World Leaks

GREAT British Bake Off fans were left baffled by ‘the most stressful episode ever’ after a string of disasters.

The Channel 4 wholesome favourite descended into chaos during Biscuit Week on Tuesday, with contestants feeling the heat in the tent.

Channel 4

Illiyn collapsed onto the floor after feeling dizzy during the showstopper[/caption]

Channel 4

Jeff quit the show after also collapsing and falling ill[/caption]

Channel 4

Dylan fell off his chair and landed on the floor[/caption]

As the episode kicked off, university lecturer Jeff was welcomed back to the tent after falling ill and collapsing during week one.

However, after another funny turn, he declared he was “done” and quit the show, being comforted by Alison Hammond after making his decision.

He told viewers it “wasn’t his year” and exited during the technical challenge.

But the icing on the cake was when another star dropped to the floor on camera after also falling sick.

During the showstoppers deliberations, Illiyn – who got off to a great start last week by landing the esteemed Hollywood Handshake in week one – also collapsed onto the floor after feeling dizzy.

The incident clearly shook up the judges, with Paul telling “What the hell is going on?” while Prue asked if she was OK.

Across the rest of the episode, one star fell off a chair, while others had to throw away their entire bakes halfway through and start again from scratch.

The episode proved too much for viewers, who couldn’t believe how dramatic and stressful it was.

Taking to X, one wrote: “Can someone send some health and safety to the tent. This is way too stressful!!”

“So many things falling over and breaking all gasps and worried noises. Very dramatic,” said another.

“What’s happening this year, everyone’s getting poorly!!!” questioned a third. “We’ve lost poor Jeff, now poor Illiyin!! It’s rather stressful in the bake off tent this year!!”

“Christ! Who knew making biscuits was so bloody stressful!” said a fourth.

While a fifth said: “Blimey! #GBBO was a bit dramatic today! A walkout, a collapse and a fall, and it’s only episode 2!”

Here’s hoping the cast rises to the challenge for next week’s theme – Bread Week.

Great British Bake Off continues Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.

Channel 4 / Love Productions

Jeff had to duck out of the second day of week one after getting sick[/caption]

Channel 4

Viewers branded the episode ‘the most stressful ever’[/caption]

Channel 4

The other contestants watched on in horror as the scenes unfolded[/caption]

Channel 4 / Mark Bourdillon

The 2024 Bake Off cast have already brought the drama just two episodes in[/caption]

AN Oscar-winning actor is coming out of retirement to star in his son’s new film.

The acclaimed star had decades-long career before stepping away from the spotlight.

MCPIX

Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis is coming out of retirement from acting[/caption]

MCPIX

He is set to star in Anemone, a film he co-wrote with son Ronan[/caption]

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He is the only man to win the Best Actor Oscar three times[/caption]

Sir Daniel Day-Lewis is returning to screens for the first time in seven years.

According to US independent production company Focus Features, the 67-year-old is set to star in a film titled Anemone, with his son Ronan Day-Lewis at its helm.

His most recent film, Phantom Thread, was also distributed by Focus Features.

Per Variety, Anemone is described as “an exploration of the intricate relationships between fathers, sons and brothers as well as the “dynamics of familial bonds.”

The cast also features Sean Bean, Samantha Morton, Samuel Bottomley and Safia Oakley-Green.

In June 2017, it was announced the legendary star would be retiring from acting after a glittering Hollywood career.

Representative Leslee Dart said in a statement at the time: “Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor.

“He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years.

“This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject.”

It is not the first time he made a conscious decision to step back from acting.

Following his role in 1997’s The Boxer, Sir Daniel moved to Italy and reportedly took up the craft of shoe-making.

Three years later, he appeared as the villain in Martin Scorcese’s Gangs of New York.

Altogether, Sir Daniel is a five-time Academy Award nominee.

Form these, he is the only man to ever win the award for Best Actor three times.

He earned the top prize for his performances in My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood and Lincoln.

The star’s other accolades include four BAFTAs, two Golden Globes and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

In 2014, Sir Daniel received a knighthood for services to drama.

