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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Was this the moment Jamie Laing changed his mind about being a dad? Ex MIC star spoke on podcast about 'secret battle' he hid from Sophie
Former Made in Chelsea stars Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing have announced they're set to become parents - just weeks after Radio 1 DJ Jamie admitted to his own 'secret battle' over becoming a father. The reality TV couple shared their happy news on Instagram on Tuesday, posting a photo of them staring in awe at an ultrasound scan. The post, captioned with a heart emoji, evoked hundreds of well wishes from fans congratulating them on the incoming pitter patter of tiny feet. However, parenthood hasn't always a given for the couple, who married in a lavish Spanish wedding in 2023 after getting together on Made In Chelsea - with Laing being frank about whether he wanted to become a father at all, saying there's 'no eject button' with children. An episode of his Great Company podcast, in which he shared the mic with University Challenge host Amol Rajan, saw the MIC star admit that the prospect of parenthood once spiked his anxiety levels so badly he fled a restaurant when Sophie told him she thought she might be pregnant. Laing opened up to BBC broadcaster Rajan, 41, saying that he'd been addicted to the 'dopamine' hits of his former party lifestyle - and made the decision at one point that he wouldn't have children at all. In the episode father-of-four Rajan, who endured a long fertility battle with his partner, Charlotte Faircloth, urged couples who are undecided on having children not to use IVF as a 'fallback' - after Laing admitted he wasn't even sure if he was fertile, saying: 'I also don't know if I can, you know I'm 36.' The University Challenge host told the now dad-to-be that his own experiences with struggling to conceive a family had left him fearing that many people still regarded IVF as a 'fallback' - and urged undecided couples not to put off becoming parents because of it. The couple announced they are expecting their first child in a post on Instagram on Tuesday He told Laing: 'I worry about the idea that a lot of people think that you can delay having kids because IVF is, like, this fallback option.' He added: 'IVF is a near miracle technology, it's an amazing thing and it's a wonderful thing but it doesn't work for everyone and it's a lot of heartache.' He said: 'As I got older, I thought I was going to have kids and I was going to have a family, and then that shifted in my mind and I thought "I'm not going to have kids, I'm not going to have a family'". Laing said his 'dopamine-craving period' had seen him not wanting to stop having fun, sparking an 'internal battle' that he didn't share with Sophie, admitting: 'I never told her "I don't think I want to do this"'. He told Rajan that perhaps his biggest fear was that you can't change your mind about being a parent once a baby has arrived. 'I run businesses and different different things but there's always an eject button there's always a way out - with kids, there is not, you're locked in,' he said. Rajan, who also presents Radio 4's Today programme, explained the heartache he and his partner had suffered when fertility treatment hadn't worked. He said: 'The whole time that I was editor of The Independent, I had this kind of secret life where I was trying to run a newspaper, turn a business round.' He said he was also trying to 'be a good boss, be a good journalist, be a good leader - but at the same time my heart was hurting because we were going through IVF.' In another episode of the Great Company podcast in December last year, Laing also opened up about his fears over having kids when his producer Jemima interviewed him. He explained: 'I would really like to have one, but it has been a real long road because I was really scared of babies and I was really scared of commitment. 'The idea of not being able to escape something, with work or even divorce, there's always a way out. But with a baby there's no way out. There is no way out because you are committed to that little human forever and that for me is really quite scary. He went on to add: 'Still really scary, it is a real fear. To the point where at the start of last year, Sophie thought she was pregnant and I had to leave the restaurant because I was so stressed. The news this week of the couple's pregnancy saw a host of famous faces offer their congratulations, including Molly-Mae Hague, Strictly's Dianne Buswell and author and Jamie's close pal Elizabeth Day, who wrote: 'So happy for you both!' Sophie's sister Georgia - who welcomed her first child last year - reshared the post saying it was the 'best news'. The sweet clip showed them having an ultrasound as Sophie looked delighted staring at the screen The announcement comes just after Sophie joined Jamie in presenting his Radio 1 drive time show when his co-star Vick Hope left on maternity leave. Vick, 35, who is expecting her first child with DJ Calvin Harris, 41, hosted her last show on the station last week. Sophie and Jamie already host their podcast NewlyWeds together - with the duo recently revealing it would be going on a break. In an Instagram update last week, they announced: 'The podcast is taking a break?! We're pressing pause but only for a moment.' A source later told The Sun: 'Sophie is joining the Radio 1 family and everyone is really excited that she'll be bringing her chemistry with hubby Jaime to the airwaves. 'They're already pros after doing their podcast for so many years but this is a huge moment for them and they can't wait. Sophie sweetly looked at the screen as Jamie filmed her having the scan 'It could lead to endless opportunities for them as a couple. They could even be a modern day Richard and Judy.' Sophie recently sparked pregnancy rumours as she shared a bikini Instagram while touching her stomach. Back in April Jamie and Sophie spilled the beans on their baby plans, during a chat with The Times. 'I was really scared about kids,' Jamie explained. 'It's something you can't control. Sophie would then carry a baby, all these different things that I can't control and, 'Oh God, what happens if this happen or that happens?' But I saw a clip on Instagram where someone said, 'The best thing I ever had is being called Dad.' 