Abby Brammell

By SARAH BULL

Last to know: Nicole Scherzinger admitted to Graham Norton that she only found out she was replacing Cheryl Cole on X Factor USA when she read the papers


The ongoing X Factor saga has kept fans riveted with constant changes in the judging panels both in the UK and Stateside.

But now Nicole Scherzinger has revealed she only found out she would be replacing Cheryl Cole on panel of the U.S. show when she read it in the newspaper.

Recording an interview on The Graham Norton Show, which airs on Friday, Nicole said: 'I haven’t said this yet, but I think it’s official that I have been made a judge. It's an amazing opportunity.


Stunning: Nicole wore a tribal-print minidress as she performed her new single on the show


'I’m kind of finding out (what’s happening) along with everyone else. It’s kind of crazy to read about it in the newspaper first.'

However, Nicole said she is looking forward to working with music mogul Simon Cowell on the programme.

She told Norton: 'He is someone you can learn a lot from. But when we are in that room it’s all about the music and the talent and I focus on the contestants, its what I am really passionate about.'


New role: It was a quick pit stop for Nicole, who begins her X Factor duties in New Jersey on Wednesday


Show bosses officially announced yesterday that Nicole will indeed be replacing Cheryl, and will start her new role at the New Jersey auditions on Wednesday.

It emerged over the weekend that Cole had been invited to return to her role after being fired a fortnight ago, but the 27-year-old has snubbed the offer, leaving the Pussycat Doll free to take her place.

Fox, FremantleMedia North America and Syco TV released a statement on Monday afternoon announcing the news.


Famous friends: Also appearing on the show were Tom Hanks and Simon Pegg


What's that you said? Nicole gasps at one of Norton's famously close-to-the-mark jokes


Finally confirmed: X Factor officially confirmed on Monday that Nicole IS replacing Cheryl on the judging panel


Thanks but no thanks: Cheryl turned down Fox's offer to return to the U.S. version


The Graham Norton Show airs on BBC One this Friday at 10.35pm.

source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Happy Birthday to me! Jessica Alba's daughter celebrated her third birthday by dressing up as a princess for the day in New York


She is one of the most popular celebrity offsprings in the world, so it was quite fitting that Jessica Alba's daughter Honor celebrated her third birthday by dressing up as a princess for the day.

Accompanied by her mother, the three-year-old was spotted in the regal attire as they ventured out in Manhattan today.

She wore a badge on the front of the costume which said 'Birthday Girl' and clutched a toy doll.


Cute: Honor wore a badge on the front of the costume which said 'Birthday Girl' and clutched a toy doll


Jessica, 30, was beaming as she proudly held her daughter's hand.

The actress, who is expecting another child this year, dressed casual and comfortable in head-to-toe black.

Her growing baby bump was clearly visible in a fitted tank top, paired with a sheer striped cardigan and high-waisted trousers.

Jessica accessorised with some chic strappy wedges, a beaded necklace and her obligatory Ray-Ban sunglasses.

Jessica's husband and Honor's father, Cash Warren was clearly absent from the outing today.


Proud mother: Pregnant Jessica proudly held onto her daughters hand


Last night Jessica attended the CFDA Style Awards in an orange and purple gown reminiscent of the outfit Cheryl Cole wore for the very first US X Factor auditions last month.

Even though she looked pretty in the gown, the flowing Diane Von Furtstenberg frock featuring a coral top with lilac billowing skirt, evoked memories of Cheryl's now infamous colour-blocking faux pas.

But rather than offend with a back-combed bouffant, Jessica wore her hair slicked back in a simple chignon up-do exposing some oversized earrings.


Taking tips? Jessica stepped out in an orange and purple gown at the CFDA Fashion Awards last night, which was reminiscent of the outfit Cheryl wore for the very first US X Factor auditions, last month


A source within the production team told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Obviously Cheryl is a gorgeous woman, but she turned up to the first day’s filming of The X Factor looking a bit weird in purple flares.

