Latest news with #Jennifer
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Hollyoaks star talks major change to soap and teases Clare and Mercedes twist
Hollyoaks favourite Jennifer Metcalfe told The Mirror all about a huge change she's noticed to the soap and the support from fans, as she teased an unexpected Clare and Mercedes twist One Hollyoaks icon has nothing but praise for loyal fans of the Channel 4 soap, after a surge in support and "noise" since some big changes were made. Actress Jennifer Metcalfe told The Mirror how in the past year or so, she's noticed more support than ever from viewers, amid some massive storylines. The soap made some big changes in the past year, from cast and crew cuts to dropping episodes and being heavily digital. During what was a no doubt worrying time for the cast and crew, the show has delivered some huge plots and episodes - some of which earned them some awards at the British Soap Awards just last month. Mercedes McQueen took centre stage in a cancer storyline that aired some of the most moving and important scenes ever to be shown on the soap. Now, actress Jennifer has shared her reaction to the support for her and her storyline, but also for Hollyoaks overall. She confessed that over the past decade or just under, it felt to those on the show that the buzz around the soap had died down, and perhaps people weren't as interested in the soap anymore. But since the transformation, the cast have been overwhelmed with the constant hype and online support for the characters and the episodes. Jennifer also said fans messaging her over Mercedes' health battle has "been amazing". She shared: "It has been amazing, honestly. There has been more noice around this show this year than in the past eight years. The feeling amongst us over the last few years was that maybe people didn't care as much." "Since Hannah Cheers [Executive Producer] has done the big turn around there has been such massive support." Jennifer also teased the big 30th episodes, while she couldn't give much away as much of it was being kept under wraps for now. What she did say though as that some changes had been made to plans, while she's also suspicious over a sudden flurry of scenes with one character in particular. She said: "Me and Anya Lawrence [who plays Vicky Grant] have had random scenes together that we never get." As Anya told us and Jennifer: "We never normally have this there's been some nice surprises in the scripts," Jennifer added: "We don't know if that's something coming up for the big 30th or not. "I say don't tell me cos I am a blabbermouth so I say don't tell me the storylines. But I don't know yet what's happening with it, I've heard they've changed their minds a few times but that's all they are telling us." The actress also promised more scenes with long-time rival and returning character Clare Devine. She promised Mercedes and Clare would be back with the fiery showdowns, but she also teased something unexpected would happen for them. Of her co-star Gemma Bissix she told us: "She's a force to be reckoned with on and off screen. The energy she brings to the building it's beautiful. The character is so iconic. There's always a decent clash with her and Mercedes. "But they do find some middle ground, something they can both kind of bond over this time, even if half of it is a lie. You get that softness out of the two characters. With Mercedes and Clare we see a softer side to their relationship dare I say, and fiery stuff as well." Hollyoaks is available to stream on Channel 4's streaming service now, while it also airs Mondays to Wednesdays on E4 at 7PM. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jennifer Ellison's low-key life away from showbiz after 'traumatic' relationship
Jennifer Ellison was subject to a 'traumatic' time in her formative years, after getting involved with gangster ex Tony Richardson at the age of just 16 - here's how she turned everything around Soap icon Jennifer Ellison rose to fame as Emily Shadwick in Channel 4 's Liverpool-based show Brookside. Having joined the show aged just 15, she was by her own admission, a "baby", but she was forced to grow up quickly, after fame and her abusive relationship pushed her abruptly into adulthood. When she left the show in 2002, after four years, her character was killed off during a robbery, when she fell from a window. But her personal life had become more dramatic than her on-screen saga, with her ex partner's gang activities threatening her life. With the actress was dragged into the criminal underworld, she managed to end the relationship when he was unfaithful to her. Since then, she's turned it around, opting for a low-key life away from showbiz, as she started a family and finally got her 'happy ever after'. Although she happily runs her own business in Liverpool, the star occasionally dabbles showbiz. Over the years, Jennifer had made appearances on reality TV show Hell's Kitchen, ITV's Dancing On Ice and most recently Celebrity SAS: Who Dares wins. Here we look at what lead to her peaceful life as a dance studio owner. Double life When Jennifer met gangster Tony Richardson in 1999, she was just 16 years old and within 12 months the pair were engaged. But during her formative years, Jennifer was subjected to abuse and violence, with her older boyfriend controlling and hurting her - a far cry from her showbiz lifestyle, glamour model shoots and glitzy parties. Jennifer has since admitted she endured a catalogue of abuse, including a broken collar bone and a beer bottle smashed over her head. Jennifer told Cosmopolitan in 2013: "The attacks started pretty early on in our relationship. It began with mental rather than physical abuse. He'd criticise how I looked, accuse me