Love Island contestant Anna Vakili says that she’s going to be representing the curvier girl in the 2019 villa.

The ITV2 reality show came under fire for its lack of body diversity this week when this year’s original cast was revealed to the public, making it apparent that demands for plus size contestants had been ignored.

Anna found herself at the centre of an online spat as Jameela Jamil branded her the ‘token plus size’ islander, much to the disapproval on Caroline Flack.

Bosses also hit back at criticism and controversially added that the singletons were chosen because they ‘wanted people to be attracted to each other’ – causing yet another stir.

Despite the uproar, Anna, 28, is happy to be flying the body-positive flag, telling Digital Spy: ‘I’m a bit curvier as well than some of the girls that have been on before, so I’m repping it for the curvy girls too.’

‘And because I’m a pharmacist, I’m very different… Dr Alex was like a proper doctor, whereas I feel you don’t have to be a medical professional and still be really serious and formal – you can have both worlds.

‘You can be smart and professional, but at the same time have fun. And you can wear what you want, too.’

Ahead of her grand villa debut, Anna admitted that she’s already had her fair share of social media trolling – including death threats.

The Londoner was sent a tirade of abuse after she was pictured with an Iranian footballer, telling the Mirror: ‘I got a lot of hate. I got death threats. Fans were like, “You’re taking my husband from me.”

‘In Iran they’re not allowed to do these things,’ Anna explained and admitted that, not surprisingly, she and the sports star ‘parted ways’.

Love Island kicks off Monday 3 June at 9pm on ITV2.

MORE: Love Island contestant Tommy Fury caught texting about cocaine ahead of series launch

MORE: How Love Island helped to heal my broken heart

Jameela Jamil has responded to Caroline Flack after she encouraged the Good Place star to ‘look beyond the face value’ of Love Island and watch it.

Just last week the TV presenter had shared a photo of this year’s Islander Anna Vakili, and slammed the ITV hit for casting a ‘slim’ woman as their ‘token plus-size contestant.’

However, it seems she was only asking for their to be more diversity in the programme – and we have to agree with her on this one.

Addressing Caroline’s interview with The Sun, the 33-year-old explained herself, and how her comments were not coming from a bad place… get it?

She wrote on Twitter: ‘Sorry Caroline, the show could stand to have some more diversity.

‘It’s hard for slim, white, straight people to relate to this sometimes. I understand that. You can’t begin to understand erasure because you’re constantly represented.’

The actress added: ‘The show would be even better with diversity.’

The 39-year-old Love Island host had directly spoken to Jameela during a recent interview.

Here she said: ‘I’m a massive fan of Jameela and what she stands for. I’m not in any way putting her down, I really like her.

‘Of course, people will look at things on face value and judge them, but the show is so much more than that, it really is.’

Caroline added: ‘And you can only cast a show on who’s right for it, in a relationship sense. It’s a dating show. You can only choose out of the people that apply.

‘They’ve just got to be right in that moment, they don’t cast it because of what they look like, it’s who’s in the right moment.’

When asked for comment, Love Island bosses said the cast were chosen the way they were because they ‘wanted people to be attracted to each other’.

‘It’s about people wanting to watch and them reacting and falling in love with another,’ series boss Richard Cowles explained.

‘Yes, we want to be as representative as possible but we also want them to be attracted to one another.’

Love Island starts Monday at 9pm on ITV2.

MORE: Love Island’s Anna Vakili is ‘repping the curvy girls’ as she prepares to make villa debut

MORE: Sophie Turner wants change people’s attitudes towards mental health: ‘If I can impact one person, that would be awesome’

Love Island stars Megan Barton-Hanson and Wes Nelson are set to come face to face in front of the cameras on the forthcoming series of Celebs Go Dating.

It’s been reported that the former couple, who split earlier this year while Wes was competing on Dancing On Ice, are preparing for an intense reunion on the E4 dating show after he also signed up.

‘This is going to be pretty awkward for Megan and Wes,’ an insider revealed.

‘They haven’t spoken much since they broke up, but now they’re going to be reunited and it’ll all be on camera.’

The source continued to the Daily Star: ‘Megan and Wes will have to see each other when the dating agency arranges matchmaking events’.

It was announced that Megan, 25, would be joining the new Celebs Go Dating line-up alongside Jack Fincham and Lauren Goodger earlier this month.

Megan revealed in the show’s trailer that she’s open to dating both boys and girls on the upcoming series, telling cameras: ‘Hi I’m Megan. I’ve joined the agency because I’m 25.

‘I want to find someone to go on holiday with, have dinners with. I’m not fussy about your age or your sex I just want to have someone to live life with.’

Having previously talked about her sexuality, Megan explained back in February that she would date a woman, telling New Magazine: ‘After this broken heart I feel like, yeah. I’ve dated girls in the past. It’s not like I wouldn’t do it.’

Filming for the new series of Celebs Go Dating kicked off earlier this week with Jack and Megan grinning at the prospect of finding love as they made their way into the agency.

EastEnders star Lee Ryan has also signed up for the show alongside Geordie Shore’s Nathan Henry.

Celebs Go Dating returns later this year.

MORE: Love Island contestant Tommy Fury caught texting about cocaine ahead of series launch

MORE: How Love Island helped to heal my broken heart

A picture of Love Island 2019 contestant Anton Danyluk in blackface has emerged just hours before the launch of the forthcoming series.

