'I couldn't have a better teacher': Ashley Taylor Dawson 'faints' with delight after bagging blonde beauty Ola Jordan as his Strictly Come Dancing partner

There's no denying she's one of the hottest professionals on the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.
But Ashley Taylor Dawson was so thrilled to have bagged a partnership with Ola Jordan on Saturday night's launch show that he promptly appeared to faint on the spot after hearing who he would be learning the ropes alongside.
The Hollyoaks actor dropped to the floor for several seconds, briefly alarming the BBC One show's co-host Tess Daly, while some audience members thought he had actually been taken ill.

Someone's happy! Ashley Taylor Dawson 'fainted' on Strictly Come Dancing's 2013 launch show when it was revealed he would be partnered alongside Ola Jordan for the series

Ever the joker! Ashley collapsed on the floor after he heard who he would be dancing alongside

Cute couple: Ola explained that all the competitive female dancers wanted Ashley to be their partner on the show

After bouncing back up, the 31-year-old star later told of his delight at being teamed with Polish professional Ola, who has already won the contest once in 2009 when she was paired with Chris Hollins.
Telling Tess he was 'really happy' with his partner, he said: 'I couldn't have a better teacher and I know she wants to be the first one to win it twice.'
Judge Bruno Tonioli said of the pairing: 'Ashley, the bad boy and the sexy, sultry siren. It's going to be explosive.'
And it would seem Ola was equally thrilled, saying in a VT: 'All the female professional dancers are very competitive... and everyone wants Ashley.'

Perfect pairing: After bouncing back up, the 31-year-old star later told of his delight at being teamed with Polish professional Ola, who has already won the contest once in 2009 when she was paired with Chris Hollins

King and queen of Strictly! Ola is married to fellow professional dancer James Jordan

Ready for action! James is partnered alongside Vanessa Feltz for this year's show

The big reveal: Hosts Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly were on hand to reveal the partnerships for this year's show

Hoping for a miracle? Acid-tongued judge Craig Revel Horwood joked that James Jordan would be hoping for a 'miracle' after being paired with Vanessa

Meanwhile, Ola's husband James Jordan - also a dancer on the show - has been teamed up with broadcaster Vanessa Feltz.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood said: 'James will be praying for some kind of miracle or divine intervention.'

Tess Daly and Sir Bruce Forsyth introduced each of the 15 stars to their new partners, who will coach them and choreograph their dances over the coming weeks.
Anton du Beke, who has been known for his rather comic pairings after dancing with Jerry Hall, Nancy Dell'Olio and Ann Widdecombe in the past three series, is with actress and former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton this time around.

The tension is mounting! It was a nervous wait for the celebrities as they found out who they would be partnered alongside

Murder on the Dancefloor! Sophie Ellis Bextor was thrilled to be partnered alongside smooth mover Brendan Cole

Thrilled: Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede is with tough taskmaster Artem Chigvintsev

Jumping for joy! Artem whipped Natalie up into the air as they heard they would be partners

From the den to the dancefloor: Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden is being partnered alongside Robin Windsor

A match made in heaven: Countdown maths whizz Rachel Riley will be dancing with Pasha Kovalev, who has made it to the finals on each of the two series in which he has appeared

She said: 'I wanted him. I've said it about eight times in interviews.'
Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is paired with Brendan Cole, while Countdown maths whizz Rachel Riley will be dancing with Pasha Kovalev, who has made it to the finals on each of the two series in which he has appeared.
Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden is being partnered alongside Robin Windsor, model Abbey Clancy will strut her stuff with newcomer Aljaz Skorjanec and BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid is with Kevin Clifton.

Ready for their rhumba! Model Abbey Crouch will strut her stuff with newcomer Aljaz Skorjanec

Belle of the ballroom: BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid is with Kevin Clifton for the 2013 series of Strictly

Double-oh heaven! Anton du Beke, who has been known for his rather comic pairings after dancing with Jerry Hall, Nancy Dell'Olio and Ann Widdecombe in the past three series, is with actress and former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton this time around

Doting husband: Peter Crouch watched with pride from the audience as Abbey took to the dancefloor for the first time

Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede is with tough taskmaster Artem Chigvintsev, and realises he will expect a lot of her.
She said: 'When we first met we were given a task and he told me how strict he was and that if we hadn't worked hard through the week then I couldn't be upset on Saturday night so he set out the stall.'
Fashion designer Julien Macdonald is paired with Janette Manrara, Casualty actor Patrick Robinson is to dance with Anya Garnis and Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers is teamed up with Karen Hauer.

