BIG Brother viewers have been left raging at housemate Ali after she secretly aired her feelings about one of her co-stars.

The star has been one of the most divisive housemates in the ITV2 show and has found herself locked in more feuds than most of the housemates combined.

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But during the latest episode of the programme, Ali admitted that she was “unsure” about the true intentions of her co-star, Baked Potato (Rosie).

Having just been made the Head of House by her co-stars along with Dean, the pair were tasked with who should be paired up with each other as part of the pairs week twist.

It saw Ali and Dean analyse their housemates as they tried to work tactically to get the best possible pairings.

Later in the Diary Room, Ali expressed how she felt Baked Potato may not be genuine in a shock admission.

The notoriously outspoken Ali had appeared to be keeping her thoughts on Baked Potato to herself despite repeatedly calling out her house enemies Khaled and Marcello.

She told how as Baked Potato was “well-liked”, it would make her “vulnerable” to call her out unlike when she had a war of words with Khaled and Marcello.

Ali told Big Brother: “Looking at someone else about their behaviour and someone who is incredibly liked in the house – Baked Potato
comes across so sweet, so lovely, so kind, so nice.

“She is desperate to be seen as lovely, sweet and kind,

“I’m sure she is but they can make mistakes.”

Referring to the surprise house romance, Ali added: “I think she’s handled her situation with Nathan really badly.

“She wants to keep it low key but she’s the one making it a big deal.

“I’m going to keep my distance from her as I can’t be fake.”

However, the admission backfired on Ali as fans were left puzzled by her decision to have such public outbursts at Khaled and Marcello but keep her feelings regarding Baked Potato close to her chest.

Writing online, one viewer penned: “Interesting how Ali doesn’t wanna call out baked potato publicly for fear of being vulnerable, yet Khaled is the one playing games.”

Another added: “So Ali will only speak up about her feelings to people that are disliked by other people?

“She said Rosie is liked by everyone so she doesn’t want to mention how she feels.

“So confused! I like Ali but I don’t get her reasons for this.”

As a third quipped: “Ali is so wrong about baked potato ( Rosie ) she’s one of the most genuine housemates in there.

“Sometimes people are just genuine and kind, that’s all.

“She really needs to stop over analysing everyone.”

Big Brother 2024 cast

A brand new batch of Big Brother housemates are living it up in the famous compound.

Meet the cast of the 2024 series:

• Rosie, 29, dental assistant from Cornwall.
• Emma, 53, aesthetics business owner from Altrincham.
• Segun, 25, charity videographer from Watford.
• Nathan, 24, pork salesman from Dumfries.
• Daze, 24, climate activist from London.
• Khaled, 23, sales manager from Manchester.
• Martha, 26, NHS administrator from Scarborough.
• Lily, 20, Chinese takeaway server from Warrington.
• Ali, 30, Forensic psychologist from London.
• Thomas, 20 amputee footballer from Carlisle.
• Ryan, 28, marketing and events from Stockport.
• Hannah, 24, HR consultant from West London.
• Izaaz, 29, sales consultant from London.
• Sarah, 27, spa account manager from Shrewsbury.
• Marcello, 34, youth mentor from East London.
• Dean, 35, barber from East London

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The fourth celebrity has been sent home from Strictly Come Dancing after a surprising dance off.

This year’s series has so far sent home an unexpected contestant in a result that was branded “messed up” and two more, including singer Toyah Wilcox, that left viewers feeling relieved.

The latest star to be eliminated is former Arsenal footballer Paul Merson, who ended up in a dance-off with a shock competitor: JLS singer JB Gill.

Merson was initially considered a “joke” contestant after his first few dances, but sailed through week three of the competition after delivering a better performance than expected.

However, following an episode that saw several standout dances and an unexpected contestant top the leaderboard, the sportsman’s luck ran out in Sunday’s results show (20 October), with all four judges opting to send him home after both celebrities performed their routines again.

However, the judges did note that Gill delivered his weakest performance yet.

Speaking about his time on the show, Merson, who danced a Samba to Rose Royce song “Car Wash”, said: “It’s been really good. For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing.

“There’s a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he’s nice! It’s been amazing – honestly amazing. I loved every minute of it.”

He called his professional partner Karen Hauer a “great teacher”, adding: “She’s been amazing and I couldn’t wish for a better coach. I’ve loved every minute of it.

“I can dance now. I’ve won because I can dance – I couldn’t dance before and I can half dance now. It’s a bonus.”

Hauer praised Merson, telling host Tess Daly: “You’ve been a joy. I’ve never giggled this much. My abs are really tight now. I am so proud of you. Every week you have showed up, you have improved.

