Latest news with #SuddenlySingle
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Michael Gove reacts to ex-wife's comments as she claims 'everyone thinks he's gay'
Ex Tory politician Michael Gove has shared his reaction to ex-wife Sarah Vine's latest book, in which she speaks about their relationship, divorce and rumours around his sexuality Former politician Michael Gove has reacted to ex-wife Sarah Vine 's comments about him and their relationship, following her recent claims that "everyone's always thought Michael was gay". Sarah, 58, opens up about her 21-year marriage and its downfall in her book How Not To Be A Political Wife, which came out earlier this year. Appearing on Good Morning Britain today, Michael Gove, 57, was asked by presenter Ed Balls how he felt about his "mixed write-up" in the book after she wrote about how Brexit was responsible for their divorce. "I think that's probably fair," Michael said. "I think that it's in the nature of Sarah's writing that she writes without fear or favour." He added: "Sarah very kindly sent me a copy of the book before it was published and said, 'Is there anything in it that you really object to?' and I thought, 'I'm not going to be a censor.' "There are some bits in it that inevitably any husband or any friend of Sarah's will read and their eyes will be out on stalks but it's her voice." When asked whether he would do anything different after reading her criticism about their marriage, Michael said: "I think the most important thing is to spend as much time as possible, more time being present with your family." The ex Conservative politician admitted that he would often spend "an extra half hour" perfecting an argument or convincing someone to back what he was doing, when he should have been with his family. "It's a half hour that's away from your wife and your children." It comes just weeks after Sarah opened up about rumours around her ex-husband's sexuality while appearing on Best's Suddenly Single podcast. 'There were always rumours about Michael's sexuality," she said. "When I went on the skiing holiday [where she met him], one of the senior executives said, 'oh Michael, he's lovely but he's gay'. That was 30 years ago. "Everyone's always thought Michael was gay. I married him. Maybe I'm just deluded, but from all my evidence – two children! – even if he was gay … It wouldn't bother me. "If he'd said I need to get divorced because I'm gay that wouldn't have upset me. I think people need to be their authentic self, and if that's who you are then that's who you should be.' She added that they chose to separate before the Covid pandemic and that while politics had "done some damage", it was Brexit that was the final straw. "The fall out was incredibly toxic and personal. People on the Remain side were so vicious. I just wanted to run away from the whole thing and Michael had this desire to try and make it right. "After Theresa May took over, she fired him, and there was a period when he wasn't a front-line politician and that was quite good. I felt he was coming back, because you do lose them to politics, and then she rang him and said did he want to be Environment Secretary, and he went back in. That's when I thought, we really don't want the same thing anymore.'
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Bestselling Dublin author to visit library in Waterford
The Dublin-born author has written 20 novels as well as three collections of short stories and two novels for children, all of which have been bestsellers both in Ireland and overseas. These include The Hideaway, What Happened That Night, Isobel's Wedding and Suddenly Single, with sales topping eight million around the world. She is renowned for telling a good story and making her readers feel like they know the characters. Ms O'Flanagan said: 'Ireland is famed for its writers, but for me growing up most of the novels were rural in both their settings and their points of view. I wanted to read books about people like me, who lived in the city… I also wanted to read novels in which the women were the heroes of their own stories and not simply there because they were someone's wife, mother or daughter.' She is also a passionate advocate for increasing literacy and helping people who have come to reading late in life so that they can find the same pleasure in reading as she has. Waterford City and County librarian Mary Conway, who founded the Writers at Waterford Libraries programme in 2023 said: 'Our series of writer events aims to unite readers and writers through free, accessible events in their local library branches. 'Waterford Libraries are presenting a line-up of unique and engaging voices in Irish writing and we are delighted to welcome Shelia O'Flanagan to Waterford as part of this.' The event is free, but booking is essential. Phone Tramore Library on 051 849594 to reserve your place. The Writers at Waterford Libraries series is a programme of Waterford City and County Council Library Service.
