EMILY Atack has heaped praise on her partner Alistair Garner for finally making her “feel safe”.

The 34-year-old welcomed her first child – son Barney – with Alistair in June.

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The couple were first pictured together in September 2023, but have known each other for years after Alistair’s father was married to Emily’s aunt.

Now in a new interview, Emily – who recently returned to screens in raunchy Disney+ series Rivals – has opened up about the peace she has found in her relationship and as a new mum.

She said: “I feel like my whole life had been building up to that moment, not just getting a part in that show but also my personal life. It feels like the stars have aligned. That is genuinely how it feels.”

Emily added to The Times: “I used to pray to God that I would end up with somebody who made me feel safe, and I’m safe with Al now.”

Emily’s happiness comes after years of dating turmoil, and she admitted: “For such a long time I had found dating hard and lonely.”

The star first found fame on The Inbetweeners, where her character Charlotte was nicknamed “Big Jugs”, but the role often lead to unwanted attention from men or misconceptions about who she really was.

Thankfully, Alistair had known Emily long before she became famous, and so when they reconnected as adults after not seeing each other for 12 years, love blossomed naturally.

During the interview, she recalled how she had just finished filming Rivals when she rushed to support Alistair as his father died.

Emily said: “We were together at the deathbed and then afterwards we left the room and hugged. We held each other for about 20 minutes and we just knew. This was love, this was real.”

However their lives couldn’t be more different, as Alistair is a nuclear physicist with a PhD.

Despite having dated famous people in the past, Emily said: “It was never going to be a pop star or a film star. It was never going to be that. I’ve done all that.

“I needed security, a solid, stoical person. And I just love how safe I feel. I am completely at peace. I don’t think I ever experienced proper love before because this is it.”

She concluded: “I know Al will look after me and Barney. I know he will be the best father and the best husband eventually.

“I am happier than I ever thought I could be.”

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Emily’s full interview is available in The Times. Rivals is available on Disney+

A TOP BBC show judge has quit their series in a shock move – and been replaced by a Celebrity Big Brother star instead.

The line-up shake-up was revealed in the trailer for the new season – and fans have claimed they are “already obsessed.”

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The change will now see RuPaul, 63, give up their presenting role on Drag Race Down Under, with reality TV favourite Michelle Visage, 56, stepping up.

Former Strictly star Michelle has starred on the show franchise, aired in the UK on the BBC, since the US series in 2011, yet has only hosted an episode solo once.

A show trailer for the fourth Aussie series starts with the narrator stating: “The new host of Drag Race Down Under, Michelle Visage.”

Dressed in a sparkling body-con dress, Michelle then addressed the camera and said: “Start your engines, and may the best drag queen win.”

The camera then panned to a teaser of the series and saw Michelle say: “We’re back!

“And you’re in Michelle’s house now.”

In a statement, RuPaul – who will continue to act as executive producer for the series – addressed the switch up.

They said: “It has been my great honour to bring Drag Race to Australasia.

“I can’t wait to see the franchise continue to flourish under the leadership of the incredible Michelle Visage.”

Much-loved Michelle, who hosted a Drag Race season 4 episode in the UK, said: “Thank you, RuPaul, for entrusting me with one of your beloved shows.

“The colour, humour, and outrageousness of Down Under drag holds a special place in my heart.

“I’m ready to do everything in my power to encourage these beautiful queens to believe in themselves and let their inner light shine through.”

Fans have been quick to react to the news of the 2015 Celebrity Big Brother star’s instalment, with one taking to YouTube to write: “I’M OBSESSED ALREADY.”

A second put: “I get a good feeling about this Season!” as a third commented: “Wait! So we get Michelle, Rhys, Sasha, Kween AND all of these fabulous queens?

“I am so locked in. Slay, babies.”

Another gushed: “I’m here for Mother Michelle.”

One then cheered: “Yesss Michelle we love you.”

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Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One tonight for week seven of the show with a specially created theme with professional dancer Amy Dowden set to miss the episode following a health emergency.

The Welsh dancer, who is partnered with JLS singer JB Gill, fell ill during the filming of last week’s live show (26 October). An ambulance was summoned to Elstree Studios in Borehamwood and the 34-year-old was taken to hospital. A spokesperson for the dancer later said that the ambulance was “just a precaution”.

