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ZACH HEMMING has revealed he’s playing with a fracture in his FACE — but the biggest pain was his young son’s reaction.

St Mirren No 1 Hemming was injured in the dying moments of the home defeat to St Johnstone three weeks ago.

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He was injured against St Johnstone – then suffering again against Hibs (above)[/caption]

Willie Vass

Zach Hemming revealed his painful injury – and what boss Stephen Robinson said after his sign at the darts[/caption]

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But he had some fun with boss Robbo – and his son Harry dressed as Luigi from the Super Mario franchise[/caption]

The on-loan keeper has rejected the offer of a protective mask for games and will bravely play on against Rangers at Ibrox this afternoon.

But he says five-year-old son Riven has taken the injury much worse than him — and even switched off last week’s goalless draw with Hibs.

Hemming, 24, said: “It’s all right now. I’ve just got a lump and it is still hurting.

“I thought it was going to be worse than it actually was at first. I thought it was going to be my cheekbone because my eye shut up.

“It’s just a little fracture across the nose, which is better than what I feared.

“I did get asked by the physio about a mask but they said if it falls down in the game, it would be a nightmare to get back up. I said just to leave it.

“I just need to let it heal itself and keep on playing and hopefully I don’t get another knock on it.

“My eldest hates anything like those injuries.

“He hates blood and anything like that and when I came out I had blood all over my nose and it was running down everywhere. He hated it.

“He hated it on Sunday as well. He was watching the game on the television because he had a football match.

“He couldn’t watch it after I went down again.

“When he plays football, he tackles anyone and is as dirty as anything but when I get injured he doesn’t like it.”

Hemming ignored his facial knock to enjoy a night out at the Premier League darts at the Hydro in Glasgow nine days ago.

And the TV cameras caught him holding a fun banner with the words ‘Robbo Out’ as he savoured a laugh with boss Stephen Robinson’s son Harry, currently playing at Clyde.

Hemming explained: “The manager was joking about it as his son was at the darts too.

“It was a nice laugh and joke and then I had to do the coffee runs twice in a row!

“I got tickets from the Leyton Orient owner, who owns a bit of the PDC.

“I had tickets for the World Championships but that was the day I signed for St Mirren and I couldn’t go.

“He said he would put them in Glasgow instead and I told Harry I had two more tickets.”

Hemming returned to Paisley at the end of January for a second loan spell from parent club Middlesbrough.

His future beyond the summer remains unclear — but he says Riven and the rest of the family have their hearts set on staying in Scotland.

He said: “I think if it was down to the kids and the wife, they would stay 100 per cent.

“But I have just got to see what Middlesbrough say about it all.

“I still have a year left at the club so I just need to wait until the end of the season to see what happens then.”

Buddies, who lie in sixth place in the table, go to Ibrox today chasing a first away victory over Rangers since Kevin McGowne netted a dramatic winner in 1991.

They are buoyed by the 2-1 home success over Gers on Boxing Day — a game that came before Hemming’s return to the club.

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Hemming has a fracture in his face[/caption]

Willie Vass

But the worst thing was his son’s reaction to the gruesome knock[/caption]

And the keeper is eager for the first win of his career over one of the Old Firm.

He added: “Last year we put in really good performances against the Old Firm teams.

“It is just about getting over the line and getting a win.

“The boys will put a good shift in on Saturday, then we will need to rest and recover and go again on Wednesday against Hearts.

“We are all relishing the challenge over the next few games.

“They are tough games but we have been putting in great performances over the last few weeks so we are ready.

“Let’s hope we do it the next few weeks and get a few good performances and wins.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has appointed General Dan “Razin” Caine to lead the US military in a sweeping shake-up aimed at gutting “woke” influence in the Pentagon.

Caine, who once told Trump, ” I’ll kill for you, sir,” is set to replace four-star fighter pilot General Charles “CQ” Brown, who has led the Joint Chiefs since 2023.

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General Dan ‘Razin’ Caine has been appointed as the new Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman[/caption]

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Trump praised Gen. Caine as a “warfighter”[/caption]

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Gen Caine was a key architect of the U.S. military’s rapid offensive against ISIS[/caption]

Trump made the announcement Friday night, hailing Cane as a “warfighter” and a key figure in the “complete annihilation” of the ISIS caliphate.

“General Caine is an accomplished pilot, national security expert, successful entrepreneur, and a ‘warfighter’ with significant interagency and special operations experience,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Don’s newly appointed defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, also threw his full support behind Caine, calling him “exactly the leader we need to meet the moment.”

PENTAGON PURGE UNDERWAY

The shake-up doesn’t stop with Brown’s firing.

Hegseth is also seeking replacements for the Chief of Naval Operations and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, along with key legal positions in the Judge Advocates General Corps.

