EXCLUSIVE Scandalous rumour about rogue dentist's marriage. Plus, Justin Hemmes' VERY generous gift to girlfriend's sister... and a controversial guest spied at the Gold Dinner: THE GROUP CHAT WITH LUCY MANLY
Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia's most-trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news.
Room with a view for Simone
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
Reality TV host blindsided as they're AXED from long-running show after ten years – and bosses dumped him over the phone
A REALITY TV host has been left stunned after being brutally axed from their long-running show. After ten years on screen, bosses gave them the boot with a phone call. 3 3 Telly fans have been left stunned after Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia revealed he's been booted from the show. The fan favourite – affectionately known as JLP – broke the news on Instagram with a cheeky AI video showing himself being KO'd by a giant boxing glove, joking he'd been 'blindsided' by the brutal decision. JLP, who's fronted the series for 11 seasons, said he never saw the axe coming when he was told by bosses that they were 'going in a different direction' for next year's season. He wrote: "Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all… because it happened to me." He told followers that without a hidden immunity idol in his back pocket, 'I have to snuff my own torch and send myself home.' He continued: "I received a call from the Network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show but for next season they are 'going in a different direction.'" But it's not the end of his Survivor journey just yet – JLP confirmed he'll still appear on the Australia v The World edition, filmed late last year and expected to premiere this July. And in a move that's already splitting fans, Daily Mail reports that David Genat, a Survivor legend known as the 'Golden God', is tipped to take over as host. David, who first hit screens on Champions v Contenders II in 2019 and later won All Stars in 2020, has since starred on The Celebrity Apprentice, hosted Rush and just scooped a jaw-dropping £4.5 million prize on Deal or No Deal Island in the US. JLP added: "Ratings had dipped a bit recently and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up. So for the first time ever this is not a tribe swap, but a HOST SWAP®️ Yes, you read that right." "I have loved and will dearly miss the immensely talented crew, all the crafty players and our loyal sassy audience. I'm a huge fan of this incredible game, always have been, always will be. "(Ps. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a b****!)" Viewers reckon it just won't be the same without him as his post was instantly flooded with comments from gutted fans and former contestants, branding the brutal axe a 'huge mistake'. Nick Iadanza wrote: 'Actually devastated! You are Australian Survivor and we are all so grateful to have had you leading it for players and fans alike,' Jordie Hansen added: 'No way! It's going to be hard to imagine the show without you mate. An actual living legend'. Logan Johannisen penned: "Can confirm blindsides sting. Totally devastated with this news. Thank you for being apart of my survivor journey and your endless ball jokes. Will not be the same without you, JLP." Former winner Kristie Bennett said: 'Talk about brutal! We have all been completely robbed. You made this show with the players from the ground up. Always an icon!' Australian Survivor is available to watch in the UK on Amazon Prime. 3
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Braith Anasta hits back over cruel comments about his appearance - as he announces exciting career news
Braith Anasta has proven once again that success really does come with a golden glow. The former NRL star turned sports presenter has officially extended his deal with Fox Sports through to the end of the 2028 NRL season – and he's celebrating the news with some trademark humour. Taking to Instagram on Monday, the 43-year-old shared an emotional post thanking his supporters and reflecting on his journey from footy field to prime-time punditry. 'DREAM BIG KIDDOS, block out the noise, surround yourself with good people and work your f**king a**'s off!' he wrote. 'Always striving to be the best I can possibly be. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Thank you to my family, friends, work colleagues and everyone who has and is supporting me along this incredible journey. There is no way in the world I'd be here without every single one of you.' But it was what happened in the comments that had fans in stitches. Underneath the heartfelt post, Aussie beer brand Bloke In A Bar cheekily wrote: 'The more success you have the better your tan gets.' Never one to miss a beat, Braith fired back with a tongue-in-cheek reply: 'My tan = my driving force ' - proving he's got just as much wit as he does work ethic. Anasta - who retired from the NRL in 2014 - has carved out an impressive second act as the host of NRL 360, which he took over in 2022. Ratings have surged since, with insiders crediting his fresh, confident style. Anasta - and his fellow Fox Sports host Matty Johns - have recently signed upgraded deals that will see them through to the end of the 2028 NRL season as streaming giant DAZN makes moves after buying Foxtel. The global streaming giant's recent purchase marked a huge shake-up in Australian sports media, with the company expected to soon begin negotiations for a broadcast deal with the NRL. Anasta, who retired from rugby league in 2014, has transitioned seamlessly to working in the media and has become a household name among footy fans. In 2022, he took over as the host of NRL 360 and ratings have been on the up ever since. 'We didn't realise Braith was going to be this good,' Fox Sports boss Steve Crawley told News Corp. 'He's done a remarkable job, and I have a suspicion he's going to continue to get better.' Anasta's deal is said to be lucrative, but the exact figures remain undisclosed. 'When you put hosts in, sometimes they think they've got to present like the people before them,' Crawley said. 'With Braith, he's got a new way of presenting sport that is very much a 2025 contemporary way. 'They've got to be themselves. His work ethic is unbelievable, and he's world-class. 'We're delighted to have him for another three years.' Anasta took to social media over the weekend to confirm that he was extending his contract and thank those who have helped him along the way. 'Dream big kiddos, block out the noise, surround yourself with good people and work your f**king ass's off,' he posted. 'Always striving to be the best I can possibly be. 'Thank you to my family, friends, work colleagues and everyone who has and is supporting me along this incredible journey. There is no way in the world I'd be here without every single one of you.' Beyond his role as a Fox Footy pundit, Anasta also runs the sports management company Searoo, which represents NRL stars including Cameron Munster and Lachlan Ilias.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Will Nick Kyrgios be on BBC's Wimbledon coverage this year?
NICK KYRGIOS is arguably one of tennis's most controversial characters - and it may have cost him his place on the Wimbledon BBC panel. After the Australian announced on social media that he wouldn't be playing in the tournament, many fans are hoping he will be back in the commentary booth, as he was last time out. 1 Will Nick Kyrgios be on BBC's Wimbledon coverage this year? Last year, the Australian had admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend. And according to The Telegraph, the tennis star will not be part of the BBC's coverage as a commentator or a pundit. After being hired by the BBC last year for his insight into tennis, he was criticised by senior MPs and women's campaigners. Caroline Nokes, the women and equalities committee chair, blasted that the BBC should "hang its head in shame" for the decision. When could Nick Kyrgios be playing next? However, the 30-year-old has the US Open mixed doubles tournament to look forward to, where he will join forces with Naomi Osaka, the former women's number one. The two players are part of the huge announcement, seeing the top-ranked male and female players join forces. It will also see the likes of Emma Raducanu team up with Carlos Alcaraz, and Jack Draper play alongside Zheng Qinwen. This comes after the United States Tennis Association announced earlier this year that it wanted to find new ways to make the game more accessible and interesting to the fans. When is Wimbledon 2025? The British Grand Slam tournament will commence on June 30, seeing round one of the Gentlemen's and Ladies' singles matches begin the action. And it will conclude with the men's singles final on Sunday, July 13. Wimbledon will be hosted as per usual on BBC One and Two; however, this year, TNT Sports will show both the Men's and Women's finals after they inherited the rights from Eurosport. 22-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz won last year's Gentlemen's singles tournament after defeating Novak Djokovic in three straight sets. If he were to win the Grand Slam this year, Alcaraz would become the seventh male tennis player to win Wimbledon three times in a row, joining the likes of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Bjorn Borg.
