Latest news with #Mastermind
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift Finally Returns to Her Favorite NYC Spot in an Extremely On-Brand Dress
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Taylor Swift's had a privacy sign on her door since the 2025 Super Bowl. She's only been spotted a handful of times, usually on low-key dates with Travis Kelce. But on May 29, the she finally returned to New York City. Her first stop before announcing she had purchased her masters? Via Corota, a.k.a. the beloved Tuscan-inspired restaurant just three blocks north of Cornelia Street (IYKYK), for a late-night bite with Dakota Johnson. In true Swift form, she was snapped by the paparazzi en route to her car. Photographer @JosiahWPhotos shared a video of the sighting on Instagram. For her grand return to the West Village hotspot, the "Mastermind" singer sourced one of her favorite brands for off-duty occasions: Dôen, a celebrity-favorite dress label she's worn since at least her Folklore era. Just one week after she personalized the belted bag trend with the L.A.-based brand's Traveler Top and matching skirt, Swift continued her Dôen streak with the Benoit little black dress. The style was recently reimagined to feature a soft sweetheart neckline, ultra-slim straps, and a fitted bodice. Constructed from lightweight ramie (a linen lookalike), the LBD was mostly black, with a red, blue, yellow, and green pattern throughout. According to the website, it's a French block print straight out of the 1930s. View Deal Swift added a hint of Reputation-esque edge to the Dôen dress with a thick leather belt, courtesy of B-Low The Belt. Fittingly titled "The Phoenix," the black accent included gold hardware, plus double hanging chains. From there, the flowy A-line skirt stopped just below Swift's knee to reveal her strappy sandals. To no surprise, the Grammy winner chose red-bottom sandal heels from Christian Louboutin—the same designer behind her custom Eras Tour footwear, including the mismatched ankle boots she wore during the 1989 section. Then, Swift tapped into the celeb-approved belt bag trend with her current go-to Balmain purse. View Deal View Deal View Deal It's been a minute since Swift grabbed a bite in New York—five months, believe it or not. Her latest reservation was made on Jan. 17 at Nobu in the Financial District. Similar to her May 29 Via Carota look, Swift chose noir numbers, starting with an Area suit set and vintage Chanel earrings. Then, she slipped on one of her winter staples: over-the-knee boots from Chloé. A month prior, she hit up Chez Margaux (also a Swift signature) in a cozy Fleur Du Mal LBD. The legend accessorized it with a $33,200 Cartier watch, a Simkhai crystal coat, and platform shoes from—you guessed it—Christian Louboutin. All this to say? Swift's Dôen dress is so on-brand for her New York nights. Now that Swift has returned to the Big Apple, it's only a matter of time before she steps out again. Since she's already dined at Via Carota, maybe she'll hit up Zero Bond, Chez Margaux, or The Corner Store this weekend. Fingers crossed some of her celebrity friends join her.
Edinburgh Live
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
The Chase's Shaun Wallace admits he could be 'prone' to serious health condition
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Chase star Shaun Wallace, who celebrates his 65th birthday today, has candidly admitted that that he might be at risk of serious health condition. Nicknamed the Dark Destroyer on the popular ITV show, he challenges contestants in a battle of wits for a cash prize. Away from the limelight of the ITV quiz show, Shaun has taken to social media to share his fitness journey, underscoring the importance of staying active in your later years. During a recent chat on the New Mind podcast, Shaun opened up about his concerns over inheriting diabetes, a condition that affected both his parents. He said: "My mum and dad had health issues, my mum and dad got diabetes, and obviously I could be prone to that." (Image: undefined via Getty Images) He further emphasised his commitment to staying fit and independent, stating: "But the one thing that I was determined to ensure (was) that by the time I reach, I'm going to reach 65 this year, but by the time I reach into my sort of latter years, you know, tomorrow's not promised to anybody, but I want to be as mobile and independent as I possibly can." Before becoming a TV personality on The Chase since 2009, Shaun had an unconventional path to stardom, having first pursued a career as a barrister back in the 1980s. (Image: undefined via Getty Images) Despite being a familiar face on The Chase for over 15 years, Shaun's first foray into the world of television actually came five years earlier when he clinched victory on Mastermind. His next telly stint was not far behind, as he featured on the spin-off programme Are You an Egghead? While his Mastermind win has led to numerous other TV roles, the 65-year-old remains committed to his career as a barrister, recently revealing that it takes "precedence" over his quiz show duties. (Image: undefined via Getty Images) Even though he's been a staple on The Chase since its inaugural episode, Shaun shared on The Hearing - A Legal Podcast how he juggles his time between the ITV show and his courtroom responsibilities: "If I've got a long trial, then that will take precedence over my filming, and the Chase know that." "But I've then got to makeup my other episodes later on in the series." The Chase returns tonight at 5 pm (June 2) on ITV.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Shaun Wallace's life away from The Chase from private romance to huge salary