Metro
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Gogglebox star reveals life-changing health diagnosis he's 'hidden for decades'
Former Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig-Webb has publicly shared that he is deaf in one ear after decades of hiding his health condition. The 50-year-old TV personality rose to fame during his five-year tenure on the hit Channel 4 reality series which he featured on with his ex-husband Stephen Webb from 2018 to 2023. Earlier this week he opened up to his 121,000 Instagram followers about the life-changing childhood diagnosis that has 'shaped his life'. 'I've been half deaf since I was a child,' he said in a new interview. He explained that he contracted mumps when he was younger causing an infection which ultimately led to 'complete and permanent hearing loss in one ear.' Before continuing to Scenemag: 'For years, I hid it. I didn't want people to see me as 'different' or less capable. At school, it was tough, I was often picked on and teachers told me I was 'thick' because I struggled to concentrate, not realising it was because I couldn't hear properly. 'It made me really insecure. I thought I was just failing.' He described trying to keep up in social situations 'exhausting' due to his condition and has at times been 'forced to pretend' he could hear what people were saying which took 'its toll'. 'I've had to learn to listen differently, and sometimes I just switch off,' the Hove-based hairdresser added. 'I feel ready to be open about it. At 50, I feel like it's finally time to stop hiding and to be proud of who I am,' he explained alongside his plans to learn sign language to connect with the wider community. 'Deafness isn't a weakness, it's part of me,' Daniel shared hoping to shed light on the 'isolation and frustration' that comes with being hard of hearing. 'It's part of millions of lives. And it should be talked about openly, without shame,' he continued. The latest figures from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People indicating upwards of 18 million adults across the UK are affected by hearing loss or tinnitus. As he enters a new decade he is 'learning to love and accept all parts of [himself]'. Fans have shared their support for Daniel in the comments on Instagram. 'You should never hide yourself you are a beautiful person inside and out,' jopurdy2 said. 'Be proud and loud, love and hugs,' shared. Earlier this year, Daniel opened up about the impact of his breakup with his ex, Stephen. The pair – who had been together for 11 years and married for six – announced their shock break-up in April 2024 but have remained in each other's lives as friends. More Trending In recent interview, however, Daniel revealed that he 'didn't see [the split] coming' and called the end of their relationship 'devastating' and 'traumatic'. Speaking on podcast Suddenly Single, he said: 'We were completely entwined for so long, with our businesses, the dogs, we were so close in everything we did. 'There was nothing underhand happening, no-one had slept with anyone else.' View More » In the end, their differences became too much with Daniel adding: 'Stephen was the complete opposite to me, and we'd say opposites attracted, but fundamentally that was our problem in the end.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Hidden gem documentary that inspired 90s comedy legend free to watch on BBC iPlayer MORE: Gogglebox family announce heartbreaking death as fans pay tribute MORE: Paddy McGuinness reveals his unexpected celebrity crush 'he wasn't supposed to have'
Edinburgh Live
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Chris Tarrant's ex-wife details 'insane' way she discovered his seven-year affair
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Ingrid Tarrant, the ex-wife of Chris Tarrant, has shared her story of how she uncovered his infidelity. The 70-year-old grew suspicious of the TV presenter, 78, 15 years into their marriage which began in 1991. While Chris denied any wrongdoing when she confronted him, Ingrid's intuition told her otherwise. She recounted on the Suddenly Single podcast: "Something was telling me he was lying. So, I thought the only way to be sure is to put a private detective on him." Finding it difficult to plant a tracking device in his car, Ingrid made up a lie about why she needed to borrow his vehicle. After securing his consent, she said: "It took them ages to fit it [the device]." Additionally, the mother-of-two hid a phone in her husband's second car to monitor his movements. Reflecting on the ordeal, she shared: "I had to keep secretly charging it and there were moments when I thought, 'This is insane'. "I'd be quietly getting the keys, shimmying out to the car to get the phone and charge it." The experience led to numerous restless nights for Ingrid, especially as Chris would wake up early. Nevertheless, her efforts eventually confirmed her suspicions. (Image: (Image: GETTY)) After being confronted with a picture that verified Chris' affair, Ingrid admitted she still felt shocked. "Call me naive, but I was so surprised. I had to have a photograph so there was no mistake," she recalled. It later emerged that the TV host had been secretly dating a 50-year-old primary school deputy headteacher for seven years. When the affair became public in 2006, he issued an apology for the damage caused. Chris expressed his remorse stating he was "deeply sorry" and confessed: "I have only myself to blame for the breakdown of my marriage." The former couple, who are parents to two children, finalised their divorce in 2007 after 16 years of marriage. Nowadays, Ingrid enjoys life as a happily single and celibate woman, who questions the need for another relationship. She said: "Women can just switch off, it's like food. If I eat breakfast, I'm hungry all day long. "If you're not having sex, you go through the sex-starved hunger pangs and then nothing, I don't miss it at all." She went on to say: "Do I really want to get back into all that with another man? "I don't know that I do! I have a great social life, I like having an empty nest and I don't feel lonely at all." Chris, on the other hand, remains in a long-tern relationship with Jane Bird, who he met shortly after he and Ingrid legally parted ways.
Evening Standard
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Toby Anstis reveals what really happened with Priscilla Presley after kiss on night out
Recalling the meeting while appeaing on best's Suddenly Single, he said: "So I went and saw her and I jokingly said 'it must be quite lonely being here, let's go and have dinner one night' and she said yes. So we all went out two nights later, a lovely friendly dinner.
