STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses have banned long training sessions in the wake of the show’s bullying scandal.

Professionals and celebrities will only be allowed up to six hours in the rehearsal studios at a time to keep couples sweet.

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Strictly Come Dancing couples will only be allowed to train for six hours at a time[/caption]

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There will also be chaperones watching on in rehearsals[/caption]

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TV sources say the move will help to improve relationships between couples[/caption]

Producers believe that exhaustion is one of the main factors behind arguments, say show insiders.

But some critics have hit back at the move, saying the standard of dancing won’t match up to previous years.

A source told The Mail on Sunday: “It’s hoped this will create a better environment for the celebs, in the wake of all the mistreatment claims. 

“It has been accepted that the long hours are not helpful and are often behind fallouts and frayed tempers.

“The new rules mean most couples are now starting earlier in the morning and finishing in the early afternoon, which means everyone is far less tired.”

If contestants want to spend longer rehearsing, they will have to split their training into two shifts and factor in a substantial break between them.

One TV insider said that some contestants are “determined to win” and will want to spend all their time practicing.

They added that whilst that’s a positive thing, it can lead to tiredness and frustration.

Another show insider said that less time in rehearsals will lower the chances of the “Strictly curse” unfolding between partners.

There are also chaperones this year to watch over rehearsals and make sure everything is above board.

The six-hour training limit also means that they won’t have to pay the chaperones overtime.

The Sun has approached the BBC for comment.

This is one of the new rules put in place after the show was rocked by claims of threatening behaviour between dancers and their partners.

Last year Graziano Di Prima was sacked after kicking Zara McDermott during rehearsals, which he has since apologised for.

Amanda Abbington also claimed that her partner Giovanni Pernice bullied her, which is currently under investigation.

Details of the five-month inquiry are expected to be revealed within a fortnight.

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Graziano Di Prima was booted off the show for his threatening behaviour towards Zara McDermott[/caption]

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Amanda Abbington claimed former partner Giovanni Pernice gave her PTSD[/caption]

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The couples took to the dance floor for a second week[/caption]

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Some critics claim the standards of the dancing will be affected by the decision[/caption]

STACEY Solomon has sparked speculation that she’s quit Loose Women for good after not being included in an anniversary picture.

Stacey, 34, was a regular panellist but she stepped back from the ITV daytime show as she prepared to give birth to her daughter Belle.

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Stacey Solomon has sparked speculation that she’s quit Loose Women for good after not being included in an anniversary picture[/caption]

She’s since made a fleeting return to Loose Women for a couple of appearances but has otherwise been AWOL.

Now, Loose Women have marked their 25^th anniversary with a portrait showing 18 of the show’s panellists for the first time.

The beautiful photo sees the panellists dazzling in an array of beautiful silver outfits, while rocking glam hair and makeup looks against a silver backdrop.

The caption reads: “This September, Loose Women celebrates 25 years on TV!

“To mark the occasion, 18 panellists got together for a stunning Silver Jubilee photoshoot, and to share what the show means to them. Here the final image can be seen for the first time.”

But Stacey is nowhere to be seen, which is something fans of the show immediately picked up on.

“Where’s Stacey,” wrote one person, while another added: “Where’s Stacey gone?!”

A third said: “Bit awkward when you miss so many others off though,” and someone else wrote: “This would have been better with Stacey,” followed by a crying emoji.

In the group photo, Christine Lampard, Judi Love, Katie Piper, Kelle Bryan, Frankie Bridge, Dame Kelly Holmes, Charlene White, Sunetra Sarker and Olivia Attwood-Dack can all be seen in shot.

As well as four of the original panellists, Jane Moore, Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha and Ruth Langsford.

And regular panellists Denise Welch, Linda Robson, Coleen Nolan, Janet Street-Porter and Brenda Edwards in the photo.

Earlier this year, it was revealed by Stacey’s Loose Women co-star Linda Robson, that she was ‘too busy’ to return to the panel.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Birds Of A Feather legend Linda said: “She’s not going to be a regular anymore? I don’t think so, but you never know.

“I would love her to come back, she’s a really good Loose Woman – she’s really honest. But I think she’s got too much on.

 “She’s got her own series and her and Joe are out in their little house. She’s still really welcome but she’s just so busy.”

Stacey first joined the Loose Women panel in 2016 and she quickly became a firm favourite among fans.

But in December 2022, she decided to bow out and take a break.

Stacey and her husband Joe Swash‘s youngest child, Belle, arrived two months later and her diary was already brimming with other work commitments.

In the first year of Belle’s life, Stacey found herself travelling around the country to film her two TV shows – Sort Your Life Out for the BBC and Renovation Rescue on Channel 4.

In November last year, Stacey made a brief return to Loose Women for one episode and explained her absence to viewers.

She said: “It’s been crazy because Belle was a wonderful surprise, but what that meant was that I had to fit my filming schedule into a very short period of time.