Embracing the sequins! Fashion designer Julien Macdonald is paired with Janette Manrara

Let's hope it's not a Casualty on the dancefloor: Casualty actor Patrick Robinson is to dance with Anya Garnis for this year's competition

Above par! Strictly's 2011 winner Aliona Vilani, who had been dropped from this series but was recalled when Natalie Lowe was injured, is to dance with golfer Tony Jacklin

Strictly's 2011 winner Aliona Vilani, who had been dropped from this series but was recalled when Natalie Lowe was injured, is to dance with golfer Tony Jacklin.
The line-up is completed by former rugby star Ben Cohen dancing with Kristina Rihanoff, and actor Mark Benton performing with Iveta Lukosiute.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One with its first live show on September 28 as the celebrities battle it out in the hope of lifting the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

She's got the moves! Actor Mark Benton will be performing with Iveta Lukosiute for the series

From the bike to the ballroom: Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers looked thrilled as he was teamed up with American dancer Karen Hauer

From the scrum to the samba: The line-up is completed by former rugby star Ben Cohen dancing with Kristina Rihanoff

Star-studded: Jessie J and Rod Stewart provided the evening's entertainment as they took to the Strictly stage 

Working the crowd! Jessie J strutted her stuff in a striking sequin bodysuit

That's how it's done! The judges and the professional dancers took to the floor for a stunning routine

Read More »

No Peace In Nigeria’s 53yrs Of Hausa, Igbo Rulership And Obasanjo Lied — Gen. Alabi-Isiama

A former Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) of the Nigerian Army and Chief of Staff of 3 Marine Commando Division (3MCDO) during the 1967-70 Nigeria-Biafra war, Brigadier-General Godwin Alabi-Isama, is a reporter’s delight anytime.

He canvasses his views with passion and emotion, not minding whose ox is gored. He was at his best, literally shooting from the hips, during a visit to the corporate headquarters of Vanguard in Apapa, Lagos.
In a two-hour chat with Vanguard’s senior editors on his book, ‘The Tragedy of Victory, On-the-spot Account of the Nigeria-Biafra War in the Atlantic Theatre,’ the civil war hero made startling comments that are bound to raise dust and generate controversy in the polity.
For instance, he said the Northern and Eastern Nigeria have jointly been ruling the country since independence in 1960 and Nigeria has not known peace; there was no pogrom against the Igbo during the war; Biafra would not have lost the war if her military leaders had been tactically disciplined and prosecuted the war professionally; and that Nigeria neglects her heroes and heroines.
He said the problem of Nigeria is disloyalty, not corruption; Obasanjo lied in his book, ‘My Command’; the first 1966 coup is not an Igbo coup but it ruined Nigeria. A Delta Igbo by paternal lineage but a Yoruba-cum northerner via maternal links, Alabi-Isama said God has destined Nigeria to be one country and those trying to dismember the nation labour in vain.
He prayed that Nigerians should not witness another war because people are now very vicious.
Excerpts: Motivation to write the book
I did not know I have what it takes to be a writer. We all left secondary school to join the Army because they will not take you if you are from the university due to lack of trust at that time. They thought graduates would leave after a short while. The point has been proven that graduates did not do well in the Army then just as the likes of Rotimi and Emmanuel Ifeajuna, who were recruited from the university to the infantry, did not do too well.
Victor Banjo was a graduate but he was recruited for the engineering aspect of the military where they have always recruited graduates. In the medical (corps), you had to be a doctor, but in the infantry they never did. However, they decided to experiment on recruitment of graduates, which yielded no positive results. For you to be a general in the Army, you would have done a minimum of seven to eight years of training.
If you went to the university, I don’t think you will spend up to that to get a Ph.D. I went through all the military training, and when I was to write the book, there were a lot of thoughts on why I’m writing a book. I discussed with some friends, including Adekunle (Adekoya) who is here. They encouraged me to carry on with the book based on the ideas and my experience. Kunle told me that the book will make a good read. So we started working on it.
On my 70th birthday, General Alani Akinrinade came with a book, My Command, written by General Olusegun Obasanjo. I had heard about it but I had not read it then. He said that Obasanjo, who was our commander, said something about me in the book; that I will have stomach trouble if I read it. I questioned that comment; he then bought two copies and gave me.
How his mother preserved war materials
When I finished reading chapter one of ‘My Command’, I was so annoyed that I wanted to write. Luckily for me, I went to renovate my mother’s house in Ilorin for my 70th birthday. When I got there, I found a big box locked up. With a thought that my mother had kept money for me again, I broke the lock and found my military uniform, cap and so many civil war pictures. Though not arranged, the pictures had been saved for 40 years. When I got hold of them, the pictures were clean and clear. So every picture I looked at, I remembered what happened.
‘Obasanjo had lied,’ I said. So, I started writing. Obasanjo has claimed so much for what he did not know, and where he didn’t visit, let alone attack. He didn’t attack anywhere, or capture anywhere; he didn’t command a battalion or even a brigade. Now he was saddled with a division, the best division of the Nigerian Army at the time and that was difficult for him.
But he didn’t want us to see that it was difficult for him. I didn’t write because of Obasanjo A lot of people would have thought that the book was written because of Obasanjo which is not true. In this book, I have gone beyond personalities, but you can’t avoid talking about one or two people and, as a soldier, I had never thought that I should be saying ‘oh that man, oh that woman, oh that division, oh that state.’
In my book, I mentioned the states, I mentioned the names of those concerned and if they have any concerns, then they could get in touch with me. In this book, there are 450 pictures and I still have over a thousand pictures. I have gone beyond personalities. What I want really is to discuss my vision in our diversity, to discuss this country.
How can we move forward? Where are we now? How did we get here? If we are satisfied, let’s remain so, but if not, how are we going to get out of it? We did not agree with unitary system of government that was introduced by General Aguiyi-Ironsi, but here we are. We couldn’t get away from unitary government. Why did Ironsi die, why did the Army kill Ironsi or anybody for that matter because he (Ironsi) suggested unitary government?
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/46514.html

