5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Israel Adesanya KNOCKED OUT by Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia in front of Ronaldo as career hangs in balance
Getty
ISRAEL ADESANYA is in middleweight limbo following a shock KO defeat to Nassourdine Imavov.
The former two-time middleweight champion threw down with the surging contender on Saturday night in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.
GettyIsrael Adesanya returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 against Nassourdine Imavov[/caption]
GETTYThe Last Stylebender was at his elusive best in the first round[/caption]
GettyBut a huge overhand right early in the second marked the beginning of the end[/caption]
GettyImavov rains hellfire down on Adesanya until referee Marc Goddard calls a halt to proceedings[/caption]
Adesanya‘s back was well and truly up against the wall following consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis.
But the favourite failed to stop the rot as Dagestani-born Frenchman Imavov picked up the biggest win of his career via a stunning second-round KO loss.
Adesanya was light on his feet from the get-go and landed a series of hard low kicks that rattled the lead leg of Imavov.
Imavov, however, was undeterred and continued to plod forward.
And he put himself in range to land a stiff shovel hook that snapped back the head of the former champion.
Adesanya ate a huge right hand a minute and a half before the end of the round but took it it well.
But he didn’t take the same shot as well shortly after the restart, crumpling to the canvas.
Imavov followed up with a huge left uppercut and a barrage of ground-and-pound that forced referee Marc Goddard to wave off the contest.
ReutersNassourdine Imavov celebrates the biggest win of his career[/caption]
GETTYIsrael Adesanya was quick to give Imavov his flowers for his stunning win[/caption]
Everyone in attendance at the AnB arena – including Cristiano Ronaldo – was left gobsmacked by the finish.
Adesanya himself cut a stunned figure as the harsh reality of the stoppage started to sink in.
He tried to hide it, but he was clearly crestfallen at his third defeat on the trot.
But he showed his class by sticking around to praise Imavov for the biggest victory of his career.
Three defeats in his last four have well and truly put Adesanya out of the title picture.
MMA fans around the world are now eagerly awaiting his next move
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy reveals real reason behind shock decision to quit soap after 32 years
EASTENDERS’ Natalie Cassidy has spoken for the first time about her shock decision to quit the soap after 32 years, insisting: “It’s time to be brave.”
The mum of two, who has played Sonia Fowler since she was ten, will leave as part of the BBC One show’s 40th anniversary — a decision she made in the summer.
Camera PressNatalie Cassidy has spoken for the first time about her shock decision to quit the soap after 32 years[/caption]
BBCNatalie, who has played Sonia Fowler since she was ten, will leave as part of the BBC One show’s 40th anniversary[/caption]
BBCNatalie with on-screen sister Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer[/caption]
In her first interview, exclusively with The Sun on Sunday, she said: “I’m 42 this year, I just feel like it’s time to be brave.
“You don’t want to get to 70 and think, ‘I never tried that’.
“I’ve loved this programme with all my heart. I started at ten, it’s in my bones, it’s in my heart.”
Natalie made the decision following a heart-to-heart with the soap’s top boss Chris Clenshaw six months ago.
She said: “I’d been thinking about it for a little while. I had a wonderful chat with Chris back in the summer. It’s just exciting.”
Natalie will now film her final scenes later this month.
‘Iconic moment’
A week of anniversary episodes will see a huge explosion rip through the Queen Vic pub and rumours are rife that Natalie’s popular character could die in the blast.
But she’s staying tight-lipped about the fate of Sonia, who has recently been on trial wrongly accused of killing Debbie Colwell.
Natalie said: “I’ve got to remember in my head that when, as an actress, you make a decision to leave a show like this, you can’t hypothesise or worry about what’s going to happen to your character.
“That is down to the boss and the storyliners as the fate of Sonia is in their hands. I’ve had to take a deep breath, and go, ‘I’ve made my decision, I’ve just got to let it play out’.”
Natalie arrived in Albert Square in 1993 as part of the rowdy Jackson clan, which included sister Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer; brother Robbie, portrayed by Dean Gaffney; and Lindsey Coulson as mum Carol.
She left in 2007, before returning briefly between 2010 and 2011, and again in 2014.
Her earliest memory is being given a new bomber jacket that she had to “dirty up” at school to look worn.
She said: “I was like, ‘I absolutely love Sonia, she’s going to be a real tearaway’, and it never turned out like that.”
The show’s biggest stars across the decades, including June Brown, Pam St Clement, Barbara Windsor, Wendy Richard, Letitia Dean and Natalie’s on-screen mum Lindsey, all took her under their wing.