Meanwhile, his film debut was in Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), playing an uncredited minor role.

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Anemone is directed and co-written by the star’s son Ronan[/caption]

WHATSAPP users should expect to receive 20 new camera filters and backgrounds to elevate their video chats in the app soon.

The new free features allow users add a colour filter, or change their background to avoid any awkward mishaps, during a video call.

WhatsApp

If you’re wondering what the ‘Foodie’ and ‘Smoosh’ backgrounds entail, then you’re not alone[/caption]

Whether you’re in a top-secret location or you’re simply embarrassed by the mess, you can keep your surroundings private by using background filters.

And that’s not all.

WhatsApp is also rolling out a significant camera boost with a new Touch up tool and Low Light option.

Touch ups will make your video look visibly brighter and more vibrant, and avoid fuzzy dark shots.

While the latter can make it easier to make video chats at night, or in other low light environments – such as a concert, so you can share the moments in more detail.

There are 10 filters to choose from, including:

• Warm
• Cool
• Black & White
• Light leak
• Dreamy
• Prism light
• Fisheye
• Vintage TV
• Frosted glass
• Duo tone

While the 10 background options include:

• Blur
• Living room
• Office
• Cafe
• Pebbles
• Foodie
• Smoosh
• Beach
• Sunset
• Celebration
• Forest

If you’re wondering what the ‘Foodie’ and ‘Smoosh’ backgrounds entail, then you’re not alone.

The ‘Foodie’ background comes in WhatsApp’s iconic green, with food dotted around behind you.

The ‘Smoosh’ background appears to feature bizarre red beans with eyes.

WhatsApp users can access these new perks during both one-on-one and group calls.

Simply select the effects icons on top right of the screen to see the selection of filters and backgrounds and select one that takes your fancy.

These effects will be available to both iPhone and Android owners in the coming weeks, according to WhatsApp.

A further escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran could send oil and gas prices significantly higher, said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, a professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Houston.

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Lady Gaga’s fiancé Michael Polansky knows she likes to rock out. Two months after confirming her engagement at the Paris Olympics, the Joker: Folie à Deux star is more than happy to gush about her...

SKY SPORTS are set to launch a brand new channel… but there is a catch.

The move will see the broadcaster launch a separate viewing feed from its Sky Sports Racing channel in Ireland.

Alamy

Sky Sports are set to introduce a new channel[/caption]

PA

It comes with the Irish government on the brink of passing a Gambling advertising ban during watershed hours[/caption]

This new feed comes with the controversial Gambling Regulation Bill in its final steps of the legislative process after completing all five stages in the Dail (lower house) this year.

The bill legislates for a daytime gambling restriction during watershed hours of 5.30am to 9pm.

Both Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV (RTV) – who have estimated they will lose almost £1.7milllion from the bill – have argued it would make broadcasting in Ireland “economically unviable”.

Further calls have been made to allow for an exemption to subscription-based racing channels.

However, Sky appear to be preparing for the worst by introducing their new channel for Irish viewers.

It will air on channel 415 and will replace the existing UK feed with an identical broadcasting stream but with a separate advertising feed.

Chief operating officer for the channel, James Singer, said: “As part of our commercial strategy we’ve recently been able to secure the transponder capacity required to launch an Irish dedicated feed of Sky Sports Racing.

“The channel will comply with all relevant laws and regulations.”

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Previously known as At The Races, Sky Sports held exclusive rights to broadcast Irish Racing until coverage switched to RTV in January 2019.

Sky Sports Racing has the rights to show 25 UK racecourses including Ascot, Chester and Doncaster.

James Browne, the minister of state at the department of justice overseeing the bill, previously suggested that splitting a feed was “very straightforward” and questioned RTV’s loss projections.

RTV chief Martin Stevenson responded by saying: “Racing TV is a small, independent broadcaster which simply does not have the scale and facilities to regionalise our coverage and offer feeds with different advertising.”

A spokesperson for Browne said they expected to bill – which has three more stages to pass in the Seanad Éireann before being signed into law by the president – said they hoped the bill would be “enacted in the coming weeks”.

