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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Summer crimewave in top holiday spot popular with Irish as tourists targeted by criminal gang amid protest chaos
IRISH people abroad are being warned of a criminal gang taking wallets, phones, ID documents and designer items from unsuspecting tourists. Police in 5 Palma de Mallorca in a popular holiday spot amongst Irish tourists Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 The summer crimewave comes alongside protests against tourists Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd And nearly 50 pickpockets and petty thieves who "have their sights set" on tourist victims have been arrested in the past month by National Police on the holiday island announced on Monday they had brought forward 'Operation Summer' by bringing in extra officers from the mainland. The top cops, working alongside town hall-employed local police, specialise in "prevent and rapid response" crimefighting. A spokesman for the force in Majorca said: 'They will serve on the island for a month as a prelude to the incorporation of other units who will work in the municipality of Palma ahead of the arrival of reinforcements in Manacor in Majorca, READ MORE IN TRAVEL The summer crimewave comes as tourists heading across Europe fear they will be targeted by protestors holding across the Spanish archipelago's islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, last May, with around 23,000 chanting: "The Canaries has a limit." And This summer, MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Meanwhile, detectives in Majorca revealed the first arrest figures linked to the 'Operation Summer' advance last night. Thousands of anti-tourist protesters flood Spanish hols hotspots & call on mob to super glue holiday rental locks So far, 19 pickpockets and petty thieves that were operating in the Palma's Playa de Palma coastal area at nighttime have been arrested. In Palma's urban area, cops said 30 people who were "mostly pickpockets" were lifted by officers. Detailing the latest arrests this week, the spokesman added: 'On Tuesday police in Playa de Palma arrested three men, two Romanians and a Moroccan, on suspicion of theft, fraud and misappropriation.. GANG WORKING TOGETHER 'One of them turned out to be wanted for drug trafficking. 'They are members of a criminal gang specialising in targeting tourists holidaying on the Majorcan coast. 'They acted on a task-sharing basis, taking belongings from holidaymakers including wallets and purses with ID documents and bank cards they then used for purchases in different shops or to take out money from cash machines. 'When they were arrested officers seized a rental car they had not returned to the hire car firm which they are suspected of intending to keep. '€1,200 in cash was also confiscated from them along with two mobiles phones worth more than £850 each, documents and other high-end stolen items like designer sunglasses. CRIMINALS 'CRAWLING ON SAND' 'All the items recovered had been reported stolen and have been returned to their rightful owners. 'In the early hours of Tuesday morning police arrested two minors in Playa de Palma they had spotted crawling across the sand to take the belongings of some tourists who were in the sea. 'They were intercepted and the stolen items recovered. 'The detainees reacted aggressively when they were being arrested by kicking and punching the officers. 'On Tuesday afternoon around 3.30pm near Palma Cathedral two pickpockets were intercepted by police as they pinched a purse from a holidaymaker's bag. 'The officers were able to return the stolen purse, which had 1,500 US dollars and other valuables inside, to the victim on the spot.' STING OPS One police insider told today how the criminals officers are tackling as part of Operation Summer "have their sights set" on tourists who tend to be more distracted and carry large amounts of cash. They added: "Many of the offenders are being caught red-handed by undercover cops disguised as holidaymakers themselves so they can blend in better." Although Playa de Palma east of the Majorcan capital is more popular with German and Dutch tourists, Irish nationals are being targeted in Palma centre. The pickpocket and petty theft figures released by National Police earlier this week are separate to those of another national Spanish police force, the Civil Guard, who are responsible for areas like party hot spot Magaluf. The Civil Guard also brings in reinforcements every summer in Majorca to cope with the influx of criminals who base themselves on the island during peak season to take advantage of the fact there are more people to target than in winter. 5 Nearly 50 pickpockets and petty thieves have been nabbed by police in Majorca over the past month Credit: Getty Images - Getty 5 Locals at a demonstration against mass tourism in Majorca last summer Credit: Alamy Live News 5 Distracted tourists are being targeted by the criminals Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Where your favourite Page 3 girls are now…Ted Lasso star to freak health battle & legend with ‘best boobs in the world'