Shaun Wallace, who is better known as The Dark Destroyer on ITV's The Chase, has had an impressive career both as a barrister and television personality - but little is known about his personal life. Shaun Wallace, fondly known as The Dark Destroyer on ITV's hit quiz show The Chase, has become a familiar face in many homes. He shares the spotlight with host Bradley Walsh and a team of knowledgeable quizzers. The programme made its debut in June 2009, with Shaun and fellow quizzer Mark Labbett being part of the original line-up. They remain key figures on the show today, alongside Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis. Before his rise to TV fame, Shaun was a practising criminal barrister, appearing in hearings at both the Old Bailey and numerous magistrates' courts across England, Wales and Scotland. His life took an exciting turn in 2004 when he clinched victory in the BBC general knowledge quiz Mastermind, choosing FA Cup Finals as his specialist subject. This triumph caught the eye of Bradley Walsh and his production crew, leading to Shaun being recruited by ITV as the inaugural chaser on The Chase. His popularity on the show paved the way for a host of other opportunities, including hosting quizzes on cruise ships, writing his own autobiography Catching A Dream, and making countless other TV appearances, according to Bristol Live. Despite his public persona, little is known about Shaun's personal life. Here, we delve into his life away from the cameras. Huge salary In a recent chat, Shaun unveiled his impressive dual income, revealing that he now commands a hefty six-figure salary for his work as a barrister and TV star. Mastermind champion Shaun Wallace has credited his quiz show triumph for a dramatic boost in his wealth. Chatting about his financial status to The Times, the quizzing whizz gave a wry response: "A lot. That's all I'll say. How many zeros?" Although he remained coy on exact figures, Shaun opened up about his considerable financial leap: "Well into six-zero territory and my earnings have increased massively since I've started working in TV. I got paid well as a barrister but I'm now earning about ten times the amount I was before," revealing that television had significantly multiplied his income. Despite becoming a household name on television, Shaun hasn't entirely left the law behind as he said: "I still practise, though, so I have a dual income. Probably 70 percent of my income comes from my TV work and 30 percent from the legal side. Everything changed when I won Mastermind in 2004. Not just my finances, my whole life." Private romance When it comes to matters of the heart, Shaun, affectionately dubbed The Dark Destroyer on The Chase, tends to keep the cards close to his chest regarding his love life. Nevertheless, during his chat with Loose Women's Kaye Adams on the How To Be 60 podcast, he intriguingly hinted at his love life. He cryptically said: "I suppose I'm married to my career. Put it that way. I like that. I prefer that and I'm happier." When pressed about having someone special, Shaun simply stated: "Yes, I'm in a relationship." Family admission At 64, Shaun has consistently kept his private affairs out of the limelight, resulting in scant public knowledge of his personal endeavours. However, in an unusual move, the recognisable ITV personality shared insights into his home life on a recent podcast. Addressing whether he has ever had children, Shaun revealed: "No, I have never had a child." He justified his lack of fatherhood with reference to his past struggles as a budding barrister, claiming that the demands of his early legal career didn't align with responsible parenting. Shaun recounted on the podcast: "It was a conscious reason when I was a young struggling barrister. I didn't think it would be right to bring up a child when you're trying to climb to the top of that greasy pole." Though he hasn't experienced parenthood himself, Shaun has played a significant part in guiding several children as a godparent. Shaun freely admitted: "And I've never regretted that decision. I've got 15 godchildren. Two of them are called Shaun and I'm the best godfather in the world. I probably would have been a great dad but I've got no regrets in relation to that." The TV star also treasures his involvement in his ex-partner's child's life, considering it an exceptionally rewarding experience. He beamed with pride as he noted that she is akin to his own daughter, and affectionately calls him 'dad'. Reflecting on her accomplishments, Shaun said: "I watched her grow into a lovely young lady. She got a first-class honours degree recently and she got her doctorate the other day and I was there." Retirement plans Quiz master Shaun Wallace recently celebrated his 64th birthday, sparking curiosity among fans about whether he plans to retire from his famous role as The Dark Destroyer on Bradley Walsh's smash-hit quiz show, The Chase. Even though Shaun has been a constant fixture on The Chase since its inception in June 2009, he shows no signs of slowing down or retiring any time soon. In an exclusive chat with the New Zealand Woman's Weekly, he affirmed his commitment to continuing his vocation without interruption. Expressing his passion for his work and quizzing, Shaun bravely disclosed: "I'm celebrating 40 years in the job this year and I have no plans to retire at 65 - I love it. I love quizzing too, so I will be doing that for as long as I can." Shaun humbly shared his down-to-earth perspective on the show's impressive run. He confessed: "I never take being on The Chase for granted. I know it could all end tomorrow, and I still pinch myself that we are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year." The Chase is available to watch on ITVX.
