THE cast of Only Fools And Horses: The Musical were “visibly upset” after suffering racist heckling hurled from the audience.

Black actors Bradley John and Gloria Acquaah-Harrison, who play lorry driver Denzil Tulser and Mrs Obooko, were targeted by the lout, who also dished out general abuse.

It prompted the stage show’s bosses to issue an online statement condemning the behaviour and warning abuse will not be tolerated.

It read: “We expect respect on and off stage.”

The incident happened on Friday night at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, West London.

The ex-West End musical is on a three-week run there, starring comedian Paul Whitehouse as Grandad and guest starring ex-footie star Vinnie Jones.

An eyewitness told The Sun: “It was a rowdy crowd, with everyone in the Christmas spirit.

“But this idiot spoiled the performance for those in ear shot.

“Security were unable to identify the culprit and eject them.”

A source close to the show added: “Cast members were visibly upset.

“They couldn’t believe what they were hearing.”

Denzil was a character from the BBC TV series, played by Paul Barber.

Mrs Obooko was devised for the stage show.

PEERING through hordes of Christmas shoppers yesterday, I spotted the rugged face of actor Tom Hardy.

Alas, not in real life. It was the moody, black and white advert for perfume brand Jo Malone.

jomalone

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Every female celebrity promoting a mascara or pair of trainers is porcelain-skinned with a forehead like a hard-boiled egg – where are the equals to broody, scholar-like Hardy?[/caption]

The snap crops in on the 47-year-old, showing rows of deep frown lines and crow’s feet around his eyes.

My immediate thought was that his weathered mug looked very handsome indeed.

 And how wise he must be with all that furrowed forehead. What a deep thinker.

But then it struck me ­— I looked for his female equivalent on any billboard or poster in the shops and realised there isn’t one.

Every female celebrity promoting a mascara or pair of trainers is porcelain-skinned with a forehead like a hard-boiled egg.

Where, oh where are the equals to broody, scholar-like Hardy?

There are plenty of women working in Hollywood who are older than him, yet few of them have a crinkle or wrinkle on their face.

Not a single frown line appears on Nicole Kidman, 57, Jennifer Lopez, 55, Demi Moore, 62, or Jennifer Aniston, 55.

Closer to home, our own stars like Amanda Holden, 53, Kate Beckinsale, 51, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55, have the complexions of freshly filled balloons.

Even Queen Olivia Colman, 50, admitted having “loads of Botox”.

All of these are extremely talented, clever, well-travelled women with decades of life experience.

Yet their biggest fear seems to be showing any of that on their face.

And while it’s always great to see women aged over 50 working on both the big and small screen, the question arises: What do older women even look like now?

It seems the only ones allowed to have a phizog that couldn’t be mistaken for an AI creation are our great dames — Judy Dench or Eileen Atkins are the acceptable face of gravity.

How ridiculous that we in the western world are just about OK with a woman looking her age when she’s . . . in her nineties.

The wave of female Benjamin Buttons do a disservice to the rest of us, who don’t have the time, money or desire to be walking medical miracles reversing in age.

This constant pressure to look youthful does not help any of us.

In fact, it does more to pit us against each other.

It makes us feel like we’ve failed by allowing our eyebrows to move or our necks to sag.

Now, at the age of 43, I often look at the laughter lines around my eyes and see them as a failure.

Even though, ironically, they mostly got there from having a great time, they now make me feel inadequate or undesirable.

As though not constantly sipping from the fountain of youth is somehow a shortcoming of mine.

And this forever-young pressure is even getting to girls in their twenties.

TikTok, which has a demographic with a maximum age of 27, has aestheticians advertising procedures such as Baby Botox, sold as “preventative” to ageing.

Pitching itself to the young as an injectable time machine, the hashtag #antiaging has more than 7.9billion total views, with those young enough to be my daughter shouting: “Girls who are getting Botox in their twenties are winning!” and, “I got Baby Botox and I’m obsessed.”

Of course, these girls don’t actually look younger.

Rather, they become like creepy carbon copies of the cast of every The Real Housewives Of . . . 

Their pouty lips, arched eyebrows and frozen foreheads make many assume they’re in their fifties rather than twenties.

Dermatologist Dr Anthony Rossi said of the Baby Botox craze: “It can change the shape of their eyebrow and almost make them look older, because they can’t emote any more and they almost look robotic.”

What if we just stopped all this nonsense and became like fine wines, getting better with age?

Like well-worn Tom Hardy and his male chums.

Our maturity and life experience shouldn’t bring us shame. They should be treated as a thing of beauty.

