Latest news with #I'maCelebrity...GetMeOutofHere
Daily Mirror
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV The Chase star Anne Hegerty 'happy in own company' after struggling to pay bills
Professional quizzer Anne Hegerty is a firm favourite of ITV The Chase fans, where she is known for playing her straight-laced role as the 'Governess' It's been a long journey for professional quizzer Anne Hergerty, 66, - and she has come far from the days when, during a difficult period in her life, a council worker had to help her open her post. A firm favourite amongst The Chase fans for her straight-laced persona of 'The Governess' on ITV, Anne has become a staple part of the British quizzing scene. But her love for general knowledge and competitive streak goes well beyond the last few years, which have taken her career to new heights of success - even back in the mid-1980s, she made a television appearance, showing off her intellect. A stint on I'm a Me Out of Here, made her something of a household name, and earned her dedicated fans beyond those hooked to quiz shows. The Chase's Anne Hegerty vents true opinion on 'dominatrix' outfit she's 'always hated' ITV The Chase rejected nicknames for Chasers - including one that was too 'racy' Back in the eighties, Anne took a turn in the Mastermind chair, with the special subject of The Life and Works of Lorenz Hartand she looked totally unrecognisable with a curly short hairdo and a patterned dress - that was pretty emblematic of the loud styles that were all the rage then. Her appearance took place in 1987, when she was 30 years old, and working as a freelance journalist - but it isn't the only unlikely throwback of the TV personality that has shocked her fans. An old photo of Anne, when she was even younger, with long curly locks and a cheeky smile, the snap from 1983 was pretty much unrecognisable to her fans, who are so used to her formidable governess persona. These days, Anne is almost always seen in a smart suit that is reminiscent of a schoolmarm, something she has called "stupendously unflattering" but does admittedly fit her quizzing persona perfectly. The governess character is "a bit creepy" Anne has said, revealing she based the persona in part on Professor Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter series. "But a friend of mine said 'you won't be able to sustain that', so I went down the more of the standard scary rout and, in recent years, at least one American viewer has compared me to Professor McGonagall from the Harry Potter films," she previously told Stuff. "So McGonagall, not Umbridge: I'll take that." Before becoming a star on The Chase, Anne was going through a difficult time in her personal life. She had been working as a freelance proofreader, but found things getting on top of her. Anne, who is autistic, found it tricky to stay on top of her accounts due to her condition. She was living in council housing when a worker from the Housing Association came to her home because she had fallen behind on paying her rent. "I just simply couldn't keep it going and the result was I wasn't paying my bills, but I was trying not to go on benefits on the grounds that I just thought that was sort of giving up. I wasn't giving up," Anne has said. The TV star explained that during the visit, the women from the Housing Association stepped in to help Anne get back on top of things. "She was stepping over piles of unopened mail and realised we had a problem. She said 'we will fix this, I will get someone to help you,'" Anne explained. Anne was also put in touch with a social worker who helped her sort out her finances and made sure she was receiving the benefits she was entitled to, the Disability Living Allowance. It wasn't long after this that Anne got her big break on The Chase, and whilst she has said she is incredibly grateful for her job, she has also admitted some aspects of fame can be tricky to deal with. "It is difficult to go down the street without being recognised. It's weird and interesting," she said of her celebrity status. "There are times when you're not absolutely crazy about it.. but I hope I never take it for granted." Anne has also appeared on Fifteen to One, Today's the Day, Are You an Egghead? and Brain of Britain - and in 2016 came in at 55th in the World Quizzing Championships, the second highest woman placing in the competition. Anne is undoubtedly a massive brainiac and general knowledge superstar, but she has admitted her autism has got in the way of forging romantic connections. In a candid moment on The Chaser's Roadtrip she confessed to her co-stars Mark Labbett and Shaun Wallace that her longest relationship had been only four months. "He was a lovely bloke, but I am just not good with the sort of attention that people need," she admitted. Anne has never shied away from the topic of her personal life, telling the Guardian that "I think the problem is I find it really difficult to fall in love with real people. I've thought: 'Am I in love with this guy?' And then we kind of get together and I think 'damn it, no, oh dear'." She explained further to OK! magazine that she struggles at times to stay in the moment, "I get overwhelmed in the presence of actual people and everything shuts down. I've found that with sex, too. It's like I can't be fully in it. That much intimacy, I almost zone out." However, there is a long list of single men hoping for an opportunity to take out Anne - who is based in Watford - if she ever changes her mind about preferring her "own company". "Let's say I would not be short of offers if I went looking. But I am happy with my own company," she told The Sun. "I've had relationships go wrong precisely because I could not devote the mental energy to it, and I just thought 'No, no, no, this is not a good idea'. I find men make such great friends - so let's keep them like that."
