Latest News from Extra.ie
Extra.ie
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Irish actress Alison Oliver packs on the PDA with Hollywood star
It seems Irish actress Alison Oliver has officially nabbed herself a Hollywood man. The Saltburn star and The Crown's Josh O'Connor were spotted putting on a loved-up display in London as they walked through the city hand-in-hand. This is the first confirmation of their relationship in the public eye, with rumours of a romance having been circulating for some time. It seems Irish actress Alison Oliver has officially nabbed herself a Hollywood man. Pic: Brian McEvoy In photos obtained by deuxmoi, the happy couple can be seen strolling through the streets with their arms wrapped around each other, even stopping at one moment to indulge in a kiss. Although this is the first time the pair have been seen packing on the PDA, they did step out together at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival premiere of Josh's new film The Mastermind. The pair posed with the actor's parents Emily O'Connor and John O'Connor on the red carpet, and boy was it adorable. Although neither Josh or Alison, who previously dated Irish actor Éanna Hardwicke, have made a public declaration of love, it's safe to say they're for keeps. While Alison has been open about her dating life in the past, Josh has only publicly discussed his over arching crush on FKA Twigs. 'I really shouldn't be saying this, but it's hilarious. I was in a band called Orange Output basically to try and get Twigs to go out with me,' he told G in 2023. 'I was the lead singer, and one of the lyrics I wrote was 'I'm addicted to crack, motherf–ker.' The closest thing I'd had to crack was Coco Pops.' 'I don't think she knows who I am,' he joked.
Extra.ie
12 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Tina Satchwell's family defend her after her husband convicted of murder
The family of murder victim Tina Satchwell have spoken out about how she was portrayed in court during the lengthy trial, which ended Friday with her husband Richard being found guilty of her murder. 58-year-old truck driver Richard Satchwell now faces life in prison after he was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of the murder of his 45-year-old wife Tina, whose body was found buried underneath a staircase at their home in Youghal, The jury returned a unanimous verdict after almost nine and a half hours of deliberations, after a trial which lasted five weeks. Richard Satchwell. Pic: Seán Dwyer Speaking after the verdict was announced, Tina's family described her as a 'kind, loving and gentle soul who loved her animals as they loved her and that is how they want her remembered' and added that she was 'portrayed in court in a way that was not true to who she was'. When the guilty verdict was announced, there was audible sobbing in the courtroom from Tina Satchwell's family. Outside the court, Tina Satchwell's half sister Lorraine Howard made a statement on behalf of the family. Tina Satchwell's half-sister Lorraine Howard (centre) makes a statement on behalf of the family. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire She thanked their legal team for their support throughout the trial and also thanked Mr Justice Paul McDermott and the prosecution team, including barrister Geraldine Small and the 12 jurors, for their dedication, and to the witnesses for helping us reach this verdict today'. 'Your hard work and professionalism shone through like the classy ladies you were. We will never be able to put into words how thankful we are for you. We want to sincerely thank the judge and the jury for their dedication,' she said. Tina Satchwell. Tina's cousin Sarah Howard said that 'Today, as a family, we finally have justice for Tina'. Richard Satchwell has been in custody since he was first charged with his wifes murder in October 2023 and he is due to be sentenced on June 4th This is to allow the family of Tina Satchwell time to prepare their victim impact statements for the sentencing hearing.
Extra.ie
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Munster not fixating on Sharks' class
Munster centre Alex Nankivell says the team are deliberately not thinking too much about the 'world-class' Sharks ahead of Saturday's URC quarter-final showdown in Durban. King's Park is expected to have over 50,000 supporters packed in for a highly anticipated clash that sees Munster go up against a team stacked with South African internationals of the calibre of Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. However, Kiwi Nankivell, who has been one of Munster's most consistent performers during a difficult season, says there has been a definite policy within camp all week of focusing on their own strengths rather than dwelling on what dangers the Sharks possess. Alex Nankivell in action for Munster. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile 'They have a load of world class players, a lot of Springboks,' admitted Nankivell. 'The Sharks are traditionally a very strong team but that hasn't been touched on yet by the coach or anything. I'm not sure if it will be because it's a quarter-final and, in my opinion, if you start thinking about that too much it might be in the back of your mind and it might create a bit of pressure for the lads so we are purely just focused on our preparation. 'Honestly if we get our stuff right, I genuinely believe we can beat them.'
