3 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on ‘Personal fluffing’, Pammie’s kiss ban & star doing meth during filming… Inside the shocking secrets of Baywatch
IT’S an iconic show famed for gorgeous stars, skimpy swimsuits and making Pamela Anderson a star – now a new tell-all docu-series is set to reveal all about the iconic 90s TV show.
The long-running series first aired in 1989 and followed the lives of the lifeguards who patrolled the beaches of Los Angeles County.
David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson were two of Baywatch’s biggest starsRex FeaturesFormer Playboy model Pamela as C J Parker on the showRexSplash NewsPam was a regular on the cover of Playboy magazine[/caption]
It ran until 2001 and spawned several spin-offs – and even a 2017 film starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Zac Efron.
Now, a new four-part Disney+ series, After Baywatch: Moment In The Sun, takes fan back to the beach to unveil the secrets behind the hit show, including dozens of new cast interviews and never-before-seen footage.
Playboy partnership
Back in the Nineties, Baywatch casting directors often looked to the pages of Playboy magazine as part of its hunt for new female talent.
The documentary tells how posing for the adult magazine would normally put the kibosh on getting acting roles but with Baywatch, the more Playboy they had done the more it boosted their TV careers.
Baywatch makers met Pamela Anderson, who first posed for Playboy in 1989, through the magazine’ founder Hugh Hefner, according to the film.
It has also been reported they asked her to audition for their show 12 times – and even persisted when she didn’t show up.
In 1992, Pammie landed the role of C.J Parker on the iconic show, cementing the blonde bombshell’s status as a sex symbol and helping to turn Baywatch into a worldwide hit.
Pamela’s sex tape nearly got her the sack
In the four-part series, Baywatch co-creator and producer Michael Berk reveals Pammie was almost written off the show following the release of her now infamous 1995 sex tape with her then-husband Tommy Lee.
He recalls: “When Pam’s sex tape came out, the studio said, ‘Look, write her out of a couple of episodes, we’ve got to figure out what we’ll do with this, this is a disaster.”
GettyPamela and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner who reportedly helped get her a job on Baywatch[/caption]
Traci Bingham was the first Black actress to don the red swimsuit on Baywatch and a Playboy staple
But according to the TV screenwriter the hour-long home video, which was stolen from the couple’s Malibu home and leaked, actually had the opposite effect and actually boosted Baywatch’s ratings and so she kept her job.
He says: “The next episode that aired, it shot up in the ratings. It got like twice the ratings.”
Speaking about the scandal in a previously unaired interview, which features in the documentary, Pamela, now 59, says: “It was stolen property. It was two crazily naked people in love. We were naked all the time and filming each other, being silly.
“But those tapes were not meant for anybody else to see. I have not seen it to this day, it was very hurtful.”
GettyPamela Anderson and Tommy Lee had a troubled marriage[/caption]
RexBaywatch co-creator Michael Berk reveals secrets behind the hit show in the docu series[/caption]
Pamela’s kissing ban
While Pamela’s off screen antics with Tommy were good for ratings, his behaviour on set certainly wasn’t ideal.
Co-creator Michael Bergin says: “Pammie came to one day and said please rewrite this scene where I have to kiss David Chokachi. Tommy’s feeling is just feeling really insecure right now. It’s not a good time and don’t make me kiss David Chokachi.’”
Speaking to the Guardian last year, the actress told how the Mötley Crüe drummer would arrive on set every day, claiming “wife time”. “
She added: “Tommy was so jealous. I thought that’s what love is.”
Pamela reportedly begged Baywatch bosses to re-write a scene so she didn’t have to kiss her male co-starGettyFremantleTommy Lee was reportedly jealous of Pamela spending time with hunk David Chokachi[/caption]
Michael reveals how Tommy once “trashed” Pamela’s trailer when he arrived and she wasn’t there – because she was filming a scene with David, now 56, who played hunky lifeguard Cody Madison.
Actor David says in the doc: “Tommy Lee took our scenes when we were girlfriend boyfriend on the show at face value.
“He got really upset. I felt bad for her because she was under a lot of pressure.”
Hollywood A-Lister missed out
GettyA teenage Leonardo DiCaprio missed out on a part in Baywatch[/caption]
Jeremy Jackson bagged the role as David Hasselhoff’s on-screen son HobieGetty
Leonardo DiCaprio is now an Oscar-winning movie star and as a 15-year-old, he was the favourite to play David Hasselhoff’s on-screen son Hobie Buchanan in Baywatch.
But after being bowled over by a 10-year-old Jeremy Jackson during his audition, The Hoff put his foot down.
Brought up by a single mum, the youngster told the Hoff: “I don’t need a dad.”
Speaking in an old interview he did Baywatch: The Documentary, which features in the new Disney+ series, David says: “It really got me.” He adds: “I fought for him.”
However in 2016, Michael Berk said: “We actually had DiCaprio ready to be cast but David thought he was too old to play his son.
“David thought it would make him look older. He had a lot of concerns of that type.”
Drug claims
GettyJeremy Jackson makes some bombshell claims in the documentary[/caption]
As Hobie, Jeremy Jackson played a pivotal role in the show and confesses in the TV docu-series that he was using meth during his final season on Baywatch.
He said: “I remember David saying ‘Are you smoking pot or something?’
“And I was like, Jesus, they think I’m smoking pot? I could never tell them the truth. What would they think?”
He added: “When you haven’t slept for five days and you’ve been smoking crystal meth, having somebody look you in the eyes and say ‘Dude, are you okay?’ is like the worst thing that can happen.”
