4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on ‘She’s not with me’ – Jack Grealish pictured leaving swanky restaurant at the same time as mystery blonde
JACK GREALISH shouted “she’s not with me” after being pictured leaving a swanky restaurant at the same time as a mystery blonde.
The Manchester City star was all smiles as he departed Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone on Wednesday night.
SplashJack Grealish was spotted leaving a swanky restaurant at the same time as a mystery blonde[/caption]
SplashGrealish declared ‘she’s not with me’ as he left Chiltern Firehouse[/caption]
SplashKieran Gibbs’ twin brother Jaydon was situated between them[/caption]
SplashThe mystery woman and Grealish reportedly ‘looked cosy’ at the bar[/caption]
SplashGrealish went back inside the venue before exiting alone and ‘sneaking’ into a car[/caption]
And it remains unclear whether he will be involved in Man City’s Premier League clash against Newcastle tomorrow.
Other celebrities at the venue that night are said to have included Mark Ruffalo, Ellie Bamber, Morena Baccarin and Jamie Carragher.
Instagram @sasha__rebeccaGrealish has been with long-term partner Sasha Attwood for over 12 years[/caption]
InstagramThe pair met while at school[/caption]
InstagramThey welcomed their first daughter together in September[/caption]
AFPGrealish was forced off injured in Man City’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid[/caption]
But his football season was blighted by injury and long spells on the bench, leading to his omission from England’s Euro 2024 squad.
Grealish said: “Last year, the whole year itself, it was weird because my little daughter was born, but apart from that it was one of the most difficult years.
“Probably the most difficult year of my life for many reasons, on and off the pitch.
“I found it really difficult. It’s a new year now and hopefully I can kick on.”
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on ‘Devastated’ Simon Cowell ‘sobbed uncontrollably’ on day Liam Payne died and considered One Direction ‘his babies’
SIMON Cowell broke down and “sobbed” uncontrollably after being told of Liam Payne’s tragic death.
The music mogul’s close friend Sinitta, 61, has revealed for the first time how Simon, 65, reacted to Liam’s passing in October, when the One Direction singer plunged to his death from the third floor balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires aged just 31.
PASinitta revealed Simon “sobbed” at the news of Liam’s death[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationSimon had a close relationship with the One Direction band members[/caption]
Nicky Byrne HQSimon’s best pal Sinitta revealed how he was left devastated by the singer’s fatal fall[/caption]
The Eighties icon also claimed his passing was made even harder for Simon after he received “unfair” criticism from fans, who partly “blamed” the X Factor boss for Liam going off the rails.
Sinitta said: “He was absolutely devastated.
“I spoke to Simon, obviously it was a private conversation, but he usually contains his emotions, he’s quite stoic isn’t he, but he was absolutely gone.
“Just holding the phone, he was just sobbing. It’s the first time in my life I thought ‘well we normally come to you when we don’t know what to do,’ but he was absolutely devastated.
“They were like his babies.
“He went on this journey with them, he was part of it – he was almost the sixth member.”
On Simon being “blamed” for his death, she added: “I think it was a bit unfair because some people were blaming him, saying he should have done something but even though he was very young, he was still a grown man and in charge of his own life.
“You can’t bubble wrap everyone.”
Simon joined mourners, including Liam’s former partner Cheryl, the mother of his seven-year-old son Bear, and his One Direction band-mates at the late star’s funeral in November.
He was seen visibly upset during an encounter with Liam’s parents in the grounds of St Mary’s Church in Amersham, Bucks, where the service was held.
Simon first met Liam aged just 14 when the singer attempted to audition for the X Factor.
He was told to return two years later, as he was too young to participate, and successfully made his way through the auditions before Simon, plus fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger, added him to a boyband line-up which later became One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.
Sinitta, who worked on the X Factor with Simon, recalls meeting a young Liam, who she claimed was destined to be a performer, and expressed how she felt upon hearing the news of his shock death.
