'Latin sex god' Matt Baker tears up the Strictly dancefloor... but Paul Daniels is simply 'tragic'

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By LIZZIE SMITH

Unexpected star: 'Latin sex god' Matt Baker smiles after his winning performance of the cha cha cha on Strictly Come Dancing


Matt Baker's TV appearances typically involve him tucking a wriggling sheep under his muscly arm as he broadcasts from a muddy field.

So it's hard to believe that underneath the Countryfile presenter's down-to-earth, friendly persona, he has the moves of a 'Latin sex god', as a visibly thrilled Tess Daly put it.

The 32-year-old, best known for his years as a Blue Peter presenter, unexpectedly stole the show on the first night of Strictly Come Dancing.


Countryfile on Strictly: There was a nod to Matt's day job in the wellies and grass patch


But not everyone did as well, with veteran magician Paul Daniels labelled 'tragic' as he scored the lowest mark of the night - just 16 out of 40.

But for Baker, it was straight to the top of the leader board with 31 points.
Dancing the cha cha cha with partner Aliona Vilani, the father-of-two tore up the dance floor, his hips shaking and twisting as he mastered every step.


Failed to impress: Paul Daniels was labelled as 'tragic' for his efforts


Baker's background as a former gymnast obviously helped, leaving the judges understandably pleased.

'You sir are one to watch,' said Craig Revel-Horwood, the normally mean-mouthed judge.

Head judge Len Goodman was, for once, in agreement: 'Best cha cha of the night, so good.'

And former winner Alesha Dixon told him: ' I was so impressed, and pleasantly surprised.'

While Bruno Tolioni could barely contain his excitement: 'This year is going to be a classic. What I've seen tonight for first night is amazing, well done.'


Modest: But Baker admitted he did have some tricks up his sleeve


Asked by Tess if he had any more tricks hidden up his sleeves, a modest Baker told her: 'There's a few bits and pieces.'

Tess gasped: 'Latin sex god, tearing up the floor and now he's Matt Baker again.
'He just wanted to get through it, he says!'

Equalling Baker on the leaderboard was Not The Nine O'Clock News' Pamela Stephenson.
Her dance partner James Jordan had an uphill battle, flying to New York to rehearse with Pamela, 60.

His task was made all the more challenging by her Scottish comedian husband Billy Connolly, who sat unsmiling watching the rehearsals.



'Dreamy and romantic': Equaling Baker on the leaderboard was Not The Nine O'Clock News' Pamela Stephenson


According to Pamela Connolly has warned off Jordan, worried that his wife might fall for his charms.

But Pamela has no hesitation as she waltzed onto the dance floor, in a bright blue floor-length gown.


No hesitation: Alesha told her: 'Breath-taking Pamela, absolutely breath-taking. You have such a beautiful energy about you'


Alesha told her: 'Breath-taking Pamela, absolutely breath-taking. You have such a beautiful energy about you.'

Bruno agreed. 'Graceful, fluid, your arm placements for week one, I don't think I've ever seen them so good.'

And the one that matters, Craig, had only words of praise: 'Dreamy romantic, absolutely perfect.'


Keeping a close eye on things: Billy Connolly is supervising his wife's rehersals


Len added: 'You can't win Strictly Come Dancing in week one, what you can do is make a fantastic impression on absolutely everyone.'

As the first dancers of this year's series, Felicty Kendall and Vincent Simone had a daunting task.

But their cha cha cha was clean and perky, or at least three of the judges thought so.

Len told the Good Life star: 'I've gotta say there's more tension in this room than there was in my nan's knicker elastic.

'But you're come out here with confidence. Unfortunately we didn't see enough hips from you, it was just a little bit careful.'


I loved it! Felicity Kendall talks to Tess Daly after her opening dance


Sex kitten: Alesha enthused about Felicity's sunshine yellow dress


Alesha enthused about 64-year-old Felicity's sunshine yellow flowing dress.
'Felicity you look beautiful,' she told her. 'I thought you had just the right amount of sex kitten.'