Jeremy, now 43, has previously revealed that problems with drugs contributed to his departure from the hit show.
Shrinking swimsuits
Baywatch star Kelly Packard says red swimsuit became even more high cut in later seriesAngelica Bridges says she was shocked when she got given the costume because it was so skimpyDonna D’Errico joined the cast of Baywatch in 1996Getty
The show is synonymous with the iconic high cut red swimsuit worn by the Baywatch babes. Yet, the documentary reveals it subtly changed during the years to help draw in fans
Actress Kelly Packard, who played April Giminski, says in the docu series: “Over the years, they went higher and higher and higher and it was ridiculous. You couldn’t even function in it.”
Angelica Bridges, who starred as Taylor Walsh, adds: “I remember looking at it, going ‘you want me to wear this? What?!’”
‘Personal fluffing’
David Chokachi in blue Speedos from Baywatch
It wasn’t just the women who bared all on Baywatch. Carmen says: “I think Baywatch was ahead of its time because men were featured and men looked hot.”
David Chokachi reveals in the documentary series that he used to do “a little personal fluffing” to help boost his package in his tiny Speedos.
He recalls: “The bummer was though a lot of the times it’s 6.30am, it’s freezing and it’s like ‘alright, get in the water’. The shrinkage is ridiculous.
“I had my own technique. I would basically try and find a towel or a jacket to hide under and do a little personal fluffing and then you know it created a little circulation and you could kind of represent yourself a little bit better.”
Model was scouted in his pants
Michael Bergin dubs himself “Captain Underpants” in the docFremantleThe men including French actor David Charvet had to have buff bodies tooRex Features
Another Baywatch hunk, Michael Bergin, got the role of Jack ‘JD’ Darius in 1997 after the model was spotted by casting directors in his pants for a Calvin Klein advert.
Unknown Michael, now 55, replaced Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg as the designer’s underwear model in 1995 and became a household name overnight, featuring in ad campaigns alongside British supermodel Kate Moss.
Michael Berk says in the doc: “Michael Bergin came in and he was very raw but very good looking.”
He adds: “Every woman in the office came to us and said, ‘you’ve got to cast him, he’s your guy.’”
The former model, who is now a successful estate agent in Beverly Hills, says: “Baywatch is absolutely something that changed my life.”
The documentary also reveals there was a friendly rivalry between the male cast on who had the best body.
Michael says: “Chokachi looked damned good in his Speedos but I think I looked a little better.”
He adds: “I guess you could call me Captain Underpants.”
And David Hasselhoff recalls how they even had something called “the rolling six pack” when they were filming on the beach.
The Knight Rider actor adds: “They said ‘rolling’ and everybody held it in and you’d do the scene then they’d shout ‘cut’ and you’d let it out.”
Carmen Electra ‘lied’ about her swimming experience
Carmen Electra pretended she was an “amazing” swimmer
Auditions can be nerve wracking enough but the four-part series reveals how actors didn’t just have to look good, they also had to take part in a test.
Speaking in the doc, Alexandra Paul, who played Lt. Stephanie Holden in the television series Baywatch from 1992 to 1997, says: “All of the actors had to start taking part in a swimming test before they were cast because actors will say they can do anything.”
She adds with a laugh: “There were a few actors who said, ‘oh yeah, I can swim’ when they couldn’t.”
Recalling her audition, Carmen Electra, who got her big break after landing the part of Lani McKenzie in the show in 1997, says: “I auditioned with Hasselhoff. He was right there in front of me. I was so nervous.
“I got through that phase and then the next phase was putting on the red suit. So I put on the red suit, modelled it around. Then, the producer said, ‘Can you swim?’ I said, ‘Of course, I’m great. I’m an amazing swimmer.’
“I remember standing on the edge of this pool and I said a prayer and I just thought ‘dive like you’re a dancer, tuck in your chin and go for it.’ And I made it. I made it on the show.”
The former glamour model also says cast members also had to go through lifeguard “rookie school” including “running on burning hot sand” as well mastering the “technique” of the show’s infamous slo-mo run along the beach.
Carmen, now 52, says: “I still run in slow motion for people. It’s become this worldwide thing.”
She loves teaching it to people, adding: “I’m game and I love it. There was a technique to it.”
Baywatch launchpad for Hollywood career
RexJason Momoa got his big break on a Baywatch spin-off series[/caption]
GettyThe actor is now one of the biggest names in Hollywood[/caption]
As well as Pamela Anderson, Baywatch also launched the showbiz careers of others, including Aquaman star Jason Momoa who made his acting debut as Jason Ioane on the syndicated action spin-off drama series Baywatch: Hawaii, which ran from 1999 until 2001.
The documentary tells how thousands of hopefuls attended the open casting call in Jason’s native.
Former casting director Fern Oreinstein says in the doc: “The minute Jason walked in we were like, ‘ok, we’ve got our guy. He was the perfect Baywatch lifeguard. We hired him right away.”
After Baywatch: Moment In The Sun is available to stream on Disney+
3 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Waterloo Road’s Liam Scholes goes red-carpet official with new girlfriend weeks after split with
JUST months after his shock split from Corrie star Elle Mulvaney, it appears that actor Liam Scholes has moved on already.
The Waterloo Road actor, 21, attended the launch of the 101 Dalmatians Music at The Palace Theatre in Manchester, walking arm in arm down the red carpet with pretty blonde, Roisin Riley.
