Latest news with #stuntman
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
GB News hosts pay tribute to Eamonn Holmes, 65, after he fell off his chair live on TV and hurt his back just two weeks after being rushed to hospital
GB News presenters have paid tribute to co-star Eamonn Holmes after he fell off his chair live on air on Wednesday morning. The presenter was busy hosting his Breakfast show when he fell due to wonky wheels on his chair, causing the programme to go to a long six minute advert break. Now his co-hosts Bev Turner and Andrew Pierce have paid tribute to 'amazing' Eamonn after he demanded they 'carry on' with the show, while he remained on the floor out of shot. Heaping praise on the presenter, Andrew and Bev joked that Eamonn is their new 'stuntman' after he ended up 'flat out, [at a ]180 degree angle'. Bev said: 'Now, if you weren't watching earlier this morning, you will have missed our resident stunt man, Eamonn Holmes. 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. 'Eamonn, as we know, struggles with his health at the moment. He has some good days, he has some bad days. Well this morning it turned out it was a bad day.' Explaining that the GB News set has chairs 'with wheels' for the hosts to easily switch between programs, Bev explained how Eamonn came to suffer the fall: 'Unfortunately we have these chairs on wheels so we can jump in and out quickly. 'We have to jump to the camera, we have to nip out to the loo sometimes, and sometimes we have 30 seconds to do that.' Bev continued: 'Eamonn pushed his chair back this morning and ended up on the floor.' Andrew added: 'Eamonn was flat out, 180 degree angle, saying 'carry on'. 'He shouted from under the desk, he did carry on and he got up and carried on with the show. What a trooper he is.' Agreeing with Andrew, Bev said: 'Don't you think he's amazing? That's the British spirit here at GB News.' Bev concluded by telling the Breakfast host: 'Eamonn, rest up today. It was not great.' Heaping praise on the presenter, Andrew and Bev joked that Eamonn is their new 'stuntman' after he ended up 'flat out, 180 degree angle' She then joked to Andrew: 'At least I know if I want to get rid of you, I can just push you off these chairs, you'll end up off the back there somewhere.' Reflecting on the fall, Eamonn hailed Charlie Rowley as a 'hero' for carrying on his commentary despite his accident: 'Charlie was a hero talking on through that, because the chair gave way and I'm lying flat on my back, because it's on wheels, with my head hanging off the set here. 'And you can see he looked and I thought, well, just carry on, just carry on. And he carried on and I was all right.' During Eamonn's breakfast show, the camera focused on commentator Charlie at 6:15am, when a crash was heard off screen and the broadcaster's co-host Ellie Costello exclaimed 'oh my gosh.' Eamonn was then heard saying: 'I'm fine, fine, fine, carry on, carry on.' A stunned Charlie tried to continue but the early morning news programme cut to adverts seconds later. After an extended six minute break, Eamonn returned to screens, joking: 'I'm still alive' as he blamed the 'wonky' wheels on his chair. 'They're very wonky wheels on chairs we've got here, as a matter of fact we don't really like the chairs here,' he said to his co-host Ellie Costello. 'It was a shock for me because I had a fall two weeks ago in my bathroom that hospitalised me and that hit me right in the back.' 'And that hit me again right in the back. Really really sore, really sore' Eamonn was rushed to hospital earlier this month after taking a fall at home. Alongside a picture taken in the ambulance he explained on Instagram: 'An unexpected journey this morning... bit of a fall on the bathroom floor. Gosh it hurts. Thank you Ambulance crew.' A couple of hours later, he shared a picture of himself from his hospital bed, writing: 'Not how I wanted to be spending The Holiday weekend …… but life's not easy these days . Thanks to everybody who is looking after me.' Eamonn has been plagued with health woes following surgery on his back in 2022 and has been relying on the aid of a walking frame or wheelchair since and later shared a photo from his bed and writing: 'Life's not easy these days.' In March this year, he revealed his problems are ongoing, admitting on Instagram: 'Even when The Sun shines there's pain. Sometimes I feel I'll never beat this disc immobility but I'm determined to have a life... 'So pray for me, help me or get out of the way Social Media haters.' In 2016, Eamonn underwent a double-hip replacement operation after living with acute pain for many years. Speaking about his operation at the time, Eamonn said: 'Was I nervous? No! It was just like being on television. In the build-up I was stressed — can I do this? Will I handle it? 