Latest news with #staircase
Daily Mail
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Richard Wilkins mercilessly mocked as fans notice one detail in his selfie with Jimmy Barnes: 'Put it away!'
Richard Wilkins has been mocked by his fans after posting a seemingly innocent selfie on Instagram. The entertainment reporter, 71, sat alongside legendary singers Iva Davies and Jimmy Barnes on a staircase in the image - but it was his feet that commanded attention. Richard opted to go without socks or shoes for the iconic image, which deeply amused many of his followers. 'Did Iva and Jimmy steal your shoes?' joked one person in the comments section. 'Rocking the McCartney no shoes look!' another chimed in, while one more said, 'Where ya shoes, Richard?' 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. Richard Wilkins (centre) has been mocked after posting a seemingly innocent selfie on Instagram. The entertainment reporter, 71, sat alongside legendary singers Iva Davies (left) and Jimmy Barnes (right) on a staircase in the image - but it was his feet that commanded attention 'Put your toes away Richard, it's freaky,' yet one more said, with someone else commenting, 'Nice shoes Dicky.' In his caption alongside the image, Richard wrote: 'I knew we should've kept the band together! We would've given Hanson a real run for their money! 'Congratulations on 40 years. This tour will be EPIC!' he added, referring to Barnes' Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour, where Davies' band Icehouse will be special guests. It comes after Delta Goodrem left Wilkins looking red-faced, after hinting at his wild antics at her lavish wedding to Matthew Copley in Malta last month. The Australian singer, 40, appeared on Today on Tuesday, and was asked by co-host Karl Stefanovic if Wilkins 'behaved' himself at the ceremony. 'I can't confirm or deny!' Delta responded. The camera then captured Wilkins looking visibly embarrassed as he turned away and covered his mouth with his hand. 'Hey, Dickie looks worried!' co-host Sarah Abo quipped, before asking the veteran presenter: 'Is there anything you would like to tell us?' It comes after Delta Goodrem (centre) left Wilkins looking red-faced, after hinting at his wild antics at her lavish wedding to Matthew Copley in Malta last month. Wilkins and girlfriend Mia Hawkswell (left) were guests at the nuptials 'Geez, stitch-up Tuesday! Even when you are on the other side of the world,' Wilkins cheekily responded, before conducting a field report from California. While in Malta for the wedding, Wilkins stripped down to his striped boardshorts for a dip alongside girlfriend Mia Hawkswell. He showed off his beach body before giving Mia a cuddle in the water as the two giggled together during a soak. Mia was flaunting her fit physique in a chic black bikini and appeared to go makeup-free for the outing. Delta and Matthew exchanged vows in the historic St Paul's Cathedral in Mdina, which was built in the 12th century. The star-studded guest list included Channel Nine presenter Renee Bargh and Wilkins' influencer son, Christian.
The Guardian
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Yoann Bourgeois on his mindblowing viral stair climbing act: ‘I want to return to the spirit of childhood'
You may have seen a certain video online of a man climbing some stairs. Actually, he's repeatedly falling from them but then magically bounces back up, weightless as a moon-walker. Out of sight is a trampoline, which gently catapults his looping, twisting body up the staircase each time he falls, turning a would-be simple journey into an epic, poetic odyssey that has caught the internet's imagination. Pop star Pink saw it and immediately got on the phone to its creator; Martin Short even made his own version on Only Murders in the Building. The act is the work of French choreographer-director Yoann Bourgeois, 43, whose live performances have been touring festivals for years. But the popularity of his videos online has propelled him into new realms, working with Harry Styles, Coldplay, Selena Gomez and Louis Vuitton. He continues to create new, live work and brings his latest outdoor piece, Passage, to Greenwich and Docklands festival this summer. Some people run away to the circus; others have it arrive on their doorstep. Bourgeois' parents separated when he was growing up in Jura, eastern France, and their house was sold to a circus group, Cirque Plume. Bourgeois was already interested in theatre (and later studied dance) and he began to train with the group. 'In a way I was looking for a way to get back home,' he says, via a translator. It wasn't just about returning to the physical building, but the spirit of childhood. 