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Lady Gaga reveals next career move that’ll give her ‘ultimate joy’ after success of her new album Mayhem

SHE is already one of the most camp and flamboyant pop stars around, and now Lady Gaga wants to ramp that up to 11 – by writing a musical.

The Abracadabra singer has revealed she has set her sights on it being her next challenge, and could even star in the show on Broadway.

Lady Gaga at the Los Angeles premiere of Joker: Folie à Deux.
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After the success of Mayhem, Lady Gaga is setting her sights on Broadway[/caption]

Asked if she would like to tread the boards, she said: “I think so, yes.

“I think I would love to write a musical – a new one.

“That would give me the ultimate joy of crafting all the music and working with amazing writers on developing the story and the script, and then the stage design and the ­costumes.

“Maybe I’d be in it, too, but the idea of writing one, that sounds really . . . 

“All my albums basically want to be musicals.” Gaga, who is on course to score her fifth No1 record tomorrow with Mayhem, previously starred in the musical movie A Star Is Born, so it wouldn’t be too much of a stretch.

However, her fiancé Michael Polansky is keen for her to take on a less demanding part the next time she is on screen, following heavy roles in Joker: Folie A Deux and House Of Gucci.

Gaga told the Las Culturistas podcast: “Michael’s always like, ‘Can you please do a comedy?’.

“I would love to do a more light-hearted film. I would.

“But I love the dark stuff, too. That’s just me.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Lady Gaga attends the UK Premiere of “Joker Folie à Deux” at the Cineworld Leicester Square on September 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Gaga is on course to score her fifth No1 record tomorrow with Mayhem
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OASIS BOYS SNARE JOEY FOR TOUR

SIX months after I first revealed the latest Oasis line-up in this newspaper, it seems the band have finally confirmed who their drummer will be.

Back in September, I reported that Andy Bell, Gem Archer and Bonehead would all be back to play on the epic reunion tour – but that they still didn’t have a drummer in place.

Joey Waronker performing on drums onstage.
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Joey Waronker looks set to be the drummer for Oasis’ reunion tour[/caption]

Insiders told me that Noel and Liam Gallagher were keen on bringing Zak Starkey into the fold, but because of his packed schedule they’ve now gone and enlisted US star Joey Waronker to the line-up.

Joey has previously played with bands including R.E.M. and Beck and last year played on Liam’s tour with John Squire.

I’m counting down the days to the first night in Cardiff – only 16 weeks to go . . .

Bizbit

SEX PISTOLS are playing a secret gig on March 21.

Fronted by Frank Carter, the iconic band will play The 100 Club on London’s Oxford Street under the codename The Spots.

It was the original band name – standing for Sex Pistols Secretly On Tour.

A ballot for tickets on Ticketmaster is now open and closes at 12pm tomorrow.

LEIGH LOVING BRA-ZIL

WITH her sun-soaked snaps from a holiday to Brazil, Leigh-Anne Pinnock has got me gasping for a margarita and a dip in the sea.

The former Little Mix singer jetted out for a break with pals and shared a series of photos on Instagram, writing: “Brazil, meu amor [my love]. What a trip!

Woman in a green bikini in Brazil.
Instagram
Leigh-Anne Pinnock is enjoying some time off in Brazil[/caption]

“The energy, the spirit . . . you feel it the moment you step off the plane.

“I really needed this trip and I’m so grateful for every moment.”

Last week, Leigh-Anna went to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and spent the whole time partying, admitting afterwards: “I feel like I haven’t really slept much.”

She looks good for it.

Bizbit

CONGRATS to Dawbell PR’s Rich Dawes and Stu Bell, who have been named the UK’s No1 entertainment PRs by industry bible PR Week.

Along with their amazing team, they handle a 75-strong roster of top clients.

I have worked with them for years and not only are they fantastic at what they do, they’re bloody nice blokes, too.

CRUTCH IS LIFE, TOM

HATS off to Tom Grennan, who was back on stage on Tuesday night three weeks after undergoing surgery on his right leg.

He was wearing a cast and had to use crutches to perform at a launch party for Radio 1’s Big Weekend, where he will headline the Friday night when the festival gets under way later this spring.