Wales Online
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jordan North reveals 'low point' after waking up in Cardiff on stag do with 'stinking' companion
Jordan North reveals 'low point' after waking up in Cardiff on stag do with 'stinking' companion The former BBC Radio 1 DJ confessed his love for the Welsh capital after a messy weekend The former BBC Radio 1 DJ finished runner up on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here in 2020 (Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock ) Whilst presenting his podcast Help I Sexted My Boss alongside etiquette expert and co-host William Hanson, former BBC Radio 1 DJ Jordan North said that Cardiff was his favourite night out in UK after a very messy night out in the capital. He confessed that whilst on a stag do he hit a "low point" and shared a few anecdotes with his friend, including one where his brother was shocked at what he found when he walked in to their shared room after their wild Cardiff night out. Jordan told William: "I was in Cardiff for our Lee's stag do. It was absolutely fantastic. Cardiff' gone number one on my top five nights out." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . He then explains that he went to Cardiff's Coyote Ugly Bar located on St Mary Street. Jordan explained: "They let all the stags in at one point everyone's on the bar dancing. It's fantastic. "A girl came into one of the bars and she said 'I knew you was in here, because I seen one lad dancing with one leg and I said that's Jordan North's brother'." He then told an anecdote of what he calls a "low point" which involves a messy Cardiff kebab. Jordan said: "A low point was I ordered a kebab in the middle of the night, and the kebab came and I thought it would automatically come in a wrap and it didn't. It just came in a box, they didn't give me a knife and fork, so I had to eat it with my fingers." Article continues below His co-host asked: "Could you not phone down and ask for some cutlery in the hotel you were staying in?" Jordan replied: "Because I was in an Easy Hotel, Easy by name, Easy by nature. "The funniest thing is I ate my kebab fell asleep and then about half an hour late my brother come in pissed, our Ryan who I was sharing with. He come in and he went 'you alright?' and I went 'shhhh I'm asleep.' "He then went [sniffs] 'f**king stinks in here, have you pulled?'" Content cannot be displayed without consent Fans took to the comments to share how much they enjoy a good Cardiff night out too. One said: "cardiff is an elite night out" Article continues below One person even shared that they bumped in to the podcast presenter: "WE MET HIM IN PROUD MARYS. glad you enjoyed!! Cardiff is top tier !!"
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Former Premier League star Mark Bright marries Ian Wright's estranged sister who MOTD pundit hasn't spoken to in years
MARK BRIGHT has married his former team-mate Ian Wright's estranged sister Dionne. Bright, 62, formed an iconic strike partnership with Wright at 6 Mark Bright has married Ian Wright's sister Dionne Credit: Instagram / @markbright_ 6 The happy couple beam on their big day Credit: Instagram / @markbright_ 6 Bright, 62, posted a trio of wedding snaps to Instagram Credit: Instagram / @markbright_ Wright, 61, has had a strained relationship with Dionne due to Amid her sibling squabble, Dionne has now tied the knot with Bright. Posting a trio of stunning pictures from their wedding day, Bright wrote on Instagram: "A great end to the season and an even better start to the summer, thank you to all our family and friends who helped make our day so special. "We created some amazing memories at a great venue, with good people, good food, and good music." READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Bright signed off the post "D&M". The Palace legend has received congratulations from several footie pals, including It is unclear whether Dionne has since mended her relationship with brother Ian. But in 2019, the ex-footballer revealed that he had not spoken to his estranged sister in 15 years. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 6 Ian Wright spoke about his estranged sister in 2019 Credit: Reuters 6 Bright and Wright formed an iconic strike partnership at Crystal Palace Credit: Rex Features Appearing on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! - Wright accused Dionne of being "selfish and vindictive" towards Nancy. The 'I don't like your vibe' - Ian Wright calls out Paul Scholes in heated row over Arsenal "Mark Bright is somebody like a big brother and someone I respect who has guided me. "What will happen if they get married? Is she going to apologise before she walks up the aisle? 'I want something to happen because my wife does not deserve to be treated like this. My sister has not found the decency to realise she should have apologised by now. 'I haven't spoken to my sister for 15 years. She was very disrespectful to my wife when we had just got together. 'She obviously knew my ex-wife and my kids and so she felt like she had to take a side which I couldn't understand, because I am her brother.' Wright married first wife Deborah in 1993, with the pair having two children together before splitting in 2004. He subsequently began a relationship with Nancy, with the pair tying the knot in 2011. 'TOTALLY BLANKED HER' Appearing on The True Geordie podcast, Wright opened up on an incident between Dionne and Nancy during the filming of a Channel 4 programme. Wright said: "Nancy went to introduce herself and she totally blanked her in front of people, saying something about, 'I have to be true to my niece and nephew.' "This happened when I was in the green room. So I came out and said to Nancy, 'Where's my sister?' "She said, 'You understand what happened.' When I went over to her I could feel the anger from my toes. I said, 'As long as we live I don't want to ever see you again. The only time I will speak to you is when you apologise to her.' 'And she said, 'I am not apologising to anyone.' So I said, 'That is good because I will never have to see you again.'' 6 Wright married second wife Nancy in 2011 Credit: Getty
Wales Online
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 celebrity line-up rumours as odds open on new series cast