Hegseth has been an outspoken critic of the military’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, which he says have weakened U.S. forces.

Before taking office, he blasted Brown in his book The War of Warriors, claiming he was promoted for his politics rather than his military expertise.

“You think C.Q. Brown will think intuitively about external threats and internal readiness? No chance,” Hegseth wrote.

“He built his generalship dutifully pursuing the radical positions of left-wing politicians, who in turn rewarded him with promotions.”

Hegseth has also criticized Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the current Chief of Naval Operations, questioning her combat experience and mocking her master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.

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Top US military officer General Charles “CQ” Brown has now been replaced less than two years into his four-year term as chairman[/caption]

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Trump’s team has plans to gut “woke” influence in the Pentagon through a major shake-up[/caption]

WINNING TRUMP OVER

Trump and Caine’s relationship dates back to Iraq in 2019, when the Air Force officer reportedly impressed the Republican strongman with his aggressive approach to military operations.

At last year’s CPAC conference, Trump recounted how Caine had once pledged his loyalty, saying: “I love you, sir. I think you’re great, sir. I’ll kill for you, sir.”

The moment, according to Trump, was sealed when Caine donned a MAGA hat — despite military rules barring active-duty personnel from wearing political gear.

Caine, who has logged over 2,800 flight hours in the F-16, including more than 100 in combat, was a key architect of the U.S. military’s rapid offensive against ISIS during Trump’s first term.

“It was done in record-setting time, a matter of weeks,” Trump wrote.

“Many so-called military ‘geniuses’ said it would take years to defeat ISIS. General Caine, on the other hand, said it could be done quickly, and he delivered.”

Despite his record, Trump said Caine was “passed over for promotion by Sleepy Joe Biden.”

“But not anymore!” Trump declared.

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General Caine has logged over 2,800 flight hours in the F-16, including more than 100 in combat[/caption]

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“Alongside Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Caine and our military will restore peace through strength, put America First, and rebuild our military.”

Trump and Hegseth did offer a parting nod to Brown, despite their sharp criticism of his leadership.

“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” Trump wrote.

“He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish a great future for him and his family.”

Hegseth echoed the sentiment, saying Brown “served with distinction in a career spanning four decades of honorable service.”

IT’S Friday night and Toni Jones is downing pints of Prosecco. 

And this happens every week – at least it was until January 1, 2024, when Toni decided enough was enough.

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

She then challenged herself to stay sober for 365 days – and she’s never felt better.

“I wanted to free myself from alcohol,” the 47-year-old, from Norfolk, says.

“And it’s the best thing I have ever done.”

Toni, founder of The Shelf Help Club, discovered the booze buzz as a teenager and was instantly hooked.

She spent years partying hard, regularly waking up having forgotten last night’s antics. 

“I was drunk or hungover for at least 20 years,” she says. 

“I was born to a disinterested and alcoholic dad, who was estranged by the time I was in my late 20s.

“He’d escaped to Thailand to drink himself to death by my early 30s. 

“I started binge drinking in high school as a way to self-medicate through messy family stuff – plus I came of age in the ladette era.

“I developed a very toxic relationship with alcohol.

“But I was unable to give up binge drinking for a long time – even when I started to understand how much it was hurting me mentally and physically. 

“Sometimes it was fun. But usually I would push it past the ‘fun’ zone and instead use it as a way to literally ‘get out of my head’, using my stressful job as an excuse.”

Drinking daily

At the time Toni worked in the media industry, which she says only made her drinking worse.

“Being drunk and then hungover was very much part of the social landscape, so I would often be drinking daily,” she says. 

“I was usually out with other people who were also drinking to excess regularly, so it didn’t seem dangerous – though I know now it was.

“A lot of the events we attended hosted free bars, and we would drink whatever was going – usually awful warm wine.”

But the beverage she could never say no to was Prosecco.

“As a baby Gen Xer, it was my favourite,” Toni adds. “The local pub near our office served it in pints!

“I also loved skinny b****es (vodka, lime and soda), and all kinds of pretentious cocktails.

“I never seemed to realise that expensive drinks were still going to give me a hangover.”

It wasn’t until her late 30s that Toni even noticed the impact it was having on her.

‘Sozzled’ before check-in

Aside from after-work drinks, Toni also loved getting hammered on holiday.

She says: “Drinking while travelling used to be a no-brainer for me, often starting at the airport.

“On occasion, like while on a hen do to Ibiza, before the flight we’d get sozzled on mini bottles of wine in the airport hotel so that the 6am EasyJet departure time wouldn’t be too painful.

“Unsurprisingly, it was a horrible flight and I wasn’t able to properly enjoy the weekend. 

“Until 2024, any time I had flown long haul I would reach immigration already hungover (and majorly dehydrated), willing the passport queues to disappear so that I could just fall into bed, instead of enjoying the new city I was in. 

