New York State

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

The Masked Singer crowns Pufferfish as its winner – and star is revealed to be HUGE movie and West End star

THE Masked Singer has crowned its latest winner with Pufferfish being unmasked as a major theatre star.

Fans of the ITV guessing game were left stunned when it was confirmed that Pufferfish was in fact the West End’s leading lady, Samantha Barks.

Pufferfish costume on The Masked Singer.
ITV
Pufferfish has WON The Masked Singer and their identity has finally been unmasked[/caption]
Smiling woman in colorful costume on stage.
West End icon Samantha Barks was crowned the champion
Screenshot of a man and woman on a stage; the woman is wearing a large, colorful costume.
Samantha was left over the moon to be crowned champion

They beat off competition from Dressed Crab and Wolf who were also revealed to be major stars.

The show’s panel – Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama and guest judge Danny Jones – were left in awe when Samantha took off their mask to finally confirm their identity.

Speaking after she was unmasked, the star said to the panel: “I’ve had the best time, I’ve had the best time. Underneath the mask I’ve been smiling the whole time.”

Samantha, 34, rose to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC talent show I’d Do Anything.

The programme searched for an actress to play Nancy in a revival of Oliver!

She made her film debut in the 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables, starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway.

More recently, she has become the biggest West End star since Elaine Page and is famed for playing Elsa in the theatre production of Frozen.

Finishing a close runner-up to Samantha was Dressed Crab who turned out to be soul and jazz star Gregory Porter.

The 53-year-old has specifically twice won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album – in 2014 and 2017.

In addition, the musician is also known for his recognisable newsboy-style cap.

Wolf fell at the final hurdle and was revealed to have finished in 3rd place in the contest.

It was soon revealed to be iconic 80s singer Marti Pellow.

The singer rose to fame thanks to being the frontman of Wet Wet Wet.

In tonight’s final, the top three all undertook a duet with a past Masked Singer favourite who all made a comeback to the show.

Samantha Barks at the New York Pops 39th Birthday Gala.
Getty
West End star Samantha Barks was confirmed to be under the mask and the winner of the show[/caption]
Pufferfish costume performing on stage.
Pufferfish was crowned the winner

Claire Richards from Steps was back as Knitting and last year’s champion Danny Jones returned as Piranha for extra special duets.

And US singer Keala Settle from The Greatest Showman even made a shock comeback as Air Fryer – much to the delight of the panel.

However, one person who failed to appear on the show was judge Mo Gilligan.

The comedian was missing for the second week running with his absence left unaddressed by his co-stars.

A crab costume in a red flamenco dress on a stage.
ITV
Dressed Crab finished in second place[/caption]
Screenshot of Barry White smiling.
Gregory Porter was unmasked as Dressed Crab
Gregory Porter at the 67th Grammy Awards.
The Mega Agency
Gregory Porter was confirmed to be Dressed Crab[/caption]

Last year’s winner, Danny Jones, instead filled in for him and took his place on the panel.

Pufferfish, Dressed Crab and Wolf had all managed to make it to the final after beating off tough competition from stars such as Andrea Corr, Example, Natalie Cassidy and Macy Gray.

One of this series’ most notable moments came in the form of US singer Macy storming off the stage after being forced to unmask herself after just three weeks in the competition.

Macy initially refused to take off her mask and had a backstage meltdown lasting over an hour before finally being persuaded to return to the stage.

Who has left The Masked Singer 2025 so far?

Much to the delight of telly fans, The Masked Singer is back in 2025.

Twelve celebrities have been hidden behind intricate costumes, with their identities concealed.

Sadly, not all of this year’s whacky and wonderful characters can make it to the end of the show, as there can only be one winner.

