Dade Phelan, the former speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, told Texas Monthly that Republicans are increasingly worried about their political future, with some fearing the party could lose its control in Texas.

“People are freaking out,” Phelan said. “You see it in their faces.”

His concerns reflect wider anxiety within the Republican Party. On 14 October, Politico spoke to five senior Republican lawmakers who agreed that the party was likely to lose control of the US House of Representatives.

As Republicans confront the possibility of electoral losses, Phelan says their continued focus on transgender people, and in particular trans athletes, is failing to connect with voters.

What did Phelan say?

“We’re still running transgender ads. It’s just not resonating,” he said.

“Let’s be honest. The 8 to 10% of voters in the middle who are going to decide this election, when they hear stuff about boys in girls’ sports, they don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

Phelan argued that the issue has been repeatedly pushed by Republicans despite having little relevance to the everyday lives of many voters.

“This never happened in their communities, and they’ve been hearing about it for so many years, and so many other people have been accused of it,” he said. “What Republicans are talking about is just not what the swing voter is really interested in.”

His comments come amid years of Republican-led efforts to restrict transgender rights, including legislation targeting trans participation in school sports, access to gender-affirming healthcare and the recognition of transgender people in public life.

Republicans have frequently made transgender athletes a focus of their campaigns, framing their participation in women’s and girls’ sports as a threat to fairness and safety.

Phelan remains a member of the Texas House but is not seeking re-election.

With electoral pressure mounting, his comments also raise questions about whether the party’s continued focus on transgender people will help it retain support or, rather, distract from the issues that matter most to undecided voters.

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That means that both trans patients and staff will be forced to use wards, bathrooms or changing rooms “on the basis of biological sex”, after previous guidelines allowed them to use the facilities they preferred.

The guidance states: “Single-sex services, such as hospital accomodation, should be provided on the basis of biological sex.”

It goes on to say trans people “should be accommodated in line with their sex as registered at birth”, or given the option of single rooms to avoid the risk of discrimination.

The update comes 18 months after the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling, which stated that “the terms woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex”.

The guidance also makes clear that decisions regarding the facilities which a trans person uses should be made on a case-by-case basis, ensuring clinical needs are met, while maintaining the dignity and safety of trans and other patients. In some cases, clinical need will override priority, reports the BBC.

‘This guidance will not survive contact with reality in resource-strapped hospitals’

Following the updated guidelines, TransActual and Trans+ Solidarity Alliance said: “This NHS guidance emphasises clinical judgement as the priority over blanket exclusion, but leaves individual healthcare professionals unclear on how to safely look after trans patients. Forcing trans people into spaces based on our sex assigned at birth will never be the most clinically appropriate decision, and will push trans people away from accessing care. 

“Doctors and nurses need to be able to prioritise looking after the person in front of them, not juggling scarce side rooms and writing breach reports to keep trans people safe.

“This guidance will not survive contact with reality in resource-strapped hospitals and will create unworkable operational challenges. The government failing to get a grip of this legal mess is sadly putting politics over patient care.”

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Alongside the side-by-side images, the celebrity hairstylist wrote: “30 pounds down, before and after. I saw dancing as entertainment, but the physical side is something else.”

He competed on the current series with professional dancer Amy Dowden, though they became the first to be eliminated.

Pro dancer Dowden responded in the comment section with a flame emoji.

Chris Appleton’s Strictly exit

Earlier this month, Appleton and Dowden were knocked out following a dance-off against actress Jaime Winstone and her partner Carlos Gu. Dancing a Cha-cha-cha to the Baywatch theme tune, ‘I’m Always Here’, they were beaten when the judges unanimously opted to save their opponents.

The exit marked an early end to Appleton’s run, after he had teased BFF Kim Kardashian could end up in the audience one week.

Speaking on the BBC One show after he was eliminated, Appleton said: “It’s been such a whirlwind of emotion, I’m 43, I got good at what I’m doing which is hair and to come into something like this, I felt so out of my comfort zone.”

He went on: “I saw myself in a way I’ve never seen myself and it challenged me in ways that I never knew I could be challenged.

“I’m very grateful for everyone that has been involved. All the celebrities, cast and crew, it has just been so amazing to be part of such a special thing that I grew up watching and I feel very proud to be part of it.”

Emotional goodbyes

After leaving the competition, Appleton became tearful while appearing on It Takes Two, reacting to a montage of his highlights from the series.

“Why did you have to show that? Oh my God, it’s just been a phenomenal experience,” he said. “I said to my kids… I can’t even talk… just challenge yourself and do it anyway.”

Dowden also reflected on their exit, saying: “From the first day to dancing on Saturday night, he grew and grew and grew and I’m just gutted that we didn’t get the chance to continue. I honestly think there was so much more to come.”

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The RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner made the comments on Big Brother: The Group Chat, alongside hosts GK Barry and Kate Lawler, saying he had “gone right off” Philip following what he repeatedly called the “fridge comment”.

“Don’t get me started on him, because I loved the Queen of Scotty Road when he came in,” Beard said.

Philip sparked a conversation about trans people and what it means to be an ally, after he claimed some people say they “identify as a fridge”, whereas there was only “he or she” when he was younger.

Beard went on: “And the fridge comment… I’m not into anyone from any kind of community pulling up the ladder behind them. Language changes, communities change, we should fight for all of our community and not try to alienate… certainly not our trans siblings.”

‘Get in the bin!’

Beard also pointed to Big Brother history while criticising the remark, referencing Nadia Almada’s win in 2004.

“And we look back, 2004, one of the best winners ever, Nadia. Proud trans woman. And then we cut to 2026 and we’ve got people making fridge comments? Get in the bin!” he said.

Philip, 53, has also caused controversy among viewers after he slammed co-star Twinks, who is bisexual, for her use of the word “queer”.

In fact, he was so upset with it, that he used it as part of his reason to nominate her this week. Now, Twinks faces eviction against another queer housemate, Rob, and Yasmin, who got a “killer nomination”.

Danny Beard criticises Omar El Mayer

Beard also said his opinion had shifted on another housemate, Omar El Mayer.

“Not vibing with Omar. I don’t like the way he speaks. Not just to women, though, clock this, to men he thinks are ‘less than’,” he told GK and Lawler.

Omar has attracted criticism from viewers for his behaviour towards love interest Rhianna, claiming he is being overly controlling of her.

Big Brother continues Sunday to Thursday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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Last week’s episodes saw Coronation Street legend Hesmondhalgh voted out at the roundtable, only for her to reveal she was a Faithful.

Speaking to The Times, Acaster said the version viewers saw made it look as if singer James Blunt’s suspicion of Hesmondhalgh centred on the first immunity shield of the series.

Acaster said the real spark came much earlier, during the shoulder tap sequence for the Traitors’ pick at the beginning of the competition.

“What actually happened is that when they did the shoulder tap for the Traitors’ pick at the beginning, James told Julie who he thought was acting suspiciously around the table,” he said.

