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Puerto Rican actor Aubrey Plaza has called out racist remarks made about the island and its people at a recent Donald Trump rally.

On Sunday (27 October), comedian Tony Hinchcliffe was booed at a rally in Madison Square Garden after he described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage“.

“There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now,” Hinchcliffe, 40, said. “I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”

The joke led to widespread condemnation from Republicans, Democrats, and celebrities, and Trump’s campaign has distanced itself from the comments.

Speaking at the Wall Street Journal’s Innovator Awards in New York on Tuesday (29 October), Plaza – who is of Puerto Rican descent – said: “I just wanted to very quickly respond to the racist joke that was made at that Trump rally about Puerto Rico, where most of my family is from.

“Thankfully, my sweet Abuelita [grandma] wasn’t here to hear that disgusting remark. But if she was alive today, I think she would say, ‘Tony Hinchcliffe, go f*** yourself.’ And yes, the Wall Street Journal can quote me on that.”

Plaza, 40, was at the event to present basketball player A’ja Wilson as one of the 2024 honourees.

The actor, who has recently starred in the Marvel miniseries Agatha All Along and the indie film My Old Ass, is not the first Puerto Rican celebrity to call out the comments.

Luis Fonsi, the singer behind the hit song “Despacito”, wrote on his Instagram story on Sunday: “We are not OK with this constant hate. It’s been abundantly clear that these people have no respect for us and yet they want our vote. I purposely wrote this in English cause yes we’re American too.”

The fallout from the racist joke continued on Tuesday evening when Joe Biden was forced to issue a denial that he called supporters of Trump “garbage” in retaliation.

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Trump and Kamala Harris are in their final week of campaigning ahead of the US election on 5 November, with the national polls showing the two candidates in a deadlock.

FANS of Midsomer Murder will be thrilled to know that the mystery surrounding its return is finally over.

The much-loved crime drama has been confirmed for a landmark 25th series.

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Neil Dudgeon will return as DCI John Barnaby, with Nick Hendrix as DS Jamie Winter, Fiona Dolman as Sarah Barnaby, and Annette Badland as Fleur Perkins.

The series has captivated fans with its murder mysteries since first gracing TV screens in 1997.

The hit TV show was adapted by Douglas Watkinson from the Chief Inspector Barnaby book series by Caroline Graham.

John Nettles famously played Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby until his retirement in 2011, with Neil Dudgeon coming in the same year as DCI John Barnaby, Tom’s younger cousin.

Fans of the show were left devastated when the series ended in July this year, with no news of a return, with Vera filling the show’s slot in the Tuesday night TV schedule.

The much-loved detective drama sees the solving of the many murders that take place in the chocolate box villages of Midsomer.

The picturesque Causton was the main fictional town, with filming taking place in South Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The show became a huge hit, with its inaugural episode in 1997 the highest-rated single drama programme that year watched by 13.5 million viewers.

It went on to air 24 series of the show (released episode-by-episode) and was broadcast internationally in more than 200 countries.

In 2022 ITV commissioned a 25th anniversary documentary to celebrate the show.

Called Midsomer Murders – 25 Years of Mayhem in May 2022, the documentary featured cast members from over the years alongside behind-the-scenes footage.

There were also appearances from A List names before they made it big.

Orlando Bloom, known for his role in Lord of the Rings appeared in season 3, while Henry Cavill (Superman) appeared in series 7 of the show. Hugh Bonneville and Olivia Colman also made appearances before their rise to fame in Downtown Abbey and The Crown respectively, while Holly Willoughby also made a cameo.

ITV has yet to confirm a date for the new series.

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Lucas Bravo has hit out at Emily in Paris once again – and suggested that he might quit the show.

The French star, who plays chef and Emily’s on-off love interest Gabriel, has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with his character’s storylines – and recently doubled down on that stance.

Now, Bravo has criticised the Netflix series once again, explaining why he is “frustrated” with his character’s journey and why starring in the show is no longer “fun”.

“The ‘sexy chef’ was very much part of me in season one and we grew apart season after season because of the choices he makes and because of the direction they make him take,” he said in a new interview, adding: “I’ve never been so far away from him.”

He told IndieWire that, despite trying to voice his frustration, “it kind of became not fun for me to shoot or to see a character I love so much and brought me so much, being slowly turned into guacamole”.

Bravo continued: “I really grew apart from him. I tried for seasons to bring nuances but we don’t have much liberty on set. We cannot change a word or an emotion. They know what they want and we just have to comply.”

The actor is so concerned about the direction of his character that he is now questioning whether he wants to be a part of it, acknowledging the “lack of risk” in the show’s storytelling.

“It makes me question if I want to be part of season five… because my contract ends at season four,” he said.

“I really want to see if Gabriel gets back to his fun, cheeky, playful, alive self. Because three seasons of playing melancholic, sad, depressed, and lost is not fun anymore. It’s a comedy, everybody is having fun around me, everybody is jumping around, and I’m just slowly sinking into god knows what.”

However, Bravo said that he “loves the show” as “it started everything for me”.