Bruno was more considered. 'You did all the steps on time, yes you could push the hips a little bit more. I feel your just getting warmed up.'

But predictably one man was unimpressed.

'For me very flat,' said Craig.

But it wasn't all bad news. 'I did like the storytelling and actually the cleanliness of the routine I thought was spot on.'

Felicity admitted it was hard work. 'I couldn't watch the others first, but I loved it.'


Getting down: Scott Maslen from EastEnders performed a VERY raunchy waltz


Scott Maslen from EastEnders followed her onto the dance floor, with a very raunchy waltz.

'If that's a waltz, I'm dreading the rumba,' said a slightly shocked Len. 'Very well done.'

Alesha clarified: 'Len is right, traditionally the waltz is romantic. But I actually liked the sexed up version.

'It was hot, it was spicy. I think you've set a very good standard for next week.'
Bruno added: 'Strong, dramatic romantic, a frisson of sexuality running through it. God knows what you're going to do with the rumba.'


Not so natural on the dancefloor was DJ Goldie, who danced to Kesha's Tik Tok


Craig wasn't impressed by Scott's hands, saying he 'looked like a puppet.'
But he told him: 'You made the waltz dangerously romantic.'

Not so natural on the dancefloor was DJ Goldie, who danced to Kesha's Tik Tok.
Craig seemed slightly shocked by the performance.


'Arm placement was extremely dodgy throughout,' he told him. 'That ghastly 80s move has to go, two-year-olds do that darling.'

Len agreed. 'You're hardly a shrinking violet. You've got great rhythm, It was a little bit overladen with those ripply moves.

'But I would say the cha cha's about having fun and that's what you did.'
Patsy Kensit admitted she was scared about taking part in Strictly.

'It's been a bit of a crummy year for me,' she told the camera, referring to the failure of her short-lived fourth marriage.

'My confidence? I lost it totally. This has just been brilliant for me.'
But her waltz did not go without incident, after she stumbled at the start.

'No way, gosh, I'm so sorry Robin, it's my fault entirely,' she said.


Patsy Kensit admitted she was scared about taking part in Strictly


But her dance partner tried to calm her nerves.

'Patsy did amazing, she's been working so hard and she's given 110% and that's all i can ask from her,' he told her.

Len told her to work on her confidence, while Alesha had words of encouragement.
'I think you looked absolutely beautiful. The waltz is one of the hardest dances you can do on the first night.

'As Len said, just go away, keep your confidence and you'll be fine.'
Finishing up the show was magician Paul Daniels.

He proved he still had the ability to entertain, parodying his background by revealing his dance partner from an empty box.

But |Craig told him: 'The best part of that routine was the empty box, I'm afraid.'


That's magic: In a gimmicky start to his dance Paul did a magic trick...


... revealing his dance partner inside an apparently empty box


And Bruno joked about the choice of music - Could It Be Magic.

'You've got the wrong song, its hould be Could It Be Tragic,' he told him, to boos.
Len, however, did his best to end the show on a high note, telling him: 'It was as though you'd been sprinkled with fairy dust, It was light, it was dainty.'

And Alesha added: 'Well done for coming out and giving it a go. And you know what? Bring on next week.'


You're gonna like this... not a lot: Paul was comforted by his dancing partner


Viewers will get the chance to vote for their favourite celebrity after the final seven have made their debut on next week's show


source : dailymail

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'Delusional' husband tried to force David Beckham's car off the road after falsely claiming wife had an affair with footballer

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By LIZZIE SMITH

Dressalikes: Victoria Beckham and Shery Shabhani in their shades


DAVID Beckham has been named in a court case over claims of an affair with a married mother of two.

The 35-year-old footballer was forced last night to deny having an illicit fling with Shery Shabani, a Hollywood jeweller to the stars.

