It’s not all fun and games being an X Factor judge. Though they have all the fame, money and slow, dramatic camera shots they could ever want, they’re also tasked with narrowing down some of the world’s most talented singers to just one.
And sometimes, they don’t always make the right choices – as Simon Cowell in particular knows.
Back in 2014, he sent Irish singer Janet Grogan home at the dreaded Six Chair Challenge stage and plenty of people on social media disagreed with his choice. And in the end, so did he!
But now she’s returned, and Simon finally has the chance to make up for lost time…
Janet Grogan seemed to be a front runner for the top spot back in 2014, impressing the judges with her powerful takes on classics such as I Can‘t Make You Love Me. However, Simon chose to eliminate her just before the Judges Homes stage, booting her off her seat in favour of Lizzy Pattison, Robert Pattison‘s elder sister.
And as Twitter raged about the decision, when the episode was broadcast, Simon joined in:
‘I should have kept Janet. My mistake’ read the tweet.
However, the music mogul was stunned to see her return in 2016 for a second crack at X Factor success. Of course, it was bound to be a little awkward – when Nicole Scherzinger asked why Simon cut her from his category, Si made the universally uncomfortable facial expression:
Excellent. Singing her version of Zayn Malik‘s Pillowtalk, she wows the panel once again. We’ve a feeling that she’ll be here to stay in the competition this time around…
One Direction fans are in for a right treat this weekend, as Louis Tomlinson makes a grand return to The X Factor – as a contestant!
Yes, after months of a 1D drought since the official start of their hiatus, it looks as if Louis will be back on our screens once more, returning right back to the beginning of his music career…
…well. Not exactly. It’s not really Louis auditioning – rather, a pretty uncanny lookalike. And it’s probably the closest we’ll get for a while, so we’ll take it!
Matt Terry auditions for the judges on Sunday’s (4th September) edition of the show, and immediately it looks as if the judges take a liking to him – Simon Cowell in particular gives him a big ol’ grin of approval as he enters the room:
The Simon smirk of satisfaction
However, more than just a pretty face, Matt reveals that he’s in the process of dealing with a heartbreak – his girlfriend dumped him! It forced him to leave his job as a waiter and move back home with his parents, away from the area of heartbreak, to focus on his dream of pop stardom.
‘Music is my passion…It’s what I’m here for,’ he declares, before Nicole Scherzinger says: ‘Well I really hope you don’t suck, because I like you so much already!’
The athlete won't be getting his pecs out unless the nation thinks he's a rubbish dancer
Devastating news for fans of gold medal-winning long jumper and all-round ginger wonder Greg Rutherford – because he’s not planning on flashing his torso on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. Talk about pooping a party, mate.
Speaking at the show’s launch this week, Greg told Now: ‘It depends how desperate it gets [whether I take my top off]. [If] week one is that bad, week two I’ll have nothing on.’
But before anyone gets too overexcited by the prospect of gratuitous nudity on primetime television, Greg, 29, has had a word with the Strictly costume department to try and keep him as clothed as possible:
‘I spoke to costume straight away and I said, ‘Look, can I try and keep my body covered?’ Every photo shoot I’ve ever done in my life, it’s like, ‘Okay, now top off’ and they take photographs. I don’t want to be the typical sporty guy who’s come in and he’s got no clothes on straight away. I’m trying to be very modest and cover up.’
But all is not lost.
‘As I say, if it gets really bad, and I’m desperate for votes, then there’ll be a lot of abs that week and top off. We’ll see.’
Greg’s also pleased to be flying the flag for redheads on the telly – but was shocked that he’s not the only fiery fittie on the show, as this year pro dancer Neil Jones is repping the ginge too.
‘One of our floor managers, Greg is another ginger haired guy with a good strong beard – we’ve multiplied. I’m chuffed to bits with it. Although to be honest, I’m always the token ginger guy, and now I’m like one of a few. I’m not going to have the same impact any more! But it’s good to have a bit of ginger on screen.’
Too right!
Strictly Come Dancing: The Launch is tonight at 6:50pm on BBC1
The presenter's made sure she's not going to accidentally flash any flesh
Strictly Come Dancing‘s Laura Whitmore is totally confident she won’t suffer any wardrobe malfunctions on the show. Why? Because she’s been firmly SEWN into her sparkly costumes. Yep, she can’t get out of that thing without a fight. Or without some assistance from a pair of scissors.
‘At the rehearsals last week when we were trying stuff on, they sewed me into [the costume] so when I went to the toilet they had to cut me out of it. Basically I have to tell someone every time I need to go to the toilet. But it does mean the dress will never ever have any little slips, or no Janet Jackson moments.’
Ah yes, that time Janet Jackson managed to expose her boob at the half time Superbowl show back in 2004, which was major awks. But it’s not going to happen on Whitmore’s watch on Britain’s most famous dancefloor.
Despite the no-worries dressing attitude, Laura, 31, admits the other contestants on the show help give her confidence over what she has to wear.
‘I’m excited slash petrified about the [outfits]. There’s a lot of sequins. There’s a lot oh shininess. But because we’re doing it together, and when I was trying on the clothes the other girls were there trying on stuff too – it gives you a bit more confidence. I don’t really show too much, to be honest.’
