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Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I knew a s***storm was coming when Lions picked me over Ireland talisman'
The British and Irish Lions will head back to Australia for the first time in 12 years this summer - with their last visit including the historic call to drop Ireland great Brian O'Driscoll British and Irish Lions icon Jonathan Davies knew a "real s*** storm" was coming when he was told he would play ahead of Brian O'Driscoll the last time they headed Down Under. In one of the most controversial selection calls ever the Welshman found himself caught in the fallout. The last Lions victory came 12 years ago when Warren Gatland led the team to success in Australia after a Third Test decider in Sydney. The build-up though was dominated by the decision to axe O'Driscoll for the do-or-die game. The Irishman, regarded as among the greatest Lions of all-time having gone on four tours, was overlooked for a Welsh pairing of Jamie Roberts and Davies. The latter was on his first tour but was backed by his national boss - which caused even more of a stir amid accusations of bias. Davies, who would be named the Player of the Series four years later in New Zealand, decided to get on the beers in the week before the Third Test as he expected O'Driscoll to get the nod ahead of him, only to play down his antics when he clocked he was getting the nod. He told Genting Casino: 'I remember getting called to the coaches' office on the Wednesday morning and I was thinking 'here it comes'. Then they started talking to me saying 'how's your past couple of days been?' and I was pretending I hadn't pushed the boat out at all on the Sunday. 'Then they kept chatting away and said 'you're going to have to learn the role for the 13 move, you need to know what you're doing in the 13 shirt'. I was like 'alright' and Gats was like 'do you know what I'm saying?' - I was like 'yep' and thought that there was going to be a real s*** storm happening pretty soon." The backlash, especially in Ireland, was massive as fans and pundits were stunned to see O'Driscoll, who was in the midst of what would be his final Lions series, getting the boot as he was forced to watch from the stands in Sydney and lift the trophy in a suit, not his Lions jersey. Age meant that this was going to be O'Driscolls fourth and final Lions tour, but he remained a team player and held no grudge against Davies. The Wales centre knew he had huge shoes to fill and Gatland made it clear that losing wasn't an option. He said: "After Captain's Run on the Friday (before the third test), Gats asked me 'how's it been?'. I said 'it's been eventful' then he goes 'yeah? just make sure you win now tomorrow and we'll be okay.' 'It was a load of pressure, but I wouldn't change it because I think it made me perform at a better level as well. But it was something people always want to talk about for some reason - I don't know why. The team was announced to everyone and then we went straight on the bus to training. You know how the bus works, with senior boys at the back, so I was near the front at this point. Brian walks past, shakes my hand and carries on up to the back of the bus."
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Genting pledges £9.8 million for Westcliff casino restoration after Raac discovery
A much-loved casino has pledged £9.8 million for the restoration of its venue in Westcliff after the discovery of crumbling concrete. Genting Casino has unveiled plans for a major refurbishment of its Westcliff site, committing nearly £10 million to ensure the venue's future. This comes after the presence of potentially dangerous RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) was found in its roof. Despite the scale of the works, the casino remains fully open to customers, with the restoration carefully phased to maintain access to gaming, dining, and live entertainment. Bookings are still currently being taken for forthcoming live events, including the Show Me Love Brunch on May 3 and a Take That Tribute on June 13. However, works are expected to continue until early 2026. Stuart Green, general manager of Genting Casino Westcliff, said: "We are delighted that we can continue to keep the casino open throughout the building works and offer customers the high-quality experience they associate with Westcliff, featuring the best in hospitality and entertainment. "Genting's financial commitment to the project is very welcome and will allow us to deliver an amazing outcome which we are sure our customers will love. "The project is running according to plan, and we look forward to sharing the first images of the new-look casino in the coming months." The first phase of the project is likely to be completed by the end of July. Building work is scheduled for weekday working hours to minimise the impact during evenings and at weekends when the casino is at its busiest. There are likely to be two single-day car park closures in June, which will be announced in due course. The restoration project aims to give Westcliff a stunning makeover, with popular performers set to entertain customers in an immersive lounge as the project moves into its second phase. The casino, which was built in the 1970s, has been serving the city of Southend for decades.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gwyneth Paltrow admits she isn't close to Meghan Markle but slams feud rumours
Gwyneth Paltrow has shut down rumours she's been feuding with the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, in a recent interview after the pair united to slam rumours earlier this year Gwyneth Paltrow revealed she doesn't know Meghan Markle 'super well' as she shut down the feud rumours about them. The Shakespeare in Love actress, 52, said she only 'hung out' with the Duchess of Sussex, 43, a number of times and added she was 'proud of her'. Iron Man and Avengers actress Gwyneth had enough of the rumours circling about their friendship and quickly set the record straight on whether there were any disagreements between the two as she said she wouldn't 'be a pawn in some drummed up triangulation of women feud in order for your f***ing clickbait', before demanding: "Leave us out of it." READ MORE: Shark handheld vacuum cleaner that is a 'game-changer if you've got kids' plummets in sale Appearing on a recent episode of The World's First Podcast With Erin & Sara Foster, Gwyneth was asked about the rumours of her and Meghan supposedly 'hating each other'. She answered: "You know what I won't be at this point in my life? Like, I won't be a pawn in some drummed up, you know, triangulation of women feud in order for your f***ing clickbait. Leave us out of it, leave us out it. Like, don't do that. I will not stand for that. "I wish Meghan nothing but the best. Like, like, it's so great what she's doing. I'm proud of her. Every woman deserves to go into anything that they want to do, like, people need to just check themselves." Gwyneth went on to reveal the duo's relationship, explaining: "She lives in Montecito so I've seen her, I've hung out with her a few times. She seems really lovely. I don't know her super well, but she seems really, really lovely." Last month, the actress took part in a Q&A session on her Instagram and answered a fan who asked if she was "comprehending the Meghan Markle beef that social media says you two have?" "I genuinely do not understand this at all, whatsoever," said a confused Gwyneth before she turned her head to ask someone in the room: "Do you understand this?" She then moved her iPhone camera to reveal Meghan sitting right next to her. Meghan shrugged her shoulders as she giggled and leaned back in her chair while enjoying a slice of pie. Some online followers have since suggested that the video was just a stunt - but that's not true, according to body language expert Darren Stanton. Speaking on behalf of Genting Casino, he observed how "loose and relaxed" the Duchess' movements were, adding "if it were all for show you would be able to see some tension and awkwardness there". Darren further explained that the relaxed setting adds to his impression that there is a genuine friendship between Meghan and Gwyneth. "It firstly demonstrates that you have two very strong women." he said. "They are happy to joke around with each other and their fans but also will be quick to stand up for themselves."
