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Mother of Sean “Diddy” Combs defends son in statement, says he is no “monster”

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Mother of Sean "Diddy" Combs defends son in statement, says he is no "monster"

The mother of the embattled hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs released a statement Sunday defending her son against the criminal charges and multiple allegations of sexual misconduct he is currently facing while in federal custody in New York.

Combs, 54, has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since pleading not guilty on Sept. 17 to federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution.

In a statement released through her lawyers, Janice Smalls Combs says it has been “unbearable” to witness “what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence.”

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She then mentions that her son “has made mistakes in his past” and refers to an episode caught on security video that appeared to show Combs attacking singer Cassie, his former girlfriend, in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. In May, Combs apologized for the incident, saying his behavior was “inexcusable” and that he took “full responsibility” for his actions.

In November, Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of rape and abuse during their relationship; he denied the accusations. They reached a settlement the following day.  

The indictment against Combs refers to the incident caught by the hotel security cameras. According to the indictment, Combs attempted to bribe a hotel security staff member who intervened in the incident to keep them quiet.

“My son may not have been entirely truthful about certain things, such as denying he has ever gotten violent with an ex-girlfriend when the hotel’s surveillance showed otherwise,” Janice Smalls Combs says in the statement. “Sometimes, the truth and a lie become so closely intertwined that it becomes terrifying to admit one part of the story, especially when that truth is outside the norm or is too complicated to be believed. This is why I believe my son’s civil legal team opted to settle the ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit instead of contesting it until the end, resulting in a ricochet effect as the federal government used this decision against my son by interpreting it as an admission of guilt.”

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She adds that it has been “agonizing” to see people joke about her son’s situation “over lies and misconceptions.”

At the end of the statement, she asks fans and the public “to not judge him before you’ve had the chance to hear his side.”

“My son is not the monster they have painted him to be,” she says. “I can only pray that I am alive to see him speak his truth and be vindicated.”

In the indictment, prosecutors allege that since 2008 Combs has been part of a criminal organization that engaged in or attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, obstruction of justice and other offenses.

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Prosecutors accused Combs of using his business empire as a criminal enterprise to conceal his alleged abuse of women at events Combs referred to as “Freak Offs.”

“The ‘Freak Offs’ sometimes lasted days at a time, involved multiple commercial sex workers and often involved a variety of narcotics, such as ketamine, ecstasy and GHB, which Combs distributed to the victims to keep them obedient and compliant,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, of the Southern District of New York, told reporters when the indictment was unsealed.

On Oct. 1, Texas attorney Tony Buzbee said he was representing 120 accusers who have come forward with new sexual misconduct allegations against Combs. Buzbee said he expects lawsuits to be filed within the next month. Buzbee described the victims as 60 males and 60 females, and that 25 were minors at the time of the alleged misconduct.

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Bryan Cranston endorses Kamala Harris for president with powerful abortion speech

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Bryan Cranston endorses Kamala Harris for president with powerful abortion speech


Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris to be the next president of the United States, highlighting his strong pro choice beliefs as the reason behind his support for the Democrat.

The 68-year-old actor has become one of a number of famous faces to approve of Harris for president in November’s election joining the likes of Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen in the campaign.

Meanwhile, Harris’s opponent in the election, Donald Trump, has been publicly backed by Elon Musk, Amber Rose, Kid Rock and Dennis Quaid.

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Cranston was speaking at a Democratic campaign rally in Phoenix, Arizona titled “Fighting for Reproductive Freedom”. During his speech, he said: “I‘m not a politician; I’m not a doctor or a lawyer, but I have played all of this on television.”

He continued: “But I am a father of a daughter, and it’s important to me for her life now and for the future and for other fathers’ daughters to be able to have within their lifetime the fundamental right of freedom of choice.”

“There should not be anyone but them deciding what happens to their own body. That’s why I’m enthusiastically supporting Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz,” added the Malcolm in the Middle star.

Cranston’s support for Harris has been met with enthusiasm online from his fans. One wrote: “THIS is what I’ve been waiting to hear. So important. Thank you, Bryan!”

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A second joked: “In a world of Dennis Quaids, be a Bryan Cranston!”

A third said: “Just when I couldn’t love Bryan Cranston even more!”

Many other’s used the pun: “Breaking Good.”

Cranston’s support for Harris should not come as a surprise to many having previously given his backing to her in September at a town hall event hosted by Oprah Winfrey, appearing alongside Chris Rock and Ben Stiller.

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In June 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, issuing a ruling that upholds a Mississippi law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, and striking down constitutional protections for abortion rights.

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The landmark precedent established in the 1973 ruling from Roe affirmed the constitutional right to abortion care.

The election is now less than a month away with both Harris and Trump now reportedly deadlocked in national polls.