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“You’re what Strictly is about and I want to thank you for bringing such joy and just showing everyone that it is possible with a little bit of work and lots of giggles.”

While Merson was eliminated, Gill’s presence in the bottom two is considered a surprise considering he and his dance partner Amy Dowden were considered early favourites to win the series.

The only other remaining contestant, alongside Gill, to have competed in the dance off so far is Shayne Ward.

The remaining 11 couples will next perform during Strictly’s Halloween episode on Saturday (26 October).

STRICTLY pro Karen Hauer’s time on the BBC show has been cut short for yet another year, after being voted off the dance competition with her partner Paul Merson.

The pair found them in the dance off, performing their Samba and going head to head with JB and Amy Dowden, whom the judges chose to save.

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But now die-hard fans of Karen are concerned that the 42-year-old who first joined the show in 2012, is in danger of quitting, after being continually paired with the least popular contestants.

Writing on social media site X, one person wrote: “I really hope this year isn’t Karen’s last series on Strictly, She’s the longest serving female pro, who has danced with a variety of celebs both men and women, Jayde Adams but has never one. 2025 needs to be her year to win.”

And another fan commented: “Actually loved Paul and karen plz strictly give Karen a contender next year she’s never looked soo happy being a part of the show as of right now.”

Meanwhile, someone else commented on how the show has lost its entertainment value, now that Karen and Paul have gone.

They said: “Paul Merson gave it his all in that dance-off, will be sad not to have him and Karen entertaining everyone each week.”

In a shocking dance-off, Paul found himself against JLS star JB Gill and his professional partner Amy Dowden.

Fans and the judges alike were left gasping when it was revealed that JB, arguably one of the stronger dancers on the programme, would have to dance again for his place in the contest.

It meant that Paul’s fate was seemingly sealed, having previously been forced into a dance-off alongside Toyah Wilcox.

Former footballer, Paul and Karen performed their routine, a Samba to Car Wash by Rose Royce, but it wasn’t enough to win over the panel.

All four judges revealed they were in agreement in choosing to keep JB and axe sports star Paul following the dance-off.

As Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all agreed to save JB, Shirley Ballas‘ vote was not required but she admitted to show host Tess Daly that she would have also chosen to save JB.

As the news began to settle on their exit, Paul told Tess: “It’s been really good.

“For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing – everybody.

He went onto add of his pro partner Karen: “She’s been amazing, absolutely amazing and I couldn’t wish for a better coach. I’ve loved every minute of it.

Venezuelan-American dancer Karen is a fan favourite and having starred on the show for 12 years, many would be happy to see her shine on the competition.

Having competed on the US show, So You Think You can Dance, Karen joined Strictly in 2012 and was partnered with Westlife star Nicky Byrne.

Throughout her time on the show she has been partnered with some of the biggest stars in Britain including, the late Dave Myers, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, pop star Will Young and Radio DJ Mark Wright. 

Her most successful pairing was with Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing in 2020, with whom she made the final, finishing in second place and Mark Wright back in 2014, finishing in forth.

But like Anton Du Beke who starred on the show since the beginning in 2004, rising from stalwart professional to revered Strictly judge in 2021, Karen’s longevity suggests that she is valued behind the scenes.

Numerous professional dancers have come and gone over the years, before disappearing out of the news cycle, but Karen remains relevant, standing firm in the Strictly frame.

Perhaps after yet another disappointing run, next year, producers will consider giving her a partner who has a fighting chance of winning the show.

Karen Hauer’s Strictly Journey

Karen Hauer is the show’s longest-serving professional, who has come within inches of the glitterball. But after a few years of leaving mid way through the competition, fans are hoping next year will be her turn to shine. So who have her partners been so far?

2012- Westlife star Nicky Byrne- 6th place

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2013- TV chef Dave Myers- 10th place

2014- Radio DJ Mark Wright- 4th place

2015 Broadcaster Jeremy Vine- 9th place

2016- Will Young- 13th place- (Will pulled out of the show early)

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2017- Chef Simon Rimmer- 11th place

2018- Actor Charles Venn- 6th place

2019- Comedian Chris Ramsay- 4th place

2020- Radio presenter Jamie Laing- 2nd place

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2021- Actor Greg Wise- 12th place

2022- Comedian Jayde Adams- 12th place

2023- Eddie Kadi- 12th place

2024- Paul Merson 12th place

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Strictly Come Dancing viewers have been left stunned as an early favourite to win the 2024 series ended up in the bottom two.

Following an episode that left viewers in tears with comedian Chris McCausland’s emotional dance, which ended with a “sweet” interaction with his professional partner Dianne Buswell, the results show threw a curveball into the mix.

