Latest news with #Virgin
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Richard Branson's daughter Holly praises her parents for letting her identify as a boy for SEVEN years: 'They never made me feel strange'
Sir 's daughter Holly has praised her parents for allowing her to identify as a boy throughout her childhood, describing their open-mindedness and unconditional love as 'empowering'. The 43-year-old daughter of the Virgin billionaire CEO shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute to her mother Joan to mark her 80th birthday on Tuesday, recalling how she lived as a boy from the age of four until nearly eleven - and how her parents never once made her feel 'strange'. Posting a throwback photo of her mum, Holly wrote: 'The last few weeks have been filled with so much love and magical family moments. 'As a family, we love to be surrounded by people (strangers and friends alike), great food, good music, bad dancing, and lots of laughter. 'My heart is full after an early celebration of [brother] Sam's 40th birthday onboard... quickly followed by wonderful mum's 80th birthday.' She continued: 'My mum hates to be in the spotlight, but I'd love to share some of the most precious lessons I've learnt from her. 'The most amazing quality my mum has is the ability to love unconditionally... Having a daughter who decided from the age of four that she wanted to be a boy must have been difficult to navigate back then. 'Mum (and Dad) never made me feel like I was strange in any way, and I am so thankful to them both for this.' Holly, who has three children with husband Freddie Andrewes, added: 'Mum has always been so open-minded, empathetic and kind. 'Truly letting me and Sam be totally free to become the people we wanted to be... I've realised that unconditional love and support also comes with a large helping of patience – thank you for teaching me that, Mum.' Holly, who is Chief Purpose and Vision Officer at Virgin, has previously described how as a child she 'dressed like a boy, stood up to pee, and even gave myself different male names'. Speaking on TV presenter Natalie Pinkham's podcast in 2021, she said: 'At the age of four, I decided I was a boy. It wasn't that I wanted to be a boy - it was that I was a boy. It was just after my brother was born and… maybe I wanted to be like him. 'This wasn't just a quick thing that stopped after a few months or years, it lasted until I was nearly 11.' She added: 'I was so lucky to have parents that were really accepting of it, that they didn't question any of it, they let me be who I wanted to be.' Her mother's acceptance, she explained, extended to her eventual decision to return to wearing girls' clothes. A pivotal moment came when she asked for a dress for Christmas: 'Mum thought, 'I'm not going to give Holly a dress from me as it feels too pressurised,' so she got one of our family friends to get me a dress... and that was the turning point.' Holly now shares her mother's patient and loving approach in raising her own children - twins Etta and Artie, ten, and daughter Lola, six. She has previously spoken of her 'difficult and distressing' fertility journey, revealing she endured two miscarriages and two failed IVF attempts before considering adoption and surrogacy. In recent years, the number of children identifying as the opposite sex has surged. While some experts believe long-term identification is indicative of being transgender, others argue it can be a temporary phase.
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Ozzy Osbourne dies at the age of 76, family announces
A statement from his family said: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.' He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. BREAKING: Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube As frontman of Black Sabbath, he was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene – a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock. His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness, marked him out as a controversial figure. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs, including factory work, before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands. Just weeks ago, the legendary rocker told thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park – a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne. Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert. His final concert raised over £150 million for charity, just two weeks after he gave adoring fans one final incredible performance at his hometown in Birmingham.
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Ozzy Osbourne dies at the age of 76, family announces
A statement from his family said: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.' He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. BREAKING: Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube As frontman of Black Sabbath, he was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene – a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock. His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness, marked him out as a controversial figure. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs, including factory work, before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands. Just weeks ago, the legendary rocker told thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park – a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne. Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert. His final concert raised over £150 million for charity, just two weeks after he gave adoring fans one final incredible performance at his hometown in Birmingham.
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Ozzy Osbourne dies at the age of 76, family announces
A statement from his family said: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.' He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. BREAKING: Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube As frontman of Black Sabbath, he was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene – a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock. His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness, marked him out as a controversial figure. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs, including factory work, before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands. Just weeks ago, the legendary rocker told thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park – a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne. Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert. His final concert raised over £150 million for charity, just two weeks after he gave adoring fans one final incredible performance at his hometown in Birmingham.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Horror as fire erupts on Sydney to Hobart Virgin Australia flight, causing major panic onboard with one passenger receiving medical attention
Passengers onboard a Virgin Australia plane from Sydney to Tasmania were temporarily thrown into panic after a fire broke out mid-flight. Flight VA1528 was beginning its descent into Hobart about 9am on Monday when the fire started in an overhead locker, filling the cabin with smoke. Passengers reported smelling the smoke ten minutes before the plane landed. Witnesses onboard told Pulse Tasmania flight crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery on fire inside a bag, while passengers described seeing flames leap out of the locker. Several passengers reportedly jumped out of their seats in panic as voices could be heard in recorded footage yelling: "All the way down the back, keep moving quicker." Flight attendants also instructed passengers not to film the fire as it unfolded, witnesses reported. Initial attempts at putting out the fire with onboard extinguishers were unsuccessful, the outlet reported. Cabin crew then doused the overhead compartment with water, eventually putting out the flames. Airport firefighters removed the smouldering battery from the Boeing 737-8FE cabin once the plane landed safely. Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker said one person received medical treatment for suspected smoke inhalation. 'The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,' he said. Paramedics also checked over flight and cabin crew as a precaution. 'Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,' a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. No other flights at Hobart Airport were impacted by the fire, but the replacement aircraft for the return flight was delayed by five hours.
