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"We all come to an end": Beloved comedian's heartbreaking message from palliative care

<p>Scottish comedian Janey Godley has made an emotional announcement to her social media followers, sharing that she is now in palliative care. </p> <p>Godley was forced to cancel her tour after developing sepsis from her cancer treatments, and is now receiving end of life care after a years long battle with ovarian cancer. </p> <p>"So I'm now in palliative care and I am at end-of-life care now in the hospital," the 63-year-old said in a video posted to Instagram. </p> <p>"The chemo ran out of options, and I just couldn't take any more of it," she continued, adding that the "has spread, so it looks like this will be getting to near the end of it, and it's really difficult to speak about this and say it to people."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAWJ3Qgt-Rx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAWJ3Qgt-Rx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Janey Godley (@janeygodley)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She went on to thank the hospital staff for their efforts, and family and friends for supporting her and husband Sean Storrie and their daughter Ashley through her illness. </p> <p>"It is devastating news to know that I'm facing the end of life but we all come to an end sometime," she continued. </p> <p>"I don't know how long I've got left before anybody asks. I'm not on TikTok so I just want you all to know that I appreciate all the love you've given me."</p> <p>She wished everyone a "lovely Christmas", adding, "I might be here, who knows? But I just want you to know I'm sending all my love to people living with a life-limiting disease."</p> <p>The news comes just weeks after Godley was forced to cancel her tour after developing sepsis while undergoing treatment. </p> <p>An official statement shared, "Janey has been living with stage four ovarian cancer for the past few years and the treatment from the wonderful Scottish NHS has kept the disease at bay, but sadly in the last few weeks the cancer has returned and there have been a few added complications."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Comedian and sitcom star dies at age 76

<p>Legendary comedian and sitcom star Richard Lewis has passed away at the age of 76. </p> <p>The <em>Curb Your Enthusiasm</em> actor, who has been candid in recent years about his struggle with Parkinson's, died of a heart attack, according to his publicist. </p> <p><em>Curb Your Enthusiasm</em> creator Larry David shared an emotional tribute to his friend and co-star, sharing how the men had been friends their whole lives. </p> <p>“Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he’s been like a brother to me,” David wrote in a statement Wednesday, shared by HBO.</p> <p>“He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob and for that I’ll never forgive him.”</p> <p>In April 2023, Lewis took to X, formerly Twitter, to explain his ongoing health issues, sharing how he had undergone a series of surgeries.</p> <p>“Three and a half years ago, I was in the middle of a tour and then I finally ended it with a show I said ‘You know, I’m at the top of my game, after 50 years almost I’m just gonna call it quits.’”</p> <p>“Then, out of the blue, the s**t hit the fan. I had four surgeries back to back to back to back. It was incredible, I couldn’t believe it. It was bad luck but it’s life, you know?”</p> <p>“I had back surgery, then I had a shoulder surgery, then I had a shoulder replacement surgery, and a hip replacement. So, you know, there was much where I was just focusing on [physical therapy].”</p> <p>He added that amidst his physical health battle, he had received a devastating neurological diagnosis. </p> <p>“On top of all that, two years ago, I started walking a little stiffly, I was shuffling my feet and I went to a neurologist and they gave me a brain scan and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”</p> <p>While being candid about his health problems, Lewis also became known for his dark jokes about his battles with addiction and neurosis. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Caring

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Seinfeld and Analyze This star dies at age 93

