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Sky News AU
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Pop icon Ed Sheeran announces 'Loop Tour' is set to kick off this summer in Australia
British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has announced he will return to Aussie shores for his all-new 'Loop Tour' in 2026. Sheeran will perform eight massive shows across the first three months of 2026, performing in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The global superstar will first perform three shows in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in New Zealand, before crossing the Tasman. It has been two years since Sheeran last visited Australia for his sold-out 'Mathematics' tour, which sold more than 1 million tickets. He played at the MCG twice, breaking the stadium's concert attendance records on both nights. The Loop Tour is set to be present new surprises along with his biggest chart-topping hits. 'Ed's new live show promises to be filled with surprises, new music, as well as his biggest hits,' a statement from promoters Frontier Touring and MG Live said. Sheeran shared the news with Aussies at a virtual press conference on Tuesday at the Lord Dudley Hotel in Sydney's Woollahra. The announcement comes after weeks of speculation of a Down Under tour. Sheeran said on Instagram he is excited to start a brand-new tour. 'New stage, new tricks, new set up, new songs and all the classics added in,' he said. 'We kick it off in Australia and New Zealand in Jan, Feb, March 2026, which is always the best time, I can't wait to be back.' The tour is set to support the 34-year-olds new album, Play, which is expected to be released in September. Sheeran has released a few songs from the upcoming album including Azizam, Sapphire and Old Phone. He said his new album was made as a direct response to the 'darkest period of my life'. 'It's a real rollercoaster of emotions … (and) encapsulates … where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father. The older I get, the more I just want to enjoy things, and savour the moments that are mad and chaotic,' Sheeran said. The songs on Play relate to a dark time when his wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with a tumour while with their second child, as well as losing close friends music producer Jamal Edwards and cricket legend Shane Warne. 'I felt like I didn't want to live anymore,' he said at the time on Instagram. 'Those thoughts were bad enough, but shame arrived as their companion. They seemed selfish, especially as a father. I feel really embarrassed about it. 'I was spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, head below the surface, looking up, but not being able to break through for air.' Tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 29. Ed Sheeran's Australia & New Zealand 2026 Loop Tour dates New Zealand Friday 16 January at GO Media Stadium in Auckland. Wednesday 21 January at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Saturday 24 January at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Australia Saturday 31 January at Optus Stadium in Perth. Friday 13 February at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Saturday 14 February at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Friday 20 February at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Saturday 21 February at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Thursday 26 February at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Friday 27 February at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Thursday 5 March at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.
News.com.au
11-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Disgusting act towards NSW star goes too far after State of Origin decider
NSW utility Connor Watson was almost struck by a full can of liquid in an ugly moment following Queensland's State of Origin victory on Wednesday night. In an incident caught on camera, the Roosters star was walking up the first tier of seating inside Accor Stadium after the post-match ceremonies were completed when an object was thrown towards him from above. As first reported by Code Sports, the object narrowly missed Watson as he shook hands with a spectator on his way to the area at the back of the grand stand. The video shows people in the stadium were shouting Watson's name before the item was thrown. The item was reportedly a full can of beer. Members of the stadium security eventually attended the scene. 'Stadium security staff are reviewing CCTV footage and will work with police,' a stadium spokesman said. Watson has told Code Sports he was 'shocked'. 'I've had to go up there, my family and friends were up there,' Watson said. 'One of my mates is in a wheelchair, and he can't come down the stairs, so I have walked up there to go see him. 'As I'm walking, a can of Canadian Club lands right next to me and it's like someone had thrown it at me. 'If they did throw it... the words I want to use for it... I can't say right now. 'If it was thrown, it's disappointing to think someone thinks it's OK to do that. 'If that got me in the head... it seemed like it came from the top level. 'These younger guys, came up to me saying they have footage of the incident, of me walking and the can land right next to me. 'It's disappointing to be honest. 