‘That’s why Julie got voted off’

Acaster went on to describe speaking to Hesmondhalgh at an early stage of the game, when the Traitors had been selected but did not yet know one another’s identities. At that point, he said, a Traitor might avoid sharing theories in case they accidentally incriminated another Traitor.

He said Hesmondhalgh later challenged Blunt in front of the group for not sharing his theories, and Blunt privately felt that was unfair because he believed he already had.

Acaster added that, when it came to the roundtable, Blunt pointed to the contradiction as “evidence of lying”, and “that’s why Julie got voted off,” he said.

What happened on screen?

In the broadcast, Blunt suggested Hesmondhalgh receiving the first shield could have been part of a twist, after she was deemed the most trustworthy by the group.

Acaster was the first Traitor recruit of the series, after being brought in by Maya Jama and Richard E Grant. He also said he had been looking forward to playing as a Faithful: “I was looking forward to being a little detective, solving puzzles and looking for clues.”

Celebrity Traitors returns tonight at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Jacob Tierney, who wrote and directed the hit gay hockey romance, made the comments during an appearance on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM show, Radio Andy.

When Cohen suggested the NHL had “met the moment” by embracing the show’s success, Tierney pushed back, asking: “Have they?”

Tierney then doubled down, telling Cohen: “They just hired four r*pists to play for them,” before adding: “The NHL is not meeting the moment.”

He went on to argue the league should have to prove it is welcoming, saying: “It’s up to the NHL to actually convince anybody that this is a safe space for people.” Tierney later added: “Every day they do prove that it’s not. They are not doing what they should be doing to make their sport an inclusive place.”

What did Jacob Tierney mean by ‘four r*pists’?

It is unclear what specific incident Tierney was referring to, although the filmmaker appeared to reference a high-profile sexual assault case involving five former Canadian hockey players, who were acquitted of the charges. Tierney criticised the NHL’s decision to reinstate players involved in the case.

Why the NHL and Heated Rivalry keep colliding

Tierney’s comments come as Heated Rivalry continues to break out beyond romance fandom. In January 2026, Cohen debated the show on a New Year’s Eve broadcast with Anderson Cooper as the craze went mainstream.

The NHL has also faced scrutiny over LGBTQ+ visibility in recent years, including a 2023 controversy in which some players refused to wear Pride jerseys and the league banned Pride Tape.

While the show has brought renewed attention to hockey, Tierney argued that marketing campaigns alone are not enough to address the league’s wider cultural problems.

“They really need to deal with their own toxic culture,” he said. “And they’re not.”

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Grand Prairie Independent School District (GPISD), in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, confirmed it had pulled South Grand Prairie High School’s musical after senior Ana Mota was selected to play Seymour, a florist who discovers a bloodthirsty plant while pursuing a romantic relationship with his colleague Audrey.

According to theatre writer Howard Sherman, who reported on the controversy through his publication Downstage Center, Mota was told approximately a week into rehearsals that she would have to give up the role. The part would instead go to the male understudy, while Mota would be offered the role of Audrey, sharing it with another student.

“I was frustrated because I had earned a role and I worked hard for it, and I wasn’t allowed to play it,” Mota told WFAA-TV, adding: “It’s not a compromise at all. It feels more like a punishment to everyone in the cast.”

In an open letter published on Instagram, she argued that the district was excluding her from an educational opportunity because she is a girl.

Why did GPISD cancel Little Shop of Horrors?

In a statement reported by The Dallas Morning News, Grand Prairie ISD said its decision followed concerns about the musical’s romantic storyline and themes involving an abusive relationship.

“When District leadership learned of this issue and in consideration of themes in the musical involving an abusive relationship, a decision was made to pull that production and find something more appropriate,” the district said.

It added that the decision was made as part of its ongoing effort to ensure its programmes complied with SB 12 and other applicable laws.

However, Friendly Atheist via Substack questioned why the production became a concern only after Mota was cast as Seymour. The school had previously staged Little Shop of Horrors four years ago, and the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, another school within the same district, is also performing the musical this year

Texas Senate Bill 12 took effect on 1 September 2025 and places restrictions on school instruction, activities and programming related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Mother considers legal action

Jimenez-Mota said the dispute represented a wider problem beyond one student losing a role in a school production.

Speaking to Sherman, she criticised what she described as the intimidation created by laws targeting LGBTQ+ people and artistic expression.

“I don’t know at what point we became this,” she said, arguing that lawmakers should be more concerned with issues such as access to healthcare, housing, food insecurity and gun violence.

She also said the family was considering legal action if the district refused to reverse its decision.

Mota has argued that removing her from the role violated Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education programmes that receive federal funding. Whether the district’s actions violated the law would be a matter for legal assessment.

‘This isn’t drag at all’, student says

Mota said she has played male roles before, including Jack in Into the Woods, and described the casting process as gender-blind. She told the Dallas Morning News: “This isn’t drag at all.”

Her mother, Nancy Jimenez, also challenged the district’s reasoning, saying: “The law in itself doesn’t even apply to this situation,” in comments aired by NBC DFW.

High school theatre productions often use gender-blind casting, in part because student participation and vocal ranges do not always match the roles written in scripts.

In 2023, a trans boy was barred from playing a leading male role in a Texas school production of Oklahoma!, after the district said it would use the sex of the role as identified in the script when casting.

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The film, starring Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex, the bisexual son of the United States president, and Nicholas Galitzine, the gay British Prince Henry, has been Rated R “for sexual content/nudity and language”.

While the title led to speculation that Alex and Henry may be getting married, Galitzine and Zakhar Perez have instead said it will follow the wedding of Henry’s younger sister, Princess Beatrice.

Either way, fans of the franchise are excited, and hoping for some saucy scenes, which Casey McQuiston has already promised.

One said on X: “Can’t wait to see He-Man and his boyfriend get it on.” Another said: “Taylor showing more of that a**.” A third wrote: “TZP better deliver on the full frontal he’s been teasing about for months!” As another said: “Oh I am sat! We are gonna be so fed.”

Some others, however, pointed out that the original Red, White & Royal Blue was also given an R-rating, attempting to lower expectations.

The US film ratings director shows both films are Rated R, however the wording for the reasoning is slightly different. The first movie had “some sexual content, partial nudity and language”, while the wording for the sequel suggests there may be more than “some” sexual content or “partial” nudity.

In the UK, the original was given a 12 rating, for “language, sex, sex references”. The sequel’s UK rating has not yet been confirmed.

What do we know about Red, White & Royal Wedding?

Red, White & Royal Wedding was confirmed in May 2024, with the title following in October 2025.

It’s not clear exactly what the plot will be, as the first movie was based on Casey McQuiston’s novel of the same name. McQuiston has not published a sequel, but was involved in writing the script. Either way, it is set to follow Henry and Alex’s love story.

