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Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kerry Katona 'surprised' after John Torode's MasterChef axing over use of 'N-word'
Kerry Katona has insisted that it is 'easy' to be cancelled these days after John Torode was sacked from the BBC's MasterChef following his accusations of racism. Kerry Katona has spoken out about John Torode's MasterChef axe. The TV star, 59, was sacked from his position as a judge on the BBC programme following a historic accusation of racism just days after his co-star Gregg Wallace, 60, was also axed following an investigation into his behaviour. Gregg initially stepped back from filming in November but lost his job on the show after an investigation upheld 45 out of 83 complaints against him. Meanwhile, Torode came forward as the unnamed person in the Lewis Silkin report, which was commissioned by the production firm Banjiay, in relation to Wallace's conduct. And now, former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry, 44, has weighed in with her opinion on cancel culture. Kerry said: "There's been drama unfolding around MasterChef, after claims against Gregg Wallace were investigated by the BBC. But I was surprised to see his co-host John Torode also involved." An allegation against John for using 'an extremely offensive racist term' was upheld, but it's hard to pass judgment without knowing the details." The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner was quick to insist that she doesn't "condone racism in any form", but is also aware of just how "easy" it can be for someone in the public eye to be cancelled these days, she added in her OK! Magazine column. Last week, John confirmed he was the person alleged to have used racist language after an investigation into his former co-star. However, the former This Morning star said that he had no memory of making the comment and denies it ever happened. Following the furore, he has now been sacked from the long-running show, with the BBC recently confirming: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld allegation of using racist language against him. This allegation, which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace, was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin. John Torode denies the allegation. "He has stated he has no recollection of the alleged incident and does not believe that it happened. He also says that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. News of John's allegations emerged last Tuesday after production company Banijay said that an investigation into his co-star Wallace 's behaviour by firm Lewis Silkin had "substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against" John. John, however, said in a statement: "I have no recollection of what I'm accused of." The Sun reported that he repeated lyrics, containing the N-word, from Kanye West 's song Gold Digger at an after-work gathering in 2019. He's then said to have used the word again whilst speaking to a member of the MasterChef production team. However, BBC News has since reported that the upheld allegation relating to John using the racist slur was not in relation to the above incident. The publication reports the upheld allegation relates to an incident in 2018, in which it is claimed he used the same word on set after filming ended – and the slur was directed at a member of staff. Meanwhile, the publication also reported that Torode was the subject of a total of nine complaints. There was a single upheld allegation of racist language and eight other allegations relating to different matters were rejected, the Mirror understands. The BBC, Banjiay and a representative for John declined to comment when initially contacted by the Mirror. John denied the allegation in a statement which read: "Following publication of the Executive Summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. "For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. "I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence."
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Stacey Dooley admits taking her daughter to a BROTHEL when she was just eight months old while filming Nevada sex work documentary