Edinburgh Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Inside The Chase star Shaun Wallace's life from retirement plans to family admission
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Shaun Wallace, fondly known as The Dark Destroyer on ITV's beloved quiz show The Chase, has become a familiar face in many homes. He shares the spotlight with host Bradley Walsh and a squad of quiz whizzes. The programme made its debut in June 2009, with Shaun and fellow star Mark Labbett being part of the original line-up. They remain key figures on the show today, joined by Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis. Prior to his rise to TV fame, Shaun was a practising criminal barrister, appearing in hearings at both the Old Bailey and numerous magistrates' courts across England, Wales and Scotland. His life took an exciting twist in 2004 when he clinched victory in the BBC general knowledge quiz Mastermind, choosing FA Cup Finals as his specialist subject. This triumph caught the eye of Bradley Walsh and his production crew, leading to Shaun being headhunted by ITV to become the inaugural chaser on The Chase. His popularity on the show paved the way for a host of other opportunities, including hosting quizzes on cruise ships, writing his own autobiography Catching A Dream, and making countless other TV appearances, according to Bristol Live. Despite his celebrity status, little is known about Shaun's personal life. Here, we delve into his life off-screen. Seven-figure earnings (Image: (Image: ITV)) In a recent chat, Shaun unveiled his impressive dual income, revealing that he now commands a hefty six-figure salary for his work as a barrister and TV personality. Mastermind champion Shaun has credited his victory on the popular quiz show for a significant boost in his bank balance. In a chat with The Times about his financial situation, Shaun coyly hinted at his increased earnings with a playful comment: "A lot. That's all I'll say. How many zeros?" He revealed that he is now: "Well into six-zero territory and my earnings have increased massively since I've started working in TV. I got paid well as a barrister but I'm now earning about ten times the amount I was before." Despite his rise to TV fame, Shaun also mentioned maintaining his career in law: "I still practise, though, so I have a dual income. Probably 70 percent of my income comes from my TV work and 30 percent from the legal side. Everything changed when I won Mastermind in 2004. Not just my finances, my whole life." Private romance (Image: Instagram: @theshaunwallace) Regarding his private life, Shaun, who is better known as The Dark Destroyer on The Chase, tends to keep details of his romantic encounters under wraps. During his candid chat with Loose Women's Kaye Adams on the How To Be 60 podcast, Shaun unexpectedly disclosed some personal updates about his romantic life. Carefully playing his cards close to his chest, he quipped: "I suppose I'm married to my career. Put it that way. I like that. I prefer that and I'm happier." When pressed about a significant other, Shaun simply stated: "Yes, I'm in a relationship." Never raising children (Image:) The 64-year-old typically reticent about his private affairs, offered insights into his personal life during a recent appearance on a podcast, revealing information often shielded from the limelight. Addressing the topic of fatherhood, Shaun admitted: "No, I have never had a child." He attributed his decision not to start a family to the demands of his budding barrister career, indicating that climbing the legal ladder hardly seemed compatible with responsible parenting. Shaun elaborated on his reasoning during the podcast, saying: "It was a conscious reason when I was a young struggling barrister. I didn't think it would be right to bring up a child when you're trying to climb to the top of that greasy pole." While he has not had any children of his own, Shaun has assumed a nurturing role in the lives of many as a godfather, undertaking parental responsibilities multiple times over. Shaun expressed unwavering satisfaction with his life decisions, declaring: "And I've never regretted that decision. I've got 15 godchildren. Two of them are called Shaun and I'm the best godfather in the world. I probably would have been a great dad but I've got no regrets in relation to that." Moreover, the television presenter plays a significant part in his ex's child's life, seeing this bond as truly meaningful. Beaming with joy, he explained how she became akin to a daughter for