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Huge Brit pop star in final talks for I’m A Celebrity to replace Tommy Fury as jungle hunk
MCFLY singer Danny Jones is set to join I’m A Celebrity — and he’ll be hoping for his bandmates’ luck in the jungle.
The group’s bassist Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011 — and nine years later Giovanna Fletcher, wife of singer Tom, did the same.
Danny, 38, is also considered a rising star on ITV as he’s now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice, along with bandmate Tom.
A jungle insider said: “As well as bringing some of the star appeal of the group with him, he’ll be supplying some serious guy candy for the campmates and viewers at home.
“All the McFly guys are gym fanatics and Danny in particular has a great physique – which he’s bound to show off in the jungle.
“He’ll be keeping up with the proud tradition of I’m A Celebrity hunks who’ve been on the show over the years including Owen Warner and Joel Dommett.
“And he’ll fill the jungle hunk gap left by Tommy Fury after he declined the opportunity earlier this month.”
Bolton-born Danny married model and former Miss England, Georgia Horsley, in 2014 and they have a six year old son.
As well as being a mentor on The Voice he also won this year’s series of The Masked Singer disguised as “Piranha”.
Danny is on a particular high this year as McFly are celebrating the 21st anniversary of their debut single, Five Colours in Her Hair.
The hit and its follow up, Obviously, topped the charts, making McFly one of the hottest boybands of the Noughties.
After recording their fifth studio album in 2010, Dougie, 36, went into I’m a Celebrity and won over campmates and viewers with his cheeky charm.
The band then went on a three-year hiatus in 2016, before Tom’s wife Giovanna emerged as the surprise Jungle Queen of 2020.
The Sun recently revealed wag Coleen Rooney has signed up for the new series – securing the biggest deal in the show’s history.
Coleen’s fee is understood to be way beyond Nigel Farage’s £1.5million last year.
This year’s I’m A Celebrity starts on November 16.
Labour’s Budget might give the country a sugar rush of growth but soon we’ll all end up paying more – and here’s why
ONCE the noise has died down, what people really need to know from a Budget is how it affects them.
No one was expecting this one to be a champagne-popping affair with bags of giveaways.
Most people have been in a brace position ever since Chancellor Rachel Reeves called off Labour’s brief honeymoon in the summer with her cold decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments and warnings of painful choices.
The reality is sadly even more sober. And that’s even if you include having to glug around 500 draught pints to make the penny off worth a free pint.
This was a Budget that was meant to justify raising taxes by £40billion — the biggest tax burden in living memory — to rebuild the country and get the economy growing again.
Except even that big, bold ambition hasn’t worked.
You won’t be alone in thinking, “What’s the point of it all?”
The Budget will deliver a brief sugar-rush of growth in the next year, which will enable Reeves to point to it as a sign her plan is working.
But critically, the Budget watchdog has predicted the economy will actually have lower growth by the end of Parliament.
This is enormously important because it feeds into how well we all live our lives.
The Chancellor’s decision to binge on tax burdens will be passed on to us all in the form of higher prices.
We already know from the pain of the cost-of-living crisis that this feeds nasty inflation, which means we can afford less with the money we earn.
Inflation won’t shoot back as high as the horrors of 11 per cent last year, but it will stay stubbornly above the golden target of two per cent.
As a result, the Bank of England will be slower to cut interest rates next year.
This will continue to make mortgages more expensive when millions of us have to refinance on to higher rates.
And due to the Chancellor’s stamp duty changes, more than nine in ten homes sold from March will incur duty, including for first-time buyers. So much for property ladder hopes.
While the Chancellor claimed her Budget will put “more pounds in people’s pockets” it will mean the average family will be £770 worse off in real terms by October 2029 compared to today, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
We already know from the pain of the cost-of-living crisis that this feeds nasty inflation, which means we can afford less with the money we earn
Couples with children will be even harder hit and £1,760 worse off, its analysis says.
The biggest issue with the Budget is Reeves’ verbal gymnastics over National Insurance contributions.
While the Chancellor claimed she was sticking to her manifesto promise of not raising NI for workers, instead she has targeted the biggest tax rise possible — a whopping £25.7billion — by passing on a big hike in NI contributions to employers.
You might argue, “Great, at least it’s not coming from my pay packet.” Except, it will in the future.
Yesterday, the Institute for Fiscal Studies slammed the Chancellor for this falsehood, saying: “The continued pretence that these changes will not affect working people risks further undermining trust.”
The Budget watchdog has already said 76 per cent of the cost of employers footing the bill will actually feed into lower real wages.
