Latest news with #WillYoung
South Wales Argus
20 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Ruth Jones MP on need to ban fur imports and sales
We have a real history of leading the way on animal welfare. Two years ago, Wales became the first part of the UK to ban the use of snare and glue traps. Scotland then followed, and last year Labour committed to do the same in England. Twenty-five years ago, we did the same with the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act, raising the bar and setting an example for our neighbours to follow. Countries like Austria (2005), France (2021) and even Norway (2025) have all implemented 'fur bans' of their own, showing we were ahead of the curve. I am proud of our record on animal welfare. But before we absolve ourselves of being complicit in the fur trade, there is another step we can and must take: banning imports and sales. Two decades ago, we were right to ban fur farming on moral grounds – but still it is legal to import fur from beautiful, intelligent animals like foxes, mink and chinchilla. I have seen footage from a fur farm in Finland showing foxes with raw wounds, deformed feet and infected eyes. Then there were the obese, 'monster foxes' which were the result of selective breeding to increase their yield. Make no mistake – our ancestors may have used fur to survive the winter, but there is nothing natural about the fur industry today. Five years after covid, experts are warning us the next pandemic might come from one of these farms, where conditions are appalling for animals but perfect for viruses to mutate and make the leap to humans. This issue is urgent as the risk of a zoonotic outbreak looms large. I have been pushing for this change with my own piece of legislation, called the Fur (Import and Sale) Bill. If passed, it would ban the import of real fur products into Britain. Last week I carried a petition to Downing Street for the Fur Free Britain campaign with more than a million signatures and support from singer Will Young and TOWIE star Pete Wicks. Carrying the signatures to the famous black door, we were greeted by Chief Mouser, Larry, who showed great interest in our box. Afterwards an X account belonging to 'Larry the Cat' shared our photos, asking his nearly 900,000 followers to 'leave the fur wearing to the professionals'. I know Argus readers will agree that if an animal product like fur is too cruel to make in Britain, it's also too cruel to import from overseas. It is cruel and unnecessary, and high time we put the fur trade out of fashion. Ruth Jones is MP for Newport West and Islwyn.
The Independent
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Watch: Will Young discovers ancestral link to medieval royalty
Will Young was stunned to discover his ties to a medieval king in the BBC 's Who Do You Think You Are? on Tuesday (3 June). The Pop Idol winner, 46, appeared on the programme to learn more about his grandfather, whom he never knew as he died before the singer was born. Later in the episode, Young is told that he is related to a king of England who reigned from 1272 – 1307. 'Being related to a king, will it change my behaviour? I mean, the short answer is yes. Yes, it will. What you are beholding is essentially a future despot,' Young joked after the discovery.
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Will Young gives rare update on his 'wonderful partner' as he talks about plans
Pop Idol winner Will Young has opened up about his private life after the popstar previously spoke about his desire to start a family and potentially foster children Will Young has opened up about his personal affairs and the blossoming hope of starting his own family someday. The inaugural Pop Idol champion, 46, has poured out details about his "wonderful partner" and the enriching life they're creating together. This heartfelt insight comes after he previously disclosed last year his aspirations to have a family and even venture into fostering children. In an interview The i, Will said that his heart had finally unfurled, attributing this change to overcoming the limelight's challenges that once complicated his love life, in part due to the relentless paparazzi pressure he said he used to experience, reports Devon Live. He explained: "I'm in a lovely relationship. I'm having a wonderful time with a wonderful partner. I had a closed heart, but it's opened up now. Why has my heart opened up?" "Meeting the right person. And making the choice to be open to someone. If you're waiting for that Hollywood moment, you might be waiting for the rest of your life, so you've got to make a choice that you want to be in a relationship. I was restricted by the mainstream music industry. "Being followed by the paparazzi used to be stressful, but it's just not a thing any more. Maybe it was quite exciting for partners of mine in the past or maybe not; I don't know, but I don't think it made dating more difficult." Last year Will shared with Attitude magazine his dream to father a family following the release of his album Light It Up. He told the publication: "I'm quite interested in fostering... I think I'd be very good at being emotionally available and emotionally validating." Reflecting on his dating life, Will shared that he, like many others, uses dating apps. He said: "It's a bit of a lottery. My last boyfriend was off an app. And the person I'm dating at the moment's off an app." Will has been open about his personal journey, including his battle with PTSD, and how gardening has become a therapeutic outlet for him. In an interview with the Telegraph, he said: "When I first went into treatment for PTSD, I had just begun work on one of my gardens. I think because I totally focused on that, it really helped me get better. "I've found that the simple act of putting my hands in the soil helps because it's grounding... it literally grounds me, it grounds my whole body.... I find one little job to focus on, it calms me down. It is meditative." On top of his musical endeavours, Will is set to feature in the 22nd series of the BBC 's ancestral exploration programme Who Do You Think You Are?, airing tonight (Tuesday, June 3) at 9pm on BBC One.
