‘”In loving memory of Mike Thalassitis”. I’m crying #Loveisland,’ one commented.
Love Island paid tribute to Mike Thalassitis (Picture: ITV)
While another said: ‘A lovely tribute to Mr Mike Thalassitis well done #LoveIsland.’
‘#LoveIsland The tribute to #MikeThalassitis got me. @LoveIsland @itv,’ a Twitter user said.
‘Watching that @MikeThalassitis tribute on Love Island there broke my heart man,’ a fan posted.
Sophie Gradon died in 2018 (Picture: ITV)
And an impressed viewer added: ‘Lovely how they dedicated the first show to @MikeThalassitis @LoveIsland.’
Love Island has faced a lot of criticism over their mental health screening and aftercare practices since Mike’s death, which comes after Sophie Gradon died by suicide in 2018.
As a result, upon leaving the show each islander will now have 14 months of proactive contact with bosses, receive social media and financial advice and training, and have a minimum of eight therapy sessions.
During filming there will be a team of senior staff with Mental Health First Aid training on hand and the implications of appearing on the show will be explained fully verbally and in writing.
Love Island continues daily, at 9pm, on ITV.
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Two lads could be kicked out of the show (Pictures: REX)
Love Island may have only just kicked off but that has not stopped the show from introducing a shock twist on the first night.
Two lads will be facing the boot within the first 24 hours.
Yikes.
The ITV2 dating show launched on Monday night as the couples, after pairing up, were left in shock as two new men were introduced into the villa.
Amy Hart, Amber Gill, Anna Vakili, Yewande Biala and Lucie Dolan were first to enter the Majorcan getaway, with boys Anton Danyluk, Joe Garratt, Michael Griffiths, Sherif Lanre and Callum Macleod joining them one at a time.
They didn’t even have time to head off to bed yet when the bosses sent them a text giving the heads up that Curtis Pritchard, 23, and Tommy Fury, 20 will be walking in to shake things up.
They have only been given 24 hours to pick partners which means two men tomorrow night are likely to be booted off.
Curtis and Tommy are here to cause a commotion Picture: (ITV/REX)
It looks like Sherif may be most at risk as, Anna, who is coupled up with seemed interested in Curtis from the get-go.
Before the boys walked in, Anton and Amy were the first islanders to seek each other out, with Amy telling presenter Caroline Flack she stepped forward ‘because I have eyes and obviously he’s really really fit.’
Lucie and Joe ended up together just moments after she had stepped forward for Michael – quickly explaining that her new choice was ‘more her type.’
Sherif may need to keep an eye on Anna (Picture: REX)
Meanwhile, Amber decided to palm Sherif off for Callum. Explaining why she decided to jump ship, she told Caroline: ‘I liked the way he came over to you and greeted you properly.’
After being on the subs bench, he ended up with Anna and Michael bagged the last single girl Yewande.
‘We now have our five couples,’ the host later told the islanders. ‘The choices you’ve just made could decide how long you stay in the villa.
‘In your couples you will spend time getting to know each other, taking on challenges together, living together and even sharing a bed together.’
‘In just eight weeks time, the public will be voting for their favourite couple. That couple will stand to win a massive £50,000 cash prize and be crowned the winners of Love Island 2019.’
It is what it is….
Love Island airs weekdays at 9pm on ITV2.
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Patrick J Adams is returning to Suits for its final season (Picture: Getty Images)
He hasn’t been seen on the show since his exit in season seven, but OG Suits star Patrick J Adams is finally making a comeback.
Entertainment Weekly, reported the USA Network has confirmed Adams will return for Suits final season as Mike Ross and Adams confirmed the news on Instagram.
‘Go time. Very excited to head back into the fray one last time,’ he revealed to his followers.
‘Thanks to the fans for keeping the flame alive and to Mr Aaron Korsh for welcoming me back.’
Before we all start getting way too excited, though, it sounds like he is back just for the odd mid-season episode. Eh, we’ll take what we can get.
Ross is set to go head-to-head with his mentor Harvey Spectre (played by Gabriel Macht) and Samantha Wheeler (Katherine Heigl) in a new case.
The drama.
The ninth and final season will run for 10 episodes and fans will finally get to see what comes of Harvey and his secretary Donna’s relationship (the sexual tension is real) as well as his law firm now its reputation has been tarnished.
Suits, that famously starred the now Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle back in her acting days, originally focused on Ross’ character and his romance with Markle’s Rachel Zane.
Mike was a fake-lawyer who pretended to go to Harvard so he could become Harvey’s associate, while Rachel was a paralegal desperate to make it as a lawyer.
Adams had been an OG star on Suits alongside Meghan Markle – they both quit in season seven (Picture: Rex)
Spoiler alert: Mike finally became a fully-fledged (real) lawyer after passing the bar, but fans were forced to say goodbye to Adams in season seven, along with Markle, as they both decided to quit the show.