But it was her friendships with legendary actresses June, who played Dot Cotton, and Wendy as Pauline Fowler, that led to nights out and holidays.
I think the show relies on strong matriarchal women and I think that’s how this show works
Natalie Cassidy
She said: “I was going out with June, aged 18, having a glass of red wine with her in The Ivy when she was in her seventies.
“We went to Malta and we sat in a Jacuzzi together having a laugh. We stripped off!
“I used to go round to Wendy’s and we’d learn our lines in our pyjamas and have sleepovers! It was great. You made friendships that were just amazing.”
Natalie, who lives with her two daughters and cameraman fiancé Marc Humphreys, can’t remember a time in her life when fans didn’t say hello — even when she popped to the supermarket in her PJs.
She said: “The kids love it, it’s just part of my life. It’s not like it happened a couple of years in, so I’m very, very lucky that it’s been that way. I can’t remember not being recognised.
“The more local you get, they get used to seeing you. ‘Oh, it’s just Nat in her pyjamas again, running around getting her shopping’.”
Sonia, where’s your trumpet?
Natalie Cassidy
Natalie revealed she still loves it when people say, “Sonia, where’s your trumpet?” following a storyline involving her character learning to play the instrument in the Nineties.
She said: “I still get that, I still get it all the time.
“And do you know what? I get people saying, ‘Oh does that annoy you?’.
“How can it annoy me? It’s so wonderful to have an iconic moment. So no, I’m never annoyed when people say ‘Sonia, where’s your trumpet?’. I absolutely love it.”
Looking back on the last 32 years, and thinking about her stand-out storylines and plot twists, Natalie added: “It’s really funny, because there are obvious ones, like giving birth in my teens, or my boyfriend Jamie dying in hospital on Christmas Day, which were massive.
“But some of my favourites are filming a hen party round at Stacey Slater’s, where you’ve all got facemasks on, cucumbers on your eyes . . . all the women together.
“I think the show relies on strong matriarchal women and I think that’s how this show works.
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on UFC Fight Night – Adesanya vs Imavov LIVE RESULT: Main event OVER as Izzy SHOCKED by brutal KO, as Page BEATS Magomedov
ISRAEL ADESANYA has returned to the Octagon for a huge clash against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 TODAY.
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Masked Singer fans fail to recognise Davina McCall as she debuts dramatic new hairdo
MASKED Singer fans were left stunned as Davina McCall debuted her bold new look – with some failing to recognise her.
The hit ITV guessing show returned on Saturday as host Joel Dommett announced there’d be a double elimination.
ITVMasked Singer viewers failed to recognise Davina McCall[/caption]
ITVThe star debuted a new look, showing off her stylish blonde locks[/caption]
ITVDavina was rocking a short wig for the latest episode of the guessing game[/caption]
But as the panel took their seats fans at home were left double-taking at Davina.
The 57-year-old’s signature brunette locks were nowhere to be seen as she rocked a shorter blonde look.
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Wolves 2 Aston Villa 0: Hosts out of relegation zone with huge Midlands derby win in blow to Unai Emery’s top-four hopes
UNAI EMERY will be even more desperate to land Marcus Rashford after his side drew a blank at lowly Wolves.
Wolves won the Midlands Derby against Aston VillaGettyWolves ace Jean-Ricner Bellegarde scored the opener against VillaGettyVilla boss Unai Emery’s top-four hopes were dealt a major blowGettyVilla were denied an equaliser against Wolves by VARRex
But it was Vitor Pereira’s men who cashed in as Jean-Ricner Bellegarde gave them a first-half lead before Villa target Matheus Cunha finished the job seven minutes into stoppage time.
How Emery must wish Wolves would do business and let him have his brilliant Brazilian!
When Ollie Watkins limped off at half-time following a clash with Jose Sa, and never returned, it would usually have been the cue to send on super-sub Duran.
But the Colombian was already counting his dosh in Saudi Arabia following his £70m transfer and, without their talismanic back-up striker, Villa blanked out.
Meanwhile Wolves were left to celebrate a crucial and deserved win which lifted them out of the relegation zone, two points clear of Leicester.
Emery hadn’t lost a Premier League match against a team in the drop zone in 18 matches with Villa.
But it wasn’t long before that record looked in jeopardy as Wolves made an early breakthrough after 12 minutes.
It was a classy move which belied their lowly league position as they moved the ball around with precision and pace.
Cunha fed Goncalo Guedes and he squared the ball to Pablo Sarabia who threaded a neat ball in behind the Villa backline.
Bellegarde made a darting diagonal run on the blindside of Boubacar Kamara and found himself with just Emi Martinez to beat.