Instagram/palaceandoperaLiam cuddles up to pretty blonde Roisin at a Manchester premiere[/caption]
With his girlfriend of two years, Elle Mulvaney whom he met on the set of CorrieRex
Actor Liam had got together with Amy Barlow actress, Elle Mulvaney, during his stint on the cobbles playing thug Eli Higginson back in 2022.
Liam who fronts the Manchester indie band The Lanks was involved in a controversial storyline where his character, helped evil Corey Brent to cover up the murder of Seb Franklin who died after a vicious street attack.
Previously Elle told The Sun what she likes in a man, she said:
“I definitely like somebody with confidence,” she said. “I’m confident myself, so it wouldn’t work with somebody shy.”
Indeed their split came as something of a shock to friends and colleagues.
A source said: “Elle and Liam were loves young dream and did everything together.
“Their split has really shocked their co-stars and family and no one knows exactly what happened.
“It was all very sudden and they have both made it clear to pals it would take a miracle for them to get back together again.”
In an interview Elle revealed that she has to be cautious about potential suitors being seduced by her fame and fan base, as a regular on the Britain’s flagship soap opera.
She said: “There are telltale signs,” she explained. “If you’re on a date with somebody and all they are interested in is who I saw at work it’s a bit of a red flag.”
In the same interview, she insisted she’s worlds away from her tearaway Corrie character.
Rebellious Amy got pregnant at 14 then had a secret abortion, and viewers often see her partying and drinking in the soap with her friends.
Elle explained: “I like baking and running. I’m a goody two shoes and I never went to a club before I was 18.
“Because I was on television, I felt I couldn’t do things like that without getting into trouble. It was a bit irritating, but now I look back and actually I’m grateful, because I didn’t make any stupid mistakes.”
3 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on ‘It sounds Disneyfied’ – Gary Neville reveals ‘World of Man Utd’ plan and ‘doesn’t care’ if Old Trafford is demolished
GARY Neville has played a huge part in Man Utd’s past success – and now he’s about to have a big say on the club’s future.
The former Red Devils defender has been appointed to a task force looking at the regeneration of Old Trafford and the surrounding areas.
PAGary Neville is part of a task force looking at the future of Old Trafford[/caption]
ReutersMan Utd’s famous old ground has been beset by issues in recent years[/caption]
GettyThe club’s owners are reportedly keen on building a 100,000-seater replacement[/caption]
Man Utd fans are keen for the board to renovate the Field of Dreams and bring it into the 21st century.
Old Trafford has been beset with issues in recent years, including leaky roofs and frustrating engineering obstacles.
Athletics legend Sebastian Coe, mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and Supporters Trust CEO Duncan Drasdo have all joined Neville on the task force.
According to The Athletic, the group will bring forward a “recommendation for the future of Manchester Utd’s stadium by the end of December.”
Neville explained to the outlet: “The reason I was chosen is multi-faceted – I played for Utd, I support Utd, I’ve got a business in the area, a university too.
“We’re all there not to help Manchester Utd build the best stadium but to make sure that the best outcome is arrived at for everybody in Trafford, Greater Manchester and beyond.
“We know that Manchester Utd want to build or refurbish/redevelop [but] we don’t know which solution will be arrived at.”
Neville hopes Wembley Stadium can serve as a blueprint for the group moving forward.
He claims there has been “significant change in Wembley around the stadium,” adding that “thousands of jobs and homes have been created.”
The Sky Sports pundit continued: “What I want to see is a world of Manchester Utd around that stadium – of opportunity, hope and belief.
“It sounds Disneyfied, but I don’t mean a theme park. I mean where people visit that area and think, ‘Wow’.”
“In five, six or seven years, I want United to have the best stadium and training ground in the world, plus doing the right things on the football side.
“That will come again and we’re patient.”
What we know about the 'new' Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
They plan to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a second venue.
They will scale it down to a 30,000-seater that can then be used for the women’s team and academy matches.
That would mean the history remains with statues and the Munich clock and memorial plaque all most likely staying in their current positions.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
Man Utd have played at Old Trafford since 1909, with the last major renovations completed in 2006.
It currently has a capacity of 74,310, making it the Premier League‘s biggest ground.
Despite its storied history, Neville admits he would be willing to say goodbye – if it meant success for both the team and the surrounding areas.
Neville added: “Everyone gets bogged down on whether it should be a new stadium or a redevelopment – and rightly so.
“That’s the question where everyone is at. Honestly, I’ve got a vast experience in redevelopment and rebuild in real estate. One or the other is not the most important thing to me.
“Whether we create a new and bigger version of Tottenham’s stadium or do what Real Madrid did with the Bernabeu.
“Either outcome for me is a success because if Manchester United end up with a world-class stadium, new or developed, I genuinely don’t care.”
Fans think that Charley Webb may reprise the role of Debbie DingleRexGetty - ContributorMichael Parr is making a return to ITV after six years off the soap[/caption]
ITVViewers hope that multiple former characters could come back to the long-running show[/caption]
ITVSome think that Debbie could come back and support her family[/caption]
Getty Images - GettyFans are ecstatic as bosses promise an explosive Christmas for the soap[/caption]
3 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Inversión sin precedentes en seguridad en Solidaridad, afirma Lili Campos en 3er Informe
Este martes, la presidenta municipal de Solidaridad, Lili Campos Miranda, rindió su Tercer Informe de Gobierno, donde afirmó dejar avances significativos en diversos ámbitos, destacando la seguridad como uno de los pilares fundamentales en la gestión. Mayor seguridad en Solidaridad Lili Campos mencionó que, al inicio de la administración, la inseguridad era uno de los […]
3 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Panic over new ChatGPT that ‘reasons’ as expert warns of terror AI raids that steal cash from ‘huge numbers’ of victims
ARTIFICIAL intelligence that can “reason” could spark a terrifying new wave of cash-stealing scams.