Mrs Shabani, 33, said she was accused by her ‘jealous and ‘delusional’ husband Kambiz of having an affair with Beckham, whose three sons attend the same school as her own son and daughter.

She claimed Beckham had told her that Mr Shabani, a 42-year-old lawyer, had tried to run the star off the road in his car outside the school in May.

She also alleged that her husband told police officers that she had slept with the former England captain after she called them out to a domestic dispute.

Beckham, who plays for LA Galaxy, was pictured wearing the exotic brunette’s ‘stackable’ onyx bracelets while shopping in June.

She in turn favours similar sunglasses and accessories to those used by Beckham’s wife Victoria.

A friend of the Beckhams said they were ‘acquaintances’ of Mrs Shabani as their children attend the same exclusive £14,000-a-year Hollywood school. Beckham is often seen on the school run with their three sons Brooklyn, 11, Romeo, eight, and five year-old Cruz.


Shery Shabaniher alleges her 'delusional' husband Kambiz became fixated on the idea that she was having an affair with David Beckham


The seedy accusations surfaced yesterday as part of Mrs Shabani’s application for a restraining order against her husband of 12 years. She is also seeking a divorce.

They come ten days after prostitute Irina Nici claimed she had slept with Beckham seven times. He is suing Miss Nici for nearly £16million in damages. A spokesman for Beckham told the Daily Mail last night: ‘As with another recent story, this is another tale full of fantasy.’

And a friend insisted: ‘This is becoming a clear case of victimisation’, adding that Beckham was ‘not aware’ of Mrs Shabani’s claim that he told her of the incident on the road.


Jewellery designer Mrs Shabaniher is friends with the Beckhams, who are among the celebrities to have worn her designs


‘It’s a very odd situation. Obviously, David’s not complicit in this at all – and he’s only learned of it today. This is all false and there’s absolutely no suggestion that there is any truth in the husband’s claims of an affair between David and the woman. It’s all a bit bizarre to be honest.’

Mrs Shabani denies any affair in the court documents. As part of the restraining order application, she told a court that her husband raged at her: ‘I know why you’re upset, it’s your birthday and you didn’t get a text message from David Beckham!
‘Why don’t you ask him to send you a picture of his c**k for your birthday you whore!’
The documents were filed by Mrs Shabani on August 19 at Los Angeles County Superior Court, where she was granted the restraining order against her husband.

She wrote: ‘Beginning in 2010, Respondant [Mr Shabani]accused me of having an affair with Beckham, often in front of our children.

‘I have repeatedly told him that his accusation is untrue. In fact, Respondent’s ongoing allegations regarding Mr Beckham are part and parcel of Respondent’s delusional thought processes.’

‘Although Mr Beckham’s children go to the same school as our children,
Respondent’s allegations are untrue.

‘In May 2010, Mr Beckham told me that Respondent had gone to our children’s school and tried to drive Mr Beckham’s car off the road. Mr Beckham told me that Respondent [Mr Shabani] had gone to our children's schpp; and tried to drive Mr Beckham's car off the road. Mr Beckham further advised me that his car had almost crashed as a result.
’
She said it was on July 7 that, in front of their children, her husband accused her of being upset at not receiving a message from Beckham.


Court documents that have been submitted in the divorce case


Finally, she said that on August 17 – the night Mr and Mrs Shabani separated – her husband claimed to police officers called to the house that ‘I had ‘f***ed David Beckham’.

Among the reasons she cited for why she should be allowed a restraining
order, Mrs Shabani said the Respondent ‘falsely accused the Petitioner [Mrs Shabani] of having an extra-marital affair with a celebrity’.

Mrs Shabani started her business in 2003 and on her website, it states: ‘Shery’s pieces are favourites among the Hollywood elite, gracing the necks and wrists of A-list celebrities like Vanessa Williams and Heidi Klum.’