'I really wanted to continue to be a child. I've searched for a life where I can continue to play; it drives my career even now.' What Bourgeois plays with are the invisible physical forces that surround us – gravity, tension, suspension – and the interaction between those forces, the performers' bodies and symbolic ideas. For example in Ellipse, the dancers are in costumes like lifesize Weebles with semi-circular bases, rocking and spinning, but never falling. A man and woman 'dance' together, swaying past each other but never quite managing to connect. (Missy Elliott wore a version of the same costume in her video Cool Off.) In Celui Qui Tombe (He Who Falls), the performers stand on a wooden platform that rotates, at some speed, then tilts, forcing their bodies to lean at precarious angles to keep their balance, and the group have to navigate this peril together. The short piece Bourgeois is bringing to London is called Passage, and features a revolving mirrored door and pole dancer Yvonne Smink hanging, swinging, balancing and turning the simple act of crossing a threshold into something of infinite possibilities. Much like the way sculptor Antony Gormley hit upon a universal idea in his use of the body, Bourgeois works with the same kind of directness: a seemingly simple setup or visual idea that represents something huge – life, death, time, mortality, struggle, hope – in a way that's easily readable but can feel profound. Here he is talking about suspension: 'In physics, suspension means the absence of weight. But if we speak about time, suspension means absolute presence. And I think this cross between absence of weight and absolute presence is like a small window on eternity. That's what I search for: to catch the present, to intensify the present.' Even though Bourgeois seeks to be live in the ephemeral moment, you can see why the recorded versions have gone viral. He admits his work looks good on screen. 'I feel very lucky because, by chance, my work can be eloquent in this kind of frame, on Instagram for example,' he says. He's interested in clarity not overcomplication and embraces his wide fanbase. 'I didn't grow up in a family interested in art,' says Bourgeois, and that's who he imagines making his work for. He's reaching even more eyeballs now with his pop star collaborations. For the Harry Styles video As It Was, Bourgeois designed another revolving platform that saw Styles and his lover being pulled together and apart. 'Behind the superficial pop veneer of the song, there's a great sense of despair,' he says. Bourgeois designs his own stage machines, but the revolving floor is, he points out, a very old theatrical device. The question of what's truly new in art came to the fore when he was accused of plagiarism in a video posted online comparing scenes from his work with scenes from other artists. There are some striking similarities but Bourgeois is robust in his defence, saying that the works referenced motifs from the history of art, which he considers to be in the public domain. Many circus performers will use the same props. 'If you use just a frame of a video, it's easy to make a comparison,' he says. 'What is original is the treatment and the creative process.' We need to look at the whole work rather than an isolated image, he insists. What's certain is that Bourgeois can turn universal ideas into something eye-catching that connects deeply with audiences – imbued with the wonder of circus and the grace of dance. Greenwich and Docklands international festival runs from 22 August to 6 September. Passage is part of Dancing City at the festival on 6 September
Times
22-06-2025
- General
- Times
How to treat your floors to prevent slipping
I have an industrial steel and concrete staircase in my house and I am replacing it with one made from tulipwood. It needs to be completely non-slip as I am a 73-year-old widow living alone and cannot risk falling on it. The staircase comes with a minimum finish, but the rest is up to me. I don't want to paint the staircase because I'd like the colour and grain of the wood to show. I have tried to find a seriously non-slip varnish but they do not seem to exist. The option I've been given is to use a clear varnish (I've bought Blackfriar Quick Drying Floor Varnish) and then spray it with a non-slip finish such as Rust-Oleum SuperGrip. Is there one product that would do the whole job? I have a limited budget and I don't want to pay twice for the two finishes if I don't need to. Many thanks for your French Your new tulipwood staircase sounds great, and I completely understand your concern. The good news is that there are products designed exactly for your situation. One we often recommend is Osmo Polyx-Oil Anti-Slip, which is a clear hardwax oil that protects the wood while allowing the natural grain and tone to shine through. It comes in two grades of slip resistance and is used widely on interior wooden stairs and floors. It's easy to apply, long-lasting and doesn't require a second product, so it should suit your budget better than the two-step option you mention. If you're looking for something even grippier, there's an industrial-grade product called Tuff Grip. However, it has a more textured finish and may obscure some of the wood's natural beauty, so it's a bit of a trade-off. I hope this helps, and I'd love to hear how the staircase turns out. • Read more expert advice on property, interiors and home improvement We have had the idea of covering our patio and part of the adjoining wall with blue and white tiles to give a bit of a Spanish feel. We're worried about slipping. What type of tile would be recommended?George Luke