” I’ve just been up and down the country with Sort Your Life Out and filming another show so I haven’t been able to even get into town.”

Stacey also told her co-stars Kaye Adams, Judi Love and Katie Piper that she was “so happy” to be back on the show and that it had been like “therapy” for her.

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STRUGGLING households have only a few hours left to claim hundreds of pounds worth of white goods or a new boiler — here’s how to apply now.

The Household Support Fund (HSF) is a government scheme which aims to support those most in need.

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The scheme will allow Gateshead Council to replace or repair boilers for households who are eligible for the fund[/caption]

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Eligible households can get a new carpet installed via the scheme[/caption]

Around £1.8million is available to households in Gateshead until September 30.

Households struggling to afford energy bills, food and wider essentials will be eligible for the fund.

The council confirmed they will use the funds to help residents replace kitchen appliances, install carpets for warmth, repair or replace boilers, and pay off large utility bills.

However, only householders in Gateshead who need support will be eligible.

Gateshead Council will evaluate a household’s income and expenses to decide if they qualify for assistance from the funds.

Residents who have received funds from the scheme since May 1 will no longer be eligible to apply again.

The council announced that they will not be offering food vouchers as part of the scheme.

Households in need of food support should reach out to Citizens Advice Gateshead for additional help.

What is the Household Support Fund?

The Household Support Fund (HSF) was first set up in October 2021 and has now been extended six times.

Councils in England are now able to benefit from the latest round of funding which amounts to £421million.

Nationwide councils have received a portion of the cash to distribute to households in need.

But there is a postcode lottery to determine who qualifies and each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria.

Yet if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, or are deemed to be vulnerable or on benefits, you will probably qualify for help.

The HSF’s fifth round of funding will close on September 30, but the government has extended the scheme until April 2025 with the injection of a further £421million.

Applications may still be being accepted for the fifth round of funding, so it’s still worth checking with your local authority.

Applications to access the next round of funding will open in October.

Councils will determine how the cash is distributed. For example, households in Leicestershire have been able to apply for a financial award of £300 per household, which was paid in the form of vouchers to support with gas, electricity and food.

The payment could be delivered as a Post Office voucher, which can be redeemed for cash to help with gas, electricity or water, or an e-voucher to help with food costs that can be converted to a gift card for major supermarkets.

Meanwhile, residents of Leeds could receive council tax support with those with dependent children able to claim up to £100, while those without children could receive £25.

You should get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.

You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.

The help you can get varies, depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.

You may be able to receive free cash or vouchers to cover the cost of heating your home, or the weekly food grocery shop.

If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.

Additionally, you do not need to be getting benefits to receive vouchers or funds from the HSF.

Check with your local council to find out what support is available and the eligibility criteria.

How do you apply?

To get the help, you’ll need to look it up with your council because local authorities are the ones responsible for distributing the funding.

To find your local council, use the gov.uk council finder tool.

Once you’ve identified your local council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding online.

Every council has a separate application process, meaning specific details regarding how to apply depend on whereabouts you live.

The eligibility requirements to access the fund might vary in addition so it’s best to check with your local council for further details.

Some councils won’t need you to apply for help and will get in touch instead if you qualify.

If you can’t find any information on your council’s website, it’ s a good idea to call them and ask for further information.

By David Southwell for Daily Mail Australia Published: 5:12 AM EDT, September 29, 2024 | Updated: 5:30 AM EDT, September 29, 2024 Protesters have marched through Australian capitals, waving Hezbollah flags and carrying photos of the organization’s recently murdered leader. Thousands took to the streets in Sydney and Melbourne on Sunday to show support for […]

By Jordan Beck for Ny Breaking Published: 5:18 AM EDT, September 29, 2024 | Updated: 05:21 EDT, September 29, 2024 Leonardo DiCaprio cut a demure figure as he headed home in a taxi after the Paris Fashion Week party on Saturday night. The actor, 49, was followed by model Neelam Gill as he left after […]

Betway Premiership giants Orlando Pirates are expected to beat Richards Bay FC today to complete a dream start to the league.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie says he is having a meeting with the PSL and SAFA on implementing VAR.

The founders of Tornado Cash a crypto mixing platform Roman Storm and Roman Semenov are set for Trial after the United States court rejected a motion to dismiss the charges pegged on the founders of the platform by the United States Department of Justice. This development comes one year after the US DOJ announced an …

THE heartbroken families of victims of a Nottingham knife rampage have blasted the BBC’s Panorama show about the incident as “shameful”.

Valdo Calocane killed 19-year-old students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, as well as Ian Coates, 65, in June last year.

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Valdo Calocane got a hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility[/caption]

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Nottingham stab victims, from left: Ian Coates, 65, Barnaby Webber and his friend Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19[/caption]

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The victims’ families outside court[/caption]

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Calocane’s mother Celeste and brother Elias feature in the show[/caption]

The paranoid schizophrenic, 32, then stole Ian’s van and rammed three people, causing serious injuries to them.

