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  • ‘I’VE HAD ENOUGH!’ — Dianne Buswell HITS BACK at ‘Horrible’ Motsi Mabuse Comment After BBC Strictly Outrage… ‘The Judges Don’t Know What We’re Going Through!’.k

    ‘I’VE HAD ENOUGH!’ — Dianne Buswell HITS BACK at ‘Horrible’ Motsi Mabuse Comment After BBC Strictly Outrage… ‘The Judges Don’t Know What We’re Going Through!’.k

    Dianne Buswell addresses ‘horrible’ Motsi Mabuse comment following BBC Strictly outrage: ‘The judges don’t know’

    Dianne Buswell opened up on how she felt during Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing when judge Motsi Mabuse told the pregnant dancer she needs to “rehearse more”.

    Ms Buswell, 36, partnered with Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, 66, took to the floor in the second live show of the series last weekend with an energetic Cha Cha Cha.

    Unfortunately, a few slip-ups occurred, which didn’t go unnoticed by the judging panel.

    Ms Mabuse had some positive comments for the couple, describing them as “like sunshine when you pair up together”.

    Dianne Buswell

    Diannie Buswell is pregnant with her first child

    |BBC

     

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    However, she went on to address what she had deemed “the elephant in the room.”

    After pointing out the mistakes in the routine, she told the disgruntled audience: “There were guys, sorry, let’s just be honest.”

    She concluded: “Just let’s try next time to rehearse and stick to the routine.”

    During Tuesday’s Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, host Janette Manrara pointed out: “Motsi said that you needed to rehearse more because of the mistakes that happened on the night.

    “But you couldn’t have rehearsed more. You did a lot of training. What did that comment mean to you?”

    “Look, the judges don’t know how much we train and all of that,” Ms Buswell acknowledged, before adding: “So you know, a fair comment coming from her.

    “However, we literally have rehearsed our maximum amount of hours.

    “He [Stefan] is someone that repeats, repeats, repeats, repeats, to the point that I have to tell him, ‘we need to have a break.’

    “Like I am the one saying, ‘I think we need to have a little moment to rest the brain.’”

    Ms Mabuse’s comment sparked outrage on Saturday night, with viewers flooding X with complaints about the remark.

    Ms Buswell herself, who is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg, also responded to the suggestion of rehearsing more at the time, replying: “I don’t know how much more we can rehearse, Motsi!”

    “Find a way, I don’t know, we have to get one performance without those tiny, tiny creepers in there,” the judge doubled down in response.

    BBC Strictly: Dianne Buswell

    BBC Strictly: Dianne Buswell keeled over in exhaustion following Motsi Mabuse’s comments

    | BBC 

    Posts shared on X on the matter included one which read: “Such a horrible comment to make. That will make people think they haven’t put the time in.”

    “Dianne was NOT happy with the ‘rehearse more’ comment and I’m glad because I nearly jumped out of my seat in anger lol #Strictly,” a second penned.

    Janette Manrara

    Janette Manrara asked Dianne Buswell how she felt about Motsi Mabuse’s comment

    |BBC

     

    “I feel like telling the eldest contestant with the pregnant pro to rehearse more when they have been doing long days, and it’s clear it was because of nerves and not lack of rehearsal is an extremely unfair thing to say #Strictly,” another added.

    Someone else wrote: “I’m so glad Dianne fired back at that rehearsal comment. What the hell else do they think they’ve been doing? What a bizarre criticism #Strictly.”

  • ‘I’d rather go to jail than carry a digital ID card,’ vows Nigel Farage.v

    ‘I’d rather go to jail than carry a digital ID card,’ vows Nigel Farage.v

    'I'd rather go to jail than carry a digital ID card,' vows Nigel Farage

    The Labour policy has been subject to swathes of political criticism since its announcement

    Nigel Farage has vowed that he would rather go to jail than carry a digital ID card in his latest retaliation against Labour policy.

    The scheme, which would see the UK follow in the footsteps of nations like Estonia, would see every UK citizen and legal resident having to hold a free national ID card aged 16 and over.

     

    “It’ll pave the way for £600million of tax grab we can take from people,” the GB News star raged.

    “Before you know it, you’ll have all your medical records on there if you’re not jabbed, because the Government thinks you should be. You’ll find yourself genuinely a second-class citizen.

    Nigel Farage; Sir Keir Starmer
    The GB News presenter warned of ‘becoming a second-class citizen’

     

    “I think the whole thing is appalling. I will not be having Digital ID. Put me in prison; not a problem. I will not be having digital ID and I really mean it.”