Metro
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Another celebrity discovers they're related to a king 9 years after Danny Dyer
It's been nine years since Danny Dyer unforgettably discovered he was related to English royalty – and now Will Young is following in his footsteps. The EastEnders star, 47, couldn't have possibly have predicted he shared a direct bloodline with William the Conqueror and King Edward III when he appeared on BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? in 2016. Not only that, but he even has ties with Henry VIII's adviser and English Reformation advocate, Thomas Cromwell – all of which was explored in his hands-on 2019 documentary Right Royal Family. Nothing screams niche British nepo baby like finding some blue-blooded skeletons in your closet and now the 46-year-old singer has his own aristocratic claim to fame on his episode of the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? During the episode, the former Pop Idol winner discovered his relation to Hugh Le Despenser, an adviser to King Edward II who became one of the richest men of the time after seizing land in South Wales. But the shock revelations didn't end there as he also discovered King Edward I – who ruled on the turn of the 13th and 14th century – was his direct ancestor, 20 times over. Reflecting on it all he called it one of the most 'soul nourishing experiences I've ever had.' He continued: 'I didn't expect it, my 20 times great-grandfather was Edward I, that's just bonkers, and then we move to the man, the myth, the legend, the horror that is Hugh Le Despenser, who's just an absolute monster of a man.' It won't be long before the UK has accidentally built an exclusive selection of British celebs who can unite to overthrow the monarchy with their own claim to the throne. Elsewhere in the episode the actor grew emotional after finding out his grandfather Digby Young was a prisoner of war during the Second World War at German-occupied prison in Poland. The bomber pilot managed to bribe himself out and went onto become a Squadron Leader flying jets. He reflected: 'It's completely not how I saw him at all. I didn't know he went on to do any of this. Now I feel like I've got another grandfather. I didn't feel like I had a right, really, to claim another grandfather, because I didn't know him.' And even got a tattoo of his plane and squadron number in his memory. The Strictly Come Dancing star is behind four UK number one singles and recently told Metro that he was considering a career change after finding a passion for helping young people. ''If I don't end up fostering I've been looking into training to become a school counsellor,' Will told Metro. More Trending 'I think there's a huge need for school counsellors, and so I will definitely be in some sort of way aiding, helping and guiding younger people, because I'm of that age now. 'I think it's important for people to know that you can be parental, even if you don't have kids. 'You can still find that part of you, and I think that's really important for people to realise, and important for myself,' he explained. View More » Will Young's episode of Who Do You Think You Are airs on BBC One at 9pm on June 3. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'Humanising trans people is so important right now – our BBC series does that' MORE: Gary Lineker breaks 26-year streak with mistake on final Match of the Day MORE: Former CBBC child star reveals she's been diagnosed with perimenopause at 36
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Will Young makes the shock discovery he's related to King Edward I as he breaks down in tears over his late grandfather
