DANCING On Ice fans have slammed a show twist – following a star forced to step down to due to injury.
This year’s celebrity line-up on the ice includes EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks, retired rower Sir Steve Redgrave and The Traitors’ Mollie Pearce.
Viewers were left furious during Sunday’s movie night episode – after hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern revealed a major twist.
In keeping with the theme, they were dressed as Wicked’s Glinda and Elphaba, respectively.
Holly shared: “Well tonight, there are no second chances. The lowest placed couple will go straight out of the competition with no skate-off to save them.”
To which Stephen then joked: “Yep, and we know how well that went down on social media, don’t we?”
As Holly laughed, she added: “All we’re going to say is you have to vote then, don’t you!”
Fans soon took to social media, sharing their disappointment with the format change.
One wrote on X: “Hate theres no skate off. Makes it just a popularity contest and not much about skill. Shame”.
Another added: “Wait? Have they scrapped the skate-off then?”
A third chimed in to demand: “Bring the skate-off back!”
It comes following comedian Josh Jones having to pull out of the show.
Josh, 32, was forced to bow out after sustaining an injury during training.
The full statement on their withdrawal read: “Josh Jones sustained an injury during rehearsals and has had to withdraw from Dancing On Ice.
“Josh and Tippy’s partnership will be greatly missed.
“We will be helping to support Josh and wish him well in his recovery.”
Referencing Josh’s exit, a fan penned: “The fact there’s one less person and they still can’t find time for a skate-off.”
Dancing On Ice continues on ITV1 and ITVX.
PICKING the perfect names for your little ones is easier said than done sometimes, especailly if you want something more unique for them.
But this parent might’ve taken it a step too far as people have slammed his kid’s names as “a joke”.
This comes after a woman took to Facebook to share the names, leaving people stunned.
First up was Nazareth’Orias, followed by Aadysi’Lucia and Lazareth’Buchannon and the youngest, Aaurroah’Ryeit.
“My ex’s kids names […] they all had two middle names that had apostrophes as well, but it’s been like four years so I don’t remember them (he never saw them so I never met them),” she wrote in the popular Facebook group where she shared the unusual names.
Naturally, people were shocked by the names, and many were left convinced the woman was lying because of how unique they are.
“Please tell me this is a joke,” one person commented.
And another wrote: “How on earth could you bring yourself to date a guy who would name his kids shit like this?”
And a third shunned the dad’s use of apostrophes in the names, they said: “I also sent through a phase where I thought apostrophes made words cooler. Of course, I was twelve.”
“Ok, these might actually be the worst I’ve seen. Probably good the middle names weren’t included, I don’t know if I could have handled it,” another jabbed.
“Aauroagh hurts me physically to read,” someone else chimed in.
Meanwhile, someone else attempted to “fix” the names to make them easier to read.
“Allow me to attempt to fix these names: Nazareth Orion, Addison Lucia, Lazareth Cannon, Aurora Riot,” they commented on the post.
Elsewhere another parent was slammed for the unique moniker she gave her son.
But one woman has been met with a barrage of negative comments after sharing the unique baby name she has chosen for her unborn son.
Not only did trolls slam the moniker and say that it’s ‘bad regardless but just cruel for a boy’, but even teachers begged her to choose something different.
Many claimed that the young boy would be bullied for the name and called the pregnant woman ‘selfish’ for her choice.
The brunette beauty, who is expecting a baby boy due in February 2025 wrote: “I feel like some would say my son’s name belongs here.
“We’re naming him Rayleigh.”
Not only did many warn the mum-to-be about the possibility that her son could get bullied for the moniker, but others claimed that it was too feminine for a boy’s name too.
One person said: “Been a middle school teacher for 20 years and your kid is going to get made fun of. Badly. And it will be your doing.
“If you need to feel original, change your own name, don’t do that to a kid.”
Another added: “As a middle school teacher, I beg you to pick something else!”
Not only this, but another user questioned: “This is a joke, right??
“Please consider his future. When he is 35 and at a job interview, this name will not be cute or creative, it will be embarrassing and honestly people might not take him seriously…..Do better for your son.”
The UK has no law restricting names, but names that contain obscenities, numerals, misleading titles, or are impossible to pronounce are likely to be rejected when registering a child.
PROTESTERS have been removed from a Holocaust memorial event during an address by Irish President Michael D Higgins.
It comes after some objected to the invitation to Mr Higgins to deliver the keynote address to the National Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration in Dublin on Sunday.
Survivors of the Holocaust were among the audience who gathered at the Mansion House for the event which included readings, survivors’ recollections and a recitation of the Scroll of Names featuring relatives and ancestors of Irish residents who died in the Holocaust.
But some had objected to Mr Higgins over recent remarks he made about the conflict in Gaza.
Tom O’Dowd, chairman of Holocaust Education Ireland, which organised the event, said some Jewish people were critical of this year’s invite, but others supported Mr Higgin’s seventh address to the annual commemoration.
The president emphasised the importance of education in his address to prevent another such atrocity from happening.
He also addressed the current conflict in the Middle East.
During that section of the speech, a small number of protesters reportedly turned their backs on Mr Higgins and were removed by security.
