Previous X Factor contestants, including 2010 winner Matt Cardle, and Jedward, have come forward to accuse the show of abuse and exploitation. Cardle said the show “used people” and said it was a “miracle” there hadn’t been tragedies as a result. Fellow 2010 contestants Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson also spoke out, with Ferguson demanding a parliamentary enquiry into the music industry.
A source told The Sun: “Some of those who feel they were exploited and allege they were abused are extremely well known, but always feared speaking out could end their careers. That seems to be changing.”
Friday Night Dinner star Paul Ritter has died aged 54
Paul Ritter, known for his role on British sitcom Friday Night Dinner, died aged 54 on Easter Monday after battling a brain tumour. Ritter is also known for roles in HBO drama Chernobyl, Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince and Quantum of Solace. Tributes have been pouring in from his co-stars, including emotional goodbyes from fellow Friday Night Dinner cast members.
Tamsin Greig, who played his wife on the show, published her tribute in The Guardian. She revealed that when she heard Ritter might be in the pilot episode of Friday Night Dinner, she said: “You get him and I’m in.” Tom Rosenthal, his on-screen son, tweeted: “He was the most devastatingly intelligent and conscientious person with an unmatched crossword acumen and an incredible memory.” He later tweeted a message from Simon Bird, his other on-screen son, calling him “unfailingly generous… unendingly thoughtful… and undeniably cool.”
New online poll claims Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson could be the next US President
A new online poll from Piplsay asked 30,000 potential voters who they would vote for as the next US President, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson landed the top spot with almost half of the vote. Several other celebrities were included in the list. Angelina Jolie was supported by 30% of voters, Oprah Winfrey by 27% and Tom Hanks by 22%.
The wrestler and actor previously told USA Today: “I would consider a presidential run in the future if that’s what the people wanted. Truly I mean that, and I’m not flippant in any way with my answer.” Johnson has recently revealed his new film Black Adam, marking his debut in the DC universe, will be released in 2022.
Forbes’ 35th annual world’s billionaires list is released with 2,755 billionaires
Forbes’ annual billionaires list was released this week with 660 more billionaires than last year. Collectively, they are worth $12.1 trillion. There were 497 newcomers to the list, with over 200 of those from China. Other notable newcomers include Kim Kardashian West, whose beauty empire pushed her into billionaire territory, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry.
Jeff Bezos took the top spot for the fourth year in a row, with a net worth of $177 billion, increasing from $64 billion a year ago. Elon Musk has now taken the second spot, up from number 31 last year. There are four people worth over $100 billion on the list: Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault and Bill Gates.
Lady Gaga and Adam Driver begin shooting new film House of Gucci
Lady Gaga and Adam Driver have been spotted shooting their new film House of Gucci in Rome. The new drama directed by Ridley Scott is based on the 2001 book The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed. It tells the story of Patrizia Reggiani, played by Lady Gaga, who was tried and convicted for planning the assassination of her ex-husband and Gucci boss Maurizio Gucci, played by Driver.
The film is set to be released in November 2021. The star-studded cast also includes Al Pacino, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons and Salma Hayek. Patrizia Reggiani has already approved the casting of Lady Gaga in an interview, calling her a “genius”. However, she also said she was “annoyed” that Gaga didn’t consult her for the role, with the producers saying they were “aware of not wanting to endorse or support the awful crime.”
Image Credit: Sofia_Shultz_Photography at Pixabay