The 24-year-old Scotland native painted his face black to dress up as The A Team’s Mr T for a Halloween party with friends in 2014 and now angry fans are calling for bosses to axe the islander before he makes his debut.

Anton wore blue dungarees, a gold chain and had dramatically darkened his skin for the event in a photo shared on Facebook, with a close friend telling The Sun: ‘Anton likes to be the life and soul of the party and his idea of having fun is having all the attention on him.

‘He was proud of the effort he put in to the costume. He just thought it would be a good laugh.’

Furious viewers on Twitter have urged the show’s bosses to seek action, writing: ”If Love Island keeps that boy that boy that did black face on they’re a proper disgrace.’

Echoing a similar sentiment, another added: ‘Pictures of Anton doing blackface get him of our screens, we don’t want him.’

Meanwhile, former islander Marcel Somerville has condemned blackface and expressed his disgust at the picture.

‘Blackface was a form of entertainment that comedians and actors used to do,’ he told the publication. ‘But we all know it’s just not funny and simply not acceptable any more.

‘In my opinion it hasn’t been acceptable for decades, so to hear that someone still thinks it’s OK to make fun of people’s skin colour is absolutely ridiculous. It’s racist, and for him to stay on the show now with no repercussions is not OK.

‘Perhaps Love Island bosses should let his fellow housemates know about what he did. Then we can see if he still finds it funny.’

Anton’s mum defended hers son’s blackface in a comment which read: ‘Given that Anton has no right to reply, I wanted to take the opportunity to assure everyone that my son, who himself is mixed heritage, is not a racist.

‘As his mother I know he would be mortified to be labelled in such a way, and would whole heartedly apologise to anyone offended by this picture.

‘There was absolutely no racist intent and almost six years down the line, I know it’s not the way Anton would ever behave today.’

Love Island kicks off Monday 3 June at 9pm on ITV2.

MORE: Jameela Jamil tells Caroline Flack Love Island would be ‘even better with diversity’ and we agree

MORE: Love Island contestant Tommy Fury caught texting about cocaine ahead of series launch

Love Island’s Zara McDermott has called for a ‘diversity of personality’ on the show amid debates that the reality TV show lacked body and race variations.

The reality TV star, who appeared on series four of the ITV dating show in 2018, reminisced about her time in the villa where she met her ex-boyfriend and co-star Adam Collard.

The 22-year-old’s words come ahead of the show’s return on Monday as the likes of Jameela Jamil slammed the show for seemingly deeming new Islander Anna Vakili as a ‘plus-sized’ person in the eyes of the show’s casting.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk, the former Government advisor from Essex said that the show’s attempt to include diversity all around ‘is all very positive’.

However, Love Island needs more ‘inclusivity in terms of ethnicity, in terms of body shape’, she emphasised.

‘I think it is not only about appearance but it is about the diversity of personality. So as long as that diversity is done as well’, the star told us. ‘It makes a really good show.’

Zara, who split from Adam in February after seven months of dating following their coupling up in the villa, spent a week in Bali at Bliss Sanctuary For Women in a retreat to ‘just be away’ following a hectic year which saw her propelled into immediate fame.

Admitting that the wellness trip was ‘something she has never done before’, Zara discussed the struggles reality TV contestants face when transitioning into becoming a celebrity.

She said: ‘I wish it was a wholly positive experience. You go into the villa as a normal person but you leave more famous than a lot of other reality TV stars already out there.’

There has been a lot of debate regarding the duty of care Islanders receive following the tragic deaths of two former contestants.

Earlier this year, former Islander Mike Thalassitis died by suicide after his body was found in a North London park.

His tragic death came after the loss of another previous contestant Sophie Gradon, who had also taken her own life.

Love Island released a detailed account of the duty of care process each contestant will go through before entering the series five villa

As some other stars demanded the show be pulled from the air, in the same way The Jeremy Kyle Show was axed following the suspected suicide of one of their contestants, Love Island bosses are now keen to put minds at rest as the new series begins.

After evaluating their previous care, they have added enhanced psychological support and more detailed conversations with potential Islanders regarding the impact of participation on the show.

On top of that, each islander will be given social media and financial management training to help them tackle their sudden cashflow and attention online.

Although Zara admitted that her aftercare was ‘not as rigid’ – she claims to have ‘three to five’ compulsory chats with producers – she praised the telly bosses for updating their duty of care process and for being there for her when she split up from Adam.

She added: ‘For me, my aftercare was enough. The producers always wanted to keep an open relationship with us.

‘I supposed this new aftercare plan is open for people who feel like they can’t ask for help.’

Love Island launches on ITV2 tomorrow at 9 pm.

MORE: Love Island fury as photo of contestant Anton Danyluk in blackface emerges

MORE: Jameela Jamil tells Caroline Flack Love Island would be ‘even better with diversity’ and we agree

We’ve had the auditions, seen the acts whittled down to the final 40 and sat through a week’s worth of exciting semi-finals – but now the final of Britain’s Got Talent is here.

Before the end of Sunday night the 2019 champion will have been crowned, joining the 12 previous acts who have seen their careers launched by the ITV show.

And it’s set to be a pretty exciting final, as a whole bunch of magic acts join the line-up of singing, dancing, comedy and variety – with the judges taking a back seat as the folks at home choose their winner.