Here’s who has been unmasked so far:

Bush – she didn’t fool viewers and the judges were so close, but Bush was in fact EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy. Davina McCall came closest, guessing Morgana Robinson, who does a mean impression of the Sonia actress

Bear – another success for new judge Maya Jama as she guessed correctly that the singing Bear was none other than singer, songwriter Example – real name Elliot Gleave

Snail – this singer certainly fooled the judges as the mask was lifted to reveal Andrea Corr. Jonathan Ross admitted to being a huge fan of The Corrs

Kingfisher – everyone was convinced this was Harry Hill, but the mask was lifted to reveal artist Sir Grayson Perry, who is known for his alter-ego Claire

Teeth – this character baffled judges and viewers with their changing voice. They were finally unmasked as former Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc. None of the panel managed to guess it was her

Tattoo – despite Davina McCall saying “you sound the same” after this character was unmasked, none of the judges guessed it was 80s singer Carol Decker, whose hit China In Your Hand was a No1 hit for five weeks

Toad In The Hole – a massive diva strop saw the character storm off the stage after the judges voted them off. They later returned to be unmasked as singer Macy Gray

Pegasus – the mythical horse was revealed to be Prue Leith, with judge Jonathan Ross correctly guessing her identity

Spag Bol – this character was first to be unmasked and was none other than Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway.

Plus there was one extra unmasking this season, with Giant Joel – a caricature of host Joel Dommett – unveiled as double-double Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah.

Wolf costume from The Masked Singer.
ITV
Wolf finished in 3rd place on the show[/caption]
Screenshot of a man in a fur coat being interviewed.
Marti Pellow was Wolf
Screenshot of a singing competition, featuring a contestant in a red, ruffled costume with claw-like hands, and a host.
Dressed Crab’s identity was Gregory Porter

Read More »

Bayern medics rush to treat Harry Kane after sickening head injury as fans slam Piero Hincapie for giving him ‘whiplash’

BAYERN MUNCH medics rushed to Harry Kane’s aid after a head clash with Piero Hincapie.

The England captain started up front against Bayer Leverkusen but he collided with defender Hincapie after a free kick.

Soccer players vying for a header during a match.
Getty
Harry Kane collided with Piero Hincapie[/caption]
Harry Kane receiving medical attention on the soccer field.
AP
Kane was seen to by medics[/caption]

Kane appeared to suffer a neck injury after coming down as medics rushed on the pitch to his aid.

And fans were left unimpressed after Hincapie appeared to have words with a downed Kane.

One said: “Did Hincapie just give Kane lip while he was on the ground after giving him whiplash for what was flagged to be offside even though he clearly looked to be on? Jeeze.”

Another fumed: “Really bad challenge.”

A third raged: “That player was reckless.”

Hincapie escaped any punishment as the game ended 0-0 with Kane staying on the field.

It means Leverkusen still trail league leaders Bayern by seven points after failing to close the gap.

Kane recently refused to deny he has a release clause in his Bayern deal that could signal a sensational Premier League return.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

The Tottenham legend  joined the Bundesliga giants in August 2023 for £104million.

Reports in Germany claim there is a buy-out option of £54million in the striker’s contract that he can activate in January 2026.

The clause could have allegedly been met during the recent winter transfer window for the higher fee of £67million.

Asked about the situation, Kane, 31, said: “What I can say is that I’m very happy at FC Bayern. No comment on the clause.”

Read More »

Inside the Hundred revolution with new team owners Todd Boehly and Tom Brady ready to pay cricket stars the BIG bucks

ENGLAND’S top stars have been promised a jackpot following The Hundred’s big sell-off.

Players such as Test captain Ben Stokes and white-ball skipper Jos Buttler will rake in vastly increased salaries playing in the tournament.

Todd Boehly speaking at a conference.
Getty
Todd Boehly is an investor in The Hundred[/caption]
Tom Brady wearing sunglasses.
Getty
NFL legend Tom Brady owns a stake in Birmingham Phoenix[/caption]

The auction of the eight franchises will bring around £560million into cricket with money split between the 18 counties, MCC and the grassroots game.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady are among the investors.