Read More »

Actress Steph-Nora Okere Breaks Down In Tears As She Buries Sister

Nollywood veteran actress, Steph-Nora Okere was reportedly in tears yesterday as she buried her sister in Imo State.
The beautiful former girlfriend of 'bad boy' actor, Jim Iyke was said to be uncontrollable as her sibling was finally laid to rest.
The lady named Emily died after a brief illness.
She gave up the ghost a day after Steph-Nora returned to Nigeria from the United States of America, where she went on vacation.
Emily died from a protracted diabetes.

Read More »

New PDP' Reacts on Secretariat Seal Off

Officers of the Nigeria Police on the afternoon of September 7, 2013, Saturday, sealed off the office of the Abubakar Baraje led PDP faction, an action that has been described as the “height of impunity” by the group.

A statement issued by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the National Secretary of the Baraje-led group, said security forces sealed off the office at Panama Street, Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday based on a non-existent court injunction which the Tukur faction claimed to have obtained on Friday.

“The whole world knows that Justice E. Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday refused to grant Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s application for an ex parte injunction against our party’s executive. The Judge asked parties to maintain the status quo. His judgement was a reinforcement of an early order of the Lagos High Court which also asked parties to maintain the status quo. Now, should Nigerians conclude that Tukur’s interpretation of status quo is this crude display of naked power and undisguised impunity?

“We are not at all surprised at this occurrence given the fact that Tukur issued a statement on Friday evening deliberately seeking to mislead the media and the public that Justice Chukwu granted him an injunction against us. We are happy that the ever vigilant Nigerian press ignored him and his falsehood. Now, he is not only wilfully disobeying the various courts which have made pronouncements on this matter, he is spicing up his love for impunity with this reckless misuse of state power by misleading the police.”

“We call for an immediate removal of the siege to our secretariat. We call on the Inspector General of police to order the immediate removal of his men from our office. Doing so, we believe, will serve the interest of justice, rule of law and democracy. Nigeria is a country ruled by law and not by might and force.”

“We hasten to say that if this move is aimed at breaking our spirit, that goal is definitely off the mark. We are determined to rescue our party from the lawlessness and crass arrogance that have defined the character of the Tukur leadership since inception. Our party needs that deliverance, its members deserve the change we have brought into it,” the statement said.

