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Jan 9, 2025 | 
independent.ie | PA reportersToday
A series of major fires in California have killed five people, ravaged communities, and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their properties, including areas dotted with celebrity homes. TV personality Paris Hilton, US actor Billy Crystal, The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, talk show host Ricki Lake and Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren are among those who have confirmed that their residences have been destroyed in the fires.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
independent.ie | Kerri-Ann Roper |Naomi Clarke |Hannah Roberts |PA reportersToday
The broadcaster previously announced a Celebrity MasterChef Cook Off and a Strictly Festive Extravaganza as part of its festive schedule, both billed as hour-long programmes for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. A BBC spokesperson said: “As we have said, MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the chefs taking part and the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals is continuing as planned.
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Nov 26, 2024 | 
independent.ie | PA reportersToday
The Baller League, which is due to begin in the UK in March, originated in Cologne in 2023 and has been a hit on social media. Lineker, 63, who will be stepping down as Match Of The Day host at the end of this season, has been lined up as a team manager. KSI, the 31-year-old YouTube star, boxer and rapper – real name Olajide JJ Olatunji – has been named as president of the UK version of the tournament.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
independent.ie | Kerri-Ann Roper |Naomi Clarke |PA reportersToday
Ball took over presenting the morning programme in 2019 from Chris Evans and announced her departure on Tuesday after six years, saying it was time for her to “step away from the very early mornings and focus on family”. She will host her last show on December 20 with Mills, who currently hosts Radio 2’s weekday afternoon programme from 2-4pm, set to begin fronting the programme from early January.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
independent.ie | Kerri-Ann Roper |Naomi Clarke |PA reportersToday
Ball, who took over the Radio 2 morning programme in 2019 from Chris Evans, announced on Tuesday she was stepping back from the show after six years to focus on her family. She will host her last show on December 20 with Mills, who currently hosts Radio 2’s weekday afternoon programme from 2-4pm, set to begin fronting the programme from early January.
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Nov 19, 2024 | 
independent.ie | Kerri-Ann Roper |Naomi Clarke |PA reportersToday
The 53-year-old took over the Radio 2 morning programme in 2019 from Chris Evans. Announcing the news on air, she said: “I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. You know I think the world of you all listeners and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you…”. She was the first female host of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show in 1998, a post she held until 2000.
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Sep 14, 2024 | 
independent.ie | Charlotte McLaughlin |Hannah Cottrell |PA reportersToday
The Britpop band, which reformed with Liam and Noel Gallagher for a series of dates next year, added two shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in September 2025 to their original 17-date line-up, with people unlucky in the first sale given a second opportunity to buy tickets. Only “eligible fans” who were sent a ballot code were able to access the sale, with tickets sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Sep 10, 2024 | 
independent.ie | PA reportersToday
The death of Jones, best known for being the voice of Star Wars’ leading villain Darth Vader, at the age of 93 was confirmed on Monday by his long-time agent Barry McPherson. Jones’s famous voice was also lent to the likes of Mufasa in Disney’s 1994 film The Lion King, various audiobooks and to CNN for its “This is CNN” tagline.
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Aug 31, 2024 | 
independent.ie | PA reportersToday
A message on the Ticketmaster website told those still queuing online on Saturday afternoon that the “inventory is now limited”, with some ticket types no longer available. People looking to secure coveted access to the Manchester band’s reunion had earlier reported problems on several booking websites before they had even gone on sale.
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Aug 31, 2024 | 
independent.ie | PA reportersToday
Manchester-based promoter SJM Concerts’ website Gigs and Tours has been unable to load since around 8.10am on Saturday, ahead of ticket sales for the UK shows opening at 9am. The site displays messages saying: “Please bear with us. At the moment there are a lot of people on the site looking for tickets, so we have put a queuing system in place, which is completely normal. “This page will refresh automatically and we’ll get you where you want to be as soon as a space opens up.