Speaking of his exit, Adams told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘When I looked at the work I was doing, Mike would become a full-fledged, certified, legal on paper lawyer – that’s a long way from when we met him.
‘I thought we’d come so far… I had this voice in my head that said that we’ve told his story and if he hangs out longer, Mike is just going to be another lawyer on television.’
‘That didn’t feel right for him – It didn’t feel right for where I was at in my life, either,’ he said.
Suits ninth season returns on 17 July on the USA Network.
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Megan Barton Hanson thinks she was rejected from Love Island in 2017 for saying she likes girls in her audition (Picture: ITV)
Megan Barton Hanson had originally applied for Love Island in 2017, but claims show bosses were ‘put off’ her because she said she liked girls during her audition.
The reality star said she was really open about liking both men and women, but never landed a slot on the show that year.
Fast forward 12 months and Megan re-applied, this time candidly speaking about her past as a stripper and choosing not to mention the fact she’s up for dating girls as well as guys.
She made it into the villa and found love with ex-boyfriend Wes Nelson – something she thinks wouldn’t have happened if she had mentioned liking girls again in her audition.
‘I was super open and said I feel like I’m more into girls, but I think that’s what put them off,’ she claimed to The Sun.
Megan auditioned the following year and made it on to the show where she met ex Wes Nelson (Picture: Rex Features)
Although, there could have been a number of reasons for ITV not deciding to go with Megan first time around. After all, fans had already seen romance blossom between Sophie Gradon and Katie Salmon during the show’s 2016 series.
Metro.co.uk have reached out to ITV for comment.
‘In Love Island I already felt I had a stigma attached to me because of being a stripper. I didn’t want to add to it be revealing I like girls as well,’ Megan said of her second audition.
She added that fans never saw her hit it off with a girl on Love Island because none of her female co-stars ‘caught her eye’.
Megan hasn’t ever directly addressed her sexuality, but claimed she is keen to find love with a woman ‘long-term’ – the only thing currently holding her back is her desire to have children in the future.
She claims for her second audition she mentioned she was a stripper, but left out that she is also attracted to females (Picture: Backgrid)
That doesn’t mean Megan isn’t open to finding love with a female, though.
In the show’s trailer, Megan says: ‘Hi I’m Megan. I’ve joined the agency because I’m 25. I want to find someone to go on holiday with and have dinners with.
‘I’m not fussy about your age or your sex, I just want to have someone to live life with.’
Megan and Wes split earlier this year – she has since signed up for dating show Celebs Go Dating (Picture: Rex Features)
Megan is currently single after splitting with her Love Island co-star Wes, while he was appearing on Dancing On Ice earlier this year.
They know all too well what it’s like to live in the Love Island villa and will no doubt have some words of wisdom for this year’s contestants.
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Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are making a comeback (Picture: Netflix)
Dead To Me is officially returning for a season two after becoming Netflix’s runaway smash hit.
The black comedy, starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini, will be coming back for another round following one hell of a cliffhanger.
It was announced at Netflix’s FYSee event in Los Angeles on Monday.
The show followed a bitter mother-of-two named Jen (Applegate), whose life begins to spiral out of control following the hit-and-run death of her husband.
During group grief counselling, Jen meets and becomes close friends with Judy (Cardellini), whose own losses have caused her to struggle.
In the weekend following the show’s release, it quickly became the most watched series on Netflix as fans were quick to binge watch the entire season.
Jen and Judy have a whole lot of win to drink as they come back next season (Picture: Netflix)
It was praised for its unique take on grief, as well as female friendships as men including James Marsden’s character attempted to drive wedges between them.
Speaking to Variety, Christina explained that she actually drew on her own losses – and as a result, she found herself seeking therapy after filming wrapped.
She said: ‘It tapped into some stuff that I had to face. It was cathartic.
‘I don’t know if [it was] therapeutic. Did I start therapy after I shot the show? Yes, absolutely.’
Speaking about what’s in store for season two, Liz Feldman teased to Hollywood Reporter: ‘Just like the rest of the show, it’s not exactly what you think it’s going to be.
‘There’s an evening of the score and there’s a rebalancing that will take place and almost, in some ways, a role reversal’
‘This show will always be a show that explores the dark sides and the light sides of grief, loss, forgiveness and friendship,’ they add.’So suffice to say, there will be more darkness.’
Dead To Me season one is available on Netflix now.
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Beckham was seen giving his seven-year-old daughter Harper a peck on the lips on a boat while on holiday with her, causing Piers to cringe and say it was creepy.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain this morning, Piers declared: ‘It’s very sweet…[But] why would a father kiss his daughter on the lips? Don’t get it – creepy. Weird.’