This means it will be harder to ask for pay rises or get a job in the first place — because it will become unbearably expensive for some businesses to take or keep staff on.
And this is on top of Labour’s workers’ rights reforms, which the Government’s own documents say add £5billion to the cost of business.
There is good news if you are one of the three million workers on minimum wage.
The Chancellor confirmed a 6.7 per cent pay rise, from £11.44 an hour to £12.21, from April.
Those on state benefits will also get a boost with Universal Credit rising by 1.7 per cent next April.
This will work out as an extra £1.50 a week from £90.55, and couples will get £2.50 extra a week from the current level of £145.13.
The amount of debt repayments that can be taken from a household’s Universal Credit payment each month has been reduced from 25 per cent to 15 per cent, which the Government claims will put £420 a year more in the pockets of claimants.
However, what of the rest of the 27million workers in Britain?
The cost of hiring a staff member over 21 has become, on average, £2,500 more expensive overnight, according to analysis by UK Hospitality.
This will lead to companies making tough choices on growing, hiring and investing.
The biggest issue with the Budget is Reeves’ verbal gymnastics over National Insurance contributions
Those hated self-scanning tills will become more commonplace because they will be significantly cheaper than human workers.
The one upshot for ambitious workers is that the Chancellor has removed the freeze on income tax thresholds, which automatically nudge people into a higher rate of tax.
But you will have to wait until 2029 for the benefit — conveniently just before the election year.
It’s enough to make you reach for a stiff drink.
Except an increase in duty on spirits has just made that more expensive too.
Rachel Reeves provokes fury after admitting her Budget tax raid on business WILL hit workers’ pockets
RACHEL Reeves has provoked fury after admitting her Budget tax raid on business will hit workers in the pocket.
The Chancellor conceded that hard-working employees will be affected by their bosses paying more National Insurance to the tune of £25billion unless firms soak up the costs.
It came as the Tories said the average working household could face an annual £2,238 tax grab — up by around £200 on their previous estimate.
The row over tax hikes — totalling £40billion — erupted as it emerged Ms Reeves told voters three months before the election: “We don’t need higher taxes, what we need is growth.”
But she said yesterday: “I said that it will have consequences.
“It will mean that businesses will have to absorb some of this through profits and it’s likely to mean that wage increases might be slightly less than they otherwise would have been.”
Tory leadership contender Robert Jenrick claimed the Budget had been a “Halloween horror show”.
He added: “This was the biggest political heist in modern British history.”
He told Sky News: “£40billion of tax rises hurting people across this country and just three months ago the Labour Party won an election on a pledge not to raise taxes. I’m afraid Rachel Reeves is acting like a compulsive liar.”
The charity sector has expressed concerns over the impact of the National Insurance haul from employers.
National Council for Voluntary Organisations boss Sarah Elliott warned it will put “another strain” on them.
Meanwhile, Paul Johnson of the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned the raid will not raise “anything like” £25billion.
The Budget measures mean that by 2028 weekly wages will have risen by just £13 in real terms in two decades.
Mike Brewer of the Resolution Foundation said: “The short-term effect of these changes will be better-funded public services.
“But families are also set for a further squeeze on living standards as the rise in employer National Insurance dampens wage growth.”
Ashley Roberts goes braless in slashed hooded dress as she pays tribute to Kylie Minogue for Halloween
ASHLEY Roberts is a sight as a sheet as she dresses as Kylie Minogue for Halloween.
The 43-year-old paid tribute to her iconic 2001 Can’t Get You Out of My Head video by going braless in the slashed and hooded dress.
Radio DJ and former Pussycat Doll Ashley posted the images on Instagram — with one follower writing: “Better than the original.”
Presenter Ashley is certainly no stranger to sending fans wild with her racy social media posts.
She recently sizzled in snaps taken on holiday in Spain, showing her posing in a barely-there thong bikini.
Meanwhile, during a recent staycation, Ashley was seen stripping totally naked for a snap in the bath.
Back in 2022, Ashley told how she felt “more connected” to her body after turning 40.
At the time, The Real Dirty Dancing host said: “As you get older you start giving less f***s.
“You are more connected to yourself and wiser.
“I feel excited about the years to come because I feel better than how I felt in my twenties.
“Part of how I express my femininity is feeling sexy.
“It makes me sad to think about women not allowing themselves to feel that as we continue on.
“I’m like, ‘Let’s get our sassy, fierce, feminine sides out there. Let’s embrace that part of ourselves.’
Abused former footballer Ronnie Gibbons says women who spoke out against Mohamed Fayed were ‘amazingly brave’
ABUSED former footballer Ronnie Gibbons has said women who spoke out against Mohamed Fayed were “amazingly brave”.