Getting older is an adventure that brings us all wisdom and bundles of life experience.

So, let’s not be afraid to show it on our faces.

TV traditions give us the spirit of Christmas

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EastEnders celebrating Christmas dinner in 1986[/caption]

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I DON’T know about your TV viewing rules on Christmas Day, but in my household it’s illegal to watch anything other than terrestrial telly on the big day.

Absolutely none of this streaming nonsense can be on the box on the 25th.

And everything must be watched in real time – no pausing or rewinding.

There is something just so warm and nostalgic about knowing the rest of the nation is watching along with you in their homes.

It takes us back to the “when EastEnders was really good” days – Ange open-mouthed in 1986 as Dirty Den gave her the gift of divorce papers and growled: “Happy Christmas, Ange.”

The whole country did a collective intake of breath in their sitting rooms.

Which is why us Brits are so excited about the Gavin & Stacey special tomorrow.

Knowing we’ll be communally laughing as one – and possibly weeping – truly is the spirit of Christmas past.

Tech’s home truths

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A SCARY combination of news at the weekend revealed 44 per cent of us don’t know how to set up controls on kids’ phones.

Yet, one in ten parents plan on giving their children a phone tomorrow – with 64 per cent of those kids being under 14.

All this after “brain rot” was announced by Oxford University Press as its word of the year after a public vote, amid warnings overuse of our phones is deteriorating our grey matter.

Famously, iPhone co-founder Steve Jobs limited the amount of screen time his children had and banned having an iPad in the family home, knowing it was harmful to their development and wellbeing.

Similar with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.

Interesting how these guys knew about the horrors of the addictive drugs they were creating.

They want your children hooked, but not their own.

Whose bright idea?

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Generation Z makes a valid point: the harsh ‘big light’ should be reserved for emergencies, not relaxation[/caption]

IT’S not often I agree with anxiety-ridden members of Generation Z.

 But there’s one recent cause of distress they have shone a spotlight on that I’m completely on board with: Switching on the big light.

In a video that has racked up millions of views, Australian TikTok creators Josh and Matt say: “This is why the big light should be banned.

“First of all, the big light creates such a sterile look. How are you supposed to relax in this?

“Another reason is that it makes you really ugly. No one needs to see my face in this much detail!”

Quite right.

Reaching for the big light switch is for emergency situations only – like searching for a dropped contact lens or cleaning up some spilt wine.

Otherwise, it’s like trying to relax in a hospital ward.

I’ve got loving feline

WHEN someone says, “I’m not really a cat person”, all I hear is, “I’m a serial killer”.

How can anyone sane not like cats? They’re just so cool.

Yep, I’m one of those dreadful “childless cat ladies” who seem to bother the American Vice President elect JD Vance and other lovers of disparaging cliches.

Never having been keen on the idea of doing irreversible damage to myself to produce something that says, “I hate you and I wish you were dead” 13 years later, I stuck to the felines.

 And here are my two – Bud and Betty.

They make me smile every single day, give endless affection and don’t have screaming meltdowns in supermarkets if I don’t get the treats they like.

And while I would rather eat from their litter tray than refer to them as my “fur babies”, I have to admit that this year a few of my cards were “signed” from the three of us.

A tired theory

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Be warned, a psycho is immune to a contagious yawn[/caption]

DID you know there’s an easy way to spot a psychopath?

I went to see the journalist Jon Ronson recently, talking about his bestselling book The Psychopath Test.

 During it, he revealed a psycho is immune to a contagious yawn. They can happily watch someone do a ginormous yawn and stretch without feeling the urge to copy.

Test it out when your great aunt rolls out a story they’ve told before . . .  and watch carefully how the family reacts.

THERE is one good thing about getting old, Jamie Borthwick is told by a cheeky OAP – and that’s being able to get away with anything.

The EastEnders actor visited a Chatty Chums morning to donate his time to the older ­generation and hear some of their stories ahead of Christmas.

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Jamie Borthwick teaches moves at the Age UK centre[/caption]

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Jamie sharing a drink after the dance class[/caption]

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Jamie with Maureen at the centre[/caption]

His trip to Gravesend, Kent, which culminated in a dance lesson, is part of The Sun’s Christmas SOS Appeal with Age UK.

It has shone a light on the ­loneliness and isolation many older people face at this time of year.

Jamie, 30, said: “It’s incredibly important to keep talking to the older generation. I don’t think many of us realise just how much spending that time with your grandparents or other elderly people makes a difference.

“Just having a little chat really helps change your perspective on life, when you hear all the things they’ve lived through.