“We spent one New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong, full on partying ahead of flying to a health retreat in Thailand in early January. 

“At check-in in Koh Samui, the staff were visibly grimacing at the state of us. 

“This kind of retox:detox very much summed up my relationship with alcohol (and myself) – I was all ‘party hard, work hard and repeat’.”

‘Dry-tripping’

As part of her new sober adventure, Toni went on several zero-alcohol trips last year (often call dry-trips), including one to Miami – a destination known for its alcohol-fuelled nightlife.

But this holiday was a turning point, which made her realise she simply didn’t need booze to have a good time. 

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

“Previously, I have always drunk alcohol on holidays, seeing it as an integral part of any trip – starting with airport beers then having Bloody Marys on the plane,” she says.

“But this all changed when I went to Miami – somewhere I’ve visited several times before, with my husband and also friends. 

“It has a reputation as being a party city, and previously I have embraced that side of it.

I asked the hotel to remove the mini bar from my room and stayed away from bars as much as I could

Toni Jones

“But this time, I arrived sober and left feeling great, after swapping late nights and cocktails for early mornings and juices. 

“It was a really different holiday experience and made me realise that time off in the sunshine is something to celebrate, and doesn’t need booze to make it better.”

Resisting ‘trigger’ temptation

Not that it’s all been easy, and Toni admits she’s had to work hard at times to stay on the right track.

She says: “A holiday for me is full of triggers to drink, so I had to do a bit of planning to make sure I could avoid as many of them as possible. 

“I asked the hotel to remove the mini bar from my room and stayed away from bars as much as I could. 

“We went for glamorous breakfasts and brunches instead of dinners, and I made sure that I had a couple of ‘go-to’ alcoholic-free drink choices – ‘AF’ beer, root beer, and iced coffee.

“One of the biggest challenges was being poolside and hearing the sound of cocktail shakers. 

“Also, it was difficult to resist happy hour offers and the groups of loud, tipsy friends hanging out on the boardwalk. 

“However, Miami is a pretty expensive destination, so not drinking saved me hundreds of dollars which worked out in my favour.

Now I sleep like a baby, wake up without an alarm, and literally (annoyingly for my husband) jump out of bed excited for the new day

Toni Jones

“After not drinking, I felt truly relaxed and rejuvenated – like you’re supposed to when you come back from a holiday.

“I really enjoyed the long days and early nights, feeling energised and positive, and I was able to get over jet lag pretty quickly. 

“I also had the mental space to spend time making exciting plans for when I got home. 

“And not drinking alcohol on a long-haul flight was a huge revelation. The benefits were truly worth it.”

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

Booze-free benefits

Since going sober, Toni has seen improvements in every aspect of her life.

She has saved thousands of pounds, has far more energy, and she even looks significantly healthier.

“I do get a lot of comments on my general ‘glow’ – my healthy skin and bright eyes and an aura of contentment and calm,” she says.

“Money-wise, I’d say I’ve saved at least £200 a month – so about £2,500, when you take into account bottles of wine in the supermarket and rounds of drinks on nights out.”

But the single best thing to come out of giving booze up? Sleep!

“Mornings are amazing now,” Toni says.

“I used to dread them. But now I sleep like a baby, wake up without an alarm, and literally (annoyingly for my husband) jump out of bed excited for the new day.”

“Looking back on my drinking ‘career’ I feel sad about all the missed opportunities,” she adds.

“I run my own business and I feel like I could’ve started working on my dream life and job much, much sooner if I’d given myself the headspace and clarity.

“I’ve also lost a lot of cash – I have spent so much money on nothing – and I mistreated myself for years.

“But my biggest regret is the amount of time that I wasn’t properly present; for friends, family, life experiences, and myself. 

“I can see now that the drunk or hungover version of me is not how I want to show up in the world.”

Living a ‘happy, sober life’

Alcohol consumption is declining in the UK.

In 2011, the Health Survey for England found 54 per cent of adults drank booze at least once a week.

But years later in 2022, that number dropped to 48 per cent. 

Today, around 20 per cent of the population don’t drink at all, according to Alcohol Change. 

So while decades ago, people may have quizzed you on why you were drinking lemonade not beer in the pub, it’s now much more accepted. 

Removing alcohol from my life is the best thing I could have done for my mental and physical health

Toni Jones

“The only negative or judgemental comments I’ve received have been from people I don’t know,” Toni says.

“Anyone who knows me has been majorly supportive – if a little incredulous – and because I am getting on with my life and doing pretty much everything I used to do.

“Lots of them are seeing the benefits and understanding you don’t need to become a hermit or identify as being ‘in recovery’ to live a happy, sober life.