Laura’s pal and Strictly champ Caroline Flack has been giving her tips on the dancing extravaganza, as has former contestant Pixie Lott. “Pixie and Caroline both text me saying how jealous they are of this moment. They know the excitement of it starting and just to have fun.”
Strictly Come Dancing: The Launch starts tonight at 6:50pm on BBC1
Louise also confesses why spray tans are not an option for her…
Louise Redknapp at the Strictly Come Dancing press launch
She was part of one of the biggest girl bands of the 90s, but former Eternal star Louise Redknapp still struggles to win any cool points when it comes to her football-mad sons. The singer, 41, is gearing up to take part in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing – and her boys only have one request.
Louise and retired footballer husband Jamie, 42, are parents to Charley, 12, and seven-year-old Beau, and she insists dad’s career trumps mum’s in their eyes.
Speaking exclusively to Now at the Strictly press launch, Louise says: ‘Boys being boys, they don’t really take much notice of what I’m up to. Charley was just like, ‘Please don’t embarrass me’, and Beau hasn’t really mentioned it.
‘When I came home the other day he literally didn’t mention one thing about what I’d been doing! Listen, if there’s football on another channel at the same time on a Saturday I will not take priority on a TV dancing show!’
Along with the glitzy costumes, a big must-have when it comes to the BBC One dancing show is a glowing tan. Stunning Louise is lucky enough to be naturally bronzed, but that hasn’t stopped Jamie banishing her from getting a spray tan.
She continues: ‘I’m pretty dark so I tend not to have spray tans, but if I did Jamie would be like, ‘Get that smell out of the bedroom’, and he’d make me go in the spare room!’
Louise and Jamie are a famously private couple, and she revealed that one thing she’s concerned about is having her personal life up for discussion.
‘I think for me the intrusion is my biggest fear about doing the show,’ Louise says. ‘My life away from what I do has always been very private and I think the other side scares me slightly.’
Singing, swearing and a whole lot of shade: Welcome back, X Factor
After meeting this year’s X Factor lot at the Ham Yard Hotel in London last week, we decided the absence of their boss Simon Cowell (he was in the US filming) and Sharon Osbourne (also over the pond) had sent them all rogue. Nicole Scherzinger was sassier than ever, blanking questions about former judge Cheryl; Louis Walsh claimed that he and returning host Dermot O’Leary were ‘sacked’; and Xtra Factor hosts Rylan Clark and Matt Richardson told us: ‘We sent Louis on a gap year with Sinitta.’ Er, OK. This year, expect crazy…
What’s this year’s dynamic like?
Nicole: We’re like a family – we all hang out. We used to have dinner every Sunday.
Louis:This panel, as opposed to all the other panels. [Laughter]. Just keeping it real.
We really enjoyed your impersonations, Nicole, especially Britney Spears. Do you do any others?
Louis: Her Shakira’s very good. [Nicole breaks into Whenever, Wherever for 18 seconds]. And she does Britney really well. Do a little bit of Britney, just for me. [Nicole makes the breathing noises from Britney’s Oops!… I Did It Again].
Matt: I don’t know. I think this might be the year of Louis. He’s like the cornerstone of X Factor for me.
Nicole: I’m in love with him. I’m actually here because of Louis.
Louis: I canvassed and I canvassed…
Rylan: Louis did bully Simon for about three years.
Dermot: I’m backing Scherz because when Scherz gets to the studio, she is, to all intents and purposes, a psychopath.
Can we talk about Simon? Because he’s not here you can say what you like! He’s been blowing so many kisses and winks recently – what’s going on?
Rylan: Drugs!
Louis: He loves life.
Simon’s really happy this year, right?
Louis: He is so far. Wait until the live shows. He won’t be that happy in live shows. He won’t. He’s going to want to win. And Sharon thinks she’s going to win.
Dermot: Isn’t Simon nicer now as a person?
Louis: He’s the same!
How long will it be until we get to the water-throwing stage?
Dermot: When we get to the studio. When we get to the studio Louis turns into a bitch.
Louis: I don’t!
Dermot: You do! Every year.
What can we expect from The Xtra Factor this year?
Matt: We don’t know!
Louis: It’s going be better than last year.
Rylan: We’ve got the best item on our show, but when Louis was ‘rested’ for a year…
Louis: [Interrupts] Sacked. Sacked!
Rylan: So when Louis had a couple of weeks off…
Louis: [Interrupts again] So was Dermot!
Rylan: We sent Louis on a gap year with Sinitta.
Louis: Sinitta’s not singing – good news.
Rylan: We’re really excited for the new series and you know what? We’re very much knowledgeable that this is a
one-year thing, potentially. [Everyone laughs] So we’re going to go out with a bang.
Dermot: Welcome to the family.
Rylan: Thank you! We’re aiming to get sacked before the end of the series.
Louis, Rylan said you bullied Simon into giving him the job…
Louis: I just suggested him as Simon doesn’t really know Rylan as well as we know him. I said he’s going to be great. Nicole, Sharon and I have worked with him on the show with [former judge] Gary Barlow. We know how funny and good he is, how quick he is – and he’s intelligent as well.
Matt: This series is going to be the Louis Walsh of TV shows. Unpredictable.
It was a mixed bag of results with the judges last year. Did you feel you really had to kick-start The X Factor this year?