Secretary Oyinlola wondered why Tukur, who appeared before the party’s elders on September 6, 2013, Friday, ostensibly in search of peace, could, in less than 12 hours later, start another round of conflict.

Read More »

PHOTO: Genevieve Nnaji Arrives Toronto Flaunts $16,950 Hermès Birkin Bag, $9,800 Louis Vuitton Luggage Bags

Nollywood superstar Genevieve Nnaji arrived in Toronto, Canada yesterday for the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, where the movie adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie‘s best selling book Half of a Yellow Sun will premiere on Sunday, 8th September 2013.

The actress was spotted rocki a $16,950 Hermès Birkin bag and three Louis Vuitton travel luggage bags with a combined retail price of $9,800.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/46506.html

Read More »

The Super Eagles Thrash Malawi To Qualify For The Knockout Round

Brilliant performance by the Super Eagles at UJ Esuene Stadium ensured confident 2-0 victory over the Flames from Malawi.

Emmanuel Emenike scored at the very end of the first half, min. 45+1.

The Liverpool newcomer Victor Moses hit like a sniper on minute 52, when a penalty chance has been given to the Eagles.

The disaster of Malawi continued, as on minute 53 Limbikani Mzava got his second yellow card in the match and was sent off the field.

The Eagles failed to score against 10-men Malawi, but were in total control and gained their place in the final qualifying round for Brazil 2014.

The Eagles will know their opponent after a draw in Cairo, Egypt, on 16th of September

Read More »

PHOTO: P-Square Strips On Stage At Their Show In Canada

At a P-Square concert in Calgary, Canada, the twin brothers gave the ladies a performance they won't be forgetting anytime soon. They even let the ladies who were screaming out loud touch them.



READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/46510.html

Read More »

PHOTO: Wande Coal Acquires E200 Mercedes Benz Car, Hands Over Keys To Manager

Four days after launching a 450GL 4matic Benz car, R&B sensation Wande Coal surprised his friend, and manager Nana Abbey with an E200 Kompressor Mercedes Benz.
He handed his manager the remote sensored keys to the car at the departure lounge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport before boarding to leave for London where he is to shoot videos for his club banging new singles.

•  
  READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/46511.html

Read More »

Brazilian protests fail to disrupt parades, soccer match

(Reuters) - Police used teargas to contain street protests on Saturday in several Brazilian cities, stopping demonstrators from disrupting Independence Day military parades and an international soccer game between Brazil and Australia.

The protests against corruption were much smaller than the massive demonstrations that shook Brazil in June, when hundreds of thousands took to the streets in a sudden outburst of anger against the country's political class for mismanaging government money and failing to provide adequate public services.
In downtown Rio de Janeiro, some 500 protesters invaded stands in the parade area, sending frightened families with children rushing for safety. Police used teargas and stun guns to disperse the demonstrators, who did not interrupt the parade.
"It was frightening. There was a wave of masked demonstrators dressed in black," said Rosangela Silva, who took a niece to watch the parade.
In Brasilia, police used pepper spray to hold back a peaceful crowd of more than 1,000 demonstrators who marched to Brazil's Congress to demand the ouster of corrupt politicians.
Protesters were only allowed to march along the wide esplanade of Brazil's capital after the annual Independence Day military parade led by President Dilma Rousseff had ended.
Organizers said many people who had intended to join the demonstrations did not turn up due to the heavy police presence and the prospect of violence seen in recent clashes in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro where hooded youths have become protagonists.