    Sir Keir Starmer has shut down pleas to halt the introduction of the policy after almost 2.8million Britons signed a petition against the scheme.

    Speaking out on the policy, Sir Keir Starmer laid out: “I’m announcing this Government will make a new free of charge digital ID mandatory for the right to work.

    “The rule will be that you can’t work if you don’t have Digital ID. And the reason for that is that too many people are working illegally.

    “You must have a mandatory Digital ID in order to work because we have to stop illegal working.”

    Rebuking Labour’s latest move, the GB News presenter raged: “That is our totally and utterly dishonest Prime Minister at every single level.

    “If you are a foreign worker in Britain, you already have to show a form of Digital ID as a foreign worker to your employer on your phone.

    “There is a code you have to apply for, and he, if he or she is there employing you legally have to ask for it. So we’re told that’s why we’ve got to have it. Why is he lying to us?”

     

    Widespread criticism against Digital ID stems from the risk of hacking. Meanwhile, others have raised the alarm over the country becoming a “dystopian nightmare”.

    Rebutting Nigel’s view, former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng weighed in on the matter, arguing that it is simply “modern technology”.

    “It’s going to happen one way or the other. If it doesn’t happen this year, it’ll happen next year. If it doesn’t happen next year, it will happen in three years time,” he told Nigel.

    Nigel was quick to fire back that he “supports digital currencies and the 21st century”.

    Nigel Farage's 10 most public spats as Reform rocked after 'serious lack of leadership' - The Mirror

    Nigel passionately hit out against Digital IDs on his show

     

    However, he added: “But that is a private transaction between me and an organization or a system, not with Government.”

    He explained that he had a problem with giving the Government “the ability to control every element of your life”.

    Predicting the future of the policy, he theorised: “I have a feeling that this one, that it’s not going to fly. Blair tried this really, really hard. They tried for years.

    “I think this is going to fall flat on his face. I can’t see Labour putting up with it.”

  • “Heartbreaking Tragedy”:  Strictly’s George Clarke RUSHED for Urgent Medical Treatment After AGONISING Injury… Fans FEAR It Could End His Journey.k

    “Heartbreaking Tragedy”: Strictly’s George Clarke RUSHED for Urgent Medical Treatment After AGONISING Injury… Fans FEAR It Could End His Journey.k

    Strictly Come Dancing star George Clarke has urgent medical care and struggled to make it through the live show.

     

    George Clarke from Strictly

    George Clarke needed urgent medical attention after hurting his back (Image: undefined)

    Strictly Come Dancing’s George Clarke revealed he needed urgent medical treatment last week after sustaining a back injury during practice sessions. The social media star discussed his injury on his podcast, The Useless Hotline Podcast – welcoming Strictly professional dance partner Alexis Warr as a guest for the first time.

    The 25 year old impressed both the judging panel and viewers with his spectacular Paso Doble on Saturday, earning a score of 30.

    He secured third position on the leaderboard for the opening two weeks, trailing behind Lewis Cope and Amber Davies who claimed second and first place respectively, reports the Mirror. Despite his commanding performance on the scoreboard, George disclosed on his podcast that his rehearsal time for the Paso Doble was reduced due to requiring physiotherapy for a back injury he picked up during training. “I didn’t want it to be a thing on the night,” he explained. “That’s why they asked in the VT, they were like, ‘Do you want to mention your back?’ and I said, ‘I don’t want it to be a thing.’”

    Strictly's George Clarke

    George Clarke was determined to perform in the live show (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

    He continued: “I had a pinched nerve all week in my back. I had acupuncture half way through the week. I went to physio four times.” Regarding how the injury occurred, George confessed that the problem arose after a handstand went awry. “I was like, ‘I’ll throw in a handstand or something.’ I like doing a handstand, if I keep my legs together I’d probably be better at it but it doesn’t feel fun when you do it that way,” he confessed.

    “I did that and got up and went, ‘My back hurts a little bit actually. Ah s**t, I’ve got a little twinge in there somehow. I’ll try to carry on.’”

    After taking a lunch break, Will admitted he couldn’t return to training and “went straight to physio” instead. “I went to physio the next morning as well. Danced for a bit, sat down,” he added.

    Alexis noted that this was the ‘most frustrated’ she had seen George, who chimed in: “Monday is when they throw a load of information at you and then it’s Terrible Tuesday because you’re trying to figure it out.”

    Not only was he behind with training, but George had to keep stopping rehearsal due to his back pain.

    “It would get to the point where I’m getting it then I had to sit down because my back was hurting,” he explained.