Nicole: I didn’t see the show last year, but that’s just because I don’t watch TV.
Louis, you campaigned for Nicole to come back. What’s Nicole got that [former judges] Rita Ora or Cheryl don’t have?
Louis: I’ll tell you what she’s got…
Nicole: [Stands up and walks to the front of the stage]I’ll just f**king show you right now. You’re really seriously going
to ask the f**king question? [Starts singing And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going from hit 2006 movie Dreamgirls]
Louis: She’s got it, whatever it is.
Louis, why aren’t you on Twitter?
Louis: I’ll tell you why – I’m a loose cannon. I couldn’t be on there because I’d say what I really thought. I’d get in trouble.
Rylan: My aim on The Xtra Factor this year is to get Louis a Twitter account. We’re going to get it verified and we’re going to make sure it happens.
Louis: OK. We’ll see. I’d have to talk to my lawyers.
Nicole, have you done any body prep for the show?
Nicole: No, actually not yet. I’ve been laying out in the sun a lot. When I get ready for the show, which is like now, I start working out pretty hard.
Louis, you’ve been critical of Strictly Come Dancing before. What do you make of the line-up this year and do you think you can beat them this time?
Louis: I don’t know who most of them are. It’s a great show, it’s a fun show, but X Factor’s better. That’s all I’m saying.
Sharon has said age gives her the chance to boss Simon around like no other woman has. How does that progress in the series?
Louis: They’re getting on really well… so far.
Dermot: I think the great thing about the panel, from my perspective at least, is that Sharon is unpredictable so she’s not scared of Simon and that empowers Louis. Sharon’s like your big sister…
Louis: Older sister…
Dermot: That’s another way of putting it, but I wasn’t going to say that!
Critics loved her big West End debut but not everyone rated her performance…
Rebel Wilson is one of Hollywood’s best-loved actresses, so imagine our excitement when it was announced she was heading to London’s West End for a starring role in Guys And Dolls.
The Pitch Perfect star received rave reviews for her performance as Miss Adelaide, with one critic writing: ‘She certainly puts her marker on the role, not so much stealing scenes as mugging them and committing grand larceny.’ But Now has learnt that behind the scenes, not everyone was as impressed with her.
‘Rebel’s very different to how she comes across on chat shows,’ a backstage insider who worked with Rebel on the production tells Now. ‘She’s very quiet and was so nervous she had to have a handler with her at all times. We could see her literally shaking.’
It’s not surprising: Guys And Dolls was the 36-year-old’s big moment – treading the boards in her most high profile theatre performance to date. But some of her backstage antics certainly raised eyebrows.
Our insider adds: ‘To cope with her nerves, Rebel would start jumping on the spot and shaking her hands when she went backstage. She did it every time she walked through the doors. Her minder made sure she had water from a sippy cup at the same time each show – which was halfway through the second act.
‘She also did a sequence of stretches and lunges using a pitchfork before one scene that featured the prop each night. Her nerves were the same from the first show to the last – she even had a costume lady assigned to her to make sure she could get where she needed to be because she was so worried about missing her cues.’
Who wouldn’t be, though? The show – which Rebel was in for eight weeks – saw her doing nine performances a week, a serious feat for even the most experienced of theatre actresses. Still, it seems some of the crew were pleased when the curtain went down for the very final time last week.
‘There was one time when Rebel’s nerves really got the better of her,’ our insider adds. ‘The band are contractually obliged to play for a certain time and sometimes they go over because of extra jokes or if scenes have overrun. One time, the music stopped when Rebel was on stage and I could hear she was really upset about it. I don’t think she realised the musical director was behind her.’ Awks.
Despite this, Rebel was still the toast of the West End when the run came to an end, with critics dreaming up more roles she could make her mark on. But for now Rebel’s taking a break from the stage to star in a remake of 1989 movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
The mum-to-be has some very clever plans to make money with her labour
Blac Chyna takes a selfie, August 2016
The Kardashians made their millions from self promotion and it seems the latest addition to their clan, Blac Chyna, has been learning the ropes very quickly. In fact, Now can reveal Blac – who’s set to marry Rob Kardashian next year – is currently creating some very big plans for the birth of her first baby. And it’s going to make her very rich indeed.
‘Blac wants everyone to pay to come into the delivery room to see the baby,’ an insider close to the family tells Now.
‘She’s being serious because she knows it’s a serious cash cow – it’s like pay for view. The only exception on Rob’s side is his mum Kris and maybe his sister Kim because she’s been such a peacemaker. The fee will be on a sliding scale depending on what people can afford but Blac wants people to pay upwards of ten thousand dollars to get into the delivery room. Blac’s argument is that everyone will be making money by being associated with this baby’s birth, whether it be form Snap Chat views or Instagram followers or people leaking information. She knows people will be making bank and she wants her cut.’
As Now previously reported, Blac’s birth will be filmed for her E! spin-off show with Rob but that’s she’s got planned. ‘Obviously the big cash cow will be filming the birth but she’s also going to Snapchat from the delivery room which she will be paid for,’ our sources adds. ‘She’s considering doing a Facebook Live from the birthing room too because that will generate a lot of money for them. There’s a plan in place to fabricate dramas during the birth and have it leaked for cash. And she wants to keep everything from that hospital room as a memento. It’s pretty gross but even the hospital hand towel used on her baby will be auction-able one day.’