But just what does the champion of Britain’s Got Talent get?

Here’s what you need to know.

What does the winner of Britain’s Got Talent get?

There are two parts to the prize which the winner of the ITV show receives.

The first part is a spot on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance later this year – which has been part of the prize since the show first began in 2007.

The winner also receives a cash prize of £250,000 – which 2018 winner Lost Voice Guy referenced during his own turn at the Royal Variety Performance.

Speaking about whether the best part of winning the series was his spot on the bill at that show, or the cash prize, he quipped: ‘I’d love to answer that question but according to this new Apple Watch it’s time to drive my Porsche to the airport.’

Who is in the final of Britain’s Got Talent 2019?

One of these 11 acts will be crowned 2019 champion – and win that coveted prize – on Sunday night.

• Dave and Finn (mind-reading act)
• Flakefleet Primary School (choir)
• 4MG (magicians)
• Siobhan Phillips (comedian and singer)
• Colin Thackery (singing Chelsea Pensioner)
• Kojo Anim (comedian)
• Ben Hart (magician)
• Mark McMullan (singer)
• X (magician)
• Jonathan Goodwin (escapologist)
• Libby and Charlie (dance duo) – WILD CARD

Colin Thackery is currently the bookies’ favourite to take the title, with Coral offering odds of just 4-6 on the 89-year-old singer being crowned winner.

‘Colin Thackery has won the hearts of the nation with his touching performances in tribute to his wife and we make him the odds-on favourite to win the final and fulfill his dream of performing in front of the Queen,’ said Coral spokesman John Hill.

When is the Britain’s Got Talent final on?

The final kicks off on ITV on Sunday night from 7.30pm.

Love Island is landing back on our screens on 3 June, with a new group of singletons looking for romance in the infamous villa.

And, ahead of the show starting again – and our social life disappearing for another summer – former winner Kem Cetinay has offered the upcoming stars some advice.

Seeing as he won the show, alongside Amber Davies, back in 2017, they might want to listen up…

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, he urged this year’s crop of contestants not to take the experience too seriously.

When asked what his biggest piece advice to Tommy Fury and co. would be, he told us: ‘Don’t be so obsessed with trying to meet someone straight away, and just have a laugh in there. Me and Chris [Hughes] met people in there, but one of the biggest positives I take from it is that I met Chris and we had such a laugh in there.

‘We didn’t try and take ourselves too seriously. Enjoy it while you can, don’t be so obsessed with thinking, “I’ve got to couple up”. Just have fun! Some people get too [into] “I’ve got to have a couple”.’

Recalling his days with Chris in the villa, he revealed they just laughed constantly and didn’t take the dating show too seriously.

‘Now, I think people know, every week they stay could potentially benefit them when they come out,’ he continued.

‘It’s a normal way to feel, but just have fun with it. It’s such a fun, chilled show, there’s no need to take it so seriously.

‘I am excited, I don’t get too excited until it starts, though.’

Kem might have left the villa two years ago – but he will still have a big part to play in this year’s series.

Side note: How has it only been two years since he won?!

‘Obviously I’ll be doing the podcast every day, so that’s eight weeks every day,’ he added. ‘It’s a big commitment but I like it, I like to stay a part of the family because it’s where we started. I enjoy it, it’s like watching it for work, instead of watching it at home and feeling like I’m obsessed. I did it last year and it’s nice, you meet them all.

‘What’s also really nice is that, when they come out, they all really want to ask questions, they all feel so vulnerable, so it’s nice to meet them when they first come out, because after that you don’t really see them.’

We only have a few more hours until we hear another batch of singletons screaming about getting text messages and worrying about recoupling sessions.

But it seems a few of the Islanders have already found themselves in hot water.

Following on from Amber Gill’s race row earlier this week, a picture emerged of Anton Danyluk in blackface, at a Halloween party.

In the photo in question, the 24-year-old painted his face black to dress up as Mr T from The A Team at a bash in 2014.

Anton wore blue dungarees, a gold chain and had dramatically darkened his skin for the event in a photo shared on Facebook, with a close friend telling The Sun: ‘Anton likes to be the life and soul of the party and his idea of having fun is having all the attention on him.

‘He was proud of the effort he put in to the costume. He just thought it would be a good laugh.’

Upset fans are now calling for the Scotland native to be axed from the show.

Love Island kicks off Monday 3 June at 9pm on ITV2.

MORE: Love Island’s Zara McDermott calls for ‘diversity of personality’ in response to show’s criticism

MORE: Vicky Pattison remembers close friend Paul Burns a year after death in heartfelt tribute

This week’s Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals saw 10 of the 40 acts who performed progress to Sunday night’s grand final – but the judges have added a ‘wild card’ pick to the line-up.

As in previous years the panel have chosen one act who didn’t qualify from the semis to join the acts who did – giving them a shot at the title and that spot at the Royal Variety Performance.

And this year’s lucky wild card act is dance duo Libby and Charlie – who have made it to the final after nabbing their place in the semis at the very last minute.

Here’s what you need to know about them.

Who are Britain’s Got Talent’s wild card act Libby and Charlie?

Libby and Charlie are 11 and 12 (in fact Charlie turned 12 last Friday, the day he performed in the live semi-final), and best friends, from Liverpool and Manchester.