“I’ve loved being here and getting the chance to speak to everyone.”

All this month The Sun has been shining a light on Age UK’s vital work offering day centres, lunch clubs and classes for older people with the aim of combating isolation.

We have been urging readers to give time or money to support Age UK’s amazing services and change the lives of older people.

The gift of time

You could give the gift of time by volunteering for Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service or its 24-hour Silver Line helpline, which is open 24 hours a day, including Christmas Day.

Offering at least 20 to 30 minutes a week to chat with an isolated older person could make a huge difference to their feelings of isolation.

Jamie, who plays Jay Brown in the BBC soap, made the visit to Age UK’s Kent Rivers branch in Gravesend between his hectic Strictly Come Dancing tour rehearsals and EastEnders filming schedule.

He bonded with fellow Essex native Maureen, and after being grilled about his time on Albert Square, she shared her life stories with him.

Recalling a teenage romance, she said: “My parents took me to New Zealand for two years and I met this boy who told me that when I was 18, he’d move to England and marry me.

“We were lovers. He arrived in England and called me to ask me to meet him at Charing Cross Station.

“I did, and as he was running towards me, I thought ‘Oh my God, I can’t marry him’.

“By this point, I had met another man called Harry when I went out dancing with my sister. He kept asking me to dance, but I’d always say no and say I’d come with my sister. But he persisted for three weeks.”

The coffee morning we dropped in on took place at the Royal Clarendon Hotel, which has an assisted living facility for vulnerable older people.

The food here is very good. I’m quite gregarious by nature, so it’s nice to have somewhere to come where I can talk to people and not feel lonely

Alan

One of the residents is Alan, 81, who has Parkinson’s, and has been living alone since his wife was taken into a care home.

He told Jamie: “The food here is very good. I’m quite gregarious by nature, so it’s nice to have somewhere to come where I can talk to people and not feel lonely.”

James, 80, started going to the Chatty Chums coffee morning after losing his wife a year ago.

He said: “I’ve been on my own since my wife died, and it’s nice to have a bit of company one day a week.

“I’ve never been on my own for the past 50 or so years, but when you lose somebody that’s it.

“You’ve got to start all over again. It’s hard to get back on the dating scene, as you young ones call it. It’s very hard for an older person.

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The day centre visitors celebrate with staff and Jamie[/caption]

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Jamie and Maureen holding hands[/caption]

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Jamie and Strictly partner Michelle Tsiakkas[/caption]

“Some people are really chatty, while some keep to themselves. I like to try to get people going.”

Later, James joked that being old wasn’t all that bad.

Smiling, he said: “Being older, you do get some advantages.

“You can get away with murder, within reason!”

Keen to show off his new dancing skills, Jamie treated the pensioners to a masterclass on how to dance — all from the comfort of their chairs.

He taught his rapt audience how to do a chassé — moving one foot out then bringing your feet back together.

It’s just been so lovely. These are happy tears

Margaret

They then added in some arm movements and James said with a laugh: “It’s the first time I’ve worked up a sweat in years.”

At the end of his visit, Jamie said: “I’ve absolutely loved being here and seeing all the smiles.

“Sitting and listening to their stories has been so fascinating, and I really do think this generation grew up in the best of times.

“We’ve done a bit of dancing and really got into the festive spirit. It’s been brilliant.”

I’ve absolutely loved being here and seeing all the smiles. Sitting and listening to their stories has been so fascinating, and I really do think this generation grew up in the best of times

Jamie Borthwick

After Jamie left, diner Margaret, 92, shed a few tears, saying: “It’s just been so lovely. These are happy tears.”

Tracy Rodwell, from Three Rivers Age UK, said: “Jamie was exceptional — his easy-going nature, ability to engage with our clients and listen to their stories made a wonderful atmosphere of warmth and connection.

‘Most precious thing’

“It goes without saying that the gift of time — that is, time to listen and time to talk — is the most precious thing for older people.”

As part of our SOS at Christmas Campaign we are also urging people to check in on an older person they might know, who may be alone this Christmas.

Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said: “This winter will be extremely hard for millions of pensioners on a low income.

“The combination of the energy cap rising and the Winter Fuel Payment disappearing for millions means many older households will experience real anxiety and financial hardship.”

Jamie was exceptional — his easy-going nature, ability to engage with our clients and listen to their stories made a wonderful atmosphere of warmth and connection

Tracy Rodwell

Figures from Age UK reveal that one in ten pensioners say they do not have anyone to turn to.