This sounds like a great plan. Look for textured porcelain tiles with an anti-slip rating of R11 or higher. Porcelain is tough, weather-resistant and ideal for outdoor use; ceramic tiles, while more affordable, are generally better suited to walls or sheltered areas because they're less durable in frost and heavy rain. Many tile suppliers sell decorative porcelain ranges inspired by Spanish or Mediterranean patterns, often with non-slip finishes. Natural stone can be a lovely option, but it's rare to find it in those vivid colours. A word of warning on installation: patios need proper sub-base preparation, a fall for drainage (to keep water away from the house) and a frost-proof adhesive. Getting this wrong leads to cracked or loose tiles, which can be costly to fix. It's well worth getting a professional to do the groundwork. I hope your patio turns out beautifully — and is Birch Reynardson is the co-founder of Adda Home Solutions • Are these bed bugs? Pest expert 'Bugman' Jones answers your questions What is the best way to clean the rubber seal on the washing machine door?Jean Mathieson Spray on a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, leave for a few minutes, then clean off with a soft brush and wipe with a Taylor, Sussex Adding a handful of washing soda crystals to the 'drum clean' programme of my washing machine (Bosch) completely cleared the black staining on the rubber door seal. Good as new!Barby Witt I spray HG Mould Remover on some kitchen roll until it is soaked, then press the wad into the affected bits of the seal. Leave overnight. Ellie Wilson I wipe the seal with Dettol and dry it after each use. If you're not already doing so, leave the laundry drawer and door open after each wash to avoid trapping warm water, which encourages bacteria and mould growth. And keep the machine clean and disinfected with a hot (min 60C), empty maintenance wash every month and Dr Beckmann Washing Machine Cleaner to keep mould at bay and ensure the machine is running My washing machine engineer told me never to use liquid fabric Burrows What is the best way to remove fly dirt (poo) from my lovely white window frames? I can get the main spot off but it leaves a pale Challacombe How can I clean the inside of the 12ft high lantern light in our kitchen? Liz Graham Send tips and questions to homehelp@ Advice given without responsibility
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I'm a single mum and wanted to give the stairs in my rented house a new look – I'm on a strict budget & did it for £35
SHE wanted to give her staircase a new look, but rents her home. So after getting permission from the landlord, Megan decided to get started on the makeover - which she managed to complete for just £35. 6 6 She began by leaving a strip down the middle of the stairs bare, and headed to her local IKEA to pick up some of their £2 Tiphede runners. When she got home, she got started by cleaning off the stairs, before she started attaching the rugs to the steps. After getting them in the perfect position, she used a heavy duty staple gun to attach them onto the stairs. And once she'd finished, the rugs looked like a perfect, professional and expensive stair runner. "Changing the stairs on my private rented property with permission from my landlord," Megan wrote over the top of the video. "Single mum on a budget style!" And she added in the caption: "I love it when a vision comes to life….now I just need to go accessory shopping. "This whole project has cost me around £35 in total. Now that's what you call DIY on a budget!" People in the comments section were quick to praise Megan for the transformation, with one writing: "Well done, looks amazing!" "It looks stunning! You've done amazing!" another added. "What is the tool your using to tack the runners in place babe?" "Thank you so much, it's been a long few days," Megan replied. "It's just a heavy duty staple gun." "Well worth the effort, looks great," a third praised. "That is amazing, fair play to you," someone else commented. "It's beautiful - ready for your next project." Home upgrades that add the most value to a house The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers. Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home. Loft conversion - increase of 15% Off-street parking - adds £50,000 to property price New kitchen - increase of 15% Garage conversion - increase of 15% Cellar or basement conversion - increase of 10-15% Open plan living space - increase of 3-5% New bathroom - increase of 3-5% "Gorgeous! Love this, well done!" another wrote. "I work in Ikea... that's great use of the Tiphede runner rug," someone else said. "It looks stunning," another added. "In the middle of doing our stairs - could you please tell me how you managed to get a neat line up your stairs for the paint? "I'm so close to chucking the brush!" To which Megan replied: "Masking tape but remove it whilst the paint is still wet". "I did something similar and I swear trying to keep them clean is a nightmare! It will be a daily task!" someone else commented. With Megan responding: "I have 5 children, I'm always cleaning anyway!" "Came out really nice..." another said. 6 6