<p>Comedian and actor Pat Cooper has passed away peacefully in his Las Vegas home at 93 years of age.</p> <p>Cooper was known for his regular appearances on <em>The Howard Stern Show</em>, and his role in the film <em>Analyze This </em>alongside Robert De Niro, as well as its sequel <em>Analyze That</em>.</p> <p>His producer, Steve Garrin confirmed the news of the star’s death to <em>Fox News Digita</em>l.</p> <p>"There was nobody like Pat Cooper, who burned every bridge that he went over. I put out a lot of the fires!" he joked.</p> <p>“He was one man who was honest. You could depend on him. You could trust him. If he gave you his word and said he was going to do something, he did it. And he helped so many people,” Garrin added.</p> <p>The Brooklyn-born comic also made a brief appearance in a <em>Seinfeld </em>episode titled <em>The Friar's Club</em>, where he played himself, after his reputation as the roast-master at the Friar's Club - where comedians throw their best jokes at each other - garnered the attention of Larry David.</p> <p>“I was sitting at his table in his kitchen and the phone rings, and it’s Larry David,” Garrin recalled the moment Cooper was asked to appear on the show.</p> <p>"He picks up the phone, and he hangs it up. I go, ‘What was that?’ He says, ‘Some nut.’ The phone rings again, and he picks it up, and he hangs it up.</p> <p>“I said, ‘What’s going on with you?’ and he goes, ‘Some guy says he’s Larry David,’ and I said, ‘Well, maybe if he calls again, see if it is,’” Garrin added.</p> <p>A few comedians have paid tribute to the star.</p> <p>“Rest in Peace Pat Cooper. No one ever had the fire for as long as you did. An absolute force of nature and one of the greatest comedians I’ve ever seen,” wrote American comedian, Bill Burr, on Twitter.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rest in Peace Pat Cooper. No one ever had the fire for as long as you did. An absolute force of nature and one of the greatest comedians I’ve ever seen.</p> <p>— Bill Burr (@billburr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billburr/status/1666843262714535937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“RIP Pat Cooper. I was lucky enough to interact with him on the radio, as well as Tough Crowd. We lived in the same neighbourhood and he always took the time to stop and talk for a few minutes in front of his apt,” tweeted American comedian Jim Norton.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">RIP Pat Cooper. I was lucky enough to interact with him on the radio, as well as Tough Crowd. We lived in the same neighborhood and he always took the time to stop and talk for a few minutes in front of his apt. His energy was limitless. Pat was an unstoppable, hilarious force.</p> <p>— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimNorton/status/1666619128273068032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“His energy was limitless. Pat was an unstoppable, hilarious force,” he added.</p> <p>Cooper is survived by his wife, Emily Conner, two daughters and a son.</p> <p><em>Image: Grant Lamos IV/ FilmMagic/ Getty Images</em></p>

News

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Barry Humphries morbid hospital jokes revealed

<p>Beloved Aussie comedian Barry Humphries was renowned for his jokes and cheeky commentary, and it seems he held onto his humour until the very end.</p> <p>Longtime friend of the jokester, author Kathy Lette, said his comedic flare had everyone laughing, although his jokes were rather grim.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>The Project</em>, Lette, who was Humphries’ UK neighbour for 26 years, mentioned one of her recent visits to the late performer in hospital.</p> <p>“Barry didn’t have a skerrick of self pity so when you’d visit him in hospital his one concern was you felt at ease and that he was making the nurses laugh,” she said.</p> <p>“So the last time I saw him in hospital he was joking about how the grim reaper had been walking up and down the hospital corridors at night saying, ‘He didn’t collect me this time.’</p> <p>“And he joked with the nurses, saying ‘How many did he collect?’ and I said to him, ‘As you’re here they probably died laughing.’ Then he made jokes about what the grim reaper was wearing and what a terrible outfit he has, how it was the original hoodie.</p> <p>“ … Being in hospital visiting Barry I almost had to be hospitalised from hilarity.”</p> <p>Lette shared she was shocked by his death as she had expected him to pull through.</p> <p>“It’s been such a horrible ordeal. We honestly thought he was going to rally.”</p> <p>Humphries <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/tributes-flow-for-barry-humphries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died aged 89 on April 22</a> at Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital in Darlinghurst following health issues caused by a broken hip. He was surrounded by his wife Lizzie and daughters Emily and Tessa.</p> <p>He was infamous for his comedy characters like Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson.</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described him as “the brightest star in the galaxy” and King Charles said he was “saddened” by the news of his death.</p> <p>“He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit,” the statement read.</p> <p>“With over seventy years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be.</p> <p>“His audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted.</p> <p>“Although he may be best remembered for his work in theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, and a collector and lover of Art in all its forms. He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many.</p> <p>“His passing leaves a void in so many lives.</p> <p>“The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Iconic UK actor proudly reveals new name