More returning cast members include Uma Thurman, Sarah Shahi, Rachel Hilson, Stephen Gry and Clifton Collins Jr, Thomas Flynn, Aneesh Sheth and Malcolm Atobrah. They will be joined by newbies Henry Ashton, Lena Headey, Chloe Fineman and Alex Høgh Andersen.

Filming started in January 2026, and was finished by March.

A release date has not yet been announced, but with the film officially getting its rating, we’ll likely get news soon.

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The 52-year-old singer-songwriter, who is currently appearing on The Celebrity Traitors, addressed the renewed chatter about his real name in posts on X.

Blunt wrote that he was born James Hillier Blount and decided to simplify the spelling for his stage name. He also pointed out his real name “is on the first line of his Wikipedia page” and not a big secret.

In a follow-up post, he added: “For clarity, Blount and Blunt are pronounced the same way. But I simplified it to Blunt as I was tired of people rhyming my name with ‘count’.”

He previously said in 2014: “My real name is James Blount, but I changed it as people teased me that it rhymed with ‘count.’”

James Blunt’s BBC telling-off

Blunt also recently got in trouble with the BBC after sharing the official press photograph promoting his Celebrity Traitors involvement and tagging tailor Barrington Ayre. The image showed him in a tweed suit, though it also featured the broadcaster’s and show’s logos.

A BBC spokesperson told Metro: “The BBC has clear guidelines in place around commercial activity which we take very seriously, and players have been reminded of this. The social media posts referred to have been taken down.”

The Celebrity Traitors continues

The Celebrity Traitors continues on 15 October, with the fate of four vulnerable Faithfuls set to be confirmed.

At the end of last Friday’s episode, Ross Kemp, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett were chosen for the Traitors’ shortlist.

What Traitors Maya Jama, James Acaster and Hannah Fry don’t know, though, is that those at risk had a chance to save themselves, as host Claudia Winkleman presented them with a shield.

After a debate, the men decided to give Pinnock the shield, meaning if the Traitors try to “murder” her, then she will be saved.

Whatever happens, it’s sure to cause suspicion.

The Celebrity Traitors continues Thursday night at 8pm on BBC One.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

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The pair will face Friday’s public vote alongside Yasmin, who was already up for eviction after receiving a “killer nomination” in the previous episode. The housemate who receives the most votes to evict will leave the house on Friday.

When the results were announced, gay housemate Rob, who faced eviction last week, appeared unfazed, telling the group: “Round two, baby.”

Bisexual housemate Twinks, who joined the house two weeks ago and could not be nominated last week, was equally defiant, adding: “Haters gonna hate.”

On X, the mood was far less relaxed. One viewer complained: “Two women and a gay man up for eviction. This series of BBUK started off so well but the most vile housemates keep staying and we’re yet to lose one of the boring men.”

Another wrote: “I have to choose between an amazing, white, queer woman. A neurodivergent, gay man. And a plus-size black woman. It’s so insane I can’t vote for any of them they should all stay.”

Why did housemates nominate Twinks and Rob?

The episode also the reasons housemates gave for putting Rob and Twinks in danger.

Explaining her nomination, Rochelle said she does “like Twinks”, but added that “very quickly she becomes a feminist and political. They’re not things I wanna get into”.

Frankie, who is bisexual, also nominated Twinks, saying she was “control-ive”.

Philip, who is gay, nominated Twinks too, furious that she had used the word “queer” around him, following his strong words in an earlier episode.

Rob drew criticism too. Rhianna said: “Since he found out a lot of people don’t like his singing, he’s continued to be annoying… He did it out of spitefulness.” Phillip accused Rob of “acting in front of the cameras”.

After the fallout, Samuel was shown pacing in the garden, saying to himself: “Why does Rob have to go through it again, why does Twinks have to when she’s been nothing but wonderful?”

Who else was close to the eviction line-up?

Rochelle narrowly avoided the public vote with four nominations. Omar and Rhianna received two nominations each, while Lynx, Catrin, Phillip and Sam each received one. Frankie and Harry received none.

The latest flashpoint follows a tense run for the series. Last week, Big Brother received 1,654 Ofcom complaints, with the biggest spikes linked to episodes featuring clashes involving Johanne and Rochelle and allegations of “bullying” behaviour towards Twinks.

Big Brother airs at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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In the episode, the 30-year-old model discussed speculation around her friendship with Cara Delevingne, 34, saying: “We should address this. It’s because of our love for each other. People think I’m a lesbian to this day,” before declaring: “I’m not.”

Jenner then suggested she would be open to the idea of hooking up with a woman.

What did Kendall Jenner say about Cara Delevingne?

Jenner also shut down rumours that she and Delevingne were ever romantically involved.

“There’s definitely a rumour that she and I dated or something in the past, which is not true,” she said. “I love Cara. She’s my sister, and that never happened.”

Jenner added that she and Delevingne have been friends for “11 or 12 years”, and said Delevingne “made me feel really safe and welcome in the modelling world.”

The discussion followed footage in the show’s season eight trailer, released in September 2026, in which Jenner was seen addressing the same gossip and saying she had nothing against getting with Delevingne.

‘Never say never, right?’

Jenner went on to reflect on the idea of being queer, saying: “For the record, I think being a lesbian would be fun and amazing.” She also said she thought dating women would be more enjoyable and less hassle, adding that “men suck”.

At the same time, Jenner added: “I just have never had a desire to have sex with women,” before concluding: “Never say never, right?”

Jenner is an American model and reality TV personality who rose to fame through Keeping Up with the Kardashians and the wider Kardashian-Jenner media empire, and is known for keeping her private life comparatively guarded despite intense tabloid attention.

The episode arrives after years of online speculation about Jenner’s sexuality, including claims tied to her “tomboy” image and her closeness with friends including Delevingne.

She’s currently dating Euphoria star Jacob Elordi.

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Cathy was challenged on NBC’s Today about Chick-fil-A’s controversial record on LGBTQ+ issues, while also being asked for a response to criticism of the brand.

Cathy did not address the specific concerns about the company’s previous donations, or if Chick-fil-A’s position on LGBTQ+ equality had changed.

Instead, he leaned into the customer experience, saying: “For anybody that hasn’t tried us, we’d love for you to come try and have our great-tasting food and the hospitality that we’re known for.”

He added that the chain aimed to serve anyone who came in to dine.

Presenter Craig Melvin pushed back on the answer, implying Cathy did not seem keen to talk about that chapter in the company’s past. Cathy continued to emphasise hospitality and customer service.

In 2019, Chick-fil-A said it would shift its charitable donations towards organisations focused on education, homelessness and hunger. Cathy became chief executive in 2021, taking over from his father.

Chick-fil-A and the church

The interview also touched on Chick-fil-A’s long-standing practice of closing on Sundays. Cathy justified the policy on the grounds that it gives employees a chance to rest, be with their families and, if they want to, go to church.

