boys Host Eric Kripke has an exciting update to Season 4. With the next episode of the hit Prime Video ...
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I was Whitney Houston’s real bodyguard – when she shared a shocking confession, I knew it would change her life forever
IN hit movie The Bodyguard, Whitney Houston’s personal protection officer takes a bullet to save her life.
But the only physical scar the late singer’s real minder bears is a mark on his head — from when she accidentally threw a bottle at him during a hotel brawl.
Emotionally, David Roberts is still wounded by his inability to shield Whitney from the drugs that contributed to her death aged 48 in 2012.
The 73-year-old Welshman is said to be the inspiration behind Kevin Costner’s character, Frank Farmer, in 1992 movie The Bodyguard.
In real life, David guarded the I Will Always Love You singer for seven years.
He kept their relationship strictly platonic, but cared enough about her to put his job on the line by exposing hangers-on who were giving Whitney deadly substances.
David claims music industry advisers did not send her for the rehab she desperately needed because it would have wrecked her clean-cut image.
Ahead of the release of his book, Protecting Whitney: The Memoir Of Her Bodyguard, he says: “You and I should be sitting listening to her new records, but we’re not, because it was allowed to happen.
“She needed help and was overwhelmed because of everything that was going on in her life, and her health did not come first
” My anger and hatred to- wards those who had facilitated Whitney’s ability to do this to herself was profound.
“Good heavens, I had talks with her team members about things.
“The argument back in the day was if one goes into rehabilitation, then one’s reputation is tarnished.”
When Whitney, who sold more than 170million records and won six Grammys, was found dead in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles after taking cocaine, the shock was felt far and wide.
Last month, Kevin Costner posted an old image of himself next to the star as he turned 70, with the message: “This photo reminds me of how lucky I am to be getting another birthday. We lost such a light when we lost Whitney.”
As the February 11 anniversary of the singer’s death approaches, David is still trying to make sense of her passing.
He was a highly trained protection officer when he was offered the job as Whitney’s bodyguard in 1988.
David’s experience included working for the Metropolitan police, training as a sniper, being involved in the Iranian embassy siege in London in 1980 and keeping dignitaries safe.
At first, he turned the security role down because he had never heard of Whitney, despite her being a chart- topping singer, and was not keen on “looking after pop stars”.
‘Heavily addicted’
But after listening to her music and meeting the down-to-earth icon, he changed his mind.
Just like in The Bodyguard movie, Whitney was plagued by crazed fans, including a heavily armed one with plans to kidnap her and others who thought they were married to her.
David says of the film: “It did, in reality, follow many of the elements that we, Whitney and I, have experienced, or to a lesser degree.
“You get fanatics around the world and you have to keep them away.
“A man with a rifle or bomb is the most difficult threat to deal with. I carried a firearm wherever we went, whether it was legal or illegal.”
There were also troublemakers who harassed Whitney when she wanted to be left alone. In 1991, three autograph hunters clashed with the singer and her brother Michael at a hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.
David stepped in and a bottle was thrown at him in the mayhem. He recalls: “One guy was thumping Whitney’s brother in the face and so I hit the guy once and he fell and went over the sofa.
“I’m now dealing with three of these people who are a threat. One of them was standing behind me and Whitney smashed a bottle of Heineken on my head.
“I turned around, grabbed him, picked him up and he was shouting, ‘It wasn’t me, it wasn’t me’.
“The reality is I had been facing one of the other attackers and Whitney threw the bottle to hit the attacker. If the bottle hadn’t hit my head, it would have smashed into the second guy’s face.”
Whitney also had the attention of famous men. One was reportedly the Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, who it is claimed tried to woo her.
David says with a smile: “I only heard from a third party that Mr De Niro had become infatuated with Whitney and was sending her roses. That carried on until Whitney Houston’s mother got involved and that would be the end of that.”
Another suitor was Eddie Murphy, who had an on-off relationship with the star. David got the impression the Beverly Hills Cop actor was a “nice guy”.
But he does not rate Whitney’s former husband, the Two Can Play That Game singer Bobby Brown.
Recalling how he learned the couple were to marry, he says: “One day, she reached across the table and grabbed my wrist. ‘David, I wanted you to be the first to know and ask you, I’m going to marry Bobby Brown, what do you think?’.
‘A great mother’
“The first thing I thought went something like, ‘You are f***ing kidding me, right, boss?’.”
He was right to be concerned, as Brown has admitted hitting his wife and to taking drugs with her.
Whitney had used illegal substances such as cannabis from a young age, and eventually got heavily addicted to crack cocaine.
David did not see her taking any drugs because it is something she would do alone at home or in hotel suites. But her problem became clear when she was filming Forest Whitaker’s directorial debut, Waiting To Exhale, in 1995.
He says: “I was told Whitney had overdosed and that we were going to take some time off filming. I never knew she was taking them, but I was aware that others in the circle were well involved with the drugs.”
Even though Whitney was in need of medical care, David says help was not sought.