IT launched the careers of Sam Fox, Kelly Brook and Katie Price - and led many more women to bright futures. But the Page 3 glamour girl has been officially consigned to history as the last UK newspaper to feature topless pics calls it a day. 27 Katie Price launched her career on Page 3 Credit: Getty 27 Sam Fox celebrates 25 years of the page Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 Keeley Hazell was a favourite of lads' mags Credit: Instagram 27 She now stars in Ted Lasso Credit: Getty Images - Getty Ten years after The Sun ditched its own iconic Page 3, The Daily Star has announced it is pulling the pin-ups from its paper. While the world has moved on since its introduction in 1970, the girls who found fame through The Sun's glamour shoots have gone on to successful lives in many different fields, as well as suffering their fair share of heartache. From a successful Hollywood actress to a devastating health battle and a new life on a farm, we look at where your favourite page 3 models are now. Ted Lasso Star Keeley Hazell began her career as a model, working with The Sun as well as magazines such as FHM, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo Weekly, before transitioning to writing and acting. READ MORE FEATURES She was just 17 when she won a national "Search for a Babe" competition, and fast became one of Britain's top glamour models during the Noughties. There was a time when she commanded up to £30,000 for one photo shoot, and her final appearance on Page 3 was in 2009. She then turned to Hollywood, most recently landing the role of Bex in the Apple TV's mega-hit Ted Lasso - and even co-writing one of the episodes. She also starred in Horrible Bosses 2, in 2014. Most read in Celebrity The star, who also campaigns on environmental issues and breast cancer awareness, has dated Joe Cole, David Walliams and most recently Jason Sudeikis. They split in 2022. 'PE With Joe' star When Rosie Jones appeared on Page 3 she won the heart of her future husband, Joe Wicks, eight years before they met in 2016. Jodie Marsh gives health update after saying she's 'fat but happier than ever' now she's quit glamour modelling 27 Rosie was Joe Wicks' 'dream girl' Credit: Jay Mawson - The Sun 27 Rosie stood in for Joe when he was injured Credit: Refer to Caption The gym legend set his sight s on his 'dream girl' and they finally came face to face at a rave where his pal was DJing. The couple wed in 2019 and share four kids - Indie, seven, and Marley, five,Leni, two and 11-month-old Dusty. And she sent viewing figures rocketing with her #PEWithJoe appearance. Wag with a children's boutique 27 Michelle was dubbed the 'new Sam Fox' Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 She went on to have three children with husband Will Haining Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Dubbed "the new She was famed for her 32FF natural boobs in the early noughties, but quit modelling in 2006. Instead, she tried to make it as a pop star - but her debut single I Don't Do flopped at number 89 in the charts. Michelle, now 42, went on to perform on The X Factor's Battle of the Stars in 2008. She also appeared on The Weakest Link and Celebrity Big Brother. The former glamour model - who once worked as a care assistant at a nursing home - opened a children's boutique, TillyFlops, in Oldham, Manchester in 2012. She married Scottish footballer Will Haining in 2007, and the couple have three children. In 2022, she opened up about her daughter's rare medical condition, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The chronic nerve disease left Maddison, now 17, 'screaming in pain' and Michelle revealed the traumatised teen even 'begged to have her leg amputated.' Lara Croft model 27 Nell McAndrew was the model for the computer game Tomb Raider Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 She went on to run marathons and write about running Credit: nelliemcfitness/Instagram Now aged 47, she went on to model for all of the top men's mags. She later moved to TV and hosted The Big Breakfast in the early noughties, before signing up for her first marathon in 2005. She has run several more since and has set a personal best of 2hours and 54minutes. Leeds-born Nell - who has penned a book about running - has appeared on a series of reality shows including I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Family Fortunes and Dancing On Ice. She is married to property developer Paul Hardcastle and they have two children. High-flying actress 27 Lucy Pinder won the 'best boobs' accolade Credit: Alamy 27 Lucy became an actress and hosts a podcast Credit: Instagram/Pinderpix Lucy, now 41, went into the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2009 but was booted off in only the first week. She has since become an actress starring in a series of films, including Age of Kill with former EastEnders actor Martin Kemp in 2015, as well as 2017 supernatural thrillers Suburban Fairytale and Fanged Up. The actress - whose Instagram page captures her love of photography - has also been involved with charities over the years, including Cats Protection and Help for Heroes. She currently hosts a podcast called Smashing Sundays. Last