Extra.ie
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Why URC failure has huge consequences for Leinster
One of the staples of the entertaining 'Offload' podcast every Friday is Donncha O'Callaghan's rants against Leinster and what he sees as their 'blue media' cheerleaders. It has been a hot topic all season, revolving around the central theme of O'Callaghan believing Leinster enjoy unfair advantages over the other provinces, and it ramped up big time in the wake of the province's shock departure from the European Cup. The good-cop, bad-cop approach alongside Tommy Bowe works well on an entertainment basis over a number of topics, but especially when the former Munster and Ireland stalwart is ripping into his old rivals — as he was last week with the URC up for debate. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher 'The URC is not the prize Leinster were going for. Andrew Porter has said they are all about Europe. Who gives a s**t if Leinster win the URC?' said O'Callaghan, adding that he would prefer if Leinster's Lions were rested so they could be fresh for the summer tour to Australia. Controversial opinions are the bedrock of popular podcasts but this was still a particularly extreme position to take. Since the Champions Cup defeat by Northampton, a giant heat lamp has been trained on Leo Cullen, Jacques Nienaber and the Leinster squad — and it demands a reaction. Andrew Porter has said they are all about Europe. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile The immediate response to 'who gives a s**t if Leinster win the URC?' is: Leinster do. Indeed, given how this season has panned out (on the back of a trophy drought extending to 2021 and a Champions Cup void going back to 2018) you could say winning the URC title is now non-negotiable for Leinster. Put it this way, picture a scenario where Leinster lose in the next few weeks and imagine the fallout then. Ending yet another season empty-handed, despite having access to Jordie Barrett, RG Snyman and Rabah Slimani (after an initial IRFU ruling on no overseas prop signings), not to mention two-time World Cup-winning coach Jacques Nienaber, would create a toxic fallout — one where there would be intense pressure for heads to roll. Jordie Barrett after Leinster crashed out of the Champions Cup. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile As the chief decision-makers, on and off the pitch, Cullen and Nienaber are most vulnerable but URC capitulation on the back of another Champions Cup flop would put pressure for change on the entire backroom staff. So, rather than be dismissed as an irrelevance, the URC has now assumed monumental importance for Leinster — with dire consequences for failure. And, although Leinster are overwhelming favourites to claim the URC trophy, it is far from a done deal. If they get past the Scarlets tomorrow (which they should do at home with relative ease), Leinster will face the winners of tonight's Glasgow-Stormers quarter-final. Leinster head coach Leo Cullen (right) with senior coach Jacques Nienaber. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy Glasgow are reigning champions, with a squad laced with internationals and should see off the South Africans at home but either side is capable of upsetting Leinster on their day. Then if they do make it to the final, Leinster will face either Munster, the Sharks or the Bulls (it is pretty safe to assume Edinburgh will not make it to the decider). Munster have shown their capacity for pulling out massive performances in knockout matches and if they make it past the Sharks tomorrow at a soldout Kings Park, they will be fuelled by the same levels of confidence and verve that took them all the way a couple of years ago. The Sharks have not been equal to the sum of their parts so far, but their squad is jammed with elite Springboks and, if they click, they can take anyone out. Meanwhile the Bulls, while not carting the same levels of South African stardust as the Sharks, still possess plenty of potency and have an impressive collective spirit — finishing second only to Leinster in the URC table, with 14 wins from 18 outings. Sharks stars Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth. Pic: Steve Haag Sports/REX/Shutterstock Key to all of this is the attitude of the South African sides. Unlike the apathy they reserve for the Champions Cup (South African sides competing in the European Cup has always seemed an ill-fit), they are all-in when it comes to the URC and it makes them extremely dangerous. Lots of pitfalls then for Leinster as they seek to justify their 4/9 favouritism. There is no question that Cullen has the tools at his disposal to reel off three knockout victories to end their trophyless hell. However, if the litany of nearmisses over the last few seasons has taught us anything, it is that Leinster's mental fortitude is questionable on the big stage. The nature of their Northampton defeat could have sent them one of two ways. Either, it has instilled a ruthless determination to put things right that will narrow focus all the way to glory, or it has riddled the squad and coaches with selfdoubt that will kick in whenever pressure comes on. We will not know which until the situation presents itself again but there is no questioning the desire to put things right. This is a rock and hard place situation for Cullen and crew. Win the title and the likes of O'Callaghan and a host of others dismiss it as the least that should be expected from this Leinster operation — fail to win the title, and you get absolutely rinsed with calls for change probably impossible to stave off in the fallout. However, there is one final aspect to all of this that people have overlooked. In 2007-08, Leinster had the same type of 'nearly men' tag that the current side labours under after years of coming up short. Leinster's 2008 league victory proved a springboard to sustained success. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile But under the radar, Michael Cheika was steadily introducing steel to the squad and, after a long tough campaign, they landed the league title. It got lost in the wash of Munster landing their second European Cup around the same time and Leinster's achievement was not seen as a significant step towards closing the gap on their southern rivals. But that is just what it was. Brian O'Driscoll has spoken many times about how that 2008 league win gave Leinster the belief they could go on to bigger and better things — and the following season they established a dominance in Irish rugby they have yet to relinquish. Cullen was part of that journey as a player and he will see similar opportunities now also. Win this title and it could be just the springboard this team is so desperately seeking — whatever others may think of it.