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Racing’s famous faces

It’s no surprise that the winners’ enclosures at racetracks all over the world are full of famous faces.

The thrill of winning and landing a fair few quid holds massive appeal for big names from sport and beyond.

Here we look at just a few…

Sir Alex Ferguson

Regularly scoops some of the sport’s biggest prizes with his top runners over the jumps and Flat.

Paul Edwards

Harry Redknapp

Celebrated his first Cheltenham Festival winner in March 2024, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Dame Judi Dench

James Bond star is a keen observer of her runners on the Flat.

King Charles

Inherited the Royal racing operation from his mother and campaigns horses in the unmistakable red, purple and gold silks.

Jeremy Clarkson

Petrolhead has recently taken his first step into ownership, signing up to a runner with Redknapp’s trainer Ben Pauling.

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YOU might expect to find royalty spending their days eating fancy food, wearing designer gowns and dripping in diamonds.

But for one royal, life is much more “normal” than you’d imagine – we’re talking a regular full-time job, shopping trips in Tesco, second-hand dresses and partying at Glastonbury festival. 

Paul Edwards

Here took a close-up look at the life of Princess Beatrice, who has been hailed as a ‘great role model’ and the royals’ ‘relatable princess’[/caption]

theroyalfamily/Instagram

It comes after the news that the Princess is expecting her second child[/caption]

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Paul Edwards - The Sun

From a 9 to 5 job, mum struggles, and second-hand dresses, it’s no surprise that the public have described Beatrice as ‘just like us normal people’[/caption]

Princess Beatrice, 36, who is expecting her second child with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, is the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York.

The news was shared yesterday that Beatrice and Edoardo are preparing to welcome a new addition to their family in early spring.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together in early spring; a sibling for Wolfie, aged eight, and Sienna, aged three.

‘His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.’

Two new pictures from the family were shared to mark the announcement, with one showing blonde-haired Sienna from behind as she walked along a country lane, holding hands in the middle of her father and big brother Wolfie. 

In another picture, we saw an overjoyed Beatrice smiling at the camera, whilst wearing a black puffer jacket, alongside Edoardo. 

The grandchild will be a great niece or nephew to the King, and a second cousin of Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte.

He or she will also be Prince Andrew’s fourth grandchild, as Princess Eugenie has two children, August and Ernest Brooksbank. 

The baby, who will not be an HRH, will be born 11th in line to the throne, with Beatrice’s younger sister Princess Eugenie moving down to 12th place.

But it turns out that it won’t be constant posh dinners and ballroom dances in palaces for the newest little royal. 

As Beatrice, who has been branded a “great role model” and the royals’ most “relatable princess”, enjoys a more ‘normal’ life than some of her royal relatives.

Beatrice is the niece of King Charles III and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, and has also been dubbed the royal’s “secret weapon”. 

The royal, who has been one of King Charles‘s seven Counsellors of State for nearly a year now, has been described as more carefree than Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, more down to earth than Anne, Princess Royal, and more relatable than Kate, Princess of Wales.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!: “Beatrice has put up with a lot of pressure and a lot of criticism in her life but she has really come into her own.

“We already have a divorced queen on the throne. Now we have a relatable princess.

“Beatrice is a stepmother, who talks publicly about her dyslexia and who has more recently had to deal with the trauma of her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, having breast cancer. 

“It makes her much more accessible. She seems to be universally liked.”

As well as this, royal expert and editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, Ingrid Seward, told OK!: “She has all her mother’s charm. She remembers people’s names and is so nice to everyone.

“In fact, she’s a natural with people from all walks of life.”

Working 9 to 5 

While many of the royals are “working royals,” meaning they offset the cost of their lavish lives to taxpayers by leading charities and attending state events, that’s where Beatrice is different. 

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While the Princess can be spotted at many royal engagements doing her duty to support the crown, she has also opted to have a “regular” full-time job too.

Princess Beatrice, who is ninth in line to the throne, opted to pursue a career in finance, working first as an analyst at a wealth management firm before eventually becoming the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at software company Afiniti.