year Lucy, who was previously linked to Marvel actor Chris Evans, confirmed her relationship with Southampton manager Russell Martin. Electronic DJ 27 Jakki Degg was voted the Best Ever Page 3 Girl Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 Jakki became a DJ in nightclubs Credit: Jakki Degg was crowned The Sun's "Best Ever Page 3 Girl" in 2001. She's since graced the covers of hundreds of lads' mags, and has even starred as a TV actress. She appeared in Is Harry On The Boat? a film based on the lives of holiday reps in Ibiza, alongside Danny Dyer, Ralf Little and Caroline Flack. In 2004, she won ITV's Celebrity 24 Hour Quiz, with her winnings going to the RSPCA. Now aged 47, Jakki quit the modelling industry after a successful decade. She later went off-the-radar to become an electronic DJ, mostly in local UK nightclubs. Health battle 27 Jo Guest poses for a shoot in 1997 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 The former Glamour model told This Morning about her debilitating illness Credit: ITV Starting out as a Page 3 girl, Joanne Guest starred in photoshoots with Now aged 53, Jo has since starred in a few documentary-style shows for the Granada Men & Motors channel, such as UK Babes Exposed and Undressed with Guest. In 2007, she was devastatingly With a bloated stomach and in constant pain, Jo gave up sex for more than a year and was forced to sell her used knickers on eBay because she couldn't work. She told This Morning at the time: 'One day I tried to put on my favourite boots and couldn't zip them up - I realised my calves were swollen. "I thought maybe it was down to the change in my lifestyle." Jo - who was eventually diagnosed with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) and fibromyalgia - has since re-joined Men & Motors, and stars on their YouTube channel. The bodybuilder 27 Jodie shot to fame after posing for Page 3 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 Jodie took up bodybuilding and competed in LA Credit: @jodiemarshtv/instagram 27 She now runs an animal sanctuary Credit: Instagram / jodiemarshtv Former Page 3 girl Jodie Marsh started her career at the world-famous Stringfellows nightclub. She went on to star in a number of reality TV shows, even In 2015, she wed James Placido but the couple split after two years and she went on to swear off men, staying celibate for four years. Years after debuting her famous outfit of just two studded straps over her breasts, Jodie, now 46, decided to turn her attention to fitness and bodybuilding. She won contests in LA and featured in TV shows about her bodybuilding. Since 2020, she has devoted herself to the care of our furry friends, buying Fripps Farm in Essex and opening it as an animal sanctuary. Professional show jumper 27 Leilani poses for a shoot in 2001 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 She followed her passion for horses to become a showjumper Credit: Instagram Leilani Dowding, who grew up in a Catholic household in Dorset, competed in Miss Universe and other pageants before becoming a Page 3 model in 1999. In 2005, she starred in a gladiators-style TV show alongside Big Brother's She was briefly married to American actor and restaurateur Richie Palmer, a former husband of actress Raquel Welch. The horse-mad model, 45, has since competed in professional show-jumping competitions and spends a lot of her spare time at the stables. She also ran a clothing boutique and a real estate company in the Hollywood Hills. Most recently, Leilani - who is The couple have since moved back to the UK. Reality star 27 Nicola McClean retired after having her son in 2006 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 Nicola is now a mum of two Credit: Instagram Stunning blonde Nicola McLean appeared regularly on Page 3 between 1999 and 2004, but chose to retire after giving birth to her first son in 2006. In a poll, readers voted her as their fourth favourite Page 3 girl of all time, ahead of the likes of Samantha Fox and Katie Price - with whom she had a tense rivalry. After throwing the towel in for glamour modelling, Nicola became a reality TV star, starring with Joe Swash in the I'm A Celeb jungle in 2008 and Big Brother in 2012 and 2017. She has also been a regular panellist on the Jeremy Vine show, on Channel 5. The 44-year-old, who is an avid supporter of animal charity PETA, married footballer Tom Williams in 2009 and they have two sons - Rocky and Striker. They briefly split when Tom cheated on her in Las Vegas in 2014, but reunited a year later. £50m fortune 27 Picture shows Geri Halliwell as a Sun page 3 model at the age of 18. Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 Geri now lives the high life in her country mansion Credit: Instagram Before she found fame with hit girl band Spice Girls, Geri Horner, dubbed Ginger Spice, posed for a series of racy glamour shots. She also posed for Page 3 in 1990 - just four years before she was discovered by music label Heart Management and joined the Spice Girls. The group became the most successful British pop band since The Beatles, with their first album selling more than 30 million copies. In later years, the band split and Geri launched a solo career. Now 52, she had a string of high-profile relationships with stars like Robbie Williams and David Walliams before meeting her husband, Formula One boss Christian Horner. The couple have a son, eight-year-old Montague, and a daughter, Bluebell, 19, from Geri's previous relationship with screenwriter Sacha Gervasi. In recent years, the once-outspoken Spice has enjoyed spending time at home in her and Christian's Their relationship was rocked last year when Christian was The Red Bull boss was found to have sent a slew of inappropriate messages to a female employee - who he pestered for raunchy snaps - behind Geri's back. But the pair worked through the problems. Geri is said to have amassed a personal fortune of more than £50 million. TV presenter and Love Island winner 27 Jayne was a Page 3 girl in the 1990s Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 27 She went on to win Love Island but disappear off the radar Credit: Twitter Model-turned-TV-presenter Jayne Middlemiss landed a spot on Page 3 in the nineties. She then struck the big time after landing a presenting gig on Top of the Pops and on Radio 1. Already a hit on mainstream TV, Jayne went on to famously star in 2005's Celebrity Love Island alongside Calum Best and Rebecca Loos. She Jayne, 54, also won Celebrity MasterChef in 2009 - but has been off-the-radar since. On Twitter, she details her love of yoga, and has described herself as a "music obsessed spiritual junkie" and "a yogini", whatever that means... Our Page 3 girls really have gone on to do great things!
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Where is Rose West now? Inside the serial killer's life behind prison bars
ROSE West is a convicted serial killer who murdered ten girls in her Gloucester home. Her horrifying crime spree was aided by her husband, who was convicted of murdering 12 women. 4 Fred and Rose were both handed life sentences Credit: Supplied 4 They both murdered their daughter Heather Ann Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Rose's life behind bars Rose West, born on November 29, 1953, was imprisoned at HMP Low Newton in Durham, where she was initially kept under guard due to fears that other inmates might attack her. She was jailed for life in 1995, after being convicted of ten confirmed murders. After her conviction, West lodged an appeal claiming that her husband committed the crimes alone, and that she had also been abused by him. The Court of Appeal refused to consider her application back in 1996. Read More on Rose West Fred West Prisoner Julie McAllister claimed in March 2017 that she pummelled West after being infuriated that she was getting fan mail behind bars. In 2019 she was reportedly moved to New Hall jail in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, after being threatened by another serial killer. A year later, it was reported that West was being swamped with wedding proposals - with people mailing love letters to her cell. Most read in The Sun Netflix documentary delves into the crimes of Fred and Rose West with new testimony and footage She even Since serving her time in prison, Rose claims that she has found religion and "believes God will forgive her". She also allegedly applied to change her now-infamous name to Jennifer Jones. It was also reported that she paid £36 to change her name via deed poll. A source told The Sun: 'Rose thinks the name will give her some anonymity but there's a lot of anger about it. 'She's chosen the new surname because it's so common and the Christian name just because she's always liked it." After 30 years in jail, Rose is still 'pleading total innocence' despite being found guilty decades earlier. Her former lawyer Leo Goatley has urged her to "find redemption" by confessing. He told the Mirror: 'There is an awful lot Rose knows that she hasn't revealed. 'There isn't much that Fred did that she wasn't aware of. If her inner journey has really gone anywhere since she has been in prison there are things she should say that would help the families of her victims. 'To start with, she could clear up the Mary Bastholm disappearance. 'This blanket pleading of total ignorance of everything that happened is just daft at this point. 'Also she could very simply clear up if there are other victims we don't even know about.' Reportedly, West is battling with dementia and can barely walk - instead remaining in her cell and watching nature documentaries. 4 Fred and Rose West killed at least ten women Meeting her killer husband She met Fred West when she was fifteen, whilst waiting at a Cheltenham bus station. He was 13 years older than her and was living in a caravan. Rose had been To support herself and her husband, she began working as a Eventually, the pair married in January 1972 and moved to 25 Cromwell Street - the site of their future murders. 