In the episode, which aired on Sunday (20 October), it was revealed that former Arsenal footballer Paul Merson, who was ultimately sent home, was in the dance off alongside JB Gill.

The JLS singer has been one of the early favourites to win the show, receiving high scores for his performances alongside professional partner Amy Dowden, who has returned to the BBC series for the first time since recovering from treatment for stage three breast cancer.

All judges voted to send Gill through to the next round, but noted that his performances was not up to scratch. Despite this, his placement has come as a surprise to viewers who were convinced he would sail through the competition.

“JB and AMY?!?! In the bottom two? What’s going on?” one fan asked, with another chiming in on X/Twitter: “JB AND AMY! WHAT? Wow, shocked at that. I thought he was great last night.”

Others highlighted the shock on dancer Nikita Kuzmin’s face when he discovered Gill was doing the dance off, with one stating: “Nikita’s reaction was so me, what do you mean Amy and JB are in the dance off?!”

Gill topped the leaderboard in week one, was in third place in week two, fourth in week three and fifth in week four.

The only other remaining contestant, alongside Gill, to have competed in the dance off so far is Shayne Ward.

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Merson, speaking about his time on the show,said of his elimination: “It’s been really good. For anybody I talk to, I would say you’ve got to go on this show. It’s amazing.

“There’s a Tottenham fan over there called Lincoln and even he’s nice! It’s been amazing – honestly amazing. I loved every minute of it.”

He called his professional partner Karen Hauer a “great teacher”, adding: “She’s been amazing and I couldn’t wish for a better coach. I’ve loved every minute of it.

“I can dance now. I’ve won because I can dance – I couldn’t dance before and I can half dance now. It’s a bonus.”

Hauer praised Merson, telling host Tess Daly: “You’ve been a joy. I’ve never giggled this much. My abs are really tight now. I am so proud of you. Every week you have showed up, you have improved.

“You’re what Strictly is about and I want to thank you for bringing such joy and just showing everyone that it is possible with a little bit of work and lots of giggles.”

The remaining 11 couples will next perform during Strictly’s Halloween episode on Saturday (26 October).

A STAR of an iconic horror movie looks worlds away from his film debut – 25 years on from starring in a movie that had fans ‘vomiting’ in the cinemas.

Michael C. Williams found fame back in 1999 when he was signed up to play one of the leading parts in the terrifying movie.

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The Blair Witch Project had its viewers rattled back in the late 90s thanks to its scary content and unique way of being filmed and produced in order to give off the effect the movie was a real recording from a handheld camera.

Michael played a ‘fictionalised’ version of himself in order to tie-in with the movie’s marketing campaign of the film being about real people who had gone missing or died.

25 years on from the release of the film and Michael looks worlds away from his time on the big-screen.

Once sporting a freshly-shaven look, he now sports a grey-bearded face after ditching his acting career in favour of a more ‘normal’ role.

For those who have yet to see the horror classic, the movie will be aired in all of its glory on BBC One at 11:50pm.

It comes amid reports that the movie’s distributor is working on a reboot after setting the wheels in motion by securing a deal with horror movie giant Blumhouse Productions.

Michael failed to replicate the success of his time in The Blair Witch Project with other roles and soon switched career’s to become a qualified guidance counsellor in a school in the States.

At the time of the movie’s cinema release in 1999, audiences were left being sick in the cinema as a result of the “motion sickness” gained through watching the movie filmed on handheld cameras.

There were reports of cinemagoers vomiting and collapsing whilst watching the film in Atlanta and Dallas with US cinemas soon forced to place up warning signs for those brave enough to purchase a ticket.

Controversy followed for Michael and his co-stars after the film’s release after they felt they were underpaid for their contributions to the movie after it became a runaway success.

Having initially been made on a tiny $60,000 budget, the film’s total costs went on to become closer to the $250,000 mark after post-production was accounted for.

However, it soon blew that figure out of the water when it raked in a humongous $250 million at the box office – leading it to become one of the most successful independent films of all time.

Michael – along with his two co-stars Heather Donahue and Joshua Lenoard – were each paid $1,000 to both star and record the film on handheld devices.

Forbes went on to estimate that the trio’s total earnings in the aftermath of the film’s release would not have totalled more than $375,000 with most of that money being related to other settlements as opposed to profits of its success.

The publication claims that had the actors been paid in accordance with their original contract agreements, it is likely they would have pocketed the equivalent of $2.5 million for their work.

The magazine further adds that production companies on the film were able to conceal the full earnings thanks to “classic Hollywood accounting”.

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