Not everyone is happy about her arrangements, especially Khloe, Kendall and Kylie who may have to fork out the cash if they want to visit the hospital. Our insider adds: ‘Blac has no shame in her game over this. She says she’s simply following the family tradition. If anyone in Rob’s family tries to shame her over this or call her a gold digger she’ll fight back and call them out for all the things they’ve done to made money.’ We think Kris Jenner would be proud…
TV presenter and WAG Coleen Rooney on being body confident at 30
Despite being a mum to three boys, Coleen Rooney has a body most of us would die for. But for the 30-year-old, who’s a size 10-12, regaining her pre-pregnancy weight hasn’t actually been plain sailing.
Explaining her struggle to keep in shape while balancing a successful TV and fashion career, Coleen reveals: ‘With each baby I’ve had it’s been harder to get back in shape. The body is used to getting pregnant – after the first one I found it hard to lose the last few pounds.’
Coleen, who’s mum to Kai, six, Klay, three, and eight-month old Kit, has teamed up with the 2016 McDonald’s & FA Community Awards National Ceremony, which recognises sporting families in the community.
Here, she talks to Now about juggling her adorable brood with keeping fit and gives us extraordinary insight into married life with Manchester United ace Wayne, 30.
How did you bounce back into shape after having baby Kit?
The more children I’ve had, I’ve been in less of a rush to get back into shape because after three births your body is going to
change. I think once you have kids they’re more important
than how you look.
What’s your secret weapon for getting toned abs or a firm bum?
I don’t like burpees but after you’ve done them you feel like you’ve had a good workout. I also do box jumps and because I’ve only got little legs, every time I go to jump I have that fear of falling down! But they’re great for your legs and bum. They’re the things I don’t like doing but they’re effective.
Do you ever listen to Beyoncé for a bit of butt-kicking motivation while working out?
[Laughs] Erm, no. There’s already music on in the gym.
Congratulations on turning 30. Have you embraced your body insecurities now and learnt to love yourself in your own skin?
Do you know what? I’ve always been quite confident in that way. No one’s perfect and I’ve always said there are certain things about myself I’d like to be different but there’s no way of changing them. If I had longer legs. . . but I’m never gonna get that. So you’ve just got to get on with it and try to dress the best way you can to emphasise your figure. After having kids, if you’ve got a bit of a wobbly belly that’s just part and parcel of who you are. It’s not the end of the world
– you just have to be confident.
How important is it to have much-needed mum time in the gym?
Well, I try to go to the gym three times a week. Before children I didn’t enjoy the gym that much, but now I do. It’s hard work when I’m there, but it’s an hour off!
As a mum of three boys, you must also get a workout running after them?
Yes! The other day I was at an adventure park with Kai and all his friends from school running around. So it’s non-stop from the time you wake up until when you go to bed as well.
Are you a ‘soccer mum’?
Yes. With Kai, he’s obsessed with it. He absolutely loves football. Over the past year and a half he’s really got into it. And I think it’s great because it helps him learn to work as a team – he’s involved in a little football group by our house. In the summer he does
a football camp too. I think it’s great for socialising, especially in the summer holidays because they haven’t seen their friends from school and it’s good to get some exercise. He watches football on the telly all the time too.
How did you get involved with the McDonald’s & FA Community Awards?
They approached me last year because of Wayne playing football, me being a mum and the children playing football. I loved doing it last year and reading all the entries and meeting the winners.
What are you and Wayne like as parents – are you strict on bedtimes and treats?
Yes, when they’re at school I’m quite strict. They’re all bathed and in bed at a certain time. And homework too – I’m strict on the that with Kai. He’s good at school and I make sure his reading’s done. We’re strict when we need to be. But during the summer holidays they’re allowed to stay up later – and when we’re on holiday. But we want to keep them as we are, down to earth.
How important is it to keep them grounded?
We make sure we do that because youngsters today – not just our kids – get a lot more than we used to. A lot of children are spoilt so I think you can give them stuff but you’ve just got to make sure that they remain appreciative and well behaved.
As they get a little older, will they have to work for pocket money – and when they’re old enough to drive will they get a Rolls-Royce as their first car?
[Laughs] We haven’t even got a Rolls-Royce. So no. You’ve got to prepare them for their future because you know one day they’re going to move out and get their own job, do their own stuff and raise a family. So I think you’ve got to put that in their mindset from a young age. But they’re going to have to help out around the house. Sometimes Kai will now clear his plate after dinner – but it can be hard work.
The dinner gets dropped on the floor and then the plate goes. And then I’ll be like: ‘It’s alright, I’ll do it!’ But once they’re at the age when they can start doing stuff then, you know, I will tell them to.
What do you and Wayne do for a laugh when you have a bit of downtime?
Silly things will make us laugh – but when we’ve got a babysitter the best thing we like to do is go to a concert with friends and maybe go out to dinner. That’s our ideal date night. But sometimes we love catching up on programmes that we’ve missed on the telly. We’ve been watching Empire at the minute, which we love. So any free time we get over an evening meal we watch that.
Any popcorn?