Chick-fil-A has long been associated with conservative Christian values, including its Sunday closure policy. The company has faced backlash and boycotts over past donations and leadership comments perceived as anti-LGBTQ+.

Chick-fil-A facing protests in the UK

The scrutiny has followed the chain into Britain. In March, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell led a protest outside Chick-fil-A’s first London restaurant in Kingston upon Thames when it opened. Campaigners asked business to give assurances that it would not support organisations opposing LGBTQ+ equality in future.

The Peter Tatchell Foundation alleged that, before the protest, Chick-fil-A had failed to respond to repeated requests for meetings and written assurances, and called on the company to make a public pledge to stop any financial backing for organisations campaigning against LGBTQ+ rights.

Tatchell also cited concerns about historic donations by Chick-fil-A’s charitable arm to groups including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Focus on the Family and the National Christian Charitable Foundation.

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The 45-year-old Canadian actor, best known for playing Stevie Budd, swapped the character’s signature long brown hair for a bubblegum-coloured cut on the show’s sofa. One fan reaction to the appearance read: “I can’t believe it’s Stevie from Schitt’s Creek on Lorraine! I would never have known!”

Another commenter added: “Loving Schitt’s Creek Stevie’s new pink hair, but I had no idea it was her!”

Emily Hampshire on Stevie

During her chat with host Lorraine Kelly, Hampshire spoke about being clocked in public for her deadpan motel clerk character, and how different she is from the role.

“I have people come up to me on the street, and they recognise me as Stevie, they are like, ‘Wow, you are nothing like Stevie! Take it down a notch!” she said.

Hampshire also said she felt “very lucky” to have been part of Schitt’s Creek, which ran from 2014 for six years.

Created by Eugene and Dan Levy, the sitcom originally aired on CBC in Canada before finding a huge international audience via streaming. It is also widely celebrated for its warm, queer-inclusive storytelling, including David Rose’s pansexuality and his romance with Patrick.

Why was Emily Hampshire on Lorraine?

Hampshire, who is pansexual, appeared on Lorraine to discuss her new TV project with Paul Bettany, 55. Viewers can now watch her starring alongside Bettany in VisionQuest on Disney+, which premiered on 14 October in the UK.

In VisionQuest, Hampshire plays E.D.I.T.H. – an AI created by Stark that previously acted as a defence system, but has been reprogrammed to bring fun.

Hampshire has continued to take on new projects since Schitt’s Creek ended. In August, she was among the names announced for Heated Rivalry season 2, joining a cast line-up that also included Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka.

She will play Vanessa, a friend of Tough Guy character Fabian Salah, who will be played by Shaheen Jafargholi.

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Appearing on the White Wine Question Time podcast, the Church of England priest and broadcaster said: “I wish I hadn’t been so angry with him because he was already feeling bad enough without me being angry with him.”

Oldham died in 2019 from alcohol-related liver disease aged 43. Coles, 64, said living with addiction can leave partners feeling powerless, explaining that he “couldn’t stop it” and “couldn’t understand” why Oldham was doing it “to himself” and “to us”.

‘I wasn’t going to leave him’

Coles, who was in a civil partnership with Oldham for nine years, said he had “one rule” during his husband’s illness, “which is that I wasn’t going to leave him,” he said.

He has spoken publicly before about the impact of addiction on their life together. In 2021, he said Oldham used alcohol as an “anaesthetic” when life was difficult, before his drinking worsened over time.

Coles also spoke about how grief still sits alongside everyday life. “I still say his name out loud now sometimes,” he said, adding that he does not want to “lose the loss”.

Dickie Cant and living with grief

Coles said he is now in a relationship with actor Richard “Dickie” Cant, 62, and that they have been together for four years after meeting on a dating app. Cant has appeared in Netflix’s The Crown and Channel 4’s It’s A Sin.

“One of the things I love about Dickie, my new partner, is that he’s very respectful of the loss around which I live my life,” Coles said. “And he also knows [the loss] is not his, but it’s mine. That’s very good that he understands that and respects that. But then he’s a very understanding and respectful person.”

Coles said: “Life’s great now.” He went on to say he is “really enjoying” his sixties and has “a new partner who’s fantastic”.

Coles also said the couple, who share a home in East Sussex, have been discussing getting a dog. “I want a corgi. I want a Cardigan Welsh corgi, not the Queen’s corgi, but the kind of working corgi,” he said.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

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“I was like, ‘I’m not showing your d****,’” Tierney said, speaking to actor Andrew Rannells to promote his book I’ll Believe in Anything: The Making of Heated Rivalry Season 1 (The Annotated Scripts).

Tierney said Williams and Storrie were “very game” when it came to filming the show’s steamy sex scenes, and that both actors were willing to “show everything”.

He added that the decision came down to what he wanted to put on screen, rather than any reluctance from the cast.

Why did Jacob Tierney turn down full-frontal?

Tierney told Rannells the choice was his, and recalled making that clear early on. “It’s about what I wanted to show,” he said, before adding: “I was like, ‘I’m not showing your d****.’”

He also spoke about the negotiations involved in filming intimate scenes, including how productions work around intimacy garments and performers’ boundaries.

How were Heated Rivalry’s sex scenes choreographed?

Tierney discussed the role of intimacy coordinator Chala Hunter, saying: “So, that all happens long before we’re on set.”

He said he tried to write sex scenes “as specifically as I could” so there would be “no mystery as to what’s happening”, describing how stressful it can be when actors are told to improvise. “This is a nightmare,” he said. “I don’t want to improv my way through this.”

Tierney compared choreographing sex scenes to learning dance steps, so performers know the technical movements and what needs to be hidden and when. He also said he sent early drafts of scripts to actors and asked them to confirm they were comfortable with the material before filming.

The show’s sex scenes have been a major talking point since it blew up online, and in 2025 its NSFW reputation was already clear.

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Speaking to People, the actor said: “There was a time in my life I was like, ‘I don’t wanna talk about Casper. How dare you? I’m a thespian,’ you know?”

Sawa, now 48, played the human version of Casper the friendly ghost when he was 16. He said he has since made peace with the role’s long shadow, adding: “But… I gotta embrace it. It’s why I’m here. It’s what got me here.”

He also admitted the film’s most famous line still comes up, no matter what else he does. “Doesn’t matter what I do nowadays. It doesn’t matter how cool the project is, I will always have to say, ‘Can I keep you?’ to somebody at some point. There will always be Casper stuff,” he said.

Why Devon Sawa can’t escape ‘Can I keep you?’

For many millennials, Sawa’s brief appearance as human Casper is one of the film’s most replayed moments, topped by the scene where he asks Chritstina Ricci’s Kat if he can stay with her.

In Casper, Kat moves with her dad (Bill Pullman) into a haunted mansion, where she strikes up a friendship with Casper. Sawa appears when Casper emerges in human form during a touching dance scene.

Directed by Brad Silberling, the film was a major hit and earned about $291million worldwide and still has a cult fanbase nowadays, more than two decades later.