It would have been so easy for Bellegarde to panic or look to pass the buck.
However, he lashed the ball right-footed beyond Martinez from nine yards to send Molineux wild.
It was the perfect way for Bellegarde to mark his 50th appearance for Wolves as he bagged his first goal at Molineux.
And it exposed the fragility of Villa’s makeshift defence which saw new £6m Spanish right-back Andres Garcia team up with stop-gap centre-half Kamara for the first time.
Injuries to Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres, and Diego Carlos’ departure to Fenerbahce, had left Emery scrambling for defensive options.
And though Kamara had been a stand-out stand-in against Celtic on Wednesday, the big Frenchman was caught napping and failed to scan his area or spot the threat of Bellegarde’s well-timed run.
Villa tried to fight back
That goal appeared to knock the stuffing out of Villa, who had started brightly enough.
Garcia swept over a raking cross from the right and Nelson Semedo did well to get a vital header in front of Ollie Watkins, who was waiting to pounce at the back post.
Lucas Digne worked the resulting corner short to Youri Tielemans who crashed in a shot which Sarabia managed to get his head to and deflect for another corner.
But Wolves’ goal gave them something to hold onto and Villa became desperate and there were bookings for John McGinn for stamping on Rayan Ait-Nouri’s toes and Morgan Rogers for pulling down Toti.
Sarabia then completed a hat-trick of yellow cards when he was booked for sarcastically applauding the assistant ref for flagging him offside.
Villa were looking more ragged than a tramp’s vest and Kamara wasn’t having as enjoyable a night as he had against Celtic.
Ollie Watkins injured
Wolves almost capitalised on his naivety when Cunha chased down a through ball and ragdolled Kamara to burst through on goal.
However, Martinez denied him with a brilliant diving save and when the ball broke to Guedes he fired inches wide from 20 yards.
Villa were wobbling and Kamara had to stretch to head over a wicked delivery from a Sarabia free-kick before Guedes fired wide with only Martinez to beat.
The half ended when Martinez sprinted off his line to brilliantly block Guedes who was through on goal again.
Emery had seen enough and made four changes at the break.
Worryingly for Villa one of those was the departure of Watkins, who picked up a knock in a first-half clash with Sa and didn’t appear for the second half.
Villa denied equaliser
Emery thought his changes had paid off when Villa appeared to pull level after 53 minutes from a slick free-kick.
Leon Bailey disguised a pass to McGinn on the left and the Scot delivered a low centre which sub Donyell Malen bundled in at the back post.
However specialist VAR Matt Donohue stepped in and judged that Rogers had come from an offside position to block off Semedo – and despite minimal contact – the goal was chalked off.
Moments later it was Wolves’ turn to curse VAR when Malen appeared to clip Toti’s heel to send him sprawling in the Villa box.
But Donohue ruled that no offence had taken place to Wolves’ bewilderment.
Villa had rallied but Wolves were fighting for their lives.
They were given some light relief when a substitute board cock-up saw Guedes go off – then reappear from the dug-out again – when it was realised Ait-Nouri was actually the player supposed to be subbed!
That wasted three minutes to Emery’s frustration and his mood didn’t improve when Sa got down well to beat out a fierce 20-yarder from Malen.
Then Tielemans blazed wildly over following a corner.
Matheus Cunha sealed the three points for WolvesPACunha scored during stoppage time for WolvesAFP
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Wolves vs Aston Villa LIVE RESULT: Cunha and Bellegarde strike as home side win massive derby after Liverpool victory
WOLVES beat Aston Villa to earn all three points a huge Midlands derby.
Earlier, Nottingham Forest THRASHED Brighton 7-0 to kick off the Prem action today.
Mo Salah scored twice for Liverpool against an in-form Bournemouth, while Newcastle saw Fulham come from a goal down to win.
Saturday’s action is capped off with a blockbuster West Midlands derby between Wolves and Aston Villa.
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Curtis Pritchard treated me like doormat & made me fake break up, he’s obsessed with stardom, says Love Island star’s ex
CURTIS PRITCHARD’S ex-lover claims she was once manipulated into faking a break-up with the Love Island star in his desperate bid for reality TV fame.
Sophie Sheridan has accused the 28-year-old dancer of causing her “psychological trauma” and “treating me like a doormat” in his obsession with stardom.
GettySophie Sheridan has accused Curtis Pritchard of causing her ‘psychological trauma’ and ‘treating me like a doormat’[/caption]
Ekin-Su threw a drink towards Curtis on Friday’s Love Island All StarsErotemeTensions are mounting between Curtis and Ekin-SuEroteme
It comes as the reality hunk has been seen by millions of viewers getting together with Ekin-Su Culculoglu in the current series of ITV2’s Love Island All Stars.