Everyone was talking about how she looked - but for all the wrong reasons.'

Meanwhile, Jessica has collaborated with International luxury jewellery and watchmaker Piaget.

The actress is the new face of the company's Possession range.

The new campaign was shot by renowned fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier.

The Possession collection is said to 'represents a bond, an official or secret story of love or friendship.'

The 20th anniversary range is available in white or yellow gold, paved with diamonds or left nude.




source :dailymail

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

Fancy footwear: Suri Cruise, pictured in $110 Ugg boots (left) in March and purple satin heels (right) later that day, has a shoe collection believed to be worth over $150,000


She has always displayed a strong sartorial instinct, and has been wearing heels since the age of three. Now, it appears that in just a few short years Suri Cruise has acquired quite the shoe collection.

The five-year-old daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes has $150,000 worth of footwear in her closet, according to news reports published today.

And you'd be unlikely to spot any Stride-Rite among the young fashionista's array, as sources claim she already has a taste for high-end labels such as Christian Louboutin and Marc Jacobs.


Sartorial instincts: Suri is regularly seen in heels, despite her tender age, and her mother is even believed to have commissioned bespoke pairs for the five-year-old from her favourite designer labels


They say Ms Holmes, 32, has even been getting her favourite designers to custom-make shoes for Suri, to accommodate her little one's penchant for heels.

A source told Star magazine: 'Suri has so many designer shoes.

'She’s a massive fan of Marc Jacobs and she’s had several shoes custom-made, so if they didn’t come with a heel, Katie had them redesigned for Suri. She commissioned a pair of Louboutins for her a while back!'

They added that Suri is insistent in her fashion choices, turning to tears if she doesn't get her way


Flat out: Despite her precocious penchant for heels, Suri also has an impressive array of ballerina flats, including designs by Marc Jacobs (left), and is almost never seen in the same pair twice


But $150,000 on shoes is small fry compared with the rest of the youngster's wardrobe, which is believed to have a value of $3.2million.

She has been spotted out in a $2,140 Dolce & Gabbana trench coat, and last year she was spotted with an $800 miniature version of her mother's Ferragamo bag.

Last month Suri even came 21st in a list of Glamour magazine readers' style icons, beating Lady Gaga and Sarah Jessica Parker in ranking.


source: dailymail

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

Fancy footwear: Suri Cruise, pictured in $110 Ugg boots (left) in March and purple satin heels (right) later that day, has a shoe collection believed to be worth over $150,000


She has always displayed a strong sartorial instinct, and has been wearing heels since the age of three. Now, it appears that in just a few short years Suri Cruise has acquired quite the shoe collection.

The five-year-old daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes has $150,000 worth of footwear in her closet, according to news reports published today.

And you'd be unlikely to spot any Stride-Rite among the young fashionista's array, as sources claim she already has a taste for high-end labels such as Christian Louboutin and Marc Jacobs.


Sartorial instincts: Suri is regularly seen in heels, despite her tender age, and her mother is even believed to have commissioned bespoke pairs for the five-year-old from her favourite designer labels


They say Ms Holmes, 32, has even been getting her favourite designers to custom-make shoes for Suri, to accommodate her little one's penchant for heels.

A source told Star magazine: 'Suri has so many designer shoes.

'She’s a massive fan of Marc Jacobs and she’s had several shoes custom-made, so if they didn’t come with a heel, Katie had them redesigned for Suri. She commissioned a pair of Louboutins for her a while back!'

They added that Suri is insistent in her fashion choices, turning to tears if she doesn't get her way


Flat out: Despite her precocious penchant for heels, Suri also has an impressive array of ballerina flats, including designs by Marc Jacobs (left), and is almost never seen in the same pair twice


But $150,000 on shoes is small fry compared with the rest of the youngster's wardrobe, which is believed to have a value of $3.2million.

She has been spotted out in a $2,140 Dolce & Gabbana trench coat, and last year she was spotted with an $800 miniature version of her mother's Ferragamo bag.