It is not unusual for actors to push back against the roles that define them. In 2023, Jacob Elordi said he didn’t want to make ‘ridiculous’ Kissing Booth movies as he tried to move on from the franchise that made him a breakout star.

From Casper to Eminem’s ‘Stan’

Sawa also reflected on another pop culture moment that has stuck with audiences: Eminem’s 2000 music video for ‘Stan’, in which he played the obsessive fan at the centre of the story.

Recalling the rapper on set, Sawa said: “I remember him being focused and just there to work. He was there to work – that’s what I remember.”

Sawa has been acting ever since his role in Casper. He has appeared in a number of horror movies, as well as television shows including Hacks, Magnum PI, Hawaii Five-0 and, most recently, Disney+ series Coven Academy.

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The singer, best known for marmite track “You’re Beautiful”, was chosen as a Faithful by host Claudia Winkleman, however he has raised suspicion among the other contestants.

Of course, it’s misplaced suspicion at the moment – he may end up being a Traitor, the way the Faithfuls are picking them out and the recruitments are going – but it turns out he may have been hiding a few things from his co-stars.

For starters, his actual name is James Hillier Blount. His surname “Blunt” is just a stage name.

Blunt – or Blount – has spoken of his military background. He was a lieutenant in the British Army after the Kosovo War, being part of the force between 1996 and 2002.

During that time, he was also the captain of the Household Cavalry ski team, winning the Royal Armoured Corps giant slalom in 2000.

James Blunt gets a telling off

The name revelation comes after the BBC confirmed they had given James Blunt a telling off over a recent social media post.

He had posted an official publicity photo from Celebrity Traitors which showed him in a tweed suit, from tailor Barrington Ayre. It reportedly also featured both the BBC and Celebrity Traitors logo.

Blunt tagged the brand, also writing: “The name’s Blunt. James Blunt.”

The BBC confirmed to Metro that Blunt’s post breached the broadcaster’s guidelines about advertising.

A spokesperson told them: “The BBC has clear guidelines in place around commercial activity which we take very seriously and players have been reminded of this. The social media posts referred to have been taken down.”

While it’s reported Blunt was supplied with the suit, it’s not known whether there was any arrangement between them to promote it.

The Celebrity Traitors continues Thursday night at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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The former Arizona Senate candidate joined a wave of right-wing speculation about Talarico’s health by sharing a screenshot of an AI-generated answer about recovery from “bottom surgery”. The insinuation was unsupported, and the recovery timeline in the screenshot did not match the period Talarico had been away from public campaign events.

Lake posted the screenshot on 8 October, responding to online chatter about Talarico’s absence from the campaign trail. The AI-generated response suggested it could take six to eight weeks to return to normal work activities after the procedure.

Talarico’s campaign had already informed reporters that he was recovering from the flu, which had hit him particularly hard because he has type 1 diabetes.

According to The Texas Tribune, nine days separated Talarico’s public appearances. He participated virtually in a US Hispanic Business Council event on 30 September, in which he mentioned he had gotten the flu, before returning to public campaigning at the Austin City Limits music festival on 9 October.

Competing conspiracy theories spread

Lake’s suggestion was one of several unsupported stories circulating among right-wing commentators about Talarico’s health.

President Donald Trump had claimed Talarico was absent for 12 days in a Truth Social post, helping fuel speculation about why the candidate had temporarily stepped back from public appearances. Many conservative political figures, including Elon Musk, then amplified a separate claim that Talarico had checked himself into a mental health facility in Ohio.

The Lindner Center of HOPE, the Ohio clinic named in the rumour, explicitly denied the claim.

Some commentators later retracted their posts. Right-wing commentator Carmine Sabia issued an apology on X, writing: “I apologize for sharing the false report about James Talarico receiving mental health treatment. I relied on the reporting available then, but I got it wrong and retract it.”

The pro-Trump account Celtic Mission published a poll asking whether Talarico was depressed “because she had the top surgery” or “because he had the bottom surgery”. Another account, Tim the Tool Man, which promotes himself as a “Conservative network startup veteran” and the director of production for right-wing YouTuber Steven Crowder’s podcast, asserted that Talarico was “recovering from bottom surgery”.

None of these posts provided concrete evidence for the speculative claims about Talarico.

Talarico has already explained his absence

Talarico, a Democratic state representative running for the US Senate in Texas, has been a prominent supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and LGBTQ+ rights. The “bottom surgery” conspiracy being pushed by opponents of his appears to draw on hostility towards his politics and his support for transgender people, rather than any substantiated information about his health. In May, he was hit by a separate false claim when Stephen Miller falsely said that James Talarico was transgender.

Lake, who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor and the US Senate in Arizona, currently serves as a senior adviser at the US Agency for Global Media under the Trump administration. Trump also nominated her to be US ambassador to Jamaica, though her confirmation remains pending.

In March, a federal judge ruled that Lake’s separate service as acting CEO of the US Agency for Global Media violated federal law.

Lake has also previously raised an unsubstantiated claim against US Representative Greg Stanton when she accused of having a ‘gay lover’ during a congressional hearing last year.

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The siblings stepped out together on 13 October, with Lux leaning in to embrace her brother as they posed for photos. Pascal, 51, wore a camel jacket, while Lux, 34, arrived in a burgundy dress.

In Behemoth!, Pascal plays a renowned, prolific cellist who returns to Los Angeles to compose film scores. The film is set to be released in the US on 4 December.

Olivia Wilde stars as Pedro’s character’s ex-girlfriend. Will Arnett, Hank Azaria and Matthew Lillard are also among the cast.

The film has already had a New York premiere, with the London Film Festival appearance marking another high-profile stop for the project.

‘My protective side is lethal’

Pedro’s sister Lux publicly came out as transgender in 2021 on the cover of Chilean magazine Ya, and later graduated from Juilliard School in 2023.

Pascal has spoken warmly about his sister in the past. In an interview with Esquire, he said: “She is and has always been one of the most powerful people and personalities I’ve ever known. My protective side is lethal, but I need her more than she needs me.”

Lux has also credited her brother as an “important part” of her journey. Recalling telling him about her transition via FaceTime, she said: “I told him, ‘I’m happy.’ And his answer was: ‘Perfect, this is incredible’.”

The pair have made occasional joint appearances on major red carpets, including at the Emmys in January 2024.

Pedro Pascal as a trans ally

Pascal also regularly shares his support for trans people publicly, previously posting the quote: “A world without trans people has never existed and never will.” He added: “I can’t think of anything more vile and small and pathetic than terrorising the smallest, most vulnerable community of people who want nothing from you, except the right to exist.”

He is also one of a number of famous faces to have worn the “Protect The Dolls’ T-shirt to a red carpet event.

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The comments were shared in a PaleyFest panel Instagram reel, as Lange reflected on filming season three, Coven, in New Orleans.

“We had to drive ourselves,” Lange said.