Tom Grennan on crutches at a BBC Radio 1 event.
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Tom Grennan was back on stage on Tuesday night three weeks after undergoing surgery on his right leg[/caption]

Thankfully, Tom, who told me last month he had the op to repair tendons in his leg, was in fine form as he belted out hits Little Bit Of Love and Remind Me on stage at The Standard Hotel in Camden, London.

The annual Big Weekend festival takes place in Liverpool’s Sefton Park from May 23 to 25, with Mumford & Sons, Tate Mcrae, Wet Leg, Jade, Biffy Clyro, The Wombats, Sam Fender, Myles SmitH and many more on the bill.

Day tickets cost £33 – a bargain for that line-up – and will go on sale at 5pm today on Ticketmaster.

But if you are not a resident of Liverpool or the surrounding areas, who are to get 90 per cent of the ticket allocation, you may struggle to get your hands on one.

Bizbit

ARIANA GRANDE will make her directorial debut later this month, teaming up with music video director Christian Breslauer for Brighter Days Ahead: The Short Film.

The shoot, which is expected to be an extended music video, is set for release on March 28 – the same day she drops the new edition of her last album, called Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead.

The record will feature six new songs.

MOST brides make do with a gentle sway for their first wedding dance, but Millie Bobby Brown revealed she trained for 18 months to nail hers.

The Stranger Things actress, who wed actor Jake Bongiovi last year, recalled: “We did a six-minute choreographed routine.

Selfie of Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi.
Instagram
Millie Bobby Brown trained for 18 months to nail her first dance with Jake Bongiovi[/caption]
Raye and Millie Bobby Brown on The Jonathan Ross Show.
Raye performed at Millie’s wedding
Rex

“I can’t believe Jake actually did it.

“We did a Grease medley dressed as Sandy and Danny and it was epic.

“We had been practising for a year and a half.

“We went to dance lessons. It was very, very strict.

“We did not miss one beat.”

And to make the bash even better, she brought in six-time Brit winner Raye to sing.

She told the Call Her Daddy podcast: “She performed That’s Amore when we cut the cake. It was a moment. It was beautiful.”

DUA & CAL BAGGING FOR MORE

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner looked like they had grabbed a takeaway before the singer kicks off the next leg of her Radical Optimism world tour.

But the couple had actually been for dinner at a posh restaurant.

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner leaving a restaurant.
Click News and Media
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner were spotted out for dinner in London[/caption]
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner leaving a restaurant.
Click News and Media
Dua is about to head off on the next leg of her Radical Optimism world tour[/caption]

Dorian in Notting Hill, West London, boasts a Michelin star and calls itself “a bistro for locals”.

The restaurant was obviously rather generous with its portion sizes as British actor Callum left carrying a doggy bag.

Dua will head Down Under this week before kicking off her run of shows in Australia in Melbourne on Monday.

She will then play gigs in Sydney before going to New Zealand and then back to Europe for her first show in Madrid on May 11.

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Champions League LIVE SCORES: Arsenal and Aston Villa in last-16 second leg action, plus MASSIVE Madrid derby – latest

BOTH Arsenal and Aston Villa are 90 minutes away from booking their place in the Champions League last-eight.

The Gunners bring a 7-1 lead back to the Emirates following their shellacking of PSV last week in the Netherlands.

Villa were also victorious on their Benelux travels, with a late double handing them all the initiative against Belgian side Club Brugge.

Elsewhere, Lille and Dortmund are deadlocked and the Madrid derby heats up as Atletico host Real.

  • Kick-off: 5.45pm GMT / 8pm GMT
  • TV Channel/live stream: TNT Sports / Discovery+

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Follow our live blog for updates…

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‘Not behaviour I understand’ – Chris Eubank lifts lid on son’s Conor Benn egg slap after Jr explains reason in phonecall

CHRIS EUBANK JR told his dad he smashed Conor Benn with an egg because he was outnumbered.

The 35-year-old Brighton middleweight cracked at the Manchester launch of their April 26 bout when his 28-year-old foe was flanked at the face-off by legendary British fighter and father Nigel and promoter Eddie Hearn.