Your generous donations will also help fund Age UK’s vital free and confidential helpline on 0800 169 6565 — open from 8am-7pm, 365 days a year — which offers advice on everything from finance to bereavement and isolation.

Heartbreak of loneliness

By PAUL FARMER, CEO, Age UK

LAST Christmas, my heart was broken.

I spent Christmas morning on the phone with older people who were alone that day.

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Paul Farmer says: ‘We have to change the way we age and I thank all Sun readers for your amazing response to our Christmas campaign’[/caption]

In fact, they were alone every day.

Those I spoke to were overjoyed that someone from Age UK had taken time out of their Christmas Day to talk to them, to speak about the things they wanted to talk about.

I spoke to Jane that morning. She wanted to talk about her memories of Christmas past. Happy memories, sad memories. She told me that she would love to talk more often about the past.

And I spoke to Bob. He was being picked up by a local Age UK team to have Christmas dinner, organised by volunteers.

So he wanted to talk about the suit he had chosen to wear. He hadn’t worn it in years.

It’s a sad state of affairs that so many older people will be on their own this Christmas. We have to change the way we age.

But I have belief and I thank all Sun readers for your amazing response to our Christmas campaign.

Please, please donate to our appeal or volunteer for us in 2025. As the carol In The Bleak Midwinter goes: “What can I give? Give my heart.”

WHAT YOU CAN DO

DONATE

Give online at ageuk.org.uk/christmassos

Or scan the QR code

Or by phone 0800 077 8751 (lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

Or by text:

To give £5, text SOS5 to 70507

To give £10, text SOS10 to 70507

VOLUNTEER

Give the gift of your time by signing up as one of Age UK’s telephone friendship volunteers

Just 20 to 30 minutes a week to chat with an older person who might be in need of company

To find out more go to ageuk.org.uk/volunteer or scan the QR code

SHOP

Age UK has 250 shops across the country, great places to pick up Christmas presents and support the elderly.

See Age UK site for locations

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Age UK has 250 shops across the country, great places to pick up Christmas presents and support the elderly[/caption]

SOMETIMES the name of a ship says it all.

And Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady — debuting with cruises from New York in September 2025 — does just that.

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.Princess Cruises’ glam girl Star Princess comes out in October with magic in the air in spectacular shows and an exclusive Sanctuary Club for suite passengers[/caption]

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There are more than 20 places to eat and drink, morning yoga to greet the sun and a gorgeous spa where you can be rubbed with hot stones or wrapped in seaweed.

Book a suite to quaff free fizz on Richard’s Rooftop as the sun goes down.

While you will have to wait until next autumn to experience Brilliant Lady, you don’t have to wait that long to enjoy all the thrills, chills and fab food coming next year on a flotilla of new ships in 2025.

MSC Cruises is first to cast off as MSC World America sets sail from Miami in April. A megaship with a European vibe, it packs in almost 6,800 passengers and has a waterslide that starts with a 90-degree drop.

Not scary enough? How about swinging out over the side of the ship, 50 metres above the ocean? Look down — if you dare — from the signature Cliffhanger, the first over-water swing ride at sea.

Prices are from £759pp for seven nights’ island-hopping in the Caribbean.

April brings Norwegian Aqua, a lively lady from Norwegian Cruise Line where you can come as you are — no dress codes on here — and get wet, wet, wet on a thrilling roller-coaster-waterslide that twists and turns around the funnel at speeds of up to 31mph.

Aqua holds more than 3,500 passengers and has so many bars and eateries, including a tasty new Thai spot, that a week is not enough to sample them all.

It is sailing the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, prices from £1,005pp for seven days.

Spelltacular magic shows

In time for the school holidays comes Star of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International giant bearing the title world’s biggest cruise ship and so much on board for its almost 8,000 passengers there is no time to get, well, bored.

Lively Thrill Island has six water slides and a zipline that goes over the side of the ship, Chill Island has pools and bars, Surfside is heaven for families with kids clubs, teen hangouts and a real carousel.

Take your pick from umpteen places to eat and drink, go green amid the trees in Central Park.

And if you happen upon a waterfall, welcome to the AquaDome, where high-divers do their daredevil stuff from dizzying heights.

Star of the Seas is cruising the Caribbean from August, with prices from £821pp for seven nights.

It is not the only star rising next year. Princess Cruises’ glam girl Star Princess comes out in October with magic in the air in spectacular shows and an exclusive Sanctuary Club for suite passengers.

It holds 4,300 passengers and debuts in the Mediterranean. Prices start at £814 for a week.