'And it was a bit odd the night before when people started paying me tributes: 'Eamonn, you were brilliant and I'll always remember when you did this and that.' It was like dying but not dying.' He faced a completely different health ordeal two years later, as he was struck down by shingles which threatened to derail his son Declan's wedding day. In 2021, Eamonn's chronic back pain had begun and it seemingly came completely of the blue. The pain become so severe that it left Eamonn reliant on a walking stick, but he soon found out the root cause. He eventually discovered it was three slipped discs that affected the movement of his right leg. In December 2021, Eamonn told The Sun how his struggles with his 'trapped sciatic nerve' had an impact on his family who had to help him with everyday tasks. He admitted: 'It's been a difficult year. For months now I haven't been able to walk, sometimes at all, and it has really taken its toll on everyone around me too... 'I can't bend down to pick things up so [his ex-wife] Ruth [Langsford] ends up having to wait on me, and I know my sons particularly are a bit embarrassed by the way I move around.' In September 2022, Eamonn was forced to step away from his GB news show as he underwent vital back surgery to aid his chronic back pain. His battle with chronic back pain started after a dislocated pelvis led to three slipped discs. Following his surgery, he revealed that despite physiotherapy, he continues to find his lack of mobility stops him from doing simple things and is forced to rely on others, which he described as 'soul destroying'. He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'Worked hard at my physio this morning, very tiring but I've now sat on my backside for 5 hours and feel bad about doing nothing. 'Lack of mobility & depending on others stops me doing really simple things. For peace of mind I feel another round of foot exercises coming on.' His spinal surgery left him with a weakened left leg, too, and just over two weeks into his recovery from the operation, Eamonn fell backwards down 18 stairs at the Weybridge home, hitting the stone floor at the bottom. The horrific accident could easily have killed him. Instead, he emerged with a broken shoulder, and his legs further weakened. The former This Morning host admitted at the time that fracturing his shoulder in a fall was a 'massive setback'. Eamonn told GB News of fracturing his shoulder during the fall: 'It was a massive setback and means I'm going to need to take some extra time off to get myself better. 'It's been a hellish few weeks. But day by day I'm improving and I am remaining positive and trying to look on the bright side.' A year after his spinal surgery, Eamonn underwent a spine and neck stretching procedure in September 2023 after admitting he 'couldn't walk'. Eamonn admitted he 'hadn't recovered' from his back surgery, confessing: 'I can't run, I can't walk, I can't do anything except watch TV and eat.' He explained: 'I just got problems last year in my back, which I haven't recovered from. It's not good, it's not a good recipe I have to say.' Eamonn discussed his use of a wheelchair back in December while mentioning a Christmas travel warning on his Breakfast show. With the trains being pushed as an alternative for those trying to make their way home over the festive period, Eamonn made a sad admission. He said: 'The train definitely could be a dream, but I'm now sort of wheelchair laden... you rely on a lot of people to get you on and off. It's very, very difficult doing that. 'I just threw that in... it's not a concern to anybody, but there we go. Sympathising with his situation, his co-host Isabel Webster acknowledged: 'Well, it's a consideration for lots people in the same position as you, Eamonn.' Eamonn meanwhile has also been dealing with the collapse of his marriage to ex-wife Ruth Langsford, which reportedly ended after she made the 'shock' discovery that he was 'sharing intimate chats with another woman'. The former This Morning star couple shocked fans in May last year when it was revealed that they had split after 14 years of marriage and were headed for divorce. Eamonn has since moved on with new girlfriend Katie Alexander, 43, while Ruth is enjoying the single life, with the star recently enjoying a girls' getaway for her birthday. The Loose Women star also reportedly found messages on his laptop, with The Sun reporting that the discovery was a 'real kick in the teeth'. The publication said: 'Eamonn thought he was in the house alone while he was chatting on the phone. But Ruth could hear him from elsewhere in the house and was totally horrified. She confronted Eamonn. It was quite a shock - for both of them. 'Eamonn had no idea Ruth was in the house at the time. It was a huge blow to Ruth, particularly as she had been devoted to caring for Eamonn during his physical health issues. To discover he was sharing intimate chats with another woman was a real kick in the teeth for Ruth.' A source reported to The Sun that the row over the phone call occurred in April in the pair's Surrey home, however, just weeks later Ruth was said to have found messages on his laptop. The discovery was said to have triggered their split announcement, with the heartbreaking discovery said to have been 'the straw that broke the camel's back'. The insider added: 'After the phone call row the marriage limped on for a few weeks until Ruth found the laptop messages. It was another awful experience for her and the straw that broke the camel's back as far as the marriage was concerned.' A joint statement issued by the pair announcing their split simply read: 'Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes have confirmed their marriage is over and they are in the process of divorcing.'