Chris Eubank Jr. throws an egg at Conor Benn during a press conference.
PA
Chris Eubank Jr slapped Conor Benn with an egg during a press conference last month[/caption]
Chris Eubank Jr. at a press conference.
SPLASH
The British Boxing Board of Control hit Eubank Jr with a £100,000 fine[/caption]
Chris Eubank Jr. with his father and the IBO world super-middleweight championship belt.
Eubank Jr explained his reasons for egging Benn in a phone call with his estranged dad, Chris Eubank Sr
NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD

Two-weight world champ Eubank Sr, 58, raged against the original 2022 clash taking place – knowing Benn had failed one of two VADA drug tests in the summer – and correctly predicted it would be canned.

And he is refusing to help the promoters and broadcasters tap into his iconic two-fight 1990s rivalry with Nigel, by not gracing the Spurs clash with his presence or blessing.

And Jr – who as always usually conducted himself with the same decorum as his dad – revealed a lack of back-up led to boiling point.

“It’s not behaviour I understand.” the retired fighter told his Call Chris Eubank channel. “Where did that come from?

“But I spoke with him a few days ago about this egg thing, and he said, ‘Dad he is a cheat and we are promoting the fight.’

“I got pulled in and yes I premeditated it because they keep telling me, ‘My dad doesn’t like me.’

“’It’s me alone, dad, so that’s what I thought I would do and I have justified it.'”

Eubank Jr and his dad’s relationship broke down when the second-generation fighter decided he didn’t want his dad to manage him, around 2020.

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Illustration comparing Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn's boxing stats.

Then, in 2021, son and brother Sebastian died tragically of a heart attack in Dubai, crippling the family dynamic further with grief.

Jr – who was slapped with a £100,000 fine for egg-gate – has confirmed he would love his dad back in his corner for this third installment of the family feud.

He made an emotional appeal to his old man during an exclusive interview with Sun columnist Piers Morgan, saying: “I’m here.

“I’m getting ready for the biggest fight of my life.

“If you want to be next to me, like his father’s next to him, we can do it together.

“If not, no hard feelings, I’ll get the job done for you — don’t worry about it.

“He’s my old man. It doesn’t matter if I don’t talk to him until the day I die.

“I’m always gonna love him. He taught me everything. As far as I know, he doesn’t want this fight to go ahead.”

But infamously tough Sr seems unwilling to budge – yet.

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Beloved high street staple announces closure after 100 years in huge blow as owner admits ‘all good things must end’

A BELOVED high street staple has confirmed it will be shutting its doors for good after almost 100 years in business.

Family-run furniture store Pargeter’s Furniture in Stourbridge will be shutting up shop when all stock has been sold.

John Pargeter & Sons Ltd furniture store.
Google Maps
John Pargeter & Sons Ltd will be closing its doors for good after almost 100 years[/caption]
Collage of yellow sale and closing down signs.
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Once all stock has been sold off, the current owner will retire and the shop will shutter (stock)[/caption]

The owner of John Pargeter & Sons Ltd confirmed that it is “time to close”.

Miles Pargeter announced the sad news as he prepares to retire.

With no younger relatives ready to take over, the fate of the shop has been sealed.

The 66-year-old said: “We have not run out of business, but like all good things, it must come to an end.”

“It’s sad, but things change, and we have survived better than most.”

Miles took over from his father 45 years ago and in that time has barely had a Saturday off.

In announcing the closure, the shop owner thanked loyal customers in the local area, reiterating that the business continues to be successful.

“Stourbridge is a thriving community town,” he said.

“It has a bright future ahead of it.”

Pargeter’s Furniture has been a staple of the high street since 1926.

The site has now been sold on to developers who will divide it into three units, according to Stourbridge News.

Meanwhile, Derby city centre is also losing a staple furniture store.

Lee Longlands will be shutting up shop after 12 years after confirming that it will not renew its lease.

Instead, the furniture firm is planning to relocate to a new, purpose-built showroom at a prominent retail park.

In preparation for the move, Lee Longlands is hosting a huge “everything must go” sale, offering £2 million worth of stock at heavily discounted prices.

And craft lovers could also be disappointed as Hobbycraft calls in advisers with “shops at risk”.

The craft chain with 124 stores and over 2,000 employees is looking to restructure its business.

Hobbycraft’s parent company Modella Capital has hired the services of firm FRP to look at potential options, including a company voluntary arrangement (CVA).