‘Then you post that for the world – You posted that for the world, why?,’ he added.
‘Weird, Weird, weird, it’s just weird.’
Susanna Reid defended David’s display of affection to his daughter, but admitted that she thought it was inappropriate for it to be posted online.
Piers added that a ‘firm handshake’ to the sons, and a peck on the cheek for the daughter was the best response to both.
In a Facebook Live transmission in 2017, David said: ‘I kiss all my kids on the lips.’
‘Brooklyn, maybe not. Brooklyn’s 18, he might find that a little bit strange,’ he said, adding: ‘I’m very affectionate with the kids. It’s how I was brought up and Victoria, and it’s how we are with our children.’
‘We want to show our kids love and we protect them, look after them, and support them, and you know, we’re very affectionate with them,’ he said.
Unsurprisingly, Piers had something to say about it back then, too.
Good Morning Britain continues weekdays at 6am on ITV.
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Susan Boyle has announced that she will be heading out on tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her original Britain’s Got Talent audition.
The Scottish songstress will be heading around the UK with her new album, also called Ten, hitting 15 cities before returning to the place that started it all – BGT – in time for her appearance in the Champions series.
It will be her first tour in four years, opting to remove herself from the spotlight as she struggled with the pressures of fame.
Speaking on the announcement, Susan said: ‘I’m thrilled to be coming back on tour after four years and starting in Scotland, one of the best audiences in the world.
‘I am also excited to be able to perform songs that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from me.’
‘I like to surprise, I left the world surprised 10 years ago and I want to surprise my fans again,’ she added.
Starting in Dundee on 3 March next year, the star will be heading down the British Isles and back again, finishing in Edinburgh, where she currently lives.
Susan re-introduced herself to the UK with an appearance on the BGT finals on Sunday night, performing The Greatest Showman’s A Million Dreams with Michael Ball.
Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions will air later this year.
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Every series of Love Island has given us a catchphrase to plaster over Twitter and a host of Primark t-shirts.
‘I’ve got a text!’ ‘Muggy.’ ‘My type on paper.’ ‘The Do Bits Society.’ And, of course, ‘I’m loyal babes.’
But new islander Lucie Donlan’s attempt to get some branding going from day dot is going down about as well as Gretchen Weiner’s attempt to make fetch a thing.
To paraphrase Mean Girls’ Regina George – stop trying to make bev happen. It’s not going to happen.
As the first episode of series five of Love Island kicked off on ITV2, viewers were already growing tired of Lucie’s catchphrase, as she used bev and bevy to describe everything from men to sexy outfits.
A bev is a drink hun (Picture: ITV/REX)
The 21-year-old clearly has merch on her mind, as she introduced the term in her entrance VT, explaining: ‘In the villa, you’re probably going to hear some new and weird words.
‘A bev is a hot guy, if he’s your boyfriend he’s your bev, but if he’s not your boyfriend he’s a bev.’
She later explained to the other female islanders that a sexy outfit was ‘bevy’, before calling the late arrivals Curtis Pritchard and Tommy Fury ‘bevs’ and asking Amy Hart: ‘What do you think about your bev?’
And people were seconds from chucking their remotes at the telly:
To be fair, Lucie’s introduction of ‘bev’ did give Amy her first LOL moment of the series, when she called partner Anton Danyluk ‘Anton Du Bev’. Give the girl a hand.
While bev is going to catch on as much as Dr Alex’s ‘ahoy-oy’ (fast forward to six weeks time when we have it in our Twitter bio for some reason), Love Island fans are loving the other catchphrase of the night – ‘it is what it is’.
Sherif Lanre and Michael Griffiths both repeatedly uttered the phrase after being sent to the subs bench when they were pied during the first coupling up ceremony.
Sherif may have actually coined the 2019 catchphrase (Picture: ITV)
And for these grim times, it seems pretty on point.
The first episode of Love Island has already seen the nation become obsessed, with many shipping brainboxes Michael and Yewande, calling on Sandwich Joe to win, and branding Anton a snake after he tried chatting up Lucie despite being coupled up with Amy.
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Love Island got off to a raunchy start on Monday night when sought-after surfer babe Lucie Donlan revealed she once had sex in a nightclub.
The 21-year-old, who has already caught the attention of a number of the men in the villa just 24 hours in, admitted during a game of Never Have I Ever that she’d got in the mood while in the middle of a club.
She said: ‘I had a full-on boyfriend and then just went in the toilet bevved each other up and then fell asleep in there.
‘We woke up and we walked out afterwards and we were like: “What?!”
‘It was all shut down, everyone had gone so we just had to go out the fire exit.’