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- RNZ News
Cold case mystery of missing Russian stuntman finally resolved, thanks to his gold teeth
Police had issued an appeal to anyone who had pictures of Artour Melikov Photo: Supplied / NZ Police The remains of a Russian stuntman who went missing in New Zealand more than 20 years ago have been formally identified thanks to photos of his gold teeth. Artour Melikov was 36 when he was reported missing on 10 September 2002. Police found his vehicle at Jellicoe Reserve near Bulli Point at Lake Taupō, and the car key, his throwing knives, clothing, passport and other documentation were inside. An extensive search for Melikov was unsuccessful. In January, several bones were found near a walking track at Motutere and police were called. They believed the bones were Melikov's but could not identify him or contact his next of kin , so they asked the public for any photos of him to help with identification. Melikov was a stuntman, appearing in Xena: Warrior Princess during his time in New Zealand, and police hoped someone who worked with him may have had good photos - especially of his gold teeth. Two people contacted police with photos which helped police formally identify him, Senior Constable Barry Shepherd said. "The two photos sent in have shown clear evidence of his gold teeth and clothing he was wearing when he was found. I want to thank these people for coming forward to allow us to formally identify Artour and provide some closure." The case has been referred to the coroner. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Passenger on cruise ship where man was 'murdered' tells of how journey turned from relaxing to 'carnage' just an hour after setting off from Southampton
A passenger on a cruise ship where a man was 'murdered' has told of how their journey turned from relaxing to 'carnage' after leaving Southampton. A 21-year-old, who does not want to be named, described scenes of drunken brawls erupting almost immediately after boarding the two-night return voyage to Belgium with her boyfriend. She told the Mirror: 'It was full of stag and hen dos that just made the boat really rowdy. We got on the boat the first day about 2pm and it was all sunny and we went to the pool but you could already see fights breaking out. 'We got to the pool about 3pm and people who were already on the boat were in drunken arguments and scraps. 'We were sat quite far back and all of a sudden you would hear cheering and chanting and you would look over and see people fighting. The bar staff were still serving people to the point they were paralytically drunk, it was just carnage.' The alleged murder occurred later that evening, around 8.30pm, when a fight reportedly broke out on the ship while it was still in British waters. The victim, James Messham, 60, a grandfather and former stuntman, died following the altercation aboard the MSC Virtuosa. He had been part of the Messhams Wall of Death, Europe's oldest motorcycle stunt show, and was described as a 'proper gent' and 'salt of the earth' by friends. A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 60-year-old grandfather. But was released on bail on Tuesday afternoon. An Army medic on the cruise is believed to have tried to save the ex-stuntman, who is said to have rode motorbikes as part of the daring Wall of Death attraction at fairs with members of his family. In recent years he had presented the show as his son Jake and other riders wowed crowds as they whizzed around the vertical walls. The Messhams Wall of Death is Europe's oldest motorcycle sport show, going back four generations of the family to around 1929. It later emerged that the Traitors ' winner Harry Clark and his girlfriend were among the passengers enjoying the two-night cruise. He was said to be 'very shocked and saddened' by the incident and was 'thinking of the individual's family and friends'. Following the announcement of the 60-year-old's death, tributes began to pour in for Mr Messham, a much-loved father and grandfather. His friend Joby Carter of Carter's Steam Fair said he was 'gutted' at the news, saying: 'We always got along with him. He was a proper gent, salt of the earth.' 'We used to travel Carter's Steam Fair. He approached us because he had a wall of death and wanted to travel with us'. Mr Carter added anyone who knew Mr Messham, from Sussex, would also know 'if you had a problem he would come and help you any time day or night'. The daring stunt man had been a part of the fair until around eight years ago. He was understood to have been travelling with relatives who helped him run the popular motorbike stunt show the Wall of Death. Mr Carter added: 'He was such a trier and did really well in the haulage business as well.' Mr Messhem's family in Sussex were too upset to speak but touching posts have been shared by relatives on Facebook. One friend commented on a photo of Mr Messham posted by son Jake Messham: 'My deepest sympathy on your loss, he was a proper old school showman, condolences to the rest of the family. Rip' And another said: 'He will be missed by everyone. When he travelled with us with the wall some years ago in Ireland, your dad and all your family were very helpful and great people to be around. 'He was a great showman and friend to all.' In an interview with thewidowstanton website, Jake Messham, who is a fourth-generation rider for the wall of death, says that the family's show is the oldest in Europe, dating back to the 1930s. An eyewitness said there were 'hen and stag parties causing chaos' on the boat. Traitors star Harry Clark and his girlfriend Anna Maynard were among the passengers enjoying the two-night cruise. There is no suggestion he was involved in the violence. He was spotted by fellow passenger Lynda Hardiman-Pearce, who runs a catering business. She spoke about meeting the the series two winner before the 'carnage' broke out. She told the Metro: 'People were jolly but it was a bit like a modern Wild West with stag and hen dos everywhere. 