Oh no. We don’t really have that – but when you go to the cinema, yes. Sometimes it’s nice to just sit on the couch and chat because when you’ve got the kids it’s sometimes hard to get a proper adult conversation in. So we appreciate the time we do get together now, which is nice. We have a laugh. The kids make us laugh now because they’re getting older and coming out with funny things. And the relationship they’ve all got now that they’re older is funny. Klay and Kai are getting older and having fun together. So cute.
Coleen’s teamed up with the 2016 McDonald’s & FA Community Awards National Ceremony. To find out more information and about the winner please visit mcdonalds.co.uk/MumoftheYear
Caitlyn’s Jenner’s bodyguard has legally taken her name and she’s furious about it…
Caitlyn Jenner at 'I Am Cait' TV series photocall, Los Angeles 15 March 2016
Less than a year after Caitlyn Jenner legalled changed her name from Bruce, Now can reveal she wants it back. But she’s going to have a fight on her hands as bizarrely, the name Bruce Jenner has now been taken…by Caitlyn’s former bodyguard Mark Behar. And he’s not going to give it back to Caitlyn without a fight.
‘I took the iconic name that [Caitlyn] threw in the garbage and now I’m known as Bruce Jenner,’ he tells Now, before suggesting she could buy it off him, adding: ‘If she wants to me to sign it over and release it then I guess I will be known as the six million dollar man. Then and only then would I change my name and revert back to my former name.’
So what has gone on?
Mark, now Bruce, worked for the Kardashians between 2009 and 2010 and spent a lot of time with Caitlyn. Following her legal name change in September last year, he filed a petition to take the name Bruce Jenner and on 25 February the decision was granting – making history as the first ever legal name change to that of a living icon’s former name in the US.
‘Caitlyn was on the phone to Bruce for 30 minutes,’ an insider tells Now. ‘She asked him if he was going to try and make money off this whole name change. She then told Mark that if he didn’t stop using the name Bruce Jenner, she would take him to court and have a judge prevent him from using her old name. Bruce joked that he wasn’t planning on signing any cereal boxes anytime soon. Caitlyn didn’t find it funny and was yelling all sorts of threats before slamming down the phone.’
But Bruce isn’t concerned in the slightest. He adds: ‘I had a feeling that Caitlyn’s made the transition to Caitlyn for fame, money, and to try and beat the Kardashian Klan in their media frenzy. Now, she is saying that she wants to go back to her former name, Bruce Jenner but she is going to have a very hard time convincing a judge to award her back this name. She would have to revert back to her legal birth name that is William Jenner. Besides, Hollywood already recognizes me as being the NEW Bruce Jenner.’
Right. We’re guessing we shouldn’t tell either of them that there are seven Bruce Jenner’s living in the UK right now…
They’re the experts in the healthy food field, so why not follow in the footsteps of a pro? Nutritionist Lily Soutter reveals what’s inside her fridge…
Eggs
The perfect protein rich way to start the day. Full of healthy fats called phospholipids, they enhance brain function and concentration.
Herbal teas
Lily explains: ‘My cupboard is full of herbal teas and they all have amazing individual health benefits. Chamomile tea helps me unwind after a busy day.’
Spinach
The dark green colour ensures it’s high in magnesium, a mineral often depleted in times of stress. Plus, it tastes great with almost anything!
Berries; a punnet of strawberries, blueberries or raspberries.
Berries have the lowest sugar content and are super high in antioxidants.
Lily recommends replacing mayo or butter with this creamy fruit. The healthy fat content can help keep skin soft and supple.
Wild salmon
Full of essential omega 3 fats for the brain; our brain is 60 percent fat after all. Lily eats at least two portions of oily fish a week to keep concentration and memory in top condition.
Almonds
A handful a day makes a great snack. Almonds balance blood sugar due to their high content of protein and healthy fats.
Lemon
‘Each morning I drink a cup of hot water and lemon,’ says Lily, adding: ‘Although lemon is acidic outside the body, it has an alkaline affect within the body, making this beverage a perfect way to start the day!’
Natural yoghurt with live cultures
A great way to get your daily dose of good gut bacteria, which has an effect on digestion, immunity, weight and mood.
Kale
You come close to getting your RDA of anti-inflammatory vitamin A, K and C in just one cup!
Beetroot
Wonderful for digestion and detoxification; beetroot stimulates the production of bile needed for fat digestion and removal of toxins from the body. ‘I tend to add beetroot to my salads or juice with cucumber and mint,’ says Lily.
Treat yourself!
Even nutritionists indulge! Lily tells Now: ‘Every now and then I get some good quality dark chocolate. It’s rich in antioxidants called flavonols, shown to support heart health and memory.’
AVOID!
‘Ready meals; by cooking from scratch I’m eliminating excess salt, sugar, trans fats, chemicals, preservatives, colourings and flavourings,’ says Lily who also recommends ditching fruit juice. ‘The sugar content is through the roof and can be consumed within minutes,’ she explains.
Lily Soutter, Nutritionist and weight loss expert at lilysoutternutrition.com
Remember Ross' son Ben who he had with lesbian wife Carol? Well now Cole Sprouse is all grown up and kind of cute...
Adorable Ben! When did he first appear in Friends?
We grew to love Ben as the newborn son of Carol Willick and Ross Geller in Season One. Ross was stunned to discover his ex wife, who now had a lesbian lover Susan Bunch, was expecting his first child. Audiences lapped up the gorgeous blonde-haired baby. Who can forget when Uncles Joey and Chandler left him on the bus when they were trying to chat up a couple of women? Priceless.