November is twice as nice when Disney Cruise Line celebrates heroes and villains from the Lion King and Hercules on the new Disney Destiny and Celebrity Cruises unveils Celebrity Xcel with a promise of lots that is new. We just don’t know what yet.

Destiny holds up to 4,000 passengers and has four-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale from £1,071pp.

Celebrity Xcel holds 3,248 passengers and has Eastern Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, starting at £923pp for seven nights.

So far so big. For something completely different, Cruise Croatia’s stylish new Aretis holds just 36 passengers, has swim stops most days (wait for the OK, then jump off the back) and overnights in port so passengers can dine ashore.

Aretis is sailing between Dubrovnik and Split from June, with prices from £1,445pp for seven nights.

On the rivers, Viva Cruises is so confident folks will love its new ship it has named it Viva Enjoy.

 Launching in January, it holds 190 passengers, has Italian and Asian restaurants as well as a spa. Prices start at £650pp for four-night winter detox sailings from Frankfurt.

Riviera Travel is going for a double — the 114-passenger MS Riviera Rose has a top-deck pool and cruises the Douro in Portugal from April, while the 178-passenger MS Riviera Radiance sails the Danube from June.

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In April, Norwegian Aqua debuts with no dress codes and a thrilling roller-coaster waterslide that twists around the funnel at speeds up to 31mph[/caption]

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Disney Cruise Line celebrates heroes and villains from the Lion King and Hercules on the new Disney Destiny[/caption]

Prices are from £2,249pp and £3,199pp respectively for eight days with flights included.

Over-50s’ favourite Saga is eyeing solos as the new Spirit of the Moselle sets sail on the Rhine and Main Rivers in July with 12 single cabins and prices from £1,839pp for seven nights.

Hang on until November for temples, tombs and lots of sun, sand and sea as TUI River Cruises adds a second ship, TUI Bahareya, on the Nile in Egypt. Prices from £1,536pp for seven nights with flights.

Book now to bag yourself a bargain break aboard

WE are approaching the end of 2024 and cruise lines are making BIG plans for the year ahead.

So, if you want to score yourself a proper bargain, now is certainly the time to do it.

There are all sorts of offers on the table from bargain voyages to discounts on drinks packages and even group sailings.

Oceania Cruises (oceaniacruises. com) is offering a stateroom upgrade to anyone that books a voyage between now and January 31 next year – that is up to four categories above the one they have booked.

Passengers booking in that time slot will also be able to bag either a premium drinks package with unlimited wine, beer and spirits or on board credit of up to $1,000 per stateroom.

The deal is available on 105 sailings across 2025 and 2026 including an 11-day Idyllic West Indies sailing from £3,419pp.

Departing Miami on April 8 next year, Vista will sail to Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica and St Barts.

Or there is an eight-day Alaska Reflections voyage on board Riviera which departs Vancouver in Canada on May 13, 2025, and calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah), Sitka and Anchorage (Whittier), all in Alaska.

If you fancy travelling for less with P&O Cruises (pocruises.com), you will have to pause Corrie on Christmas Day to be first in line – although the offer is available on bookings made before March 3 next year.

For its second series of Holiday Like Never Before, cruisers will be able to bag extra onboard spending money, up to £500 per cabin to be spent on shore experiences, speciality dining, spa treatments as well as 20 per cent off drinks packages.

Two adults travelling with youngsters can also get a third and fourth guest for free on certain off-peak cruises to and from Southampton.

A seven-night Norwegian fjords cruise on board Iona costs £699pp, departing Southampton on May 9, 2026, and calling into Haugesund, Alesund, Olden and Stavanger.

Ambassador Cruisline (ambassadorcruiseline.com) has a shipload of savings, too – not just for next year and 2026 but for the year after that as well.

The buy one, get one half price discount is available on all 2026/27 sailings which come with 20 per cent off Expedition Drinks packages, as long as you book before February 12, 2025.

Passengers can also bag half-price premium drinks packages on selected 2025/26 sailings and free places for large groups – groups of 25 will get a 26th place entirely free, while those in groups of 15 will bag a five per cent discount on selected sailings.

It is not just the ocean liners that are offering money off cruises next year, either.

Emerald Cruises (emeraldcruises.co.uk) is knocking up to 20 per cent off its river cruise itineraries for 2025 and 2026, plus there are plenty of new voyages launching next year.

This includes the eight-day Serenity of the Rhine cruise which departs Amsterdam in the Netherlands and sets sail for Dusseldorf, Koblenz, Heidelberg, Kehl and Breisach, all in Germany, before finishing at Basel in Switzerland.

