Latest news with #contestant
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Who is Kyle Ashman? Love Island star sensationally axed over machete arrest
LOVE Island star Kyle Ashman was sensationally axed from the show last night over a machete attack. ITV chiefs scrapped the 23-year-old from the line up, plunging the show into chaos ahead of Monday's launch. 3 3 Eyebrows were raised after the cast member was removed from the show at the final hour. Unlike most of Love Island's line-ups, Kyle wasn't going into the villa with a social media packed with model shots. He has just one snap online, showing off his rippling six-pack as he poses on a rooftop. The mysterious 23-year-old water operative, from Stafford, previously described his flirting style as traditional and laid-back. He said: "I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there." The chopped contestant said he was looking for "someone that's fun, confident and just themselves". Not much else is known about Kyle's private life. His flight back home from Majorca came after masked thugs stormed a wake in Stafford and hacked at a dad with a blade in February. Ashman, 23, was one of two quizzed but released with no further action. Sources said the channel was unaware of the incident and he was not flagged as part of contestant checks. The victim, 38, nearly lost his arm. He was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment and kept in for around two weeks. Another mourner was glassed, one struck with a metal pole, and two people run over by a car during 15 minutes of terror at a social club in Stafford. Ashman, who lives in the town, was one of two men to be nicked on suspicion of affray and bailed. Police confirmed yesterday that after the matter had been investigated the pair were released with no further action only last month. A source said: 'This was a horrific attack which could have been even worse. 'Ashman may have signed up to one of the biggest shows on TV with this hanging over his head.' It is not suggested that Ashman, whose job involves laying and repairing water pipes, was involved in the attack. Last night he insisted he was not a violent person. Confirming his show exit, an ITV spokesman said: 'For personal reasons, Kyle will not be entering the Love Island Villa as planned.' The mass brawl broke out at The White Eagle Club on February 28. Sources said three balaclava-clad thugs armed with machetes and metal poles stormed the venue and attacked the dad over an alleged £3,000 debt. They attacked him with a blade and left him with a deep gash on his arm — with witnesses wrapping towels over it to stem the bleed. Pals say he has suffered tendon damage and is unable to drive due to his injuries. Witnesses said the mob made off in a white Vauxhall Astra waiting outside. Around 70 mourners, some elderly and some children, had gathered to pay their respects to local Stanley Reid. Our source continued: 'This seemed to be a targeted attack — they knew who they were looking for and where he was. "People wrapped a towel around the man's injury while waiting for emergency services. "Children were taken into a room and locked in there to keep them away from the violence. 'People were screaming and crying in fear. They had gathered to pay final farewells to a man who was really well-respected within the local community. 'They could have killed someone that night. They are nothing but scumbags. They ruined what was a lovely send-off for a good person.' Staffordshire Police said yesterday: 'We were called to a social club on Riverway, Stafford, at 7.40pm on Friday, February 28 following reports that someone had been glassed outside and a fight was taking place. Some of the men involved were wearing masks and were carrying weapons. 'Two men went to hospital after suffering injuries at the scene. Both have since been discharged. 'A man and a woman suffered minor injuries at the scene but did not want any medical treatment. 'Officers have reviewed CCTV footage and have been actively carrying out enquiries to find out more about what happened. 'A 22-year-old man, from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of wounding and affray. "Another man, also 22 and from Stafford, was arrested on suspicion of affray. 'Both were questioned in custody and bailed with conditions while our enquiries continue.' A force spokeswoman later confirmed that both suspects had been released with no further action last month. Ashman said last night: 'I fully co-operated with this police investigation and made it very clear that I had no involvement in this incident. 'I am not a violent person and any suggestion otherwise is a mischaracterisation.' A show source said: 'ITV were entirely unaware of Kyle's past and, as he was not charged, it was not flagged as part of Love Island's stringent DBS checks. 'It's only right he can now return home to the UK to share his side of the story and therefore bosses took the decision that it was best for him not to enter the villa.' Love Island host Maya Jama will kick off the brand new series on Monday, June 9. 3
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Footage reveals the fate of mystery daredevil whose backflips down cheese-rolling hill went viral
A daredevil cheese-rolling contestant whose backflips went viral on social media was 'reluctantly' led away by paramedics at the bottom of the hill, MailOnline can reveal. The man, who was dressed in a cloak and coined himself the 'Cheese Wizard', was seen doing flying somersaults down the steep descent in Gloucestershire on Bank Holiday Monday. Members of the crowd at the event - which sees racers pursue a wheel of 7lb Double Gloucester cheese - looked on in horror as he landed flat on his back. However a fellow contestant, who spoke to the 'Cheese Wizard' at the top of the hill, has now said he saw him trying to walk off on his own after the fall. It comes as new footage of the man, who reportedly escaped without breaking any bones, appears to show him being led away arm-in-arm by paramedics. An air ambulance was also seen landing in a field nearby and another contestant was rushed to hospital after being carried away on a stretcher. The witness, who wanted to remain anonymous told MailOnline: 'The videos of him are absolutely insane and his fall got an absolutely huge reaction from the crowd. 'The paramedics swarmed around him when he got to the bottom. His fall was the most spectacular I have ever seen at the event. A fellow contestant, who spoke to the 'Cheese Wizard' at the top of the hill, has said he saw him trying to walk off on his own after the fall 'I went last year too and I haven't seen anything quite as extreme. 