They originally appeared on the seventh auditions show of the series, winning four yeses from the judges for their emotional routine to Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years.

However the pair initially didn’t make the cut when the 40 semi-finalists were chosen – only making it into the last semi-final at short notice after another act, The Brotherhood, dropped out of the competition.

Charlie even admitted that he had been on holiday when news of their place in the live shows came – and had to rush back.

‘It was about Wednesday [when we found out],’ Charlie explained. ‘I was in Greece, and I was asleep on the sunbed’ – with Libby telling Ant and Dec: ‘I was on FaceTime to Charlie, like: “you need to come over now, just get on that aeroplane and come over!”

What did the judges say about them?

The pair’s Charleston-inspired routine in the semi-final won them rave reviews from the panel.

‘You’ve done two incredible things tonight,’ David Walliams told them. ‘You’ve filled our hearts with joy, with your incredible skill, and commitment, and passion…and more importantly you’ve made Ant and Dec feel tall.’

‘You two are just utterly breathtaking,’ Amanda Holden added. That was an absolutely beautifully choreographed amazing piece of entertainment. I absolutely salute you for that…fabulous.

They initially finished third in their heat, losing out to magic act X, who finished first in the semi-final, and escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, who nabbed the second slot.

The Britain’s Got Talent final is on Sunday night on ITV from 7.30pm.

BBC One has a new Sunday night hit on its hands in the shape of racy period drama Gentleman Jack.

The series, starring Suranne Jones as ‘first modern lesbian’ Anne Lister, has proven so popular that it’s already been commissioned by the BBC for a second series before the first one has even ended.

The show’s certainly won fans over with its witty script and exuberant performance from Jones, as well as some unexpectedly steamy moments – all set against some pretty lavish visual backdrops.

So just where was the show filmed? Here’s what you need to know…

Where is Gentleman Jack filmed?

The show is set in Halifax, West Yorkshire, in 1832 and 1834 – with much of the action taking place around Anne Lister’s ancestral home Shibden Hall.

And sure enough, much of the series was actually filmed in and around Halifax – with a lot of scenes being shot in Shibden Hall itself.

“It still blows my mind when I say that we filmed at Shibden,’ Jones has said.

‘When I’m walking in Anne Lister’s footsteps, I am literally walking into her house, up her stairs, eating in her dining room, doing business deals where she did business deals, surveying the same land, and walking where she walked.’

As many of the rooms at Shibden Hall were too small to film in, some scenes were also shot on purpose-built sets – including those in Anne’s bedroom and study.

A kitchen was also added for some scenes – while the crew had to ask gardeners on the estate to stop cutting the grass, so that the lawn could have the same unkempt look it had in Anne’s day.

Shibden Hall dates back to 1420 and the home is open to visitors every day except Fridays – you can find out more information here.

What other locations were used during filming?

Other locations included Sutton Park in York, as well as locations in Bradford and the surrounding areas.

The cast and crew also ventured overseas to film some scenes in Copenhagen, at the Danish capital’s City Hall.

When is Gentleman Jack on?

The series continues on BBC One on Sunday night at 9pm.

BBC One’s newest Sunday night drama Gentleman Jack is proving so popular that a second series has already been commissioned.

The 1830s-era show, which stars Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle, is based on the diaries of Yorkshire landowner Anne Lister – who was considered to be ‘the first modern lesbian’.

All of which has led to questions about where the unusual title came from – given the female-led nature of the show.

Just who is Gentleman Jack and where did the title come from? Here’s what you need to know…

What’s the meaning behind Gentleman Jack’s title?

The title is actually a reference to the name Lister was given during her life by her neighbours, who ridiculed her appearance and sexual preferences – with the ‘Gentleman’ referring to her masculine appearance and ‘Jack’ being another word for ‘lesbian’ in that era.

Series creator Sally Wainwright has explained the meaning behind the name, pointing out that in Yorkshire at that time it was far from complimentary. ‘ It was either very vulgar language like that, or sensitive posh language like “wintering in Rome”,’ she said.

‘Lesbian’ wasn’t a word then, there was no community, there was no blueprint for what she was doing. She was just being herself, because that’s what she says nature intended.

‘She could only love the fairer sex. And as you’re playing her, you just become aware that you have a right to be a person, you have a right to be who you are. Regardless of your sexuality.’

When will we get to see series two of the show?

There’s no confirmed date yet for the return of Anne Lister, but given what a big hit the show has been – with the first episode along picking up around 5.1m viewers – we’re sure we won’t have long to wait.

‘It’s so exciting that so many people have had such a positive response to Suranne’s exuberant performance as the brilliant, life-affirming Anne Lister and to Sophie’s beautiful performance as her courageous partner, Ann Walker,’ Wainwright said.

‘I’m utterly delighted that we’ve been recommissioned, because there are so many more big, bold stories to tell about Anne Lister and Ann Walker.’

Gentleman Jack continues on BBC One on Sunday night at 9pm.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnely surprised Britain’s Got Talent’s Dave and Finn with the vet who saved Finn’s life in tonight’s finale.

The presenting duo waited until the mind-reading hopefuls had performed one last time in front of judges Amanda Holden, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell before they revealed that there was an extra special guest in the audience.

‘There’s a special guest here this evening,’ announced Ant. ‘It is the vet that saved Finn’s life.’

