Latest news with #TopOfThePops
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jamie Theakston reveals he told Beyoncé to 'leave him alone' after she tried to set him up with Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland backstage at Top Of The Pops
Jamie Theakston has revealed Beyoncé once tried to set him up with her Destiny's Child bandmate and close friend Kelly Rowland backstage at Top Of The Pops. The British broadcaster, 54, who presented the BBC music show between 1997 and 2003, recalled telling the songstress to 'leave him alone' amid her matchmaking. On Monday, Jamie left co-hosts Amanda Holden and Ashley Roberts ' their 'jaws on the floor' as he reflected on 'how different his life could have been' if he and Kelly had paired up, during his Heart Breakfast Show. While Amanda was blown away by the 'name drop' Ashley was convinced he must be 'joking' before begging for more details. Jamie told said: 'Destiny's Child were on Top of The Pops and I was chatting to Beyoncé and she said 'are you single?'''. 'I can't remember how it came about and she said, 'oh, Kelly's single, you two would make a fantastic…' and I went 'oh stop it!' And I was like 'stop it Beyoncé, leave me alone"'. The British broadcaster recalled telling the songstress to 'leave him alone' as she tried her best at matchmaking (L-R) Michelle Williams, Kelly, Beyoncé on Top Of The Pops in 2002) Despite the Beyoncé best efforts Jamie married Sophie Siegle in 2007 and together the couple share sons Sidney, 17, and Kit, 16. Meanwhile Kelly, 44, wed talent manager Tim Wetherspoon in 2014 and they are also parents to two sons Titan, ten, and four-year-old Noah. MailOnline have contacted Beyoncé's reps for comment. It comes after Jamie revealed he initially kept his possible cancer diagnosis a secret from beloved wife Sophie for weeks as they enjoyed a family holiday to Japan. The TV host, who is now cancer free, said he was so blindsided by the news he worked hard to 'suppress it' in order to enjoy the trip with their sons. Jamie announced he had been diagnosed with stage one laryngeal cancer in October 2024 after listeners had noticed there was something not right with his voice. It's cancer is a type of cancer that affects the larynx (voice box). Speaking on the latest episode of Davina McCall 's Begin Again podcast, Jamie explained that he had to undergo emergency scans just hours before boarding a plane for their long-awaited family trip. 'I didn't tell anyone. At that stage, I thought, well, it might not be cancer. So there's no point really in saying anything,' he said. 'I just tried to suppress it. All I could think was, it's probably not.' It wasn't until the biopsy results came back that the cancer diagnosis was confirmed. 'I then had to go home and tell my wife,' he said. 'She was distraught.' 'I went on holiday with this in the back of my mind, We had a fantastic time - but obviously, this was there in the background.' Breaking the news to his sons, he said, was the hardest part: 'I had to explain to them that I was going to be fine, but they were too young to understand. When you say you've got cancer to a 14-year-old, they think you're going to die'. 'My youngest son had been with me when I was told my mum had died of cancer, so he knew what it meant.' Jamie lost his mum in late 2022. 'I was so pleased that she had died before I got cancer,' he said. 'I would've hated for her to know. I'm not sure what that would've done to her. During the chat he recalled how listeners noticed his voice had changed: People mentioned my voice wasn't sounding right,' he said. 'And I knew it wasn't right myself, but you just think - sore throat, nothing serious.' But a visit to a throat specialist changed everything. 'He looked at my throat and said, 'Oh yeah, that's probably cancer' I said 'What do you mean?' And he said 'Nine times out of ten, it is cancer and we need to get you scanned now.'' After his initial surgery, doctors feared some cancerous cells may have been left behind, prompting a second, and eventually a third operation. 'We were getting dangerously close to removing so much of the vocal cord that I wouldn't be able to talk again,' he reflected. But the third surgery was successful, and in January this year, Jamie triumphantly returned to Heart Breakfast alongside co-host Amanda Holden - whom he credits with getting him through it. 'Amanda was incredible,' he said. 'She checked in on me nonstop. She kept the show going. She's a force of nature.' The TV host, who is now cancer free, said he was so blindsided by the news he worked hard to 'suppress it' in order to enjoy the trip with their sons (pictured 2018) Now cancer-free, Jamie says his recent health ordeal has dramatically transformed his outlook on life. 'It's been a real gift. Often when bad things happen to us, there are good things to take from it. And I really do feel that I am a better person because of what I've been through. 'I hope it'll make me a better parent. Maybe it might make me a better broadcaster. It certainly feels like it made me a better person.' Indeed, he's not wasting time. 'Before cancer, I was very analogue - I had a Filofax. Now I'm digital. My calendar is packed for weeks ahead. I'll say to people, "Let's book a golf weekend in 2027." I just want to plan everything, because I can.' Though he says he never truly believed he would die, the gravity of what might have been has left a lasting impression. 'I look back and think about when you tell your children you've got cancer, and what that might mean, to then telling them you don't have cancer anymore, and what that might mean, and all of a sudden, you see your future ahead of you.'