He said in the interview: “I love the show and the people in it. With saying that, I feel like I am not being nice or grateful, but when you love something you want it to be…you want the best version of it.

“I’m not going to lie, I’ve been frustrated with the direction my character is taking. But we’ll see where it goes. The show is not over.”

A BELOVED couple faces a surprising split after 15 years, while another pair keeps their romance hidden in Emmerdale.

Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) confirms that she and the kids are moving out next week on the ITV soap.

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This comes after Nicola and Jimmy King (Nick Miles) to hit the rocks over abuser Tom King’s (James Chase) revelations.

The married couple struggled to agree over Tom after Jimmy noticed several tell-tale signs suggesting that Tom can’t be trusted.

Nicola realised that her young stepson Carl (Charlie Munro Joyce) seems scared and uncomfortable around Tom.

This followed Tom threatening Carl over his missing tablet computer, which he was desperate to retrieve as it contained damning evidence proving his abuse of wife Belle.

Nicola tried to gently quiz Carl on why he’s upset with Tom. However, just when it seems like Carl might share the details, the scared schoolboy spotted Tom arriving home and clams up.

Nicola was frustrated that Carl can’t be honest with her, so she realised that she had to change tactics.

In a phone call with Jimmy, Nicola shared her belief that Carl’s strange moods are all down to Tom.

Her detective work continued when she spotted the radio-controlled car that Tom tried to bribe Carl with, which is now in the bin.

Nicola quizzed Carl on where the expensive toy came from, but he remained reluctant to tell her the truth.

Finally losing patience, Nicola turned her scrutiny in Tom’s direction and demanded to know what’s going on.

Tom tried his best to cover up his lies, and Jimmy was concerned to hear Nicola turning on a member of their own family.

But Nicola refused to back down and threatened Tom with the police.

Can the couple make it work with Tom out the way?

Meanwhile, having seen how hurt Ella (Paula Lane) is, Chas (Lucy Pargeter) and Liam (Jonny McPherson) decide to keep their relationship private for the time being.

Best soap affair love triangles

LOVE triangles are a fundamental part of soap-land, but which ones have become the most iconic?

EASTENDERS

Bradley/Stacey/Max: Stacey Slater began an affair with boyfriend Bradley Branning’s dad Max in 2007.

Despite their romps, Stacey still married Bradley, but their deceit came out in an iconic Christmas Day episode that year.

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Grant/Sharon/Phil: Heading even further back in Walford history, EastEnders fans were gripped in the 90s as Sharon Watts had a one-night stand with her brother-in-law Phil Mitchell.

Sharon confided in best friend Michelle Fowler – not realising it was caught on tape – and her husband Grant eventually found out and played it in front of everyone at the Queen Vic.

Syed/Amira/Christian: Syed Masood was engaged to Amira before realising he had feelings for another man, Christian, which he confessed to him on his wedding day.

A devout Muslim, Syed refused to admit his true sexuality and went ahead and married Amira anyway, but when they returned, the two men started an affair before being caught in the act by Amira.

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CORONATION STREET

Shelley/Peter/Lucy: Peter Barlow took the concept of a love triangle and ran with it in Coronation Street – extending it to bigamy.

He was in a relationship with Shelley Unwin but started dating Lucy Richards, and quickly married her after she fell pregnant with his son, Simon.

But it didn’t stop him also marrying Shelley, but he was eventually caught when Lucy turned up in Weatherfield and the two women confronted him.

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Ken/Deidre/Mike: Back in 1982, Deirdre Barlow started sleeping with her husband’s nemesis Mike Baldwin in secret, before confessing all a year later.

When Mike turned up at the marital home, Deirdre was being throttled by her husband who then kicked her out, but years later they reconciled.

Maria/Aidan/Eva: In 2017, Aidan Connor started sleeping with girlfriend Eva Price’s best friend, Maria Connor.

Eva eventually found out and she decided to take revenge by faking a pregnancy, spending his money and planned to confront him on their wedding day.

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But she had a change of heart when a remorseful Aidan confessed, and decided to marry him anyway, only for Maria to arrive and expose her fake pregnancy.

EMMERDALE

Ross/Debbie/Pete: Debbie Dingle found herself torn between two brothers, Ross and Pete Barton in 2015 in Emmerdale.

She eventually decided to marry Pete but yet again, a soap wedding day was ruined when the groom learned of his bride’s betrayal via a recording played at the wedding.

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Chrissie/Robert/Aaron: Robert Sugden was married to Chrissie White and all seemed well – until he began a steamy affair with Aaron Dingle.

Robert’s ex Katie Sugden almost exposed the affair – but fell to her death before she had the chance.

However, a guilty Aaron eventually cracked and told Chrissie about the affair – after which she announced it to the whole pub.

Earlier this year, Liam and Chas began to explore their romantic connection, but put the brakes on their budding relationship when Chas was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Chas debated revealing her feelings for Liam, and later decided she’d missed her chance when she saw Liam kissing Ella.

However, unbeknownst to Chas, the doctor was secretly unsure about his future with Ella.