    Earlier this week, George expressed his gratitude for the support he’s received during the competition, posting on Instagram: “Probably [a] good time to continue being serious and thank everyone for their unbelievable support so far.

    “Whether you’re old or new (here, not just in general) I really appreciate the comments, the messages and obviously the votes!”.

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  • ‘WHAT A DISASTER!’ — The Chase’s Bradley Walsh FORCED to Apologise THREE Times After Player’s HUGE Error… Viewers Left HOWLING at the Chaos.K

    ‘WHAT A DISASTER!’ — The Chase’s Bradley Walsh FORCED to Apologise THREE Times After Player’s HUGE Error… Viewers Left HOWLING at the Chaos.K

    The Chase’s Bradley Walsh offered his “sincere apologies” to viewers after one player made a major blunder

     

    Bradley Walsh was left apologising multiple times after one contestant made a major blunder on The Chase. The latest episode of the ITV quiz show saw four new hopefuls; Mike, Kieran, Gaynor, and Zoe, take on Shaun Wallace, also known as The Dark Destroyer, in a bid to win some cash. Things got off to a rocky start when Mike stepped up for the cash builder round, managing to answer just three questions correctly. He chose to stick with the £3,000 he’d earned, but was swiftly caught by the Chaser before he could make it back to the team.

    Next up was Kieran, who had encouraged Mike to “go big or go home”. Taking his own advice, Kieran bravely opted for the high offer of £32,000, but unfortunately, he too fell short and was eliminated. Third in line was Gaynor, who revealed to Bradley that her father had played for Tottenham Hotspur before the war.

    During her cash builder round, Gaynor was asked: “What Merseyside football team runs out to the Z Cars theme tune?”

    The 68-year-old chose Liverpool, but Bradley quickly informed her that the correct answer was Everton.

    Afterwards, the presenter declared: “For all those of you on Merseyside, I apologise about that. All you red fans, I apologise. All you Toffies, Gaynor can’t have it, she’s a Spurs fan. My sincere apologies to everyone out there.”

    The pair quickly put the blunder behind them and shifted their focus to helping Gaynor reach the final with the £5,000 she secured in the cash builder.

    However, The Dark Destroyer was in top form and managed to catch her before she could make it through. The fourth and final contestant to take on Shaun was Zoe.

    Bradley Walsh

    Bradley Walsh repeatedly apologised to viewers (Image: ITV)

    As the only one left, the 32-year-old decided to play for an eye-watering £100,000. Despite getting off to a promising start, she couldn’t make it back.

    This meant the contestants were entered into a Lazarus round, meaning one player takes part in the final chase to win each teammate £1,000.

    It was Gaynor who stepped up, answering 14 questions correctly. Despite the impressive score, Shaun caught her with 27 seconds left on the clock.

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  • “LIVE TV CHAOS”: Strictly HALTED as Fleur East FORCED to Apologise for Alexis Warr’S ‘Bad Language’  Warr… Viewers Left Shocked by BBC Meltdown.K

    “LIVE TV CHAOS”: Strictly HALTED as Fleur East FORCED to Apologise for Alexis Warr’S ‘Bad Language’ Warr… Viewers Left Shocked by BBC Meltdown.K

    Strictly halted as host forced to apologise for ‘bad language’ in BBC chaos

    Strictly Come Dancing’s spin-off It Takes Two descended into chaos when host Fleur East was forced to apologise live on air

    strictly

    Fleur East was forced to issue an apology live on air (Image: BBC)

    It Takes Two host  Fleur East was forced to issue an apology live on air after professional dancer Alexis Warr used “bad language” during the broadcast. The Strictly spin-off show welcomed Alexis Warr and her partner George Clarke to discuss their stellar performance over the weekend. But as Alexis was explaining a minor hiccup during their routine, she slipped out the word “cr*p” causing Fleur to halt the interview and apologise.

    Dancer Alexis said: “At the beginning he hit his position and I knew right away he was locked in and I was just like yes George – and I almost forgot to go, because I was like oh wait crap I have to move”. Fleur briefly paused the programme as she issued an apology to fans at home. She told BBC viewers: “Sorry about the language you just heard, we just get very excited”. Fans slammed the apology, dubbing it “ridiculous”.

    Caught off guard, George awkwardly smiled before replying: “Yes… that’s fantastic news,” leaving the studio audience and his co-stars in fits of laughter.

    Fans immediately dubbed him an “honest king” online, praising his down-to-earth nature. One viewer posted: “George’s face when he had no idea what the movie was — national treasure behaviour already.” Another joked: “Someone get George a copy of K-Pop Demon Hunters before Saturday!”