'Harry from Traitors was on board with a big group of family, but they were low-key and just had a nice time together. 'Harry was lovely, a very nice guy.' He won The Traitors' £95,000 prize last January after deceiving his fellow contestants, including Faithful runner-up Mollie Pierce. A source told The Sun the star was 'clearly very shocked and saddened by the news'. Only a few months earlier, Colombian national Jessica Andrea Gomez Granda, 28, died after falling overboard the ship near the Channel Islands in October. The vessel is also known as the filming site for Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder which stars X Factor winner Shayne Ward. According to a passenger onboard, the trip was a 'booze cruise' to Bruges. The men involved in the incident were said to be among a party of 20. Hampshire Police told MailOnline a homicide investigation was launched following the death of the man aboard the MSC Virtuosa in British waters. The ship left Southampton at 6pm on Saturday with the reports being made at around 8.30pm that a man, 60, had died following an 'altercation'. Mr Messhem's next of kin were informed and supported by specialist officers. His body is believed to have been kept aboard the ship until Monday morning when it docked back in the Horizon terminal in Hampshire. According to the Maritime Injury Guide, most large cruise ships will have a morgue on board and which typically has space for between three to six bodies. Detective Chief Insp Matt Gillooly, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary's senior investigating officer, said: 'We want to reassure you that this appears to be an isolated incident onboard and we want to thank the crew for their cooperation and assistance with our enquiries.' A spokesman for MSC Virtuosa said: 'Following an incident on board our ship, the relevant authorities were contacted, and we are co-operating fully with their investigations. We are providing full support to those impacted.'
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Man who didn't sit down for five days in a row reveals what happened to his body in fascinating before and after images
Experts have long said that standing is better than sitting—but a gruelling experiment undertaken by one man has revealed it may not be as beneficial as we've been told. In a YouTube video that has amassed nearly four million views, Lucas Ball, a US-based 'self-certified stunt man', refused to sit down for five days in order to test the health benefits of remaining upright. For 16 hours a day he stood and could only relax when he was sleeping, which he set himself a strict eight hour timer for. There were exceptions however, for example squatting over the toilet and having to drive his car—though he didn't let his bum touch the seat. 'So, I've stood up. I can't sit back down now. This Journey has begun,' he said as the experiment commenced. Commenting on the use of his standing desk at the start of the experiment, Mr Ball said he'd seen initial 'promising' results, as the position left him feeling 'productive', with little opportunity to get distracted 'I had a ton of energy, and I wasn't even thinking about sitting down,' he said. The video sees him watching TV, eating his dinner and performing physical exercise like lifting weights, all while standing up. But by day three it was taking a toll on his body, his posture was getting worse and he started to gain weight. He said: 'On day three it really hit me in the lower legs and feet, I felt very sore and tired. On top of this I was also extremely hungry,' adding that eating distracted him from the pain. 'Maybe I was hungry from burning extra calories, but one thing I noticed is that when I was eating, it took my mind off of standing up. Partially for this reason, I constantly ate throughout the entire day.' 'When I got towards the end, and I started to relax that is where the soreness and fatigue really started to creep in,' adding that even in bed he couldn't find relief as the soreness in his legs meant he couldn't get comfortable. 'It has been rough waking up, getting up, walking around.' By the end of the five days, he said his posture took a hit, with his upper back more rounded into a slouching position. As well as the joint ache in his knees and hip, he gained a pound on the scale. He said: 'My hip, and knees are kind of starting to ache in a way that's more than just muscular. 'It looks like I'm mainly going in a negative direction when it comes to this experiment, but I had a ton of great experiences and a ton of eye—opening moments.' However, there appeared to be a silver lining. By the end of the ordeal his lower back felt 'incredible' and far less less tight. What's more, he developed extra curve in his lower spine, which is known to help improve balance and flexibility. The YouTuber also noticed his digestion was 'faster and smoother', as the gravity meant food empties from the stomach more quickly. People in the UK spend an average of about nine hours sitting per day. It comes as a recent study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that standing more than sitting does not lower the chances of suffering heart and vascular issues. The Australian scientists, who tracked the exercise patterns of more than 80,000 people in the UK, found standing for two hours daily did little to reduce the chance of developing circulatory problems. Dr Matthew Ahmadi, an expert in population health at the University of Sydney and study lead author, said: 'Standing for too long will not offset an otherwise sedentary lifestyle and could be risky for some people in terms of circulatory health. 'We found that standing more does not improve cardiovascular health over the long term and increases the risk of circulatory issues.'