A top security expert has told The Sun how new advancements to apps like ChatGPT could be exploited by online crooks.
GettyCyber-criminals are increasingly taking advantage of powerful AI to target hundreds of victims with complex scams[/caption]
Artificial intelligence chatbots are everywhere – and they’re able to make difficult jobs much easier for millions of people.
This month, OpenAI showed off its new ChatGPT o1 model, which is capable of “thinking” and “reasoning”.
“We’ve developed a new series of AI models designed to spend more time thinking before they respond,” OpenAI explained.
“They can reason through complex tasks and solve harder problems than previous models in science, coding, and math.”
It’s the latest major advancement to ChatGPT since the AI chatbot first launched in late 2022.
And it’s available in an early preview for paying ChatGPT members now (but in a limited way).
SCAM SPAM!
The Sun spoke to security expert Dr Andrew Bolster, who revealed how this kind of advancement could be a huge win for cyber-criminals.
“Large Language Models (LLMs) continue to improve over time, and OpenAI’s release of their ‘o1’ model is no exception to this trend,” said Dr Bolster, of the Synopsys Software Integrity Group, speaking to The Sun.
“Where this generation of LLM’s excel is in how they go about appearing to ‘reason’.
“Where intermediate steps are done by the overall conversational system to draw out more creative or ‘clever’ appearing decisions and responses.
“Or, indeed to self-correct before expressing incorrect responses.”
“In the context of cybersecurity, this would naturally make any conversations with these ‘reasoning machines’ more challenging for end-users to differentiate from humans,” Dr Bolster said.
“Lending their use to romance scammers or other cybercriminals leveraging these tools to reach huge numbers of vulnerable ‘marks’.”
Web users should always be wary of deals that are ‘too good to be true’.
Dr Andrew BolsterSynopsys
OpenAIOpenAI has released a new version of ChatGPT that offers ‘advanced reasoning’[/caption]
He warned that they’d be able to carry out lucrative scams cheaply “at scale for a dollar per hundred responses”.
PROTECT YOURSELF
So how do regular users stay safe?
The good news is that all the old rules for dodging online scams still apply.
“Web users should always be wary of deals that are ‘too good to be true’,” Dr Bolster told us.
“And [they] should always consult with friends and family members to get a second opinion.
“Especially when someone (or something) on the end of a chat window or even a phone call is trying to pressure you into something.”
AI IS SCARY – BUT DON'T GIVE UP JUST YET
Here’s what Sean Keach, The Sun’s Head of Technology and Science, has to say about AI scams…
Artificial intelligence is here to stay. There’s no doubt about it.
And no matter how many safeguards are put in place when designing AI, there’s no fool-proof way to stop it from being abused.
Tech companies are pouring money into making their AI systems safer – but nothing is perfect.
So as always, the responsibility will be on you and me to stay safe in this scary new world.
The main thing to remember is that AI-powered scams are often just more convincing and easier-to-carry-out versions of regular age-old cons.
So keep these quick tips in mind:
If a claim sounds unrealistic, there’s a good chance it is
Offers that look too good to be true probably are
Don’t give in to someone pressuring you to make a quick decision – especially if money is involved
Have a safe word or phrase for close friends and family members to verify you’re talking to the right person – and not a fake
Never click unsolicited links you’ve been sent. If you need to find a website, navigate to it manually and make sure it’s official
Don’t hand over any sensitive info online unless you’re 100% sure you’re talking to the right person – and there’s a good reason for it
If you’re being asked to pay for something with gift cards, it’s very likely a scam
Following these rules can stop the overwhelming majority of scams – whether they’re powered by AI or not.
SAFETY FIRST?
To combat the new ChatGPT being abused, OpenAI has fitted it out with a whole host of new safety measures.
“As part of developing these new models, we have come up with a new safety training approach that harnesses their reasoning capabilities to make them adhere to safety and alignment guidelines,” OpenAI said.
“By being able to reason about our safety rules in context, it can apply them more effectively.
Fraud losses facilitated by generative AI technologies are predicted to escalate to US$40 billion in the United States by 2027. This projection reflects a compound annual growth rate of 32% from US$12.3 billion in 2023.
EFTSureDeepfake Statistics 2024 report
“One way we measure safety is by testing how well our model continues to follow its safety rules if a user tries to bypass them (known as ‘jailbreaking’).
“On one of our hardest jailbreaking tests, GPT-4o scored 22 (on a scale of 0-100) while our o1-preview model scored 84.”
INSIDE THE NEW CHATGPT O1
Here's how OpenAI says its new ChatGPT o1 works...
“We trained these models to spend more time thinking through problems before they respond, much like a person would,” OpenAI said in a blog post.
“Through training, they learn to refine their thinking process, try different strategies, and recognize their mistakes.
“In our tests, the next model update performs similarly to PhD students on challenging benchmark tasks in physics, chemistry, and biology.
“We also found that it excels in math and coding. In a qualifying exam for the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), GPT-4o correctly solved only 13% of problems, while the reasoning model scored 83%.
“Their coding abilities were evaluated in contests and reached the 89th percentile in Codeforces competitions. You can read more about this in our technical research post.
“As an early model, it doesn’t yet have many of the features that make ChatGPT useful, like browsing the web for information and uploading files and images.
“For many common cases GPT-4o will be more capable in the near term.
“But for complex reasoning tasks this is a significant advancement and represents a new level of AI capability.