'I'm just going up to visit my family and friends, I shouldn't have to worry about someone throwing a can at me. 'If someone has done it, they should do something about it.' The offender faces a ban and police may investigate. Australian sports journalist Mark Gotlieb posted on X the person responsible should be 'banned for life'. The Blues have come under fire from rugby league commentators since Billy Slater's Maroons came back to win the series after losing the opener at Suncorp Stadium. NSW coach Laurie Daley and captain Isaah Yeo have been nothing but classy in the aftermath of the Maroons' stunning 24-12 victory. Galvanised by Cameron Munster's brave decision to play days after his dad's passing, the Maroons defied the odds to blow NSW off their home ground in Sydney in a blistering first half. Nathan Cleary also showed great class in congratulating Queensland, but it has not stopped the No. 7 from a barrage of criticism. Cleary has won three State of Origin series, but he is still yet to dominate the arena like the great rugby league halfbacks, including Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston and Allan Langer. Cleary has won four premierships with Penrith and a World Cup with the Kangaroos, but he is now winless in the three Origin deciders he's played in. Mitchell Moses has looked the most damaging NSW playmaker in recent seasons, but he missed the last two games of the year with injury. Channel 9 caller Mat Thompson said: 'He's yet to win one. There are very few things that the 27-year-old champion halfback has not achieved in the game, but piloting his state to a victory in Game 3 is one.' Phil Gould was scathing of NSW's attack and the lack of spirit shown by the Blues, saying on Nine post-game: 'Origin is different to club football and it looked like an Origin side playing against a club side.' After the Blues' shocking first half, when they trailed 20-0, Gould said: 'Credit to Queensland, they've played perfect Origin football. 'I can't say the same for NSW in attack. They've looked very predictable. They've looked rushed. There's been no cohesion in defence. They're really disconnected all up and down the field, not just on their goal line. NSW just look so predictable. There's nothing dangerous coming at you and Queensland are really connected. 'They've played perfect Origin football and I don't know what NSW are doing to be honest.' An emotional Cleary told Nine post-game: 'Shattering to be honest. Just wasn't good enough. And at the end of the day, we probably didn't react well enough to their rushing defence. And they saved tries, they scrambled and we struggled to do that.'
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
See the AI fake pic of Nathan Cleary with a scantily-clad model that has left the footy star on the verge of getting the cops involved
Nathan Cleary 's lawyers are looking at launching criminal proceedings in court after footy fans discovered flyers featuring a faked AI image of the Penrith star with a bikini-clad woman. Hundreds of supporters found flyers using the image on their cars after watching the final game of the State of Origin series at Sydney 's Accor Stadium on Wednesday night. The advertisement, which appears to spruik footy-themed covers for car bonnets, shows a faked image of Cleary wearing a NSW jersey with his arm around a model in a revealing dress. Text on the advertisement reads, 'Way to go Blues! I knew you had rizz! I'm taking this one home!' It also runs the disclaimer 'This flyer was printed a week ago' above a website address. Cleary's lawyer, Daniel McGirr, foreshadowed criminal and civil legal action over the ad campaign. 'It's a disgrace what they're doing with these guys' brands,' McGirr told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'There's a couple of avenues that we'll go down the track of. 'One of them is civilly, but they are also obtaining a benefit by deception, which is criminal. 'The punter on the street thinks, "Nathan Cleary is aligned to this, I trust him and he's my hero". 'They click on it and they could be taken to the dark web or something like that and get scammed. 'It's a criminal matter. With AI, this will get worse and worse until something is done about it.' Cleary isn't the only footy star who has been hit with an AI deepfake recently. NRLW star Jaime Chapman - who recently split from her Queensland Origin boyfriend Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - was also the victim of a fake sexualised image that was distributed online. The Blues and Gold Coast Titans player took to Instagram to slam whoever was behind the deepfake photo attack, which involved a doctored image of her taking a selfie while wearing a bikini. 'Have a good day to everyone except those who make fake ai photos of other people,' she wrote. 'AI is scary these days. 'Next time think of how damaging this can be to someone and their loved ones. 'This has happened a few times now and it needs to stop.' Soon after that news broke, former TV footy reporter Tiffany Salmond revealed she'd fallen victim to a deepfaked image. 'This morning I posted a photo of myself in a bikini,' Salmond posted on Instagram. 'Within hours a deepfake AI video was reportedly created and circulated. 'It's not the first time this has happened to me, and I know I'm not the only woman in sport this is happening to.'
