Latest news with #Pagan
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Pop Idol star Rik Waller unrecognisable with brand-new career 24 years later
Rik Waller was one of the breakout stars of the first series of Pop Idol in 2001, but his singing career came to a standstill after he left the show and he is now unrecognisable Pop Idol, one of the early noughties' biggest telly sensations, only ran for two series but launched the careers of Gareth Gates and Will Young as well as Michelle McManus. It also catapulted Kent-born crooner Rik Waller to fame, who was a hot favourite to win the inaugural series of the reality singing competition. Back in 2001, a then 20 year old Rik wowed judges Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox with his stellar vocal prowess, securing a spot in the final ten. However, the singer's journey was cut short due to a bout of laryngitis. Despite his premature exit, he did enjoy some chart success with his rendition of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You, which climbed to number six in the UK singles chart. He signed a record deal with EMI, rumoured to be worth around £400,000, and went on to release a cover of Something Inside (So Strong). Now 44, Rik bagged roles on various UK reality shows, including a stint on Celebrity Fit Club. Around this time, he was dropped by his record label, EMI and formed a band that signed with Red Admiral Records. However, after disappointing ticket sales, they scrapped a planned tour and split up. The last time Rik graced our screens was in February 2007, with an appearance on Never Mind The Buzzcocks. It was rumoured that the singer had lost his ability to belt out tunes after damaging his voice, leading him to confide in 2007: "I'm getting tired of singing and I can't rely on it for 100 per cent of my income. I've got two people to think about now, and talent doesn't always pay the bills." Amidst a whirlwind romance, he found love with a Pagan woman and the pair were reportedly sketching out plans for a Pagan wedding ceremony. But their union came to an end amid whispers she had influenced Rik's decision to step away from the limelight. In 2019 he went on to say he was 'gutted' that his fellow Pop Idol contestant, Michelle McManus, was married, writing on Facebook: "Gutted that Michelle McManus is married, but she looked gorgeous and wishing her all the best." In a candid 2013 chat with the Daily Mail, Rik laid bare the harsh reality of job-seeking as he recounted: "The most demoralising thing I've ever had to do was queue up at the Job Centre and have people look at me saying, 'What a failure'. "When you've lost the ability to do the job you've always done, it's an incredible stab in the back to find people are actually laughing at you." Rik bared his soul as he continued: "It's why I don't make a lot of effort to talk to the press these days - it can be more trouble than it's worth." He admitted, finding solace in simpler joys: "If you've got a roof over your head and food on the table I don't know how anyone can be truly unhappy." By 2014, the chart-topping days were a distant memory as Rik returned to his roots, moving back in with the folks. There, he secured a gig as a secondary school exam invigilator under his birth name, Richard, while also dabbling in the disco beats of his Dad's mobile karaoke and disco venture. According to his Facebook page, the former singer is still an exam invigilator and lives in Leicester.
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Fire walkers defy pain in ancient Greek ritual
Under a cloud of incense smoke, a group of men and women in a village in northern Greece swayed slowly to the music before removing their shoes and rushing, barefoot, onto waiting embers. The fire walking ritual, held on the day of the Orthodox feast of Saint Constantine and Saint Helena on May 21, has been practiced for over a century in four villages of the Greek region of Macedonia, which borders Bulgaria. Each year, this ceremony -- called "Anastenaria" ("sighs" in Greek) -- attracts crowds of visitors. Considered a pagan ritual to honor the ancient Greek gods Dionysus and Artemis, the ancient custom was once banned by the powerful Greek Orthodox Church. For the past several decades, cooler heads have prevailed. But the rite remains shrouded in mystery. "Those who walk on fire don't like to talk about it much," explained Sotiris Tzivelis, 86, who grew up in the village of Agia Eleni, near the city of Serres. "Back then, when someone fell ill, we would call the 'anastenarides' to help heal them," he told AFP. The family requesting help would make a special handkerchief, to be blessed during the ceremony. It is one of these handkerchiefs that the ceremony leader, Babis Theodorakis, gives participants to mark the start of the ritual in the "konaki" -- a room decorated with Orthodox icons where participants prepare by dancing to the sound of the lyre and the drum. When ready, they head to a nearby meadow and form a circle around the glowing embers. "I have never walked on fire, but every year, I give our family's handkerchief to the dancers before taking it back at the end of the ritual," said Tzivelis. Musicians play traditional Greek music as a select group of faithful known as "Anastenarides" take part in a trance-like preparatory dance before walking on hot coal during a religious ritual ceremony in the northern Greek village of Agia Eleni.--AFP photos A select group of faithful known as "Anastenarides" take part in a trance-like preparatory dance before walking on hot coal. Men light a fire to prepare the burning embers before a select group of faithful known as "Anastenarides" walk on hot coal. A faithful known as "Anastenarides" walks on hot coal. A select group of faithful known as "Anastenarides" walk on hot coal. A faithful known as "Anastenarides" shows their feet after walking on hot coal. Pagan ritual According to local tradition, the rite originated in the villages of Kosti and Brodivo in southeastern Bulgaria, where Greek communities lived before emigrating to Greece in the early 20th century with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. "How to walk on fire without getting burned, I can't explain it to you!" said Babis Theodorakis, the ceremony leader. Apostolis Vlaspos, 65, who has practiced the ritual for 20 years, described it as "something internal, an indescribable force". "The first time I walked on fire, I saw the image of Saint Constantine, whom we call 'grandfather', and I felt like an electric shock," he said. After circling the glowing embers three times, participants begin to walk on them, swaying to the music and clutching icons under their arms. When they return to the "konaki", visitors rush to photograph them and check that they have no burns on their feet -- proof of a miracle, according to believers. The ceremony concludes with a meal of mutton specially slaughtered for the occasion. "Those who say that people walking on fire are in a trance are wrong," said villager Kostas Liouros, 67. "What happens to them is natural and requires mental peace and great concentration," he explained. "Some say we drink alcohol or that before removing our socks and shoes, we coat our feet with herbs and things like that, but none of that is true," added another participant, who declined to give his name. — AFP
France 24
23-05-2025
- France 24
Fire walkers defy pain in ancient Greek ritual