Speaking about the singer on the Nicky Byrne HQ podcast, she said: “He knew he wanted to be a pop star – it was in his bones
“The night that it happened, I’d gone to bed early but hadn’t turned my phone off properly. My phone kept buzzing but I was too sleepy, then it dawned on me – I’m being frantically called, something has happened – it gave me a feeling of dread.
“I couldn’t process my thoughts for a couple of days because you’re just going ‘what? Little Liam?’
PA:Press AssociationSimon formed the band in 2010 on The X Factor[/caption]
GettyLiam passed away last year[/caption]
Getty Images - GettySimon proudly watches Liam accept an award at the Brits in 2017[/caption]
GettySimon was among the mourners at Liam’s funeral[/caption]
“It was just the saddest, most awful thing. His poor parents and family. It’s the worst phone call you never want to get.”
Sinitta also believes it’s wrong to say fame brought so many negatives into Liam’s life.
She added: “People blame a lot of it on his success, you know, ‘if he hadn’t been a big pop star…’, but if you rewind and try and erase that part, you’re erasing everything else as well. You’re erasing Bear, you can’t do that.
“But of course you would trade it, just to have him at home playing football in the garden – no fame, no money.”
She added: “He was so driven, the fact that he sneaked in as a little boy of 14 he knew that was his destiny.
“You kind of feel like it was meant to be, even though it turned out the way it did.”
Liam Payne's sad death
On October 16, 2024, Liam Payne sadly died, leaving family, friends and fans devastated.
Here we take you through the biggest stories to unfold since his tragic passing:
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Vanessa Feltz’s ex ENGAGED as fiancee, 29, shows off incredible ring – & proposal details will be dagger to star’s heart
PHATS & Small singer Ben Ofoedu is engaged to his new girlfriend after a very romantic proposal, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
The couple’s whirlwind romance began in the dazzling lights of Dubai earlier this year – and Ben, 52, has now taken his love story with Vanessa Brown, 29, to the next level.
Ben Ofoedu has proposed to girlfriend Vanessa BrownHe popped the question in Central Park, New YorkInstagramThe couple have been inseparable since hitting it off in Dubai last month[/caption]
Ben, who was previously engaged to broadcaster Vanessa Feltz, popped the question in the heart of New York City just before Valentine’s Day.
Sources close to the couple say he pulled off a picture-perfect proposal in Central Park, right on the iconic Bow Bridge, where their favourite film, Elf, features its famous snowball fight scene.
The movie is said to hold deep significance for them, and in true cinematic style, the setting couldn’t have been more romantic.
With a fresh blanket of snow covering the park, Ben dropped to one knee and asked Vanessa to marry him.
“Vanessa was completely surprised,” an insider reveals. “They were walking through the park, reminiscing about Elf, when Ben suddenly proposed.
“It was so heartfelt — happy tears, laughter, and, of course, an immediate ‘yes!’”
The couple sealed their engagement with a kiss and Vanessa showed off her sparkling ring in a series of photos.
They celebrated afterwards at The Plaza Hotel, toasting the occasion with glasses of champagne.
Now, they can’t wait to return to the UK to celebrate with their closest family and friends.
The pair are already planning their wedding for later in 2025, opting for a small, intimate celebration.
A representative for Ben confirmed the happy news.
The couple’s romance first made headlines in Dubai, where Vanessa — an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of VL Aesthetics — is building her brand.
Those close to Ben describe their connection as “effortless, magnetic, and utterly real”.
“Ben is absolutely smitten,” a close friend shared. “Vanessa is brilliant, ambitious, and full of life. She’s built an empire, and together, they’re unstoppable.”
He went Instagram official with new girlfriend Vanessa in January, and they have since splashed out on a £1.8million pad in trendy Soho, London.
His ex Feltz, 62, thought Ben was the one and they were madly in love for 16 years after meeting through mutual friend Keith Duffy in the early noughties.