Fellow pro dancer, Lauren Oakley will instead partner Gill for the “couple’s choice” dance in today’s instalment of the show.

Dowden will unfortunately miss “Icons Week” which will celebrate 20 years of Strictly Come Dancing which will see couples dance to songs by music legends such as Whitney Houston, Shirley Bassey and Queen.

The BBC has already teased that the professional dancers will be performing a Beyoncé medley, featuring Johannes Radebe channelling his inner Sasha Fierce.

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas, who were at the top of the leaderboard last week, will dance a Samba to “Faith” by George Michael, while Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, who were joint top of the leaderboard with Borthwick, will perform a Couple’s Choice to “What About Us” by P!nk.

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Who is replacing Amy Dowden?

Lauren Oakley will be dancing with JB Gill on this week’s addition of the show, replacing Amy Dowden who is unable to take part.

A spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing added: “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well.

“She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s couple’s choice dance. We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”

Dowden’s management company said she was “resting” and would be supporting Gill and Oakley during this weekend’s show.

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Strictly bosses previously announced that Oakley would train with Gill on Monday, but since confirmed that the pair would stay together for the rest of the week, including for the performance on Saturday and the results show on Sunday. Oakley, who came eighth when partnered with Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the show’s previous season, did not have a partner this year. She joined the show in 2022.

Greg Evans2 November 2024 13:00

Strictly Come Dancing reveals songs and dances for first Icons Week

The theme will celebrate the songs of music legends such as Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Shirley Bassey, Queen, George Michael and KISS.

Find the full list of songs and dances for Icons Week below:

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Chris McCausland and Dianne will dance a Tango to “Rock and Roll All Nite” by KISS

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle will dance a Samba to “Faith” by George Michael

JB Gill and Amy Dowden’s stand-in Lauren will dance a Couple’s Choice to a Bruno Mars Medley

Montell Douglas and Johannes will dance a Waltz to “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

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Pete Wicks and Jowita will dance a Salsa to “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen

Sam Quek and Nikita will dance an American Smooth to “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift

Sarah Hadland and Vito will dance a Cha Cha to “Like a Prayer” by Madonna

Shayne Ward and Nancy will dance a Quickstep to “Help!” by The Beatles

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Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz will dance a Couple’s Choice to “What About Us” by P!nk

Wynne Evans and Katya will dance a Rumba to “This Is My Life” by Shirley Bassey

Greg Evans2 November 2024 13:30

STRICTLY Come Dancing star JB Gill has opened up on his “surreal” rehearsals with Lauren Oakley after his professional partner Amy Dowden pulled out due to illness.

The JLS hitmaker, 37, will perform a Couple’s Choice routine to a series of Bruno Mars tracks on tonight’s live BBC show.

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Yet Strictly Come Dancing bosses this week confirmed JB‘s partner Amy Dowden, 34, would be replaced both for rehearsals and the live show following her collapse last week.

The Welsh dancer, who has Crohn’s Disease and has been battling cancer, missed the results programme last week after she was rushed to hospital.

The medical drama – which happened shortly after the live episode aired – saw BBC star Lauren Oakley, 33, step in as Amy‘s replacement.

The pair opened up on their first week of training together on Friday’s It Takes Two.

Lauren told the Strictly spin-off show how the duo were “starting afresh” with the footwork as it was choreographed by an external dancer.

She said: “We both came in on Monday on a level playing field, so we were both learning the routine.

“It was nice to make that progression together.”

Eyes Wide Shut singer JB then added of his rehearsals without Amy: “I mean it was surreal obviously.

“Because I am very much used to working with Amy, although there have been times we have had to work with Lauren.

“Lauren’s lovely, she’s amazing, she’s an incredible dancer.

“Of course we have been watching her do the group numbers and so on through the series so far.

“For me it was just a case of we’ve got Lizzie [choreographer] and it’s a completely different style of dance as well, so I feel there was less pressure, certainly on Lauren, and on both of us in terms of executing the dance.

“It was fun for us to let go and be in the moment and to enjoy the music, thats what its all about.”

During the same show Amy, who joined the duo on the It Takes Two sofa, gave a health update after her ordeal.