Last month Suri even came 21st in a list of Glamour magazine readers' style icons, beating Lady Gaga and Sarah Jessica Parker in ranking.


source: dailymail

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

Fancy footwear: Suri Cruise, pictured in $110 Ugg boots (left) in March and purple satin heels (right) later that day, has a shoe collection believed to be worth over $150,000


She has always displayed a strong sartorial instinct, and has been wearing heels since the age of three. Now, it appears that in just a few short years Suri Cruise has acquired quite the shoe collection.

The five-year-old daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes has $150,000 worth of footwear in her closet, according to news reports published today.

And you'd be unlikely to spot any Stride-Rite among the young fashionista's array, as sources claim she already has a taste for high-end labels such as Christian Louboutin and Marc Jacobs.


Sartorial instincts: Suri is regularly seen in heels, despite her tender age, and her mother is even believed to have commissioned bespoke pairs for the five-year-old from her favourite designer labels


They say Ms Holmes, 32, has even been getting her favourite designers to custom-make shoes for Suri, to accommodate her little one's penchant for heels.

A source told Star magazine: 'Suri has so many designer shoes.

'She’s a massive fan of Marc Jacobs and she’s had several shoes custom-made, so if they didn’t come with a heel, Katie had them redesigned for Suri. She commissioned a pair of Louboutins for her a while back!'

They added that Suri is insistent in her fashion choices, turning to tears if she doesn't get her way


Flat out: Despite her precocious penchant for heels, Suri also has an impressive array of ballerina flats, including designs by Marc Jacobs (left), and is almost never seen in the same pair twice


But $150,000 on shoes is small fry compared with the rest of the youngster's wardrobe, which is believed to have a value of $3.2million.

She has been spotted out in a $2,140 Dolce & Gabbana trench coat, and last year she was spotted with an $800 miniature version of her mother's Ferragamo bag.

Last month Suri even came 21st in a list of Glamour magazine readers' style icons, beating Lady Gaga and Sarah Jessica Parker in ranking.


source: dailymail

By SARAH BULL

Romantic rendezvous: Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley giggle as they enjoy a romantic holiday in Las Vegas


They may have been dating for nearly two years, but it seems Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard are still very much in the honeymoon period of their relationship.

The couple were pictured kissing and cuddling as they enjoyed a romantic holiday in Las Vegas earlier this week.

Christine, who showed off her slender figure in a blue and white polka dot bikini, couldn't resist pulling her Chelsea midfielder for a series of kisses as they basked in the sunshine before taking a dip in the hotel pool.


Pucker up: The couple's love for each other was clear as they kissed and cuddled in the hotel pool


And the feeling was most definitely mutual, as Frank cheekily kept grabbing his girlfriend's pert posterior as they relaxed at their hotel.

It was reported last month that Frank is apparently to be planning a romantic proposal on board one of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's luxury yachts.

Father-of-two Lampard, 32, is preparing to get down on one knee in Sardinia next week and ask for Bleakley's hand in marriage.


Bikini babe: Christine showed off her slender figure in a navy blue and white polka dot bikini


Come here for another smooch: Christine pulls in Frank for another romantic clinch as they relax on the sunloungers at their hotel


A source said: 'Frank intends to propose in the most romantic way possible. He's got it all planned out. He will spent most of June away with Christine and by the time he and Christine are back in London, they will be engaged.

Sardinia holds a special place for the couple because it's where they enjoyed their first proper holiday as couple last July after England crashed out of the World Cup.

In an interview with the Mail earlier this month, Christine, 32, downplayed any speculation about getting married, despite admitting how happy she was with her footballer beau.


Cheeky! Frank couldn't resist grabbing his girlfriend's pert posterior as they basked in the Las Vegas sunshine


She said: 'People keep asking when he’s going to ask me to marry him. But I’m the last person who should know that.