The vice president and her opponent were tied in a new NBC News national poll of likely voters, both sitting at 48 per cent. In a CBS poll, Harris was ahead by one point nationally, 51 per cent to 50 per cent, and behind 49 per cent to 48 per cent in a consolidation of battleground states; both results well within the margin of error. And in an ABC News poll of registered voters, Harris was ahead 49 per cent to 47 per cent.

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SAS Who Dares Wins star Cherry Healey reveals secret split with boyfriend after C4 show

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SAS Who Dares Wins star Cherry Healey reveals secret split with boyfriend after C4 show


CHERRY Healey has revealed she ditched her “farce” of a boyfriend after starring in TV’s toughest reality series, Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins.

The BBC presenter, 43, told how she was “infatuated” with a former lover as she signed up for the Channel 4 programme.

Cherry Healey has told how she called time on her 'farce' of a relationship following her latest telly role

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Cherry Healey has told how she called time on her ‘farce’ of a relationship following her latest telly roleCredit: Getty
BBC star Cherry battled the endurance challenges on Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins

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BBC star Cherry battled the endurance challenges on Celeb SAS: Who Dares WinsCredit: Pete Dadds / Channel 4
She told how the tough tasks boosted her 'self confidence'

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She told how the tough tasks boosted her ‘self confidence’Credit: instagram/@cherryhealey
The BBC host 'broke off' her former relationship when she touched down on home turf

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The BBC host ‘broke off’ her former relationship when she touched down on home turfCredit: BBC

Yet braving the elements, tough military talk and nail-biting challenges including jumping out of a holiday sparked a change oin mindset when it came to her love life.

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After returning to home turf, she called time on the former relationship due to her newfound “self confidence.”

Cherry told OK! Magazine: “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.

“When I came out, I’d been dating this guy who was full of shenanigans.

“You know, there was lots of classic rubbish behaviour. I was really infatuated.

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“I got back and the first thing I did was break it off with him because I thought, ‘There’s no way I’m going to jump out of a helicopter and then continue with this absolute farce.’

“So yeah, it changes you as a person and gives you a lot of self-confidence.”

The screen star, who is known for her BBC Three documentaries, told how it was an “immediate yes” when her agent got the call.

The mum of two had told how she needed a challenge as she entered perimenopause.

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She added on her life shift: “There’s this preconception that when you become perimenopausal or menopausal you go and live under the bridge with all the other trolls.

This Morning slammed by hundreds of Ofcom complaints after Cherry Healey ‘gives out wrong information’

“I really passionately want to wave the flag for this stage in your life.

“You can be vibrant, healthy, flourishing, thriving, have great sex, you can start a new job and travel.”

NEW CHAPTER

Fresh from ditching her former lover, Cherry has hit her stride.

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She found love with fellow fitness fan Justin and back in June, the pair went Instagram official.

She ended her six-year relationship with advertising executive Carl Kisseih last year.

Sharing a string of snaps with her new man, Cherry wrote in her caption: “Cheesy post alert.

“Celebrating the most amazing six months with the smartest, coolest, most fun, kindest man I’ve ever met – feel like the luckiest girl in the world – Happy Anniversary @corporateath1ete.”

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She was previously wed to entrepreneur Roly Allen and the couple have two children together, daughter Coco, 13, and son Bear, nine.

The BBC host also recently revealed how she binned off a date who talked about himself for 90 minutes solid.

She told The Sun: “This guy was gorgeous but talked about himself for an hour and a half. 

“He turned to me and said ‘do you want another drink?’ and I said ‘You know what, I’m going to go home because all you’ve done is talk about yourself and people I don’t know’.”

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Yet, despite this Cherry, who has presented shows like Inside The Factory with Gregg Wallace, says dating in her 40s is better than any other decade.

Cherry has marked a happier chapter and found love again

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Cherry has marked a happier chapter and found love againCredit: instagram/@cherryhealey
Cherry went Instagram official with Justin this summer, penning a gushing post

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Cherry went Instagram official with Justin this summer, penning a gushing postCredit: instagram/@cherryhealey



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“Game of Thrones” famed Iron Throne sells for $1.49 million at auction

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"Game of Thrones" famed Iron Throne sells for $1.49 million at auction

“Game of Thrones” fans came out in droves to bid on hundreds of costumes, props and other items from the series in an auction that raked in over $21 million.

From Thursday through Saturday, the Heritage Auctions event in Dallas featured over 900 lots including suits of armor, swords and weapons, jewelry and several other items of significance from the HBO series.

The top-dollar item was the very thing the characters in the series vied for throughout its eight-season run: the Iron Throne. After a six-minute bidding war, the throne sold for $1.49 million.

Items from the Game of Thrones TV show up for auction
A replica of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones is pictured at Heritage Auctions in New York on Sept. 20, 2024.

