Nicola

Strictly Come Dancing producers are looking to sign celebrities for two same-sex pairings in this year’s 20th-anniversary series, according to reports. Following the success of Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite and former boxer Nicola Adams , who both competed in the last two seasons of the hit programme, it looks like fans could be seeing two same-sex couples featured in the upcoming line-up. ‘It was clear from audience feedback that fans wanted to see celebrities competing with a partner of the same sex if that was their preference,’ an insider said. ‘After an all-female pairing and an all-male pairing, this year they were keen to have both.’ Adding to The Sun , the source said: ‘The thinking is that same-sex pairings will be very much part of Strictly in the future.’ Nicola, 39, was partnered with Katya Jones in 2020 and proved to be a hit with fans, but was forced to withdraw from the competition after Katya contracted Covid. Meanwhile, John … [Read more...] about Strictly Come Dancing bosses keen to feature ‘two same-sex couples’ ahead of 2022 series

The UK Supreme Court said Thursday it will hold hearings in October on whether Scotland can call an independence referendum without the consent of the British government. Scotland's pro-independence First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she intends to hold a fresh vote on independence on 19 October 2023. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government in London says it won’t allow a vote to take place because Scots rejected independence in a 2014 referendum that was billed as a "once-in-a-generation" vote. A vote held without the approval of the London government would not be legally binding. Sturgeon’s Scottish government has asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether it has the power to legislate for a consultative referendum, even if the UK government does not give the go-ahead. The court said Thursday it would hear the arguments from both sides on 11 and 12 October. 'Now is the time': Nicola Sturgeon lays out her plans for new Scotland independence … [Read more...] about UK Supreme Court to hear Scottish independence case in October

Oxford University has been accused of awarding itself a ‘first class degree in political correctness’ after snubbing Theresa May’s achievements in a series of portraits celebrating diversity. The prime minister is one of a number of notable women absent from the list of former Oxford University students chosen to reflect its ‘commitment to inclusivity’. Oxford has announced the commission of 24 portraits to be displayed around the university reflecting sitters from a variety of backgrounds. The university said last night that Mrs May was omitted from the list because no staff or students currently at Oxford had bothered to nominate her. The row echoes the furore over the university’s refusal to award Margaret Thatcher with an honorary degree in 1985. Among those to be painted or photographed include Ken Loach, the left-wing film director, the BBC journalist Reeta Chakrabarti, the broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen and Kelsey Leonard, the first Native American to graduate … [Read more...] about Oxford University accused of snubbing Theresa May in row over portraits celebrating diversity

As the Dykes on Bikes rumbled past, my mum and dad – sporting ‘Proud LGBTQ Parents’ T-shirts – were whooping, clapping and enthusiastically waving their flags. When I looked over and saw this all unfolding, I felt a unique sense of euphoria. If you had told me when I was 18 that I would take my parents to a Pride parade as an out and proud lesbian and they would wave their rainbow flags with the best of them, I never would have believed you. That, however, is exactly what happened on 2 July when myself, my parents, girlfriend and best friend went to Pride in London , an event that marked 50 years since the first pride parade in 1972. I knew I was gay from a very young age, but because of a lack of representation, I did not have the language or knowledge to understand my feelings. I was incredibly drawn to Aurora from Sleeping Beauty and – at the time – I just thought she was my very favourite Disney princess. Since my celebrity crushes today are Cara Delevingne, … [Read more...] about I took my parents to their first Pride – it made me feel invincible

John Whaite , who was part of Strictly Come Dancing ’s first-ever all-male couple in 2021, has told fans it ‘has to be the case every year’ after Richie Anderson was confirmed to be repeating the move. Great British Bake Off winner John was paired up Johannes Radebe last year, with the pair making it all the way to the final. They received heaps of praise from fans throughout the series, both for their incredible routines, and pushing boundaries as part of an all-male couple on the show. The duo finished as runners-up behind Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, and have remained firm friends ever since. On Friday, it was revealed Radio 2 and The One Show favourite Richie would be about to follow in John’s footsteps by also pairing up with a male professional dancer. Now, John has responded in a poignant post on his Instagram stories, writing: ‘I’m so bloody pleased that Strictly are doing a male-male couple again this year and hope it is the case every … [Read more...] about Strictly’s John Whaite overjoyed as Richie Anderson confirms he’ll be part of all-male couple: ‘I’m so b***dy pleased’

David Beckham left fans in awe with the sweet videos that he posted on social media. The former footballer, 47, turned to Instagram and shared some fun moments with his youngest child as the pair enjoyed watching The Weekend in concert in Miami. In the first clip, dad David started singing along out of time, as Harper turns the camera on him, and they both broke out in hysterics! Captioning the videos, David wrote: "Embarrassing dad moment, timing was a little off but we got there in the end and I made HarperSeven laugh @theweeknd WOW what a show #Miami. THAT SMILE." In other clips, the doting dad captured his daughter beaming as she sang away to I Feel it Coming and Take my Breath . He also shared a sweet photo posing alongside Harper and Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (known professionally as The Weekend) and the pair looked happier than ever. The post has garnered thousands of hearts within no time. Fans flocked to comment on a sweet evening out. One fan wrote: "She’s so cute … [Read more...] about David Beckham shares special moments with daughter Harper in sweet videos