Sophie, 24, today reveals how Curtis convinced her to pretend they had split up in 2023 so he could land a contract to go on another format of the reality show, Love Island Games.
But then on that spin-off, even though they were still in a relationship, he got together with Swedish blonde bombshell Lisa Celander, later kissing her in bed.
Sophie said: “When he was on Love Island Games it was so difficult but he convinced me to pretend we weren’t together any more because he needed the money for our future. Everyone thinks if you’ve been on Love Island you’re filthy rich, but that’s not the case, so I felt pressure to go along with his plan.
“He always told me it was for the best that we kept our relationship private because I wasn’t in the public eye and he didn’t want anything affecting our relationship.
‘Not over it yet’
“Like any other girl would, I wanted to share some of our really nice pictures together but he told me I couldn’t post anything on social media.
“He wanted us kept under wraps.
“It was very tough for a long time after he got back from filming The Games. It’s like psychological trauma and, to be honest, I don’t really think I’m over it yet.”
When he was on Love Island Games it was so
difficult but he convinced me to pretend we weren’t together any more because he needed the money
Sophie Sheridan
When Curtis returned from filming Love Island Games in Fiji, the couple resumed their relationship.
But he dumped Sophie in October last year after he was offered a deal to go on the current Love Island All Stars series, which launched last month.
Devastated Sophie, who started dating Curtis in 2021, told The Sun on Sunday: “He knew I would never have let him put me through that again, so when Love Island All Stars casting came ar- ound again, it was a convenient timing for him to announce he had broken up with me.
“Since Curtis has been on All Stars, I have been getting so many messages from people begging me not to get back with him again because they think that’s what I did after Love Island Games. But that is not what happened.
“We were together for almost three years and only just broke up in October.
“If he hadn’t been so disrespectful towards me and our relationship, then I wouldn’t feel the need to finally tell the truth.”
Sophie was left blindsided in October when Curtis broke it off, months after they had enjoyed a romantic holiday in St Lucia in the Caribbean.
They have not spoken since.
She says she only found out on social media about his signing for Love Island All Stars when the line-up was announced earlier this month, with host Maya Jama claiming on screen that he was “fresh” from a break-up.
Curtis has been at the centre of villa drama this week, after his head was turned by Danielle Sellers.
She then chose to “steal” Curtis from Ekin-Su in a recoupling.
After a row, Ekin-Su chucked her drink towards Curtis and stormed off.
Before going into the villa, Curtis defended himself over the split with Sophie, saying he had known it was not right for a while and that he ended the relationship because he “didn’t want to cheat”.
But Sophie has slammed the “convenient” timing.
She said: “We’d spoken about the future, about getting married and having kids, but then suddenly it was over.
“I knew straight away he would be going on Love Island All Stars because he was asked the year before.
“He knew I wouldn’t fake another break-up. I need to stand up for myself and actually tell the truth because I’ve just been a doormat for nearly three years.
“It’s like the wool was pulled over my eyes but now I’m out of the relationship I can finally see clearly. I don’t love him any more and I don’t want to be with him. He doesn’t deserve my kindness.
“It’s just been hard reliving it all over again now that he’s on All Stars. It does hurt me that he’s been so disrespectful.”
GettyCurtis on the Love Island spin-off with Lisa Celander[/caption]
GettyCurtis and Lisa getting close on the sofa[/caption]
Curtis found fame on Love Island series five in 2019 when he broke the heart of fan favourite Amy Hart, dumping her and moving on with Maura Higgins.
They were together for eight months before they split in March 2020.
He and Sophie met when they were starring in pantomime together in Wolverhampton in 2021.
Meanwhile, Curtis, who competed as a pro dancer on Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars for two series, has jumped straight back into reality TV.
He is currently coupled up with bombshell contestant Ekin-Su, who won the 2022 series of Love Island with Italian Davide Sanclimenti.
Curtis has already sexily kissed Ekin-Su’s neck in front of the villa, had her perform a fake orgasm on his lap during a racy challenge, and passionately snogged her in bed.
Sophie says her ex will be thrilled to be getting attention from such a show legend.
She added: “I know his game plan because we spoke about it previously. I think his view is, ‘It’s a job so I’m going to give them the best show possible’.
“For Curtis, going on All Stars is motivated by money and boosting his career. He wants to be a millionaire by the time he’s 30 and is obsessed with fame.
“He loves people knowing who he is, and he also wants the money that comes with that.