“Lots of people are interested in if or when I’m going to start drinking again (plot spoiler: I don’t think I am), but I welcome the comments and to ask anyone who’s interested in why I’m not drinking, why they are?”

Free from alcohol

Toni, an avid traveller working with Omio, adds: “I’ve been thinking about, and attempting, short stints of alcohol-free living for almost 10 years. 

“Since I interviewed the founders of an organisation called Club Soda back in 2015 and started learning more about the idea of ‘mindful drinking’, it inspired me to look at my drinking habits.

“Over the last decade, I’ve also been on a personal journey of healing and self-development, finally admitting to myself that removing alcohol from my life would be the best thing I could do for my mental and physical health. 

“I felt like 12 months was a good time to start to free myself from alcohol and create new healthy habits, as well as to try everything sober at least once, including holidays.

“The saying that ‘you don’t need a drink to have’ is 100 per cent true, although sometimes that fun just looks a little bit different. 

“On this holiday I made different choices, such as going for a swim in the ocean versus getting drunk at a rooftop bar. 

“And – as my friend Jack says – not drinking is only boring if you have boring friends, so if you want to keep having fun then plan interesting things with great people.”

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

‘Not drinking is only boring if you have boring friends,’ Toni says[/caption]

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

Toni Jones

THIS is the moment an idiotic thief gets stuck while lowering himself into a Sainsbury’s shop via the ceiling.

The bungled Mission Impossible-style burglary took place at early this morning (21 February) in central Nottingham.

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The raider’s feet can be seen poking out from the ceiling[/caption]

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He gets stuck as he tries to enter the store from above[/caption]

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The thief drops the ground as the ceiling falls through[/caption]

In CCTV footage released by Nottinghamshire Police, the thief’s feet gradually appear through the ceiling of the Sainsbury’s Local in Radford – as bits of dust and plaster fall beneath him.

He then lowers himself down to the waist height, and begins kicking his legs in a panicked attempt to steady himself.

In the process, he sends groceries flying off a nearby shelf – including multipacks of drinks.

He is then left comedically dangling, as his arms remain arms and shoulders remain stuck

Eventually, a panel of the ceiling falls away and he falls in a heap on the ground.

Moments later, the thief, who is wearing black trackies and a blue t shirt under a black hooded coat, is seen prowling the supermarket aisles with a carrier bag.

He then appears behind the counter, pulling dozens of National Lottery scratch cards from a dispenser.

Cops later revealed the value of the stolen scratch cards to be around £200.

Seconds later, a separate camera from outside the store shows the burglar sneaking out of a fire exit.

Sainsbury’s staff called 999 at 6.10am after spotting the intruder.

Officers arrived within six minutes, and found a man matching his description in a nearby street.

The 50-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary and taken into custody.

In a statement, Inspector Liz Gaskin said: “This was fantastic work by the Response officers who ensured a suspect was swiftly in handcuffs.

“The store was closed at the time of the incident and so did not impact on members of the public.

“However it was an alarming incident for the staff and I’d like to thank them for alerting us to the burglary.

“No one should arrive for a shift to discover a burglar inside their place of work and I hope they are reassured by the arrest.

“As shown today, we will always offer a robust response when community stores are targeted like this and their shelves ransacked.”

It comes after more bizarre footage was revealed of a man escaping court via an upper-storey window in South Africa.

The daring getaway was pulled off by Onoshana Thando Sadiki – who was supposed to be facing charges of breaking and entry and theft at Jeppe Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg.

Sadiki’s freedom was only temporary, however, as he was nabbed again the next day while on the run.

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The intruder was later seen walking around the aisles[/caption]

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He also pulled scratch cards from a National Lottery dispenser[/caption]

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He eventually exited the store via a fire exit[/caption]

A SAVVY woman has revealed how she made £290 by reselling car boot sale bargains online.

Sophie Field, from the UK, took to social media to show off her latest haul of goods and how much she could sell them for.

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Sophie revealed she makes a living reselling car boot sale bargains[/caption]

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She made £290 from just one car boot sale but not everyone was a fan of her business strategy[/caption]

“What I bought from the boot sale (with profits),” she said.

The first thing Sophie found was a giant Jellycat bunny plushie which usually retails for £225.

The bargain hunter managed to buy it for just £12 and said she sold it for £85 online.

Next, she bought an array of shoes at the car boot including a pair of Uggs, Adidas Gazelles, Converse, Crocs and Sketchers.

She spent just £11 on the six pairs of shoes and was able to make a profit of £68.

The savvy woman also found two gift boxes of Levi’s socks which she paid £8 for and sold each one for £16.

Sophie also picked up an adorable green mini skirt from Zara she snagged for £2 and sold for £10 as well as a Pull & Bear sweatshirt she decided to keep for herself.

