xQc is receiving plenty of praise from his community for making a fan’s “dream come true” after a kind act at the Sidemen Charity Match.
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xQc makes fan’s “dream come true” with off-camera act at Sidemen Charity Match
Gavin & Stacey legend makes spin-off show inspired by one of iconic comedy’s funniest moments
AS Uncle Bryn in Gavin & Stacey, Rob Brydon famously delivered a sensational cover of Islands In The Stream with Ruth Jones.
Now he is getting the chance to indulge his real-life love of country music in a new three-part show for BBC Two.
Rob Brydon’s Honky Tonk Road Trip will see him journey around America’s southern states to discover the genre’s origins.
As the show was announced, he said: “I’ve always loved country music but never really delved too deeply into it.
“The current resurgence means it’s the perfect time to head over to Nashville and find out more. I can’t wait to immerse myself in this fascinating world of music.”
On his adventure, to be shown in September, Rob will meet celebrities, hang out with locals and submerge himself in the way of life.
As well examining country music’s origins he will also look at the secrets to its popularity and what led to its recent global resurgence.
Naturally, Rob kicks things off in Nashville, which is celebrating 100 years of The Grand Ole Opry — the city’s famous music show that is synonymous with country.
Then he wll head to Kentucky as well as Bristol, Tennessee, to meet singer-songwriter Carlene Carter.
She is the granddaughter of Carter Family founding member and country music pioneer “Mother” Maybelle Carter.
Rob goes on to meet Dolly Parton‘s niece Heidi in theme park Dollywood, as well as stopping off in other key spots including Alabama, before returning to Nashville.
Rob really should have taken Ruth with him on this trip.
lIf you can’t wait until September, Radio 2 presents its Radio 2 Loves Country season this weekend, including coverage of the Country 2 Country festival on Sunday.
GOT YOUR PROTECTION, OFFICER?
SHARON HORGAN had better not watch Protection when the cop drama drops on Sunday night – she might get an attack of the green-eyed monster.
The writer and actress is said to have “grown close” to actor Barry Ward after they worked together on the comedy drama Bad Sisters.
But as DS Paul Brandice, he ramps up the heat in ITV’s new show, where viewers will have an eyeful of him getting seriously steamy with his co-star on the crime thriller, leading lady Siobhan Finneran.
In the six-parter, which continues on Monday night, Barry plays the lover of DI Liz Nyles, portrayed by Siobhan, who also shares the billing with Katherine Kelly.
Mixing her private and professional life as she fights to uncover the source of corruption in her unit, the witness protection officer treads a fine line that could end with the sack.
That’s when she isn’t in the sack, of course.
ALISON ‘COPTER TERROR
ALISON HAMMOND might not break sweat when interviewing Hollywood A-listers – but helicopter rides are a different matter.
The This Morning host has a crippling fear of choppers and once recorded a goodbye message to her son, fearing she wouldn’t survive a rare flight.
She said: “I’ve got a real, massive, fear of helicopters. I always think I won’t survive. I was so fearful I asked my make-up artist to film me doing a video to my son.”
It was shown during her appearance as team captain on Rob Beckett’s Smart TV, which airs on Sky Max tomorrow. Alison says: “Hi Aiden, it’s only Mummy here.
“If you’ve seen the message it means I didn’t make it back but I just wanted you to know I love you so very much. I didn’t really want to go on the helicopter anyway, so I’m actually fuming.”
A luxury limo is far more Alison’s style.
JOHN IN ‘FLASHING’ DEFENCE
TORCHWOOD and Doctor Who actor John Barrowman has had another go at explaining the on-set behaviour that led to him being “blacklisted” in TV.
He says that allegations he flashed on the BBC shows were “misconstrued” and it was just “a bit of a carry on”.
And he tells STV’s Scotland Tonight that the sets were meant to be closed.
John says on tonight’s programme: “If I was in a nude scene, completely naked, and if somebody walked on set, which they weren’t supposed to, I might just do something like that [jiggles] and it was nothing outrageous.
“I didn’t see it as outrageous. It was a different time.”
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.
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.”
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.
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 . . .
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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!
“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.
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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.
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.
