Latest news with #solace
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Bobby Brazier has ‘become a Hare Krishna' and ‘seeks solace' in the daily spiritual rituals after mum Jade's death
BOBBY Brazier has 'become a Hare Krishna' and is 'seeking solace' in daily spiritual rituals following the death of his mum, Jade Goody. Strictly finalist Bobby, 22, has become a regular at the Hare Krishna temple in Soho, where he takes part in communal prayers, chants mantras and helps prepare meals. 5 5 Friends say Bobby's interest in spirituality has grown over the past year and is helping him process the lasting impact of losing his mum to cervical cancer in 2009, when he was just five. A volunteer at the temple told MailOnline: 'He's here every Saturday without fail. He joins our kitchen session, learns the prayers – this isn't a gimmick.' A family friend added: 'Bobby had a difficult life. His mum dying left a mark on him, as it would. Hare Krishna is somewhere he seeks solace. It might seem strange, but for him, it works.' Last year, The Sun published images of Bobby joining in cha-cha-chanting at a Hare Krishna gathering on Oxford Street, where he was even seen handing out leaflets. Bobby - whose dad is TV star Jeff Brazier - said of the movement: 'I've had the blessing of meeting some incredible devotees who have really taken me under the wing and been really merciful upon me. "And they are just the most beautiful, happy, content, smart, intelligent people.' After Jade's death, Bobby and younger brother Freddy, 20, were raised away from the spotlight. At 16, Bobby was scouted by a modelling agent during a trip to a local coffee shop and quickly signed to a major agency. He later walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger and joined EastEnders as Freddie Slater. In 2023, he won the National Television Award for Rising Star and finished as a finalist on Strictly the same year. Huge EastEnders star to QUIT soap after four years 'to look for other opportunities' And he appeared in the Paramount+ drama Curfew last year. Bobby is also set to inherit £250,000 from Jade's estate when he turns 25. A spokesperson for the trust said: 'Everything was agreed before Jade passed away – there have been payments for agreed education or healthcare, but no other withdrawals until the boys turn 25. "Even years after she passed, Jade has been able to provide for them, which is what she always wanted.' Last week, The Sun on Sunday revealed Bobby would be leaving EastEnders after four years. The actor and model has received a wave of work offers since being a runner up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. Bobby, Freddie Slater in the BBC soap, will exit Albert Square later this year. An EastEnders spokeswoman said: 'We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.' A telly insider revealed: 'Bosses had a meeting with Bobby only recently as they had a plan in mind for a storyline, and it just so happened that Bobby was also thinking that now was the right time to look for other opportunities outside the show. 'The timing of the decision worked for both, but his final scenes are not for a while yet. 'The character has had a great run, but the time is now right for Bobby to look for other opportunities, and for EastEnders to wave goodbye to Freddie Slater.' 5 5 5
ABC News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Hilde Hinton's home for the temporarily defeated
Hilde Hinton's upbringing was marked by the shocking death of her mother when Hilde was just 12 years old. Despite the great grief, there was also a sense of relief for Hilde. She shielded her younger siblings, Samuel and Connie Johnson, from the truth of how and why their mother died. But when Connie also died, decades later of cancer, Hilde was propelled into writing her first novel, in between shifts as a prison officer. Her debut book, The Loudness of Unsaid things, was intensely autobiographical. While Connie never got to read the book, Hilde's brother Samuel finally 'met' their mother through Hilde's writing, and learned all that his big sister had done for them growing up. Now, from her home in Melbourne, where people who need solace freely come and go, Hilde explores in her writing the ordinary things that make life extraordinary. Further information The Opposite of Lonely is published by Hachette. You can watch the episode of Australian Story, which features Hilde's brother, Samuel Johnson, online at ABC iview.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
The Whispering Pines
Alia had always found solace in the woods near her home, a sprawling forest of towering pines and soft, mossy undergrowth. One crisp autumn afternoon, she ventured deeper than usual, enchanted by the rustling leaves and the distant call of a woodpecker. The sun filtered through the branches, casting playful shadows on the ground. As she wandered, the familiar trails began to fade, replaced by a labyrinth of trees that seemed to close in around her. She paused, looking around, but the landscape felt foreign. The vibrant colours of fall had turned into a muted palette of browns and greys. Panic bubbled up in her chest. 'Stay calm,' she whispered to herself. 'Just retrace your steps.' But every direction looked the same, and the path she thought she'd taken had vanished. The forest was alive with sounds: the whispering wind, the crunch of twigs, the distant rustle of creatures. But they only heightened her sense of isolation. As twilight descended, the forest transformed. Shadows stretched, and the trees looked like ancient sentinels. Alia's heart raced. She took a deep breath, recalling the stories her grandmother told her about the forest spirits that protected those who respected nature. She decided to sit and gather her thoughts, hoping for clarity. Closing her eyes, she listened. The whispers of the wind became clearer, almost like a gentle guidance. She opened her eyes and felt an urge to follow the soft sound, like a melody in the air. With cautious steps, she moved toward it, trusting her instincts. Minutes felt like hours as she navigated through the dense underbrush, but the whispers grew louder, more inviting. Suddenly, the trees parted, revealing a small clearing bathed in the last light of day. In the centre stood an ancient oak, its gnarled branches reaching toward the sky. Alia approached the tree, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. She placed her hand on its rough bark, and in that moment, she realised she wasn't alone. READ MORE A small creature, a fox with bright, knowing eyes, emerged from the shadows. It tilted its head, as if inviting her to follow. Without hesitation, she trailed behind the fox as it led her through the forest. The path became clearer, illuminated by the glow of fireflies dancing in the dusk. Alia felt a mix of gratitude and wonder as she followed her guide, trusting the forest had its own way of guiding her home. Finally, they reached the edge of the woods, and the familiar sight of her neighbourhood came into view. The fox stopped, turning to offer one last glance before disappearing back into the shadows. Alia stood for a moment, heart full of awe and relief. As she made her way home, she knew she would return to the forest, not just for the peace it offered but for the magic that lay within its depths. Lost and found, she had discovered a deeper connection to the world around her, one that whispered secrets only the trees could tell.