It later emerged cops failed to arrest Calocane – who had previously been sectioned four times – a year earlier when he attacked a police officer.

The victims’ families were dealt another blow when prosecutors dropped murder charges and the twisted killer instead admitted manslaughter, before receiving a hospital order.

The Beeb’s documentary, The Nottingham Attacks: A Search for Answers, aired on August 12.

The loved ones of all three victims have made formal complaints, labelling the show “shameful and arrogant”.

They also claim they were refused a preview screening, adding that it contains inaccuracies and was too sympathetic to the killer’s family.

Barnaby’s mum Emma, speaking on behalf of all three families, told The Mirror: “We believe what they’ve produced is a very imbalanced documentary – it’s shameful, cold, ill-judged, arrogant and thoughtless.”

She went on to say the broadcaster’s treatment of the case has made their trauma worse and they were only informed about the show after it had already been filmed, just two works prior to it going out.

Emma said producers told them “people would be talking on camera for the first time”, but refused to give any further details.

It was only on watching the show they realised Calocane’s family were interviewed.

She said to “even know their names is trauma” and having to see photos of the killer as a child “made it a million times worse”.

They have also questioned claims Calocane’s family were unaware of his mental health issues until after the killings, despite his being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2020.

Emma went on to raise an issue with the BBC failing to mention his mother was an NHS nurse.

She said: “There were a wide number of ­inaccuracies and clearly curated editing to make it an attack on the NHS failures and a sympathetic piece towards the family.”

She added they “utterly dispute” the family being unaware of the diagnosis and have “seen evidence that they knew years ago”.

Complaints submitted by Grace, Barnaby and Ian’s families have been escalated to the BBC’s highest stage two level.

If they are dissatisfied with the corporation’s response, they could then approach TV regulator Ofcom.

Lawyer Neil Hudgell, who is representing the families, said they believe they were not consulted so “the programme could promote the narrative that the Calocane family were victims too”.

The Sun has contacted the BBC for comment.

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Emma Webber says she feels ‘let down’ after learning the BBC’s Panorama will air interviews with the family of Calocane[/caption]

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Calocane as a child[/caption]

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Grace (left) with her family[/caption]

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CCTV showing triple killer Calocane being arrested[/caption]

STRICTLY star Jamie Borthwick made a very cheeky four word remark to pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas on the dancefloor.

Jamie, 30, couldn’t resist having some banter with his pro during his first live performance last week.

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Jamie Borthwick made a very cheeky four word remark to pro partner Michelle[/caption]

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The soap star made an inside joke while on the dancefloor[/caption]

The EastEnders actor took to the dance-floor to perform his Viennese waltz where he received a score of 23 points from the judges.

Jamie and Michelle joined host Fleur East on It Takes Two on Friday and was quickly asked about Jamie’s funny comment to Michelle.

He cheekily told the professional dancer that she had a garlic scent during their Saturday performance.

It was caught on a secret microphone that captures the dancers conversations from the dance floor and backstage.

Fleur said: “Here at It Takes Two we like to eavesdrop on your mic, I’m sorry we like to introduce.”

Jamie was heard telling Michelle: “You smell of garlic.”

Fleur asked: “What was going on? ”

Michelle explained: “In the most romantic moment of the dance, he decides to tell me I smell like garlic.”

Jamie explained: “Well we’ve had this thing during the week at rehearsal, it was an inside joke where we were eating garlic bread and stuff like that and we’ve been burping in each other’s faces all week.”

“You watch the mic thing now for as long as we are here there is going to be something good on that mic.”

Michelle joked: “I’m going to get him back”.

Jamie, was first given a perfect score of 40 points from the judges when he won the 2023 Christmas special of the hit BBC show.

This time around it seemed the judges were much harsher with their comments, except for Craig who seemed to enjoy his performance.

During the interview, Fleur mentioned how the judges may have been harsh with their scores.

She thought this may have been due to his success in the holiday period when he performed the Quickstep.

The presenter then read out a comment from a viewer named Lizzie who said: “Judges – harsh much.

“Seemed far more critical than anyone else? I thought it was fab!”

Jamie replied: “They were critical. But they were judges, it’s what it’s meant to be.”

However, he then made a swipe at Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

The actor implied that he was only really concerned with impressing Craig Revel Horwood.

It could have been his top priority, due to Craig’s reputation as being the harshest critic on the panel.

“Craig liked it!”, he exclaimed. “I’d much rather Craig love it than the other three.”

After his previous performance, Anton and Shirley tried to actually demonstrate how he could improve his posture.

But despite the criticism from the others, Craig seemed to lavish praise on the amateur dancer.

“Well I think you are terrific actually, I love your energy.”

He added: “It needs a little bit of fluidity, it was a bit sort of jaggered throughout. But that performance I thought was absolutely wonderful.”

Jamie scored a total of 50 points on yesterday’s second live show – placing him eight in the leaderboard.

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Jamie scored a total of 50 points on yesterday’s second live show[/caption]