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Spectator
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Why I don't pity short men
I couldn't help sniggering when I read in the Guardian that Tony Robinson, the diminutive (5'4) droll most famous for being in Blackadder, is venting his miniature wrath over the tendency of women on dating apps to desire men taller than them: 'Nowadays, you don't pick on people's looks, do you? It's like kind of a new understanding over the last ten or 15 years, you don't deride people for what they look like' he scolded on Elizabeth Day's How to Fail podcast, admitting he had seen his shorter than average height as 'a problem in life.' A quick peek at his Wikipedia shows that Sir Tony (a long-time member of the Labour party, knighted in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours) has been gainfully employed as an actor since the age of 13 in the theatre, radio, television, films and as an advertising voice-over for cleaning products, including Vanish. But far from vanishing, at the ripe old age of 78, he's still going strong. To say he's had a successful career in a profession where around 90 per cent are out of work at any given time is to utilise classic English understatement somewhat. Because of this, he is a wealthy man with homes both here and abroad. Sir Tony has been no slack in his private life, either. Three times married, his current wife Louise Hobbs is some 35 years younger than him. I'm not pointing the finger, as Mr Raven is some 13 years junior to myself, but it's one of those amusing situations comparable to Stephen Fry and his spouse in that when you see a photograph of them together, you do initially think 'isn't it lovely to see someone that close to their adult child!' before looking a bit closer and thinking 'Ah…but not that close, perhaps. Silly me!' You'd think having a gorgeous young wife would have rendered Sir Tony totally uncaring about what the youngsters get up to. But he gets in a right kerfuffle about the girls on Love Island: 'Look at Love Island, every woman who is asked what bloke they want will always start by saying 'I want a tall man' and then everyone else will laugh in collusion.' Why is a 78-year-old man watching Love Island – and would he watch it if the bikini-clad babes doing all that mugging and hugging were of his vintage? Of course, the Guardian is keen to back up the miserable old leftie: 'Studies over decades show heightism leads to bias, yet it appears even today to be more socially acceptable than other forms of physical prejudice. The term 'heightism' was first coined by the sociologist Saul Feldman in 1971. Dr Erin Pritchard, a senior lecturer in sociology and disability studies at Liverpool Hope University, believes much heightism is subconscious, but that it is ingrained. It has also not benefited from widespread acceptance movements. 'You had the fat acceptance movement, and while there's still issues, you would never go, 'Well, how much do you weigh?' But it's perfectly acceptable for people to go, 'How tall are you'?'' But also recently in the Guardian – or the Good News Gazette, as I think of it – there was a fat girl having a moan about models being thin, so it's basically any poor-me in a storm. 'Live and let live' used to be a popular liberal tenet before liberals decided that telling everyone else what they should be doing and thinking was a lot more fun. I'd bring it back and add a new one; like and let like, or even love and let love. Don't try to push your way into dating groups that don't fancy you; go and find a dating group that's keen on your kind. It's going to save a lot of aggro and hurt feelings all around. Just as some people are going to be better runners – or writers – than others, some people are going to be more physically attractive. Babies smile at photographs of conventionally attractive people more; are we going to start re-educating them about beauty before they can count to two? Besides, very few apparent gifts are free in this life; with beauty comes the curse of witnessing its loss, either by natural decay or unnatural injections of plastic which invariably rob the most fantastic face of what made it special in the first place. Before I was in a wheelchair, I was 5'9. I loved being tall. It suited me; I was a swaggering, swashbuckling show-off. Sometimes I used to actually pat my shorter friends on the head. I'm about four feet tall now; it's weird seeing life from a child's point of view. But I'll have to grin (and occasionally) grizzle and bear it. I don't believe for a moment that anyone should have to find people in wheelchairs as attractive as those striding along on their long healthy legs. I don't see many public figures in wheelchairs – but I don't believe for a moment that if I did, it would make being in a wheelchair any less annoying. In my opinion, the phrase 'If you can't see it, you can't be it' is one of the silliest of modern sayings. Rosa Parks never saw someone do what she did; neither did Barack Obama. Looking to others for approval (unless it comes in the obvious shape of getting paid) is one of the surest ways to court under-underachievement, self-loathing and mediocrity. But if 'Sir' Tony really does 'need' to see an example of a rich, successful shorter man date/bang/marry a taller woman, there are many to choose from. The tall young starlet with the short mega-millionaire is a long-standing cliche, from Bernie Eccleston to Rod Stewart, who far preferred girls who towered over him. As he gamely