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Aleksandra Michalska / REUTERS


The replica was made of plastic and molded from the original screen-used version, then finished off with metallic paint and jewel embellishments. In the series, the throne was forged with dragon breath that melted the swords of a thousand vanquished challengers and became a symbol of the struggle for power throughout the show’s run.

Heritage Auctions said in a statement Sunday that the event brought in $21.1 million from more than 4,500 bidders. The auction marked Heritage’s second-best entertainment event, just shy of the record set by a Debbie Reynolds sale it held in 2011.

Heritage Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena said in a statement he knew the auction would resonate.

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“These are extraordinary treasures made by Emmy-winning costume designers and prop makers, who worked tirelessly to adapt George R.R. Martin’s wonderful novels,” Maddalena said. “People wanted a piece of that ‘Game of Thrones’ magic.”

Beyond the coveted Iron Throne, over 30 other lots commanded six-figure price tags.

Jon Snow’s signature sword, Longclaw, wielded onscreen by Kit Harington, sold for $400,000 and his night’s watch ensemble, featuring a heavy cape, went for $337,500. Both items kicked off prolonged bidding wars.

Starting bids ranged from $500 to $20,000, but several items went for thousands of dollars more. Such was the case for several cloaks and dresses worn by Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister. A gray suede ensemble worn by Daenerys sold for $112,500, exactly $100,000 over its starting bid, and the red velvet dress Cersei wears in her final appearance on the show went for $137,500, which was $122,500 over its starting bid.

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Suits of armor also proved popular, especially when they included sought-after weapons. Jaime Lannister’s black-leather armor ensemble fetched $275,000 and his Kingsguard armor – including his iconic Oathkeeper longsword – went for $212,500. Queensguard armor worn by the character Gregor ‘The Mountain’ Clegane sold for $212,500.

In an interview when the auction was announced in September, Jay Roewe, HBO’s senior vice president of global incentives and production planning, said the sale speaks to the series’ staying power five years after its finale.

“‘Game of Thrones’ was a zeitgeist moment in our culture. It was a zeitgeist moment in high-end television. It was a zeitgeist moment in terms of HBO,” he said. “It’s impacted the culture.”

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Hairy Bikers star Si King ‘struggling’ without co-star Dave Myers

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Hairy Bikers star Si King ‘struggling’ without co-star Dave Myers


Si King has admitted he has been struggling following the death of his Hairy Bikers co-star Dave Myers earlier this year.

Myers died of cancer in February, aged 66. The pair, who were creative partners as well as best friends, fused their love of motorcycles and cooking in a series of shows, which aired across the BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 5 and Good Food.

The chef announced he had cancer in 2022 with their last show airing shortly after his death.

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King, 57, said he often felt the urge to escape his grief by “heading into the sunset”, but has decided to move forward with his life as Myers would have wanted.

“I’ll be honest with you, the past few months have been a struggle,” he said in an interview with The Sunday Times.

“More than once I was on the verge of jumping on my bike and heading into the sunset.

“Not tell anyone where I was going. Just clear off and never come back.

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“Other times I was raging. Raging at that bloody disease, at God and anything else I could think of. People were asking what I was going to do next.

Pair first started working together in 2004

Pair first started working together in 2004 (BBC/South Shore Productions/PA Wire)

“The answer is I am going to take some time to reflect on the life I had with my best mate, and think about moving forwards.

“Which is exactly what Dave would have wanted. Move forward, don’t dwell on the past.”

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In the interview, which was published in The Observer in June, King opened up about the loss of his friend – and also the subject of what he will do next.

He ruled out the possibility of continuing Hairy Bikers without Myers.

“It can’t be the Hairy Bikers 2.0,” he said. “That’s not going to happen. It wouldn’t be respectful.”

King went on to explain that he is not only mourning the death of his friend, but also the life and career that they shared together.

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“There’s obviously the sense of losing your best mate,” he said. “But there’s also a sense of loss in that the experiences we had together can’t go on.”

The TV personality said that he has only recently, three months after Myers’ death, been able to grapple with the question of what is next for him career-wise.

He emphasised the importance of having a professional partner, stating: “I need someone to play off. I’m good at unpacking people. I’m genuinely interested in people’s stories.”



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Big Brother in bullying row as viewers accuse housemate of ‘cruelly belitting’ co-star

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Big Brother in bullying row as viewers accuse housemate of ‘cruelly belitting’ co-star


BIG Brother is involved in a brand new bullying row after viewers have accused housemates of ‘cruelly belitting’ one of their co-stars.

During last night’s episode, Ali, 38, and Khalid, 23, had a heated conversation about what happened on Friday night moments before Ryan was the first housemate to be evicted.

The forensic psychologist branded Khalid “false” in a shocking showdown.