Her praise came as solicitors said more than 420 victims and witnesses have now stepped forward.
Lawyers representing the sex fiend’s accusers also announced they had sent off their first letter of claim against Harrods, and warned anyone trying to avoid liability: “We are coming for you.”
And they said they do not trust the West London department store — now owned by the state of Qatar — to do the right thing.
Dean Armstrong KC described Fulham Football Club, where Gibbons was women’s captain, as one of Fayed’s “tentacles” in his abuse of women.
He told a press conference yesterday: “This is no longer only about Harrods.
“We now have clients who have suffered abuse at Fulham Football Club and at various other places associated with Fayed.”
Gibbons, now 44, revealed this month that she had twice been sexually assaulted by the billionaire Harrods and Fulham boss in a room at the luxury store when she was 20.
It was said she was driven by club staff to his lair and trapped, before being abused.
Gibbons said in a video message yesterday: “Seeing you [other victims] speak helped me have the courage to get in touch with barristers.
“As difficult as it’s been, it’s been very empowering.”
Mr Armstrong added that Gibbons’ hell “flies in the face of the suggestion that Fulham protected their players”.
Major pub chain with 152 locations closes another boozer as punters cry ‘sad but inevitable’
A POPULAR pub chain has shut down one of its restaurants after opening more than 10-years-ago.
Harvester restaurant on Stirling Road, Clifton Moor, York officially shut their doors on October 18 after a decade of service.
The salad and grill style restaurant opened in July 2012 and created 50 jobs to the region.
The chain restaurant is owned by Mitchells & Butlers, who have reported a slowing sales growth this financial year.
They also own All Bar One, Toby Carvery and Miller & Carter.
Harvester punters flocked to the YorkMix Facebook page when news of the closure broke.
One person said: “Sad but inevitable. We used to go there weekly from when my son was born as it was easy when he was little to get him fed quicker.
“The service though the last couple of years there has been abysmal. The last time they were all behind the bar for a good 20 minutes chatting on their mobile phones to the point my son went to them to tell them he’d finished and he’d like his pudding please because it was nearly bedtime.
“It’s a shame as the staff in the early days were amazing. They’ve watched my son grow up, but since they’ve gone, it’s gone downhill rapidly.”
Another person commented: “Recent reviews suggest they had trouble in fulfilling their menus with many items unavailable, salad bars empty, staff confused, tired decor etc.”
While a third person said: “Sad but on our last visit a couple of months back it was woeful.
“Salad bar nearly empty, food orders wrong and cheap frozen food.”
However, other customers shared fond memories of the chain.
One person said: Went there every month or so and never had a bad meal or service, went and couple of days before it shut down and again everything was great.”
While a second person said: “Sad to see this place go. My family had a few birthday meals here and our kids loved it too.
“Used to come here for lunch with work colleagues too sometimes.”
It comes after a beloved pub with a massive beer garden is set to close.
The Sarah Moore sports pub in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, will be turned into a residential property after it closes its doors, to the devastation of locals.
The pub’s landlords shared the sad news on Facebook after being told the lease on the building would come to an end.
Fans have described the closure as the ‘end of an era’ and said ‘there’s no other pub like it’ in the town.
In a social media post the landlords said: “The building has been up for sale for some time with the intentions of it being turned into a residential property.”
The pub said January 4 would be its last evening of trading.
Meanwhile, a popular mash and pie shop in South London is also set to close after 116 years of servicing customers.
The iconic store in south London has been operated by the same family for generations, and news of its closure has left customers feeling “gutted”.
Harringtons Eel and Pie House on Tooting’s Selkirk Road has confirmed on social media that it will close its doors after over a century of serving traditional food.
The pie and mash shop shared on Instagram: “As you can imagine, it’s not been an easy decision for myself and the family to come to.
“In fact, it’s been very upsetting when it’s been in the family 116 years, but unfortunately as a family, we’ve decided we need to move forward, so unfortunately the property is up for sale and once it has sold we will be closing our doors.
“But until we have sold we are still open and selling hot pie and mash for all our beloved customers to enjoy.”
The post received hundreds of comments from disappointed customers sharing their disbelief at the news of the shop’s closure.
One user wrote: “Gutted but I’ll bury my head in a pie mash next week to lift my spirits until I’m forced to say bye.”
“No way. Selkirk Rd will never be the same,” commented another.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
MANY food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
The brand plans to close 20 loss-making restaurants after a “challenging” start to the year.
Stonegate, has raised fears about its survival as it races to plug its debts.
And Revolution Bars Group is also carrying out a string of closures.