4 Rose was said to have met Myra Hindley (right) behind bars Credit: PA Media Rose and Fred West's evil crime spree Rose murdered The pair sexually assaulted They would imprison the girls for several days before killing them. Rose gave birth to eight children, five of which were biologically Fred's. The other three were fathered by clients whom she met through prostitution. Fred and Rose murdered their daughter Heather Ann and claimed that she had eloped with her girlfriend, whilst also threatening Their sickening crimes began to unravel when Fred was accused of raping his 13-year-old daughter in 1992, and Rose was arrested for child cruelty. While the case collapsed when their daughters refused to testify, cops launched a major investigation. Eventually, the bodies of several women were discovered in the Wests' basement and buried in their garden. In 1995, Rose was convicted of 10 murders whilst Fred admitted to 12 killings. Before killing himself, Fred confessed to murdering up to 30 women. Rose West and Myra Hindley One book, written by West's former lawyer Leo Goatley, claimed that the convict was involved in a love affair with Myra Hindley. However, reportedly, West and Hindley's relationship ended on sour terms after the former found her to be manipulative.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Where is Rose West now? Inside the serial killer's life behind prison bars
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ROSE West is a convicted serial killer who murdered ten girls in her Gloucester home. Her horrifying crime spree was aided by her husband, who was convicted of murdering 12 women. 4 Fred and Rose were both handed life sentences Credit: Supplied 4 They both murdered their daughter Heather Ann Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Rose's life behind bars Rose West, born on November 29, 1953, was imprisoned at HMP Low Newton in Durham, where she was initially kept under guard due to fears that other inmates might attack her. She was jailed for life in 1995, after being convicted of ten confirmed murders. After her conviction, West lodged an appeal claiming that her husband committed the crimes alone, and that she had also been abused by him. The Court of Appeal refused to consider her application back in 1996. Fred West committed suicide before standing trial, making Rose a widow. Prisoner Julie McAllister claimed in March 2017 that she pummelled West after being infuriated that she was getting fan mail behind bars. In 2019 she was reportedly moved to New Hall jail in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, after being threatened by another serial killer. A year later, it was reported that West was being swamped with wedding proposals - with people mailing love letters to her cell. Netflix documentary delves into the crimes of Fred and Rose West with new testimony and footage She even received Mother's Day cards from adoring fans in 2020. Since serving her time in prison, Rose claims that she has found religion and "believes God will forgive her". She also allegedly applied to change her now-infamous name to Jennifer Jones. It was also reported that she paid £36 to change her name via deed poll. A source told The Sun: 'Rose thinks the name will give her some anonymity but there's a lot of anger about it. 'She's chosen the new surname because it's so common and the Christian name just because she's always liked it." After 30 years in jail, Rose is still 'pleading total innocence' despite being found guilty decades earlier. Her former lawyer Leo Goatley has urged her to "find redemption" by confessing. He told the Mirror: 'There is an awful lot Rose knows that she hasn't revealed. 'There isn't much that Fred did that she wasn't aware of. If her inner journey has really gone anywhere since she has been in prison there are things she should say that would help the families of her victims. 'To start with, she could clear up the Mary Bastholm disappearance. 'This blanket pleading of total ignorance of everything that happened is just daft at this point. 'Also she could very simply clear up if there are other victims we don't even know about.' Reportedly, West is battling with dementia and can barely walk - instead remaining in her cell and watching nature documentaries. 4 Fred and Rose West killed at least ten women Meeting her killer husband She met Fred West when she was fifteen, whilst waiting at a Cheltenham bus station. He was 13 years older than her and was living in a caravan. Rose had been sexually abused by her father, who disapproved of Fred, prompting her to move out with her new partner. To support herself and her husband, she began working as a prostitute in Gloucester. Eventually, the pair married in January 1972 and moved to 25 Cromwell Street - the site of their future murders. 