He reveals: “After her overdose, Whitney was unconscious, unable to walk, talk or even sit up in bed.
“She could not be taken to the hospital, nor could a doctor be called to the hotel room where she remained, because of the media scandal that would have ensued.”
David was angry with himself for not being able to prevent dealers getting drugs to Whitney.
He says: “I thought, ‘How had I let my principle slip away for 36 hours, so she could hide in a wardrobe and binge on coke?’. She’d devised a complex plan to do so.”
Afterwards, David sent a letter to Whitney’s lawyers laying out his concerns about the members of her entourage who were giving her drugs. Word got back to her team and he was dismissed.
He says: “At the end of the day, everyone should be responsible for their own demise and success. But the advice she was given, in my opinion, was wrong.”
The singer’s only daughter, Bobbi Kristina, who was to follow a similar, tragic path. She died in 2015, aged 22, six months after being found face down in the bath, having taken a cocktail of drugs. David says: “When her daughter died, it was heartbreaking twice over, and I was angry.”
He recalls how overjoyed Whitney was when she told him she was pregnant, adding: “Seeing her wheeled out of the delivery room when she had her baby is one of the most memorable things for me. She was a great mother.”
Both deaths were, the bodyguard says, a “total waste.” He adds: “Whitney was one of the most beautiful, lovely, genuine, sophisticated individuals I have had the pleasure to know and to work for.
“All Whitney ever wanted was to love and to be loved.”
Protecting Whitney, by David Roberts, is out on February 4 in bookshops and on Amazon.
‘What sort of moron does that’ – ITV commentator furious as referee tells crowd off during Luke Littler match
LUKE LITTLER breezed into the second round of the World Masters after silencing nuisance whistlers.
The Nuke – on the oche just ten days after his 18th birthday – outclassed Belgian qualifier Andy Baetens 3-0 in Milton Keynes.
The former WDF Lakeside world champion – making his main-draw TV stage appearance on the PDC circuit – was clinically dumped out of the revamped ranking tournament in 10 minutes and 45 seconds.
Reigning world champion Littler averaged 104.33 and took out six of his nine checkouts in the three-set whitewash.
Yet referee Kirk Bevins had to intervene before the final leg as some punters in the crowd began to whistle, shouting: “Stop whistling, thank you.”
It was very distracting to watch on TV, with ITV commentator John Rawling fuming: “What sort of a moron comes along to a big darts event and starts whistling?”
But for Littler, it was no issue as he secured a Last-16 clash with James Wade on Saturday.
Littler, the world No.2, loved being called out by MC John McDonald for the first time on UK soil as the “reigning champion of the world”.
He said: “It felt amazing to hear the walk-on.
“Even when John McDonald called me the world champion for the first time out in Bahrain.
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“This is my first time and debut here, it’s a different format, it’s set-play.
“It has not sunk in yet being the world champion. I know it should.
“This is darts, we have to carry on for the next event, given all the travelling that we do. But give it a few months and it will settle in.
“I’m looking forward to the Premier League again. A long 16 weeks ahead. If I can guarantee the top I will go back to the O2 Arena and try to defend the Prem again.”
Scottish qualifier Cameron Menzies – who lives in the city of concrete cows with his partner Fallon Sherrock – shocked No.6 seed Dave Chisnall 3-1.
Luke Littler prize money breakdown
Here is all the prize money Luke Littler has won so far after being crowned 2025 PDC World Darts Championship winner:
World Championship 2025 – £500,000
World Championship 2024 – £200,000
Grand Slam of Darts 2024 – £150,000
European Tour – £91,000
Player Championships events – £71,500
Players Championship final runner-up – £60,000
UK Open 2023 + 2024 – £17,500
World Matchplay – £10,000
World Grand Prix – £7,500
European Championship – £7,500
(Unranked) Premier League Darts – £315,000
TOTAL: £1.43 million
First pictures of two men, 20s, killed in Carlow crash on anniversary of road tragedy that killed 3
TWO young men were killed after their car crashed at the same spot where three young people lost their lives this time last year.
Suresh Cherekuri, 23, and Bhargav Chithoori, 24, died after the Audi A6 crashed into trees on the N80 at Graiguenaspiddoge, in Leagh, Rathoe, Co Carlow, around 1.15am on this morning.
The pals, who had been living in Hannover Road, also Co Carlow, were the driver and a back seat passenger in the vehicle.
Two other people, a man and a woman, were also in the car and are being treated in hospital for serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The car travelled through the Mount Leinster area, through Fenagh and on to the Wexford Road before the crash.
The accident happened on the first anniversary of the deaths of Katie Graham, 19, Daryl Culbert, 21 and Michael Kelly, 25.
Gardai were liaising with authorities in India as they attempted to track down the crash victims’ relatives
They were part of the Indian community living in Co Carlow.
So far this year, 14 people have lost their lives on Ireland’s roads.
It’s understood the friends who lost their lives had been working at the pharmaceutical company MSD.
We contacted the company for a comment.
Local Fianna Fail councillor John Pender offered his condolences to the crash victims’ families.