Also on her list of goodies she sold for a profit were a box of DVDs she bought for £2 and sold for £25, and a Starbucks travel cup she paid 50p for and sold online for £4.50.

Sophie also sold a clock for £10 which she bought for £1 as well as a tonne of plushies.

She found a large number of Disney plushies and managed to sell them for £102 despite only paying £20 for them.

Sophie shared her haul on her TikTok account, @sophfield, and revealed she made a total profit of £291.50.

The savvy shopper also revealed she usually resells her items online using either eBay or Vinted.

The clip went viral with over 156k views and 5,200 likes, and people were quick to take to the comments to share their thoughts.

Over 124 viewers shared their opinions, some furious that Sophie had taken the items to sell them for a profit.

Public Reaction

One person wrote: “Why do you not just leave them for people that would really enjoy/need them?”

“it’s a business – it’s how I earn a living if someone wants them they can find them online also,” Soph replied.

Another commented: “Reselling clothes fine but cuddly toys just feels immoral.”

“Okay that’s literally just not fair.. imagine how happy someone who really wanted all of those things would’ve been when they found them, but you ruined that,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “Wait I don’t get the issue with this? You want that item that cheap get up at 6am & go get it. I’d rather pay a little more for the fact someone has done it for me.”

“I love the people whining in the comments. Same reason I buy cheap from charity shops and sell for a profit. I try find the time for car boots (mainly Sedgefield) but don’t get the time to often,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “Very impressive and well done.”

Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.

MET Eireann has issued a yellow alert for 15 counties as heavy rain and strong gusts are expected tomorrow.

Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo will be covered under the warning from 2am to 3pm.

The alert reads: “Very strong and gusty southerly winds together with spells of heavy rain.

Possible impacts include difficult travel conditions, localised flooding, fallen trees & loose debris and poor visibility.

After 3pm tomorrow, another wind warning will kick in for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo due to “very strong and gusty southwesterly winds.”

The alert will be valid from 3pm tomorrow until 12am on Monday.

The UK Met Office has also issued a wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry.

The alert will begin at 3am on Sunday and continue until 3pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, good sunshine is expected across the country today.

Met Eireann said: “A bright and largely dry day with good sunshine and some passing showers, mainly across the southwest, west and north.

“Highest temperatures of 10 to 13C in light to moderate southwest winds.

“Mainly dry and clear to start tonight. Rain will spread from the west overnight, reaching eastern areas by morning.

“Rain will be heavy in the west and southwest with spot flooding possible.

“Becoming very windy with southerly winds increasing strong to near gale force, reaching gale force on coasts.

“Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8C.

“Sunday morning will be wet and windy with very strong and gusty southerly winds and widespread rain, heavy in many areas with some spot flooding.

“Rain will gradually clear eastwards through the afternoon with scattered blustery showers following, some heavy with isolated thunderstorms possible.

“Winds will decrease fresh as the rain clears. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14C.

“Sunday night will bring clear spells and scattered showers, the showers heaviest and most frequent in the west with hail and isolated thunderstorms possible.

“Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7C with fresh southwest winds, easing a little overnight.”

IT’S all change as Britain’s Got Talent returns to our screens for an 18th series – no, don’t worry, Simon Cowell hasn’t axed national treasures Ant and Dec as hosts (he wouldn’t dare!).

But there is a new guest judge in the shape of social-media, boxing and music star KSI, more golden buzzers than ever before, and for the first time ever, the live semi-finals will be airing weekly on Saturday nights later in the year rather than consecutive evenings across a week.

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Britain’s Got Talent is back tonight[/caption]

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Amanda Holden received over 600 Ofcom complaints about this dress in 2017[/caption]

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But the star has promised more racy outfits for this series[/caption]

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But perhaps the biggest difference this time around is that all of the auditions were filmed in the British home of showbiz – Blackpool.

Ahead of the launch of this new series, TV Mag exclusively spoke to the stalwarts of the long-term judging panel, Simon, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli…

AMANDA HOLDEN

If there’s one thing we know we can expect along with a host of weird and wonderful act, it’s a jaw-dropping outfit or two from Amanda that likely prompts some viewers to contact Ofcom to complain…

“I haven’t even thought about my semi-finals outfits yet, but I constantly scroll through Instagram when I’m on car journeys and bombard my stylist with loads of ideas – it’s thigh splits and cleavage!” cackles Amanda, who sparked a record 663 complaints with one low-cut number back in 2017 .

“I have a whole ‘t*t committee’ [in the production team] that watches everything [ to prevent ‘accidents’]. Hopefully they’ll keep an eye on Bruno’s t*ts as well, because I think he shows far more than I do at the moment!”

Amanda’s bound to be feeling confident about spotting potential during the show’s new run, given that she was the judge who pressed her golden buzzer for Sydnie Christmas, the singer who went on to win the 2024 series.