'We went to Paris for two days a few weeks ago and suddenly it was, "Look, they’re ring shopping." No, we weren’t and he certainly hasn’t asked.

‘We’ve only been seeing each other a year and a half, which isn’t long enough for me. There are his children to think about, too.

'I can’t imagine not being with Frank, and I’d like to enjoy being married to him for a while before having children. Frank would have more tomorrow, but he knows I’m not ready for it.’


source: dailymail

By SARAH BULL

Romantic rendezvous: Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley giggle as they enjoy a romantic holiday in Las Vegas


They may have been dating for nearly two years, but it seems Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard are still very much in the honeymoon period of their relationship.

The couple were pictured kissing and cuddling as they enjoyed a romantic holiday in Las Vegas earlier this week.

Christine, who showed off her slender figure in a blue and white polka dot bikini, couldn't resist pulling her Chelsea midfielder for a series of kisses as they basked in the sunshine before taking a dip in the hotel pool.


Pucker up: The couple's love for each other was clear as they kissed and cuddled in the hotel pool


And the feeling was most definitely mutual, as Frank cheekily kept grabbing his girlfriend's pert posterior as they relaxed at their hotel.

It was reported last month that Frank is apparently to be planning a romantic proposal on board one of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's luxury yachts.

Father-of-two Lampard, 32, is preparing to get down on one knee in Sardinia next week and ask for Bleakley's hand in marriage.


Bikini babe: Christine showed off her slender figure in a navy blue and white polka dot bikini


Come here for another smooch: Christine pulls in Frank for another romantic clinch as they relax on the sunloungers at their hotel


A source said: 'Frank intends to propose in the most romantic way possible. He's got it all planned out. He will spent most of June away with Christine and by the time he and Christine are back in London, they will be engaged.

Sardinia holds a special place for the couple because it's where they enjoyed their first proper holiday as couple last July after England crashed out of the World Cup.

In an interview with the Mail earlier this month, Christine, 32, downplayed any speculation about getting married, despite admitting how happy she was with her footballer beau.


Cheeky! Frank couldn't resist grabbing his girlfriend's pert posterior as they basked in the Las Vegas sunshine


She said: 'People keep asking when he’s going to ask me to marry him. But I’m the last person who should know that.

'We went to Paris for two days a few weeks ago and suddenly it was, "Look, they’re ring shopping." No, we weren’t and he certainly hasn’t asked.

‘We’ve only been seeing each other a year and a half, which isn’t long enough for me. There are his children to think about, too.

'I can’t imagine not being with Frank, and I’d like to enjoy being married to him for a while before having children. Frank would have more tomorrow, but he knows I’m not ready for it.’


source: dailymail

By SARAH BULL

Cuddling up: The Only Way Is Essex stars Sam Faiers and Joey Essex cuddled up as they enjoyed the sunshine at Thorpe Park in Surrey today


They first sparked rumours they had secretly got engaged earlier this month when Sam Faiers stepped out wearing a diamond solitaire on her ring finger.

But the The Only Way Is Essex star and her co-star boyfriend Joey Essex are still refusing to either confirm or deny the report, despite Sam flashing her new jewel at every opportunity.

The couple were seen cuddling up as they enjoyed the rides at the Thorpe Park theme park in Surrey today along with Sam's two young cousins.


Summer style: Sam looked slender in a vest top and maxi skirt, while Joey stuck to his favourite grey tracksuit and flip flops


However, perhaps the pair should have rethought their outfit options for the day out, as both of the reality stars struggled in their summer chic clothes.

While Sam's maxi skirt got in the way as she made her way around the hair-raising rides, Joey's flip-flops also proved troublesome.

But their problematic outfits didn't stop the pair thoroughly enjoying themselves on the rides,with Sam tweeting her fans this afternoon: 'At Thorpe park! With Joey and my 2cousins! All rides soo good :-) Wohoo!'