'I was like, 'Oh, wouldn't that be cool?' So now I'm so down for it. I would like to have loads.' Jamie added he would be up for four kids, and the blonde beauty agreed with him sweetly. Sophie and Jamie had two weddings - a civil ceremony at Chelsea Town hall before jetting to Spain for a bigger, more lavish ceremony. A host of their Made In Chelsea co-stars were in attendance including Sam Thompson, Olivia Bentley, Emily Blackwell, Spencer Matthews and Oliver Proudlock. Blonde beauty Sophie got engaged to Jamie in December 2021 after they started dating in April 2019 on the show. At the time they revealed that they turned down offers to film their wedding for a Made In Chelsea special – just after the Strictly star quit the E4 series to save their romance. The couple revealed they had decided against turning their nuptials into a reality spinoff show because Jamie believed relationships have a better chance of surviving away from the cameras. The Candy Kittens owner told MailOnline reality TV is 'tough on the soul' and after realising he wanted to marry former co-star Sophie he knew his departure from Made In Chelsea was inevitable. Jamie revealed: 'We got asked to do a TV show but it's tricky. 'I have done reality for so long and it's tough on the soul. I don't think TV is ever on your own terms so unless you have control over those things then it's quite difficult. 'It's one of those things that you must decide whether you want to go down the reality TV route again or not.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heartstopper star Bel Priestley laments dating as a trans woman: ‘People still think you're gay'
, known for acting in the Netflix queer teen romance series , has spoken out about the realities of dating as a young trans woman. The model and actress spoke to in a recent appearance on his podcast Great Company. On the episode, she told the reality star: 'It's still really shunned upon to date a trans woman. I think people still think you're gay.' Priestley revealed that whilst casual sex was a more regular occurrence, longterm dating still proves to be difficult as a trans woman. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Great Company (@greatcompanypodcast) 'A lot of guys are happy to have a one-night stand with me, not that I do that too often anymore, people don't want to date you or don't want to be seen out with you,' she said. 'I think that's a really difficult thing.' 'I don't know if I'll ever get married or find someone. It's rare for us,' she went on. 'I always wonder what I would be like if I was born a girl. I'd probably get married really young and have kids. also detailed a number of negative experiences she's had with men: 'I probably won't have a young love situation because I'm trans… I've had so many situations with guys when they've been really cold after or not spoken to me after [a one night stand].' Such experiences left the young star to ponder:'What's wrong with me?' 'You always end up comparing yourself to these women,' she explained, 'who you look nothing like because of a guy who never respected you in the first place.' We spoke with Priestley in 2023 when she had first joined Heartstopper. She spoke then of the importance of trans representation on a show of that size: 'For such a big show to talk about something so openly, I just think it's, like, what we need. I think, I'm surprised it's taken this long, but like, it's incredible.' It was recently announced that rather than a fourth season of the hit show, a film which will wrap up the plot is in production. It's not yet confirmed if Priestley will resprise her role as Naomi in the film. The post Heartstopper star Bel Priestley laments dating as a trans woman: 'People still think you're gay' appeared first on Attitude.
Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Shirley Ballas' ex makes rare appearance as he dances with their famous son
Shirley Ballas said her ex-husband Mark's fat-shaming used to be so bad that she can no longer eat donuts but he and the Strictly star's son Mark Jr remain close Judge Shirley Ballas' former husband took the rare step of venturing onto social media as he put on TikTok show with their son. The Strictly Come Dancing judge is twice divorced - having been married first to ballroom dancer Sammy Stopford, 68, from 1980 until 1984, then to dancer Corky Ballas, 63, from 1985 until 2007. While married to Corky - whose real name is Mark Alexander Ballas Sr - Shirley welcomed her son Mark Ballas Jr, 38, who is an established performer himself and has competed as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars in the USA. He showed off his skills with his dad as the pair strutted together in a short video on the platform. They looked like they were taking things seriously as they captioned the clip: "Father son Samba whisk vibes" as they danced away in front of a stunning backdrop. Shirley's second marriage to American ballroom dancer Corky came after she met him at a dance competition in Canada. They wed in 1985 and remained married for 22 years before splitting in 2007. But it wasn't a happy marriage for Shirley and she detailed the problems. In her 2020 memoir, Behind The Sequins, Shirley revealed Corky had "multiple girlfriends" even when she moved to America for him, adding: "I gave up my life for that man." Shirley claims Corky fat-shamed her throughout their marriage - even when she was pregnant with their son. She alleged Corky would say: "Get too big and I'm out the door. I don't do fat, Shirley." After she developed a craving for doughnuts during her pregnancy, she claimed Corky hid a cockroach in one in a bid to stop her eating them. My husband at the time thought I was too heavy for being three months pregnant so he put a roach underneath my doughnut." Shirley said. "When I ate it, the cockroach crackled in my mouth with the legs dangling outside. This made me vomit straight away." The horrific experience meant Shirley has never eaten a doughnut again. Corky has never publicly commented on the claims. Opening up on Great Company with Jamie Laing, the four-time-engaged star said: "I'm not sure I was always in touch with my feelings. I think my first true love where I felt something really passionate was when I left Sammy and I thought I was moving in with Corky to Houston, Texas. "Six weeks after being with him and after I left my husband I realised that wasn't right either. I tried to come back but my first husband said...[Shirley threw up her middle finger] he said, 'see you'... I said to my mum, 'I'm not sure this is right for me.' She said, 'you made your bed you better lie in it.'"