She also described it as “still a bone of contention”, adding: “We would drive ourselves home at like 4 or 5 in the morning, park on some street in the French Quarter, and find our way home because they were too f***ing cheap!”

What did Jessica Lange say at PaleyFest 2026?

Lange made the remarks during a PaleyFest 2026 panel in New York City, seated alongside co-star Sarah Paulson. Paulson responded “oh yeah!” when Lange said the cast had to get themselves home, then laughed and covered her face as Lange called the production cheap.

The panel also included Billie Lourd, Gabourey Sidibe, Leslie Grossman and co-executive producer Lou Eyrich, according to the same write-up. The Hollywood Reporter identified Lange as 77.

Why are fans talking about American Horror Story right now?

The behind-the-scenes moment has landed as American Horror Story’s currently airing 13th season brings major franchise faces back for an all-star crossover.

Lange is a defining presence in the AHS universe, and is known for major film roles including Tootsie, Frances, Blue Sky and Cape Fear, as well as a long stage career and a blunt, no-nonsense public persona.

Lange is currently starring in AHS 13, her first appearance on the show since 2018’s AHS: Apocalypse, in its write-up of her comments about cars home from the American Horror Story set.

Ryan Murphy previously said a Scream Queens return was planned for the American Horror Story season 13 crossover, but scheduling meant it could not happen.

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The latest episode saw Jimmy Kimmel Live! star Rodriguez and his pro partner Witney Carson eliminated, following Ciara Miller, Taylor Hanson, Giada De Laurentiis, Sarah Jane Nader and Conner Leavitt.

In previous weeks, many fans have accused the show of being a “fix” as Rodriguez survived the eliminations despite landing at the bottom of the scoreboard every week.

Last week, following Summer House star Miller’s exit, which also saw Rodriguez in the bottom three, one said: “This elimination felt fixed,” as another said: “I swear this is fixed.”

Now, though, following Rodriguez’s exit, fans have reacted with sadness.

“Yo I’m genuinely upset about Guillermo,” one posted on X, adding: “F*** DWTS.” Another said: “Oh Guillermo… thank you for bringing so much joy to DWTS.” A third wrote: “Dang, not Guillermo. Glad he got those 6s. The people’s princess is now gone.” Someone else said: “My guy Guillermo went home. I was really enjoying him man! He was a vibe week in and week out. And if we being honest he was improving. Unlike these already dancers who they constantly rigging it for. But whatever.”

Of course, there was some celebration. One said: “Guillermo finally gone thank God.” Another posted: “Guillermo has been defeated.” A third added: “Guillermo seems super sweet but let’s be real he should have gone home week one or two, he just cannot dance.”

Who is Guillermo Rodriguez?

Guillermo Rodriguez is best known as Jimmy Kimmel’s sidekick on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, having been part of the show since 2003.

He was actually a security guard at the studio’s parking lot, while also having two other jobs on the side.

Kimmel invited him on the show after he was caught sleeping in Dicky Barrett’s car. Barrett was the announcer on the show until 2022.

Rodriguez, who is Mexican and American, eventually started appearing in skits on the show, with his broken English and joyful personality earning him a strong fanbase.

He has since had a handful of other acting roles, though most uncredited or small cameo appearances, including as a cop in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

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Speaking recently on the TODAY Show, Taylor recalled the pair discussing “a particular project” before she shut it down almost immediately. “We were just talking about that, about a particular project, and I said, I don’t know, it seems kind of eww,” she said.

When asked what the project was, Taylor refused to reveal it, replying: “Oh, I’m not going to say now.”

Taylor then explained why the idea made her uncomfortable, suggesting it would feel strange to act opposite your real-life partner. “I mean, I just thought, eww. I mean, I just don’t, I said, wouldn’t it be creepy?” she said, before recounting Paulson’s response: “She said, kinda.”

The exchange ended with Taylor making it clear they are not keen on mixing business with pleasure. “No, we don’t think we would ever like the idea,” she said.

Why Holland Taylor says ‘coupledom’ gets in the way

Taylor has made similar comments before. In a January 2024 Variety interview, she said she “can’t imagine” working with Paulson, adding: “I don’t like seeing couples doing things because I’m always aware of the coupledom.”

Taylor is best known for roles including Evelyn Harper in Two and a Half Men and Judge Roberta Kittleson in The Practice, and is also a playwright. Paulson is known for American Horror Story and The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, among other TV and film roles.

Have Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson ever discussed a joint project?

Even with those reservations, Taylor has suggested the pair have floated ideas in the past. She said in the same interview, as quoted in Us Magazine, that they have pitched “one or two” projects together over the years.

One title that has come up is The Chalk Garden, a 1955 play. Taylor said she could visualise herself performing opposite Paulson in it, and acknowledged there had been discussions about doing it together.

Taylor has also spoken about how they set boundaries in their relationship. In August 2024, she said she did not think they would marry, adding: “We’ve been together for a long time now and I think part of it has to do with, we’re together when we wanna be and we’re not when we don’t.”

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Mackie’s team announced his death on 14 September in an Instagram statement, writing: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today.”

The added details are from a death certificate obtained by Us Weekly, which reported that the document lists the immediate cause of death as a subarachnoid haemorrhage and blunt head trauma.

It is reported that the death certificate says Mackie suffered a fall and sustained an injury on 11 September.

Mackie died on 14 September at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, aged 87. He was reportedly cremated on 17 September, with his ashes scattered at sea off the coast of San Diego County in California.

Bob Mackie’s representative clears things up

In a statement, a representative for Mackie said: “For clarification, Mr Mackie was staying in the guest house at the home of his longtime Design Director, Joe McFate.”

The representative added: “A healthcare professional was with him when he fell.”

They also said: “He was also suffering from pneumonia both before and after his hospitalisation.” A representative for Bob Mackie had previously said Mackie died of pneumonia.

Bob Mackie’s legacy

Mackie was nicknamed the “Sultan of Sequins” for his high-drama, showgirl glamour and intricate beading, with designs that helped shape pop spectacle and camp.

He was best known for decades-long collaborations with Cher, and for extensive work connected to The Carol Burnett Show, creating maximalist costumes that became part of awards-era and variety-TV extravagance.

When his death was announced on 14 September, the statement also said he had lived “fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do”.

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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner recorded that Piane died on Monday (12 October), with online records listing his place of death as “street”.

TMZ reports that law enforcement sources said Piane was hit by a car in Glendale early Monday morning and later died from his injuries. In its

Piane reportedly did not have an ID on him at the time, only a citation, before he was later identified.

The Glendale Fire Department told TMZ that crews worked on Piane and before he was pronounced him dead at the scene.

Concerns for Lucian Piane before his death

Shortly before his death, Piane shared a run of unsettling Instagram videos that seemed to show him largely living on the street, leading concerned followers to ask if he was safe.

