
Russell Mael of Sparks: How we made ‘This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us'
John Lennon was heavily reliant on heroin in the mid-1970s, so the following legendary story should be taken with a pinch of salt.
In 1974, he watched LA duo Sparks perform This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us on the BBC's flagship music show Top of the Pops and immediately got on the phone to one of The Beatles.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
John Torode apologised to fan over ‘rude' behaviour just days before Masterchef ‘racism' scandal
JOHN Torode apologised to a fan over 'rude' behaviour just days prior to the MasterChef 'racism' scandal. The 59-year-old celebrity chef has co-hosted the BBC series since 2005. 4 John Torode apologised to a fan over 'rude' behaviour Credit: Getty 4 John and Gregg Wallace have co-hosted MasterChef since 2005 Credit: BBC 4 The Aussie chef has been a staple throughout each series Credit: BBC ITV recently shared an Instagram post promoting series 10 of John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen. John presents the show alongside his wife, actress and Celebrity MasterChef winner One person commented underneath the post: "Used to love this .... sadly John was so rude when I saw him .... very sad." John replied: "I am really sorry. Never meant to be rude. Please accept my apologies." Read more on John Torode A fellow commenter came to John's defence, writing: "I met him once in a cruise terminal, and he was utterly charming." While another said: "As a professional, he gets very wrapped up in his work. "His frowny, serious face is when he's concentrating deeply. He is actually a good laugh and very polite." It comes as , who was axed last week. Most read in News TV The dossier also upheld a complaint that an unnamed person used a racial phrase once several years ago. John confirmed to The Sun it referred to him, but said: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.' Masterchef meltdown as BBC asked John Torode to RESIGN over 'racist remark' before Gregg Wallace sacking He also shared in a statement: 'Following publication of the Executive Summary of the Investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld. 'For the sake of transparency I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion. 'The allegation is that I did so sometime between 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards. 'I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened. Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation? Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his Gregg has been accused of making The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated. Yet the former greengrocer The cooking show's production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged misconduct. 'However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. 'I'm shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.' Last night a source close to the chef added: 'John is absolutely devastated to have been pulled into this mess. 'John absolutely loves MasterChef, and doesn't want to lose his job because of an investigation into his co-star." 4 John is also well-known for John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen, as well as This Morning Credit: Rex Features


The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Strictly set to sign up The Traitors winner as they scrap ‘no reality star' rule
STRICTLY Come Dancing are set to sign up The Traitors UK winner Jake Brown for the upcoming series. Jake, who was a Faithful on series three of the BBC show, is now ready to dazzle on the dancefloor, according to a source. 3 Strictly are set to sign up The Traitors winner Jake Brown Credit: BBC 3 A source said bosses are keen to break their 'no reality star' rule to welcome Jake Credit: BBC Bosses have previously waived their "no reality star" rule to welcome Love Islanders Tasha Ghouri and Zara McDermott to the show, and it looks like they will be doing the same for Traitors star Jake. A source told us: "Strictly bosses think Jake would be the perfect fit for this year's line-up. "He's a good guy, as viewers saw by his journey on The Traitors, so he will be popular with the fanbase and they love to cross-promote with other huge BBC shows." Jake, who has , has been open about his disability in the past and would make a good role model for the show. READ MORE ON STRICTLY "Jake has also overcome a lot of adversity in his life with his cerebral palsy, so it will really be inspiring to see how he tackles the dancefloor with a disability," the source continued. "As previous contestants like Rose Ayling Ellis, Tasha Ghouri, JJ Chalmers , Lauren Steadman and, of course, A BBC spokesperson said: 'We don't comment on speculation.' Cumbria lad Jake won the show alongside with former soldier Leanne Quigley triumphed as the last remaining faithfuls. Most read in News TV Jake revealed he had cerebral palsy at the end of the series. He told BBC Radio Cumbria: "I know the struggles of having a disability growing up and I was very ashamed of it. Neighbours legend become latest star to sign for Strictly Come Dancing after soap ending leaves him free to take part "I tried to hide it and wanted to be normal, but once I'd met fellow people with cerebral palsy and started playing football for the England cerebral palsy football team, I realised actually I'm doing a disservice here. "It's something to be proud of. He added: "I don't want another six-year-old boy sat at home thinking 'I hate this disability, I want to be normal'." Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect muscle control, movement and coordination. It's usually caused by a problem with the brain that occurs before, during or after birth. Usually, the symptoms of cerebral palsy aren't obvious immediately after a baby is born, but they tend to become noticeable during the first two or three years of a child's life. What is cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect muscle control, movement and coordination. Cerebral palsy is a muscular condition which affects an estimated 30,000 children in the UK and an additional 1,800 children diagnosed each year. It's the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect muscle control, movement and coordination. Cerebral palsy is usually caused by a problem with the brain that occurs before, during or after birth. According to the delays in reaching development milestones – eg. not sitting up by eight months or not walking by 18 months seeming too stiff or too floppy weakness in arms or legs jerky or clumsy movements walking on tip-toes swallowing difficulties speaking problems learning disabilities The severity of symptoms can vary – some of those with the condition only experience minor problems, while others may be severely disabled. 3 Jake said he no longer wants to 'hide' is cerebral palsy Credit: BBC


The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
How John Torode seduced Masterchef champ Lisa Faulkner with letter after brutal split…& ‘secret' to their happy marriage
STRAIGHT-TALKING TV chef John Torode stood by his wife when she made an allegation against his shamed co-star Gregg Wallace - and now it's her turn to support him. Last December actress Advertisement 13 The loved up couple are supporting each other amid the Masterchef scandal Credit: Getty Images 13 Lisa Faulkner and John Torode on their wedding day in 2019 13 Shamed Gregg Wallace unfollowed Lisa and John after they failed to speak out in his defence (pictured together in 2010 after Lisa won Celebrity Masterchef) Credit: Rex At the time insiders claimed Wallace was devastated that his on-screen partner did not publicly speak out to support him - and he un-followed the couple on Instagram as the rift deepened. Today it's emerged John, 59, was asked to quit the hugely popular BBC cooking show after he was accused of making a racist remark. The calls for his resignation came as a report upheld 45 allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Wallace, who was fired last week following a seven month investigation. The pair have worked side by side for almost 20 years, but now it's rumoured Wallace will be replaced by food critic Advertisement READ MORE FEATURES It has been a tough time on and off screen for Australian-born John, whose colourful love life has not always been smooth sailing either. He has been married three times, and has four children. John shares sons Casper and Marselle with his first wife Angela, but they very much shy away from the spotlight. He is also dad to Lou and Jonah from his second marriage to Jessica Thomas, with whom he tied the knot in 2000. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity When Lisa appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Masterchef they were both married to other people, and initially their relationship was purely platonic. Lisa was still married to actor But in 2011, a year after she was crowned Masterchef champion, Lisa and Chris decided to separate - the same year that John and Jessica also split. Last year Lisa opened up about the "very dark time" in her life when she and Chris, who divorced in 2014, went through three rounds of failed IVF and suffered an ectopic pregnancy. Advertisement Both Torode and Lisa have repeatedly denied there was any initial attraction between them, insisting they were just good friends at first. Lisa said: "He was a judge on a show I loved and I was petrified of him. "He was brilliant and gave us all tips so you didn't want to let him down. All I could think was, 'That sauce hasn't worked'. He was a judge on a show I loved and I was petrified of him Lisa Faulkner "I didn't see anything but food for three months. After I won, we did The Good Food Show and stuff. Advertisement "John and I always got on, but I never thought about me and him." Lisa claimed she and John actually met for the first time on This Morning almost 20 years earlier, when Lisa was a guest and John was cooking, but said he didn't remember. 'He didn't remember me at all. He used to say: 'Oh, all right, yeah,' like he didn't believe me," Lisa said. "And then he did an interview on This Morning where they showed the clip and he came home and said, 'I did meet you!' And I went, 'I know, I did tell you.' Advertisement 'I remembered it so well. It's really funny. He said he was nervous because it was his first time on telly. I thought he just seemed really arrogant.' Love letter 13 Lisa married EastEnders star Chris Coghill in 2005 Credit: Matrix 13 Lisa and Chris with their adopted daughter Billie in 2009 Credit: Rex Features 13 Lisa and John met when she was crowned Celebrity MasterChef winner in 2010 Credit: PA:Press Association Advertisement 13 John with his second wife Jessica and their children Jonah and Lou in 2010 Credit: Rex Features Their simmering friendship eventually blossomed into romance when, newly single, John sent Lisa a romantic handwritten letter inviting her out for dinner. "Neither of us thought of it as anything