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Yearly Archives: 2016

Television presenter and X Factor veteran, Dermot O' Leary, thinks that Simon Cowell should take the X Factor off the air for a year. 

In an interview with Radio Times, the 42-year-old has said that the show has taken a turn for the worst. 

"If I was Simon, I’d take it off air for a year," said Dermot. 

"I’d rest it, then I’d get back to the rooms. For me it was always room, arena, boot camp.

"I was really uncomfortable about the Six Chair Challenge. I don’t think it’s a particularly nice bit of television.”

And we could not agree more. 

Over the years, ratings of the show have dropped while criticism has mounted over the constantly changing format of the show and an emphasis on entertainment over the people involved. 

Dermot presented the talent contest for eight years up until last year and he was replaced by former Xtra Factor duo Caroline Flack and Olly Murs who faced intense criticism during the season's run. 

"You never want other people to fail, but sometimes you need a few cock-ups to remind people it’s a finely honed craft."

The ITV show's ratings dropped by a massive 700,000 for the last show compared to last year's final and Dermot knows exactly where the viewers have gone. 

"I know where they’ve gone, they’ve gone and watched Strictly [Come Dancing].”

“One of the reasons people like Strictly is because it’s a very warm show.”

You tell 'em, Dermo. 

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It's something you've probably done yourself without thinking, but it can have real and very serious consequences,

New photos released by the Dublin Fire Brigade this morning show just how dangerous it is to leave charging devices unattended, especially on duvets or under pillows.

The photos, which show an apartment bedroom in the Islandbridge Dublin 8 area, were taken after a charger left on the bed overheated and caused a fire.

"A fire in Islandbridge last night caused by a charging device on a duvet. Be safe, bed+gadgets don't mix," staff of the DFB captioned the photo.

Visible on the mattress is a charred hairdryer and what looks like the remains of a mobile phone.

The DFB often turns to social media to warn users of possible causes of house fires. Shortly before Christmas, staff released these photos, of a room destroyed by a Christmas tree fire:

Stay safe, ladies.

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An unnamed Cork man has spoken to Irish radio about how a one night stand with a stranger turned into a thousand euro sex scandal. 

The young man has revealed to RedFM that he is considering police intervention after a chance encounter with a stranger turned out to be too good to be true. 

According to the Irish Independent, the man is being black mailed by a Polish woman in her twenties that he met over social media. 

"I was in [Cork city] getting something to eat. I checked into a restaurant Wi-fi and got a message from her saying you are in the city centre – I am too, would you like to meet," he said.

"I said: 'Yes, come along.' She came over and we were chatting away. We went off together and two pints turned into about 18.

"She said would you like to come back to my friend's house. We went back there. I won't say what happened."

The man said that he considered the rendezvous as a one night stand and did not think too much of it after it happened. 

"She was grand after that night. I totally forgot about it until yesterday when she sent me a message."

"She said she would ring me through messenger. I wasn't in the form as I was half asleep. She kept ringing, ringing and ringing. I kept hanging up.

"Then I answered a  call and as I was looking at phone, I said 'what the hell is going on here'. There she was starkers lying on a bed.

"She started going to town on herself if you get me and I was like 'right okay'. I watched and it went on for two or three minutes. She was asking me to do stuff. I was reluctant and said 'no I am not into this at all.' She kept going on for another few minutes. Next thing she just stopped and the camera went off."

As it turns out, the call was all part of an internet scam by the woman to catch the young man out. A short time later, the woman got in touch again. 

"She was saying 'do not end this call, you are under great threat and all this kind of stuff.' She played a video of me watching her and said I will release this video to all your family members and the people of Cork," he said.

"She named most of my family members that she must have got on (social media) and sent me a long list of names.

"Then she demanded €5,000 or she was going to release the video and let it go viral. She never gave me an account number but kept asking have you paid yet? She then demanded €10,000."

The man has refused to pay but continues to be threatened. He is considering taking the incident to the guards.

While this story might sound fantastical, according to many reports scams like this one are becoming increasingly common. 

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He may be taking on some of the most challenging roles in Hollywood, but it seems that becoming a father is one challenge that Eddie Redmayne is not taking lightly. 

The 34-year-old actor confirmed pregnancy rumours at the Golden Globes over the weekend. 

When Ryan Seacrest asked if Eddie's wife was expecting, the Oscar-winning star said: "That is true."

"I’m sweating now – she’s calm I’m not."

Eddie married Hannah Bagshawe in 2014 and it seems that the whirlwind continues for Eddie whose personal and professional life is accelerating in positive ways. 

Eddie was met with critical acclaim and an Oscar after portraying Stephen Hawking in 2014's massive hit, The Theory of Everything. 

And he has continued to garner support and nominations this year as he plays transgender character, Einar Wegener, in the Danish Girl alongside Alicia Vikander. 

The couple's first child is thought to be due in late Spring of this year. 

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Former wife of David Bowie, Angie Bowie, was in the Celebrity Big Brother house at the time of the much-loved musician's passing. 

Angie Bowie, who retained her wedding name, was married to David from 1970 to 1980 and the pair had one child together. 

The star was taken out of the house and told by representatives of her former husband's passing at aged 69 from cancer yesterday. 

The 66-year-old, who is long estranged from her former husband, decided to stay in the house despite getting emotional in the diary room. 

"I haven't seen him in so many years, I can't make a big drama out of it," said the former model to Big Brother. 

"But I just feel like an era has ended with his passing and I'm so very sad."

"The stardust is gone."