Lucie Donlan admitted she had slept with her boyfriend in a toilet – then fell asleep (Picture: ITV)
While the story certainly proved to be entertaining among the new group as they got to know each other, viewers watching at home weren’t buying it.
Thinking about it logically, viewers thought that the Newquay native was telling porkies – because nightclub workers would’ve checked the loos before clocking off for the evening.
So, obviously, everyone vented about it on Twitter.
Whether she’s telling the truth or not, she’s certainly proving popular among the men in this year’s villa – with three separately vying for her attention.
As she keeps trying to make bev happen (it’s not going to happen), Lucie’s first couple up session proved to be a little dramatic.
Originally pairing up for Michael, she almost immediately switched to Joe after meeting him and deciding he was more her type.
However, that didn’t stop Anton, who was paired up with Amy, to make his moves on her later in the day.
Despite being paired up with Amy, viral sensation Anton’s ‘wandering eye’ was put into effect and left everyone cringing at the attempt.
Even last year’s islander Jack Fowler live-streamed his reaction to the moment, saying: ‘It’s been one day, rude boy! It’s been one day.
‘Let her breathe. Let her know where the toilets are at least!’
Love Island continues weekdays at 9pm on ITV2.
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But this is reality TV and they’ve not only got to graft with each other but they need to crack on with the cameras and win over us, the adoring public, who will be voting for them each week to remain in the villa.
Already the first 10 islanders have already begun to divide the nation.
However, a few stand out as being ready to get their feet well and truly under the day beds, so of course we’ve decided to rank them by our personal preferences so far.
Is Amy too nice for this show which, arguably, has become more about drama than love?
At 26, she’s looking for love and admitted in her first five minutes in the villa that she’s never had a boyfriend and wants to find someone who will reciprocate all the love she has to give.
Please let there be someone for her.
3. Michael
Love Island’s Michael (Picture: ITV)
Firefighter Michael has been misjudged by the entire villa already and seemed to be on the backfoot as soon he walked in – tattoos and muscles do not equal bad boy any more, ladies.
He’s now coupled up with Yewande though, who has already apologised for her preconceptions – and we’re hopeful for these two.
4. Joe
Love Island’s Joe (Picture: ITV)
He’s the sandwich man.
And Joey Tribbiani was right, there is no better meal than the humble sandwich.
5. Anna
Love Island’s Anna (Picture: ITV)
Anna has a quiet confidence we love, and clearly knows what she wants in a guy refusing to step forward for any of the first five boys.
She may be playing a long game but she seems to be genuine so far.
6. Lucie
Love Island’s Lucie (Picture: ITV)
Lucie is trying too hard but that may simply be nerves. She’s open and friendly and seems to be getting on with all the girls but has already got herself into the first drama of the series, and needs to tread carefully moving forward.
He gave Caroline Flack the double kiss, winning himself over with the girls with the gentleman act, and at 28 he’s the oldest boy in the villa.
Despite fears he may be the Dr Alex of 2019, Callum could pull this one out of the bag – just once he’s found a girl who doesn’t think 28 is old.
8. Sherif
Love Island’s Sherif (Picture: ITV
Oof, Sherif had a pout bigger than a trout after he got relegated to the subs bench during the first coupling up.
Is that a hint of arrogance we’re seeing?
Hopefully he can win us back over because that yellow floral shirt he wore on the first day was a winner.
9. Amber
Love Island’s Amber (Picture: ITV)
28 is not old, Amber.
10. Anton
Love Island’s Anton (Picture: ITV)
We’re all for second chances but Anton’s got a lot to prove after a) being revealed to have dressed up in blackface just five short years ago and b) already binning off Amy and making a play for Lucie all before the first night.
It’s going to be a long hot summer…
Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITV2.
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It’s that time of year again – Love Island is back on our screens, and Piers Morgan has something to say about it.
The Good Morning Britain host was left slamming the show for its content and stars on today’s daytime TV show after being horrified at a clip where Sherif was rejected by all the women in a super awkward line up.
As Susanna Reid held her head in her hands, Piers flew into the rage about the show and its contestants, asking baffled: ‘Is that what this is? What a repulsive thing!’
Mocking the show and the accents of the contestants, Piers slammed the show for just being full of ‘fat lips and tattoos’.
Blowing up his face with pursed lips, he asked: ‘What is it with the lips thing with this generation?
‘Why do they want to all blow their lips up like balloons? What is that all about? All of them?’
Piers mocked Love Island stars for their ‘fat lips’ (Picture: ITV)
Susanna agreed, admitting that she didn’t quite understand it either – but she well and truly understood the attraction behind men with tattoos.
Fawning over her ideal man with Richard Arnold, the star admitted that she was looking for a hunky and tall army veteran with tattoo sleeves.
Somehow it sounds even worse when it’s repeated at length by an entire group of people.