4 Rose was said to have met Myra Hindley (right) behind bars Credit: PA Media Rose and Fred West's evil crime spree Rose murdered her step-daughter Charmaine in June 1971, kicking off a horrifying crime spree. The pair sexually assaulted Caroline Roberts in 1973, before abducting girls from bus stops around Gloucester. They would imprison the girls for several days before killing them. Rose gave birth to eight children, five of which were biologically Fred's. The other three were fathered by clients whom she met through prostitution. Fred and Rose murdered their daughter Heather Ann and claimed that she had eloped with her girlfriend, whilst also threatening their living children by saying that they will 'end up' like Heather. Their sickening crimes began to unravel when Fred was accused of raping his 13-year-old daughter in 1992, and Rose was arrested for child cruelty. While the case collapsed when their daughters refused to testify, cops launched a major investigation. Eventually, the bodies of several women were discovered in the Wests' basement and buried in their garden. In 1995, Rose was convicted of 10 murders whilst Fred admitted to 12 killings. Before killing himself, Fred confessed to murdering up to 30 women. Rose West and Myra Hindley One book, written by West's former lawyer Leo Goatley, claimed that the convict was involved in a love affair with Myra Hindley. Hindley was a serial killer, known for committing a series of murders alongside her partner Ian Brady. However, reportedly, West and Hindley's relationship ended on sour terms after the former found her to be manipulative.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Singer Enya spotted in public for the first time in EIGHT years as reclusive star makes rare trip outside £98m castle
ENYA has been spotted for the first time in eight years after becoming notorious for her reclusive lifestyle. The Irish vocalist spends much of her time hunkered down in her vast Victorian castle near Advertisement 6 Singer Enya has been spotted in public for the first time in EIGHT years Credit: Facebook 6 The Caribbean Blue hitmaker, 64, attended a wedding in Donegal Credit: Facebook 6 She lives a reclusive life in a castle near Dublin Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Yet a new snap has seen the 64-year-old Caribbean Blue hitmaker stepping out from her stunning £98million compound, which she bought in 1997, for a night out. The vocalist could be seen smiling as she posed for a picture with a bunch of others. She could be seen donning a black lace top and flowing yellow skirt, accessorising with a silver bracelet. The chart star, famed for tracks including Orinoco Flow and Only Time, styled her brunette hair poker straight with a wispy fringe. Advertisement read more enya She kept her make-up fresh as she attended a wedding at Drumhalla House in Donegal on May 16. Fans were quick to gush over the fresh snap on Reddit, which marked her last public appearance since the Grammy's in 2017. One wrote: "Glad to see them and Enya doing well." A second posted: "Omg, I'm so happy to see her finally," as a third put: "Good to see our Enya." Advertisement Most read in Music One loyal fan then added: "I recognise her outfit from this 2016 performance of Orinoco Flow in Japan edit: and Enya's live US performance of Echoes in Rain — re-worn very stylishly." Another mused: "She looks so lovely here, but girl drop the mixtape already omg it's been 10 years." One simply put: "She looks stunning." GOING SOLO Enya's isolated life with her cats has been well-documented. Advertisement We previously reported how she also bans herself from listening to other artists' music and once claimed to have never bought an album — to keep her own work as original as possible. She spends nearly all her waking hours with a much older married couple who for 30 years have helped create her eerie, warbling music. Songs are painstakingly put together, often overdubbed with vocals more than 500 times. They are sung in a bizarre mix of languages. Advertisement Initially a mixture of English and Gaelic, she now records in Sindarin and Quenya, both created by author JRR Tolkien, and Loxian — which she invented herself with her songwriters. ENYA'S HISTORY Eithne Ní Bhraonáin, in Gweedore, Co Donegal, Ireland, she grew up as one of nine siblings. She was a shy child who loved playing the piano and singing, later explaining how the pandemonium of a large family instilled her lifelong love of being alone and describing silence as a luxury. At 19 she joined her family's band, Celtic music group Clannad, on synth and backing vocals. Advertisement She left two years later, moving into the Dublin home of Nicky Ryan, 69, the group's producer, and his wife Roma, 61. Following her acrimonious split from Clannad, the three wrote music together, culminating in her 1987 self-titled debut album. But it was with the release of second LP Watermark the following year that she entered the stratosphere. Featuring her best-known track, Orinoco Flow (Sail Away), it shifted 11million copies worldwide. Since then the trio have worked closely on a string of albums which have quietly sold by the bucketload. Advertisement She has won four Grammys and got an Oscar nod, for her work on the Lord Of The Rings soundtrack. The single star previously spoke of her isolated life, music success and juggling love and said: "I am single, yes. "But as the song suggests, there have been… relationships. It's quite hard to have someone accept that – well, not that they are second to the music, but that I do need a certain amount of space for it." She added to the Advertisement "It's difficult." 6 The Orinoco Flow and Only Time singer has achieved huge chart success Credit: Handout 6 She has won four Grammy Awards Credit: Getty - Contributor 6 She previously told how any relationship would come second to her music Credit: AFP Advertisement