<p style="color: #0e101a; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" data-preserver-spaces="true">A</span>ctor and comedian Eddie Izzard has revealed the name she’s always wanted after changing her pronouns to “she” and “her”.</p> <p>Izzard shared her new name, admitting that it’s what she has wanted to be called since she was 10 years old.</p> <p>On an episode of The Political Party podcast, the British icon, 61, said, “I’m gonna be Suzy Eddie Izzard.</p> <p>“I’ll put Suzy there and then Eddie and then people can choose what they want and no one can go wrong,” <em>The Sun</em> reported.</p> <p>She added, “I’ve wanted to be S-U-Z-Y since I was 10.</p> <p>“That’s how I’m gonna roll so people can choose what they want. They can’t make a mistake; they can’t go wrong.”</p> <p>In December 2020, the British comedian and former political candidate was dubbed a “trailblazer” by fans when she first asked to use the pronouns “she” and “her” during the filming of the UK TV show, Portrait Artist Of The Year, revealing she was “gender fluid”.</p> <p>The transition, however, has been 35 years in the making. Izzard first came out as a transvestite in 1985. In 2021, she told <em>The Guardian</em> that as far as she was concerned, being a transvestite simply meant being transgender without physically transitioning. She now identifies as a trans woman and wants to be “based in girl mode”.</p> <p>The comedian also admitted, “I make mistakes with my own pronouns.”</p> <p>She then spoke to the podcast about political ambitions after not being selected at the UK Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Sheffield Central in 2022.</p> <p>“I will keep going until I get in,” she said.</p> <p>Prior to the TV show in late 2020, Izzard also requested in 2019 to be described as “she” while receiving an honorary degree at Swansea University.</p> <p>The press release from the ceremony described her using female pronouns with a university spokesperson confirming, “we were asked by Eddie to use her/she pronouns.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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UK comedian shreds thousands in protest of David Beckham’s Qatar deal

<p dir="ltr">English comedian Joe Lycett has called out footballer David Beckham for his multi-million-dollar deal with Qatar by shredding £10,000 - but Lycett’s protest has come with a twist.</p> <p dir="ltr">After Beckham came under fire for accepting the cash from Qatar - where homosexuality is illegal and you can be jailed or put to death as punishment - to promote the World Cup, Lycett took to social media to call on the former English captain to put his money where his mouth is.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b0f7f24c-7fff-e87b-cd94-977224136cd7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Lycett shared a video where he said he would donate £10,000 ($AU 17,700 or $NZ 19,386) if Beckham withdrew from his deal with Qatar before the World Cup started on November 19.</p> <p dir="ltr">If Beckham didn’t, Lycett said he would shred it.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClGfxiQIvDb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClGfxiQIvDb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Joe Lycett (@joelycett)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">"This is a message to David Beckham... I consider you to be a gay icon," Lycett said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"You were the first premiership footballer to do shoots with gay magazines like Attitude, to speak openly about your gay fans, and you married a Spice Girl, which is the gayest thing a human being can do.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Qatar was voted as one of the worst places in the world to be gay. You've always talked about the power of football to be a force for good... so with that in mind, I'm giving you a choice.</p> <p dir="ltr">"If you end your relationship with Qatar, I'll donate this 10 grand of my own money to charities that support queer people in football. However, if you do not... I will throw this money into a shredder.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Not just the money, but also your status as a gay icon will be shredded."</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-735f7414-7fff-0c3f-b123-4b37c34f34e3"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">After his video went viral, Lycett shared a message he sent to Beckham’s PR team on social media.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClBdqBgoPAM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ClBdqBgoPAM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Joe Lycett (@joelycett)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve managed to get myself into a bit of a pickle - I’ve been a bit daft and publicly announced that I’m going to shred £10K on Sunday if David doesn’t end his relationship with Qatar, or donate the cash to LGBTQ+ charities if he does, yet we’re now four days out and I haven’t heard a peep from him,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Could you do me a solid and let me know if there’s a chance he might budge on his position, or am I to expect radio silence on this? I really don’t want to shred ten grand!!! I also really don’t want a national treasure that has historically supported the LGBTQ+ community to publicly endorse and advertise a nation state that has an appalling human rights record and has the death penalty for gays - call me old fashioned!!!!!!”</p> <p dir="ltr">With Beckham not responding or backing out of the deal with Qatar, Lycett shared a clip on Sunday of himself putting wads into a woodchipper, dressed in a rainbow coat.</p> <p dir="ltr">But that isn’t the end of the story.</p> <p dir="ltr">The comedian shared another video on Monday, where he revealed that the stunt wasn’t what it appeared to be.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is my final message to David Beckham,” he began the clip.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s me! That prick who shredded loads of money in a cost-of-living crisis.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I told you I was going to destroy £10,000 if you didn’t end your relationship with Qatar before the first day of the World Cup. And then when you didn’t end your relationship or even respond in any way, I streamed myself dropping 10K into a shredder.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Or did I?</p> <p dir="ltr">“I haven’t quite told you the whole truth. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Because the truth is, the money that went into the shredder was real, but the money that came out was fake.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Lycett added that he wouldn’t be “so irresponsible” to destroy “real money”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In fact, the ten grand had already been donated to LGBTQ+ charities before I even pressed send on the initial tweet last week,” he continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I never expected to hear from you. It was an empty threat designed to get people talking.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0189d111-7fff-2b5e-96d4-872ebc0b31b0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“In many ways, it was like your deal with Qatar, David. Total bulls**t from the start.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/ClOMLKuIY0r/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/ClOMLKuIY0r/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Joe Lycett (@joelycett)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Lycett ended the clip by shredding another item: the 2002 cover of <em>Attitude </em>magazine that featured Beckham, which was the first gay magazine to feature a Premier League footballer on it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I asked <em>Attitude </em>if I could shred it and they were more than happy to oblige,” Lycett said, before running the cover through a paper shredder.</p> <p dir="ltr">His final video, captioned with a single rainbow flag, received a flood of praise from fellow celebrities and fans.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh you. It’s like you thought it all through or somethin …” Dawn French commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You are flipping amazing ❤️❤️❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈,” singer Sophie Ellis Bexter added.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d1dc9455-7fff-40cd-4ae9-c47bf33ab5ef"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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US comedian cracks cruel ‘jokes’ about rollercoaster victim Shylah Rodden