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Martin Kemp says 'it was as quick as that' as he opens up on marriage 'doubt'
Martin Kemp says 'it was as quick as that' as he opens up on marriage 'doubt' Martin Kemp has opened up on his relationship with wife Shirlie Holliman, admitting that he doubts the couple are actually married despite tying the knot in St Lucia in 1988 Martin Kemp and Shirlie Kemp (Image: Jeff Spicer, Jeff Spicer/WireImagevia Getty Images ) Martin Kemp has revealed that he's not entirely sure if he and his wife Shirlie are officially married, despite having a ceremony in St Lucia over 35 years ago. The Spandau Ballet star reminisced about falling for Shirlie "through the television" as she performed with Wham! on Top Of The Pops back in 1982. Speaking to the Mirror, Martin recounted how he was completely smitten with Shirlie after her performance, finding himself in a "bubble" where he could "couldn't think of anything else" until they finally met a few weeks later. Shirlie, on the other hand, had developed a "crush" on Martin after seeing him in a magazine, which led to their mutual friend George Michael orchestrating their first meeting, reports Devon Live. Despite feeling too daunted to ring Martin herself, Shirlie got a helping hand from George Michael, who made the call and handed her the phone. Shirlie Holliman and Martin Kemp (Image: Jeff Spicer, Getty Images ) Article continues below The pair, both aged 63, have been inseparable since they started dating and held their wedding in St Lucia in 1988. However, during an appearance on Tracks Of My Years with Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2, Martin expressed doubts about the legality of their nuptials. He shared a vivid memory from their wedding day: "I remember that, on the day we're getting married, I'm standing on this clifftop that is overlooking the Caribbean and it's sparkling, and there's only me there and the lady who's going to marry us." Continuing the story, he described Shirlie's arrival: "I'm waiting for Shirlie, and Shirlie turns up in this old pickup truck coming up the hill, and she climbs out in this tiny white mini dress, with big high heels on, and she's hobbling up to the point where we're going to get married. "This lady says 'Martin, do you love Shirlie?'. Okay, yep. 'Shirlie, do you love Martin?'. Yep, you're married. It was as quick as that. To this day, Vernon, I doubt very much if we are married." Martin said that he doesn't believe the couple were ever given a wedding certificate, but stressed that he "thinks we're married, so it's all good". Martin, Harley Moon, Shirlie and Roman Kemp (Image: (Image: Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) ) The couple have enjoyed 37 years of marriage in the years since, as well as having son Roman and daughter Harley Moon. However, it's not been all plain sailing for the pair. In 1995, the actor was diagnosed with two brain tumours and was unable to work for three years. The couple had to downsize their home and Martin had invasive surgery to remove the largest, leaving him with dyslexia, memory loss and epilepsy. Shirlie admitted that she feared Martin would die during the second, riskier, operation before stepping in and saying to the doctor 'I don't think we want to do that". Article continues below She spent the next few months searching for an alternative method and eventually settled on a treatment using lasers to blast tumors without the need for surgery. The procedure was a success, with Martin saying he has "no doubt" that Shirlie saved his life.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sarah Greene's love with dead husband's friend after message from 'beyond grave'
The Finish Line's Sarah Greene was left a widow in 2014 after her former radio DJ husband, Mike Smith, passed away – but she later found love with one of his oldest friends The Finish Line star Sarah Greene once opened up about her love life since the passing of her husband, Mike Smith. Former Blue Peter and Saturday Superstore presenter Sarah, 67, returned to our screens back in 2023 alongside Roman Kemp for the BBC One quiz show. She shared a deeply personal connection between her late husband, the iconic Radio 1 Breakfast Show and Top Of The Pops host who tragically died in 2014 following complications from heart surgery, and her current partner, ex-racing driver Robb Gravett. The TV star explained that Gravett, a close friend of the couple, came into her life through what she feels was Mike's celestial intervention. In an intimate confession on the My Time Capsule podcast back in 2022, Greene recalled loving memories of Smith, hinting at his influence from beyond: "I sort of know Mike is pulling so many strings in my life." She elaborated: "He has undoubtedly been responsible for me meeting my beloved who was one of his oldest friends, who waited a certain amount of time but did keep leaving messages on the answering machine. I thought he was just being kind". And continuing, she explained when the truth hit her, saying: "Then I got a message almost saying 'For God's sake, Greeno, Robb is trying to make contact with you because he actually wants to take you out, not because he's kind. So will you just get off your arse and go and answer the phone next time it rings!' "And lo and behold, a whole new conversation started. I'm sure, and Robb is very sure too, because it's a very strange situation." She detailed how she was worried about the relationship in the early days: "I remember being terribly worried and saying to the dear man who I'd known for all these years, 'Isn't it strange coming into the house and seeing all these pictures everywhere of Mike?'" "He said, 'No, no, it's not strange. It'd be strange if they weren't there. And remember, I love him too.'" Talking about working with Roman on The Finish Line, Sarah acknowledged her co-host's better ability to mask his emotions stating, "Roman has a much better poker face than I do. You can read my face from a mile off. But I have to remind myself I'm pretending to be Richard Osman on Pointless. That's the acting skill coming in." Back in 2017, Sarah presented This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield, covering for Holly Willoughby, in a throwback to their children's TV days together. She returned the same year to present alongside Rylan Clark.
Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Adam Buxton: ‘I met Johnny Cash on the beach and introduced him to my mum'
First film I saw at the cinema Disney's The Rescuers, quite an odd film about a United Nations-style organisation run by mice, who go on a mission to rescue a human girl kidnapped in the bayou. I remember an incredibly exciting boat chase involving a dragonfly. First cinema event Star Wars. We were living in south Wales, but my mum drove us all the way to London to see it. I remember stumbling out, dazed, desperate to buy merch. My mum bought me the soundtrack on cassette, and I was initially gutted that it was just the music and not the actors' voices too. First TV obsession I remember being so excited about The Muppet Show. In a pre-VCR age, I wanted a record of it. Borrowing my dad's Dictaphone [he was a travel journalist], I would lie right in front of the TV, recording as close to the speaker as I could. I would shush anyone who came in: 'No talking during the Muppets!' I liked Gonzo best, because he was hapless but funny. First single I owned Kraftwerk's The Model. When I was nine, I was shipped off to boarding school. On Thursdays, seniors were allowed to stay up to watch Top of the Pops. With few exceptions, I loved it all, but particularly synth-pop, so, Gary Numan, Landscape, who had a hit with Einstein a Go-Go, Ultravox and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. First concert I went to My first memory of live music was seeing a reggae band in Jamaica or Barbados during one of my dad's travel trips. It wasn't a tourist gig but something we had been taken to by a local PR. I was quite young and found it gut-quakingly loud. My dad asked the PR if they could ask the band to turn the music down. She laughed, then realised he was serious. The first band I saw for myself was Prefab Sprout at the Hammersmith Palais, along with my comedy wife Joe Cornish [the screenwriter and director]. • Joe Cornish: 'I turned down every franchise out there' Buxton met Johnny Cash on holiday as a child JACK VARTOOGIAN/GETTY IMAGES First famous person I met Possibly on that same Caribbean trip, while playing in the sea I got talking to a man with a boy about the same age as me. This dad, who was nice and gentle, asked me what I liked doing. I said: 'Drawing robots and watching TV.' The boy liked TV too. 'Come and meet my mum,' I said. Afterwards she said: 'Do you know who that was? He's very famous. He's called Johnny Cash.' First break While at art school, I sent a videotape into a Channel 4 public access show called Takeover TV. I'd recorded a comedy song over a Velvet Underground instrumental about a pretentious performance artist called Randy Tartt. The guy who ran the production company, Fenton Bailey, loved the video, and also felt it was a sign that he had a partner called Randy and a band called The Fabulous Pop Tarts. That led to The Adam and Joe Show. First podcast I enjoyed We took over from the Ricky Gervais show on XFM when he and Stephen Merchant went off to film the second series of The Office. They already had a hit podcast of that show, so we were offered that option too. I was quite insecure and soon discovered it was nice to have the opportunity to craft something, rather than just stumbling live on air. First moment I felt I'd made it A recent notch was having Paul McCartney on The Adam Buxton Podcast. In the days when it was less offensive to do so, I used to joke that my Native American name would have to be Stumbles at Hurdles, because at any point in my career when the pressure was on, I'd f*** it up. I was nervous McCartney would be another one of those challenges. But I think it was really good, and people liked it. I Love You, Byeee by Adam Buxton is out now (Mudlark £22 pp320). To order a copy go to Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members
Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Sparks: ‘We can't understand why other brother acts have so much trouble'
There is a song on the new Sparks album, the appropriately titled Mad!, called JanSport Backpack. 'She wears a JanSport backpack,' observes Russell Mael, who at 76 has somehow retained the borderline hysterical countertenor that first fascinated a nation when Sparks performed This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us on Top of the Pops in 1974. John Lennon was so stunned by the sight of the pretty, curly-haired Russell performing the operatic hit with his unsmiling, toothbrush moustache-sporting brother, Ron, he is said to have called up Ringo Starr and told him that Marc Bolan was doing a song with Adolf Hitler. JanSport Backpack is typical Sparks: taking a mundane aspect of life and imbuing it with significance of preposterous proportions.