“That was just incredible for me, and I’ve become friends with her,” reveals Amanda, 53. “I met up with her while I was on holiday with Alan Carr in Greece and we saw each other in Los Angeles for dinner.

“So I feel like, more than any other act – apart from Stavros Flatley – I’m quite invested in her, socially and everything else. Because she’s just such a wonderful person, as are her gorgeous family. So it feels like a win on more levels than just her winning a golden buzzer. I’ve made a new friend, she’s great.”

Having been on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell since the start, Amanda’s well placed to look at how the Saturday-night entertainment show has changed the lives of contestants and the panel judging them.

“Susan Boyle changed the face of television,” she says of the Scottish singer whose audition in 2009 became an internet sensation.

“It took us into the homes of people who maybe had never seen the show. Wherever I go now, I get recognised. It used to just be Europe, now it’s Dubai and America, the Philippines. It’s everywhere, because of YouTube and social media. That’s what Susan Boyle did for the show – she put us on a global stage.”

SIMON COWELL

There’s one reason we’re about to witness the most golden buzzers we’ve ever seen on one series of BGT, reckons Simon – the ‘persuasiveness’ of a pumped-up audience under those bright lights in Blackpool.

“They were completely wild!” laughs Simon, 65. “What I loved about them was they were just completely enjoying the process. People might not know, but it does take a while sometimes between acts because the stage needs to be set or the golden buzzer [ticker tape] needs to be cleaned up. But they really had a good time and they really took what they did seriously.

“When we say the audience are the fifth judge, those crowds proved it – that’s why we have so many golden buzzers this series. It’s all down to them and how loud they were. Honestly, it got to the stage where I thought on a couple of acts that if we didn’t press the golden buzzer, then the audience wouldn’t let us out the building!”

Simon also says the crowd were great for a bit of banter, even if it was at times at his expense.

KSI is a different kind of entertainer, how he’s built his career – I have a lot of respect for what he’s done

Simon CowellTV Mag

“At one point this lady called me an ‘old fart’,” he laughs. “I thought it was one of the funniest things, because a lot of people would’ve ignored it, but I repeated it because it made me laugh so much. And then afterwards she was asking for a picture with me!”

With Bruno away for some of the auditions, Simon drafted in new face KSI to cover. And, he says, it was a bit of a baptism of fire for the man famed for creating the viral drink Prime.

“KSI is a different kind of entertainer, how he’s built his career – I have a lot of respect for what he’s done,” says Simon. “We were talking on the first day and he asked what advice I have for him. I said that none of us are experts on everything because you don’t know what’s going to come on.

“So all you can do is just say how the act makes you feel. Within about 20 minutes he said: ‘Wow, I had no idea it was this intense!’ But he completely embraced it. He genuinely seemed to love it and the audience embraced him.”

ALESHA DIXON

Holding all the auditions for this year’s BGT in Blackpool brought a new energy to the show, says Alesha.

“There’s something about audiences in Blackpool,” she explains. “I think they really understand the bones of our show. We had such a blast, it was almost like the circus had come to town.”

But while the atmosphere put everyone in a lively mood, that doesn’t mean it was party time when the day’s work was done.

“We didn’t get much time to socialise because we would start early in the morning and finish late at night,” admits Alesha, who is mum to daughters Azura, 11, and five-year-old Anaya.

FAMILY TIME

“Some people would go down to the bar, but I actually spent a bit of time playing Ludo with my lovely sister, who works with me, and my hair-and-make-up team. We sat and played Ludo, had a glass of wine, listened to some music. My little brother came to see me on one of the days and he was trying to convince me to go out in Blackpool, but it was freezing. I said: ‘There’s no way you’ll get me out of the hotel!’”

That family involvement is one of the reasons Alesha, 46, is as excited as ever about the show and has no plans to walk away, despite it being her 13th series.

“It’s amazing how time flies. I mean, what a rollercoaster it’s been,” she grins. “I feel like one of the luckiest people on television, because I think I’m on the best show on TV. If you’re loving it and you’re having a great time, why would you not want to be there? On the last day of auditions we always feel a bit sad, because we genuinely treasure it. And, you know, we’ve become like a family over the years.

“Whenever Azura comes and watches, she feels like she’s having a play date because she has a great time with [Amanda’s daughter] Hollie and [Simon’s son] Eric. They all get on so well, and they’ve all known each other for so many years, so it’s a fun day out for them. It’s a family affair, and that’s what makes it so special for everyone.”

While Alesha won’t spoil who she pushed her golden buzzer for, there’s no doubt who Azura would have gone for if she had one to press…

“Azura is obsessed with Wicked at the moment and she’d say: ‘Mummy, I really hope you get somebody that comes on and performs one of the songs from Wicked.’ Amanda and I kept speaking about it every day. On the day, we had this group come on stage and they did a tribute to Wicked. It was such a beautiful moment.”