He said: “The whole community is devastated once again at the loss of more young lives on our roads.
“It’s awful to think this has happened on the same stretch of road where another three young people lost their lives this time last year.
“I would like to offer my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and our thoughts and prayers are with them.
“I would also like to offer our support to the two young people who are being treated in hospital for serious injuries.
“There have been a number of accidents on this stretch of road and plans are underway at council level to improve it.”
The scene was examined on Friday by Garda Forensic Collision investigators as the road remained closed.
Gardai have urged anyone with information to come forward.
A spokesperson said: “The collision involved one vehicle.
“Two occupants were pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Two passengers were taken to St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
“Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.”
A car run in memory of the three pals who died this time last year was also due to take place in the county on Sunday.
‘Oh sweet Jesus’ cry fans as Arthur Gourounlian catches daughter Blake creating ‘chaos’ and shares hilarious aftermath
ARTHUR Gourounlian caught his daughter Blake creating ‘chaos’ on her own.
The Dancing With The Stars judge and his hubby Brian Dowling often share their day-to-day life at home with their daughters Blake, 2, and eight-month-old Blu.
Today Arthur took to Instagram and posted a hilarious video of Blake.
The 44-year-old explained how he heard “silence” coming from the playroom at 9am this morning and became suspicious.
He joked that his heart was “pounding” as he braced himself for the “chaos that awaited” him as he cautiously entered the room to see what she was up to.
Arthur found Blake sitting on Blu’s changing table covered in Sudocrem.
Blake looked innocently up at Arthur as he quickly ran her a bath to clean up her mess.
The celebrity choreographer captioned his post: “Let’s be honest: if you are a parent, you know the drill: silence is never just silence.
“It’s either pure magic or a sign that you’re about to regret not checking sooner. And to the rare 1% of parents who’ve never had this experience… I applaud you for it!
“THE SPIDER-GIRL STRIKES AGAIN.”
Arthur’s friends and fans were all left in stitches and related to the toddler “disaster”.
RTE star Donal Skehan wrote: “I am thrilled to witness this era! I seem to remember someone saying their children would never be like mine!!!!”
Caroline commented: “Oh sweet Jesus in the hair too!!”
Ruth said: “Omg the state of Blake but she had a great time.”
TALKATIVE TOT
Karina added: “Ah the Sudocrem disaster finally happened. It happens us all at some point.”
Arthur also posted a sweet video of Blu yesterday and said: “Blu’s first interview is so cute.
“She lost a bit at the end, but overall, we think she handled ok.”
In the video, the 44-year-old asked his bundle of joy hilarious questions such as, “Did your sister take your toys without permission?” and “Do you think papa is better looking than dada?”.
Blu sat smiling from ear-to-ear looking up at Arthur while sitting in her high-chair.
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Pat Shortt pays emotional tribute to D’unbelievables pal on Late Late Show and recalls ‘final’ time they worked together
PAT Shortt has paid a tearful tribute to his late D’unbelievables pal Jon Kenny on The Late Late Show.
The Irish comedy icon joined Patrick Kielty in the hot seat tonight on the hit RTE chat show.
Pat is renowned for being a part of the beloved 80’s comedy duo D’unbelievables alongside Jon Kenny.
They pair toured extensively all over Ireland for almost 10 years until and quickly became a household name.
Sadly in November 2024, Jon suddenly passed away at the age of just 66.
Jon was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2000 and it tragically returned in 2020.
Speaking about the passing of his dear friend tonight, Pat admitted it came at at “huge shock” to everyone.
Shortt continued: “A big shock. It was strange I have to say. We spent a lot of years together touring.”
The Killinaskully star recalled the last time the pair ever worked together, just a few years previous.
Pat added: “We got to work on The Banshees of Inisherin together for the final time, which was so lovely.
“That was a really nice time, not because of the film but because Martin was a big fan of D’unbelievables and I think he wrote that little scene at the bar in a D’unbelievable’s dynamic.
“He really wanted myself and Jon to do it and it was lovely because we got to rehearse and work together and do a lot of work in the last few years.”
The 57-year-old added: “It was really a lovely moment.”
Shortt then explained how the crew and cast on the film set all came to watch them film their scenes.
He said: “We were doing a scene with Colin [Farrell] and I notice the set just started to fill up instead of people leaving to see us perform.”
Kielty referred to the funny men as “iconic” and even labelled them as an “inspiration” for him starting out in the industry.
Pat appeared on the show to discuss his brand new tour with his daughter Faye.
The dad and daughter duo will be bringing their quips to shed light on a common eye condition most of us probably never heard of – and all for a great reason.
The pair have partnered with Specsavers for a one-off gig in aid of Focus Ireland to encourage conversation around presbyopia, the natural visual impairment that affects most of us over the age of 40.
Tickets for Pat & Faye Shortt’s evening of laughter at The Sugar Club on February 25 are available now at thesugarclub.com.
Актор “Хорошої поганої дівчинки” знявся для глянцю: що про нього відомо (фото)
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