<p dir="ltr">A US comedian has cracked a series of distasteful jokes about Shylah Rodden, the Melbourne woman who was hit by a rollercoaster last month.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 26-year-old suffered severe facial and brain injuries after being struck by the 70 km/h Rebel Coaster Ride at the Royal Melbourne Show, and she remains in hospital in a serious condition.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is believed she had walked onto the tracks to retrieve her phone when she was hit.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, comedian Anthony Jeselnik seemed to find the situation quite funny while discussing the accident with NFL Network analyst Gregg Rosenthal on their podcast, <em>The Jeselnik &amp; Rosenthal Vanity Project</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This story is absolutely hilarious to me,” Jeselnik said during the episode, titled ‘Your Luck Is Like A Rollercoaster, Baby-Baby’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I bet no one could believe it. I bet she feels dumb.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Rosenthal then explained how Ms Rodden had only just re-learned how to walk when she was struck, having been involved in a car crash in January 2021 that saw her car collide with a truck and flip over, with Jeselnik bursting into laughter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now you’re wondering why is this funny to us?” Jeselnik said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Walking onto a rollercoaster track is a bad idea. If you drop your cell phone, ask someone who works there to get your phone for you. Do not jump onto the rollercoaster tracks.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She’d gotten hit by a car a few years ago, had to go through physical therapy to be able to walk again. To celebrate learning to walk again… she goes to an amusement park and immediately gets hit by a rollercoaster</p> <p dir="ltr">“Can you be forgiven because you haven’t been walking around that much that you don’t really know how to walk, and so you think walking onto rollercoaster tracks are fine?</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s bad luck but rollercoasters only go in two directions. It’s hard to get hit by them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A car, ok anything could have happened, maybe you’re in the street, maybe the car jumped the kerb.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A rollercoaster, that’s your fault every single time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Jeselnik’s comments come amid a growing number taking to social media to criticise Ms Rodden’s actions in the lead-up to the accident, with some claiming that she isn’t a victim and deserves to be in intensive care.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, a friend of Ms Rodden has appealed for prayers for the young woman, who he described as having a “heart of gold”.</p> <p dir="ltr"> “Please pray for Shylah Rodden. Shylah Rodden is one of my best friends [and has a] heart of gold. Shyla has always been there for me and is always there for anyone, not just her friends,” Mr Nawar wrote on Facebook.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She has suffered a horrible accident at the Melbourne Show and was put in a induced coma. I don’t know her current status but please ask anyone who sees this to make a small prayer for her and her family, even if it’s [as] small as please God help them heal.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Shylah and her family lost their son/brother a few months ago and were all still grieving. I saw the pain this had on Shylah.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6e63ddfe-7fff-8163-f54e-c4deff582289"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: YouTube / Facebook</em></p>

News

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“We lost a comedy giant today”: Norm Macdonald dead at 61