It is also reported Piane was taken into custody by Glendale police on Saturday for being under the influence of a controlled substance, and again on Sunday for assault on an officer or emergency personnel. He was reportedly given a citation for both incidents, with a court date set for Monday.

He had previously caused concern in 2021, when he was arrested for drunken intoxication and vandalism of a bank.

Who was Lucian Piane?

Piane was a US music producer and composer who became widely known among Drag Race fans for shaping musical moments and performance tracks tied to the show’s early era.

He was involved in 23 episodes between 2009 and 2012, according to his IMDb page, providing music for challenges and at times joining the judging panel.

Piane also collaborated with RuPaul on the albums Champion (2009), Glamazon (2011) and Born Naked (2014), also co-writing the Drag Race theme tune.

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Tuesday’s (13 October) episode is already available to stream on BBC iPlayer, ahead of its 7:30pm BBC One broadcast.

In the episode, Ned uses what he knows about Mark Fowler Jr’s affair with Lauren Beale to force Mark into doing him a “favour”. Ned threatens to expose the affair unless Mark complies. Mark is then pushed into attacking Ryder to scare him back into the closet.

Ryder is assaulted outside gay bar The Prince Albert after spending time there with Josh Goodwin. Mark approached from behind wearing a balaclava before a fight breaks out, leaving Ryder badly beaten and injured and unconscious on the ground.

Ryder’s coming out

The storyline builds around Ryder’s fear of how his family will react if he is honest about who he is.

In the lead-up, Ryder comes out to his aunt Nicola after she spots a gay dating app notification on his phone. When Nicola asks about a “date”, Ryder insists she has “never met her”, before later confirming he is gay and that nobody else in the family knows.

Ned then witnesses Ryder kissing a man in the Square Gardens. Ned is also shown trying to push Ryder towards a heterosexual life, including arranging for an old football contact to show up in Walford.

Ned’s reaction

After the assault, Ned leans into the possibility that Ryder was targeted because he had been drinking in a gay bar. Ryder returns home in tears, and Ned suggests The Prince Albert was the reason he was attacked.

In another scene, Ned puts his arm around Ryder and tells him “he’s got him”.

Fans have branded Ned “despicable” after he orchestrated the attack. Another said his actions were “beyond evil”.

The BBC soap has previously dealt with homophobic violence, including Paul Coker’s murder in a homophobic attack in 2016.

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Avatar: Seven Havens debuted this month on Paramount+ with its first three episodes. In them, it was revealed that there was a canonically gay, male couple – Jae and Datu.

While many fans have applauded the continued LGBTQ+ representation in the Avatar universe, some have taken issue with it.

Meanwhile, another lead character, Pavi, one of the new twin Avatars alongside sister Nisha, has a prosthetic leg.

The Avatar franchise has a number of confirmed LGBTQ+ characters, including Korra, the main character of the first spin-off series, The Legend of Korra (2012 to 2014). And characters with disabilities are nothing new either, as one of the focal characters of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 to 2008), Toph, was blind.

For some, though, it seems the above points are too much. One person tweeted: “Avatar’s Team. Pavi: disabled. Jae: LGBTQ. This is supposed to be a kids’ show by the way.”

Greg Baldwin, who voiced Uncle Iroh in the third season of Avatar: The Last Airbender and in The Legend of Korra, clapped back on X, telling the original poster: “Hi! Second voice of Uncle Iroh here. So sorry LGBTQ and disabled people exist. That must be traumatic for you.”

Fans were quick to react, with one saying: “You know you f***** up when Uncle Iroh checks the toxic vibe.” Another said: “I’m handing you the mic Unc, tell it to ’em!” Someone else said: “Uncle Iroh! Thank you for your wisdom.”

Baldwin, who has also voiced characters in SpongeBob SquarePants and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, also responded to another of the same user’s posts, which said Avatar: Seven Havens “feels so focused on representation”. They added: “I’m not against LGBTQ+ characters, but inclusivity shouldn’t overshadow the actual plot. You can represent people without making it feel like the main selling point.”

Baldwin said: “When someone says they’re not against something BUT… They’re against something.”

‘Wonderful exemplification of love is love’

Speaking last week at New York Comic Con, Major Curda, who voices Jae in Avatar: Seven Havens, said LGBTQ+ representation in the franchise is “exciting because of how it’s not a huge deal”.

Curda went on: “Here is Jae, this new character. Here is also this new character Datu, they’re boyfriend and boyfriend. It’s just such a wonderful exemplification of love is love.”

Avatar: Seven Havens is available to stream on Paramount+.

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The exchanged started after Musgraves welcomed Democratic Senate nominee for Texas, James Talarico to one of her shows on her tour.

After Talarico took to Facebook to thank Musgraves for having him, Noem took the post to X on 12 October to say: “I’ll take @ellalangleymsic over Kacey Musgraves any day. And if I’m choosin’ Texas, I’ll take Ken Paxton over James Talarico.”

In response, Musgraves posted a one-liner to Noem, responding: “I don’t think you have a dog in this fight but if you did you would have shot it.”

Langley has since removed the tag from Noem’s post on X.

Why does the clapback reference shooting a dog?

Musgraves’ final line references Noem’s account of shooting and killing her own dog named Cricket in her book, ‘No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward’ in 2024.

In the excerpt, Noem wrote that Cricket had proved herself “untrainable”, “dangerous to anyone she came in contact with” and “less than worthless … as a hunting dog”. She also described the dog as “aggressive”, adding: “I realised I had to put her down.”

Noem is a Republican politician who served as governor of South Dakota from 2019 to 2025 and currently serves as the Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas. Last month, she made headlines after filing for divorce from her husband, Bryon Noem, citing “irreconcilable differences”, after images alleged to involve a crossdressing fetish were leaked to the press.

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Speaking in Youngstown on Monday (12 October), Trump recalled being surprised when former NFL coach Jon Gruden told him that Husted had been an exceptional athlete at the University of Dayton directly before Trump held a midterm campaign rally near Dayton, Ohio, on 4 October.

“I’m standing over here, and I don’t do this with men very often. I started examining [Husted’s] body because I didn’t know he was a great athlete, and I looked, and I watched up and down,” Trump told the crowd, with Husted in attendance.

“I looked at his a**,” he continued, before drawing attention to Husted’s hands. “Look at his hands. He’s got these like claws.”

Gruden, who played alongside Husted at Dayton in 1985, had introduced Trump at the 4 October rally. Husted was a defensive back at the university, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Trump continued praising the senator after Husted addressed the crowd later in the evening on 12 October. The president said he had hurt his hand slightly when patting Husted on the back, describing him as “a piece of steel”.

The rally was part of Trump’s campaign effort to boost Republican candidates ahead of the US midterm elections on 3 November. Husted, who was appointed to the Senate seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance, is facing a challenge from former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown.

A CNN/SSRS poll conducted from 29 September to 5 October found Brown leading Husted among likely Ohio voters by six percentage points, 49 per cent to 43 per cent. Other recent polls have shown a closer contest.