It costs from £1,945pp including flights from major UK airports.

Book by February 13 to bag discounts on selected cruises.

FROM conversations about sex and porn addiction to fat shaming, Blake Lively’s claims during filming It Ends With Us have lifted the lid on the dark side of Hollywood.

The actress is suing her co-star and the movie’s director — Justin Baldoni — for sexual harassment.

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Blake Lively’s list of 30 demands before she returned to the set of It Ends With Us has been revealed[/caption]

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Blake is suing her co-star and the movie’s director, Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment[/caption]

She claims she was the victim of an orchestrated campaign to destroy her reputation after complaining about “toxic” behaviour on set.

The film is based on Colleen Hoover’s novel about Lily and her abusive boyfriend Ryle, played by Blake and Justin.

It got publicity for all the wrong reasons on its release in August.
Blake, 37, was branded a diva and mocked for promoting her haircare line during interviews while avoiding talking about domestic violence.

She was called “tone deaf” and then trolled after resurfaced social media posts showed her being “rude” to reporters.

But the release this week of a shocking list of 30 demands she made to Justin and others before she would agree to return to filming has shed light on what was allegedly going on behind the scenes.

The talent agency that represents both actors has cut ties with Justin, 40, since the legal complaint was filed against him on Saturday.

It shows WME bosses are choosing to stand with Blake.

Legal documents reveal there was a meeting attended by Blake, her actor husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, Justin, bosses of Wayfarer Studios and lawyers, to address her complaints on set.

Among her demands were that Justin’s previous “pornography addiction” and her lack of porn “consumption” should no longer be up for discussion.

Nor should talk about their sex lives, “genitalia” or “personal times that physical consent was not given in sexual acts, as either the abuser or the abused”.

Blake stated that she would not take part in sex scenes outside those agreed when she signed up for the film.

She said touching or sexual comments from Justin and lead producer Jamey Heath “would not be tolerated” and that there should be “no more improvised kissing”, “biting or sucking of lip” without consent.

She banned Justin’s friends from being on set during sex scenes and said there needed to be a full-time intimacy co-ordinator.

The jaw-dropping list also banned anyone from asking Blake or her personal trainer about her weight, discussing her religious beliefs, or “imposing” theirs on her.

But perhaps the most bizarre was that Justin needed to stop claiming he could “speak” to Blake’s father, Ernie, who died in 2021.

The list was accepted by Justin and the studio, but Blake claims the director’s team then engaged in “social manipulation” to harm her reputation.

Author Colleen, Blake’s sister Robyn and a host of stars have since jumped to her defence on social media.

Colleen, 45, wrote: “You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met.

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One of Blake’s demands was ‘no more improvised kissing’[/caption]

The Mega Agency

“Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt.”

Blake’s Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants film co- stars — America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel — issued a joint statement, saying: “We saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and her colleague on set.

“And we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.”

Blake’s lawsuit has exposed the underbelly of Hollywood’s PR machine, which can make or break a celebrity.

The Age Of Adaline star is also taking action against PR crisis expert Melissa Nathan, who has previously worked with actor Johnny Depp and rapper Drake, claiming she tried to tarnish her.

The lawsuit includes thousands of private messages, including one between a publicist working for Justin and Wayfarer studios on August 2 that allegedly said: “He (Baldoni) wants to feel like she can be buried.”

Nathan is said to have replied: “You know we can bury anyone.”

In the proceeding weeks, Nathan is said to have reinforced negative stories about Blake in the media.

Justin’s lawyer Bryan Freedman called the lawsuit “false, outrageous and intentionally salacious”, saying it was an attempt by Blake to “fix her negative reputation”.

Freedman claims she threatened not to show up to set or promote It Ends With Us, which “ultimately led to its demise during release”.

The row is all the more intriguing since details of Justin’s wedding vows to wife Emily in 2013 were revealed.

He apologised to his bride for “anything I’ve ever said or done that has hurt you” and for “my faults, shortcomings . . . and my ego”

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Justin and his wife Emily, who he married in 2013[/caption]

MAN United picked Marcus Rashford as their 2025 calendar’s face of January — when he may be leaving the club.

The forward, 27, has been left out of their last three squads by boss Ruben Amorim.

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The Old Trafford club is understood to be open to offers and has valued Rashford at £40million[/caption]

Rashford said last week he was “ready for a new challenge”. But he will be staring out from United supporters’ walls all next month — when the transfer window is open.

A source said: “Rashford’s future at the club remains uncertain.

“He may not be here after the transfer window opens in just over a week’s time. At least he’s the face of January — it’s likely he won’t be around much longer.”