And ECB chief executive Richard Gould says players’ wages will soar from 2026 when the new investors get properly involved.

The top salary bracket in The Hundred rises from £125,000 to £200,000 in 2025, which still pales in comparison to the riches of the IPL, where players can become instant millionaires.

From 2026, the top Hundred figure is likely to reach £300,000 with further increases after that.

The new backers of the eight city-based Hundred teams — including four IPL owners as well as American consortiums featuring Boehly and Brady — will raise pay to  lure the best global stars.

Gould said: “We need to make sure The Hundred attracts the very best players.

“We know that players’ salaries will increase significantly in future years.

“That is going to happen. We will make sure we are the leaders in the global market during the English summer.

“Attracting the best players will make sure we have all the best English players — men and women — playing in our competition.

“They will be paid the top market rate.”

Buying teams that are just four years old, the mega-rich have grabbed a slice of historic venues such as Lord’s, The Oval and Headingley.

ECB chair Richard Thompson describes the windfall as a “seminal moment” for the game.

Photo of Ben Stokes, cricketer.
PA
Cricket superstars like Ben Stokes will see their salaries take a massive jump[/caption]

He has written an open letter to cricket fans to try to ease worries that the auction could wreck county cricket.

Many counties face financial hardship and their £25m share of the bonanza will help pay off debts and improve infrastructure.

The big worry is that the money will not be used wisely and, in perhaps 15 years, some counties could find they are back to square one.

That is why spending must first be approved by the ECB.

The Hundred teams and their worth

The Hundred boasts teams from all over country. SunSport gives you a guide to who's who, as well as how much they are worth.

LONDON SPIRIT

HOME: Lord’s

THE kudos of a link with the Home of Cricket inflated the price of London Spirit. And a Silicon Valley consortium of mainly cricket-mad Indians splashed the cash.

COST:  £145m (49%)

NORTHERN SUPER CHARGERS

HOME: Headingley

DEBT-HIT Yorkshire were forced to flog their entire stake, bought by media   company Sun Group, which owns IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad.

COST: £100m (100 per cent).

BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX

HOME: Edgbaston

BOUGHT by New York-based Knighthead Capital, who owns Birmingham City and includes NFL legend Tom Brady.

COST: £40m (49%).

OVAL INVINCIBLES

HOME: The Oval

A HUGE stake was acquired by Reliance Industries —  owned by Asia’s richest family the Ambanis,  who now boast five franchises globally.

COST: £60m (49 per cent)

WELSH FIRE

HOME: Cardiff

SANJAY GOVIL is in at Glamorgan. The tech tycoon owns Washington Freedom in America’s Major League Cricket tournament.

COST: £35m (50 per cent).

MANCHESTER INVINCIBLES

HOME: Old Trafford

LANCASHIRE sold a massive 70 per cent to ease their financial worries. Their new investors RPSG Group own IPL team Lucknow Super Giants.

COST: £81m (70 per cent)

Investors believe their money can be recouped mainly from future TV deals for The Hundred.

From 2026, expect name changes and greater alignment with other IPL-owned teams around the globe.

The Hundred could also become a T20 tournament, although the ECB deny this was a condition of the sale.

Read More »

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch could face a leadership challenge within months party insiders warn

KEMI Badenoch could face a leadership challenge “within months” senior Tories have secretly warned – as donors desert the crisis-hit party.

Shadow Cabinet ministers say the Tory leader is bombing at PMQs and being outshone by Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

Portrait of Kemi Badenoch.
Reuters
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is on the ropes[/caption]

One said: “PMQs this week was woeful. She is getting worse and worse and Keir is getting better.

“We want Kemi to succeed but she needs to change her tactics.

“The problem is she doesn’t listen to anyone. She needs to change course and quickly.

“And she needs to get some new members of her team who can actually stand up to her and say no and she will listen to them.”