Access to the event had been limited to very few media outlets, but voices could be heard during that section of the speech in a livestream as Mr Higgins referenced the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, describing it as long overdue and that a heavy price had been paid for it.
The Irish president continued: “The grief inflicted on families by the horrific acts of October 7, and the response to it, are unimaginable. The loss of civilian life, their displacement, loss of homes and necessary institutions for life itself.
“The current agreement must end the killing, but as a matter of urgency deliver the massive scale-up in humanitarian aid which is urgently needed to save more lives.
“It is important that all remaining hostages are released and that all phases of the agreement are fully implemented.
“It is to be hoped that the agreement will not only bring an end to the horrific loss of life and destruction but that it will also mark the beginning of the meaningful discussions, the sustained diplomatic initiatives, which have been missing from the international community, with tragic consequences, and that it will commence a meaningful peace and security to Israel, Palestine and the greater region.”
Earlier during his keynote address Mr Higgins said the Holocaust is a foundational space, important for all of humanity.
“What people could see at the opening of the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau was not only the dead, the emaciated, they were confront with the consequences of something that had a complex design and history, a cruelty aimed at the extermination of the Jewish population of Europe… and with them were included other categories, the disabled, Romani, those of same sexual orientation, all defined as an other, to be eliminated,” he said.
“It is important that all in each generation and political leaders are made acutely aware of not just the consequences of an attempted genocide but of the complicit actions of silence or the averted gaze of those who, by their indifference, allowed the Holocaust to be planned, prepared and to occur.”
Mr Higgins emphasised the importance of education in ethical remembrance of the Holocaust.
“It is education that can play a critical role in ensuring not only that an atrocity like the Holocaust never happens again but a basis of building a peaceful future can be made possible,” he said.
“That is why the work of Holocaust Education Ireland is so important, playing as it does a crucial role in ensuring that Ireland abides by its commitments under the 2000 Stockholm Declaration to counter antisemitism, Holocaust denial, distortion of the Holocaust facts, and xenophobia and racism in as many insidious guises through the provision of accurate comprehensive information about prejudice, discrimination, hate speech and misinformation.”
He said humanity needs to build a peaceful mindset, rather than one of war.
“It will be difficult work, but we must co-operate to envisage and deliver peace,” he said, praising Israeli and Palestinian peace activists.
“Ethical remembrance is an important resource but ethical remembrance must actively take the responsibility of addressing the sources that are seeking to stoke old divisions and bitterness.”
HEARTBREAKING tributes have been paid to a “loving husband” and “adored daddy” who tragically died in a horror workplace accident.
Gareth Richardson tragically passed away this week from serious injuries he sustained in a workplace electrocution incident on Annvale Road in Keady, Co Armagh earlier this month.
Emergency services, including police, ambulance, and firefighters, rushed to the scene of the tragedy shortly before 10am on the morning of Friday, January 10.
Gareth was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital to seek treatment for his injuries.
He was placed in an induced coma following the horror accident but sadly passed away from his injuries on Wednesday, January 22.
A heartbreaking notice online described the father as a “loving and devoted husband of Sarah, adored daddy of Travis, Ella-Marie, Jorgie and Bradley, cherished son of Ann and the late George, treasured brother of Nigel (Julie) and Darren (Dorothy) also a much-loved uncle of Jake, Becky and Curtis.”
The family expressed their gratitude to the staff of Willowbank Surgery in Keady, the Ambulance Service, Rapid Response Team and the staff of the Royal Victoria Hospital ICU.
The funeral service is set to be held in Thomas Street Methodist Church on Monday at 1pm.
A committal followed in Kernan Cemetery will occur afterwards.
The family wishes to have no flowers but have urged people to instead donate to the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance.
Since the news of the tragic passing of Gareth, tributes have started to flood social media, with one old friend telling how he “will be sadly missed by so many but remembered as a true star shining bright.”
A spokesperson for Portadown Football Club said: “Everyone at Portadown FC is devastated to learn of the passing of Gareth Richardson.
“We pass on our heartfelt sympathies to Gareth‘s Wife, Children, Mother, Brothers and the whole Richardson family circle at this sad time and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”
The Hillhaven Flute Band paid tribute to Gareth, writing: “The officers and the members of Hillhaven Flute Band are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of our past members and good friend Gareth ‘Paddy’ Richardson.
“Paddy always had a good sense of humour and the best character to be around. He will be sorely missed by all.”
Gareth’s company, David Jameson Roofing Services Ltd wrote: “Thank you for your prayers for our colleague Gareth ‘Paddy’ Richardson but it is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that Gareth has sadly passed away this evening.
“Paddy was a great character, very pleasant, thoughtful and took great pride in his work. He would never pass you when out or at the football. Simply put, a gentleman!
“Our thoughts are with Gareth’s wife Sarah, his children, family and friends.”
A close friend said: “Devastated to hear of the passing of Gareth Paddy Richardson.
“He was a character and like his dad loved Portadown fc. Many memories of him from Shamrock Park bumping into him in the town and always a good laugh and a conversation.
“Taking from his family far to soon in that tragic accident. I pray for Paddys wife Sarah and the little kids and to his brothers and the whole family circle.
“It will be strange not seeing him at games and again my deepest sympathies to all his family circle and may God comfort and guide you in the loneliness ahead when it all sinks in.”