It might seem very un-princess-like to work a 9-to-5, but according to the girls’ father, Prince Andrew, it’s exactly the balance he wants for his daughters. 

Andrew said in statement in 2016: “As a father, my wish for my daughters is for them is to be modern working young women, who happen to be members of the Royal Family, and I am delighted to see them building their careers.

“When they do support the Royal Family in its work this is very much appreciated by my Family.”

The Royals’ ‘secret weapon’

Not only does she have a full-time job, but it’s reported that Beatrice is very close to her parents too. 

Getty - Contributor

She has an extremely close relationship to her parents and has been described as the ‘secret weapon’ of the Royal Family[/caption]

On the royal’s relationship with her father, Ingrid said: “Beatrice is very sensitive, especially about her father, as she blames herself for first encouraging him and then failing to stop him doing the Newsnight interview.

“But she also has massive public sympathy for the amount of very unpleasant publicity her father has generated.”

She seems to be universally liked

Jennie Bond

Whilst brand and culture expert Nick Ede explained: “Beatrice is a great role model for others who experience family troubles. 

“She’s dealt with a lot of turbulence in her life, including a broken home and a father – the Duke of York – who’s been quite controversial. 

“And she appears to have weathered those storms very well.

“She also has the ability to see both sides of the coin, so with regards to Harry’s falling out with William and King Charles, she can be more open minded and encourage both sides to discuss, talk about and potentially heal that rift.

“I think if anyone can heal it it’ll be her or perhaps Princess Anne. Beatrice could well be the royals’ secret weapon.”

Trips to M&S and Tesco

Whilst you might expect it all to be caviar and canapes for this Princess, it turns out that she’s often spotted delighting in everyday activities, such as doing her food shopping in Tesco and M&S.

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The Princess has been spotting nipping into M&S to stock up on veg[/caption]

In August, the King’s niece looked in great spirits as she strolled around the streets of Mayfair with her husband, after nipping to M&S to nab vine tomatoes and leafy greens.

And for her daughter Sienna’s third birthday, Beatrice threw a unicorn-themed party – complete with a cake from Tesco, according to her grandmother, the Duchess of York.

Sarah Ferguson, 64, who lives in Royal Lodge in Windsor, explained how Beatrice turned to the popular British supermarket for the little girl’s cake.

In an interview with Hello!, Prince Andrew’s ex-wife said: “We had such a good time, with balloons and a fabulous unicorn cake from Tesco.”

Partying at Glastonbury

Not only this, but unlike many royals, who will need security and chaperones on call, Beatrice has further proved she’s one of the Firm’s most relatable royals after spending her summer attending Glastonbury‘s music festival.

Camera Press

She was also seen grabbing breakfast on the last day of Glastonbury 2024[/caption]

Beatrice was seen relaxing with pals at the famous festival and kept it real by scrubbing her face with a wipe as she prepared to head home.

The booze had clearly been flowing over the weekend inside the posh Winnebago she’d been staying in, as she made an early exit from Worthy Farm on the Sunday.

An onlooker said: “Bea looked like she wanted to mentally escape from the stress of her dad’s personal problems.

“She appeared to be in her element wandering through the field and stopping off to admire the artwork.

Beatrice could well be the royals’ secret weapon

Nick Ede

“Bea was also keen to not drink too much ahead of the evening and stuck to fizzy water.”

Not only this, but she also went to BST Hyde Park to watch Kings Of Leon perform.

The royal appeared to be having the time of her life as she was filmed singing along to the band’s 2008 hit ‘Use Somebody’ alongside her husband. 

Beatrice wore a plain navy jumper and light black jacket, which she paired with a tan-toned crossbody bag and navy silk midi skirt.

A Royal wedding unlike no other

Whilst it’s typical royal style to have a big splashy wedding, that ended up not being so for Princess Beatrice.

While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s wedding was estimated to cost more than £32 million, when Beatrice tied the knot to Edoardo in 2020, it was in a quaint and understated way after the Covid-19 pandemic meant plans for a grander wedding had to be scrapped.