I'll race you! Sam and Joey compete on the Depth Surge four-lane water slide


Picture perfect: Joey ensured his hair was still looking 'reem' ahead of the start of the ride, while Sam just looked relieved when she got to the bottom


There was no mention from Sam on Twitter however about her ring.

Joey added on his Twitter page: 'On way to Thorpe Park with @SamanthaFaiers . Harvey & George!!! Can't wait to get on these rides!!! Exciteddd maannnnn.'

The pair took on rides including the scary Depth Charge, a four-lane super slide, with Joey pausing at the top of the slide only to ensure his hair was still looking 'reem'.


Flying high: The couple were also accompanied by Sam's two young cousins, who looked to be having a good time


Having fun: Sam shrieked with laughter on one of the rides, but perhaps a maxi skirt wasn't the best option


It has been an exciting few weeks for the TOWIE pair, following a trip to Marbella and an exciting win at the BAFTA Television Awards.

But the date of the awards, at which the programme took home the YouTube Audience prize, proved a problem for Sam, who was planning to go to Marbella with co-stars including Amy Childs.

Sam told MailOnline that she and Amy had to change their flights as they had originally booked to fly out on the Sunday - the day of the Baftas.


Are they aren't they? Sam and Joey have yet to comment on engagement rumours


She said: 'We weren't sure if we were going to be invited and weren't sure of the dates and me and Amy had booked our flights to Marbella on the Sunday.

'And then when we got our invites through, I said, "right, we've got to change it".
'So I was on the case, and we flew to Marbella first thing on the Monday, so I knew I couldn't get too drunk on Sunday!'


source: dailymail

By SARAH BULL

Cuddling up: The Only Way Is Essex stars Sam Faiers and Joey Essex cuddled up as they enjoyed the sunshine at Thorpe Park in Surrey today


They first sparked rumours they had secretly got engaged earlier this month when Sam Faiers stepped out wearing a diamond solitaire on her ring finger.

But the The Only Way Is Essex star and her co-star boyfriend Joey Essex are still refusing to either confirm or deny the report, despite Sam flashing her new jewel at every opportunity.

The couple were seen cuddling up as they enjoyed the rides at the Thorpe Park theme park in Surrey today along with Sam's two young cousins.


Summer style: Sam looked slender in a vest top and maxi skirt, while Joey stuck to his favourite grey tracksuit and flip flops


However, perhaps the pair should have rethought their outfit options for the day out, as both of the reality stars struggled in their summer chic clothes.

While Sam's maxi skirt got in the way as she made her way around the hair-raising rides, Joey's flip-flops also proved troublesome.

But their problematic outfits didn't stop the pair thoroughly enjoying themselves on the rides,with Sam tweeting her fans this afternoon: 'At Thorpe park! With Joey and my 2cousins! All rides soo good :-) Wohoo!'


I'll race you! Sam and Joey compete on the Depth Surge four-lane water slide


Picture perfect: Joey ensured his hair was still looking 'reem' ahead of the start of the ride, while Sam just looked relieved when she got to the bottom


There was no mention from Sam on Twitter however about her ring.

Joey added on his Twitter page: 'On way to Thorpe Park with @SamanthaFaiers . Harvey & George!!! Can't wait to get on these rides!!! Exciteddd maannnnn.'

The pair took on rides including the scary Depth Charge, a four-lane super slide, with Joey pausing at the top of the slide only to ensure his hair was still looking 'reem'.


Flying high: The couple were also accompanied by Sam's two young cousins, who looked to be having a good time


Having fun: Sam shrieked with laughter on one of the rides, but perhaps a maxi skirt wasn't the best option


It has been an exciting few weeks for the TOWIE pair, following a trip to Marbella and an exciting win at the BAFTA Television Awards.

But the date of the awards, at which the programme took home the YouTube Audience prize, proved a problem for Sam, who was planning to go to Marbella with co-stars including Amy Childs.

Sam told MailOnline that she and Amy had to change their flights as they had originally booked to fly out on the Sunday - the day of the Baftas.