She told the U.S website RadarOnline
yesterday that her estranged husband’s claims of her alleged affair with Beckham were ‘absolutely not true’, adding: ‘This is a really nasty divorce, it was a domestic violence situation.

‘David Beckham is a nice guy. There is no relationship, nothing. This has nothing to do with David, this is my husband’s craziness.’


source: dailymail

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Wow Factor: There's no disguising Cheryl Cole as she arrives for book signing in tight camouflage trousers

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By MAIL ONLINE SHOWBIZ REPORTER


Attention!: Cheryl Cole looks radiant in khaki satin shirt, camouflage-style print skinny jeans and high-heeled sandals as she arrives at her book signing today at Waterstones in London's Piccadilly


She might be wearing camouflage trousers - but there's no way Cheryl Cole was ever going to blend in with the crowds when she arrived at her book signing earlier today.

The glowing star rocked up to Waterstones flagship bookstore in London's Piccadilly to meet her fans and inscribe the fly leaf of her first book - Through My Eyes.

And the X Factor judge certainly had the 'Wow Factor' in her tight khaki trews, glossy chestnut hair, shiny caramel satin shirt and metallic strappy sandals.


Cheryl curl: The star looked fully-recovered from her bout of malaria with glowing skin and glossy hair


Pen to paper: Cheryl was launching her autobiography Through My Eyes by singing copies for fans


There to greet her were dozens of screaming fans, many of whom had queued overnight for a chance to glimpse the star.

Dedicated fans staked their pitch at around 4pm yesterday to camp out, but kept their spirits high through the chilly temperatures by singing some of the pop star’s hits.


Gissa cuddle, pet: Cheryl hugs a fan who's queued up to get her book signed


Die-hard fans: Cheryl Cole followers started camping 21 hours before she arrived



The morning after: Following their night on the street, the fans woke up still excited for their meeting


Some admitted to photographers that they had skipped school for the event, without telling their parents, while others had even travelled from as far as Scotland to meet the X Factor judge.

And the happy campers made sure to keep warm last night in I Love Cheryl Cole shirts and their sleeping bags.

While one even wore a Cheryl Cole face mask while holding on tightly to the highly anticipated autobiography.


Happy Campers: A queue of fans tucked into their sleeping bags for a long cold night ahead


Passing time: The fans played cards and had a few drinks to wait for Cheryl to arrive


During the night, they passed the time by playing cards, having a few drinks and snacking on McDonald’s takeaways.

The 27-year-old Parachute singer is signing her autobiography as it hits shelves around the country.

Her book reveals how she’s slowly finding her feet as a solo artist after moving on from Girls Aloud and addresses her friendship with Derek Hough.

Tight security was surrounding Waterstone’s in preparation for the star, after Leona Lewis was attacked at a similar event last October.

Cheryl’s security team has apparently been beefed up to prevent a repeat of last year's events.

The 25-year-old Bleeding Love star was allegedly punched in the side of her head while she was signing autographs in the store.

But any worries didn't stop Cheryl getting up close and personal with fans, and gave a few a cuddle.


Not long now: The fans continued waiting this morning for their idol


Long line: The long queue means Cheryl will have a long afternoon signing for fans


Long night: The campers battled the rain and cold weather all night



source :dailymail
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Water torture: US make late charge as rain delay wrecks Monty's game plan

By DEREK LAWRENSON


Brolly poor show: Europe captain Colin Montgomerie struggles to hold on as he battles the elements


Weather chaos at the Ryder Cup has forced the first format change in more than 40 years in a bid to avoid a dreaded Monday finish.

More than seven hours of play were lost due to incessant rain at Celtic Manor yesterday and organisers have decided to reduce the number of series played from five to four.


Although the Ryder Cup will still be decided over 28 points, the change means that every player is now guarenteed at least three matches. Once the first series of four fourballs are completed this morning, six foursomes will be played, followed by two foursomes and four fourballs

Weather permitting, it is hoped the competition will be back on schedule by mid-morning tomorrow and the 12 singles can go ahead as planned.