    Speaking after the show, George admitted he’s still learning to handle the whirlwind pace of Strictly: “Every week it’s something new. I’m having the best time but there’s a lot to take in — the steps, the styles, the costumes, everything.”

  • “Tax rises ‘primary lever’ to balance the books” –  Rachel Reeves

    “Tax rises ‘primary lever’ to balance the books” – Rachel Reeves

    Tax rises ‘primary lever’ to balance the books as Rachel Reeves sees backlash after Winter Fuel Payment cut reforms

    Tax rises 'primary lever' to balance the books as Rachel Reeves sees backlash after Winter Fuel Payment cut reforms

    Sue Ashcombe-Hurt rages at Labour after having winter fuel payment reinstated | 

    Tax rises from Cancellor Rachel Reeves will be the “primary lever” to balance the books as Britain’s borrowing costs rise above those of nations once considered fiscal basket cases, according to new analysis.

    Economists are warning that the Treasury has little fiscal headroom left after the Labour Government was forced to U-turn on tightening Winter Fuel Payment eligibility and cutting benefit expenditure.

     

    Daniel Casali, the chief investment strategist at at wealth management firm Evelyn Partners, explained: “Efforts to find further savings are complicated by internal Labour Party divisions, with MPs rebelling against measures such as means-testing the Winter Fuel Allowance and cutting welfare spending.

    “This leaves tax increases as the primary lever to balance the books. However, the Labour manifesto pledged not to raise any of the ‘big three’ taxes – National Insurance, VAT, or income tax – which together account for nearly 75% of total tax revenues.”

    “There will be scrutiny on how the Chancellor can credibly raise additional revenue. Potential options could include closing tax loopholes, reforming capital gains and inheritance tax. However, each option comes with political and economic trade-offs.”

    UK 10-year gilt yields have climbed to 4.7 per cent, surpassing both Italy and Greece, countries carrying substantially larger debt burdens relative to their economies.

    This trend comes despite the Chancellor’s October 2024 overhaul of fiscal rules. The reforms were designed to enhance investor confidence and reduce borrowing costs. The new framework mandates balancing day-to-day spending by the end of Parliament, while targeting lower public sector net financial liabilities.

    Yet these reforms have not delivered their promised benefits with economists highlighting that the Britain now carries the unwanted distinction of maintaining the steepest Government bond yields among developed nations.

    \u200bRachel Reeves

    Rachel Reeves faces a fiscal credibility test as UK borrowing costs surpass those of Italy and Greece, fuelling market concerns over Labour’s economic plans

    Multiple forces are pushing Britain’s borrowing costs beyond those of other G7 nations with Mr Casali asserting that the UK finds itself trapped in a stagflationary environment, where weak growth undermines fiscal sustainability.

    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) projects that Britain will experience the highest inflation among major economies this year. The Bank of England’s perceived restrictive monetary stance, combined with stubborn price pressures, has pushed yields higher.

    Political uncertainty compounds these economic headwinds, with polling data revealing widespread public discontent that unsettles bond investors.

    Mr Casali added: “Gilt yields reflect more than fiscal policy alone. They also capture expectations around short-term interest rates, inflation and broader monetary conditions.”

    Bank of England and the central bank's governor Andrew Bailey

    Yields have climbed as the Bank of England maintains tight monetary policy amid persistent inflation, fuelling investor concerns over long-term borrowing costs.

    He highlighted parallels with US markets, where fiscal sustainability concerns are also intensifying. Britain’s fiscal arithmetic presents major obstacles ahead of the Budget on November 26.

    The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) calculates that securing just £10billion of fiscal headroom by 2029 would require finding £50billion in savings.

    Furthermore, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) appears poised to downgrade medium-term growth projections. It has already flagged declining productivity forecasts in its Spring 2025 commentary.

    JPMorgan Chase & Co. warns that GDP growth downgrades of just 0.1–0.2 per cent could create budget shortfalls between £9billion and £18billion.

    As such, this leaves the Chancellor exploring politically sensitive alternatives such as capital gains and inheritance tax reforms.

    Political turbulence threatens to deepen the Chancellor’s fiscal predicament.

    Labour’s standing has fallen sharply, with Electoral Calculus projecting that Reform UK could secure 301 seats if current polling trends persist.

    That would fall just short of a parliamentary majority. Labour would drop to 153 seats from its current 412, while the Conservatives could fall to 51 seats.

    Immigration has emerged as the electorate’s top concern, according to YouGov. It now slightly eclipses economic worries.