The camera then panned onto the unnamed vet, who Dave credits for saving his dog’s life, and he was seen waving at the camera while Dave stood in shock.

‘We thank you,’ Ant told him before turning to the contestants, adding: ‘We thank Dave and we thank Finn.’

Viewers were in tears over the emotional scenes on Twitter, writing: ‘Oh for goodness sake I was keeping it together when Dave & Finn were performing then they had to go & tell us the vet who saved Finn’s life is in the audience. I’m in absolute floods now!’

Echoing a similar sentiment, another added: ‘Well that’s me, a blubbering wreck. Thanks Finn. Great performance, but to see the vet was the icing on the cake.’

Officer Dave, 42, previously revealed how dog German Shephard Finn saved his owner’s life by preventing him from being stabbed during a police operation.

Finn almost didn’t make it himself but luckily pulled through and Dave says he almost certainly wouldn’t have survived was it not for the dog’s instincts.

The stabbing incident inspired Dave to campaign for Finn’s Law, which closes a loophole that meant police animals were treated as property so charges couldn’t be brought against someone who harmed them in the line of duty.

The judges were blown away by Dave and Finn’s final performance, with David saying: ‘The bond you have is so special and anybody out there with a pet is looking at the two of you and thinking this is adorable. And you know what? With the law being passed you’re winners already.’

‘You’ve had a great night and I think the nation loves you both so fingers crossed,’ Alesha added.

Amanda swooned: ‘For me the most important thing here is Finn’s law. I think you highlighting that and raising your profile in order to promote that and achieve it is absolutely fantastic so congratulations.’

Britain’s Got Talent continues on ITV.

MORE: What does the winner of the Britain’s Got Talent final get?

MORE: Britain’s Got Talent winners Attraction used £250,000 prize money to pimp out their performances with new gear

Britain’s Got Talent magician X finally revealed his identity during tonight’s live finale, unveiling himself to be former contestant Marc Spelmann.

Marc appeared on the ITV talent show last year and was Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer act, however failed to make it into the finale.

As he took off his mask, the performer said: ‘It was always hope and never giving up. It’s been an honour sharing X with you. I am X. Thank you.’

Judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden were completely dumbfounded, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly also blown away by the jaw-dropping moment.

‘Thank God it wasn’t Steven Mulhern,’ joked David before adding: ‘You are an absolute master of your craft. This is incredible and to keep that a secret for so long. Wow, wow wow.’

Meanwhile, Simon gasped: ‘I mean I never in a million years would get that. The moment you came on, it’s been amazing amazing amazing. So many people come on the show and they give up, you’ve really worked this out and you’ve done something absolutely incredible. I’ve loved every minute. Good for you.’

We didn't see this one coming! @IamSPELMANN reveals the reason he became the masked magician EVERYONE is talking about… #BGTFinal #BGT #BritainsGot Talent pic.twitter.com/z2P5Bn7giq

— Britain's Got Talent (@BGT) June 2, 2019

‘I had chills,’ admitted Alesha. ‘I thought if this X does well I really want to know the mystery man.

‘I’m absolutely dumbfounded. What an incredible moment. This is the most surprised I’ve ever been on the show.’

Amanda enthused: ‘I mean it’s been the talk of the country. It’s really hard to put into words except that I really admire you and I think you did a fantastic job. What a brilliant brilliant surprise.’

Tonight’s live final is being filmed at London’s Hammersmith Apollo with Britain’s Got Talent legends Diversity and Susan Boyle making a comeback to the stage for its 10th anniversary.

Britain’s Got Talent continues tonight on ITV.

MORE: What does the winner of the Britain’s Got Talent final get?

MORE: Britain’s Got Talent winners Attraction used £250,000 prize money to pimp out their performances with new gear

Love Island 2019 is well and truly underway now as the first five girls have officially entered the villa.

Spoiler pictures for Monday night’s upcoming launch show this year’s original females Amy Hart, Amber Gill, Anna Vakili, Yewande Biala and Lucie Dolan make their way to the revamped Majorcan getaway, kicking off the fifth season with a bang.

Judging by the pics Amber and Amy are the first in and they look raring to go as they cheer from Range Rovers before strutting into their new home in their swimwear.

Snaps also see presenter Caroline Flack getting in on the action and she joins the gang around the fire pit before introducing the crop of male islanders and, you guessed it, the all important coupling up.

Joining them will be Anton Danyluk, Tommy Fury, Joe Garratt, Michael Griffiths, Sherif Lanre, Callum Macleod and Curtis Pritchard.

Although less than 24 hours stand in the way before this year’s Love Island officially gets started, the drama has already been in full swing.

A photograph of contestant Anton in blackface emerged just hours before the launch, with his mum defending accusations that her son is racist.

‘I wanted to take the opportunity to assure everyone that my son, who himself is mixed heritage, is not a racist,’ she said. ‘As his mother I know he would be mortified to be labelled in such a way, and would whole heartedly apologise to anyone offended by this picture.

‘There was absolutely no racist intent and almost six years down the line, I know it’s not the way Anton would ever behave today.’

Meanwhile, Amber has made it clear in unearthed video that she doesn’t ‘like black guys’, with her reps telling Metro.co.uk that the social media post was ‘taken out of context’ and that she is ‘not racist’ because her own dad is from Trinidad and Tobago.

Love Island kicks off Monday 3 June at 9pm on ITV2.