Who played Ben?
It took all of five men! Well babies.
Ben was played as an baby by Michael Gunderson, then brothers Charles Thomas Allen and John Christopher Allen took over from Season 3 to 5. But the most famous Ben was the adorable Cole Sprouse from Season 6 to 8.
How long was Ben in the show?
Ben appeared in ‘The One With The Birth’ in Season One, and his final appearance was in ‘The One Where Joey Dates Rachel’
Ben’s best bits?
Ben the Prankster was fun. When he became mischievous and stuck swear words on his dad’s back, then fooled Rachel into thinking his Ross had fallen down a flight of stairs, when it was really a dummy in ‘The One With The Truth About London.’
Another fan’s favourite starring Ben is ‘The One With the Holiday Amadillo’ where Ross endeavours to teach Ben about his part-Jewish roots.
And cover your ears for the scene where he enters Aunt Monica’s apartment only to find Aunt Phoebe turning the air blue with a string of expletives after losing on the in ‘The one after “I do”’
What happened after Friends?
He also starred with his twin brother Dylan in Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and earned an impressive $40,000 per episode.
The twins starred in the show from 2005 to 2008, and in its spin-off The Suite Life on Deck for three years until 2011.
They also popped up in Miley Cyrus’ series Hannah Montana.
What’s Ben up to now?
Prepare to feel incredibly old.
Ben has recently graduated from university.
Well, actually, actor Cole Sprouse has – and he’s 23-years-old!
And his degree is in archeology. Which would only be more perfect if it was in palaeontology just like his dinosaur on-screen dad, played by David Schwimmer.
Cole, shared cute pics on Twitter as he donned his cap and gown to celebrate completing his education at New York University alongside his twin brother Dylan, who studied video game design. Both intend to return to acting. Watch this space…
GBBO 2015 winner on being a mum and baking for the kids!
Last year’s Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain, 31, has three children with husband Abdal; Musa, nine, Dawad, eight, and Maryam, five. Now caught up with her to talk about family life…
Hi Nadiya! What type of mum are you?
I think I’m quite strict. My husband is definitely the laid-back one. He plays the guitar, he sings songs to them; I don’t play any instruments or sing so I can’t really compete with that! But you can bake!
But I can bake, yeah (laughs).
What do you make for them?
At the moment it’s Jam Puddle Brownies. They’re their favourite things, ever.
How do you juggle your career with being a mum? For me, it’s striking a balance between the two. I find that, yes I go out and I work but I get to come home and do normal things with the children. When I’m home I try and refrain from doing too much work when they’re around.
I think, right now, it’s the transition between being a stay at home mum and work, really. Are your children ever naughty? Oh, God, yeah. They prank! Yesterday, my son was crying, saying that his brother had hit him. He faked tears!
How do they make you laugh? Well, they’re disgusting! I once told them to never eat their main meal then eat their fruit because you’ll trump quite a lot. So what do they do? They have their main meal then eat fruit to induce trumping!
(Now chuckles)What are your hopes for their futures?
I think out of the three of them there will be one who perhaps follows in my career; there is a potential baker in my daughter, but they’re still very individual children. My eldest son loves animals and he wants to become a vet. Dawad loves wearing bow ties! Oh, that’s adorable.
He will wear a shirt and a bow tie everywhere. People think that I have dressed him but no…
What has havingkids taught you about yourself? I have a lot more patience than I thought I had. They woke me up six times last night. Six times! My daughter woke up a couple of times and just looked for me. My eight-year-old came and said his leg was hurting so I had to look at his leg, twice. And Musa was in the toilet shouting, ‘I’ve got a funny tummy’.
Wow! You DO have patience!Are you heading away on a familyholiday this summer? For years they’ve wanted to go to Disneyland in Florida, which is where we’re going next week.
Excellent!How do spend the weekends as a family? What’s nice at the moment is to not go out. Roll out of bed at 10 o’clock, make a really lazy Sunday morning brunch, and just sit in front of the TV and watch movies. Are there any favourite films you all watch? We love Toy Story and Monsters Inc.
Nadiya’s Bake Me a Story publishes 8th September in hardback priced £14.99 from Hodder Children’s Books
The TV star lets us in on her fitness and diet regime...
A Place In The Sun presenter, Laura Hamilton, 34, speaks to Now about her favourite ways to workout, her guilty food pleasures and her delicious daily diet plan.
LAURA’S STATS:
HEIGHT: 5ft 3in
WEIGHT: 8st
DRESS SIZE: 6-8
Hey Laura! What’s your favourite way to exercise?
My fitness app is one; you can use it any place, any time. I also go to a David Lloyd gym and do Bodypump class, which is a combination of weights and exercises. They’ve got a good soft play area and they even have little classes for kids so I can workout while they stay there.
Maybe three or four times a week. It makes me feel better about myself. When you exercise you get more of an adrenalin release.
Do you listen to music when you exercise?
I’ve recently downloaded this Marbella mix. It’s a club mix with loads of current radio hits and dance music too.
What’s your favourite body part?
My stomach probably as it’s quite flat now. I would say my boobs but I don’t have them anymore! They disappeared when I lost weight!