    The Government’s recent ‘one in, one out’ agreement with France on illegal migration faces legal challenges and has shown little evidence of effectiveness.

    Internal Labour dissent further destabilises the Government’s position. A survey by Survation revealed two-thirds of Labour MPs oppose the Chancellor’s fiscal rules.

    Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has signalled potential leadership ambitions. Mr Burnham has advocated £40billion in housing borrowing, a proposal that could unsettle bond markets.

    10-year government bond yield (%)

    10-year government bond yield (%)

    LSEG Datastream/Evelyn Partners

    According to Mr Casali, there are possible paths are emerging for the November Budget, each carrying major implications for gilt markets.

    The most likely scenario involves modest revenue adjustments while maintaining a cautious stance which assumes the OBR avoids significant growth downgrades.

    Such an approach might preserve roughly £10billion of fiscal headroom through targeted wealth taxation. However, he notes that the limited breathing room may disappoint bond investors.

    An alternative scenario could involve abandoning manifesto pledges and introducing comprehensive tax increases to secure £20billion of headroom. Such measures could dampen business confidence and prove inflationary if firms pass costs on to consumers.

    The least probable option would involve loosening fiscal constraints alongside spending reductions, Mr Casali claims. This could ultimately benefit gilt performance by enabling growth-supportive policies and showing pragmatic governance over rigid adherence to fiscal rules.

  • CHAOS: Susanna Reid ERUPTS in Fiery On-Air Clash With Reform’s Nadine Dorries Over Lucy Connolly… Viewers Say They’ve NEVER Seen Her So Angry.K

    CHAOS: Susanna Reid ERUPTS in Fiery On-Air Clash With Reform’s Nadine Dorries Over Lucy Connolly… Viewers Say They’ve NEVER Seen Her So Angry.K

    Susanna Reid clashes with Reform’s Nadine Dorries over Lucy Connolly in furious row on air

    Susanna Reid clashed with Nadine Dorries on Wednesday’s edition of Good Morning Britain over in a debate over Lucy Connolly and Ed Balls even tried to diffuse the situation

    Susanna Reid has clashed with Nadine Dorries on Wednesday’s edition of Good Morning Britain over in a debate over Lucy Connolly. The journalist, 54, was back in her usual slot hosting the ITV breakfast show alongside Ed Balls when they were joined by Nadine. 68, to chat about her time moving over to the Reform party.

    Susanna instantly brought up the topic of Lucy, a woman jailed after being charged with inciting racial hatred over a tweet she posted on the day of the Southport stabbings in July 2023. Lucy has since been released from prison and appeared at the Reform party conference.

    When asked about this, Nadine said: “I don’t call her a convicted criminal! It’s a new party, well Reform is the same thing Nigel has been saying for 30 years, banging the same drum, didn’t decide on a policy because it wanted to win votes and I felt a relief to be in a party with other people who share those views.”

    Nadine Dorries
    Susanna instantly brought up the topic of Lucy, a woman was jailed atfer being charged with inciting racial hatred over a tweet she posted on the day of the Southport stabbings in July 2023 
    Image:
    ITV)
    Susanna hit back: “But you were in the Online Safety Bill! It didn’t give you any sort of shiver that someone was at your conference who was convicted of inciting hatred online?”

    The two began talking over each other and Nadine hit back: “Absolutely not! In the case of Lucy Connolly, if you want to talk about that we can, but I think we’ll use up all our time-” Then Susanna interrupted again to say “No, specifically Lucy Connolly…”

    But Nadine would not back down, even when Ed Balls weighed in on the topic, and she said: “I felt what we saw with Lucy Connolly was a severe reaction to a woman who took down a tweet, and we’ve all posted, Ed, tweets, that we shouldn’t have done. It was in the aftermath of an attack where young girls had been murdered.”

    Ed continued to bring up the subject, and Nadine said: “I’m not sure what the purpose of this is..”

    Lucy Connolly
    Lucy Connolly has since been released from prison and appeared at the Reform party conference 
    Image:
    Getty Images)
    She then explained: “I don’t brush off people who have been incited in courts of law. But I think there was a whole issue at the time, this was a long time ago now, of two-tier policing. Lucy Connolly was made an example of, I think the time she spent in prison was extraordinarily long for what she’d done, the tweet she’d deleted.

    “I think it’s unfair she was singled out in that way. There was plenty of stuff on social media in that day.”

    Lucy served 10 months of her 31 month sentence after writing “set fire to all the f*****g hotels full of the b***** for all I care” on social media. Susanna asked Nadine if she was ‘happy’ to be on stage with a convicted criminal.