Police arrested groups of youths found with hoods, gas masks, stones and slingshots in their backpacks in Curitiba and Fortaleza, cities where parades went ahead without disruption.
A demonstration in downtown Sao Paulo briefly shut down one of the city's main thoroughfares. While the protests started peacefully, some protesters spray-painted walls and threw objects at police, who responded with teargas.
Demonstrators in Brasilia later moved toward the city's brand-new $600 million soccer stadium where the Brazilian national team played against Australia in a practice game for next year's World Cup, which Brazil will host.
Riot police used police dogs and fired barrages of teargas to stop the demonstrators from reaching the stadium, which was half empty. Authorities said at least 26 demonstrators were arrested. At least two photojournalists were injured.
More than 1 million people took to the streets of Brazil's cities in June, initially sparked by outrage at an increase in bus and subway fares. The protests quickly transformed into a nationwide movement against bad public services, the rising cost of living, corruption and a host of other complaints, including anger over the $14 billion Brazil will spend on the World Cup.
While the protest targeted politicians of all parties, Rousseff's popularity plummeted shortly thereafter, clouding her chances for next year's election in which she is widely expected to run.
In response, Rousseff pledged to improve urban transport, health and education in Brazil while proposing reforms to make Brazil's political system more accountable. Her popularity has begun to recover in recent opinion polls.
(Additional reporting by Pedro Fonseca in Rio de Janeiro and Asher Levine in Sao Paulo; Editing by Eric Beech and Eric Walsh)

Read More »

Obama appeals for backing to hit Syria, Europeans urge delay

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged Americans on Saturday to back him in launching an attack on Syria, as diplomatic pressure grew on the United States to wait for a U.N. report expected in a week's time before beginning military action.
Fresh from a European trip in which he failed to forge a consensus among global leaders, Obama plunged into a campaign on radio and television to try to convince a skeptical U.S. public and Congress of the need for a military strike on Syria.

In Europe, pressure increased for delay. European Union foreign ministers meeting in Lithuania on Saturday blamed the August 21 chemical weapons attack in Syria on President Bashar al-Assad's government. But they did not endorse military action and made clear the bloc wanted the United Nations to have a role in agreeing on an international response.
Pope Francis, who two days ago branded a military solution in Syria "a futile pursuit," led the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in a global day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world.
Obama, clearly still the reluctant warrior who rose to political prominence on his opposition to the Iraq war, emphasized he favored limited strikes on Syria to deter future chemical weapons attacks - not another costly and protracted conflict.
"This would not be another Iraq or Afghanistan," Obama declared in his weekly radio address, previewing arguments he will make in a nationally televised address on Tuesday.
"I know that the American people are weary after a decade of war, even as the war in Iraq has ended, and the war in Afghanistan is winding down. That's why we're not putting our troops in the middle of somebody else's war," Obama said.
Obama will give interviews on Monday to the three network news anchors, as well as PBS, CNN and Fox News, more evidence of a "full-court press" strategy before pivotal congressional votes on military strikes in Syria.
The interviews will air during each network's Monday evening news broadcast, the White House said.
Lawmakers returning to Washington after a summer break say many of their constituents have told them they do not think the United States should respond militarily to the August chemical weapons attack that Washington blames on Assad's government.
The Obama administration says over 1,400 people were killed by the poison gas, hundreds of them children. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll said 56 percent of Americans believed the United States should not intervene in Syria; 19 percent backed action.
Obama is seeking congressional approval for a strike, but early vote-count estimates do not look encouraging for the president, with scores of lawmakers still undecided. The Senate is expected to take action next week. The House of Representatives will vote later, but the time is not set.
As the White House cranked up its campaign, CNN showed excerpts on Saturday from the gruesome aftermath of the attack taken from a DVD shown to lawmakers and compiled from publicly available videos on YouTube and other internet sites.
PRESSURE RISES FOR DELAY IN EUROPE
Many EU governments have expressed reservations about using military force to punish Assad, now fighting a 2-1/2-year battle against rebels in which more than 100,000 people have died.
In a carefully worded message, the foreign ministers of 28 EU governments stopped short of endorsing possible U.S. and French military action against Syria ahead of the U.N. report.
French President Francois Hollande said the report could be made public at the end of next week and he suggested that France might then wish to take the matter to the U.N. Security Council, a step that could further delay any action.
"When the (U.S.) Congress will have voted on Thursday or Friday and when we will have the inspectors' report, likely at the end of the week, a decision will have to be made, including after possibly referring the matter to the United Nations (Security Council)," Hollande said, speaking from the southeastern city of Nice after a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart.
An iFop poll published in Le Figaro on Saturday found that 64 percent of the French opposed any kind of international military intervention in Syria, up 19 percentage points in just one week, with even more - 68 percent - opposing a French intervention in the war-torn country.
A senior Obama administration official suggested on Friday that the White House could wait for a U.N. inspectors' report on chemical arms use in Syria before ordering U.S. naval forces gathered in the Mediterranean to hit Syria.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who was also in Lithuania, said later that Obama had made no decisions about waiting for the U.N. inspectors and was keeping options open.
Apart from anything else, delay in attacking Syria might help the White House gather more support in Congress and among public opinion.
The senior official told reporters that during Obama's discussions with other G20 leaders in Russia on Friday on the timing of any military response to the Syrian crisis, it was apparent that "a number of countries feel it's important that the U.N. inspectors have time to report back their findings first.
"That's entirely consistent with our timetable," the official said. Final votes in Congress could come after the U.N. report is announced.
SCRAMBLING FOR VOTES
Supporters of military action scrambled for votes in Congress. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi on Saturday sent her fifth letter to Democratic lawmakers urging them to back Obama, noting that Congress had voted overwhelmingly to condemn Syria's acquisition of weapons of mass destruction a decade ago.
The influential pro-Israel group AIPAC said it planned a major lobbying effort next week to try to round up support for military action, with about 250 activists in Washington to meet senators and representatives.
But it was unclear whether the effort was working.
Senator Mark Pryor, a member of the president's Democratic Party, who is running for re-election next year, said on Saturday he would not support action against Syria at this time.
Pryor said that before U.S. military action is taken, the administration must prove a compelling national security interest, define the mission and build a "true" coalition of participating allies - criteria he said had not been met.
Outside the White House, about 200 opponents of U.S. action in Syria gathered on Saturday, chanting, "Hands Off Syria" and waving signs that read: "Tell Congress: no war on Syria."
"The American people are tired of war. The government is not," said retired teacher Andra Sufi, 66, of northern Virginia, who was dressed in white and carried a rainbow "Peace" flag.
In New York, tourists entering St. Patrick's Cathedral said they were frightened and depressed by events.
Beth Alberty, a 72-year-old retired museum curator taking part in a Times Square protest against U.S. military action, said she was disappointed in Obama. "This is completely against what he campaigned on in regard to Iraq. And the arguments are very much the same it seems to me in this case. We are creating a reason to go in," she said.
Democratic congressional aides said Obama's planned speech to the nation on Tuesday and briefings that top members of Obama's national security team will give to the entire House on Monday would prove pivotal in the thinking of many lawmakers.
But Republican Representative Justin Amash, who opposes U.S. intervention in Syria, suggested classified briefings would make no difference. "If Americans could read classified docs, they'd be even more against Syria action," he tweeted.
(Additional reporting by Susan Cornwell, Thomas Ferraro, Patricia Zengerle and Matt Spetalnick in Washington, Arshad Mohammed in Paris, and Philip Pullella in Vatican City, and Noreen O'Donnell in New York; Writing by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Alistair Bell and Peter Cooney)