him, with her even referring to him as dad. With a tone of pure pride, Shaun remarked on witnessing her grow up: "I watched her grow into a lovely young lady. She got a first-class honours degree recently and she got her doctorate the other day and I was there." Retirement plans (Image: (Image: ITV)) The ITV star recently marked his 64th birthday, sparking queries from devotees about whether he envisaged hanging up his The Dark Destroyer persona on Bradley Walsh's smash-hit ITV programme, The Chase. Having been an integral fixture of The Chase since its debut in June 2009, Shaun shows zero signs of wanting to bow out. During a heart-to-heart with New Zealand Woman's Weekly, he voiced his plan to carry on in his vocation. He confidently disclosed: "I'm celebrating 40 years in the job this year and I have no plans to retire at 65 - I love it. I love quizzing too, so I will be doing that for as long as I can." Shaun recognised the transient world of television and maintained a grounded perspective on the longevity of the popular quiz show. Sharing his thoughts, he said: "I never take being on The Chase for granted. I know it could all end tomorrow, and I still pinch myself that we are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year." The Chase is available to watch on ITVX.
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Wick's Mastermind trophy legend 'happy' to retire aged 90 after decades engraving TV's grand prize
For the past 50 years, Wick's Denis Mann has been the master artist behind the intricate designs on one of televisions most famous trophies. Each winner of Mastermind has lifted aloft a stunning glass trophy featuring images from Greek mythology. Now, having just celebrated his 90th birthday, he has finally decided to call time on a long and illustrious career. Denis lives in Wick with his wife of 64 years Trudi, 84, a community in which he has been a leading artistic light for decades. The Press and Journal caught up with the couple shortly after he made his last ever trophy for the BBC show. Born in Perthshire, Denis attended art college in Edinburgh. After a spell in the Royal Air Force, he became an art teacher in Stirlingshire. Thinking back to the 'hopes and dreams' of his art school days, however, he then decided to change course. The next stage of his life came in December 1970, when he joined Caithness Glass as an artist, designer and engraver. He'd travelled to the company's factory in Wick to talk terms – and as luck would have it another visitor on that day was Bill Wright, the creator of Mastermind. 'Little did I realise then the importance his visit would have for me,' Denis said. Bill was shown examples of Denis' work in copper wheel engraving, a skill that sees delicate shapes carved onto glass. Hoping to find 'something different' for a new trophy for his new show, Bill decided the technique was what he was looking for. The result was that Denis engraved the first ever Mastermind trophy won in 1972 – and every prize since. Bill's choice of subject for the trophy was the 'Nine Muses' from Greek mythology. The mythical beings are credited with inspiring humans in the arts. Denis said: 'Over the years, with only one or two exceptions, I have stuck with Bill's original choice.' When Mastermind came to a temporary halt on the BBC, Denis left Caithness Glass to go freelance. He was involved in the setting up of North Lands Creative, a centre of excellence for glass making in Lybster. Mastermind returned on the Discovery Channel (between 2001 and 2002) . And of course no-one other than Denis would be asked to engrave the bowl for the programme's winners. The BBC took over the show once again in 2003, in what is now in its regular BBC Two spot. And he has been engraving the trophy ever since. His final trophy involvement was for the 2025 series, when he did the drawings and Wilma MacKenzie, from Argyll, did the engraving. Wilma will continue to engrave bowls for future Mastermind winners. She will use the same copper wheel process that Denis used over the decades. He told The Press and Journal that he is 'happy to be finished' as he has 'done it long enough'. Speaking of her husband, Trudi said: 'He doesn't blow his own horn. 'As far as he's concerned, it was a job that was done.' Not many people have Wikipedia pages about them, but Denis does. 'And he did't find out about this until his birthday! 'Guests were giving little sayings and speeches, and my niece mentioned that she was quite proud to have an uncle who was in mentioned in Wikipedia.'