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Yungblud says he's 'calmer than ever' after confronting his demons
EXCLUSIVE: The singer, 27, is coming out fighting with his new music - and he's not shying away from the hard topics to climb the charts either Yungblud is coming out fighting with his new music. He's confronted his demons, taken up boxing and is battling against toxic masculinity. And what he delivers with album Idols really packs a punch. 'I really had to face myself… figure it out and face it,' he tells. And Yungblud, 27, reckons he has really grown in the process. 'I would use food and alcohol to distract myself and push things down,' he says. 'The album is a mirror to that. I have singing lessons. I don't drink as much and I've been getting better at sleeping. I've been getting better at being able to navigate this whole thing better – that's been epic.' Idols is Yungblud's fourth studio release, the first coming out in 2018. He filmed the music video for single Hello Heaven shirtless during a -14C blizzard in Bulgaria – and is enjoying flashing the flesh. Having previously opened up about his battle with body dysmorphia, the Doncaster rocker – real name Dominic Harrison – tells how he has now 'cut out people that were not good' for him, and that posing topless for his album promo is a 'kickback against those people'. Yungblud is not shying away from hard topics to climb the charts either. He says: 'Me and my friends were talking about sexuality. It was what young people were talking about but it wasn't being represented in music at all. It was kind of like, 'Oh, don't sing about that. It's too political to go on Radio One.' 'I was like, 'This is what people want to hear, this is what I want to say, this is what I want to sing about'.' After his last album, Yungblud opened up about the fear of being predictable – but that is one thing you can't accuse him of with this record. 'People knew exactly what I would sing, wear and say,' he says. 'I was repeating myself and I was starting to not tell the truth. 'The past two years has been a real reset for me to provide a new outlet and a new journey. I feel calmer than I've ever felt because it's truly written. If it's not real, people can smell it'. Describing the creative process, he said: 'It's like crying or having an orgasm… it just comes out of you without f***ing responsibility or consequence'. And Yungblud, who recently took up boxing with a trainer in LA, wants to be a positive role model for other men. Previously addressing the issue on Jamie Laing's podcast Great Company, and referencing hit Netflix series Adolescence, he says: 'What I see are these psychos like Andrew Tate and this toxically poisonous stuff that young men are consuming. 'I really feel like there needs to be people who embrace masculinity and embrace this element of physical activity, but also do it like me – from a place of law, respect and equality. 'I want to portray that it's cool to embrace masculinity in a new way that highlights emotions but respects that there isn't just this kind of old school idea that's being peddled.' Idols is out on June 20 and Yungblud's world tour starts in LA on August 23. Bludfest in Milton Keynes on June 21 is his only UK date this year.
The Independent
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Hillbilly Elegy's JD Vance actor says stars should stay out of politics
Hillbilly Elegy star Gabriel Basso has argued that celebrities should 'shut the f*** up' about politics. The 30-year-old actor played JD Vance in Ron Howard's Oscar-nominated adaptation of Vance's memoir Hillbilly Elegy in 2020. Basso is currently starring in Netflix's The Night Agent, while Vance has since become Vice President of the United States. Speaking on the Great Company podcast, Basso argued that actors aren't qualified to give political advice. 'We're saying words that we're told to say,' he said. 'We're told how to say them. We're told where to stand. And then we're telling people how to vote? 'You should be quiet, you should do your job. You should… entertain people – then shut the f*** up.' Basso continued: 'We're court jesters. We're entertaining. We're public servants. We're there to perform, to entertain, and then all of sudden, the jester, because he's in the courtroom starts to be like: 'I might want to go sit on the throne!'' Last month, Basso called Vance 'a cool guy'. 'It's kind of weird to be included in that timeline,' Basso said of his involvement in Hillbilly Elegy, telling Variety: 'They made a movie of his book and my name will always be in the description.' He continued: 'We talked a little bit. He's a cool dude. We're both from the Midwest. We just talked about life – about growing up in the woods.' By contrast, the film's director Howard said he was 'surprised and disappointed' by the writer-turned-politician amid controversial comments Vance made on the campaign trail. Meanwhile another of the film's stars Glenn Close suggested the 'change' in Vance's personality over the last five years might have stemmed from 'power', calling it 'probably the biggest aphrodisiac for a human being'. Before Vance was a couple of steps away from the most powerful position in the world, he was a self-proclaimed 'hillbilly' raised in the Appalachian mountains, living in poverty, despair and dysfunction. His journey to Yale Law School was documented in the memoir, which was published in 2017. In the introduction to the book, he said: 'I'll be the first to admit that I've accomplished nothing great in my life, certainly nothing that could justify a complete stranger spending money to read about. I am not a senator, a governor, or a cabinet secretary.'