of flirting with other men and question me all the time about who I'd been with and where I'd been. "Once, about six years ago, he smashed me over the head with a beer bottle in front of all my friends. My face, eyes, hair and mini dress were covered in blood. I was told Tony ran out of the London club we were in, chased by bouncers." Jennifer confessed that she would avoid seeing friends and family when she had bruises from his attacks, willing him to change. She added: "I can't tell you how many times I lied to protect him. When he broke my collarbone in 2005, I told doctors I'd fallen, because I thought it was my fault." Outside their relationship, Jennifer was also constantly looking over her shoulder thanks to Tony's criminal activity. She was embroiled in more violence, from fire-bombings to drive-by shootings. The tumultuous era came to a close when her partner was caught cheating on her with footballer John Terry's ex, Shalimar Wimble. But far from being devastated, Jennifer described his unfaithfulness as a "get out of jail free card", admitting she finally had a reason to leave. Tony was later jailed for eight years after being convicted of a sword attack in Liverpool. Body image and weight gain Jennifer's weight has been under scrutiny following her lad's mags days, meaning the star's body image has suffered. She went up to a size 18 following the births of her children, before slimming down to a size 10 over three months in 2017. But Jennifer rightfully hit back at her critics. Speaking to Lorraine previously, she explained her weight peaked in 2015 after the birth of her third son. Jennifer declared: "I don't care about trolls. What I look like is not a priority." She added: "My husband still looks at me the way he did when I was nine stone, after doing my fitness DVD. I'm happy and feel so loved. He thinks I'm the sexiest woman in the world. "So I'm not worried, because he finds me as attractive as he always did and he loves my bum and my boobs. If he turned round and said I didn't look too good, I would do more about it but he thinks I'm stunning. Love is blind." But in a bid to kick her sugar addiction, she appeared on ITV reality show Sugar Free Farm in 2015 and shed the weight once again. In 2017, she proudly shared her achievement on Instagram: "Ok so today was measurements day! ! ! So proud to say I've lost a further massive 6.5 inches of body fat in a month! And today I felt brave enough to take a pic after training without a big baggy top over! ! ! I've gone from a size 18 to a 10 in just over 3 months." She added: "I still have a long way to go to get back to what I was but 2 stone lighter and 27 inches of body fat later I'm feeling SOOOO much better! Thanks to the most amazing trainer ever Tony Swift for keeping our sessions amazing and challenging and to my training partner Rob Tickle who's absolutely smashing the results too." Reality TV 'therpay' Although she appeared to have put her traumatic past behind her, taking part in 2022's Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins opened up old wounds, as she faced her demons. Jennifer opened up to former Commando Jason 'Foxy' Fox in the show's famous mirror room, admitting her life with Tony left her feeling worthless. She explained at the time: "It was a volatile relationship and he was connected with this other world, this gangland world. For years and years I thought that life was normal and bad things like that happened to everyone because it happened in the world I was in. "I was having nails in my letter box, going into hiding and fearing for your life walking down the street. That's not normal. It's just been one of those things that I kind of buried, just kind of got on with life and got on with everything. 'I look back and think how it was so traumatic. It was so horrific what I was going through. I was such a young girl, I was a baby. I feel like opening up in the mirror room about that has put that part of my life to bed. It was like the best therapy session ever.' Jennifer's happy ever after Years after splitting from Tony, Jennifer's life is now content and peaceful as she focuses on her family and her dance school. Jennifer met boxer Rob Tickle in 2008, with the pair tying the knot in Mauritius the year after. They've been happily married ever since and Jen has become a mother to their three sons, Bobby, 12, Harry, seven, and Charlie, six. She is also stepmum to two daughters, Sophie and Chloe, both 24. Now, Jennifer enjoys getting involved in productions with her dance school, and spending time with her family. She regularly shares their trips on social media. Recently, Jennifer shared her skiing trip with her boys, writing: "The most magical trip ever, with the bestest people you will ever meet! Never in a million years did I think I would enjoy something so much and even more so because I watched my boys have the time of their lives, skiing, making snow balls, sledging, playing darts, UNO, snap they did it all not a phone in sight and wow was it a dream! Memories that will last a lifetime time, a trip we will never forget" And her and Rob are going strong after 17 years together. The couple recently spent some child-free time together in the Scottish Highlands, where they ate delicious-looking food and explored the outdoors. Jennifer shared a series of photos of them together, writing: "Thank you my love for the most gorgeous time away! Loved spending quality time just the two of us, celebrating 17 amazing years together. "So lucky to have you and can't wait for the rest of our lives together. Love you forever and always @
Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
90s one hit wonder, 51, has barely aged a day 27 years after topping the charts – do you recognise her?