After seeing his side finish the day down in two matches and ahead in only one, Monty backed his players to use the new format to their advantage.

'Given the strength of my side I found it very difficult having to leave four players out anyway, so I'm happy with the change,' he said.


Rain, rain, go away: The 18th fairway is criss-crossed with tracks of water


It would have been even worse for Europe had Ian Poulter not holed a monster putt on the 10th hole as darkness fell, so that he and Ross Fisher finished their match against Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker all square with eight to play.

'What a roar went up when that putt went in but that's Ian for you, he's given us a huge boost and hopefully a bit of that will carry over into the morning,' said Monty.

The Americans had been down in three matches and up in one when play was stopped for seven hours at 9.45am. Their spirited fightback took the heat off what had happened earlier, when they were reduced to a laughing stock.

Two hours' play in the morning rain was enough for the visitors to discover their waterproofs didn't repel water and their golf bags leaked.


Standing room only: The flooded spectator area of the 18th fairway after heavy rainfall


Embarrassed PGA of America officials were forced to go to the merchandise tent and buy proper waterproof gear for 24 players and caddies at £350 each.

Paul Azinger, US captain last time, labelled it a 'disaster' but at least accident-prone American skipper Corey Pavin, who forgot to mention Stewart Cink when introducing his team to the crowd at the opening ceremony on Thursday, could not be blamed.

This time it was his colourful wife Lisa, referred to as the captainess by her husband, who was presumably culpable, since she was in charge of the team's wardrobe..


Water tight: Monty and Poulter










source: dailymail

Ryder Cup washout as play is suspended after rain leaves course waterlogged

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Damp: Europe's Martin Kaymer on the third hole during the opening round of the Ryder Cup in Newport


The huge build-up has seen the players serenaded by Katherine Jenkins and enjoy the company of royalty, but Britain's good old-fashioned weather put a stop to the Ryder Cup this morning.

Torrential rain left the manicured greens at Celtic Manor in South Wales drenched and play was halted after just two hours at 9.45am as the ground became utterly waterlogged.

Groundstaff had battled to keep the course playable as the world's finest golfers began to tee off but despite their best efforts, they had to troop back in before mid-morning.


Fruitless: Ground staff desperately try to clear water from the fairways at Celtic Manor


There was laughter amid the disappointment as Europe Ross Fisher's first tee shot ended with the ball caught in an umbrella - the first time ever it is thought to have happened in a top event.

The suspension will be a huge blow to the tens of thousands of fans who have flocked to the Welsh course to witness the clash between the cream of the golfing circuit.


Still smiling: Phil Mickelson's wife Amy (right) shelters under an umbrella


Wilting: Five men dressed as daffodils look less than sunny as they watch from the stands


Muffled up: U.S. captain Corey Pavin's wife Lisa and other WAGs gather in the rain


There was already standing water on the first fairway before the opening shots were struck at 7.45am and two more hours of rain left large puddles on the greens and the bunkers.

Tiger Woods was among the players to set out this morning but they all looked miserable as they huddled under umbrellas, heavily wrapped up in wet weather gear.

Europe captain Colin Montgomerie had rain pouring down his face as he tried to keep his team on track in the early stages of what is the most fascinating competition in golf's calendar.


Still stylish: Two U.S. wags on the fairway before play was suspended


Support: Corey Pavin's wife Lisa and Phil Mickelson's wife Amy both sported dark hats to keep the rain off


His deputy Darren Clarke said this morning: 'It's a tough call with all these people here and everyone watching but I think it's the right call. It's going to be a little while before we're back out here.'

Teammate Luke Donald added: 'If it was an ordinary event, we would not even have started. It's a shame but there is nothing we can do about it.

'Most of the fairways were all casual [under casual water] and if you had to drop it, it would be in the rough.'