MORE: Love Island fury as photo of contestant Anton Danyluk in blackface emerges

MORE: Jameela Jamil tells Caroline Flack Love Island would be ‘even better with diversity’ and we agree

Cheryl was spotted nervously watching Jonathan Goodwin’s Britain Got Talent performance during tonight’s grand finale.

The 35-year-old singer, who dropped new sassy pop track Let You earlier this week, was seen with her hand anxiously planted on her chin at The London Palladium as she waited to see whether the contestant made it out of his stunt alive.

On top of Marc Spelmann unveiling himself as mystery contestant X, medical assistants joined the stage halfway through Jonathan’s act to assist, you know, just in case anything went wrong, and Cheryl was on the edge of her seat.

Eagle-eyed viewers noticed the former Girls Aloud star instantly and rushed to Twitter to ask whether she’d be performing alongside Britain’s Got Talent royalty Susan Boyle and Diversity.

‘I wish Cheryl would perform Let You on the BGT final. She’s already in the audience,’ wrote one.

Cheryl revealed on Instagram with a close friend that she sadly wouldn’t be taking to the stage tonight, explaining: ‘I’m in the way to see the BGT final. I’m excited to see some magic.’

OMG @CherylOfficial is ALL of us right now 😮@BGT #BGT #BGTFinal pic.twitter.com/DaHghkCfYb

— ITV (@ITV) June 2, 2019

The star’s friend explained that she wouldn’t be singing ‘because it’s a variety show’  and ‘they already have their music acts planned.’

Cheryl added: ‘They wanted variety acts and they already had their music acts booked before I released my new song, so I’m sorry about that.’

A grand total of 11 acts are set to take to the stage in the Britain’s Got Talent finale, including Dave and Finn (mind-reading act) Flakefleet Primary School (choir) 4MG (magicians) Siobhan Phillips (comedian and singer) Colin Thackery (singing Chelsea Pensioner) Kojo Anim (comedian) Ben Hart (magician) Mark McMullan (singer) X (magician) Jonathan Goodwin (escapologist) Libby and Charlie (dance duo).

Only one lucky contestant will be crowned winner and will walk away with a cash prize of £250,000 and a slot at this year’s Royal Variety.

Britain’s Got Talent continues tonight on ITV.

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Jonathan Goodwin’s Britain’s Got Talent finale performance had viewers terrified, as health and safety workers rushed on stage.

The escape artist took his act several stages further as he was suspended from a glass cage on stage – as it quickly filled with gravel.

However, things appeared to take a worrying turn when the box overflowed, with gravel spilling out of all sides, and no sight of the 39-year-old.

While viewers at home held their breath, and the cameras panned to a panic-stricken Amanda Holden, health and safety staff rushed on stage, alongside Ant and Dec.

Thankfully, a heartstopping few minutes later, Jonathan’s hand appeared at the top of the box, and he was eventually able to free himself.

Side note: While it may have only been a few moments, waiting for him to escape felt like decades.

Alesha branded the whole performance ‘unreal’, telling him: ‘What is wrong with you? I turned to David during that and said, “I don’t know whether to laugh or cry”.

‘It’s not good for my nerves. You are unreal. You could be the next David Blaine, you’re brilliant.’

And Amanda added: ‘It was brilliant, it was thrilling, it was scary, and when health and safety came on, it always is a worry, and then Ant and Dec, the whole thing…

‘It was a horrifically brilliant thing to watch, I loved every second of it.’

Viewers at home were left horrified by the act, with many terrified he had died.

‘Jonathan Goodwin on Britain’s Got Talent just then, my god I thought he was a gonna!! #BGTFinal2019,’ one said.

‘Omg Jonathan Goodwin… never been so on edge before but INCREDIBLE #bgt,’ another commented.

‘Woah!! Jonathan Goodwin could win @BGT after that,’ a fan wrote. ‘I genuinely thought he was dead for a second. My heart is only just recovering. Incredible. #BGTFinal #BGT

‘Anyone else hold their breath while Jonathan Goodwin got buried? Nutter. #BGTFinal,’ a Twitter user added.

We’re not sure how the Queen will cope with his antics…

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Colin Thackery has won Britain’s Got Talent 2019, becoming the oldest winner of the ITV series.

The singing Chelsea pensioner, 89, beat out stiff competition from second-placed illusionist X and magician Ben Hart, who came in third, to take home the ITV crown – thanks to his emotional performance of Love Changes Everything.

Dave and police dog Finn, Mark McMullan, Siobhan Phillips, Jonathan Goodwin, Libby and Charlie, 4MG, the Flakefleet Primary School choir also rounded out the ITV final, live at the Hammersmith Apollo on 2 June.

As well as the win, he was also handed £250,000 and a spot at the Royal Variety Show.

‘Absolutely astonished,’ he told hosts Ant and Dec. ‘It’s incredible, I don’t know what to say. I’m stuck for words for a change.

‘Thank you very much, all of you, all the backing I’ve had. It’s been wonderful.’

Colin previously revealed he would ‘die happy’ if he got to meet the Queen.

When asked how he felt that he would be performing for her at the Royal Variety Performance, he added: ‘That’s the job, that’s what I wanted it to be.’

Coin was crowned winner of Britain’s Got Talent following his performance of Love Changes Everything.

And it was a tear-jerking moment, to say the least.