The one‑hit wonder shot to No 1 in 16 countries and sold 11 million copies Still Crushin' 90s one hit wonder, 51, has barely aged a day 27 years after topping the charts – do you recognise her? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHE shot to fame with a chart-topping hit back in the '90s - but nearly three decades on, the pop sensation looks just as fresh-faced at 51. The singer stunned fans with her youthful appearance in a new social media snap - but would you recognise her? Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 American singer Jennifer Paige barely looks a day older than she did during her pop heyday Credit: Instagram 4 She exploded onto the music scene when she released her smash-hit track Crush Credit: Getty Jennifer Paige - the voice behind 1998's chart-topping smash "Crush" - who wowed fans with her age-defying looks in a recent Instagram post. She wrote: "New music and art projects on the horizon. My hubby's art will be released on Friday, as well. "Very happy for him, as it's been a long time in the making. I'll share it here so you can let him know what you think! Let's go, men! 👏 You were born for greatness." Fans took to the comment section shocked to see her looking as ageless as ever, with one writing: "You still look just as beautiful." Another added: "Wow! You were the soundtrack to my 5 year old self & you haven't aged a day! 🔥 thank you for sharing your talent with the world." A third penned: "You look exactly like you did in 1998!" Jennifer's song 'Crush' shot to No 1 in 16 countries and sold 11 million copies. It then went on to become the station's most requested song of the summer. Crush was also the top three Billboard chart hit in the US, while in the UK it listed in the top 10. Her debut album was released the same year and Jennifer went on to record three more - although they failed to gain the same traction as her first. Huge Brit pop star reveals she's been approached for Celebrity Big Brother She even recorded a duet with Backstreet Boy Nick Carter called "Beautiful Lie", featured on the deluxe edition of her 2008 album Best Kept Secret. Once dropped into semi-retirement after chart success, Jennifer faced childhood heartbreak, melanoma and the loss of both parents in 2008. She later retreated from fame, moved into song writing for commercials, charity music and podcasts. She then eventually crowdfunded a comeback album, Starflower, in 2017. Jennifer is married to artist Jason 'Hawk' Carter. The couple tied the knot in 2010 and have a daughter named Stella Rose, born on October 5, 2014. Jason made a surprise cameo in Jennifer's 2017 music video for "The Devil's in the Details." The original actor dropped out, meaning he had to step in last minute. The American star still has her blonde hair and regular posts on her Instagram account. 4 Jennifer recorded a duet with Backstreet Boy Nick Carter Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
90s one hit wonder, 51, has barely aged a day 27 years after topping the charts – do you recognise her?