“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.
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.
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.
Arsenal vs PSV live stream: How to watch Champions League tie TONIGHT
ARSENAL host PSV in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 in London TONIGHT!
The Gunners are all but in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating PSV by six goals in the first leg.
Their 7-1 thrashing of PSV last week all but eliminated the need for a second leg, with Arteta and the Gunners turning on the style in the Netherlands.
Despite their big win in the Netherlands, the side were held to a 1-1 draw by strugglers Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The second leg presents a chance for Arteta and Co to build momentum as they continue to try and maintain pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool.
How to watch Arsenal vs PSV and is there a live stream?
- Arsenal vs PSV is LIVE on TNT Sports 2.
- The game is also available for stream on Discovery+.
- Arsenal are currently 7-1 up on aggregate, and the game will kick-off at 8pm GMT.
- Alternatively, follow along with SunSport’s live blog.
Aston Villa vs Club Brugge live stream: How to watch Champions League tie TONIGHT
ASTON VILLA have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League – but must finish the job TONIGHT against Club Brugge.
Leon Bailey scored after just three minutes, but Maxim de Cuyper equalised soon after.
The game looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw before Villa scored two late goals to take charge of the tie.
Brandon Mechele turned into his own net before an 88th-minute Marco Asensio penalty sealed a 3-1 win.
The Belgian side have now travelled to Birmingham hoping to overturn the two-goal deficit.
Unai Emery was handed a huge injury boost ahead of the match with Emi Martinez, Amadou Onana and Asensio all training on Tuesday after missing the 1-0 win over Brentford on Sunday.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Club Brugge and is there a live stream?
- Aston Villa vs Club Brugge takes place on Wednesday, March 12.
- Kick-off is at 8pm GMT.
- The match will be aired on TNT Sports 1, with coverage from 7pm.
- It will also be live streamed on Discovery+.
- To watch the match, viewers in the UK will need a TNT Sports package or a subscription to Discovery+.
- Alternatively, SunSport will have updates from the game with our live blog.
Huge pop star dramatically cancels London live music comeback just days before it was due to be announced
RIHANNA has dramatically cancelled her live music return – just days before it was due to be announced.
The superstar had booked dates at West Ham’s London Stadium ground this July for six shows to relaunch herself as a singer — nine years after her last album, Anti.
However, we can reveal that in a secret meeting last week she pulled plans for the shows because her new music isn’t ready.
Now bosses are desperately trying to talk her into changing her mind and going ahead with the concerts, which would bring millions to the economy.
A music insider said: “Rihanna hasn’t toured in over eight years and the plan to get her back on stage has been ongoing for at least three. She had been eager to get back to it because the demand is certainly there, but she got cold feet.
“It doesn’t feel like the right time and she dropped the bombshell last week that she doesn’t want to go ahead with the concerts in July as had been planned.
“The announcement of the shows had already been delayed, but as Rihanna fans are used to doing, they will just have to keep on waiting.”
Last month, it was revealed the singer had earmarked July 4 to 12 for concerts at London Stadium. It was also suggested she could headline Glastonbury this summer, although that is not believed to have ever been on the cards.
She had previously been set to headline the festival in 2023 following her Super Bowl half-time performance, but she pulled out after falling pregnant with her second son.
Rihanna is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with 250million records shifted.
She has scored nine UK No1 singles, including We Found Love and Only Girl (In The World), and a further 22 Top Ten tracks.
She is now ranked as the third- wealthiest musician in the world, with an estimated $1.4billion, behind only Jay-Z and Taylor Swift, thanks to her lucrative career moves into fashion and cosmetics.
Last month she told Harper’s Bazaar magazine that she has finally “cracked” what her next album will be after almost a decade in the making.
She said: “I’ve been in the studio the whole eight years.
“I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects. And it’s not going to be commercial or radio-digestible.
“I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!”
Perhaps we’ll just have to keep on waiting.
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…
‘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.
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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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.
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.
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.”
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.
PSV Ultras at AFC Wimbledon vs Cheltenham Town
— The 44pic.twitter.com/fm34qVwGGU
(@The_Forty_Four) March 11, 2025
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.”