<p>The comedy world is in mourning after Norm Macdonald died of cancer on Tuesday at age 61. </p> <p>The Canadian stand-up comic and <em>Saturday Night Live</em> cast member <span>had been battling cancer in private</span> for nearly a decade, according to his lifelong friend Lori Jo Hoekstra who was with him when he dies. </p> <p>"He was most proud of his comedy", she said.</p> <p><span>"He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him."</span></p> <p><span>"Norm was a pure comic. He once wrote that ‘a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.’ He certainly never pandered. Norm will be missed terribly.”</span></p> <p><span>Norm was known in the comedic circle for his signature deadpan delivery and dry style of humour that quickly made him an icon of the craft.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>Norm's impressions of </span>famous figures, such as TV star Burt Reynolds, became a teaching tool and huge inspiration for up and coming comics. </p> <p><span>“I essentially ripped off his delivery when I first started acting,” actor and fellow Canadian Seth Rogen tweeted. </span></p> <p><span>“I would stay up specifically to watch him on talk shows. He was the funniest guest of all time. We lost a comedy giant today. One of the all time greats.”</span></p> <p><span>Norm shot to fame when he was cast on <em>Saturday Night Live</em> in 1993 after performing in comedy circuits in Canada for several years. </span></p> <p><span>He performed on <em>SNL</em> until 1998, serving as a co-host of Weekend Update for three seasons.</span></p> <p><span>Norm then went on to star in his own ABC sitcom, <em>The Norm Show</em>, from 1999 until 2001, and also became a hilarious regular on a series of talk shows. </span></p> <p><span>In 2018, he hosted a Netflix talk show, <em>Norm Macdonald Has a Show</em>, that was inspired by his podcast and garnered an international audience. </span></p> <p><span>Hundred of comedians have shared their stories of Norm on Twitter in remembrance of the comedy giant and all he did for the world of show business. </span></p> <p><span>Actor Josh Gad wrote, "Absolutely gutted. One of the most underrated and hilarious SNL performers."</span></p> <p><span>Writer and director Edgar Wright also tweeted, saying, "Of the many addictive rabbit holes you can disappear down on the internet, the most pleasurable is ‘Norm MacDonald chat show appearances'."</span></p> <p><span>“Thanks for all the laughs Norm, very sorry to see you go.”</span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p>

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British comedian dies after long battle with cancer

<p>Legendary comedian Sean Lock has died at the age of 58 as many people around the world mourn his loss, stating he was an “influential” comedian for this generation.</p> <p>The celebrity was best known for his deadpan humour when he appeared on the British panel shows <em>8 Out Of 10 Cats</em> and <em>8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown</em>.</p> <p>Lock’s agent confirmed the father-of-three passed away after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by his family.</p> <p>A statement from Off The Kerb Productions said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Sean Lock.</p> <p>“He died at home from cancer, surrounded by his family.</p> <p>“Sean was one of Britain’s finest comedians, his boundless creativity, lightning wit and the absurdist brilliance of his work, marked him out as a unique voice in British comedy.</p> <p>“Sean was also a cherished husband and father to three children. Sean will be sorely missed by all that knew him.</p> <p>“We kindly request that the privacy of his family and children is respected at this difficult time.”</p> <p><strong>Previous battle with cancer</strong></p> <p>In 1990, Lock was diagnosed with skin cancer while he worked as a labourer on a building site but it’s not clear if this was the type of cancer which returned.</p> <p>He went on to make a full recovery and has since worked with others to help raise awareness of the disease.</p> <p>Lock’s final public appearance was in December when he appeared in a video for the charity - Edible London.</p> <p><strong>Many tributes have flooded in</strong></p> <p>Tributes to Lock as a person - and to his prodigious talent - have started flooding in from the comedy world.</p> <p><em>8 Out Of 10 Cat</em>s host Jimmy Carr said: “Brutal news about Sean Lock today. I loved him. I’m watching clips of him right now – laughing &amp; crying. I’ll miss him so much.”</p> <p>Comedian Lee Mack, who was a close friend, paid tribute saying: “I’ve known this day was coming for some time, but it’s no less heartbreaking. A true original both in comedy and life. I will miss him so much.”</p> <p>More British personalities took to social media to pay tribute to him, including Ricky Gervais who posted on Twitter: ‘Such sad news. RIP the great Sean Lock. One of the funniest, most influential comedians of a generation. A lovely man.’</p> <p>Lock’s TV career began in 1993 when he starred alongside Rob Newman and David Baddiel on their signature show <em>Newman And Baddiel In Pieces.</em></p> <p>Lock was also praised for his live comedy and won the gong for best live stand-up at the British Comedy Awards in 2000.</p> <p>In 2005, the comic became a team captain on panel show<em> 8 Out Of 10 Cats</em> and went on to appear for 18 series.</p> <p><em>Photo: Getty Images</em></p>

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Bill Cosby’s first words upon release revealed