Fans have not been put off, as the £12 calendar has already sold out on United’s website.

The Old Trafford club is understood to be open to offers and has valued Rashford at £40million.

He has previously been linked with Barcelona while several top Prem clubs want a striker,

 Reds’ great Gary Neville believes Rashford — who joined United aged seven — may have played his last game for the club.

He said: “He probably has to leave and the club want him to leave.”

Rashford has also been dumped by Love Island girlfriend Grace Jackson.

MINCE pies and mulled wine alongside all the Christmas chores can make us feel stuffed and stressed.

But the good news is that Yuletide excesses can also be good for you.

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Some parts of Christmas are better for your wellbeing than you might think[/caption]

Cranberries have been labelled a winter superfood, meaning your seasonal dollop alongside the turkey is packed full of health benefits.

It’s not the only part of Christmas that is better for your wellbeing than you might think.

From boosting heart health to aiding your memory, Laura Stott looks at all the bonuses of festive foodie traditions.

TURKEY

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Turkey contains less saturated fat than some other meats[/caption]

A GENEROUS portion of lean turkey will load up your body with protein – and contains less saturated fat than some other meats.

Try a leg or thigh for a B-vitamin boost, which helps increase energy levels by supporting red blood cell formation.

CRANBERRY SAUCE

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Cranberries contain immune-boosting Vitamin C and energy-lifting Vitamin B[/caption]

A GOOD portion of cranberry sauce contains immune-boosting Vitamin C and energy-lifting Vitamin B.

It is loaded with antioxidants, which can neutralise free radical particles that damage DNA and cause diseases such as cancer.

FAMILY FUN

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Being with your family can increase levels of feelgood serotonin in the brain[/caption]

GETTING together with your nearest and dearest is actually great for reducing stress and anxiety – and can increase levels of feelgood serotonin in the brain as well as foster feelings of contentment.

So remember that before bickering!

CHRISTMAS SPICES

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Christmas spices offer great gut benefits[/caption]

TRADITIONAL mulled wine and the spices we associate with the festive season – such cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves – are antioxidants and contain polyphenols, which offer great gut benefits.

They help control blood sugar, enhance circulation and digestive health.

SPROUTS

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Sprouts are loaded with vitamin C which can keep your immune system strong[/caption]

BOILED, roasted or even cooked in the air fryer, sprouts are loaded with vitamin C, which can keep your immune system strong, as well as vitamin A, which is great for eyesight.

Sprouts are also dense in sulphur-containing compounds called sulforaphane, proven to lower blood pressure.

CHEESEBOARD

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Cheeseboards contain high levels of calcium[/caption]

WHATEVER you prefer on your cheeseboard, most varieties contains high levels of calcium, which can help prevent osteoporosis and promotes good bone health.

A few nibbles are also great for your digestive health and will boost numbers of beneficial gut bacteria in the body.

FINE FIZZ

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Fizzy wine can boost short-term memory[/caption]

CHEERS! A flute or two of sparkling wine can boost short-term memory.

As well as being lower in calories than a typical glass of white or red wine, grapes used to make fizz are also loaded with antioxidants.

The froth can also help to lift our mood owing to its affect on levels of potassium, magnesium and zinc in the bloodstream.

CAROLS

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Carolling has been proven to help with memory, concentration and attention span[/caption]

WHETHER it is belting out Oh Come All Ye Faithful or even warbling along with Mariah Carey, singing has been proven to help with memory, concentration and attention span.

Alongside better lung function and breath control, singing tunes in a group has been shown to lift your mood and reduce feelings of loneliness.

THE $1.128 billion Mega Millions jackpot has been collected almost nine months after the winning numbers were announced.

The sum, the fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever, was claimed by a single person in New Jersey on Monday.

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The $1.128 billion Mega Millions jackpot drawn on March 26 was collected on Monday[/caption]

The lucky lotto player claimed the prize three months before the ticket was set to expire.

In New Jersey, lottery winners have a year from the date of the drawing to collect the prize before the ticket expires, according to the state’s lottery commission.

The ticket was drawn on March 26 at a ShopRite in Monmouth County, about 49 miles east of Trenton.

The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, opted to collect their earnings in a lump sum.

The player took home a whopping $537.5 million before state and federal taxes.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun

A STAR cheerleader was brutally murdered just weeks before her 18th birthday, leaving her family devastated after they tracked her phone to the grisly scene of her murder.

The suspect accused of killing Angelina Camillia Gonzales is now behind bars after the teen was found fatally stabbed at her ex-boyfriend’s house on Friday, according to her family.

