer while they were both engaged to other people. He later married Stephanie Dooley, who he eventually divorced in 2019, nine years after she took him back when he was caught philandering with ex Suzanne. Darren, now 56, is these days is better known for his scandalous love life, his battle with drink and drugs as well as appearance on reality shows like Celebrity Big Brother, Come Dine with Me, and I'm A Me Out Of Here. However he does continue his work on stage, as well as a stint in Hollyoaks, and regularly tours the UK in musicals including appearances alongside current fiancée and fellow actor Sophie Ladds, after insisting his love rat days were behind him. Darren mostly returned to musical Chicago where he will play Billy Flynn for show's in Wolverhampton, while ex Strictly star Kevin Clifton and West End actor Dan Burton perform it elsewhere around the country. Darren, who also shares daughter Maddy, 18, and son Dalton Day, 19, with ex-wife Stephanie first began to rehabilitate his reputation with an appearance in 2016's Celebrity Big Brother saying he 'wanted the opportunity to show the public where I am now'. He told Lorraine Kelly at the time: 'If you Google me now the dodgy stuff is further down! Now nice things are said in the playground. 'It's taken time to build up bridges again, the last decade – I've worked hard and it finally feels like all the hard work has paid off. 'My lifestyle changed, I don't drink, I even gave up smoking I try and be a good husband and father and be a good man.' He later married Stephanie Dooley (pictured 2016) who he eventually divorced in 2019, nine years after she took him back when after he was caught philandering with ex Suzanne In 2023 he admitted going 'cold turkey' from drink and drugs in the I'm A Celebrity Jungle, after appearing on the first series way back in 2002 where he was eliminated third. Darren has been open about his substance addiction in the past - but has revealed for the first time he stopped using them abruptly when he entered the jungle and speaking on GMB alongside TV personality and I'm A Celeb co-star Christine Hamilton, Darren explained his difficult ordeal during his time on the show. He said: 'I've been very candid with you this morning about being in recovery and stuff like that. 'I will level with you and I've never said this publicly before - but I went cold turkey [on I'm A Celebrity].' Host Richard Madeley then asked: 'From drink, drugs or both?' to which Darren replied: 'Both - cocaine, the demon powder, and the demon drink. 'I literally went cold turkey in front of the whole country. I was smashed when I got on the plane to Australia.' He also confessed: 'The main reason I did Big Brother was to try and redeem myself because I was so ashamed of Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.' In April 2010 Darren was found guilty of his second drink-driving offence in two years and was banned from driving for five years. He previously admitted he went on a week-long drugs binge which saw him not sleep, eat or change his clothes after he hit rock bottom during lockdown. Darren said he barricaded himself in his bathroom and took '20 to 30 grams of cocaine' within the week after his company went bust and his work dried up as a result of the pandemic. He said: 'I lost a week of my life. I did about 20 to 30 grams of cocaine. I kept going until it was gone. I sat at the top of the stairs and I sobbed like I've never sobbed before.' Deciding to sort his life out, the former Celebrity Big Brother star called up pal Robbie Williams - who has faced his own demons in the past - who then put Darren in touch with his mental health team. The singer and actor has always been open about his struggles with addiction in the past – stating he is 'lucky to be alive' after enduring 'dark days' of excessive cocaine and alcohol abuse. Darren developed a crack addiction between 2001 and 2005, which he described as 'ridiculously intense', he explained how he was grateful that he didn't go down the route of taking heroin, but described smoking crack as his 'darkest days'. In 2020 he took to X to record a heartfelt video to address the mental strain his lifestyle has had on him over the years. Telling his followers: 'Since my stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house four years ago its well documented that I am in recovery/sobriety with issues around addiction. That I've spoken publicly about. 'Something I have never spoken about is my mental health issues. That changes as of today because I have become involved with a wonderful new charity: Its OK Not To Be OK.' In 1994, Darren began a relationship with Anna Friel who was at the height of her UK fame amid her stint in Brookside, which lasted three years during which time he proposed. Two weeks after dumping her, he started dating Coronation Street actress Tracy Shaw - whom he met while on tour with Summer Holiday in Manchester - giving her the £30,000 engagement ring meant for his ex. After a stormy relationship, the pair split and Darren told of their cocaine-fuelled sex binges, before meeting former Home and Away star Isla, gushing: 'She's the first girl I've been in love with.' They too became engaged but split because of their 'hectic lifestyles'. He enjoyed then brief flings with Joan Collins's daughter Tara Newley and Sophia Thierens. WHAT IS POSTNATAL DEPRESSION? Postnatal depression is a form of the mental-health condition that affects more than one in 10 women in the UK and US within a year of giving birth. As many men can be affected as women, research suggests. Many parents feel down, teary and anxious within the first two weeks of having a child, which is often called the 'baby blues'. But if symptoms start later or last longer, they may be suffering from postnatal depression. Postnatal depression is just as serious as others form of the mental-health disorder. Symptoms include: Persistent sadness Lack of enjoyment or interest in the wider world Fatigue Insomnia Struggling to bond with your baby Withdrawing from others Difficulty concentrating and making decisions Frightening thoughts, such as hurting your baby Sufferers should not wait for their symptoms to just go away. Instead they should recognise that it is not their fault they are depressed and it does not make them a bad parent. If you or your partner may be suffering, talk to your GP or health visitor. Treatments can include self-help, such as talking to loved ones, resting when you can and making time to do things you enjoy. Therapy may also be prescribed. In severe cases where other options have not helped, antidepressants may be recommended. Doctors will prescribe ones that are safe to take while breastfeeding. Postnatal depression's cause is unclear, however, it is more common in those with a history of mental-health problems. Lack of support from loved ones, a poor relationship with the partner and a life-changing event, such as bereavement, can also raise the risk.