Do you have a no.1 ab move?
I would say the stomach crunch exercises like simple sit-ups.
Is there a body part you struggle to keep in shape?
Y’no, I don’t really like my legs. I’ve never really liked my legs since Jason Gardiner (Dancing on Ice judge, 2011) said I had stumpy legs (laughs). Since I’ve lost weight and toned up though I’m more confident about my legs. I’ve got them out and I’ve been wearing skirts.
They look great! Do you have a guilty food pleasure?
Sweet and salty popcorn and Minstrels. I don’t eat them often though. Getting in shape and losing weight meant I cut out a lot of sugar.
Any food you always avoid?
I try not to eat ready-made meals and processed stuff. I used to eat good quality ready-meals now I try to make everything from scratch, myself.
Laura’s food diary
Now’s expert sports nutritionist Ollie Frost gives his verdict on her daily diet
BREAKFAST- Poached eggs and salmon. No bread.
OLLIE SAYS: Eating a meal high in dietary fat that is also high in protein will increase the feeling of fullness to help curb cravings later in the day. If you’re training hard, it’s important to eat carbohydrates so a slice of bread is recommended.
Cals: 290
LUNCH- Chicken salad with chicken, pine nuts, sundried tomatoes, avocado, rocket, artichokes.
OLLIE SAYS: Salads are a great way of packing in powerful anti-oxidants, which will help reduce harmful free radicals in the cells. Protein in every meal will help prevent muscle breakdown and keep you fuller for longer.
Cals: 550
DINNER – Pork chop with spinach and sweet potato fries.
OLLIE SAYS: Dark leafy vegetables, such as spinach, are ideal for weight management; they’re typically low in calories. They are useful in reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease too since they are low in fat, high in dietary fibre, and rich in folic acid.
Cals: 540
SNACKS – Almonds
OLLIE SAYS: Snacking on ‘good fats’ will reduce cravings for processed food as they are high in fibre and monounsaturated fat. Almonds are high in calories; 15-20 is a sensible number.
Cals: 315
TOTAL CALS: 1695
OLLIE’S VERDICT:
Laura’s food diary is high in single ingredient foods, which will nourish her body, giving her lasting energy as well as vitamin and mineral support for a healthy immune system.
Laura Hamilton’s Full Body Workout app is available on the App Store and Google Play, priced at £2.99
The X Factor‘s reboot this series has failed to impress some viewers who have labelled the show as ‘fake’.
Last night’s episode (03/09/16) in particular wound up some fans after Ottavio and Bradley’s epic storyline about uncooked chicken.
Ottavio entered the audition room and attempted to perform on his own, but failed spectacularly. He later reveals to the judges that he’s actually part of a double-act. He fell out with his friend Bradley after – get this – he served him some uncooked chicken.
And Bradley, right, DIDN’T SAY THANK YOU. The judges got Ottavio to make up with Bradley, who was conveniently waiting for his own audition. After some heated, glittery words, with some tears. The pair made up.
Not everyone was convinced that this was entirely genuine though.
This is some of the most awkward, contrived and poorly executed TV I've ever seen. #chickengate#xfactor
While it all seems like harmless nonsense (which has been dubbed as #chickengate by fans), we’ve seen the glamorous chicken duo before. Several times, in fact.
They both frowned on Channel 4’s Coach Trip. Bradley appeared on Vicky Pattison‘s dating show Strip Date, where people are dressed by their dates. He found minor internet fame after getting into a tantrum for having to dress as a rugby player.
Then Bradley appeared on How To Pull in 2015. Ottavio has tried his hand at fame-by-reality-show before, as he appeared on The X Factor in 2012 with Rylan Clark-Neal.
Perhaps most strange of all, however, is that they appeared on Judge Rinder. But the minor claims court wasn’t about uncooked chicken that time.
The annoying man was angered by branding Bear a ‘vile, manipulative liar’ in October, months before he entered the CBB house and cheated on his girlfriend Lillie Lexie Gregg with Chloe Khan.
But he’s not looking for a romantic reunion, and it doesn’t sound like he’s after a fight…
Talking to the Daily Star, the Ex On the Beach star said: ‘I would finally like to speak to Vicky and get things off my chest.
‘There’s a lot that needs to be said. After we broke up she blocked me on WhatsApp so I haven’t been able to talk to her.
Aaaaand this is how it’ll probably go down…
‘I want to clear the air. That’s not to say I want to get back with her but it would be nice to sort things out and get a bit of clarity. When we broke up we both agreed it was the right thing to do but she then did a lot of spiteful things to make me jealous. She was badmouthing me and did a story on me.
‘So a lot of people got the wrong impression of me. She called me “vile and manipulative” and I want to ask her: “How was I?”
Not sure people necessarily got the, um, wrong impression of you from Vicky. They might have taken their hints from the horrendous appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Ex On the Beach, Stephen Bear…
Awww! Good news this weekend for The Xtra Factor presenter Matt Edmondson as he welcomes his first child into the world!
Matt, who hosts the show with Rylan Clark-Neal, was noticeably absent from last night’s showing. It turns out that he was supporting his wife Bryony, who was giving birth to their baby daughter. No hint of a name yet, but Matt sent a message to Twitter to clarify why he was missing.