Trump attacks protesters and transgender women in sports

Trump’s comments about Husted were one of several unusual moments at the rally, which was repeatedly interrupted by protesters.

During one interruption, the president claimed protesters were being paid by Democrats to disrupt his events before insulting one man in the crowd and making jokes about his weight.

“They get paid by the lefties in order to destroy our country,” Trump said. “They’re scum, but he’s going back home to mom.”

He then added: “He’s got to go on a diet. He’s a fat guy.”

Trump also claimed the protester’s parents had voted for him.

The remarks echoed comments Trump made at a recent rally in Texas, where he similarly mocked protesters who interrupted his speech.

Another interruption came from a protester carrying a Palestinian flag, prompting a further exchange during the event.

Trump also used the rally to attack Brown over transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports, making the unsubstantiated claim that the Democratic candidate wanted men competing in women’s sporting events.

He then questioned whether women should play football, asking Gruden whether he had ever wanted a woman on one of his championship-winning teams.

“How about every once in a while I’ll see a kicker — they have a kicker who’s a female because they put them on,” Trump said.

He subsequently suggested that Indiana Fever basketball player Sophie Cunningham should be placed on a men’s team.

“Let’s put her on. I like Sophie. Yeah, you’d have a lot of men wanting to go and watch her. She’s beautiful,” he said, before adding: “You’re not allowed to say that anymore.”

Trump then joked that, as a politician, he wanted to take the remark back.

Trump campaigns amid a competitive Ohio race

The rally featured several high-profile supporters, including Gruden and influencer and boxer Jake Paul, who also criticised protesters.

Paul questioned whether demonstrators had jobs, saying they spent their time carrying signs while others were “doing the work”.

“We have to protect this state because Washington doesn’t belong to celebrities like me,” he told the crowd. “It doesn’t belong to the politicians. It belongs to you guys and us, the American people.”

Trump has increasingly taken to the campaign trail to support Republicans ahead of the midterms, as Democrats make gains in several traditionally Republican states.

Ohio is among the races drawing national attention, with Brown seeking to return to the Senate after losing his seat in 2024. Husted, meanwhile, is campaigning to retain the seat he was appointed to fill.

Trump urged supporters to back Husted and other Republicans, presenting the election as a referendum on his administration and its policies.

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The series will air on BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer. Press material says it will follow Rowling’s “dramatic rise and cultural influence”, while “using her life as a lens” to explore three decades of social, political and technological change.

The same press material says the doc will also explore Rowling as a divisive figure, stating: “Admired by supporters as a fearless defender of women’s rights and condemned by critics who call her an opponent of trans equality, she finds herself divided from some of the actors and fans who once championed her work.”

Rowling is not participating in the docuseries, with archive material being used instead, as well as her writing and interviews with people who have worked with her.

What will the BBC JK Rowling documentary cover?

The first episode will look at the creation of Harry Potter and its prolonged success.

The second episode will examine Rowling’s interventions on Scottish independence, feminism, free speech and gender identity.

Simon Young, BBC history’s head of commissioning, said: “Thirty years after the publication of the first Harry Potter book, there feels like no better time for the BBC to explore one of the towering figures of British literature.”

He added: “No cultural history of Britain in the 21st century would be complete without the story of the boy wizard that J.K. Rowling created, the publishing and film-making phenomenon that she spawned, or the polarising public figure she has become.”

Why Rowling’s legacy remains contested

Rowling is the British author best known for the Harry Potter novels, which became a global publishing and film phenomenon. In recent years, she has become a central figure in UK debates about trans rights and gender identity, drawing both strong support and intense criticism, including high-profile disputes with parts of the franchise’s fanbase and some performers associated with it, such as Bel Powley, who will play Petunia Dursley in the HBO reboot.

She also writes crime fiction under the pen name Robert Galbraith, including the Cormoran Strike novels, which have been adapted for television.

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I watched and re-watched the original series, I actually enjoyed the 2010 live-action movie, and couldn’t wait for more from the universe when The Legend Of Korra was announced. Then came Netflix’s live-action series (loved season one, season two was fine), animated movie Avatar Aang, and now another spin-off series, Seven Havens.

For more than two decades, the franchise has been something I go back to if I’m sad, bored or even if I’m feeling unwell and need something to take my mind off what is usually a bad cold.

Now, as a gay man, I’m realising that might not be a coincidence.

With the revelation that Seven Havens features a prominent gay couple, the franchise just expanded its already decent roster of canon LGBTQ+ characters.

I didn’t come out until I’d finished university, but started the long process of coming to terms with being gay as a teenager.

Throughout that time, I would lean on ATLA – whether that be the animated series, the latest Nintendo DS game, collecting trading cards or trying to come up with my own element-bending characters.

Now, the original Avatar: The Last Airbender series didn’t explicitly feature any out LGBTQ+ characters, but in the years that followed there have been many.

The first spin-off show, The Legend Of Korra, ended with Korra and Asami getting together romantically. Wider releases, like novels, comics or games, have also introduced other characters who are canonically LGBTQ+. Fans believe Zuko’s writing in the recent feature film suggested he was bisexual too, though that’s up for debate.

Now, Seven Havens has introduced a prominent gay, male couple – Jae and Datu – and it feels important.

Times have changed since I was young and the original series debuted, and LGBTQ+ representation on television is much more visible. But with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wanting warning labels for LGBTQ+ stories, it feels important that the show creators aren’t hiding them away – especially in what is essentially a cartoon for kids.

Speaking at New York Comic Con last week, Major Curda, who voices Jae, said LGBTQ+ representation in the franchise is “exciting because of how it’s not a huge deal”. Curda went on: “Here is Jae, this new character. Here is also this new character Datu, they’re boyfriend and boyfriend. It’s just such a wonderful exemplification of love is love.”

I agree. Same-sex relationships don’t need to be a huge plot point in the way that heterosexual relationships don’t need to be either. The characters and their love are simply part of a story.

And I think that’s why the Avatar franchise has always felt like a safe space for me.

It’s about belonging, celebrating differences, overcoming challenges. Yes, it’s not a queer story, but the themes are pretty similar to things a queer person likely has experience with.

Aang feels alone as the world he once knew changes. Katara, Sokka, Toph and their other friends become a family to him. He deals with pressure from the society around him, working with his chosen family to overcome issues. Sounds familiar, right?

And in Avatar: Seven Havens, the world has turned against the Avatar, who was once celebrated by all of humanity. Now, I’m not saying us LGBTQ+ people were once celebrated by all of humanity, but I’m sure we’ve all felt like at least some of humanity has been against us, simply for being born a certain way.

As a teenager, those themes – or how I now read into them, at least – absolutely went over my head. But now that I’m older and have experienced more of life as a gay man, the series holds a special place for me, and always will.

And with another spin-off announced – Avatar Kuruk: Wave of Chaos – I’m excited that yet another generation will get to experience that safe space, too.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

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