Another senior Tory said: “The shadow cabinet is desperate to do something and attack. But Kemi won’t do anything.

“There was a shadow Cabinet meeting on the anniversary of her first 100 days as leader. .

“And absolutely nothing was planned to go on the attack.

“Meanwhile, Reform were out getting headlines with their Kemi books saying she hadn’t done anything since being leader.”

Kemi has until September to turn things around or serious questions will be asked of her leadership, the source said.

Another said: “I thought she would survive the May elections even if they are bad just because she hasn’t been in post long. But now I am not so sure.

In another blow to the under-fire Tory boss, she left a swanky dinner with a wealthy possible donor empty handed.

Kemi and her team went to Middlesborough FC wonder Steve Gibson’s mansion in North Yorkshire on Thursday night.

Mr Gibson – who has previously backed Labour and is worth a mega £640milllion – treated them to dinner and a sleepover.

But The Sun on Sunday understands they left without any money or a pledge of support from the football boss.

Tory Party coffers are running dry – and the party has been forced to lay off staff at their HQ.

Reform party Treasurer Nick Candy is busy hoovering up lots of donations from the City – traditionally where the Tories get a lot of their money from.

A Tory source said: “He is stealing candy from a baby.”

Meanwhile some Labour MPs are purposely “going soft” on Kemi as they do not want her toppled too quickly in case the party gets a more effective leader.

A Labour MP told The Sun on Sunday: “Labour MPs have been saying to each other – go soft on Kemi as we do not want her gone yet.”

Tory sources hit back – insisting it was never their intention to leave Mr Gibson’s home with a cheque or political backing.

She is out “working hard” and listening to people, the source added.
A source at the dinner added: “It went well. Kemi hit her stride.”

Read More »

Men arrested for stealing 200 packs of butter and 146 blocks of Parmesan cheese

butter thieves in Dusseldorf Germany
Not sure what recipes call for this much butter, cheese and… laundry tablets (Picture: Düsseldorf Police)

The recipe for the perfect crime involves at least 200 bars of butter and nearly 150 blocks of cheese.

At least, that’s according to two men that German police arrested on Thursday for stealing a ‘considerable amount of food’.

The alleged shoplifters were pulled over while driving along Kölner Landstraße, a road that runs through the Wersten district of Düsseldorf.

Inside the boot and stacked high on the back seats of the Mercedes car, patrol officers found 200 packs of butter, 146 pieces of Parmesan cheese, several bags of Ariel washing liquid pods and salmon.

The men, both aged 50, also had bolt cutters, a machete and two knives in the vehicle. 

‘The duo could not provide any plausible explanations for the items found,’ the police said.

butter thieves in Dusseldorf Germany
Guessing neither of the men are lactose-intolerant (Picture: Düsseldorf Police)

Police first grew suspicious of the men, a German and Romanian national, when they noticed their car was registered in Cologne.

The officers stopped the vehicle as part of a ‘strategic search’ that, police said, allowed them to temporarily arrest the suspected food thieves.

Neither man could show police a receipt for the haul of dairy goods.

Investigators discovered the food was taken from a local discount grocer, which police gave back

The suspects were already known to the police for similar thefts, the force added.

They have since been released ‘due to a lack of grounds for detention’.

butter thieves in Dusseldorf Germany
A machete was also found inside the Mercedes (Picture: Düsseldorf Police)

While sacks of bank notes or expensive phones might be the usual MO of thieves, stealing butter does make a lick of sense in Germany.

The average price tag of a stick of butter in Germany has increased by nearly 66% in the last four years, much like other household groceries.

Between 2023 and 2024, butter prices saw a head-spinning rise of 40%. A 250g block of butter can now set shoppers back up to €4 (about £3.33).

Dairy manufacturers in Germany say the price hikes are down to a global shortage of milk fuelled by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Fewer shoppers in Germany are also popping butter in their baskets, dairy farmers say, but demand for cheese remains high.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Read More »