SHE shot to fame with a chart-topping hit back in the '90s - but nearly three decades on, the pop sensation looks just as fresh-faced at 51. The singer stunned fans with her youthful appearance in a new social media snap - but would you recognise her? 4 American singer Jennifer Paige barely looks a day older than she did during her pop heyday Credit: Instagram 4 She exploded onto the music scene when she released her smash-hit track Crush Credit: Getty She wrote: "New music and art projects on the horizon. My hubby's art will be released on Friday, as well. "Very happy for him, as it's been a long time in the making. I'll share it here so you can let him know what you think! Let's go, men! 👏 You were born for greatness." Fans took to the comment section shocked to see her looking as ageless as ever, with one writing: "You still look just as beautiful." more pop singers Another added: "Wow! You were the soundtrack to my 5 year old self & you haven't aged a day! 🔥 thank you for sharing your talent with the world." A third penned: "You look exactly like you did in 1998!" Jennifer's song 'Crush' shot to No 1 in 16 countries and sold 11 million copies. It then went on to become the station's most requested song of the summer. Most read in Music Crush was also the top three Billboard chart hit in the US, while in the UK it listed in the top 10. Her debut album was released the same year and Jennifer went on to record three more - although they failed to gain the same traction as her first. Huge Brit pop star reveals she's been approached for Celebrity Big Brother She even recorded a duet with Backstreet Boy Once dropped into semi-retirement after chart success, Jennifer faced childhood heartbreak, melanoma and the loss of both parents in 2008. She later retreated from fame, moved into song writing for commercials, charity music and podcasts. She then eventually crowdfunded a comeback album, Starflower, in 2017. Jennifer is married to artist Jason 'Hawk' Carter. The couple tied the knot in 2010 and have a daughter named Stella Rose, born on October 5, 2014. Jason made a surprise cameo in Jennifer's 2017 music video for "The Devil's in the Details." The original actor dropped out, meaning he had to step in last minute. The American star still has her blonde hair and regular posts on her Instagram account. 4 Jennifer recorded a duet with Backstreet Boy Nick Carter Credit: Alamy 4 She is happily married to an artist and has a daughter Credit: Instagram
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
The Digital Nomad's Survival Guide: Working Remotely Across Canada's Time Zones Without Connectivity Headaches
Working remotely while exploring Canada's breathtaking landscapes sounds like a dream—until you're stuck in a Banff coffee shop with no signal during a crucial client call, or facing a $400 roaming bill after just one week in Toronto. As more professionals embrace location independence, Canada has emerged as a top destination for digital nomads seeking the perfect blend of modern infrastructure, natural beauty, and welcoming culture. Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash The Reality of Remote Work Across Canada's Vast Landscape Canada's sheer size creates a unique set of challenges that digital nomads rarely encounter elsewhere. Spanning nearly 10 million square kilometers, Canada is the world's second-largest country, with connectivity infrastructure that varies dramatically between urban centers and vast wilderness areas where many nomads dream of setting up their temporary offices. Understanding Canada's Six Time Zones and Their Impact on Digital Work Managing client relationships and team collaboration becomes exponentially more complex when you're literally chasing the sun across Canada's six time zones. Common Connectivity Challenges Nomads Face in Canadian Cities vs. Rural Areas Urban Canada boasts world-class digital infrastructure that rivals any major global city. Toronto's Financial District, Vancouver's tech corridor, and Montreal's startup scene offer blazing-fast internet, abundant coworking spaces, and reliable backup options. However, step outside these metropolitan bubbles, and the connectivity landscape changes dramatically. Rural connectivity in Canada follows the 80/20 rule—80% of the landmass has spotty or nonexistent cellular coverage, while 80% of the population lives in well-connected urban areas. This creates a false sense of security for nomads who test their esim canada setup in downtown Toronto only to discover dead zones throughout the Maritimes or northern Ontario. Scenario: The Cross-Country Road Trip Worker Using a flexible europe esim approach adapted for North American travel, Jennifer maintained consistent connectivity across 95% of her journey. The multi-carrier approach provided coverage in remote areas where single-carrier solutions failed, while automatic carrier switching eliminated manual network management. ROI Analysis: When Premium Connectivity Pays for Itself Professional nomads generating significant income from location-independent work typically find premium connectivity solutions pay for themselves within days. The productivity gains from reliable service, combined with reduced stress and improved client relationships, justify higher monthly costs. Calculate ROI based on hourly earning potential rather than total monthly expenses. A consultant billing $100/hour needs less than two hours of additional productivity monthly to justify a $200 connectivity upgrade. For most professional nomads, reliable connectivity generates positive ROI within the first week of service. Border Crossing Considerations: Maintaining Work Flow During Travel Days Border crossings between Canada and the US can trigger service disruptions and unexpected charges even with travel-optimized connectivity solutions. Understand roaming behavior and potential service interruptions before crossing, particularly for time-sensitive work commitments. Some esim for uk travel solutions and similar services may require specific border crossing protocols or manual carrier selection to avoid automatic roaming charges. Research service-specific requirements and configure devices appropriately before reaching border areas. Like this: Like Related