She has since spoken of her heartache at the end of the relationship, while Ben apologised before hitting back, calling Vanessa’s public reaction “in bad taste” and claiming she “stole the best years of my life”.
The proposal location was featured in a scene from their favourite Christmas film, ElfBen and Vanessa only went Instagram official in JanuaryInstagramGettyBen with former fiancée Vanessa Feltz[/caption]
GettyThe former couple split in early 2023[/caption]
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on Ancelotti has been sacked more than Mourinho but never loses his cool unlike rivals… he’s the greatest of them all
HOW can somebody so good have been sacked so often?
ReutersCarlo Ancelotti is one of the greatest managers of all time[/caption]
AFPThe Italian has been sacked more than any other manager[/caption]
RexBut ice-cool Ancelotti always keeps his cool[/caption]
GettyHe has won trophies all across his glittering career[/caption]
The Italian leads six to five, give or take the odd ‘mutual consent’ — which of course can mean whatever you want it to.
Yet there is not a silver-fox hair out of place, the dashing blue overcoat fits like a glove and even at 65, he puts many of his younger peers to shame with his elegance and eloquence.
That was on crystal clear display as Real Madrid dismantled Manchester City’s Champions League aspirations on their own turf three days ago.
Coming from behind to beat the pride of English football with a last-gasp winner against the team Ancelotti describes as his own ‘great rivals’ — yet not even a twitch in the pulse rate in the Spanish technical area.
That unique characteristic among coaches sets Ancelotti apart. No head scratching, no bottle kicking, no digital a**e probing.
Precious few examples of super calm Carlo losing the plot with the officials or opponents.
Which when you consider he has also managed Europe’s titans in Chelsea, Juventus, AC Milan and Bayern Munich, to stay in control takes some doing.
Ancelotti has shared rooms with shadowy Russian oligarchs, endured penalty shootouts in Champions League finals and managed Everton — it’s debatable which is most scary.
Yet while Pep Guardiola flicks phlegm through pursed lips by way of a nervous tick, spindly Thomas Tuchel leaps and gestures and Joachim Low reaches for his backside in stressful moments, Ancelotti is having none of it.
And for that alone he should be considered the greatest of them all. Five Champions League titles does help.
But to reach such heights and still not break sweat dealing with the egos and the snipes at such a high level in the game is the ultimate accolade.
As he assembles the latest troupe of Galacticos at the Bernabeu with the expected summer addition of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, that trait stands him in good stead.
The nice guy nature has been his undoing but Ancelotti has learned from that.
He managed Chelsea on a peer-to-peer level, treating his players as equals, hoping they would do the same.
Some took advantage of that in his second season at Stamford Bridge.
That contributed to him being sacked in the away dressing room at Everton in May 2011 — having won the Double the previous season.
Yet despite the relentless pressure of working for ruthless Roman Abramovich, Ancelotti did not desert his humanity and never will.
After trips back home to Italy, he would return bearing salamis made by a friend for one staff member’s son who was obsessed with Peperami sticks at the time.
He fought hard behind the scenes for staff members who struggled to cope with life. And the guard never drops.
Carlo Ancelotti managerial honours
Juventus – UEFA Intertoto Cup
AC Milan – Serie A, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, Champions League x2, UEFA Super Cup x2, Club World Cup
Chelsea – Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield
PSG – Ligue 1
Real Madrid – LaLiga x2, Copa del Rey x2, Supercopa de Espana x2, Champions League x3, UEFA Super Cup x3, Club World Cup x2, Intercontinnental Cup
Bayern Munich – Bundesliga, DFL-Supercup
During his short and surprising stint in charge of a troubled Everton team at the height of Covid, he secured an injury-time 5-4 win over Tottenham in the FA Cup fifth round.
As the 97th-minute goal crashes in, Ancelotti stops to blow steam from the top of his piping hot cup of tea, then takes a sip while his coaching staff lose it around him.