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 celebrity line-up rumours as odds open on new series cast The BBC dance competition show will return on the small screen this autumn and there could be big names involved in the 23rd series The big names who could potentially be a part of this year's series includes a Love Island star, Girls Aloud singer and a well-known former footballer and broadcaster (Image: PA ) Huge bookie brand, William Hill, has announced their latest bets on who will take the dancefloor for Strictly Come Dancing this year. The BBC dance competition show will return on the small screen this autumn and there could be big names involved in the 23rd series. According to William Hill, former footballer and broadcaster is among the leading candidates to appear on Strictly. After announcing he will be stepping down from Match of the Day this year, Lineker is a 6/1 chance to take to the ballroom later this year, according to the bookie brand. Other candidates include Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts, with the 11/4 market leader, ahead of footballer and former Queen of the Jungle in ITV's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Jill Scott (7/2) and Love Island star Tommy Fury (9/2). For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Article continues below Gary Lineker could be one of the big names to take to the ballroom in autumn (Image: BBC ) Also in the betting are Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (8/1), former World Darts Champion Phil Taylor (9/1) and David Beckham's son Brooklyn Beckham (10/1). However, none of these big names have been officially confirmed just yet and we might have to wait a little longer for that confirmation. Here's what the bookie's favourites look like so far: Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: "The Strictly Come Dancing rumour mill is already beginning to turn and Gary Lineker's name has been thrown into the hat to appear on the next series. "With his Match of the Day duties coming to an end, we make Lineker a 6/1 chance to swap the green room for the ballroom later this year. "Others in the running are Nicola Roberts, whom we make the 11/4 favourite, as well as football royalty from the women's game in Jill Scott (7/2). "Tommy Fury is in contention at 9/2, while Nigel Farage's inclusion would certainly cause a stir at 8/1!" The rumours come after the official professional dancers' line-up was announced for the upcoming series. Article continues below In early April, the BBC revealed that Caerphilly dancer Amy Dowden would be returning to the ballroom, alongside other fan favourites such as Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Katya Jones and Karen Hauer, amongst others.
Telegraph
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Badenoch: Tories will do a ‘bit better' than wipeout at local elections
The Conservatives are aiming to do 'bit better' than a local election wipe-out, Kemi Badenoch has said. In an attempt to manage expectations ahead of polling day on May 1, the Tory leader said she expects this year's contest to be 'extremely difficult' for her party. She urged disgruntled voters not to treat it as a 'protest vote' amid the threat from Reform UK, warning: 'This is not show-business. This is not a game.' It comes after she dismissed Nigel Farage as a reality TV star in an interview with The Telegraph, insisting that government is not an episode of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here. The council seats up for grabs at the local elections in May were last contested in 2021, when Boris Johnson achieved sweeping success. The victories have been attributed in part to the successful rollout of the Covid jab by the Tory government, delivering a so-called 'vaccine bounce'. Launching her party's local election campaign on Thursday, Mrs Badenoch admitted that she expects the Conservatives to suffer losses when voters return to the polls this year. She said the Tories would lose 'almost every single' council 'like we won in 2021' if the party's devastating results at last year's general election were mapped onto the seats on offer in May. Echoing words of warning from Nigel Huddleston, the party's co-chairman, she told supporters in Beaconsfield: 'The last time we fought these local elections was four years ago. As Nigel said, in 2021 we were riding high during the vaccine bounce. 'This year will be different. It will be the first time since the general election, the greatest defeat in our party's history, that we fight these seats. And if you match that general election result of 2024 onto this coming May, then we don't win the councils like we won in 2021, we lose almost every single one. 'But I think we're going to do a bit better than that, but we know that these elections will be extremely difficult, but we also know why they matter.' Earlier, Mr Huddleston said: 'Let's be realistic. We are coming off an exceptionally high watermark. Back in 2021 we got 65 per cent win rate. We won 65 per cent of the seats that were up for election. That is unprecedented. It's about 30 per cent higher than we would normally get.' The dangers of 'protest voting' Challenged on the threat posed by Reform, Mrs Badenoch warned voters against treating the local elections as a 'protest vote'. But she admitted the Tories 'do have a challenge on the Right', adding: 'We need to spend this time rebuilding trust. The public are shocked not by the fact that we're not doing well, but the Labour Government isn't doing well, and so the protest votes are going to Reform. 'But at the end of the day, this is not a protest vote. These are local elections. People are voting for who is going to get rid of their bins and their waste and their rubbish.' Asked to set out the ideological differences between the Tories and Reform, she said: 'We don't just make announcements. We have a plan. Loads of other parties just tell people what they think they want to hear. We think through and make sure that we are providing a credible plan that can be delivered.' She added: 'This is not show-business. This is not a game. This is about people's lives. This is not for us. It is for all those people out there who need credible politicians.' Last week, The Telegraph revealed that Mr Farage's party is set to win control of, or be the largest party on, eight councils compared with the Conservatives' 10, according to the first major survey to predict the vote on May 1. It showed for the first time how support for Reform has grown since the general election, with the party set to upend the political status quo at the local elections. Initially, some 21 county councils were set to hold elections on May 1. However, some of the ballots have been delayed by Angela Rayner's local government reforms, which is expected to put a dent in Mr Farage's success.