chortled in 'Blondes Have More Fun': 'You can keep your red heads/ You can keep your brunettes too/I wanna girl that's semi-intelligent/Gimme a blonde that's six feet two.' The blonde he finally settled for, the ex-model Penny Lancaster, has been vice president of the Royal National Institute of Blind People and a fully-qualified Special Constable with the City of London police. She's the catch, as much as him; when you can't tell the difference, I guess they call it love. So contrary to what Dr Prichard says – 'We need more voices like Tony Robinson coming out and saying it, to show this is not all woke nonsense, [to] just sort of sit down and listen to what they have to say and go, OK, these are their lived experiences' – we need, in the sexual arena, more people who don't feel outraged at not being found attractive by those more attractive, and taller, than they are.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Things had happened outside the marriage that ...: Melinda French Gates on what led her to divorce Bill Gates
Microsoft founder Bill Gates ex-wife Melinda French Gates has revealed her that her decision to divorce Bill Gates stemmed from 'things that happened outside their marriage'. The divorce, which was finalised in 2021, followed the surfacing of certain information that impacted the couple's relationship. In a recent interview Melinda French Gates stated that she 'kept pushing away' until it became impossible to ignore. Melinda Gates on divorce with Bill Gates: I kept ignoring it Speaking on the How to Fail podcast with Elizabeth Day, Melinda Gates said that she initially ignored and suppressed her inner warnings about her marriage. ''At some point I had to turn towards it, and I just knew it—and I knew it in my soul,' she said. Married for 27 years, Bill and Melinda French Gates also co-founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation . French Gates also added that the decision to divorce Bill Gates was not taken lightly, citing that they shared a family and philanthropic responsibilities. 'It wasn't just two of us involved—it was five of us,' she said, referencing their three children. While Melinda Gates did not talked about the outside factors which pushed her to take the decision, but in the past she has revealed the discomfort she felt with Bill Gates' meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling him 'abhorrent' and 'evil personified.' Bill has previously admitted that associating with Epstein was a mistake. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Following the divorce, both Bill and Melinda Gates have continued their philanthropic efforts, though they are no longer working together as a couple. Bill Gates has publicly expressed regret about the divorce, acknowledging his role in the dissolution of their marriage. Melinda is now in a relationship with entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, while Bill Gates is dating Paula Hurd, widow of Oracle CEO Mark Hurd. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Express Tribune
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Melinda Gates opens up about her split with Bill Gates
In a candid interview on Elizabeth Day's 'How to Fail' podcast, Melinda Gates shared the pivotal moment when she knew her marriage to Microsoft founder Bill Gates was beyond repair. Reflecting on her relationship, Melinda revealed that she initially ignored the warning signs, attributing them to external factors outside their marriage. 'I kept pushing it away,' Melinda admitted, recalling moments when doubts surfaced. Despite these feelings, she continued to believe in their shared work, particularly the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which they co-founded and which remains a cornerstone of their legacy. However, as Bill's infidelity became known, Melinda acknowledged that she could no longer ignore the reality of her situation. "At some point, I had to turn towards it, and I just knew it in my soul," she confessed, marking the point when she realised their relationship had come to an end. She emphasized the difficulty of leaving, as she takes marriage seriously, noting that it wasn't just about the two of them but also their three children—Jennifer, 29, Rory, 26, and Phoebe, 22. "It's two people who've come together, hopefully in love... so pulling it apart later is really hard," Melinda said, reflecting on the emotional toll. Melinda, 60, also encouraged others to trust their intuition, even when it means facing painful decisions. The couple married in 1994 but announced their separation in May 2021, finalising their divorce by August. The separation followed reports of Bill's affair with a Microsoft employee. Since the divorce, Melinda has found new love with tech entrepreneur Philip Vaughn, while Bill, 69, is dating Paula Hurd, widow of the late Oracle co-CEO Mark Hurd.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Katie Price's fury at exes who she blames for bankruptcy despite huge splurging