CVAs are often used in the retail and hospitality sector to allow store closures and rent cuts from landlords.

Restaurants are also feeling the pinch with a beloved pizzeria announcing closure due to soaring costs.

RETAIL PAIN IN 2025

The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury's hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.

Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.

A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.

Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.

The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.

It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.

Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”

Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.

“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”

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PSV ultras take over League Two clash ahead of Champions League second leg against Arsenal

PSV EINDHOVEN fans took over a League Two game in preparation for their Champions League second leg against Arsenal.

The Gunners take a commanding 7-1 lead into the Emirates tonight following their rout in the Netherlands.

Ashley Hay of Cheltenham Town celebrates scoring a goal.
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PSV fans turned up to watch Cheltenham beat AFC Wimbledon[/caption]
Two soccer players vying for the ball.
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Those attending the League Two game were baffled by their appearance[/caption]

But it appears to travelling support are undeterred as they settled into the English away stands early.

In a video shared online, apparent “PSV Ultras” were spotted singing Dutch chants at AFC Wimbledon’s game against Cheltenham Town.

They can be heard signing PSV songs as bemused fans watched on and recorded while others on social media were left in awe.

One said: “Absolutely love it.”

Another added: “Class.”

One hailed: “Love this!!”

Another said: “Brilliant – class!”

The game ended 2-1 to Cheltenham but PSV would need more than that to somehow turn their fortunes around.

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta hinted at resting some players due to the heavy deficit.

Arteta said: “It is unique but it’s also understanding how the game was played a week ago and the fact that everything went in the right direction for us from the beginning.

“We’re going to have to earn the right tomorrow to go in the same direction, so we’re fully focused on that.

“We understand what happened in the first game and the direction that it could have taken in the first 10 minutes.

“After all the control that we had, if we give the goal away or if the referee would have given the second yellow card to Myles, it’s very simple.

“This is football, you have to earn it and we’re going to have to do a great job tomorrow again to win the game.”

Mikel Arteta at a press conference.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the PSV clash[/caption]

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Comedian Kevin Bishop reveals he’s split from ‘drinking buddy’ wife of 22 years after beating alcoholism

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Kevin Bishop at a special screening

COMEDIAN Kevin Bishop has bravely revealed he’s an alcoholic.

The funnyman, who played Nigel Norman Fletcher in the 2016 Porridge reboot, has been off the booze for six years after his drinking got out of control.

Kevin Bishop at the GREAT British Film Reception.
Splash News
Comedian Kevin Bishop has bravely revealed he’s an alcoholic[/caption]
Kevin Bishop at a special screening.
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The actor split from his wife Casta, the mother of his two children, shortly after he got sober[/caption]

He was once so drunk that Grease actress Olivia Newton-John tried to sober him up before treading the red carpet for a movie they were promoting in Australia.

Kevin said: “I’m an alcoholic.

“I’ve got an allergy to alcohol so whenever I drink, I have a phenomenon of craving that kicks in and I can’t stop.

“If I went for a pint with an actor in Covent Garden, I would then go on the missing list.”

The former Grange Hill star – who also fronted his own Channel 4 sketch show – admitted going sober also cost him his 22-year marriage as his now ex-wife “lost her drinking buddy”.

The actor split from his wife Casta, the mother of his two children, shortly after he got sober.

And he admits his ex-partner hindered his first bid to kick the booze, telling We’re Not Getting Any Younger podcast: “I managed to do five years of complete sobriety, and I loved my life, and then my wife missed her drinking buddy and encouraged me to drink again, she said I wasn’t an alcoholic.

“Then within 21 months everything fell apart.”

On his marriage split, he added: “When you get sober you change, the person that she met and was initially attracted to, is now a different person.”

Thankfully the former Grange Hill actor says he is now in a much better place after kicking the drink – and has some exciting new projects coming up.

What to do if you think are an alcoholic

IF you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, the most important thing is to recognise the problem and seek support – You don’t have to face it alone.

Seek Professional Help

  • GP or Doctor – A medical professional can assess your situation and provide advice on treatment options.
  • Therapists or Counsellors – Talking to an addiction specialist can help address underlying causes and develop coping strategies.
  • Rehab or Detox Programmes – If physical dependence is severe, medically supervised detox may be necessary.

Consider Support Groups

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