'He tried to walk off straight away and I got the video of him being taken away by paramedics. He managed to walk off while being held by them.' The witness explained that he spoke to the man at the top of the hill and that he called himself the 'Cheese Wizard'. He said: 'I think the [backflips] were intentional. At the top he just seemed super amped up. 'He just seemed like a crazy guy. He was also telling me about how he crashed a wedding last week.' 'I didn't think he was local - he said he had come as he really liked cheese,' the contestant added. It comes as photos from this year's event show an air ambulance landing in a field nearby and another contestant being carried away on a stretcher. Organisers were also forced to call in rugby players to stop flying participants after the council banned the cheese-rolling event due to safety fears. One local posted on X: 'I'm 10 minutes from where this is. It's technically [been] an unofficial event for some time because the council banned it (safety). 'So they get lads from the local rugby teams to tackle those who come down the hill.' Will Matthews, 23, also spoke to the man who somersaulted down the hill before the start of the race. The gardener from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, said according to The Sun: 'He was dressed as a wizard and he said his name was Tye. 'Apparently he was trying to break the record for the fastest descent. 'I understand he was in the pub afterwards. There were a few people who had to go to hospital with injuries but he wasn't one of them.' Every year dozens of hardy racers hurtle down Cooper's Hill at Brockworth in pursuit of a 7lb Double Gloucester cheese. The renowned bank holiday tradition began as a small local event but now garners worldwide media attention. The official competition was cancelled back in 2010 due to health and safety fears - but rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event. This year's race prompted a safety warning from the local ambulance, police and fire services, who said they could be overwhelmed if there were 'mass causalities'. But it went ahead as planned, with Tom Kopke, a 23-year-old YouTuber from Munich, retaining the title he won last year. After taking an early lead and seeing the win through, he told the BBC: 'I've never felt better in my life. 'This year I just gave it everything I had - I just dashed forward and tried to get the win, and then I just blacked out.' Mr Kopke, 23, added: 'It was crazy. This year was different. Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people got injured. The second men's race was won by Luke Preece, from Gloucester, who flew down the hill race dressed in a Superman costume. He said afterwards: 'I am absolutely buzzed, amazing - the adrenaline. My dad did it. I can't believe it, it's amazing.' The women's race was won by Ava Sender Logan, 20, who was racing for the Refugee Community Kitchen, which supports displaced people in northern France and homeless people in London and Edinburgh. The university student from London said: 'This is my first time. I thought it was such a tradition, and I will probably feel it tomorrow. I can't believe it, I can't believe it. '"It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I'm down, that's what matters. I'm fine".' During the event, competitors chase the cheese down the 180m-high hill, with many tripping and tumbling on their way. The first runners to catch the cheese, which can reach speeds of up to 70mph, are declared victors in various races across the event that dates back to the 1800s. But competing is not without its risks - in 1993, 15 people were injured in the racing, four of them seriously hurt, and officials have ramped up warnings in recent years. In 2009 and 2011 the race was cancelled over safety concerns but the event has continued unofficially, though the 2020 and 2021 versions were called off as a result of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions before a return in June 2022. Long-time cheese-maker Rod Smart, who has produced cheese for the chase for more than 25 years, once again provided the wheels for this year's event. Four cheeses weighing about 3kg each and three smaller ones, weighing about 1.5kg, are used.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Daredevil dressed as wizard somersaults down hill chasing 3kg wheel of cheese in wild competition
A fearless contestant performed a massive somersault before slamming into the ground during an annual cheese rolling event in the UK. The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake event is held every year in May at Brockworth near Gloucester, England. The mystery man, who was dressed as a wizard, was attempting to break the course record for fastest descent when he did the cartoon-style flip. (Watch in the video player above). Some audience members struggled to watch as the speedster landed flat on his back after the acrobatic fall. Incredibly, he managed to escape without breaking any bones during the event on Monday. He joined dozens of others in the unofficial competition to chase a wheel of Double Gloucester down the steep grassy slope. Gardener Will Matthews, 23, from Glosucester was in the same race and spoke to the man at the top. 'He was dressed as a wizard and he said his name was Tye,' he said. 'Apparently he was trying to break the record for the fastest descent. 'I understand he was in the pub afterwards. There were a few people who had to go to hospital with injuries but he wasn't one of them. 'I'm feeling very sore today so he must be really feeling it.' The annual cheese rolling festival, which has gone on for over 200 years, attracts people from all over the world determined to keep the strange tradition alive. Fellow entrant Will, who was taking part in the eccentric competition for the first time, said it was 'exhilarating'. 'It's definitely something ticked off my bucket list,' he said. 'I think my mum would kill me if I tried to do it again.' The second men's race was delayed briefly after a contestant was carried away from the first event on a stretcher. German YouTuber Tom Kopke won the event for the second year in a row. Speaking after the event, he said: 'All the people at the top said they were going to steal my title, but this is mine. 'I worked for this. I risked my life for this. It's my cheese back to back. 'This year was different. I shut off my brain and went for it.'