And we’re only on day one of Love Island…
Love Island continues weekdays at 9pm on ITV2.
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David Blaine’s interview with Eamonn Holmes is still one of the most painful five minutes of television (Picture: ITV)
Lorraine Kelly couldn’t resist confronting David Blaine about the most painful interview of Eamonn Holmes’ career, when the magician refused to speak on GMTV back in 2001.
The chat is still as uncomfortable to watch today as it was 18 years ago, with Eamonn admitting it was by far his worst TV moment to date.
‘He just refused to talk and so I did all the talking and then he showed me the eye that he had drawn on his palm,’ Eamonn told RadioTimes.com.
‘I asked, “What’s that?” and he said, “Protection” and I said, “Protection from what?” and he said, “Death”. I thought, “Well, I’ll need that because I’m dying on my feet here.”’
It was a horror show, which you can watch below… if you’re brave enough.
But not for David, who was actually pretty chill about the whole thing.
‘You weren’t talking to him – you never said anything,’ giggled Lorraine. ’But now you are very chatty.’
‘I didn’t want to bore him,’ explained David. ‘So I figured less is more.’
Not in an interview, Dave. Not in an interview.
Since then, David has gone on to welcome his first daughter, Dessa, eight, which he says is the reason why he’s no longer risking his life for entertainment, which is fair.
‘That’s why I actually haven’t done anything that dangerous in the past six years or so,’ he said.
‘She’s amazing because she’s actually really good at it but if she did any of the stuff I do… if she bumps her knee on the table I start screaming.’
Lorraine airs weekdays at 8.30am on ITV.
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Marcel Somerville has gone in on the first Love Island coupling (Picture: ITV/Getty)
Love Island has already caused upset after Sherif Lane, Yewande Biala and Michael Griffiths were all snubbed in the very first coupling, with former islander Marcel Somerville suggesting the result was ‘racist’.
The Blazin’ Squad chart-topper moved into the Love Island villa in 2017 and told Metro.co.uk his first day in paradise was ‘the worst’ when no female contestant stepped forward as he threw his hat into the ring.
Sherif’s arrival was met with tumbleweed, Michael was replaced by Callum MacLeod and not one gent chose to pick scientist Yewande.
‘This is mad!!!!’ Marcel kicked off on Twitter. ‘#LoveIsland flash backs! Black guy, black girl and mixed race guy all left unpicked. Mad!!!’
And plenty of his followers agreed, with one fan replying beaneth: ‘Was thinking the same. Yewande is stunning too!!’
‘It’s so awkward!’ cried another, which was echoed by: ‘Same story different year.’
Samira Mighty is confused by the Yewande comparisons by Love Island fans (Picture: Rex Features
However, after reluctantly coupling up with Michael, Yewande appeared to change her tune when the firefighter dropped the bombshell he’s a former biomedical science student. Basically, he’s a dreamboat.
Ahead of Love Island’s return, last year’s hero Samira Mighty revealed to Metro.co.uk she was already nervous for Yewande and was understandably frustrated by their immediate comparisons.
‘The only thing that is similar – it’s not even the colour of our skin – it’s that she is a shade of brown,’ she sighed. ‘I was trending on Twitter when the line-up came out because of the comparisons.
‘I’m different from her. I’m a theatrical person and she’s a scientist. I think our personalities are different. You can even see it in the first intro (video). Our personalities are so different.’
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.
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Neither I nor any of my mates look anything like the Love Island contestants (Picture: REX)
I’ve got a text! And a reinforced, unrealistic concept of body image! Isn’t Love Island great?
Last night marked the return of everything we love to hate. In 1969 humanity sent Neil Armstrong and a bunch of his pals the moon. In 2019 we sent some social media influencers to Majorca. And who said society was dumbing down?
All you need to know about the show is there are 12 single hotties, one massive villa and eight weeks to couple up and win the 50k cash prize. Simple.
But it doesn’t take much investigating into the show to uncover a bit of an issue…
Jesus Christ, all the lads look the same. No, but seriously they do. Given this show is supposed to represent a broad cross section of the UK public, and is therefore moulding what our perceptions of ‘good-looking’ is, I can therefore conclude that being a good-looking man in 2019 entails:
Having a six-pack
Big biceps
A waxed chest
I have none of these. And barring my mate Matt, who loves the gym, neither do any of my mates. Either I have got one of the worst looking groups of mates in history – and let’s not rule that out – or maybe Love Island isn’t entirely representative.
And maybe putting this incredibly niche body type onto our screens every night and hailing it the ideal body is not healthy either?
In fact, according to research by the Mental Health Foundation, nearly a quarter of 18-24 year olds have said reality TV shows – like Love Island – have caused them to worry about body image.