“Given this, we are resetting the counter back to 1 and naming this series OpenAI o1.”
But although it’s safer, no AI system is foolproof – so be vigilant when browsing the web so you’re ready to spot these costly scams.
3 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Inside Ademola Lookman’s stunning journey from League One breakthrough to Champions League ‘phenomenon’
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN’S twinkle toes are gracing the game’s biggest stages after a career-defining whirlwind of 12 months.
The Wandsworth-born winger, 26, single-handedly won Atalanta a first trophy in 61 years with a stunning hat-trick in the Europa League final in Dublin back in May.
Ademola Lookman won Atalanta a first trophy in 61 years with a hat-trick in the Europa League finalThe Wandsworth-born winger began his career at Charlton and will now play in the Champions League
Earlier this year, he helped Nigeria – the birthplace of his parents – reach the African Cup of Nations final, becoming the first Atalanta player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
And having only just returned to the Italian side’s starting XI this term following summer links to Paris Saint-Germain, Lookman appears ready to rip up the continent once more in tonight’s Champions League opener against Arsenal.
Lookman has truly transformed himself from a bog-standard English football talent flirting with mediocrity into a global superstar – one that cost Atalanta just £12.6m.
After a stunning goal and assist to beat Fiorentina 3-2 last weekend and get his Serie A campaign up and running, the Italian media drooled over the Super Eagles talisman.
Gazzetta dello Sport wrote: “The magician is back to being a phenomenon,” and Sky Sport Italia gushed: “His season has resumed the way the last one finished: as the best player on the pitch.”
That victory took place in Atalanta’s newly-refurbished Gewiss Stadium – one that took nearly 2000 days and almost £100m to complete – and Il Giornale wrote: “Lookman… turned on the lights in the new house.”
This adulation is what makes Lookman’s origin story even more special – owing much of his development to rainy nights at The Valley in south east London during his formative years at Charlton Athletic.
Signing from Sunday league club Waterloo in 2014 as a 17-year-old hot-shot, smashing numerous goal scoring records in the academy, Lookman made his first team debut 12 months later.
By the 2016/17 campaign, he was making waves in League One alongside pal Ezri Konsa – now starring for Aston Villa at Europe’s elite table and England.
But it was always Lookman that stood out, despite his 5 foot 8 stature that had some of his teammates suggesting he looked like a school boy compared to his man-sized opponents.
Yet former Charlton defender Adam Chicksen argues: “He played to his strengths and would look to make an impact in everything he did. He wasn’t afraid to take the ball.
“He had freakish ability with both feet, the way he would go past players either way.
“As a result, teams had to double up on him as their game plan even back then. They were more worried about his attributes than how they would bully him physically.
“Ademola thrived on that. He was able to take the pressure on and be the one to open up the game when it mattered. He won games for us.”
Defender Chicksen – now 32 with League Two outfit Notts County – did not have long to admire Lookman, who made an £11m switch to Premier League Everton in January 2017.
His two-and-a-half years on Merseyside proved to be a career-staller, forcing Lookman to look abroad – first with Red Bull Leipzig in July 2019 and then Atalanta in August 2022 after brief and uninspiring loan spells at Fulham and Leicester.
With PSG attempting to lure him to the French capital during this summer’s transfer window, Lookman reportedly asked NOT to play for Atalanta, wanting to train alone in fear of picking up an untimely injury.
But Chicksen recalls that Lookman should not be thought of in that light, given the professionalism he showed when the Toffees came knocking on Charlton’s door.
Chicksen explained: “It’s a rare thing being able to continue with your progress when you do make the leap to the first team and not allow egos to come into it, and you saw that with him.
“He was willing to learn and get better and just stay grounded. He wasn’t just saying: ‘I’m already gone’ and downing tools.
“It is that sort of attitude that has seen him develop the way he has and keep his performance levels high through all sorts of adversity.
“When I used to have some chats to him, I know he put in the work and he remained patient and focused.
“He was a quiet guy. He didn’t need to shout though, because of the impact he could have on the pitch. He knew what he was, and that comes with confidence.
“He knew what he was capable of even at that young age. Playing alongside it allows you to see the brilliance of someone, that potential starting to unfold.
“He never passed on responsibility and that’s the sign of a great player.”
3 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on See pics of the glam photoshoot ‘ugly’ dogs are treated to in the hope they’ll get adopted into a loving home
A FURRY photoshoot at a rescue shelter is used to ensure the less photogenic pooches find a home.
All Dogs Matter arranged for the shoot in the hopes of helping some of their older and bigger dogs get adopted.
All Dogs MatterA rescue shelter organised a photo shoot to showcare their less ‘photogenic’ dogs up for adoption[/caption]
The photo shoot featured All Dogs Matter’s more senior residentsAll Dogs Matter
A range of dogs who’ve been in foster care or housed at the shelter were given some extra attention.
The pooches received the ‘supermodel’ treatment in an effort to find them a forever home.
A range of breeds were ready for their close ups ,including 12-year-old Bobby and 14-year-old Brandy.
The duo are a bonded pair of Yorkshire Terriers who’ve been looking for a home for several months.
Gentle Zara, a four-year-old Staffie – who was abandoned by her previous owner after having had puppies, lapped up the lens.
Also relishing the extra attention and loving the camera was four year old Chihuahua, Snek, previously discarded but rescued by the shelter.
It comes after research of 2,000 adults found that nearly half of Brits would like to get a dog or even a second furry pal.
However, 58% of those surveyed would rather opt for a younger canine friend.