    Nadine added: “If we’re going to put someone in prison for putting a tweet out, what I want to see is equality and fairness and meritocracy. What I don’t want to see are individuals targeted, teams of thought police knocking on doors.

    “I don’t wanna see young mothers as the person who is chosen. I’d like everybody who incited racial hatred on that day to be behind bars, but that isn’t the case. One woman was.”

  • “THIS CAN’T CONTINUE!” — David Beckham’s TENSE Money Showdown With Victoria EXPOSED… Fans STUNNED by What He Told Her .k

    “THIS CAN’T CONTINUE!” — David Beckham’s TENSE Money Showdown With Victoria EXPOSED… Fans STUNNED by What He Told Her .k

    David Beckham told Victoria ‘This can’t continue’ during desperate money showdown

    Victoria Beckham’s fashion business was losing millions and the new Netflix documentary exposdes humiliating blunders including £70,000 spent on pot plant

    Victoria Beckham has revealed the multi-million pound losses of her fashion brand sent her to a “dark place” crying every day – and put a strain on her marriage to husband David.

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    At the lowest point David said he feared the business could not survive, and after ploughing in millions of his own cash he was left “worried” about what would happen next.

    Victoria says she felt “embarrassed” and had to come home and discuss the failing business with her husband. At its worst she felt like she was “breaking down” as debts spiralled and she found herself an emotional mess.

     

    Victoria Beckham and David in her Netflix doc

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    Victoria and David had showdown talks after he lost millions pilling cash into her fashion brand(Image: Netflix)

    Victoria tells her new Netflix documentary: “This business is everything to me, it’s absolutely who I am. But It’s been a hell of a journey. I almost lost everything. And that was a dark, dark time. I used to cry before I went to work every day, because I just felt like a firefighter.

    “We were tens of millions in the red. Yes, I’m going home to my husband, but I’m going home to my business partner as well, and so I would talk to him about it. I had to, he was invested, and I hated it. I absolutely hated it.”

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    David adds: “We both sat there, and, you know, we looked at what I’d invested, and I think part of that conversation broke my heart, because Victoria is a proud woman.

    “When we met, she was a lot richer than me. She actually bought our first house in Hertfordshire, known as Beckenham palace.

    “So for her to have to come to me and say, ‘we need some more money, the business needs more money’. That was hard for both of us, because I didn’t have the money to keep doing this. And eventually I was like, this cannot continue.”

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    Problems centered around the clothing brand having bigger and bigger shows and creating a name for itself within the fashion industry at a faster pace than the business was growing in terms of revenue.

    When they discussed this in the second episode of the series, Victoria said: “The brand was growing and we were getting great reviews. That felt good. Everything looked great from the outside, but the reality was it was slipping through my fingers. There was a lot of money being spent, that should never have been spent. The losses were so so big. David was investing a lot.

    “It was like a snowball that was going down the mountain. There was a lot of waste. We were millions of pounds in the red. I didn’t know what to do, and I was so desperate to save this business that I cared so much about. I felt, if I’m being completely honest, like I was breaking down myself.

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    “I knew it was public knowledge and I felt embarrassed, but it’s fact. It wasn’t an opinion of anyone. It wasn’t anyone being unkind. It was a fact. And I had to just take it on the chin. I was in a hole and I felt like I was in quicksand. I was desperate.”

    Victoria talking to camera

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    Victoria admits to mistakes in the documentary (Image: Netflix)

    David said: “It made me panic. I was panicked by it, because I never saw anything coming back. We always agreed that we would support each other, no matter what. But it worried me, this isn’t sustainable. There was no way of her business surviving.”

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    Thankfully the fashion brand, which was getting rave reviews even when it was making losses, turned a corner when Victoria gained a business partner, David Belhassen.

    David looked at the company’s books and was going to say no due to the big losses, but he was persuaded to invest when his wife told him the dress she was wearing was one of Victoria’s designer range and that the outfits were fantastic.

    However, he had to make big changes and he was shocked at some of the ridiculous ways bills were being racked up. David Belhassen said: “The business was in a very, very challenging situation.

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    “For years, she had people telling her what she wanted to hear. I remember one of the expenses was the office plants, because she loves plants, and it was costing like £70,000 a year. And then there was someone who was coming to water the plants for £15,000 a year, and that’s only the beginning.

    “So I went to her, and I decided to just tell the truth exactly the way it is, and I didn’t know how she would react. And I said, Victoria, we have to change everything, restructure the business, and that’s going to be painful. And when I finished, she just listened, and she left a little silence.”