It’s really not surprising. Looking at all the male contestants going into the villa this year, not a single one physically represents me.
Where’s the slightly chubby, bearded one from Preston who likes a doner kebab and a red wine on a Friday night? (Picture: ITV/Rex)
While I am proud of the way I look now, it hasn’t always been this way. I have had first-hand experience of body confidence issues, which were made worse by the lack of representation I saw on my TV screen.
I have had those awful moments in changing rooms where you don’t feel quite good enough – where you look in the mirror and compare yourself to what society perceives as the ideal body.
I was fortunate – I had amazing people around me who gave me the confidence to speak out about body image. But not everyone is as lucky as me, which is why it would be so much simpler to have people who represent all male bodies on our screens.
Where’s the slightly chubby, bearded one from Preston who likes a doner kebab and a red wine on a Friday night? He certainly didn’t get a text. He’s not in Spain. He’s still in Zulfi’s kebab shop because they got his order wrong.
I know that body may not have the same appeal in HD as the toned men we’re used to seeing but it’s bloody important it is shown – because not everyone has a six-pack and conforms to conventional notions of beauty.
Of course every man looks like this in a shower (Picture: ITV/REX)
And the thing is, these unrepresented bodies are still good looking. Trust me, a belly and beard can be swag.
It’s unfair to put this problem solely at the feet of Love Island, because it is about so much more than reality TV. Male body image is a topic never touched on. Blokes barely talk about their feelings, never mind not feeling comfortable in their own skin.
With suicide claiming the lives of so many men, we need to talk more, period. And talking about body image is just one piece in that puzzle.
Women are so much more switched on this in this department. They know photoshopping exists, there are women shouting from the rooftops that you don’t have to be size 0 to be hot.
This is a widely held conversation – thank Christ – and because of this the media has started to change the way it represents women. It’s not perfect but it is getting better.
However, I just don’t think men are having the same conversation so it’s going under the radar.
Personally, I prefer the dad bod look (Picture: ITV/Rex)
So, let me put this out there as a 25-year-old man.
You do not have to be six foot, with a six-pack and waxed chest to be good-looking. That’s absolute balls. Look at Leonardo DiCaprio – he is killing that dad bod look.
Male 20-somethings across the UK are being confronted with an image of masculinity that is completely unachievable to the average person and, in some cases, not healthy or safe.
And unless the media starts to represent men in a variety of different ways, this perception is never going to change. Not just on Love Island, but across media as a whole.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. We have a choice. We can start to talk about how we feel about our bodies and how masculinity is defined.
It starts in pubs and the stands of football matches. We can accept that we’re not always perfect, HD-ready or toned. We can redefine what good looking is and screw what is held up to us as aspirational.
Colin wants to appear on his wife’s favourite show (Picture: Rex)
Britain’s Got Talent winner Colin Thackery has been melting hearts everywhere thanks to his loving tale of his late wife – but there’s one thing he wants to do to truly honour her.
The 89-year-old Chelsea pensioner, and this year’s champion of the talent competition, has admitted that he wants to attend Loose Women because it was his wife’s favourite show.
‘Joan never missed Loose Women,’ he told Daily Star. ‘She’d always watch it at home. She would have loved that.’
Admitting that his personal favourite of the show’s line-up is Ruth Langsford (watch out, Eamonn!), Thackery added that he has big plans for his future.
‘I may have won ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ but I am not done yet,’ he said. ‘I’d love to go on Loose Women.
‘It would be a fine thing at my age to be a Loose Man.’
Colin won Britain’s Got Talent 2019 after an intense final in which he was placed up against magicians Ben Hart and secretive X, who was later revealed to be Marc Spelmann.
Throughout the show, he had credited his motivation on wife Joan, who died in 2016.
They had been married for 66 years.
During his time on the show, he sang Wind Beneath My Wings and We’ll Meet Again, before he eventually clinched the win with his rendition of Love Changes Everything.
Joan and Colin were married for 66 years (Picture: ITV/Supplied)
‘It is very difficult for me to put into words how much it would mean. I cannot even imagine being on that stage in the presence of royalty. It would be absolutely marvellous,’ he added to The Sun.
Revealing that he learned to sing to keep up morale while in the Army, the veteran added that he was hoping that he could raise awareness of the ‘epidemic’.
‘I’m doing my bit for the oldies. Loneliness is epidemic among the older generation and I think that if you’re lonely, you need to go out and do something,’ he told the paper.
Britain’s Got Talent is available now on catch-up.
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Over the next eight weeks we’ll no doubt all be hooked as the Islanders get to know each other, fall in love and no doubt create a whole lot of drama along the way.
Monday night’s show saw the first batch of Islanders coupled up, with things quickly getting complicated as some couples which had been formed were quickly broken – relegating contestants including Michael and Sherif to the ‘subs bench’.