The Radio 1 DJ said: ‘I’ve had a baby! A really cute one. We always had a 2 in 7 chance that she’d arrive on a day where there was an Xtra Factor Live… What I didn’t expect was for her to hatch her escape plan three weeks early and 2 hours before the live show!
‘I am so, so, unbelievably excited about being a Dad and Bryony did the most amazing job ever. We had a very peaceful, beautiful home birth with the help of Neighbourhood Midwives (who are worth their weight in gold – seriously) and we are so happy with our little (very little in fact!) girl.
‘Anyhow, thanks to Rylan for flying solo (and crying at the news in his dressing room when I told him!) and thanks to all of you who sent me such kind messages. You guys are great.’
Matt Edmondson and Rylan took over The Xtra Factor from last year’s hosts Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom.
The star has married to his wife, Bryony, since 2013 and this is the first child they’ve welcomed together. Congratulations to the new parents! And good luck with being sleepy for a lot longer now.
It was said that the Coronation Street star had fears that the pair would get together in the same way that she did while competing on the dancing show last year.
But it seems those fears were slightly exaggerated as Georgia wrote, while the pairs were announced, on Twitter: ‘Good luck to all the @bbcstrictly 2016 cast and crew on their launch show tonight! Sending all my love! Im sure its going to be incredible. [sic.]’
Good luck to all the @bbcstrictly 2016 cast and crew on their launch show tonight! Sending all my love! Im sure its going to be incredible ❤
She added: ‘And I would just like to wish @thewhitemore and @pernicegiovann1 good luck. Please do not believe the crap you read! Shes a beautiful person.’
And i would just like to wish @thewhitmore and @pernicegiovann1 good luck. Please do not believe the crap you read! Shes a beautiful person
Reports emerged that Georgia May Foote, who’d been hanging out with Laura only a few days ago, was worried due to her recent split with Giovanni.
A source told The Sun: ‘Georgia knows just how intimately the couples have to dance and is terrified that Giovanni might hook up with Laura.
‘She is devastated that they are no longer together and struggling with the thought of Giovanni getting up close and personal with a friend of hers.’
The pair split last month after just under a year together. Georgia previously broke up with ex-boyfriend Sean Ward after sparking a romance with her dancing partner.
The 25-year-old broke the news on Twitter: ‘It is with great sadness we have decided to split up. There is nobody else involved. Although it was not an easy decision to make, sometimes you realise that it is better to be friends and this is one of those times.
‘We both have very busy work schedules for the rest of the year so we are both going to focus on our upcoming work projects and we wish each other well for the future.’
Daisy Lowe at the Strictly Come Dancing launch show, Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire 30 August 2016
What should have been one of the happiest days of the year for Daisy Lowe was tinged with sadness as she reveals her grandfather died during the first day of rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing.
While the model put on a brave face during the opening show yesterday, which saw her partner with professional Alijaz Skorjanec, she hid the secret pain of her grandfather Eddie Davis, and admitted that fellow contestant Louise Redknapp comforted her during the difficult time.
Speaking to The Mirror, the 27-year-old said: ‘It was all quite sudden. I was talking to him the day before. He was so excited about me doing the show.
‘It was pretty tough and thank God I had Lou. She made it all better.’
She added: ‘I’m wearing his watch, his shirt and his necklace. I’m going to be dancing for him. I’d quite like to dance to some of his favourite songs, too. I’m just trying to be with my family whenever I have time off.’
82-year-old Eddie and his wife Lee looked after Daisy when she was 15, when her mother moved in with her stepfather Danny Goffey in Hampshire.
Joe Swash's girlfriend looked lovely on Loose Women
The Loose Women family continues to grow and now Stacey Solomon, Lisa Riley and Martine McCutcheon are set to become full-time members of the panel show!
After a stint of guest appearances on the show, the popular trio were picked up to be permanent after impressing bosses.
They now join other new additions Katie Price and Vicky Pattison, who joined the ranks permanently earlier this year.
Stacey Solomon shared her excitement on Twitter by saying: ‘So proud to be a part of the @loosewomen family! Here’s to more laughs and surprises! Yaaaaay!’
The new recruits come after Sherrie Hewson confirmed she would be leaving the show after a colossal fourteen years on the panel. Her final appearance will sadly be on Monday’s episode (05/09/16).
This year has seen many changes to the ITV panel show. Katie Price’s appearance has garnered criticism from some of the veteran panellists from the show. Carol McGiffin, who hosted the show for ten years, slammed the show as ‘desperate’ for hiring the former glamour model.
‘I don’t know what she’s doing there. But she’s got a lot of Twitter followers, and they’re desperate for viewers.
‘I can’t believe those women [the panellists] are sitting with her. Where’s their self-respect?’ She told a magazine at the time.
However, Stacey Solomon and gang are a lot less controversial offerings to the Loose Women panel. In fact, we love these guys so much that we’re even more excited for them to join!
![[GIF] Yes Lad The X Factor Simon Cowell](http://keyassets-p2.timeincuk.net/wp/prod/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2016/08/Yes-Lad-The-X-Factor.gif)
![[GIF] Stephen Bear and Vicky Pattison](http://keyassets-p2.timeincuk.net/wp/prod/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2016/07/Stephen-Bear-and-Vicky-Pattison.gif)
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