The company plans to close 25 locations across the UK is part of a restructuring plan granted approval by the High Court.
Pubs had feared a further blow after news leaked that the government was planning to ban smoking in pub gardens, however this policy is set to be dropped.
8 once-a-week health-boosting habits which help fight dementia and heart disease
LIVING your best life at the weekend could extend it too.
People who exercise only on Saturdays and Sundays had a similarly low risk of mild dementia as those who work up a sweat daily, a new study has revealed.
Other research showed being a “weekend warrior” cuts the risk of developing more than 200 diseases.
And it is not the only lifestyle practice that is worthwhile doing in moderation.
Laura Stott looks at some weekend wonders that will help you achieve valuable health results when squeezed into your days off.
Saturday sweat
IF you only have time to exercise at the weekend, it is still more beneficial than not bothering at all – and just as good as a daily workout for staving off mild dementia.
That is according to a study published this week by the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
So get out to the gym, head off for a run or jump on your bike and clock up some miles at the weekend.
Make time to up your heart rate and move your body, even if one day is all you can manage. The payback will boost your physical and mental wellbeing.
It will contribute to a lower risk of heart disease and some cancers.
The chances of developing chronic diseases like diabetes are also reduced.
Cook a meal
WE all know preparing your own food is almost certainly better than heating something in a packet.
Ready-made dishes can be high in sugar, salt, fat and additives.
So make time once a week to swerve processed ingredients and prepare something from scratch.
Nutritious whole foods are proven to have numerous health benefits.
Use ingredients such as leafy greens, lean proteins and pulses, including chickpeas and beans.
Eating them just once a week will help to control weight, lower cholesterol, improve gut health and immunity levels.
With a little effort, you can still enjoy your favourite weekend takeaway-style treats.
Just show off those culinary skills by making your own pizza, curry or Chinese dish.
See friends
SOCIALISING with mates is not just fun, it’s great for your health too.
It has a positive affect on happiness levels, helping to reduce stress, anxiety and blood pressure.
It even enables us to live longer, according to numerous studies.
But going out too often can negatively affect energy levels and sleep patterns.
It can also have a detrimental effect on diet and lead to higher alcohol consumption.
So stick to socialising at the weekend, instead of Monday to Friday, for the most rewarding ratio and more balanced benefits.
Have sex
IF you crash out in bed after work from Monday to Friday, finding time for nookie with your other half at the weekend is well worth it.
Regular sex – which counts as once a week – has been shown to lower levels of depression, relieve stress and boost mental health.
It also helps immunity, lowers blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease, improves sleep and can even alleviate pain.
For those in a relationship, it also boosts feelings of emotional intimacy and satisfaction with your partner.
Get outside
WHEN it’s cold outside, there is a temptation to stay indoors.
But getting outside is worthwhile for your health. Vitamin D is made by our bodies when exposed to sunlight.
Many of us don’t have enough of if – and deficiency is more common if you spend most of your days inside.
It is vital for healthy bones, teeth and muscles as well as boosting our immune systems.
Daily vitamin D supplements can help raise levels, alongside a diet containing eggs, oily fish and fortified cereals.
But boost your body by getting out in natural daylight at least once a week.
Ways to do this at the weekend could include gardening, walking to the shops or simply playing with the kids in the park – all great for getting a little exercise too.
Do a hot wash
BLAST bugs and bacteria away by giving bedding and towels a hot wash once a week.
Cleaning them at 60C or above will sanitise sheets and towels, helping to break down and destroy bacteria, allergens, dust mites and even kill viruses.
That is especially helpful for your winter well-being when germs and bugs are rife.
Just make sure no delicates get bundled in with the wash.
Weekday quick cycles on a lower temperature are fine for everyday mixed loads.
Eat breakfast
ENJOY a proper breakfast when you have more time at the weekend.
Doing so on even one day out of seven can benefit your body.
Starting your day off with food means more balanced blood sugar levels and better weight management.
It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, while boosting brain function and improving gut health.
Skipping breakfast is linked to insulin resistance and weight gain.
Tuck into protein-packed eggs, oat-based granolas or porridge, fresh fruit or wholemeal toast.
Even pile in to a full English – it’s fine for a once-a-week treat.
Do nothing
DURING a hectic week, doing nothing is not an option for most of us.
So make the most of your weekend by setting aside a day to completely relax.
Allowing time to switch off properly can be as important as diet and exercise for staying healthy.
It can soothe stress, anxiety and tension, and can also reduce blood pressure.
Whether you choose to read, meditate or simply have an afternoon nap, put everyday demands to one side for a few hours.
Limiting screen time while you do this too can also help mental health.