“I think he’s very unhappy within himself and is focusing on fame and money to distract himself from that. With Ekin-Su it’s a really weird match, especially because she said that she’s friends with his ex [Maura], but I think he’ll probably try to stay with her throughout.
“She’s a big character and he knows he’ll get air time. I think she can handle herself though.
“She’s strong and feisty, but she should know he’s definitely not in there to find true love.”
Curtis has been working in theatre while doing dance shows with his Strictly star brother AJ Pritchard.
The pair went viral in 2021 when they made a cameo appearance as twins Marco and Jacob in the E4 soap Hollyoaks — and were ridiculed online by fans for their “wooden” acting.
AJ, who was a professional dancer on Strictly for three years, im- mediately quit being an actor following the online backlash.
Curtis brought up the mortifying Hollyoaks experience to Ekin-Su on All Stars last week, admitting: “Our acting on that was GCSE quality.”
Sophie said: “He’s acting like the good guy, but as we’ve all seen in the past — he’s not that good an actor.
InstagramHelen Flanagan stunned in a plunging red dress on a day out with her son Charlie[/caption]
InstagramCoronation Street star Helen looked incredible in the bold number[/caption]
The pair enjoyed a sweet mother-son dinner, where they posed in front of a giant silver heart hung above a sea of roses for her Instagram followers.
In her caption, Helen wrote: “My forever Valentine. Charlie.”
The loving mum was also seen helping Charlie with his colouring book at the table, who wore a matching red outfit.
Helen was ordered to attend Wirral Magistrates’ Court two weeks ago after she failed to provide documents over the speeding offences.
Her Audi was clocked speeding twice in 16 days and was fined £3,000, with a victim surcharge of £800 and prosecution costs totalling £110.
Although she claimed her ex-footballer boyfriend, Robbie Talbot, was behind the wheel at the time of the offences.
The star later took to her Instagram Story as she shared a post by podcast presenter Bryony Gordon.
It showed a picturesque view of a sunset beach landscape as the waves hit the shoreline.
The words emblazoned on the image read: “This too shall pass.”
Adding: “But what the f***?”
In court, JPs heard on the first occasion, Flanagan’s £66,000 Audi Q7 was clocked going 42mph in a 30mph zone at around 1.16pm on July 10.
On July 26, the car was travelling at 51mph in a 40mph zone near to junction six of the M57 at 11.16am.
Flanagan, who already had six points on her licence, did not initially respond to intended notices of prosecution.
The actress shares three children, Matilda, nine, Delilah, six, and Charlie with her ex-fiancé and Bristol Rovers player Scott Sinclair.
She told the court where she lives is “very remote” and she would struggle without a driving licence.
The former Celebs Go Dating star also claimed she’s “really struggling at the moment financially” and can only afford to pay her tax and VAT.
She added: “My job really is being a mummy at home. Their dad works away. I earn money on social media, but it kind of varies really what I earn.
“I used to earn quite well from it but I haven’t done so well the past year.”
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What do we know about Helen Flanagan’s new boyfriend Robbie Talbot?
HELEN Flanagan has revealed that she is in a new relationship.
While appearing on Celebs Go Dating, she confessed that she was already taken – here’s everything we know about her boyfriend Robbie Talbot.
Helen has opened up about her relationship with former footballer Robbie Talbot.
He is a decade older than the actress.
Robbie was born in Liverpool on October 31, 1979 which is how he earned his nickname Halloween Hitman in football.
He has played for a series of non-league teams such as Burton Albion, Burscough and Morcambe.
He then became a coach at Ashton in 2010.
Robbie is retired from football.
He left his role as Assistant Manager at Ashton due to family and work commitments in 2011.
It’s unknown what he has done for work since leaving football.
Helen admitted that she was dating Robbie while appearing on Celebs Go Dating.
In a first for the show, it has been revealed that her relationship had to be written into the series due to requirements that those taking part have to be single.
The pair went public at her birthday party on August 10, 2024.
PAIt comes just two weeks after she was slapped with a driving ban[/caption]
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on German Masters snooker 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Barry Hawkins vs Yuan Sijun semi ON NOW after Kyren Wilson reaches final
BARRY HAWKINS is facing Yuan Sijun in the semi-final of the German Masters RIGHT NO!
Hawkins has been in decent form this season and faces surprise act Yuan, who is in a ranking semi-final for the first time in his career.
The winner of this match will face Kyren Wilson – the world champion beat Xiao Guodong with a comfortable 6-2 win in Berlin.
5 days agoLatest NewsComments Off on Local sport feeling the heat as temperatures rise
Hot, humid conditions are not only risky for professional athletes but amateurs as well, with differing fitness levels requiring tailored cooling strategies.