Despite being the last contestant to perform on stage, David Walliams praised him for creating a ‘magical moment’ for the audience, branding him ‘unbeatable’.

While Simon told the singer he had his ‘utmost respect’.

The pensioner originally won his place in the live shows after delivering his rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings at his first audition, a song he dedicated to his late wife.

Afterwards David told him. ‘There is not a dry eye in the house.

‘It was just the most perfect tribute and you sang with such heart that it affected us deeply. It was beautiful.’

‘You are going to have a moment. It was sincere and it was real and you are what this show is all about so thank you,’ music mogul Simon added.

It was an emotional final as Susan Boyle returned to the BGT stage to perform with Michael Ball – a decade after the competition turned her into a worldwide superstar.

‘It feels very surreal,’ she told the hosts.. ‘I’m at home on stage, nothing much has changed.’

And it was announced live on stage that SuBo would be back on our screens later in the year – competing on Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions.

Will Colin be joining her?

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Ant and Dec have confirmed Susan Boyle will be competing in Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions.

Following her performance of A Million Dreams with Michael Ball on Britain’s Got Talent grand finale, the hosts made the announcement after she was tipped for a return.

Addressing the audience on Sunday night, Ant said: ‘Susan is one the amazing acts who will be appearing on a very special new show coming up later on the year called Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions.

‘Where the finest acts of the last 13 years of BGT will compete with some of the best acts from around the world to find the ultimate champion. We can’t wait for that.’

Dec then joked: ‘Have they got a host yet?’

To which Ant replied: ‘I think we are doing it.’

Speaking of her return to the stage, after coming in second place in 2009, she said: ‘It feels very surreal being back. My home stage. It hasn’t really changed that much.’

The news comes after judge Simon Cowell was said to be particularly keen to have his beloved SuBo on board, after the 58-year-old went down a storm over on America’s Got Talent: The Champions earlier this year.

‘American viewers were furious when SuBo didn’t win and now Simon wants to give her a second shot by getting her on the British version of the show,’ a source told The Sun.

‘Susan’s a great competitor, has a fascinating back story and is really popular with the British public. ‘She came second in her original appearance and got near on AGT — so this could be third time lucky.’

Ant and Dec announced Susan’s involvement minutes before crowning Colin Thackery as the winner of this year’s series.

The singer, aged 89, became the oldest winner in the TV show’s history after charming the nation with his golden voice.

The former Royal Artillery Soldier bowled over viewers with his semi-final performance of Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again and raced through to tonight’s final.

After a performance of Love Changes Everything, the singing Chelsea pensioner, beat out stiff competition from second-placed illusionist X – who was later revealed to be Marc Spellman –  and magician Ben Hart.

As well as the win, he was also handed £250,000 and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.

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Ant and Dec are following in Simon Cowell’s footsteps by teaming up with Santander.

Yes, while the music mogul is currently doing campaigns for Barclaycards, the presenting duo have decided to give it a whirl themselves, and have opened up their very own bank.

Which is surprisingly called, the bank of Antanddec – we wonder how long it took for them to come up with that.

In a tongue-in-cheek advert, the boys could be seen discussing their ‘life-long dream’ to work in the financial sector and teased their fans that becoming TV stars was just a stepping stone to their ‘real passion.’

While hanging out at their new HQ, they then laughed about having found a gap in the market – because apparently, no one had heard about banking before they had.

Hmm…

Talking about the campaign, Ant said: ‘We’re really excited to be partnering with Santander.

‘They presented us with a really fun creative which we couldn’t resist, who would say no to having their own bank brought to life.’

The 43-year-old added: ‘We really hope people love the campaign as much as we do and along with enjoying the humour can see how Santander can help people with whatever their banking needs may be.’

And it seems Santander are just as pleased to be teaming up with the duo, as CMO Keith Moor praised the pair.

He said: ‘We are thrilled to have Ant and Dec on board at this very exciting time for Santander UK.

‘The concept behind the campaign and its speed to market is testament both to the power of a great idea and the synergy between the duo and the bank.

‘We look forward to working closely with them over the years to come.’

The bank of Antanddec launches today, 3 June, and hopes to help customers realise their aspirations.

It will run across digital display, video on demand, online video, cinema, TV, social, outdoor digital screens, radio and the bank’s owned channels, including its branches and the Santander UK website.

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I was scrolling through my Instagram when I saw the new cast forLove Island 2019.

The first thing I noticed and was impressed by was the number of people of colour starting as originals. They’ve definitely made a conscious effort to rectify the colourism problems they faced last year.

Seeing the new line up made me reflect on my time on the show and the impact it has had on me.

I was initially asked to meet the producers to go on the show in 2016 to enter the house in the last two weeks. I had concerns about going in and becoming the Mr Steal Your Girl type, which I didn’t want to be.

I’m glad I didn’t take their offer because when it came to finding contestants for the 2017 series I was approached and asked if I wanted to meet the casting directors.

It couldn’t have come at a better time for me and I was at risk of being made redundant from my current job and I saw it as an opportunity to do something new. I didn’t really think I would be chosen but you got to have faith.

The casting process involved meeting producers and doing a video interview, which was sent to the execs. If they like you, you do another interview with them and then you have to do a psychological evaluation and medical examination.

I had met the doctor when I was in talks to appear on the previous year. I remember her saying, ‘You’re back, they must definitely want you on’, which gave me some added hope.