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Ali started: “Do you know what it is Khalid… I think you’re a nice boy but I find, sometimes, the interactions, I find false.

“I find that very very difficult because I don’t want to engage with it.

“Because I don’t want to play into, I don’t want to be fake with you…

“I don’t want to be like shaking your hand, hugging you, when inside I don’t buy it.”

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She continued: “At the eviction, you’re sitting there yawing, acting bored, when other people are facing something stressful.

“When Iz was looking worried, you were like ‘why you looking worried, you’re not up for eviction’. I’m like that’s basic empathy.

“That’s why Iz was worried and upset.

“There’s no need for these long speeches to check up on us.”

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Khalid replied: “I wanted to come speak to you tonight but I said I thought tonight would not be the right time.

“Everyone’s vibing weird with everyone. It’s weird.

‘She’s f****** annoying,’ says Big Brother’s Emma as huge feud is revealed and fans says she ‘wants her gone’

“All I wanted to do was see what it was.

“The only difference from before and after was the party, so everyone assumed it was the party. That’s not me. That’s everyone. “

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Khalid then explained that he’s not as articulate as her, to which she said she didn’t want to hurt him, it’s just who she has noticed it in the most.

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

Ali said: “I have said what you think and you have defended yourself.

“So is that not now the end of the conversation? We don’t have to agree.”

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She’d had enough and got up and walked off.

Many have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say the same thing.

One said: “Ali is so fake, can tell she was the high school bully.”

“Ali is trying to use her degree to belittle and indirectly bully Khaled … cute,” another added.

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A third chimed in: “Ali and Lily are bullies if this was the other way around everyone would be demanding the producers to step in #bbuk.”

A fourth tweeted: “Me when i see Ali and Lily start to bully Khaled when he’s just being a nice human and practising his morals…”

A fifth wrote: “Idc Ali is a bully and if your not kissing the ground she walks on they are fake.”

It comes after Ali admitted she thought Khaled was “fake”.

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Khaled was rewarded with immunity and became head of the house following the challenge tonight.

Ali told some of the group: “Can I just say, keep your inside thoughts inside Ali. Keep them inside.”

Lily piped up and said: “I’ll say it. I think Khaled is fake.”

Ali agreed and echoed: “I think Khaled is fake as well.”

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Lily went on: “I think everyone in here doesn’t see it except for me.”

Forensic psychologist Ali explained: “So, he’s worried about being perceived in a certain way.

“He doesn’t feel terrible. He wants to look like he feels terrible.”

He’s impression managing, he’s worried about being percieved in a certain way, he constantly will present himself as the nice guy

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“He doesn’t want to look like he’s revelling in a party because that will make him not look like a nice guy.”



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Strictly Come Dancing pro Katya Jones hits out at ‘nonsense’ Wynne Evans furore

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Strictly Come Dancing pro Katya Jones hits out at ‘nonsense’ Wynne Evans furore


Katya Jones has hit out at the ”absurd” claims about her interactions with Wynne Evans on Strictly Come Dancing.

The latest episode of the BBC competition aired on Saturday (12 October), with the results show, which sent home the third celebrity, airing the following night.

Opera singer Evans received his highest scores of the series so far, but this was outshadowed by a furore caused by videos showing his background interactions with Jones.

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After the Saturday episode, a video showing Evans awkwardly placing his hand on his professional partner’s stomach, in which Jones removed it and placed it on her hip instead, went viral on social media.

Later, a separate clip was shared from viewers who noticed that Jones refused to give Evans a high five while stood behind the show’s co-host Claudia Winkleman. Jones turned her back on Evans and seemingly rolled her eyes at the opera singer.

Many fans predicted something was “off” between the pair, with some adding they felt tension – but Jones and Evans, realising there was a social media furore brewing, shut down any suggestion of a feud with a video shared online.

When this failed to end the speculation, though, Jones herself shared an additional statement, in which she said: “Happy Sunday, everyone. Now I need to make something crystal clear.

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“The hand incident that happened on Saturday night was a very silly inside joke between Wynne and I, so even the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended me in any way is complete nonsense.

“It’s quite absurd, actually. Can we focus on how brilliantly he’s doing and what an amazing dancer he’s become?’”

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In the earlier video, Jones had said: “Hi everyone, it’s Wynne and Katya here. We just wanted to say, we were just messing around in the Clauditorium on Saturday night. We just wanted to say sorry. It was a silly joke.”

Katya Jones addressed Wynne Evans speculation on social media

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Katya Jones addressed Wynne Evans speculation on social media (Instagram)

Evans chimed in, saying: “Yeah. Sorry.” He then wrote in the video caption: “Apologies for this tonight, we were just messing around. We really are amazing friends. The high fives [are] a running joke. Have a great evening.”



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