<p><span>Bill Cosby is out of prison and it seems he is not accustomed to a life of luxury anymore after being convicted on three accounts of aggravated assault.</span><br /><br /><span>The former star’s first moments have been revealed to the public, after Cosby’s friend and spokesperson Andrew Wyatt opened up about the hours that followed.</span><br /><br /><span>Wyatt told Daily Mail that Cosby’s first words were: “Andrew, is this a dream?”</span><br /><br /><span>“He said, 'Are you real?' I said, 'I'm real, touch me.'</span><br /><br /><span>“He said, 'Look, people can sometimes feel things in dreams.'</span><br /><br /><span>“And I said, 'Mr. Cosby this is real. You're free.'”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842367/bill-cosby-6.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/eded8278e8264eaaaa7ee00bea88a098" /><br /><br /><span>Wyatt also revealed Cosby had been able to reunite with his wife Camille. 77.</span><br /><br /><span>He had not allowed her to see him in prison, but spoke to his wife on the phone everyday.</span></p> <p><span>Cosby was sent to prison on three counts of aggravated assault, after nearly 60 women accused the once beloved celebrity of sexual assault.</span><br /><br /><span>Wyatt says that when the Supreme Court ruled that Cosby could walk free despite his crimes, he kept the news to himself.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842368/bill-cosby-7.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a2654a37b60745f8a3fe4574951f9fd9" /><br /><br /><span>“I didn't tell anyone because it's been a roller-coaster and so many people have come with information saying that he's not going to be sentenced, he's not going to be charged, he's not going to be convicted…It's emotionally and mentally draining,” he said.</span><br /><br /><span>“I called Mrs. Cosby and said, ‘You’re not going to believe this.</span><br /><br /><span>“‘They've vacated his entire conviction. They threw it out in perpetuity.’</span><br /><br /><span>“And she said, ‘No, we need to check this.'''</span></p> <p><img id="__mcenew" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842365/bill-cosby-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/34f0b45c484b46288be75f78debcdb63" /><br /><br /><span>Wyatt said at the moment Cosby was awoken from a deep sleep when guards to him to “get up” as he was “free.”</span><br /><br /><span>Wyatt said, “He said, 'I heard all these inmates shouting, kicking the doors, shouting 'Get outta here Bill, Uncle Bill, the Godfather.”</span><br /><br /><span>Cosby has gone blind, having lost his sight to glaucoma many years ago and told Wyatt, “I thought it was a fight going on. I don't know what's happening.”</span><br /><br /><span>A US court overturned Cosby’s conviction for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman 15 years ago, which allowed his release from prison.</span><br /><br /><span>The state Supreme Court found that through an agreement with a previous prosecutor, it prevented him from being charged for allegedly drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004.</span></p>

Legal

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Ellen’s former staffer speaks out: “The stories are all true”

<p>A former Ellen DeGeneres Show staff member confirmed that “the stories are all true!”, saying that the richest comedian in the world is also, allegedly, one of the rudest.</p> <p>“Is she always nice? No,” said the former staffer. “It irritates me that people think she’s all sweetness and light and she gets away with it.”</p> <p>In recent times, DeGeneres who is famous for her catchphrase “be kind” has been outed for being the complete opposite.</p> <p>The 62-year-old has been criticised for comparing the coronavirus lockdown to “being in jail” even though she’s self-isolating in her $US27 million Balinese-style mansion near Santa Barbara, California.</p> <p>Then, in a report leaked to<span> </span><em>Variety</em>, she was accused of cutting her talk show’s union show crew in favour of freelancers. Later on a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Television, which distributes Ellen’s show, told the publication that the change was cleared with union reps and no crew member lost a job.</p> <p>Shortly after that, a Twitter thread labelling her as “one of the meanest people alive” exposed the star as stories came to light of her antics, including complaining about a waitress’ nail polish and ordering that those below her do not make eye contact with her.</p> <p>Last week, a former security guard who served as a bodyguard to DeGeneres and her family when the comedian was hosting the 2014 Academy Awards told Fox News that she was very unfriendly.</p> <p>“Ellen pretty much just gave me a side glance out of her eye and didn’t even say ‘hello,’ or ‘thank you for protecting my mother, my wife and me,'” Tom Majercak said. “It was very cold, and it was very sly and it was actually kind of demeaning in the way that she treats people other than those who are in her circle.”</p> <p>But according to the executive producer of<span> </span><em>Ellen</em>, Mary Connelly, she has never seen DeGeneres exhibit diva behaviour.</p> <p>“None of what’s being said speaks to the Ellen I know,” Connelly said.</p> <p>“Do the producers and her sometimes have to make unpopular decisions? Yes. Ellen is not afraid to tell you when she doesn’t like something. She’s had tough conversations with me. That’s a function of everyday life. But the person I know is someone who comes in every day and wants to put on a fun show in a fun environment and help people.”</p>