I started casting in February (which is very early compared to most people) and the call came in May. It felt like I was on a rollercoaster.

Your personal chaperone takes you to a secret location to get press shots done. The final meetings with production happen and within a couple of days you’re getting flown out and into hiding.  You’re just waiting for day dot – the first day of the rest of your life.

For me it was the worst day of my entire Love Island experience.

I was the first boy presented to the women and no one stepped forward. I was thinking to myself, ‘what the hell have I walked into?’

I’m a super confident guy but that hit me really hard. I’m fortunate to be quite a calm and chilled person so I took it on the chin and just said to myself, ‘If I’m only on the show for a week, just make sure to enjoy yourself, it’s a holiday.’

It was raining the next day and no one was filming, so it gave us time to bond off camera. That day I felt like everyone’s favourite person, which just goes to show, you can’t judge a book by its cover.

I became the go-to person in the villa for everyone and it was definitely a highlight of the whole experience for me. I loved that these strangers found comfort in my personality.

I haven’t watched all of my series back because I want to remember it how I remember it but overall I think I was shown in a good light. I know the whole Blazin Squad thing started off as a punchline but in the end it was Chris and Kem who provided the comedic relief in the villa.

In the end I felt like I was seen as the wise old man figure of Love Island, like Gandalf or Dumbledore. It’s something I got a lot of love for on leaving the villa – I even wrote a love self-help book.

My life changed hugely after leaving Casa Amor. I didn’t get made redundant but had the freedom to quit. The joy of being able to do that was immense and my life post Love Island just got better and better.

I released new music, went to the Baftas, went on tour and I’ve done multiple brand campaigns.

I wouldn’t say it’s all sunshine and rainbows as you have to deal with a lot of pressure you didn’t have to before like press, trolls, followers and how many likes your sponsored posts get on Instagram. For me though it has been a step up from not knowing what I would do after losing my job.

I came off the show in a relationship and I tried to make it work, but I think the reality was that we were trying to maintain something that wasn’t 100 per cent. But we were making it work because of the whole Love Island circus that surrounded us.

Having the whole world watching your relationship and having fans so focused on everything makes it hard to say, ‘I don’t think this is working.’ You can stay in it for the wrong reasons, leading to mistakes being made.

Saying that, you can also be matched up with the right person. Just look at Jess and Dom – they’re married and about to have a baby. It’s amazing.

Love Island can definitely do what it says on the tin… sometimes.

If I have one word of advice for the new cast: just be yourself. If you’ve got a character, be that person and don’t shy away from who you are. You’ve been picked for a reason so entertain people.

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The Britain’s Got Talent final pulled off one of the biggest surprises in show history on Sunday night when the identity of mysterious magician X was revealed.

Both the judges and Ant and Dec were left stunned when – having once again wowed the panel and audience with a mind-reading stunt – X was unmasked as 2018 Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Marc Spelmann.

Once we’d all got over the shock Marc/X went on to finish second in the final behind champion Colin Thackery.

But just who is he, exactly – and what happened last time he was on Britain’s Got Talent?

Here’s what you need to know…

Who is Marc Spelmann and what did he do on Britain’s Got Talent in 2018?

Marc is a magician from North London who won Ant and Dec’s Golden Buzzer when he first appeared on the show in 2018.

Then, he wowed the duo – along with the judges and audience – with a trick involving his wife Tessa and then two-year-old daughter Isabella which involved the judges completing a series of tasks and correctly predicting their outcome, with help from Isabella.

He explained at the time that real magic had started for him on the day she was born, just before Christmas 2015 – as she had been conceived following five years of IVF, and had survived despite Tessa being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy while pregnant.

Having landed a Golden Buzzer, Marc proceeded straight to the live semi-finals in 2018 – but narrowly missed out on a place in the final.

That time, he finished third in his heat behind opera singer Gruffyd Wyn Roberts after the judges were unable to choose between the acts, and sent it back to the public vote.

How did X get to the Britain’s Got Talent final?

X’s first audition involved proving the psychic connection between Ant and Dec, pulling off a trick which saw them feeling touches at the same time and later drawing the exact same image with their eyes closed.

X took the mind-reading to the next level in Friday’s semi-final – and was voted winner of that heat, going through to the final.

It was then – following another trick featuring Ant and Dec, and the entire audience focusing on the same word from a selection given – that X’s true identity was revealed, and that the link between this illusion and the Golden Buzzer-winning performance from 2018 was explained.

‘It was always about hope, and never giving up,’ Marc said. ‘It’s been an honour sharing X with you…I am X.’

‘I never in a million years would have guessed that…from the minute you came on this show it has been amazing, and you know what I admire about you – so many people come on this show, they give up. You’ve really worked this out and you’ve done something incredible.’

Alesha ‘I am absolutely dumbfounded – what an incredible moment. Genuinely that is the most surprised I’ve ever been on this show.’

Why did Marc come back to Britain’s Got Talent?

He explained on the show: ‘Things happen in life and then you plan and last year I really wanted to make the final because I had something hidden in that video which was the word hope.

‘And then I really wanted to come back and do it but without a story,’ he went on, ‘because last year it was such a story and I got to share my wife and daughter with the world – but I wanted to come back anonymous.’

Britain’s Got Talent will return to screens in 2020.