Stacey Dooley has admitted that she took her daughter Minnie to a Nevada brothel when she was just eight months old during a TV appearance on Tuesday. The TV star, 38, is known for fronting hard-hitting documentaries that shine a light on some of life's darkest places. In her documentaries so far, she's explored topics such as stalking, fast fashion, poverty, prostitution and religion. However, Stacey has admitted she brought her daughter along while filming in a legal brother in Nevada in the US. Appearing on ITV 's This Morning with her husband Kevin Cliffton, the presenter made the admission as she prepares to take her daughter on the road while starring in 2:22 A Ghost Story. Stacey jokingly told Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary that the couple were 'dragging her along' on their tour. The star then added: 'She's a good sport, ain't she? 'Because she's always been on the move, she's quite adaptable. 'I took her to a brothel in Nevada once when she was eight months!' Kevin then interjected: 'I was sitting in a trailer with her outside the brothel for like three days and three nights reading the same thing.' 'We had to get special permission from the sheriff because she was under 18,' Stacey added to the stunned hosts. The former Strictly star reassured Alison and Dermot that it was 'all above board' as they quickly moved on with the interview. Previously speaking about the experience, Stacey told The Telegraph how she had already signed up to front the doc without realising Minnie would be only eight months. She explained: 'I have to then rent a trailer to put [my child] in. Her dad stays in this trailer with Minnie looking out the window while I'm filming and then going back to the trailer to breastfeed Minnie, and all the girls [working at the brothel] are like: "Morning Miss Minnie!" Kevin then interjected: 'I was sitting in a trailer with her outside the brothel for like three days and three nights reading the same thing' The TV star, 38, is known for fronting hard-hitting documentaries that shine a light on some of life's most darkest corners 'I'm like: she'll be open-minded if nothing else!' The documentary aired in 2024 as part of her series with Sky, called Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA. She welcomed first child Minnie with professional dancer Kevin, 42, in January 2023, the pair fell for each other while competing on Strictly Come Dancing together in 2018. In March, Stacey released a book called Dear Minnie, in which she wrote a heartfelt letter to her now two-year-old. In the letter, she detailed the moment she realised she was expecting back in 2022, after taking a pregnancy test in the Selfridges toilet.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Fiona Phillips' husband says 'she was in such a state' after heartbreaking question
Fiona Phillips' husband, Martin Frizell, has shared a heartbreaking update on the former GMTV star's ongoing battle with Alzheimer's disease, three years after her diagnosis The husband of former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips has provided a heart-breaking update on the star's continuing fight against Alzheimer's disease. It emerged in 2022 that the broadcaster had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Since the revelation, her husband Martin Frizell has been vocal in his support and campaigns to raise awareness of his wife's condition. Speaking to Bella magazine, Martin recounted a devastating incident when Fiona mistook their son for a stranger upon his return from military service. He said: "She became terribly distressed. 'Who's that man in the kitchen?' she asked. 'That's Nat,' I said gently. 'Our son. He's home for the weekend.'" Martin continued: "She was in such a state that she didn't even seem upset that she had asked the question." The pair first crossed paths during the 1990s while both were employed at GMTV, with the couple becoming engaged just four weeks after they met. Following their whirlwind start, they married in 1997 and subsequently welcomed two sons, Mackenzie and Nathaniel. Despite their careers taking similar trajectories, Martin chose to leave his position at This Morning in February to dedicate more time to caring for his wife at home. The NHS states that Alzheimer's disease is currently the leading cause of dementia in the UK and is "associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning," impacting "memory, thinking skills, and other mental abilities." While it remains unclear exactly why certain individuals develop the condition, experts believe that "increasing age, a family history of the condition, untreated depression, lifestyle factors, and conditions associated with cardiovascular disease" can all heighten someone's risk of developing Alzheimer's. In the period leading up to her diagnosis three years ago, Fiona had been a devoted advocate for raising awareness of the illness, following her parents' and uncle's dementia diagnoses in earlier years. She has served as an Alzheimer's Society Ambassador since 2007 and has backed campaigns while also contributing to two television programmes: Mum, Dad, Alzheimer's and Me and My Family and Alzheimer's. Earlier this month, the former broadcaster published a new autobiography, Remember When: My Life with Alzheimer's, which sheds light on her challenging struggle with the disease.