Will Young has revealed that he's a distant relative of British royalty. The Pop Idol star, 46, was left stunned by the discovery, which features in an upcoming episode of Who Do You Think You Are?. In the episode, Will learns that Edward I is his 20 times great grandfather, with the monarch ruling from 1272 to 1307. After discovering the royal link, Will says: 'No? Edward the First! No? You are joking? You have made it up. That's unbelievable. This is just amazing. 'I cannot believe it. It is wonderful. Being related to a king, will it change my behaviour? I mean the short answer is Yes. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'What you are beholding is essentially a future despot. You see Mr Nice Guy. Now get ready for Mr Nasty.' The royal link is revealed at the very end of the episode, which sees Will learn about his 18 times great grandfather was Hugh Le Despenser, considered one of the most prominent political figures of the 14th Century. Hugh and his wife Eleanor de Clare were nobles during Edward II's reign, with the latters mother being Joan of Acre, The Countess of Hertford and Gloucester. Joan's parents were King Edward I and his first wife Eleanor of Castile, making Eleanor de Clare the granddaughter of King Edward I. Hugh became a key political figure in the King's Court, and in 1318 he was appointed the King's Chamberlain, becoming known for his evil and greedy reputation. After England was invaded in 1326, Hugh was captured and beheaded. Will said: 'I don't think he deserves it from me but I might offer up an apology to the people that he harmed. 'So I have an 18 times great grandfather and I didn't know I was related to him and he is so well known in late medieval history as being an evil person. 'He changed the shape and direction of the country during his time. I suppose that counts for something. At least he made his mark. 'I have learned about a man who has done horrific things in his life yet through his wife's connections in her family, they are kind of erasing history in a way like.. yeah it's alright you can still have a tomb. It is almost propaganda isn't it?' During the episode, Will also learns about his more recent family history, including his late grandfather. Digby Young became a prisoner of war during the Second World War, but knew little else about his life as he passed away before Will was born. Will discovers that Digby, a bomber pilot, was hit by fire and suffered engine failure, survived and was taken as a prisoner to the Luftwaffe-run camp, in Poland. After the war ended, the British servicement marched through the winter, with Digby using 'alcohol and a few kitchen knives' to amputate a Nazi soldier's leg when they developed frostbite, according to a fellow Prison of War's account. Will breaks down in tears as he reflected on his grandfather's life, saying: 'There is a sadness that comes with it, is that I think he was perceived as a bit of a loser after the war, by some of the family, this is the proper telling of a really decent man.' 'An extraordinary man, I don't think has passed down to me through my father, and hasn't for my father.' 'So this means so much to me and my dad, sorry, I feel quite emotional about it.' Will went onto reveal that he has had a tattoo of plane and Digby's squadron number to remember him. It comes after Will revealed he is 'enjoying dating again' and has 'rediscovered his libido' during an intimate chat on Jamie Laing's Great Company Podcast. The Pop Idol star who came out as gay publicly in 2002 age 23 at the time, said he was always afraid of falling in love again, in case he got his heart broken. But the hitmaker has now shared he is 'met someone really nice' and is having fun 'opening his heart' up again. Will - who just released his ninth album Light It Up - said: 'I am dating someone quite nice at the moment, which, by the way, is quite a new experience for me because I have a very closed heart in relationships. 'So, [relationships] have not been a pleasure for me at all.' 'Are you a sexual person?', Jamie asked. Will replied: 'Oh I love sex, I have rediscovered it again. I had a bit of a drought but we all do. The libido is back!' The singer also admitted he is 'dreadful' in relationships because of past heartbreak that has caused him to shut off. He said: 'Give me something to be successful at and I'll knock it out of the park but relationships are my kryptonite because my heart has been closed. 'I think my heart is opening, which is quite a new experience for me… which is nice at age 45. I am enjoying dating for the first time.' Will also shared that being alone has helped him find happiness within himself, rather than staying in a 'lonely' relationship. He added: 'The real thing is, you've got to be happy with yourself and that has taken me a long time. 'There's nothing more lonely than being in the wrong relationship. That is the loneliest place in the world.'