KABC-TV

Angelina Camillia Gonzales, who was murdered on December 20[/caption]

ABC 7

ABC 7

Gonzales, a high school athlete, attended a cheerleading banquet on Friday before the suspect, 18, picked her up from the event and brought her to his house in Azusa, California, which is about 25 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

Her family said they tracked her phone to find her at the ex’s house, according to Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC-TV.

“When I got there, there was already crime scene tape up and forensics and all kinds of stuff,” Robert Caraballo, Gonzales’ stepdad, told the outlet.

“And I ran up to the officers like, ‘Hey, my daughter’s in there.

“‘My daughter is in there I’m trying to find her. She’s not home.’

“And that’s when they told me, ‘sit aside for a minute,'” he recalled the heartbreaking scene.

Cops responded to the blood-soaked scene at the Azusa home at around 10 pm on Friday, where they found Gonzales suffering from multiple stab wounds.

They rushed the teen to a nearby hospital, where she died from her wounds, the Azusa Police Department said.

Her ex-boyfriend was arrested less than a day after the fatal stabbing, officials said.

Cops aren’t identifying the suspect in custody as they prepare to present the case to the Los Angeles District Attorney, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department told The U.S. Sun.

Gonzales’ family warned the high schooler to stay away from her ex multiple times, Caraballo said.

However, her family said she had a good heart and saw the good in her ex.

“It’s unreal, like just the fact that you know, anyone could bring themselves to harm just such a sweet and loving, funny person,” the teen’s brother, Ruben Torres, told KABC.

Charges haven’t been filed against the suspect yet.

Gonzales’ family is left devastated without her ahead of the holidays and what would have been her 18th birthday on January 7.

“She was looking forward to that,” Caraballo said.

“She’s amazing. I’m broken right now, I’m not going to lie to you, because the little bit of time that I had with her…” he said before breaking into tears.

FAMILY LEFT DEVASTATED

Gonzales’ family started a GoFundMe page to raise money for her funeral.

“She had such a great future ahead of her,” Gonzales’ mom, Leticia Pimentel Carabello, wrote in the fundraiser’s description.

“She had a heart of gold. She was my perfect gorgeous Angel baby. I don’t even have the words to say.”

As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised over $12,000, over its goal of $10,000.

ABC 7

ABC 7

MICHAEL VICK broke down in tears live on Fox NFL Sunday in an emotional moment.

The 44-year-old has been a regular on the weekly program since joining back in 2017.

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Michael Vick is leaving Fox after joining the broadcast back in 2017[/caption]

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Vick was in tears as news of his move to become Norfolk State head coach emerged[/caption]

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Vick was praised by colleagues Charles Woodson and Julian Edelman on the show[/caption]

He has appeared on both the pre show and the main one with Michael Strahan and Co.

But he is leaving after seven years for a new career venture away from broadcasting.

The NFL cult hero is taking up the head coach role with Norfolk State this week.

During the Week 16 airing of Fox NFL Sunday, the move was all too much for the veteran analyst.

He broke down in floods of tears, wiping them away with a tissue.

Vick couldn’t keep it together as talk of the move away was mentioned on Fox.

Host Charissa Thompson along with Charles Woodson and Julian Edelman had all congratulated him over it.

“First off, just, being a big part of Fox Sports and the opportunity,” said Vick in tears.

“I love you guys, I love everybody in this building. And this administration have been amazing to me.

“This wasn’t easy, bittersweet.

“But when you got a chance to go, get an opportunity to go lead young men in your community, where I grew up.

“Y’know watching this team, and I wanted them to be assured that they wanted me as the head coach with no experience.

“But I got what it takes, I got the right people around me, and I’m ready to embark on a new journey.

“This will forever be home. I will never forget you.”

Vick will continue to appear on Fox until the end of the 2024-25 NFL season.

And Thompson, Edelman and Woodson showed their support for him while wearing Norfolk State merchandise.

“Mike we are so, so, so happy for you,” said Thompson.

“It comes with mixed emotions.

“We love you so much and we don’t want you to leave us.

“So special, our lose is their gain. You’re a teammate for life.”

Woodson also urged any college star recruits to consider joining the Spartans under Vick.

“For any kids that’s watching, you see the emotion,” he said.

“That’s what it means to him.

“He’s going to pour all of that into you.

“So anybody that’s out there undecided about what you going to do, I’ve been around this man for a few years now.

“You can get the best knowledge from this guy, so Norfolk State, we’re looking for big things.”