North Wales Chronicle
4 hours ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
More than £100 million Premium Bonds winnings unclaimed
NS&I said that in the financial year 2024-25, more than £166 million was reunited through 52,693 NS&I accounts for holders who had lost touch with their savings and investments, thanks to NS&I's tracing service and My Lost Account. This includes more than £120 million in Premium Bonds savings and unclaimed prizes, £11.4 million paid out from old savings certificates and £1.3 million from old children's bonus bonds. This Morning consumer editor Alice Beer says: "For the first time, unclaimed prizes, the amount of money of unclaimed prizes, has gone beyond £100 million. So it's sitting there, it's yours whenever you want it. It's waiting for you. She adds: "Look around the country at where those those amounts are. "Go onto the website and get your winnings. Have a look and check." You can check your numbers here. In 2024-25 more than £6.2 million from 192,071 previously unclaimed Premium Bonds prizes was paid out to 51,310 Bond holders, either through tracing services, customers updating their details or checking for unclaimed prizes. NS&I has successfully paid out over 99% of all Premium Bonds prizes to its winners since 1957. It highlighted the importance of customers updating their details and opting to have Premium Bond prizes paid directly into their bank accounts. Andrew Westhead, NS&I's retail director, says: 'These figures are a timely reminder to update your details, talk to your loved ones about your savings and make sure your money stays firmly in your hands, both now and in the future.' Premium Bond prizes are considered by NS&I to be 'unclaimed' after 18 months, but there is no time limit to claiming them. NS&I defines unclaimed assets as holdings in closed products and assets kept in open products where there have been no customer financial transactions for a period of 15 years or more. Recommended reading: Sarah Coles, head of personal finance, Hargreaves Lansdown, adds 'Eleven people in the UK have £100,000 with their name on it, just sitting, collecting dust, in the vaults at NS&I. 'They're among an eye-watering £103 million worth of unclaimed Premium Bond prizes, so it's worth checking whether you've already won big. 'People tend to get separated from their accounts when they move house and forget to update their address with all the companies they hold money with. 'It's not just Premium Bonds, vast sums of savings, investments and pensions go astray this way too. It's why in the first few weeks after you have moved in, it's essential to make a list of everything you hold, and methodically work your way through contacting every company to let them know your new address. 'It can also make sense to consider consolidating accounts so you don't have so many to keep track of in future. 'The easiest way to avoid losing track of Premium Bond prizes is to have your winnings automatically paid into your bank account – or automatically used to buy more bonds.'
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Eamonn Holmes' brutal dig at Ruth Langsford with cutting soulmate remark about new girlfriend
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford split last year after 14 years of marriage and the GB news star has since moved on with his new girlfriend. Eamonn Holmes has made a brutal dig at his ex-wife Ruth Langsford after reportedly saying that his girlfriend Katie Alexander, 43, is his "soulmate". Ruth and Eamonn, both 65, sent shockwaves through the world of showbiz when they revealed they were going their separate ways last year. The former This Morning stars were believed to have one of the strongest marriages in the entertainment industry. However, after calling it quits Eamonn moved on with relationship counsellor Kate, who he has already holidayed in Ibiza with, while Ruth stayed quiet. The pair look very loved up in some recent snaps after attending GB News star Nana Akua's engagement party together earlier this month, the Mirror reports. According to Bella magazine, the dad-of-four gushed that Katie was his "soulmate" during the glamorous bash in London while also reportedly quipping: "In sickness you find out who is there for you." Commenting on the apparent dig, an insider said: "It was an insensitive comment from Eamonn, but he's smitten with Katie and does feel like she has been there for him through the hard times. "That said, it is a kick in the teeth for Ruth because she has been there for him since the beginning." Eamonn is now often seen in a wheelchair due to his chronic health problems after having a double hip replacement and spinal surgery. Meanwhile Ruth was recently spotted without her wedding ring for the first time in more than a year after the split. There appears to be 'no turning back' for the Loose Women veteran who announced her shock split with her husband of 14 years last May. A source told OK! that ditching the ring after such a long time was a significant move on Ruth's part. The insider close to Ruth said: 'Removing that ring might have been a shock to fans, after she's worn it for so long. But it was the final bit of closure. It was a message to Eamonn and symbolic that Ruth's marriage and that chapter of her life is over. "She's closing the door on her past for good. Taking it off is Ruth saying, 'I've moved on, it's all behind me.' She's just desperate to get this divorce out of the way, now. There's no turning back.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Ruth, who shares 23-year-old son Jack with the GB news star, posted a recent Instagram video which showed her making one of her 'favourite summer dishes' – a 'colourful, no-cook salad'. It's not the first time the star, who is now locked in a divorce battle with Belfast born Eamonn, has shared her cooking talents on social media. However, it is the first time she's done it after quietly removing the wedding ring on her left hand.