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
NSW star's act of sheer class we all missed in emotional Origin decider
Laurie Daley and his NSW team have shown their class after Wednesday night's emotional State of Origin series decider in Sydney. An act by red-hot winger Brian To'o said it all as the Blues went out of their way to show support for enemy captain Cameron Munster — before, during and after the game, where Queensland completed a historic series comeback. Munster fell to his knees before being mobbed by teammates after the final siren sounded at Accor Stadium and he let the emotions pour out. Munster fought back tears during the post-game ceremonies after leading his team to victory just days after his father died. The Melbourne Storm playmaker was in camp with his Maroons teammates when his father Steven died on Saturday night. Munster only rejoined the team for the captain's run on Tuesday after spending time with his family grieving. A social media post shared by To'o before the game showed there were plenty of people in the Blues' dressing room feeling for their opposition captain. To'o carried a written tribute to Steven on his wrist during the game. His photo showed he had written 'Steven' on the strapping wrapped around his wrist, and also showed a cross and love heart symbols. It's one of many reasons Munster thanked his opponents for their support. 'Yeah look, it's a tough one,' Munster said. 'Like a high of emotions. I think when someone loses someone, you forget about it sometimes, but then it brings back memories and obviously, I just want to say thank you to all the rugby league community. They've been outstanding. 'I've had so much support and text messages from not only obviously rugby league, but also the NSW team, so just shows what kind of character those guys are and yeah, just forever grateful. 'And rugby league and that I think family is more important than anything and a lot of people showed that the last couple of days and really got behind me, so I want to say thank you to all those people and thanks for coming out tonight.' Munster was stoic but became emotional talking to his wife and kids. 'Thank you to my mum, my sister, my partner Bianca and the kids,' Munster said. 'I just want to say thank you for getting behind me this weekend. I know it's been a tough time, but yeah, I guess at the end of the day, that's life. 'And I just want to appreciate everyone that's been around me and make this week so special. And yeah, we'll enjoy it tonight and can't wait to obviously go next year and hopefully see what we can do. But thank you guys. Have a good night.' Earlier Munster paid tribute to the Blues for reaching out to him in a tough week. 'I'd just like to thank the NSW Blues, Isaah (Yeo), Nathan (Cleary), Laurie Daley and all the coaching staff and all the players,' Munster said. 'I just want to say I really appreciate some of you reaching out to me during the week. Just shows how good rugby league is. 'Family's bigger than the sport and yeah, I just want to say thank you for rallying behind me. It doesn't go unnoticed. And yeah, testament to all you guys as characters, I'm in awe of you. I'm in awe of all you guys and you'll be back bigger, better next year. 'Peter V'landys, Andrew Abdo just thanks for the spectacle, it's been a great series. 'To obviously the Queensland boys and the coaching staff. I love youse, I just want to say thanks for making it a great week. 'To NSW fans also, especially to Queensland fans back home and (here) tonight, thanks for coming tonight. It's always a great series, forever grateful.' Munster didn't think the Maroons had it won until the final whistle. 'I wouldn't say we had the game in the bag,' Munster said. 'You know, guys like Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Jarome Luai with the ball in hand, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton. You just know when they got the ball they can create anything. 'So look, in those last five minutes, I've seen them dominate grand finals, they've come back from big losses. And yeah they did it in game two. 'And look we went away a little bit at the (end). We made it work. You know the saying goes you work hard you get lucky, so it felt like our group worked really hard tonight. And yeah we've got those 5050s.' Munster wrote himself a little bit of history by becoming the fourth Queenslander to win his first series as captain, joining Darren Lockyer, Trevor Gillmeister and Cameron Smith. Andrew Johns paid tribute to Munster's heroic performance. 'Well, Queensland supporters, your skipper, he's played one for the ages,' Johns said. 'The passing of his father, Steven, the courage to play but also wanting to play. He's inspired his teammates they've lifted. They've no doubt they've lifted for the Munster family. 'Cameron Munster knew the importance of captaining Queensland. It's been some performance.' Cameron Smith also paid tribute to Munster. 'Just look at those pictures on screen, Cam Munster, been a tough three or four days for him and his family,' Smith said. 'Being able to put all that aside. Such tragic circumstances. You see Dylan Edwards there just going up to console him. 'All the NSW players. It's great to see. They battle it out for 80 minutes, but at the end of the day, we're all mates.'