Read More »

She's certainly not a teen queen anymore! Selena Gomez takes to the stage in London wearing racy leather hotpants

She’s performing two special dates in London over the weekend as she continues to promote her new album, but her raunchy outfit demanded as much attention as he music when she took to the stage at the revamped Hammersmith Apollo on Saturday night.
Indeed, Selena Gomez wowed fans at the venue when she opened her set in a pair of tight leather hotpants to perform tracks from current long-player Stars Dance.
The 21-year-old singer and actress teamed her skimpy bottoms with breezy white top and sheer tights, while the chunky gold chains around her neck gave the overall look a distinctly urban flourish.

Raunchy: Selena Gomez performs at the Hammersmith Apollo on Saturday night

Selena completed the look with a pair of mid-length black boots as she worked her way through the opening songs of a lively set that included hit single Come & Get It, Slow Down and Love Will Remember.

The young star recently jetted into the UK from Paris as she continues her Stars Dance world tour, making her announcement public with  tweet to her 17,000,000 Twitter followers on Saturday.
‘Hi London,’ she wrote, just hours before taking to the stage for the first of two sold-out shows in London. 

Growing up fast: Selena, 21, looks good in black hot-pants as she performs at the first of two sold out shows in London on Saturday night

Seeing stars: Selena Gomez is performing tracks from new album Stars Dance at the London shows, amongst them recent hit Come & Get it

All eyes on me: Selena stands out as she performs with her dancers on Saturday night

Away from music Selena has been promoting new film Getaway, in which she stars alongside Hollywood stars Ethan Hawke and Jon Voight.
Despite her best efforts the thriller has failed to make an impact at the box-office, with critics lining up to give it a mauling following its US release on August 30.
Speaking to the New York Daily News, Selena – whose last long-term relationship was with Justin Bieber – admits she finds it hard to ignore the constant rumours and speculation surrounding her private life. 