Former glamour model Katie Price, 47, believes that her tumultuous six years of financial woes are all down to one reason - the men in her life Katie Price was declared bankrupt for a second time in March of this year, with a significant tax debt of over £750,000 cleared. However, the former glamour model, 47, believes that her tumultuous six years of financial woes are all down to one reason - the men in her life. Speaking back in March, she lashed out at her exes, claiming they "mentally abused her" and that she "wouldn't be tormented in [her] brain" if they hadn't been around. She said: "If men had not been in my life, I wouldn't be in the bankruptcy things that I've been in. I wouldn't be tormented in my brain or mentally abused like I have been." Katie also revealed she believes she may have started glamour modelling due to the problems she has had with men. She told Elizabeth Day's How to Fail podcast: "Because it's like, you can look at me in a magazine but you cant touch me. I have therapy all because of men." The mum-of-five added that she had PTSD, which she claimed was caused by men, but has now learned that 'opening up the lines of communication' is the 'best way forward'. The Pricey has had a complicated love life, having been married three times and engaged four. After getting divorced from Peter Andre, Alex Reid and Kieran Hayler, her latest break-up was with on/off fiancé, Carl Woods - before she moved on to her current partner, Married At First Sight star, JJ Slater. Yet, Katie's love of plastic surgery has left fans concerned over the last decade - and not just because of the potential medical implications. She has had at least 16 boob jobs and most recently underwent surgery in a bid to have the 'largest boobs in Britain'. Katie is also an avid fan of fillers - having had injections in her lips and face to plump up her pout and smooth out her features. Earlier this year, she showed off her new lips and new buttocks after having it plumped up. The costs of the tweaks were revealed, with the recent procedures pushing the amount she has spent changing her body to £130,000. In January, the Daily Mail claimed the star had spent £84,000 on changing the size of her breasts alone - while she has also had liposuction and Botox as well as other procedures. Katie had work done with Life Aesthetics - a company which offers Brazilian bum lifts starting from £1,700. She also showed off the results of a Butterfly Lip injection - which reconstructed the shape of her lips so the top lip is puffed up and back to show off her teeth. The procedure costs from £550. Last year, Katie went on many holidays and treated herself to tattoos and beach activities. She enjoyed a sunny getaway in Spain and also travelled to Thailand to top up her tap. She sometimes went with some of her children and even had her ex-fiancé Carl Woods tag along on several beachside getaways. While she's at home in the UK, she's busy with her mansion and cars. Katie was banned from driving following an accident near her home in Sussex in September 2021. She flipped her car BMW X5 during the crash and was handed a 16-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, a two-year driving ban and 100 hours of community service after admitting to drink driving while disqualified and without insurance. However, the ban was lifted early last year and she celebrated by treating herself to a set of new wheels, reportedly worth £50,000. Katie - who is mum to son Harvey, 22, with Dwight Yorke, Junior, 19, and Princess, 17, with ex-husband Peter Andre, and son Jett, 11, and daughter Bunny, 10, from her third marriage to Kieran Hayler - also recently opened up about the astonishing amount she spends on her weekly food shop. Opening up about her spending habits on her podcast The Katie Price Show, the proud mum said: "I do weekly shops, I spend about £500-£700 a week. "Sometimes we all go [to the shops]. I hate it because I say to them, we all get a trolley each, and Princess and Ed fill theirs up whereas Junior and Jasmine are careful with what they put in. They look at the prices and stuff and I just put everything in."
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic Actress Recalls 'Crazy' Run-In With Taylor Swift: 'I Hate Myself'
—she's just like us! The 10 Things I Hate About You star detailed the "crazy" run-in she once had with in the Wednesday, May 21 episode of the podcast How to Fail, where she begrudgingly opened up about meeting the superstar at a 'game night party' they were both invited to. Stiles, 44, joked, 'God, I hate myself right now," as she dove into the tale. "The biggest name-dropping I could do—but it happened and it's awesome.' Swift, she said, just "has that presence" where you "could just feel" her entering the room. She wasn't planning on bothering the Eras Tour artist that night, but as she was getting ready to leave, someone intervened, letting her know that Swift was interested in saying hi to her.'...he was like, 'She really likes your work,'" the actress recalled, adding that she "blacked out" as they shook hands. "I don't remember, actually, what happened after that—but she said something very nice to me.' Stiles further 'dissociated for a second' while the two chatted, but eventually "worked up the courage" to praise the musician. "You're amazing; this is crazy," she told her, recalling the way she "looked like she genuinely appreciated it." While "there used to be a part of [her]" that insisted she "play it cool" when crossing paths with another actor or artist that she admired, more recently she's "discovered that everybody that's a performer wants to know people are listening to their music or watching their movies or care at all." Now, she's "totally, unselfconsciously ready to say" how fantastic she thinks somebody is. 'Even somebody like Taylor Swift, who is the biggest star on the planet, seems humble enough or just positive enough to be like, 'Yeah, I'm glad that bazillions of people like to listen to my music,'" she pointed out. "They don't take it for granted.'