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Wild twist as Queensland hero gets away ugly Latrell act
Latrell Mitchell has been given no respect after the NSW star's penalty pleas were ignored by officials during Queensland's 24-12 win at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night. Adding insult to injury, the NRL Match Review Committee on Thursday morning announced no charges would be laid after the series decider. It must feel like a slap in the face for Mitchell after he took a hammer blow to his groin during a scuffle with Maroons fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow late in the second half. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > The incident has been largely overlooked in the aftermath of the Maroons' mighty series comeback where the Blues' star-studded backline was well contained by Queensland's inexperienced outside backs. Queensland coach Billy Slater was criticised for his selection gambles on centres Robert Toia and Gehamat Shibasaki — but the critics have been put in their place. You can watch the incident in the video player above. Mitchell looked the most dangerous player on the field for the Blues, but also found himself out of position in the NSW defensive line on several occasions. On a night where he was given only meagre opportunities to work some magic, the frustrations appear to have got to the Rabbitohs star when he flipped Tabuai-Fidow over while making a try-saving tackle, but gave up a ruck infringement penalty with eight minutes left in the game. The Dolphins No. 1 responded in ugly fashion in lashing out with his right boot straight into Mitchell's tender zone. The Bunnies star grimaced in pain immediately and fell to the floor looking directly at referee Ashley Klein as Tabuai-Fidow got back to his feet to play the ball. The match official ignored Mitchell's complaint and allowed play to continue down the other end of the field. Mitchell was still on the ground as Queensland got within 20m of the try line. Fox League's Warren Smith noted the kick, but stopped short of saying it was a deliberate act. 'There it was. He got one right where you don't want to get one,' Smith said. Queensland legend Cooper Cronk also said Mitchell had to get back and defend his edge rather than stay on the ground. The Match Review Committee clearly agreed. Mitchell was far from the only Blues star on the field struggling to control his frustrations on a night where playmakers Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai struggled to make an impact. Blues coach Laurie Daley has been criticised over his selections, particularly in the middle of the field. Stefano Utoikamanu — a player controversially picked over the likes of Terrell May and Keaon Koloamatangi — has been singled out after he failed to put his body on the line to stop Harry Grant's burrowing try. Galvanised by Cameron Munster's brave decision to play days after his dad's passing, the Maroons defied the odds to blow NSW off their home ground in Sydney in a blistering first half. Phil Gould was scathing of NSW's attack and the lack of spirit shown by the Blues, saying on Nine post-game: 'Origin is different to club football and it looked like an Origin side playing against a club side.' After the Blues' shocking first half, when they trailed 20-0, Gould said: 'Credit to Queensland, they've played perfect Origin football. 'I can't say the same for NSW in attack. They've looked very predictable. They've looked rushed. There's been no cohesion in defence. They're really disconnected all up and down the field, not just on their goal line. NSW just look so predictable. There's nothing dangerous coming at you and Queensland are really connected. 'They've played perfect Origin football and I don't know what NSW are doing to be honest.' An emotional Cleary told Nine post-game: 'Shattering to be honest. Just wasn't good enough. And at the end of the day, we probably didn't react well enough to their rushing defence. And they saved tries, they scrambled and we struggled to do that.'