Those of you who have tuned in before will be familiar with all of this of course – but with the show becoming more popular by the series, there may well have been some viewers on Monday night who just couldn’t keep up with what was going on?
So just what is Love Island, how does the show work, and just what are the rules?
For those who are still trying to make sense of it all, Here’s your foolproof guide to what’s going on…
What is Love Island and how does the show work?
The idea behind Love Island is a simple one – a bunch of single people spend the best part of the summer living in a luxury villa in Majorca, where they try and find themselves a partner from among the other contestants.
This is done by means of ‘coupling up’, which happens as soon as the contestants arrive on the island – with each of the boys choosing one of the girls that they are initially attracted to, that they would like to get to know better.
It doesn’t end there though as the boys are allowed to ‘steal’ one of the other girls from someone they have already coupled up with – relegating that contestant to the subs’ bench (as happened last night when Joe chose Lucie, even though Michael had already chosen to couple up with her – and Callum then chose Amber who had been coupled with Sherif).
Amber ended up with Callum after previously being chosen by Sherif (Picture: ITV)
Throughout the series there are regular ‘recouplings’ – in which those who are coupled up can choose to stay with the person they’re with, or choose another person who has taken their fancy to couple with.
Anybody who is left single after a recoupling is dumped from the island and eliminated from the show.
Couples can also be eliminated via public vote, with viewers voting for their favourite couples during the series – and the ones receiving the fewest votes at risk of being dumped.
While 12 Islanders have initially gone into the show, more newcomers will be regularly added to the villa as others leave – making the process of coupling and recoupling more complicated.
How is the winner decided and what do they get?
The first coupling up of the series already brought the drama (Picture: ITV)
The winning couple is chosen by public vote and revealed in a live final.
They receive a £50,000 cash prize – but in an added twist one half of the couple is given the option to split the money with their partner – or keep the whole lot for themselves, thus revealing whether they really are in it for love or money.
How can people vote for their favourites?
You can do so by downloading the official Love Island app for android or Apple iOS – with votes normally announced at the end of shows as and when they happen.
As well as voting for your favourites, viewers can also influence what goes on on the island by voting for which Islander they would like to see go on a date with a new contestant after they have arrived.
Are there other rules on the show?
While the saucy games and bed-hopping antics might suggest Love Island is a fairly relaxed place to be, contestants actually have to follow a strict code of conduct during their time there.
According to the Mirror contestants are not allowed to appear naked in front of one another, and as the villa is seen as a public place they are discouraged from gadding about in the buff – even in the shower.
Masturbation is also a no-no, as is engaging in sexual activity while drunk – although there may not be much chance of that, since alcohol intake is generally restricted.
Former contestant Liana Isadora Van-Riel, who was on the show in 2016, told The Sun: ‘You’re allowed one or two drinks a night, either wine or beer, no spirits.’
Following a string of complaints about the 2017 series, contestants are also banned from smoking outside of a designated smoking area which only one Islander is allowed to use at a time.
And those who do get around to doing the deed are supplied with condoms and offered counselling afterwards.
When is Love Island on?
The series continues on ITV2 on Tuesday night at 9pm.
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Tommy Fury, right, is already on course to win Love Island according to statistics (Picture: ITV/REX)
Love Island star Tommy Fury has already won the show after just one day – according to statistics, anyway.
Tommy, the brother of boxer Tyson Fury, was a late entry to the villa when the new series started on Monday night, arriving with Curtis Pritchard, the brother of Strictly Come Dancing pro AJ Pritchard.
Viewers who took a shine to him will be pleased to hear that he could make it all the way to the final, if the show’s history is anything to go by.
Betting experts at Bookmakers.tv have done their research and found that two out of the four last male winners – Kem Cetinay and Jack Fincham – have the star sign Taurus, like Tommy does.
Also all four past male winners have had dark hair like Tommy, and three of those winners have been under 25. Tommy is 20 years old.
Three out of four of the last male winners have been six foot or under, which the boxer fits into nicely at exactly six foot tall. The only guy to break the height rule was Max Morley in season one.
‘Our research suggests other guys should not even bother turning up to the villa as Fury will mug off the competition with ease,’ a spokesman for Bookmakers.tv said.
Tommy arrived with Curtis Pritchard (Picture: ITV/REX)
‘Meanwhile it’s all to play for with the ladies with various contestants ticking the boxes – one thing is for sure, they will be queuing up to couple up with Tommy at the first coupling tonight.’
After Tommy and Curtis arrived at the villa, the show introduced the first twist of the series which could see two guys leave in the first day.
The girls – Amy Hart, Amber Gill, Anna Vakili, Yewande Biala and Lucie Dolan – have only been given 24 hours to choose partners, which means two boys tonight are likely to be booted off.