    Victoria, who agreed to make big changes, added: “I took it on the chin. The waste was mind-blowing. I had 15 different linings for the insides of the outerwear. Bizarre things like flying chairs from one side of the world to the other. I hear it now and I am horrified. I think part of the problem is some people were scared to tell me no. If I am honest it is the power of celebrity. People thought that I wasn’t used to hearing no.

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    “I will hold my hands up and be accountable for things I could have done differently. I was in debt, there was a lot I had to change. I realised I had lost my way. I needed to put Victoria Beckham back into Victoria Beckham.”

    The Netflix series ends with a triumphant show in France at last year’s Paris Fashion Week. All the Beckham family are there, including son Brooklyn who very briefly appears on screen for five seconds with his wife, but is still currently at odds with his parents.

    “This has not been an easy ride, I’m lucky I still have the business. I won’t let it slip through my fingers again,” Victoria tells the documentary series.

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    Victoria, 51, also looks back over her childhood, time in the Spice Girls and when she met her husband David. She talks of “losing it” mentally rather than financially after the Spice Girls split and she “didn’t really know what she was doing” when she embarked on a solo career.

    She also gets tearful as she describes previously being told at theatre school she was overweight and says media critics also led her to have food issues In the past.

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    The series lands on Netflix this Thursday(Image: PA)

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    David recalls: “My Victoria, that I knew, sits at home in a tracksuit, smiling, laughing, having a glass of wine. That started to go purely because of the criticism that she was getting.”

    Victoria said: “I really started to doubt myself and not like myself, you know, and because I let it affect me, I didn’t know what I saw when I looked in the mirror.

    “You lose all sense of reality. I was just very critical of myself. I didn’t like what I saw. I’ve been everything from porky posh to skinny posh. I mean, you know, it’s been a lot, and that’s hard. I had no control over what was being written about me, pictures that were being taken.

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    “And I suppose I wanted to control that, you know, I could control it with the clothing. I could control my weight, and I was controlling it in an incredibly unhealthy way. When you have an eating disorder, you become very good at lying.

    “And I was never honest about it with my parents. I never talked about it publicly. It really affects you when you’re being told constantly you’re not good enough, and I suppose that’s been with me my whole life.”

    For similar reasons Victoria also tells the documentary she “put a barrier up” when she saw photographers and that is why she is accused of not smiling in photos.

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    She said: “I’m so conscious of that, and I don’t like that. I’d rather not be that person. I’d love to have the confidence to walk out of a restaurant and smile or stand on a red carpet and smile, but I just can’t do it.”

    But a second reason is down to David for covering up her smile in some shots. Joking with him as they prepare to head out for the night, she said: “I’ve looked miserable for all these years, because when we stand on the red carpet, this guy(Becks) has always gone on the left. Okay.

    “Now I didn’t realise that when I smile, which I do! I smile from the left, because if I smile from the right, I look unwell. So consequently I’m smiling on the inside, but no one ever sees it, so that’s why it looks so moody.”

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    The three part series ends with Victoria and David at their Cotswold home looking to the future. David said: “Don’t you feel confident enough that you can just sit back and relax? You are so driven and so passionate and so dedicated. It makes me quite emotional, because you’re always trying to prove yourself to people. What is stopping you from just saying, Okay, I’ve achieved it?

    Victoria replies: “Because I’ve spent so many years fighting and building that I feel now I really have an opportunity, and I don’t want to let that slip. I feel bad about all that time when I had to ask you to help me out. But success, it feels good. I’m not gonna lie. I’m proud, and I’m not ashamed to say that. I’m ambitious, and I’ve still got a lot that I want to do now. I’m not stopping yet.”

    * Three part series Victoria Beckham is out now on Netflix.

  • ‘TERRIBLE CHOICE!’ — Celebrity Traitors Fans SLAM Show After Claudia Winkleman Reveals Her Picks… Furious Viewers Fume, “They Won’t Last!”

    ‘TERRIBLE CHOICE!’ — Celebrity Traitors Fans SLAM Show After Claudia Winkleman Reveals Her Picks… Furious Viewers Fume, “They Won’t Last!”

    Celebrity Traitors fans divided as Claudia Winkleman picks Traitors

    The BBC show debuted its celebrity series tonight

    Celebrity Traitors fans immediately reacted after host Claudia Winkleman picked three contestants to be Traitors tonight.

    The popular BBC show debuted its first-ever celebrity series on Wednesday (October 8) night, where the likes of Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church and Stephen Fry are on the line-up.

    But who did Claudia choose to be a Traitor?