Angie was comforted by housemates David Gest and John Partridge while she grieved over the sad news. 

Watch the moment below: 

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Model Jerry Hall and businessman Rupert Murdoch, 84, have announced their engagement in the Times newspaper having dated since the Summer. 

The 59-year-old sparked rumours of a romance with the billionaire when they were spotted supporting Rupert's home team, Australia, at the Rugby World Cup. 

This is technically Jerry's first marriage as she was in a long-term relationship with rockstar Mick Jagger though the two were never officially married. 

This is Rupert's fourth marriage and he reportedly shelled out over 1.7 billion dollars in a divorce settlement with second wife, Anna Murdoch. 

"They have loved these past months together," a spokesperson for the couple has said. 

"They are thrilled to be getting married and excited about their future."

Rupert owns media empire News Corporation and also founded the Fox News Channel in the States. 

The couple placed their announced in the Times Newspaper, which is run my the Australian's corporation. 

"Mr Rupert Murdoch, father of Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, Grace and Chloe Murdoch, and Miss Jerry Hall, mother of Elizabeth, James, Georgia and Gabriel Jagger, are delighted to announce their engagement," read the brief notice. 

Jerry dated Mick Jagger for over twenty years and though the pair were wed in a ceremony in Bali, it was later declared invalid. 

The pair have four children together. 

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While we may all be revelling in the undeniable chemistry between Stephanie Davis and Irish ladies man Jeremy McConnell, it seems that Stephanie’s worst fears may have just come true. 

The actress has become increasingly worried that she is “mugging off” her boyfriend, Sam Reece, while in the CBB house but that doesn’t seem to stop her enjoying some intimate moments with Jeremy in the house. 

And it seems that Stephanie's man has had enough. 

Sam took to Twitter tonight to announce that he would no longer be rooting for his girlfriend while she is in the house. 

In an aggressive treat, the handsome model wrote: “Hi everyone, I will no longer be supporting Stephanie Davis… 

"Thanks for all your support and love you have given me!!"

Ouch… 

We can only assume that the reason for this sudden withdrawal of support is Stephanie's close relationship with Jeremy on the show. 

Last night, Stephanie and the Irish model shared a passionate embrace before heading reluctantly to their own beds and the pair have been getting increasingly close over the past few days. 

On tonight's show the 22-year-old said she would turn down her ultimate celeb crush, Justin Bieber, for Sam in an emotional diary room confession. 

We reckon Stephanie will be devastated when she leaves the house. 

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One Direction and Justin Bieber aren't the best of friends recently, since Justin slagged the boys for having the same album release date. 

But since then, JB has insisted that it's all cool. And if there's one way to let bygones to be bygones, it's by mashing up their songs.

Not that the lads put it together themselves, but fans on both sides will be happy since You're Perfect and Sorry go together SO well.  

It's the perfect collaboration. 

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Ah, young love. We all had crushes throughout our teen years, and many of us found our first loves walking around the corridors of school.

Fast forward a few years later and it's safe to say that many of us have taken a sneaky peak into what our old school crushes are up to these days (thanks social media).

So, when writer Marian Bull came across the boy she was in love with in school, she couldn't help but notice he was in a new relationship.

Her housemate filmed her talking about the new girl and how pretty she is, but we can all admit that we've been there! Especially when she says, "I'm sure she's a really nice person."

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Jonathan Cheban, who entered the Big Brother house less than a week ago has QUIT the show, Channel 5 has confirmed.

A spokesperson for the reality show said in a statement, "Jonathan Cheban has decided to leave the Celebrity Big Brother house."

However, viewers will have to watch the show to find out exactly why he left early.

"His exit will appear in tomorrow night's show on Channel 5 at 9pm," the spokesperson added. 

The reality star wanted to leave during the week, but CBB bosses stopped him after an hour-long chat in the Diary Room. 

"I need to get out of here. It's becoming impossible. I can't even sit. I can't even enjoy it. I can't even hear anybody, I'm so anxious I feel I'm going to have a heart attack," he said during the week. 

Goodbye, Jonathan!

This comes just hours after CBB bosses had to talk to Angie Bowie off-camera and tell her about her ex-husband, David Bowie's death. She ultimately decided to stay on the show. 

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If you are or ever have been in a long distance relationship, then you know the struggles of not being able to see each other as often as you'd like. 

Long phone calls and cute emails are great and everything, but this couple have certainly found the perfect way to keep each other close. 

After spending the New Year in Canada, one clever girlfriend sneakily left behind a suitcase full of hidden treasures before she went home.

Somehow, she waited three days before telling her other half about the suitcase but it was clearly worth it when he found it and opened it up.

Inside were envelopes for nearly every scenario imaginable. She made some to open when he was sad, happy and even frisky. 

The lucky lad posted the envelopes on Imgur, and the response was very positive, with many telling him the marry the girl. 

We just think this is the cutest thing ever, and we're kinda hoping he does something equally as cute to thank her. #Goals. 

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She only made her debut this weekend, but new judge to The Voice UK, Paloma Faith has already threatened to leave the show. 

She told The Sun that if she gets bad reviews on social media she's going to throw in the towel… But doesn't everything kinda get a bad review online?

"I haven't experienced this season yet so I don't know if I will want to do next year's series," she admitted.

"If every day from the first show is a barrage of abuse on social media and in letter form then of course I'm not going to do it."

But, she's willing to hold out to see how it all goes. 

"Boy George and I haven't experienced it yet so there's a sceptical feeling. We're happy within us but we just hope that translates into a public reaction."

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