The pair said “I Do” in a small ceremony in front of just a handful of guests, without any fanfare, on a quiet afternoon in July.

Not only this, but the Princess didn’t splash out on a traditional wedding gown either. 

Instead, she wore one of her grandmother’s old white dresses for the occasion.

According to Ingrid Seward, Beatrice’s “happily ever after” has played a huge part in her meteoric rise to “key royal player” status in the past year.

Late night party trick

Last year, Beatrice once again proved her relatability to the public – all through her shoes.

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On a night out last year, Beatrice packed her trusty Chanel flats to avoid getting blisters[/caption]

Beatrice and Edoardo stepped out in London for a glamorous night at Carlo Agostinelli’s birthday soirée in Mayfair, but it was the Princess’ footwear that people found relatable. 

The Princess looked fabulous in a hot pink floral mini dress from ME+EM, alongside a personalised seagrass handbag from Anya Hindmarch, embroidered with the initials “BMM”. 

But one element of Beatrice’s outfit caused a frenzy amongst royal style watchers – and it was her genius choice to wear not one, but two pairs of shoes for her night out.

Arriving at the exclusive venue, the 36-year-old royal channelled Barbie fever in embellished heels from high street brand Stradivarius. 

She has all her mother’s charm. She remembers people’s names and is so nice to everyone

Ingrid Seward

The electric pink buckled heels were the ultimate choice for a statement but affordable party look – but Beatrice also had a backup plan.

Upon leaving the club, after perhaps too many hours on the dancefloor, the royal was photographed wearing Chanel’s iconic Lambskin Ballerinas – a much more comfortable pair of flats.

Royal fans were floored by the royal making such a down-to-earth fashion statement, seemingly stunned by the prospect that even Princesses are partial to a blister. 

One fan wrote on Instagram: “What I love the most about this is Bea changing heels for flats… It’s always nice to see that royals are just like us normal people, who will switch shoes for more comfortable ones at the end of the night!” 

Whilst another chimed in: “Ohh she a real one! My girl carries her spare comfy shoes in her bag like many of us do! 10 10 10s for her.”

At the same time, a third chimed in: “The heels in the bag and the switch to flats is so relatable.” 

Parenting struggles

Beatrice is mother to daughter Sienna who she shares with her husband Edoardo and is also stepmother to his son Wolfie.

PA

During the coronavirus pandemic, Beatrice opened up about her struggles with homeschooling[/caption]

In an interview with Hello! Magazine, the princess gave a rare insight into being a step-mum and opened up about her parenting struggles.

When discussing the various coronavirus lockdowns and how they affected schools, Beatrice said: “Homeschooling, that was definitely not my forte! Not going to lie. Sadly, I can’t blame that on dyslexia.

“But I’ve felt very lucky to have had the chance to work with my bonus son (Wolfie) over the course of the school closures. It was a huge learning curve for all of us.”

A friend of the couple also told the Daily Mail: “Bea is totally into the step-mum role. 

“She’s very concerned about getting it right and making every effort to be a second mother to Wolfie.

“She’s totally devoted to him and talks about him all the time.

“He’s a super little boy and extremely cute… Bea is so caring, his happiness will always be her number one priority.”

Going au naturel

While we often see the ladies of the Royal Family rocking fabulous gowns, statement shoes and even eye-catching headwear, Beatrice has proved that Princesses aren’t always dressed up to the nines.

Instagram/@princesseugenie

The Princess also isn’t afraid to show off her natural beauty[/caption]

To mark her 35th birthday, her sister, Princess Eugenie, shared two sweet never-before-seen images that show her and “big sissy”.

In the family snaps, we saw the two sisters posing on a beach wrapped up in thick coats, scarves and hats before dissolving into a fit of giggles.

Unlike how we often see many other members of the Royal Family, Princess Beatrice appeared fresh-faced, whilst donning a down-to-earth outfit, with a black beanie on her head and her hands in her pockets, proving yet again just how down-to-earth she really is.

Press Association

While she might be a granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, social media users hailed her “a real one”[/caption]