More recently, viewers saw Liam and Chas sharing a heartfelt moment following the sad news of Zak Dingle’s death.

Liam comforted a devastated Chas, who opened up about her loss.

A call from Ella interrupted the pair and Chas told Liam that his girlfriend was waiting for him. “So? I want to be with you,” he replied.

Chas encouraged him to leave before he said something he regretted, but then Liam made a bold move.

He confessed his feelings for Chas and she reciprocated his affection as the former flames shared a kiss.

With his new connection blooming, Liam prepares to break up with Ella. But with three hearts on the line, will it go to plan?

Chas actor Lucy Pargeter recently spoke to Digital Spy about her character’s potential romance with Liam.

She said: “I think Liam and Chas make an interesting couple. When Paddy was with Chas, a lot of people said that they weren’t a good match.

“I think Liam’s quite different to Chas but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing. They could be a good match.”

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and streams from 7am on ITVX.

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FANS of the Great British Bake Off were left absolutely enraged by the latest elimination from the competition.

Viewers tuned into Channel 4 to watch the bakers compete in the autumn themed week of the show.

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Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding fronted the latest edition, whilst Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith served as the judges.

On the recent edition of the Great British Bake Off, the amateur cooks were tasked with a series of autumnal themed challenges.

They had to make delicious autumnal pies in the signature and cook up the perfect Parkin in the technical.

For the showstopper, they were tasked with baking a cake which featured autumnal vegetables as a main ingredient.

Dylan struggled with his Diwali themed showstopper which the judges did not find to be illuminating.

However, it was Nellie who struggled the most throughout the week as Paul and Prue found her multilayered cake to be too dense.

As soon as Noel revealed the news, the effervescent baker elaborately stood up in front of everyone.

The fan favourite personality joked: “I’m not going anywhere,” which received a round of laughter from everyone in the gingham tent.

However, many viewers were not laughing, as they took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to vent their rage at her elimination.

“I genuinely just shouted ‘no!’ at that bake off eviction 🙁 caught me off guard,” exclaimed one viewer.

As a second fan stated: “RAGING. Nelly was the life of the tent.”

While a third raged: “I don’t think I can watch this now Nellie is gone.”

As someone else angrily posted: “Oh no! Nelly has been one of the best contestants of all time!”

And a fifth user was incandescent with rage at the judges as they added: “Oh Paul Hollywood, you will pay for getting rid of THE queen.”

Great British Bake off cast 2024

The Great British Bake Off is back for another series of the heartwarming Channel 4 show.

Legendary judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are back to give their expert opinion, while hosts Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond are on hand to lift the bakers spirits.

Here are the amateur bakers all taking part in 2024.

• Andy, 44, car mechanic.
• Christiaan, 33, menswear designer.
• Dylan, 20, retail assistant.
• Georgie, 34, paediatric nurse.
• Gill, 53, senior category manager.
• Hazel, 71, former nail technician.
• Illiyin, 31, birth trauma specialist midwife.
• Jeff, 67, former university lecturer.
• John, 37, NHS directorate support manager.
• Mike, 29, farmer.
• Nelly, 44, palliative care assistant.
• Sumayah, 19, student.

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The Great British Bake Off is available to watch on Channel 4.

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Anna Maxwell Martin has laid bare the grief and fear she went through following the death of her husband and Notting Hill director Roger Michell.

The couple first met when Michell directed Martin in the 2004 adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel Enduring Love. The actor was 26 at the time, while the director was 48.

Marrying in 2010, they went on to have two daughters. In 2020, the Line of Duty actor announced that the pair had separated. A year later, Michell suddenly died of an undisclosed cause, aged 65.

The Motherland star, now 47, said that the experience had left her in a state of “financial terror”.

“My husband died three years ago and things were really difficult on every aspect of our lives,” she told BBC Woman’s Hour on Tuesday (29 October).

“One of those was that there’s a lot of stuff that comes with grief, and one of them is financial terror. And then there are real practicalities around your children and their mental health, and supporting them, which is your priority.”

Describing the aftermath of the death, the mother-of-two said, “Looking back, I was probably in a state of shock, and fear, and a heightened state, for a long time actually, until very recently.”

She continued, “I’ve tried this road before, of grief, and sudden traumatic death. I’ve done it before, and so in a way I could pick myself up and do it again.

“It was horrible to have to see my children walk that road, but I’m pretty gritty, I’m pretty strong, and I think I’m quite deft, I hope, at navigating life. And I thought, ‘I’ve just got to keep the motor chugging on.’”

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Describing her first experience of loss, she explained: “When it happened to me [for the first time] and I was 24, I was very lonely. I was very isolated because no-one had been through what I’d been through. I didn’t know those people.

“And then when it happened with Rog, I saw it more as, ‘We’ve all got to keep it together for the kids.’”

Martin explained that as a woman in her 40s she was grateful for “having the best friends and best people around”.

She added, “You’ll have stopped making mistakes in that area of your life. And I really did, I had exceptional friends, an exceptional support network.”