Amanda doesn’t want to kill the magic, which I respect.”

AleshaTV Mag

This is the 13th year that Alesha has sat alongside Amanda on the panel, and while her fellow judge admits that she loves to flash the flesh and get people talking about her outfits (see below), there’s no rivalry in the style stakes between them, as Alesha’s more than happy keeping it casual.

“Amanda always looks incredible and is a great sport. I think people realise that she’s just an incredibly beautiful woman who can wear what she wants if it makes her feel good,” smiles Alesha.

“We’re so different in our style naturally and we complement one another. I’m very fortunate to wear a pair of trainers at these auditions – go for the comfort, right? Amanda doesn’t want to kill the magic, which I respect.”

Alesha reveals that it didn’t take the whole gang long to get into the spirit of Blackpool, with Simon even driving the judges to the theatre in a gold metallic wrapped car with a funny cartoon print on the driver’s door that made it look like Simon was sitting on the toilet!

A NEW SIMON

“We had such a laugh in there,” grins Alesha. “Amanda had a microphone in the front and was shouting things out at people, and it wasn’t until we actually pulled up at the theatre that we got out and saw the toilet, which was very funny.

“Honestly, I was saying to Amanda that Simon over the years has become such a good sport. He’s just so up for things now – he does things on stage that I never thought I would see, things he certainly wouldn’t have been doing 10 years ago.

“I just love watching him have fun with it. That car was silly, and we love silliness on our show. The sillier, the better. With so much going on in the world, it’s just lovely to be able to go and work on a television show that makes people feel good, makes people smile and makes people laugh.

Britain’s Got Talent is one of the few gems that’s on television where everybody’s included, everybody feels a part of it. That’s rare and that needs to be treasured.”

BRUNO TONIOLI

Bruno Tonioli finally understands what BGT is all about now, since it’s his third year as a judge, but he loves the fact that the acts still take him by surprise.

“It goes from the amazing to the grotesque and everything in between,” laughs the former Strictly Come Dancing judge. “We are just like: ‘What is this?’ You’re in tears and then there’s a moment when you’re crying with laughter. That’s the beauty of the show. It’s a celebration of variety. There are some acts that, if it wasn’t for Britain’s Got Talent, they wouldn’t be seen – but they deserve to be seen. Singers, dancers, acrobats, aerialists, comedians… You name it, we have it.”

Simon, Alesha and Amanda all agree that livewire Bruno brings a special energy to the room, so it’s hard to believe that he’s a pensioner and will be turning 70 in late November.

“In my mind it’s just a number,” he insists. “I don’t define myself and I don’t think anyone should define themselves by a number. You should define yourself by your passion, what you want to do, by your interests.”

Even so, Alesha and Amanda have been urging him to organise some major celebrations to mark his landmark birthday.

“The girls have made a few suggestions, they’re much better than me at this kind of thing – I’m not a planner. Amanda is very efficient, she’s on it!” laughs Bruno, who suggests that he might want to keep his celebration “small and private”. “I always like surprises. I’m still like when I was 18 – I can’t wait to see what happens next. I always like to have this sense of adventure. I never plan anything unless I have a job to do.”

Of course, Bruno’s had a lot on his mind lately, with wild fires causing devastation in Los Angeles – which is where he lives when filming Dancing With The Stars, the US version of Strictly.

“I called all my friends in LA as soon as I finished the auditions in Blackpool. Fortunately, they are okay,” he says. “A few had to go to Palm Springs because they couldn’t move back in because of all the smoke. And my house is okay.

I don’t have that power, unfortunately. I can’t hire myself, my darling!”

Bruno TonioliTV Mag

“But it’s devastating, it just makes you cry. It is apocalyptic. I know they will rebuild. I have faith that they are very energetic, positive people, and I know that they will come back stronger than ever.”

As for the future, Bruno says he’d love to stay with BGT. However, after five decades in show business, he’s a realist and knows that decision lies with ITV and Simon Cowell.

“As long as they want me, I’m having a fantastic time,” he grins. “But it’s not for me to say, it’s up to them, isn’t it? I don’t have that power, unfortunately. I can’t hire myself, my darling!”

Rex

Rex

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KSI joins the panel as a guest judge this series[/caption]

Britain’s Got Talent starts on Saturday, February 22 at 7pm on ITV.

TV Mag is available for free every Saturday, only in The Sun.

THE Vatican issued an update on Pope Francis’ health after previously warning he was “not out of danger”.

The 88-year-old was admitted to hospital on February 14 and has been forced to pull out of official engagements.