Strictly Amy’s cancer ‘nightmare’

The Sun’s Jamie Downham takes a look at the beloved Strictly star’s ups and downs…

AS Strictly Come Dancing viewers know, you’ll struggle to catch Amy Dowden without a huge smile on her face.

But recently the Welsh star – one the best-rated Ballroom and Latin American professional dancers the UK has ever produced – has suffered a string of “nightmare” blows to her health.

She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May last year and underwent a full mastectomy, before having chemotherapy towards the end of 2023.

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However, she later reported docs had found a clot on her lung, telling fans sadly: “Unfortunately I’ve had another nightmare this week.”

Nonetheless, brave Amy, seen here dancing with James Bye, made an epic return to Strictly the following month with an appearance that left many viewers in floods tears.

As 2024 dawned, she admitted: “I feel I was robbed of the year I had planned and reflecting for me makes me upset and angry.”

However, she was soon smiling again. Amy, her hair starting to grow back after her cancer treatment, was seen messing around with her co-stars Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola on the Strictly tour earlier this month.

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And despite another spell in hospital in February, she still mustered a cheeriness many would struggle for, telling fans: “The sun is shining – and I certainly can’t wait for Spring.”

And we certainly can’t wait to see you dancing again, Amy…

She also revealed the sweet way the She Makes Me wanna singer and Lauren have supported her through her show break – with the help of a WhatsApp group.

MASSIVE PRESSURE

Earlier this week, we reported how JB’s bandmate Aston Merrygold – who starred on Strictly in 2017 – suggested his pal would be under “pressure” due to the partner change.

He spoke out on Thursday’s Lorraine as he offered some sage advice to JB.

He told Lorraine Kelly‘s stand-in host Ranvir Singh: “It is him and Lauren.

“For him, obviously having to switch partners last minute, that whole thing is going to obviously play a big part on pressure.

“Sending lots of love to Amy as well,” before giving a wave to the camera.

When asked what more his Beat Again bandmate could bring to the table, Aston said: “I think for J now it’s bringing out the personality a bit more.

“I think we have only scratched the surface of JB.”

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THE Exorcist movie has sent chills down the spines of horror film fans ever since the Seventies.

The 1973 scenes, branded the “scariest ever”, centred on possessed 12-year-old child Regan MacNeil and saw terrified cinemagoers vomiting and fainting when the flick hit screens.

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Yet the nail-biting plotline, showing Regan play with a Ouija board to tap into the terrors of the spiritual world, also prompted series of unfortunate events that happened off-screen.

Several surprising occurences led to claims that the film was “cursed” – after deaths and injuries on set.

Now we take a look at some of the troubled film’s cast – and where they are now.

Ellen Burstyn

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Ellen, now 91, played actress and single mother Chris MacNeil who relocated to Washington DC with her daughter.

She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role as Regan’s petrified parent.

Yet during filming, she suffered a spinal injury while being hoisted around on a harness.

The Michigan-born actress was left on crutches for the rest of the production and recalled the accident during a 2018 interview with The Guardian.

She has since starred in Requiem For A Dream, Queen Bees and The Exorcist: Believer spin-off.

Linda Blair

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Linda, now 65, played possessed schoolgirl Regan MacNeil.

The actress won an Academy Award for her absolutely terrifying role, which saw her head left spinning in a worrying paranormal moment and killing her friends and family.

During filming, she suffered a back injury after being strapped to a harness which suffered a technical malfunction.

In an eerie moment off-screen, she also suffered the loss of family members while the project was being filmed.

Linda then went on to star in movies Savage Streets, Roller Boogie and Born Innocent.

Jack MacGowran

Best horror films to watch this Halloween

By Conor O’Brien

Halloween is the perfect time for horror movie to fans to indulge in all the scares, shocks and thrills.

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Whether old favourites or a new chilling tale, here are some top picks to watch this Halloween.