Extra.ie
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Bradley Simpson on growing up, going solo, and staying grounded
When Bradley Simpson steps onto the stage these days, it's with a new sense of freedom—and a sound all his own. Best known as the charismatic frontman of The Vamps, Bradley is striking out solo, bringing with him a wave of fresh music that's as personal as it is bold. Chatting to ahead of his Dublin gig last month, Brad opened up about the excitement that comes with his solo career, the ongoing tour that marks a new chapter in his life, and how growing up alongside his fans has shaped the artist—and the person—he is today. When Bradley Simpson steps onto the stage these days, it's with a new sense of freedom—and a sound all his own. We're tucked away in the backrooms of The Academy, just hours before Bradley's soundcheck and intimate fan Q&A. He's running on little sleep after flying in from that morning—economy, of course— still effortlessly down to earth despite years of being in the spotlight. There's an easy warmth to him, chatting about his love for Dublin like it's a second home. Despite the buzz around his solo shows, Bradley remains strikingly grounded, more focused on connecting with his fans than any spotlight. And while the excitement around his new music is unmistakable, he's quick to shut down any whispers of The Vamps calling it quits. ' It was weird at first, but I think that like discomfort and it feeling exciting and thrilling go hand in hand,' he remarked. ' I loved playing in the band and like, we're still going, do you know what I mean? 'I've always loved those gigs but I think I got to a point where I was like, the thought of something new and a challenge really excited me and to push myself outta my comfort zone a little bit.' Best known as the charismatic frontman of The Vamps, Bradley is striking out solo, bringing with him a wave of fresh music that's as personal as it is bold. 'It took a little while, like the first few gigs, I was like, 'where the f*ck are the boys? Where's my safety blanket',' he joked. 'But now it's really fun and I feel like I get to show a different side of me and get to tell people about the stories behind the album. So it's nice. It just feels like a bit more personal than it has.' Finding his solo sound was less about reinvention and more about rediscovery. For Bradley, stepping away from the familiar rhythm of The Vamps meant digging deeper into his own voice—both musically and emotionally. 'It was a lot of trial and error,' he laughed. ' I've always been writing from the perspective of like a group. Which kind of anonymizes you amongst it in the right way. In terms of like we were talking about stuff that felt a bit more universal or a shared experience between the four of us.' ' I've always been writing from the perspective of like a group. Yeah. Which kind of anonymizes you amongst it in the right way. Yeah. In terms of like we were talking about stuff that felt a bit more universal or shared experience between the four of us. 'So I think it took me a minute to get my head around having a singular voice in the story and it feeling like it sat right and it was the best representation of me. We kind of just had to talk about that a lot and I had to get comfortable with it.' The response from fans has been nothing short of overwhelming. From the moment Bradley teased his first solo release, the outpouring of love was immediate and unwavering. Social media lit up with excitement, and early live shows have been filled with longtime fans singing every word back to him—proof that they're not just along for the ride, but fully invested in this new chapter. ' It's nuts. It's very, very mad and they've been lovely, genuinely like, so supportive. I can see a lot of familiar faces who've been with the band for like 10, 11 years and the fact that they've then carried on into my side of stuff, I'm so grateful for the support.' Bradley's album, The Panic Years, dives deep into the past decade of his life—his twenties, filled with the highs, heartbreaks, self-discovery, and quiet moments in between. It's a reflective body of work that's resonated powerfully with fans who have quite literally grown up alongside him. That shared journey hit home recently when, at a meet and greet, he ran into a fan he instantly recognised from early Vamps shows—now there with her baby in tow. 'When did we all become adults? What the f*ck?' he added: 'But it's cool because everyone's been on that journey together.' Bradley's acclaimed debut solo album 'The Panic Years' is available to stream on all platforms now.