All grown up: Selena looks stunning as she performs at the Hammersmith Apollo

‘It does get to me,’ she said. ‘I'm a human and I feel those emotions of when people talk about you. It's never a good feeling ‘cause half the time it's just bull, it's not real.’
‘In the real world I'll drive my car to the grocery store and buy myself some food. In the media world it's like, 'Oohhh, I drive my car to go somewhere secretive.' It gets too clouded so I just have good people around me. I'm very picky,’ she admitted.
‘The hardest part (is) just trying to find someone that will just love the core person and not anything else around it.’

Come and get it: The singer performs an array of tracks from her latest album

Hard working girl: Selena has been on the road with her Stars Dance world tour

Here all night: Selena will be performing two shows in London this weekend

High spirits: The 21-year-old singer and actress is full of smiles as she takes to the stage in her leather hotpants

Pleased to be here: Selena Gomez performs on stage with her dancers

New look: The Hammersmith Apollo has been renamed the Eventim Apollo as part of a new multimillion pound investment

Grand: The interior of The Hammersmith Apollo, now known as The Eventim Apollo, which has taken it back to its 1930's Art Deco

Read More »

Miley Cyrus's Vogue cover CANCELLED by Anna Wintour following controversial VMA performance

Miley Cyrus’s crude dance at the MTV Video Music Awards has cost her the coveted cover slot on American Vogue.


The 20-year-old, right, was photographed for the December issue as editor-in-chief Anna Wintour had been eager to champion her as a new fashion icon.
But she soon changed her mind after witnessing the singer perform her overtly sexual routine in latex bra and knickers.

Kicked off: Miley Cyrus had already shot the images for the December issue of Vogue, but when editor-in-chief Anna Wintour saw her VMA performance, she was swiftly removed from the future magazine cover

Controversial: Miley Cyrus' raunchy performance at the MTV Video Music Awards send the internet into a frenzy

‘Anna found the whole thing distasteful,’ a source says. ‘She decided, based on Miley’s performance, to take the cover in a different direction.’
 
Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville turned down the role of Paul Burrell in the new Diana film – because he detests being mistaken for the former Royal butler in real life.
Hugh, 49, the Earl of Grantham in  the hit ITV series, was offered the part opposite Naomi Watts.
Bonneville has been chased by paparazzi who mistake him for the butler, and once angrily shouted in public: ‘I’m not f***ing Paul Burrell.’
The part went to Vanity Fair star Douglas Hodge.

Who cares? Miley certainly didn't seem bothered on Saturday, tweeting a picture of herself in a skimpy top and declaring '#TomFord #vintagechanel #breakinouttheLoubz #germany'

Indie star Miles finds a new support act

Love for Laura: Laura Whitmore had backing from her new boyfriend at a recent DJ gig

TV presenter Laura Whitmore is dating mop-haired indie musician Miles Kane.
He turned up to support Laura, right, when she DJ’d at the launch of Professor Green’s new nightclub INK last week.
The pair have been keeping their romance quiet but Miles, 27, frontman for band The Last Shadow Puppets, confirmed: ‘Yes, we are close.’
His last relationship with model Suki Waterhouse ended in February.
Irish star Laura, 28, has previously been linked with  David Gandy.
My spy at the Leicester Square event said: ‘Miles told people he was there “to support his friends” but his only friend was Laura.’

Now Mitch causes a hitch to Amy statue

The unveiling of a memorial statue of Amy Winehouse has been delayed – because the late singer’s father Mitch doesn’t like it.
The bronze, by artist Scott Eaton, was due to be presented next week at the Roundhouse in Camden, North London, close to where Amy lived, but the sculptor has been told to redo it. The ceremony has been put off until next year.
‘Mitch wants it to be just right and he doesn’t want anything to go up that he’s not completely satisfied with,’ said Amy’s former boyfriend Reg Traviss, 36.
‘But obviously it’s never going to look exactly like her.’
Amy died aged 27 from alcohol poisoning in July 2011.

Read More »