It looks like Sherif may be most at risk as, Anna, who is coupled up with him, seemed interested in Curtis from the get-go.
As it stands, the couples are Amy and Anton, Yewande and Michael, Lucie and Joe, Anna and Sherif and Amber and Callum.
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.
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Treat yourself to a water bottle that won’t break the bank
If you’re a fan of Love Island then chances are you might want to take that devotion to the next level with a spot of show-friendly merchandise.
There’s no shortage of stuff out there, from phone cases to newly created luggage – but one of the most popular items is that much-coveted personalised water bottle.
You can get the official one from the Love Island Shop for £15 – but what if your budget doesn’t stretch that far?
Well there’s no need to miss out completely, even if you’re watching the pennies – as there are plenty of alternatives available that won’t break the bank.
Here’s some of the best you might like to consider…
This one comes in different colours too (Picture: Getting Personal)
Not so keen on having your name in pink? This one offers you a green alternative, and you can get it for £14.99 from Getting Personal.
A simple alternative to the original (Picture: Etsy)
This one allows you to choose your font style and colour, while adding a fruit infuser to liven up your water. Get it for £9.99 from Etsy.
Colourful. (Picture: Wowcher)
A colourful alternative to the original, and once again comes with a fruit infuser. Currently £8.99 from Wowcher.
You could always do it yourself with supplied stickers (Picture: Ebay)
If you want to save a bit of cash but still keep in with the water bottle brigade, you could always buy the bottle and stickers and sort it yourself. This one’s just 99p from Ebay.
Fancy a purple personalisation? (Picture: Prezzybox)
If pink isn’t your thing then consider this alternative, which allows you to personalise your bottle in purple. Get yours for £14.99 from Prezzybox.
This one is pretty classic (Picture: Prezzybox)
Or you could just go for the simple classic approach. Get this one for £14.99 from Prezzybox.
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The Wanted star Max George has denied messaging the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, insisting that ‘there was nothing from my side’.
The singer was rumoured to have exchanged messages on Twitter long before she met Prince Harry.
It reportedly came after her marriage to Trevor Engleson ended in 2013 and she was hoping to find love in the UK.
But Max strongly denied that there had been any contact between them.
Speaking on This Morning on Tuesday, he said: ‘I don’t know where that came from. I did read something over the weekend.
‘I also read about looking for an Englishman, I don’t get why they’re doing this to her.
‘There was nothing from my side.’
Asked by host Phillip Schofield if that meant there was something from Meghan’s, Max replied: ‘There wasn’t. There was nothing in it.’
Meghan Markle was rumoured to have messaged Max George before she met Prince Harry (Picture: Getty)
The singer definitely didn’t slide into the Duchess’ DMs (Picture: ITV/REX)
The Sun previously claimed via a source that Meghan and Max had ‘swapped messaged and had a lovely conversation but in the end nothing came out of it – she met her husband soon after.’
‘Matt couldn’t believe a Hollywood star like Meghan would even know who he was so he was very flattered and they chatted a little bit online before she suggested meeting up,’ a source close to Matt claimed to The Sun, alleging that Meghan was in London at the time.
But Matt then met his girlfriend Amber Hernaman and ‘ghosted’ Meghan.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10.30am on ITV.
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Gemma Whelan hasn’t actually seen the Game of Thrones finale yet (Picture: HBO)
Gemma Whelan is yet to sit down and watch the Game of Thrones finale, despite being one of the few cast members from the past eight seasons who made it to the calamity that was The Iron Throne.
But if you want a verdict from Gemma, who starred as Yara Greyjoy in the fantasy epic, you’ll have to wait until she gets set up with the internet.
‘I haven’t watched the end yet, no,’ the 38-year-old admitted to Tim Lovejoy on Sunday Brunch.
‘I do know what happens. I came home and my husband was watching it and I saw the final bit but I haven’t seen most of the series yet, because we didn’t have internet in our house.’
It’s been three weeks, Gem!
Although, if you listen to fandom, perhaps she needn’t bother.
While showrunners DB Weiss and David Benioff take the slack for the disappointing end game, which saw Bran Stark (played by Isaac Hempstead Wright) somehow claim the Six Kingdoms, Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) go off on a cruise and Jon Snow (Kit Harington) banished to The Wall, the conclusion was George RR Martin’s plan all along.
‘David and Dan told me there were two things George RR Martin had planned for Bran – that was the Hodor revelation, and that he would be king,’ Isaac Hempstead Wright explained in Making Game of Thrones documentary, The Last Watch.
‘So that’s pretty special to be directly involved in something that is part of George’s vision. It was a really nice way to wrap it up.’
Game of Thrones seasons one to eight are available to stream on NOW TV.
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