Latest news with #andDec
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
When is the Britain's Got Talent final 2025?
BRITAIN'S Got Talent 2025 is drawing to a close, with eight excellent acts having already qualified for the series showpiece. Two semi-finalists can still make it all the way to the live grand finale — here's everything you need to know so you don't miss it. 3 This year's Britain's Got Talent: Live Final is extra long — running for almost three hours 3 As ever, dynamic duo Ant and Dec will be on presenting duties Credit: PA ITV bosses have confirmed the date for the highly anticipated Britain's Got Talent 2025 final. Running for a whopping two hours and 45 minutes, the Britain's Got Talent: Live Final gives fans the chance to vote for for a winner throughout the night. Judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli will be on hand to give their final thoughts — as will influencer KSI. The Sun revealed KSI would be back for both the live semi-final and final. When is the Britain's Got Talent: Live Final 2025? The highly anticipated showpiece of Britain's Got Talent 2025 is officially scheduled to air on Saturday, 31st May. The sensational spectacle will kick off at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX. It marks the culmination of the show's 18th series, which featured a new format for both auditions and live shows. BGT 2025's new schedule This year's BGT started earlier than usual, with auditions commencing in February and live shows running weekly from late April. Unlike previous years, where the semi-finals were broadcast on consecutive nights, the 2025 series spread its semi-finals across several weeks, each one airing on a Saturday evening. This change allowed BGT to occupy an extended Saturday night slot throughout spring. Davina McCall makes emotional surprise appearance on Britain's Got Talent as Amanda Holden fights back tears Road to the Live Final The 2025 series introduced a significant twist: the Golden Buzzer was available during the semi-finals — not just the auditions. Each night, a judge or hosts Ant & Dec could send one act directly to the final, bypassing the public vote. Other finalists were determined by the public vote. As of May 22, 2025, the confirmed finalists are: Despite being voted out, Max Fox also dropped a big clue that he will make a surprise comeback in the final. 3 Max Fox hinted he could return for the final as a wildcard Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Following his elimination from the show, he wrote on Instagram: 'What a ride! 'Last night my Britain's Got Talent journey came to an end — but I've never felt prouder. 'From standing in the audience with a dream in my heart… to singing on that stage in front of millions, this experience has been nothing short of life-changing. "I've waited 19 years for that moment — and every second of it was worth it. 'To everyone who voted, shared kind words, and believed in me — thank you from the bottom of my heart. "Your support has meant more than you'll ever know. 'This might be the end of BGT for now… or maybe not — wildcard, anyone?' The full list will be confirmed after the fifth semi-final, which takes place on Saturday, May 24, 2025 — a week before the final. On May 31 we will see the remaining acts compete for the coveted crown of BGT champion. The winner will receive a massive cash prize of £250,000, as well as the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Elton John and unlikely pal voted top duo by fans after he ends decades-long feud with Madonna
BRITS have revealed their favourite unlikely duos – with Elton John friendship with a US rapper coming out on top following their joint Grammy performance in 2001. A poll of 2,000 adults found other improbable but loved friendships, both real and fictional, include GK Barry and Rev Richard Coles – as well as Han Solo and Chewbacca. 5 5 Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett's close bond also made the top 15 alongside Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks. Yet it was 78-year-old Elton 's connection with US rapper Eminem, 52, which came out top, after the Rocket Man singer forged a connection with the chart star when he became his AA sponsor. The Detroit born rapper and actor reached out to pop legend Elton who came to his rescue. "As a fellow musical superstar with nearly 30 years of sobriety under his belt, Elton John was the perfect mentor to help guide Marshall," wrote author Anthony Bozza in his book Not Afraid: The Evolution of Eminem. "The two started on a program of weekly check-ins and grew very close." The popularity of Elton's friendship with the Stan rapper, real name Marshall Mathers, comes after he made amends with Madonna, ending their years-long feud. While looking at the list of the nation's traditional favourite duos, the survey also stated how Laurel and Hardy (42 per cent), Ant and Dec (31 per cent) and Paul McCartney and John Lennon (29 per cent) came out on top. The research was commissioned by Twix, which has partnered with TV personality Pete Wicks, 37, featuring his famous friendly other half, Sam Thompson, 32, to celebrate its campaign Two is more than one. The pair emulate the likes of 'Spiedi, 'Brangelina' and 'Bennifer' as they announce their own duo nickname 'Sam and Pete Twix' - merging their surnames to take their duo status up a new notch. Pete said: 'We couldn't be any more different, and that just works, so we (or more so Sam) jumped at the chance of combining our names. Elton John wows fans with 'incredible' Saturday Night Live performance amid health battle and losing his sight 'He's gutted he didn't think of it first, though jokes aside, the best thing about our duo is we always have each other's backs – and you can't ask for more than that.' The research also found other iconic duos included comedians French and Saunders (25 per cent), rock legends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (16 per cent), as well as Noel and Liam Gallagher (12 per cent). When quizzed on what makes a pairing iconic, 56 per cent say it's about bringing out the best in each other. Meanwhile, 24 per cent believe it's because they are total opposite, but it works - and another 24 per cent reckon a key sign is everyone talking about them. What albums has Sir Elton John released? How many records has Elton released across his career? Empty Sky - 1969 Elton John - 1970 Tumbleweed Connection - 1970 Madman Across the Water - 1971 Honky Château - 1972 Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player - 1973 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1973 Caribou - 1974 Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy - 1975 Rock of the Westies - 1975 Blue Moves - 1976 A Single Man - 1978 Victim of Love - 1979 21 at 33 - 1980 The Fox - 1981 Jump Up! - 1982 Too Low for Zero - 1983 Breaking Hearts - 1984 Ice on Fire - 1985 Leather Jackets - 1986 Reg Strikes Back - 1988 Sleeping with the Past - 1989 The One - 1992 Made in England - 1995 The Big Picture - 1997 Songs from the West Coast - 2001 Peachtree Road - 2004 The Captain & the Kid - 2006 The Diving Board - 2013 Wonderful Crazy Night - 2016 Regimental Sgt. Zippo - 2021 More than two thirds (66 per cent) think the phrase 'opposites attract' is true in real life connections, and 37 per cent claim they have experienced their own unlikely friendship. It emerged 52 per cent have bonded with someone who seemed completely different to them at first, with one in 10 stating they are now best friends with that person. Nearly a quarter say their BFF knows them better than anyone else, and 25 per cent even admit they confide more in them than they do their own partner. According to 32 per cent of the respondents, knowing each other's families is what indicates 'best friend status' the most. As well as spending all day together and still having things to talk about (31 per cent), knowing each other's favourite things (28 per cent), and speaking your own language (15 per cent). Lauren Godfrey, senior brand manager for the chocolate brand, which has also created a quiz where users can answer a series of questions to see which famous duo their favourite friendship is most like, added: 'We've always believed the world is more fun in twos – and our research shows we're a nation of duos. 'Whilst none of us can understand the true bond of a pair, it's been fun to take a peep behind the iconic duo that is Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson – or as we like to call them, Sam and Pete Twix.' Unlikely Celeb Pals EMINEM and Sir Elton John have come out tops in a poll on unlikely celeb pals - were you aware of these famous connections? TOP 15 UNLIKELY DUOS: Elton John and Eminem Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett Laurel and Hardy Han Solo and Chewbacca GK Barry and Rev Richard Coles Ed Sheeran and Courteney Cox Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond Georgia Toffolo and Stanley Johnson Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole Walter White and Jesse Pinkman Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks Bette Midler and 50 Cent Harry Styles and Lizzo Pitbull and John Travolta 5 5
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Miquita Oliver criticises Jack Whitehall's ‘inappropriate' Brit Awards hosting performance
Miquita Oliver has criticised Brits Awards host Jack Whitehall for cheapening the music ceremony with '10 jokes about musicians taking cocaine'. The annual ceremony took place at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday 2 March, with honoured musicians including Charli XCX, JADE, Stormzy and Miles Smith. Bad Education comedian Whitehall returned to host the events after a four-year hiatus, with Maya Jama and Roman Kemp on hosting duties last year. TV presenter Oliver reflected on the ceremony while speaking on the podcast Miss Me?, which she co-hosts with singer Lily Allen, remarking that the appointment of Whitehall as this year's host was 'inappropriate'. 'I really don't wanna bring Jack Whitehall down,' Oliver said, before Allen urged her not to as she is friends with the comedy star. Oliver ignored Allen's request and continued: 'I felt like he brought a condescending and somewhat glib attitude to the proceedings.' She remarked that the event had turned into ' Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway ' and that Whitehall's jokes about the music industry's relationship with drug use was 'undermining' the artists being honoured at the ceremony. Oliver said: 'There is a room full of creatives and artists who have given us work this year. That doesn't need to be undermined. And that was the whole MO of the tone.' She added: 'There were over 10 jokes about musicians taking cocaine. Dated. Over.' Allen remarked that she doesn't believe that musicians are taking cocaine at the Brit Awards like they may have done back in the Nineties and Noughties. Oliver agreed, adding: 'Exactly. We're talking about the heady days of something that doesn't exist anymore. Now we're in this influencer, corporate room and we're talking about it as if we're in this room full of rock and roll stars.' One drug-related joke occurred when Whitehall was interviewing actor Danny Dyer about his forthcoming comedy film Marching Powder. Whitehall asked him: 'You were the lead part on Marching Powder. Did you have many lines?' In another moment, Whitehall made a joke about disgraced music mogul P Diddy, and referenced Stormzy's controversial McDonald's collaboration. When former Little Mix singer JADE performed her hit song 'Angel of my Dreams' wearing an all white outfit, Whitehall remarked: 'I love that she went for that aesthetic. I really thought Diddy might have done it for the white party theme. JADE has brought it back.' P Diddy, real name Sean Combs, is under investigation, having been charged last year with racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. His alleged victims have claimed that some offences took place at his annual parties, where guests dressed in white. Whitehall was subject to backlash from viewers at home, with some remarking that 'every other word was bleeped by ITV' because he was talking about drugs. Another person wrote on X/Twitter that Whitehall's jokes were 'distasteful' as another said they were 'unfunny'. Another person added: 'You had Munya Chawawa right there… and chose Jack Whitehall to host? Who's running the programming? ' Charli XCX was the champion of this year's Brit Awards, dominating with five awards for her trend-setting 2024 album Brat. Allen said of Charli XCX's success: 'It was a very good effort, she totally took over the year. Ethel, my daughter was furious that Central Cee didn't win in any of his categories.' Female artists fared well at the 2025 event, with US pop queens Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan – both breakout stars of 2024 – scooping the prizes for Global Success and International Artist of the Year, respectively. Meanwhile, JADE accepted her first solo Brit award for Best Pop Act.