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The Vatican has issued an update on Pope Francis[/caption]

Rex

An image of the Argentine Pope Francis is projected onto the Buenos Aires Obelisk on 21 February[/caption]

The pontiff has been suffering from pneumonia in both lungs and is undergoing treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

The Vatican shared a short update on his condition, as Catholics across the world hold out hope the 88-year-old gets better.

It said: “Pope Francis rested well.”

This positive update came after a series of worrying updates from The Church.

The Vatican warned on Monday that a longer hospital stay was needed in the face of a “complex clinical picture” which involved a “polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract”.

Francis was then said to have been in a “stable” condition a few days later.

The Vatican added that his respiratory infection also involved asthmatic bronchitis, which required the use of an extensive antibiotic treatment.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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A PROBE is underway after a man was shot in the south inner city area of Dublin last night.

The man was shot twice in the Rutland Avenue area and is being treated in hospital for non life-threatening injuries.

Alamy

Gardai are trying to establish a motive for the shooting.

One theory is that he may have been targeted over a drug debt.

A source said: “The man is known to gardaí for his addiction problems but isn’t a major gangland player.

“He is currently being treated in hospital for his injuries.”

Meanwhile, a probe is also underway after a man armed with a knife lunged at two unarmed members of the Gardai.

The incident happened in the Rathmines area of the capital on Thursday night.

None of the officers were injured during the incident but the attacker suffered a self-inflicted wound.

One source said: “This type of incident shows the danger Gardai face on a daily basis.

“The man armed with the knife was very threatening but thankfully no-one suffered any serious injuries.”

Gardai confirmed an investigation was underway.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai attended an incident at a property in Rathmines on the night of Thursday 20th February.

“Gardaí attended the scene and a male, aged in his 20s was removed from the scene to St James’ Hospital with self-inflicted wounds.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

stephen.breen@the-sun.ie

LOVE Island winners Gabby Allen and Casey O’Gorman have revealed they were thrown a surprise welcome home meal at a celebrity hot spot with all of their famous friends.

This week’s tense Love Island All Stars final saw series three star Gabby, 33, and professional bombshell Casey, 28, scoop the £50,000 prize. 

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Gabby Allen and Casey O’Gorman were thrown a surprise party to celebrate their All Stars win[/caption]

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The couple were joined by the previous All Stars champs, Molly Smith and Tom Clare[/caption]

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Gabby’s All Stars co-stars Tina and Dannielle helped her celebrate her win[/caption]

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To celebrate their big win, their showbiz pals put together a surprise party for them at London hotspot, Sheesh.

Gabby took to Instagram to reveal her joy at finding out all her best friends had gathered in posh Mayfair to toast to her and Casey’s Love Island Victory.

The reigning All Stars champs looked delighted as they enjoyed yummy food and drank plenty of champers.

At one point Casey got up to do a speech and thank all his friends for being there.

In another clip, Gabby and her man can be seen pulling each other in for a smooch.

They were joined at their party by their star pals, including last year’s All Stars winners Tom Clare and Molly Smith.

Tom is Casey’s best mate, after they both appeared on Winter Love Island 2023.

Other stars at the party included Messy Mitch and his girlfriend Hayley Griffin.

The couple’s All Stars co-stars Tina Stinnes and Danielle Sellers were also their to toast to their victory.

SPLASHING THE CASH

This week the lovebirds scooped an extra £50K to put into their already bursting bank accounts, after their Love Island All Stars victory

Following their big win the couple appeared on The Morning After podcast to speak to host and series five star Amy Hart. 

Amy, 31, said: “You’re about to have a little windfall into your bank – fifty grand, twenty five grand each, what are you going to spend it on?”

Gabby replied: “I didn’t even know that was a thing until just now! I didn’t know that’s what you won.”

Amy quizzed: “Did they ask for your bank details, like, ‘we’ll transfer you’.”

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Gabby and her friends enjoyed a yummy meal and plenty of champers[/caption]

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Tina and Dannielle looked stunning as they arrived together[/caption]

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Casey’s best pals Molly and Tom were there to help celebrate[/caption]

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Gabby looked incredible in her daring outfit[/caption]

A stunned Gabby said: “Yeah! It was literally that.”

Revealing their plans for the winnings, Casey – who appeared as a bombshell on series nine and the first All-Stars spin-off before his late entrance this year – said: “We’ve got to go away.

“Somewhere nice. I think we’ll go to the Maldives.”

Happy with her man’s answer, Gabby nodded and added: “Sexy.”

She continued: “The first thing that came into my head was that I’d like to do something nice with my mum, take her on holiday as well.” 

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SMITTEN CASEY

Speaking ahead of their victory on Monday, Casey told Love Island host Maya Jama: “I absolutely adore her.

“She has just blown me off my socks since I got here.

“As soon as that first conversation I had with her, it was game over for me.”