Lee Westwood said: 'It's most disappointing for everyone associated with Celtric Manor and the people of Wales, They've been waiting 10 years and the weather has spoilt it a bit.'


Battling the conditions: Europe's Ross Fisher in action in the rain this morning


Caught: Ross Fisher reaches out to collect his ball after it got stuck in a spectator's umbrella


Covered up: Wags of the European players were top to toe in wet weather gear as they drover around


Gloomy: Grey skies darken the course as USA's Dustin Johnson hits the first ball


There seemed to be little prospect of a swift resumption in play with an announcement scheduled for noon, by which time it is hoped the fairways might have dried out slightly.


It could be the start of a very difficult weekend, with forecasters predicting rain for much of Britain throughout today and into Saturday and Sunday.

A Monday finish for the first time in the history of the contest has long been mooted, and European Tour chief referee John Paramor admitted it was part of a back-up plan.

He said: 'We do have some spare time on Sunday morning -a bout four hours as a back-up, and we do have Monday as a contingency.'

'The forecast is for the rain finishing early afternoon and we feel at midday we will have a better idea of when that rain will be through.

'This morning was pretty rough but all the players were keen to get going, so we did. It deteriorated to such an extent that I contacted both captains and said 'What do you think?'

'They both said 'It's your call' and I said I was not happy about continuing play. It had deteriorated to such an extent that it was not really fair.'


Soggy: Europe captain Colin Montgomerie is literally dripping with rain (left) and taking cover (right)


No let-up: Montgomerie gazes at the skies as rain pummels down during the first fourball


It never rains...: Tiger Woods looks dejected as he takes cover under an umbrella


In early play, Westwood and German Martin Kaymer were in the first group of fourballs and reached the fifth hole before play was suspended.


Taking a break: Paddy Harrington relaxing in the changing room


They pulled ahead of veteran Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, as did Northern Irish pair Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.

Tiger Woods, playing in the third group, made it to the third hole with Steve Stricker. They are facing colourful dresser Ian Poulter and rookie Ross Fisher.

Fourth pairing Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington are taking on U.S. newcomers Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson.

Europe are 8/13 favourites to win back the trophy they lost at Valhalla two years ago and stormed into an early lead thanks to Colin Montgomerie's early heavyweights.
Montgomerie is desperate to clinch a win for Europe after defeat in Louisville under Nick Faldo's leadership two years ago.

For the man who has an unbeaten record in singles matches for eight appearances in the Ryder Cup, it is hoped he can inspire Europe to similar heights - if the weather breaks, of course...


Early pacesetter: Europe's Graeme McDowell celebrates going one up in the fourth in the rain


Montgomerie actually warned about holding the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor at this time of year, two years ago.

When fog held up the start of the Welsh Open at the same spot in 2008, he said: 'There's a river here and the temperature between rivers and land causes fog. There could be delays here.

'We have a problem obviously here and we just pray that Him upstairs is good to us.'
Asked whether the match should last four days and start on a Thursday, he said: 'I think everybody benefits. It's an extra day of advertising, an extra day of television.

'It would make sense really when you think about it. I think it's almost got to that stage where two rounds a day, we all seem to be rushing around, packing it in, for what reason, really?

'I've been running around changing rooms in Ryder Cups and trying to get new clothes and stuff and socks and shoes after I've been soaked in the morning and having to do it again in the afternoon. For what reason?'

The 2006 match in Ireland had some torrential rain, but it never suspended play.
'We risked it in Ireland,' Montgomerie said. 'I was with (chief referee) John Paramor first out and he said 'this is 10 minutes away from stopping'.'

The last time a match was badly affected was Valderrama in 1997, but it still managed to finish on Sunday evening - just as the heavens opened again.

The 1983 Ryder Cup was in mid-October, but that was Florida. You have to go back to 1965 at Royal Birkdale for the last match to be in October on this side of the Atlantic.






source: dailymail
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