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire contestant uses two lifelines on £1m question and LOSES on tricky question - but could YOU get it?
A contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? used two lifelines on the £1m question - only to lose. Sunday's instalment of the ITV show saw Jeremy Clarkson welcome Nicholas Bennett, from West Hampstead, who attempted to win some cash. The University Challenge alum appeared to get through the first several questions with ease, and soon found himself playing for the £1 million jackpot. Jeremy read out the question: 'Which of these words, each coined by a famous writer, was derived from the tale of of a fairytale about three princes?' The options Nicholas had to choose from were A) Pandemonium, B) Serendipity, C) Utopia and D) Yahoo. 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. Unsure of the answer, Nicholas opted to use his Ask Jeremy lifeline, but the host was also not sure on the right answer. He also decided to use the last lifeline - Phone A Friend - but his friend ended up not knowing the answer. Before giving his final answer, Jeremy reminded Nicholas that £375,000 was on the line. He went for D) Yahoo, his initial thought, but it turned out the correct answer was B) Serendipity. Despite the devastating loss, Nicholas optimistically said: 'Still get £125,000.' It comes after contestant Paul Sharpe took to the hot seat on a previous episode and had been sailing through the prizes when he got to a US-based question. 'I can't remember ever having a contestant like you,' host Jeremy said of Paul's courage throughout the game - which saw him take multiple risks. He had been slowly climbing the cash ladder and at one point was sitting on £64,000 with a safety net amount of £32,000. He went for D) Yahoo, his initial thought, but it turned out the correct answer was B) Serendipity Paul then made it to a whopping £125,000 question - which would have seen him bag an extra £93,000. But it was a question about US state capitals that tripped him up. 'Which of these is not the name of a US state capital?' Jeremy asked, before Paul was given the options of A) Lincoln, B) Richmond, C) Cambridge or D) Dover. 'I'm pretty sure that Cambridge is the state capital of Massachusetts ,' Paul said, after being left struck by the question. 'I think Dover is in the Mid West somewhere, so my gut feeling says Richmond. Having already used two of his lifelines, Paul opted to ring his dad Dennis for help. Dennis assured his son that he thought Dover was the answer, before adding: 'Pretty sure.' Jeremy praised Dennis's confidence, as he said: 'That's the kind of person you want on the other end of the phone - clear, decisive, possibly wrong but who knows.' Paul revealed most of his answers up until that point had been guesses as he locked in Dover. Gutted Paul was then told the answer was Cambridge and he had lost £32,000 - but would be taking home his safety net.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Stay-at-home son' from Metro Vancouver wins big on ‘Jeopardy!'
Since he was a little boy, Brendan Liaw has wanted to be a contestant on Jeopardy! 'Very early on, I realized that I was getting quite a few of the answers,' said Liaw. 'And so it quickly became a lifelong goal.' He was a member of a trivia team in high school, and has a knack for memorizing information. After two 50-question online tests, a mock game and an interview, the 27-year-old from Richmond was chosen to be a Jeopardy! contestant. He flew to Los Angeles and taped his first episode on March 17. Liaw has a master's degree from UBC, but thought that description sounded boring. So, when it came time to talk to host Ken Jennings, he discussed the title he chose for himself on the show: stay-at-home son. 'I figure, you know, if I lose, I might as well make some people laugh,' said Liaw. 'I think it's good to be fun and not just, you know, serious trivia guy. So that was my reasoning behind the title.' After falling behind early, the stay-at-home son ended up winning his first game– which aired on Tuesday night – taking home US$13,599. 'You don't really have time to be nervous. You don't have time to really think things through. You're just buzzing in and trying to get as many as you can, and hope that it's enough to get you through to a win,' Liaw said. As for how his parents feel about the stay-at-home son moniker? 'I think they prefer professional loiterer at this point,' Liaw joked. 'The stay is getting a little too much. I think they want to promote me to away-from-home son soon. But we'll see how the games turn out.' While he can't reveal how many times he won on Jeopardy!, Liaw can confirm he is still a stay-at-home son. 'I have not found employment since taping. So if there's anyone out there who wants to hire a guy who's mildly amusing and has broad-based knowledge, please contact me. I'm looking for gainful employment,' he said with a grin. While he hasn't gotten any job offers yet, Liaw now has plenty of fans. 'I'm really like heartened by all the support. I didn't realize people cared that much about Jeopardy! I've gotten a lot of well-wishes from strangers on the internet, and it feels good,' said Liaw. 'And hopefully, I can do the city proud.'