Are they aren't they? Sam and Joey have yet to comment on engagement rumours


She said: 'We weren't sure if we were going to be invited and weren't sure of the dates and me and Amy had booked our flights to Marbella on the Sunday.

'And then when we got our invites through, I said, "right, we've got to change it".
'So I was on the case, and we flew to Marbella first thing on the Monday, so I knew I couldn't get too drunk on Sunday!'


source: dailymail

By FIONA ROBERTS

Half the size: Alex Respess reveals his astonishing weight loss next to a cardboard cut-out showing him at his heaviest, when he weighed 459lbs


When Alex Respess's mother died after a battle with cancer, she made one last request - for her son to be happy and healthy.

And now, four years later, the 23-year-old can proudly say he fulfilled his mother's dying wish after he lost almost half his body weight in just 12 months.

He showed off his astonishing transformation on ABC's Good Morning America today, where he revealed his new 243lbs figure next to a cardboard cut-out showing him at his heaviest, 459lbs.



Before and after: Alex Respess, left, at his first weigh-in a year ago, and right, today on Good Morning America after he lost an astonishing 216lbs


The audience gasped as he held up one of his old shirts, and showed how he could now fit his whole body into one leg of a pair of shorts he wore before he shed the pounds.

Mr Respess, of Duluth, Georgia, said: 'The one thing I think [my mom] would say is she's proud of the man I've become.

'Because I'm not that kid that was overweight that she remembers - now I'm grown up.'
He added: 'Now in her memory I am happy and healthy and helping my brothers get that way too.'


Inspiration: Alex Respess pictured with his mother, Kim, who died four years ago. She told him she wanted him to be happy and healthy


Last year he was literally double the size. After a lifetime of unhealthy eating, Mr Respess, an ardent baseball fan, was too big to play, and was too mortified to go out to eat after once breaking a chair at a restaurant.

He said:' I was very introverted, I just didn't get out there, now I have the confidence to talk to anyone, to do anything.'

So, in desperation, Mr Respess wrote to personal trainer Chris Powell, who agreed to help him on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.

At the beginning Mr Respess was so big he had to be weighed on a freight-scale, and could only enter his bathroom door sideways.


Morbidly obese: At the beginning of the programme, Alex Respess was 459lbs, and had to be weighed using a pair of freight scales


First he travelled to Los Angeles, where he began his training - and learned how to make a healthier turkey version of his favourite bacon cheeseburger.

For the next 90 days Mr Powell lived with Mr Respess at his Duluth home, staying with him for 24 hours a day to help him meet his initial target, of losing 100lbs in just three months.

At his first weigh-in, he missed his goal - and the prize of a season ticket to his favourite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves - by just three pounds.


Astonishing transformation: Alex Respess demonstrates how he can fit inside one leg of his old shorts, left, and disappears behind an old shirt, right


Strict regime: Alex Respess meets Chris Powell, who spent the last year training him. Mr Powell even moved into his Georgia house for three months


But after Mr Powell moved out Mr Respess began to struggle, and worked out less and less. He said it gave him too much time to think about his mother's death, and he was angry about his father's impending marriage to his new fiancée.

The turning point came three days after the wedding, when Mr Powell took Mr Respess to an Army base in Georgia for a 24-hour boot camp.

He said the encouragement from the other soldiers as he trained alongside them spurred him on, and he went away with a coin to symbolise his goal: 'Get to it and fulfill your mission!'


Desperate measures: Alex Respess even let the Army shave his hair off so he could attend a 24-hour boot camp. He described it as a turning point


By January, he had lost a whopping 195lbs, and was able to undergo skin removal surgery to complete the transformation.

The end of the programme shows Mr Respess attending a ceremony with all his family and friends at a baseball field where he used to play little league - the last time he thought he made his mother proud.

He officially renamed a corner of the field Kim's Corner in her honour, and as he celebrated his 216lbs weight loss said: 'That number means a new life.'







sourc: dailymail