Of those surveyed, 47% would consider adopting, rather than purchasing.
And 54% of people who’d like a younger dog think it’s easier to train one from a puppy.
Over half of 18–34-year-olds specifically search for puppies online and 71% of the same age group admit seeing a cute dog’s image on Instagram or TikTok can prompt them to check out rescue sites.
The pup paw-traits were all captured on second-hand cameras, provided by Wex Photo Video.
The company has partnered with the shelter to give these dogs another shot at showcasing their personalities – revealing some things are just as good second time around.
Paul Wareham, marketing director at the photographic retailer, which also commissioned the research, said: “All dogs can definitely learn new tricks, especially in a loving home.
“Every dog deserves their moment in the spotlight, regardless of age or appearance.
Most popular dog breeds in the UK
Dog experts, Tug-E-Nuff, surveyed the UK to find out their favourite dog breeds, here's the top ten.
Labrador Retriever
Border Collie
English Cocker Spaniel
Cockapoo
Golden Retriever
German Shepherd Dog
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Springer Spaniel
Jack Russell Terrier
Labradoodle
“These lovable hounds have got so much to give, so we’re hoping these glamorous shots can help find them a home.”
The study showed 46% of people would feel good about themselves for giving an abandoned dog a second chance at life.
A third of people are more inclined to choose dogs who have been waiting for a new owner for a long time.
More than a fifth admit they’re more likely to choose a rescue dog whose photo they liked.
Nearly nine in 10 of younger respondents, aged 18 – 34, were motivated to request a viewing at a rescue centre if they can spot a dog’s personality shining through in photos.
Of those who’d prefer a younger dog, 53% would want to have more years to spend with a pet they’d grown to love.
All Dogs MatterA survey of Brits found that most people are likely to opt for a younger dog when adopting[/caption]
All Dogs MatterWex Photo Video teamed up with the rescue shelter to provide their services for the photoshoot[/caption]
All Dogs MatterThe dogs included in the shoot were older pooches that have been long-time residents of the shelter[/caption]
Amazon has officially revealed the dates for its second Prime event of the year for next month.
Prime members will have access to thousands of exclusive offers from October 8-9, 2024 during the Big Deals Day event.
Some of the best Prime Day deals for the UK usually come on Amazon’s fleet of devices, including its smart Fire TVs, Echo speakers, and security systems.
Here’s a stellar deal for Apple fans who have been eyeing up the brand’s premium audio products for a while now – the latest-gen AirPods Pro have been slashed to their lowest price ever.
The cheapest we’ve seen these gorgeous noise-cancelling earbuds was back in February when they fell from £229 to £189.
Now, they’re a tenner cheaper – honestly, if you’ve been looking for an excuse to take the plunge, now is the time.
2. Amazon Fire TV 40-inch 2-Series Smart TV, £179.99 (was £299.99)
Amazon’s 2-series range of budget televisions are now even cheaper for Prime members
Amazon’s line of super-affordable TVs are great buys during the sale, and this 40-inch Fire TV model comes at a huge 40% off right now.
Amazon has very wisely carved out a niche in making highly affordable devices for budget-conscious shoppers, and its new Fire TV series is one of the best examples.
Despite the low price tag, you’ll still get Fire TV and Alexa built-in, and with the Alexa TV remote, you can control the TV with your voice.
Since air-frying is the new craze, it’s no surprise they’ve created a high-end air fryer.
The Tower Dual Basket Air Fryer is perfect for larger families, or anyone who wants the added convenience of being able to cook multiple things at once for speedy meal prep.
The biggest benefit of using an air fryer is creating healthier meals and the Tower model will help you do that thanks to its vortex air frying technology and eight pre-set cooking options.
It’s also a cost-effective investment as it can help you save up to 70% in energy costs compared to a conventional oven.
4. Nespresso Vertuo Plus Automatic Pod Coffee Machine, £78 (was £199.99)
This pod-based coffee machine is now better than half-price in the Amazon Prime Day sale
The multi-functional cooking tool has 7 different functions, ranging from grilling and smoking to roasting and baking, so you’re spoilt for choice in what you can cook outdoors.
And since it is powered by electricity, you don’t have to worry about heating coals and waiting for the perfect time to get cooking.
7. Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara, £8.98 (was £12.99)
AmazonLots of big beauty brands like Maybelline have appeared on sale during the Amazon Prime Day sale[/caption]
It’s never too late for a fitness kick, especially now that it’s warm enough to leave the jackets at home.
Skechers is well known for being the ‘shoe that breathes’, and that’s thanks to the Geo mesh that allows air circulation, reducing outdoors after a heavy workout or jog.
These lightweight Summit Artistry Chic Sneakers are also fitted with a memory foam sole and shock-absorbing midsole, which reduces damage to the foot as it strikes the ground.
9. Garnier Ambre Solaire Sun Protection Over Makeup Mist SPF50, £7 (was £13.99)
Amazon Prime Day is a great opportunity to pick up some cheap-as-chips sun protection
It has powerful suction, is lightweight and easy to control.
The handy attachments will help you get dirt out of every nook and cranny in the car or around the house.
The hefty saving makes this powerful handheld vacuum cleaner a great value bargain.
Amazon Prime Day tech and device deals
As ever, some of the best Prime Day deals are on Amazon’s own devices, including its Fire TV streaming sticks
One of the biggest-selling product types in the Amazon Prime Day sale is electronics – the retailer stocks an enormous range of items, from TVs to tablets to SIM-free smartphones to its own smart tech.