The fire walking ritual, held on the day of the Orthodox feast of Saint Constantine and Saint Helena on May 21, has been practised for over a century in four villages of the Greek region of Macedonia, which borders Bulgaria. Each year, this ceremony -- called "Anastenaria" ("sighs" in Greek) -- attracts crowds of visitors. Considered a pagan ritual to honour the ancient Greek gods Dionysus and Artemis, the ancient custom was once banned by the powerful Greek Orthodox Church. For the past several decades, cooler heads have prevailed. But the rite remains shrouded in mystery. "Those who walk on fire don't like to talk about it much," explained Sotiris Tzivelis, 86, who grew up in the village of Agia Eleni, near the city of Serres. "Back then, when someone fell ill, we would call the 'anastenarides' to help heal them," he told AFP. The family requesting help would make a special handkerchief, to be blessed during the ceremony. It is one of these handkerchiefs that the ceremony leader, Babis Theodorakis, gives participants to mark the start of the ritual in the "konaki" -- a room decorated with Orthodox icons where participants prepare by dancing to the sound of the lyre and the drum. When ready, they head to a nearby meadow and form a circle around the glowing embers. "I have never walked on fire, but every year, I give our family's handkerchief to the dancers before taking it back at the end of the ritual," said Tzivelis. Pagan ritual According to local tradition, the rite originated in the villages of Kosti and Brodivo in southeastern Bulgaria, where Greek communities lived before emigrating to Greece in the early 20th century with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. "How to walk on fire without getting burned, I can't explain it to you!" said Babis Theodorakis, the ceremony leader. Apostolis Vlaspos, 65, who has practised the ritual for 20 years, described it as "something internal, an indescribable force". "The first time I walked on fire, I saw the image of Saint Constantine, whom we call 'grandfather', and I felt like an electric shock," he said. After circling the glowing embers three times, participants begin to walk on them, swaying to the music and clutching icons under their arms. When they return to the "konaki", visitors rush to photograph them and check that they have no burns on their feet -- proof of a miracle, according to believers. The ceremony concludes with a meal of mutton specially slaughtered for the occasion. "Those who say that people walking on fire are in a trance are wrong," said villager Kostas Liouros, 67. "What happens to them is natural and requires mental peace and great concentration," he explained. "Some say we drink alcohol or that before removing our socks and shoes, we coat our feet with herbs and things like that, but none of that is true," added another participant, who declined to give his name. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Three Pagan's Motorcycle Club members pleaded guilty for armed assaults against rivals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Three members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, for their involvement in a series of armed assaults against members of rival motorcycle clubs. Christopher W. McGowen, also known as Mac", 41, of Platte City, Mo. pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025 to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in air of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Brandon S. Hodge, also known as "Youngblood", 26, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty on May, 14, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Arthur L. Reynolds III, also known as "Straight Edge, 48, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and one count of felon in possession of firearms. On May 30, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, assaulted a lone rival gang member at a business in Grain Valley, Mo. In addition to fists, one Pagan used an axe, causing physical injury to the victim. On Sept. 3, 2022, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, chased and forced a lone rival gang member from the road in Blue Springs, Mo. Various members of the Pagan's and their support club were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle. McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and the others confronted the victim on the side of the roadway and ultimately, the victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearms, biceps, buttocks and back of his leg. Following these events, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other present were awarded patches for their participation. On May 11, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Reynolds' residence in Independence, Mo. Inside, officers located seven firearms, various calibers of ammunition, body armor and Pagan's Motorcycle gang-related items. On Jan. 24, 2005, Reynolds pleaded guilty to felony aggravated robbery in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, for which he was later sentenced to 61 months in custody. Under federal status, McGowen and Reynolds are subject to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. Hodge is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney's Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo. Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo. Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Three Pagan's Motorcycle Club members pleaded guilty for armed assaults against rivals
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Three members of the Pagan's Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, for their involvement in a series of armed assaults against members of rival motorcycle clubs. Christopher W. McGowen, also known as Mac", 41, of Platte City, Mo. pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025 to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in air of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Brandon S. Hodge, also known as "Youngblood", 26, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty on May, 14, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Arthur L. Reynolds III, also known as "Straight Edge, 48, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025 to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and one count of felon in possession of firearms. On May 30, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, assaulted a lone rival gang member at a business in Grain Valley, Mo. In addition to fists, one Pagan used an axe, causing physical injury to the victim. On Sept. 3, 2022, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other members of the Pagan's and their support club, chased and forced a lone rival gang member from the road in Blue Springs, Mo. Various members of the Pagan's and their support club were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle. McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and the others confronted the victim on the side of the roadway and ultimately, the victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearms, biceps, buttocks and back of his leg. Following these events, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other present were awarded patches for their participation. On May 11, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Reynolds' residence in Independence, Mo. Inside, officers located seven firearms, various calibers of ammunition, body armor and Pagan's Motorcycle gang-related items. On Jan. 24, 2005, Reynolds pleaded guilty to felony aggravated robbery in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, for which he was later sentenced to 61 months in custody. Under federal status, McGowen and Reynolds are subject to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. Hodge is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence prescribed by Congress is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney's Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo. Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo. Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.