else until... I don't know how things change, but something does," Lisa admitted at the time. "He asked me on a date. We went out for dinner. Then it was slightly different. Advertisement "I'm really, really happy. John and I are having such a nice time but we're taking things slowly. There are lots of other people to consider." Lisa previously told Good Housekeeping they took things really slowly because of Billie, and "also because I'd been through the end of a marriage". I'm really, really happy. John and I are having such a nice time but we're taking things slowly. There are lots of other people to consider Lisa Faulkner "We had a child and I felt I'd failed in something I never wanted to fail at," she explained. "I never give up on anything, so when you do have to accept that something didn't work, starting a new relationship is a big leap of faith." Torode has since confessed he sent Lisa the letter because he feared she might turn him down and wanted to avoid any awkwardness. Advertisement He explained: "I'd separated from my wife [Jessica] which was awful, and I was reluctant to approach Lisa face to face as I didn't fancy the prospect of her saying no, so I wrote her a letter. "If I'd got no response, it wouldn't matter. Cowardly? S***, yeah. I'm as cowardly as they get." Secret to happy marriage 13 Torode and Lisa have been happily married since 2019 Credit: Instagram 13 John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen is now in its tenth series Credit: PA Advertisement Although John and Jessica called it quits in 2011, their divorce was not finalised until 2014. He proposed to Lisa on Christmas Day in 2018 and they married in October 2019 in a lavish star-studded ceremony at Aynhoe Park, a sprawling 17th century estate in the Northamptonshire countryside. Guests included showbiz pals Amanda Holden, Angela Griffin and Tamzin Outhwaite - as well as Gregg Wallace and his wife Anne-Marie. Asked the secret to their happy marriage, Torode said it all comes down to the bedroom. Advertisement "A really well-made bed," he joked. "You spend lots of time in it! "Honestly, the bedroom – having that sanctuary of a place to go to, I think that's really important. "And nice towels. Looking after yourself is as important as looking after each other." But Lisa says their happy marriage is all down to the sizzling chemistry between them. Advertisement "We really like and fancy each other,' Lisa revealed in an interview. We really like and fancy each other Lisa Faulkner "What I love about being married is that it's about being a partnership. John and I are a good team. We know how to look after each other." Earlier this month John explained how their happy marriage has been constantly evolving over the six years since their wedding. He said: 'Lisa and I learn from each other all the time. As we have been cooking and working together for many years, I am sure things have changed, but as it's been a constant and consistent journey, it's not something that we feel is noticeable. Advertisement "What is evident is that we love cooking, food and travel as much as, if not more than, we did when we first met." Greg Wallace scandal Gregg Wallace has today Star faces probe after allegedly making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues BBC Newsnight presenter and 2011 contestant Kirsty Wark says Wallace told 'sexualised' jokes while filming Gregg accused of talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a young staffer staffer and telling another he wasn't wearing any pants Previous MasterChef episodes presented by scandal-hit Gregg still on iPlayer MasterChef star BBC Lisa added: "We're always learning from each other. We often do things differently, so I know I'm always learning something new from John, and I'm sure he would say the same." The couple present John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen on ITV, now in its tenth series, with extra episodes planned for Christmas, and they have published several bestselling books. They often speak about their playful banter, their support for each other's careers, and the simple pleasure of cooking and eating together. Advertisement "We just get on, we laugh a lot," Lisa said. 'He's very romantic. We both are. We look after each other. If he's out before me in the morning, he'll leave a cup with a teabag in by the kettle and a note saying, 'I love you.' He's very romantic. We both are. We look after each other Lisa Faulkner "I do the same – I put notes in his bag when he goes away. And he makes me the most amazing food. That's so romantic. "It's the little things that are important – I love it when we cook for each other. Food is our thing, it's how we show that we love each other.' Advertisement Pals reckon Lisa has had a positive impact on John, making him "less aggressive". She previously told "But I think he has got less… aggressive, maybe. He's definitely softened. "I went to lunch the other day and somebody said, 'Oh my gosh, you've completely turned him around. He was so moody on MasterChef. He was always so grumpy and he's just lovely now.' Advertisement "I went: 'OK, I'll take all the credit'.' 13 The couple on this morning together earlier this month Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 13 Torode with his son Jonah from his second marriage Credit: Instagram 13 Torode posted snaps of daughter Lou as she celebrated her 18th birthday Credit: Instagram Advertisement 13 Casper, Torode's lookalike son from his marriage to first wife Angela Credit: Instagram