Everton fans with half a brain have accepted him walking out to rejoin Real Madrid where he is now furthering his already stellar reputation.
Those with a fully functioning noddle are still shocked why he chose their underperforming, underwhelming club in the first place.
When you deal at the top table you need to keep your cards close to your chest.
And Ancelotti is smart enough to know never to say anything in a press conference that could be considered genuinely interesting.
The arch-diplomat, he plays the game straight, takes his severance money and doesn’t burn bridges.
Ancelotti’s only complaint about life in England was the poor standard of coffee. And he has a point. The washed-out Espresso being his main bone of contention.
And it’s probably why he won’t ever come back to manage here again. Shame.
Don’t sit ‘n take it
RexTottenham fans need to rethink their protest strategy[/caption]
TOTTENHAM fans plotting a protest against club chairman Daniel Levy on Sunday should rethink their strategy.
Planning a sit-in demo after the home game against Manchester United is the wrong way to go about things in this time of turmoil.
With the team playing so badly and the whole matchday experience being one big letdown, why prolong the agony?
Surely a walkout as soon as possible after kick-off would be far more appealing?
That way the aggrieved supporters make their point and get to p*** off home early and do something far more enjoyable instead.
It means sweet FA
PAArne Slot didn’t care much for the FA Cup in reality[/caption]
APPARENTLY Arne Slot will be kicking himself at Liverpool’s embarrassing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of second-tier Plymouth Argyle.
Uh-huh.
Sadly, with a Premier League title to chase down, genuine aspirations of winning the Champions League and a place in next month’s Carabao Cup Final in the bag, something has to give.
Unfortunately, in this case, it’s our national cup competition.
As exciting and unpredictable as the FA Cup is, I imagine it was fourth in line on Slot’s list of priorities — and he has probably forgotten where Plymouth is already.
Vini kicks City in tifo
GettyVinicius Jr got his own back at Man City after their tifo display[/caption]
IT’S SAFE to assume that Manchester City gave the nod to the most tactless tifo in football with the giant banner poking fun at Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid.
In which case it’s going to be fun waiting to see whether the Spaniards hit back on Wednesday when they stage the second leg of their Champions League last-16 play-off.
PITY the poor sods who are working in the Manchester United public relations department.
On the very day Red Devils legend Denis Law was laid to rest on Tuesday, hard-pressed staff in the communications team were dealing with questions that between 100 and 200 club workers are to be axed in the latest round of redundancies.
Not easy that.
PAMan Utd PR has been nothing short of disastrous recently[/caption]
4 weeks agoNew York StateComments Off on US ‘hitwoman’ denies conspiring to murder shop owner who was ‘threatened with firearm that jammed’
A US “hitwoman” has denied conspiring to murder a Birmingham shop owner and his family.
Aimee Betro was allegedly involved in a plot that saw Aslat Mahumad threatened with a firearm that jammed.
Social mediaAimee Betro appeared at court today[/caption]
The 45-year-old appeared at Birmingham Crown Court to plead not guilty to conspiracy to murder.
She also denied possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and a charge related to the alleged importation of ammunition into the UK.
Betro is accused of conspiring with Mohammed Nazir and Mohammed Aslam to murder Aslat and members of his family between August 21 and September 10, 2019.
The firearms offence is alleged to have been committed on September 8 2019, while the ammunition smuggling charge relates to a period between September 12 and October 23, 2019.
Betro, from Wisconsin, was remanded into custody ahead of a provisional trial on July 21.
She will appear at the same court on April 3 for a pre-trial hearing.
Betro was extradited from Armenia and arrested at Gatwick Airport last month by National Crime Agency officers.
Ben Samples, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in West Midlands, said: “CPS West Midlands has worked closely with West Midlands Police, Derbyshire Police, the Armenian authorities and our own Extradition Unit to bring Ms Betro back to face proceedings in a UK court for alleged crimes that took place here.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Ms Betro are active and that she has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Social mediaBetro will stand trial this summer[/caption]