TV

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“I’m seeing someone else”: Dame Edna claims she's dating Thomas Markle

<p>Dame Edna is a classic Australian icon, and it’s safe to say that this title does not come without controversy.</p> <p>As Dame Edna is promoting her new tour, she’s announced to the press that she’s got a new man in her life.</p> <p>“I’ve had many years of widowhood, but I’m seeing someone else,” Dame Edna said, before dropping clues about her new lover.</p> <p>“An older man. He’s not well known. He was in the limelight because of his daughter’s marriage. He lives in America. He sometimes lives in Mexico. His name is Thomas Markle,” she said, as the room erupted in laughter.</p> <p>Although they’re getting “very, very close”, nothing serious has happened yet.</p> <p>“He is the father of little Meghan and he’s such a lovely man,” she continued. “We’re getting very, very close. We haven’t committed acts of immodesty yet.”</p> <p>After doing some quick math, Dame Edna realised that she would be in line to the throne if her and Tommy tied the knot.</p> <p>“Do you realise that if I do tie the knot with Tommy, I will be 17th in line for the throne,” she said.</p> <p>“So he suggested we go down to his local jeweller and have our heads measured for crowns, just in case. Queen Edna and King Thomas, it sounds good, doesn’t it?”</p> <p>This isn’t the first time that Dame Edna has had a brush with the royal family, as she recently posted a video on her Instagram page of her with Prince Charles and Camilla at the Royal Variety Show.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Nih1dHV_K/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Nih1dHV_K/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Me with Prince Charles and Camilla at the Royal Variety Show. I absolutely ADORE them! 😘 #royalfamily #royal #royalty #royals #britishroyalfamily #katemiddleton #queenelizabeth #princewilliam #britishroyals #duchessofcambridge #princeharry #meghanmarkle #princegeorge #queen #princesscharlotte #princelouis #royalwedding #monarchy #princess #dukeofcambridge #london #duchessofsussex #princessdiana #love #windsor #houseofwindsor #royalfamilynews #hermajesty #thequeen#dameedna</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/dameednaeverage/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Dame Edna Everage</a> (@dameednaeverage) on Sep 9, 2019 at 6:06pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p>

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Legendary comic Don Rickles passes away

<p>Legendary insult comedian Don Rickles has passed away at his home at the age of 90, with his publicist attributing his cause of death to kidney failure.</p> <p>A regular on <em>The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson</em> and <em>The Late Show with David Letterman</em>, Rickles also featured in his later years in <em>Toy Story</em> as Mr. Potato Head.</p> <p>Rickles was legendary for his roasts where no one was spared from the salty-tongued comic’s insults, including the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Johnny Carson.</p> <p>Despite this, he remained one of the most beloved people in show business and there has been an outpouring of grief from celebrities in response to the news:</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">A God died today. Don Rickles, we did not want to ever lose you. Never. Hanx.</p> — Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomhanks/status/850060739092107264">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">90 years with Don Rickles weren't enough. One of the sweetest and most lovely people I had the pleasure of knowing. We miss you already</p> — Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmykimmel/status/850047017132969985">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Don Rickles has passed away.<br />A giant loss.</p> — Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillyCrystal/status/850049358590386176">April 6, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Rickles, who would’ve turned 91 next month, is survived by his wife Barbara, daughter and two grandchildren. Our thoughts are with his family. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / CBS</em></p>

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Cruise ship comedian shares his secrets