• Alien (1979): Starring Sigourney Weaver, this film follows a spaceship crew who investigate a derelict spaceship and are hunted by a dangerous extra-terrestrial creature.
• The Shining (1980): Based on Stephen King’s novel, the movie stars Jack Nicholson as a recovering alcoholic and aspiring novelist who takes a  a job as winter caretaker for a haunted resort hotel. Meanwhile, his young son possesses clairvoyant powers.
• Nightmare on Elm Street (1984): Wes Craven’s horror classic introduced audiences to legendary villain Freddy Kreuger. This movie also notably marked Johnny Depp‘s film debut.
• The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974): An independent horror film, the story follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals. It also introduces the character Leatherface.
• Friday the 13th (1980): Directed by Sean S. Cunningham, this film kicked off a franchise and introduced Jason Vorhees.  follows a group of teenage camp counselors who are murdered one by one by an unknown killer. Among the cast is a young Kevin Bacon.
• Scream (1996): Written by Kevin Williamson, this film sees Wes Craven pay homage to horror classics – including his own Nightmare on Elm Street. The beginning of a long-running franchise; the cast includes Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette.
• Poltergeist (1982): Directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg, this supernatural horror film focuses on a family whose home is invaded by ghosts who abduct their daughter.

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Jack played the eccentric film director Burke Dennings and in the film, he was killed by demon-plagued Regan.

His character was attacked by the possessed child, who used her superhuman strength to break his neck and then flung him out of her bedroom window.

Ahead of the film’s release, Jack tragically died from complications related to influenza, which he caught during the London flu epidemic in 1973.

Some believe this was a sign of The Exorcist film’s “curse.”

Vasiliki Maliaros

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The actress played Father Damien Karras’ mother, Mary.

She passed away that same year before The Exorcist hit the big screen.

The star, who had no previous acting experience and was cast after being spotted at a restaurant, was ruled to have died from “natural causes” at an inquest.

In the film, Vasiliki’s character died after being admitted to a hospital and later haunted the dreams of Father Karras.

Max Von Sydow

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He played man of the cloth and paleontologist, Father Merrin, who performed Regan’s exorcism.

He died, aged 90, in 2000 at his home in France.

Yet prior to his passing, the Swedish-born star enjoyed a stellar career on screen.

He starred in more than 200 films, TV and radio programmes including Shutter Island and the Game of Thrones TV series.

Jason Miller

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Jason played Father Damien Karras, who helped Father Merrin in Regan’s exorcism.

Yet his role was short-lived, as the demon jumped into his own body instead, causing him to kill himself.

Since the movie he starred in a host of Exorcist spin-offs before his death, aged 62, in 2001.

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Julia Louis-Dreyfus has recalled her “excruciating” first rehearsal for Saturday Night Live.

The actor became the show’s youngest female cast member when she joined season eight in 1982 at the age of 21, landing the spot while still in college.

In a new interview with People magazine, Louis-Dreyfus, 63, reflected on her time on the programme, which celebrates its 50th season this year.

“When I was just getting started, I was part of the Practical Theatre Company in Chicago,” she told the publication. “The producers of SNL came to see the show and they loved it, and they hired all of us to come to New York and be a part of SNL.”

For her first rehearsal, Louis-Dreyfus recalled having to perform the first act with three “complete and total unknowns”.

The rehearsal took place “under fluorescent lights in the middle of the day in front of 20 very cynical, unfriendly SNL cast members and writers”, she said.

The actor went on to claim that the rest of the cast “already hated us because a bunch of their best friends had just been fired to make room for us”.

“We never had a chance,” she said. “Sketches that had killed in Chicago died a terrible, terrible death that day. It was excruciating.

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“I think that humiliation influenced our whole SNL experience for the next couple of years, to tell you the truth.”

She continued: “I’ve learned a lot since that cringey day in a carpeted office on the 17th floor of 30 Rock.”

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Louis-Dreyfus went on to become a much-loved presence on SNL, known for characters including televangelist April May June, Let’s Watch TV co-host Consuela, and Weekend Update teen correspondent Patti Lynn Hunnsucker.

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During her time on the show, she appeared alongside Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy, Christopher Guest, Martin Short, and her husband Brad Hall – who she married in 1987.

She exited in 1985, having spent three years on the series, and went on to star in Seinfeld as Elaine for nine years between 1989 to 1998.

Louis-Dreyfus has earned 26 Emmy nominations and 11 Emmy wins for her work on the small screen, most recently as vice president Selina Meyer on HBO’s comedy Veep.

The seventh and final season of the political satire aired in 2019.