As ever, some of the most impressive discounts are on its own products – we’ve listed the best below but you should head to our Amazon device deals page for an in-depth list of Echo, Ring, Fire and Kindle discounts.
Elsewhere in tech world, you’ll find some juicy price drops on big-brand products from the likes of Apple, Samsung and Honor.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd-gen), £179 (was £229) – buy here
Apple 2022 10.9-inch iPad, £306 (was £349) – buy here
Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Cancelling Headphones, £189 (was £350) – buy here
Echo Dot (5th-gen), £24.99 (was £54.99) – buy here
Ring Video Doorbell, £49.99 (was £99.99) – buy here
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, £32.99 (was £59.99) – buy here
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, £149.99 (was £179.99) – buy here
Google Pixel 8 Pro smartphone, £699 (was £1,059)– buy here
Asus Vivobook 15.6-inch Laptop, £479 (was £799.99) – buy here
Prime Day is the best time to pick up smart tellies for less
Amazon's 48-hour sale is a great time to upgrade your TV, says Matt Breen, Senior eCommerce Writer.
You know the drill: Amazon Prime Day is here, so if you’re signed up to Prime, you’ve got a lot of discounted products to pick up.
But the question is: are these exclusive deals actually any good? A simple answer is, well, some are – and some of the best are on Amazon’s very own devices.
The price drops that I’m most excited about are on Amazon’s range of Fire televisions, which only hit the market a year ago.
These falls across two categories, the 2-Series and 4-Series ranges (cheap as chips, 4K, no-frills) and the Omni range (pricier, because they’ve got flashy QLED screens).
Sizes vary from 32 inches – perfect for bedrooms – all the way to a hefty 65 inches.
Although we haven’t seen any price drops that match the stunning Black Friday deal that saw the 55-inch 4-Series Fire TV reduced from £550 to £149, there are still some impressive TV savings and the Prime Day sale is a good time to strike.
Make sure you read our what size TV to buy explainer if you’re not sure which screen size is right for your space.
Oh, and if you’re going all out, take a look at Amazon’s new Fire TV Soundbar, which has been launched at a promo price of £99.99 (usually £119.99).
Amazon is offering a huge wave of price drops on beauty products this Prime Day, including these ceramic hair straighteners from ghd
Amazon might not sound like the automatic go-to for beauty and cosmetics products – but it’s often where you’ll find the best prices on items from major brands such as ghd, Maybelline and Babyliss.
That’s certainly the case right now, thanks to Prime Day – right now, Prime members can get their hands on everything from make-up to styling tools.
Take a look at our fave deals below.
ghd Original Ceramic Hair Straightener, £94.99 (was £139.99) – buy here
BaByliss Straight And Curl Brilliance Hair Straighteners, £48 (was £125) – buy here
Maybelline Concealer Instant Anti Age Eraser Eye Concealer, £0.25 (was £9.99) – buy here
Shark FlexStyle Limited Edition 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer, £229.99 (was £319.99) – buy here
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical SPF 50+ Invisible UV Fluid, £8.54 (was £19.99) – buy here
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Serum, £10.40 (was £23.99) – buy here
Here are the beauty items I am buying this Prime Day
Here's the beauty and makeup items I'm buying this Prime says from Harriet Flook, Senior E-Commerce Writer.
If you’re looking for a great deal on beauty must-haves and cult favourites Prime Day is the perfect time to shop.
There are literally hundreds of deals on offer, but if you’re not sure where to start, don’t panic!
Now is a great time to get the viral hair tool as it has a 28% discount, bringing the price down to £229.99.
It is one of my favourite and most used beauty tools and my hair has never looked or felt better since buying it.
Prime Day is also a great time to stock up on everyday essentials like your favourite serum (I recommend the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Filler Serum which is £11.99 in sale).
Or try that must-have viral product on your wishlist (The TikTok favourite Tan Luxe Gift Set is a bargain at £14.99).
Looking for more offers? You can check the best Prime Day beauty deals as they’re announced here.
Prime members can pick up the Philips L’Or Barista coffee machine for £60 cheaper than usual
Prime Day isn’t just about picking up deals on Amazon Echo devices and cheap tech, it’s a great opportunity for shoppers to snap up deep discounts on coveted home and garden items, and in particular branded kitchen appliances for big names like Ninja, Sage, Russell Hobs and more.
We have scoured all the newest deals and there are some great value bargains covering everything from Shark vacuum cleaners and Nespresso coffee machines to the ever-popular dual air fryers on the market. Check out some of our top home and garden highlights from the sale so far:
The 36% price drop on Ninja’s 9.5-litre air fryer is exclusive to Amazon this Prime Day
Ninja has long been seen as the Rolls Royce of kitchen and home appliances, and with lots of innovative products on the market it is easy to see why the brand is so popular with shoppers.
During Prime Day we have spotted plenty of Amazon Exclusive deals on the brand’s extensive range of air fryers, blenders and cookware collections – check out some of our favourite deals:
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer, £159.99 (was £249.99) – buy here
And, if you want to be sure you’re getting a good deal, you can check out Amazon price tracker Camelcamelcamel, to see how the price you’re seeing compares to recent months.
Plenty of top kitchen appliances we’ve reviewed are on sale right now, including the Philips 5400 Series Bean-to-Cup Espresso Machine, which is so good it has helped me swerve shop-bought coffee.
Creating a wishlist of items is an easy way to shop the sale, as it helps you identify what you need over what seems like a good deal, but might not actually be useful to you.
I’d recommend keeping an eye out for bundle offers, especially on household cleaning items because bulk items tend to be better value for money.