<p>If entertaining of room of people within nothing but a microphone and your wits seems daunting on dry land, you can only imagine at sea it’s be sink or swim scenario.</p> <p>We chatted to Australian headliner comedian <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jbcomedy" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jacques Barrett</span></strong></a> about life performing on cruise ships. As you can imagine, telling jokes as sea is not always smooth sailing.</p> <p><strong>What’s great/not so great about the gig?</strong></p> <p>What’s great is the size of the crowd. When the 700 seat Marquee theatre is packed and you’re crushing it feels good… feels right. Flip side to that is when it’s not going well, knowing you’ll have to look these 700 people directly in the feet whenever you want to leave your cabin for vodka. If you have a good show you’re king of the cruise, drop the ball and you’d better have a disguise.</p> <p><strong>When you were on board, how much actual performing did you do?</strong></p> <p>Depends on the cruise line but per week, anywhere between one and five shows.</p> <p><strong>What are the crowds like? Do you find you have to adjust material?</strong></p> <p>The crowds are great, they’re all in good spirits and much of my dry land fan base are people who saw me on a cruise. I really don’t adjust my material at all. Except for my family friendly shows, and I nearly have a stroke trying to keep the tsunami of cuss words from spilling out onto the innocents. That’s what a lot of other comedians ask me, do you have to play clean? Which for any hardened club comic really is a nightmare, cleaning up the act means losing a lot of the funny. The adult shows however, are great, the audience is for-warned and the fear that senior-citizens might not like the blue material is unfounded: They’re cheeky, dark, and quite fond of smut.</p> <p><strong>What did you do during your down time?</strong></p> <p>Get dressed up in my various disguises, treat myself to a Mai Tai, tell stories about the war, solve crime.</p> <p><strong>What tips do you have for cruise passengers?</strong></p> <p>If you’re at a comedy show and want to heckle, just remember the odds are that the comedian will give you a nice verbal tough up, and you’ll be known around the ship as that dickhead who couldn’t keep their trap shut.</p> <p>You can find Jacques on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jbcomedy" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Facebook here</span></strong></a>, or check out <a href="http://www.jbcomedy.net" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">his website</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/10/6-offbeat-cruises-you-should-book/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 offbeat cruises you should book</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/10/how-to-determine-your-cruising-style/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to determine your cruising style</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/10/10-ways-to-cruise-as-a-senior/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">10 ways to cruise as a senior</span></em></strong></a></p>

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8 of Robin Williams’ best quotes

<p>Robin Williams was a funny, complicated man who brightened the lives of many people with his comedy and his wit. However, he was also deeply analytical, intelligent and could express the most touching of thoughts in few words.</p> <p>We look back at eight of the most inspiring truths Robin Williams shared with us.</p> <p>1. “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” – Dead Poets Society, 1989</p> <p>2. “You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.”</p> <p>3. “Time is the best teacher, but unfortunately, it kills all of its students.”<br /> 4. “What's right is what's left when everything is wrong.”</p> <p>5. “Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they've got nothing to lose."</p> <p>6. “People think they know you. They expect you to be literally like you are on TV or in the movies, bouncing off the walls. A woman in an airport once said to me, 'Be zany!' People always want zany, goofy sh** from me. It takes a lot of energy to do that. If you do that all the time, you'll burnout”</p> <p>7. “People ask why I do children's comedies. I'm happy being a Robert de Niro for nine-year-olds”.</p> <p>8. “Comedy is acting out optimism”.</p> <p>What's your favourite Robin Willias movie? Let us know int he comments below. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Peggy Sirota for Parade</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/05/7-actors-children-who-became-actors-too/"><em>7 children who followed in the footsteps of their actor parents</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/05/8-classic-films-getting-remakes/"><em>8 classic films getting remakes</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/04/successful-over-60s-action-stars/"><em>10 over-60s action stars who still have it</em></a></strong></span></p>

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13-year-old stand-up comedian roasts Donald Trump

<p>The prospect of performing stand-up comedy to a packed arena is enough to make most adults quiver in their boots, but Lori Mae Hernandez is not like most adults.</p> <p>This is for two reasons. Number one, she clearly has a gift for stand-up comedy. And number two, she’s not an adult! Lori Mae is only 13-years-old.</p> <p>As you can see in the video above, Lori Mae has the packed crowd at the America’s Got Talent auditions in stiches with her clever routine, drawing on her life as a babysitter. She even throws in a joke about US presidential hopeful Donald Trump!</p> <p>Lori Mae’s story is actually quite a heart-warming one. She took up stand up when her father was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, as a way to help him smile.</p> <p>We think she’s incredible, and has a real future in comedy.</p> <p>To see Lori Mae’s full performance watch the video above. What’s your favourite joke from her routine? Have you ever tried stand-up comedy?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments.  </p> <p><em>Video credit: YouTube / America's Got Talent</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/04/deleted-mrs-doubtfire-scenes/">Emotional deleted scene from Mrs Doubtfire</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/04/82-year-old-comedian-lynn-ruth-miller-melbourne/">82-year-old comedian to bring the laughter</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/things-you-did-not-know-about-lucille-ball/">5 remarkable things you didn’t know about Lucille Ball</a></strong></em></span></p>

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