    Jonathan Ross on Celebrity Traitors
    Jonathan Ross is one of the three Traitors (Credit: BBC)

    Celebrity Traitors host Claudia Winkleman picks three Traitors

    After introducing viewers to this year’s line-up, all 16 celebrities sat down at the iconic round table to find out who will be the Traitors and who will play as a Faithful.

    With their blindfolds on, Claudia tapped singer Cat Burns, comedian Alan Carr and TV host Jonathan Ross on the shoulder, immediately making them the first three Traitors of the series.

    With much anticipation leading up to the moment, fans immediately reacted online to share their thoughts. And for the most part, it seems a lot of people are buzzing!

    Cat Burns on Celebrity Traitors
    Cat is also a Traitor (Credit: BBC)

    ‘Let the games begin!’

    “Jonathan, Cat and Alan as Traitors is SO MUCH FUN!!” one user wrote on X.

    “Cat Burns as a Traitor, she’s gonna thrive,” another person shared.

    “Alan Carr is either going to be the worst Traitor of all time or possibly the best we’ve ever seen. There is no in between. Either way, let the games begin!” a third remarked.

    “I think Cat will be an incredible Traitor #CelebrityTraitors,” a fourth said.

    “Alan Carr as the Traitor is going to be gold,” a fifth expressed.

    Another echoed: “Alan and Jonathan as traitors is going to be absolute chaos. Obsessed.”

    Alan Carr on Celebrity Traitors
    Fans had mixed opinions on who Claudia chose (Credit: BBC)

    ‘Way too obvious!’

    Meanwhile, some were not impressed.

    Alan Carr? Really. He has zero poker face, I cannot see him lasting. Cat and Jonathan could do well,” one insisted.

    Alan and Jonathan were such obvious choices,” another wrote, adding the eye-roll face emoji.

    Alan Carr and Jonathan Ross as traitors would make great TV but wayyy too obvious!” a third shared.

    Why would Alan Carr be a Traitor? Gonna be awful,” a fourth said.

  • STRICTLY SH0CK: The Game Is in the Bosses’ Hands – Contestants and Viewers Are Just Pawns!

    STRICTLY SH0CK: The Game Is in the Bosses’ Hands – Contestants and Viewers Are Just Pawns!

    STRICTLY bosses have been accused of setting up Thomas Skinner to fail on Saturday night – because “they wanted to get rid of him”.

    The Sun previously revealed The Apprentice star had suffered an “onslaught of hate” since signing up to the BBC show and confessing to an affair he had on his wife three years ago.

    Tess Daly, Thomas Skinner, and Amy Dowden after Skinner was voted off Strictly Come Dancing.
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    Thomas Skinner was the first celebrity to be eliminated from this year’s StrictlyCredit: PA

    Thomas Skinner performing on Strictly Come Dancing in a shiny silver outfit.
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    The TV personality was ‘set up to fail’ claims an ex-Strictly proCredit: PA
    Now former Strictly pro Brendan Cole claims Tom was “let down” by the BBC show – after danced a salsa in a sequin tank top and silver trousers to Dizzee Rascal’s song Bonkers.

    Brendan Cole, speaking on behalf of Sky Vegas, told The Sun: “Honestly, it felt like they wanted to get rid of him, because everything about that performance was wrong, starting with the music choice.

    “The music was completely off for Strictly. The audience doesn’t want techno – they want beauty, elegance, and something that fits the spirit of the show.

    “That track belonged in a nightclub, not on a ballroom floor.

    “The outfits were awful; the choreography was average – everything about it just missed the mark.

    “He had little chance of staying after that.

    “I don’t blame him for going home; his dancing hasn’t been great, but he’s got enough personality to have lasted a few more weeks.

    “This time, though, the show let him down as much as he let himself down.”

    A Strictly source said: “It’s bonkers to suggest that dancing to a multi-platinum number one single is any sort of disadvantage.”

    Tom was first to be given the boot alongside his professional dance partner Amy Dowden.

    Strictly’s Thomas Skinner hits back after he’s ridiculed over Bonkers performance to Dizzee Rascal hit
    The pair ended Saturday’s show with a joint score of 29, having scored just 13 for Tom’s salsa.

    After landing near the bottom of the leaderboard, Thomas ended up facing off against former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova, in the dance-off.

    All four judges opted to save Chris and kick Thomas out of the competition.

    Speaking about his time on the show, Skinner said: “I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing.

    “It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ’cause you’re a different class.”

    Brendan Cole at a Strictly Come Dancing launch event.
    Brendan Cole was a pro dancer on Strictly from 2004 until 2017