Plus, be sure to read the thousands of reviews from shoppers to gauge all opinions, which is especially important for home appliances as they are built to last.
Keep this in mind when you look for kitchen utensils and cleaning tools as these are items you will be using daily, so it’s important to prioritise quality and what will work for your own space.
If a summer holiday is on the horizon, or you are a frequent flyer, and your old suitcase has seen better days, the Prime Day sale features big discounts on top luggage brands like Antler, Samsonite and Aerolite.
Whether you are after the best carry-on for short trips or want to invest in one of the best cabin bags on the market, Prime Day has a ton of options to choose from, including some of our favourites below:
Antler Clifton Cabin Suitcase, £119 (was £170) – buy here
Samsonite Base Boost Medium Expandable Suitcase, £87.20 (was £125.30) – buy here
Antler Medium Hard Shell Suitcase, £140 (was £190) – buy here
Aerolite Large Hard Shell Suitcase, £59.48 (was £74.99) – buy here
Amazon: Huge savings on books, audiobooks and music streaming
Prime Day is over, but some of the best offers are on Amazon's subscription services are still running.
Amazon Music Unlimited: Get 5 months FREE (£10.99p/m after) – sign up here
Kindle Unlimited: Get 3 months FREE (£9.49p/m after) – sign up here
Audible: Get 3 months FREE (£7.99p/m after) – sign up here
Just remember: you need to be signed up to Prime to pick up these limited-time promotions. Head to our best Amazon Prime Day deals page for the very best discounts.
When is the July Prime Day 2024 event?
Celebrating its landmark 10th year in a row, Prime Day is back on July 16th and 17th.
For 48 hours straight, Prime members can dive into exclusive discounts across a vast array of products.
Rest assured, we’ve got your back with the cream of the Prime deals crop right here, ready and waiting for you.
The event is the perfect summer counterpart to the bigger seasonal Amazon Black Friday and Christmas sales.
Here are the dates of Prime Days past:
2015: 15 July
2016: 12 July
2017: 11 July
2018: 16-17 July
2019: 15-16 July
2020: 13-14 October
2021: 21-22 June
2022: 12-13 July
2022: 11-12 October
2023: 11-12 July
2023: 10-11 October
2024: 16-17 July
Do I need to be a Prime member to take part in Prime Day?
Students can take part in Prime Day if they have an Amazon Prime membership.
Students can take advantage of the Amazon Student subscription, which has a reduced monthly cost of just £3.99, or £39 a year.
There’s also a free six-month trial, which allows full access to all the perks and exclusive offers. You can sign up for Amazon Student here.
How to cancel your Amazon Prime 30-day free trial after Prime Day?
If you’ve signed up for an Amazon Prime trial to take part in the Prime Day event, you’ll need to cancel the service before the 30 days expire, or you will be charged the recurring monthly fee.
You can easily cancel your subscription if you wish. Simply sign into your Amazon account and go to “Manage Your Prime Membership.”
From there, select click “Cancel free trial” on the left-hand side of the page if you want to cancel right away.
If you haven’t signed up already, make sure you sign up here for the Amazon Prime 30-day free trial – otherwise, you won’t be able to access the deals.
3 days agoWorld LeaksComments Off on Tennis star who ‘quit to become lingerie model’ breaks silence over claims she ‘ran away to evade tax authorities’
A FORMER tennis star who quit to become a lingerie model has been forced to deny claims she ran away to evade tax authorities.
AFPCamila Giorgi retired from playing tennis in May[/caption]
Instagram / @camila_giorgi_officialShe featured at Wimbledon 12 times[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/camila_giorgi_official/Giorgi quit to pursue a career as a lingerie model[/caption]
https://www.instagram.com/camila_giorgi_official/But the Italian was accused of fleeing to avoid tax authorities[/caption]
EPAA former landlord also alleged he was owen six months rent by Giorgi[/caption]
The Italian modelled alongside her tennis career and many believed she would pursue that line of work after quitting tennis.
According to investigations of the Florence Prosecutor’s Office, Giorgi and her family have several “gaps” regarding unsubmitted tax returns.
Her former landlord also made a series of claims alleging Giorgi had six months of unpaid rent, and that she had taken furniture with her upon her departure.
Giorgi’s lawyer Edmondo Tomaselli has now spoken out in her defence, explaining why she had to leave the country over the last few months.
He told Corriere del Veneto: “Camila Giorgi is in Rome. In recent months she has been away for professional reasons.
“In short, she has not run away at all, as some have claimed.
“It’s all just talk, no desire not to be found, just personal commitments.
“Her fans have always followed her through her Instagram page, she has never been unavailable.”
Earlier this month Giorgi, 32, shared photos from a trip to New York on social media, where she also announced her retirement months earlier.
A post read: “Please trust this Instagram for truthful information.
“To my lovely fans, I am happy to formally announce retirement from my tennis career. I am so grateful for your wonderful love and support for so many years.
“I cherish all the beautiful memories. There have been many inaccurate rumours about my future plans, so I look forward to providing more information about exciting opportunities ahead.
“It is a joy to share my life with you, and let’s continue this journey together. With much love, Camila.”
Across her career, she competed in all four Grand Slams, with her highest finish being a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon six years ago.
Her highest singles ranking was 26 which she achieved in the same year she reached the Wimbledon quarters.
Three years ago she also reached the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics.
In March, she competed at the Miami Open where she lost to world No1 Iga Swiatek.
Giorgi also appears to have crossed over to social media modelling as he has often shared glam pics on Instagram where she boasts 734,000 followers.
