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    Meet the Conference League final WAGs as Chelsea take on Real Betis…from Spain’s Posh & Becks to beauty with unusual job

    THOUSANDS of football fans have descended on Wraclow, Poland for tonight’s hotly anticipated Europa Conference League final.Chelsea will take on Spanish side Real Betis – and the players will, of course, be cheered on from the stands by their devoted WAGs.Connie Grace will be there to cheer on Cole Palmer in the finalCredit: Instagram/conniegrace_She and the football ace have been Instagram official since last yearCredit: Instagram/conniegrace_Cole met Connie Grace at school but the pair didn’t start dating until recentlyCredit: SplashIt may be the third tier of continental football in Europe, behind the second tier Europa League and the first tier Champions League, but that doesn’t mean the glamour is any less dazzling – with the teams’ wives and girlfriends including a movie star.And the women certainly boast brains as well as beauty, with a law graduate, tax expert and entrepreneur amid their ranks.Here we take a look at the WAGs who are building up a fan base of their own.CHELSEACole Palmer and Connie GraceLike Cole, 22-year-old Connie hails from Manchester, where she runs a nail salon.READ MORE SPORT FEATURESShe has built up an impressive social media following thanks to posts showcasing her stunning figure on sun-kissed trips to Jamaica, Ibiza and Dubai.The cute couple have known each other since they were 17, but romance appears to have blossomed last summer when they were spotted together on a luxury boat in Ibiza after flying to the island on a private jet.They finally went Insta-official in November at the GQ Men of the Year awards where she dazzled with the Blues midfielder in a daring cut-out dress.In the documentary England’s Lions: A New Generation, blonde Connie opened up about their relationship, saying: “We met when we were 17. I think he knew me through mutual friends so I think he probably had his eye on me.Most read in Europa LeagueShe added: “Oh, he’s warm and cuddly. Well, with me, hopefully with no one else.”She later explained that fame hasn’t changed her partner, adding: “Cole now is still the same Cole that I met when I was 17. Obviously, he’s changed, he’s grown up, and his life now is completely different, but he’s still the same boy, he’s still laid-back Cole.”Marc Cucurella and Claudia RodriguezHarry Maguire’s wife Fern leads Man Utd Wags flocking to Bilbao for Europa League final with TottenhamClaudia often take the kids to see their dad play in matches around the worldCredit: Instagram/_claurodriCucurella met Claudia in 2018 and the couple have married and welcomed three childrenCredit: Instagram/_claurodriCucurella and Claudia’s love story began in 2018 in Barcelona when the left-back played for the Catalans.The defender and model Claudia now share three children – Mateo, Rio and Bella – and she has recently opened up to fans about Mateo’s autism diagnosis.Stunning Claudia, 25, allowed cameras into their family home as part of the TV show Married to the Game, and said: “We saw something different about Mateo when he was small, about 13 months old, but it was a long process to get the diagnosis. When he was smaller it was easier but now he’s growing up, it’s more difficult.“When we moved to Chelsea, we started him at school and he was very upset, and we didn’t know the solution. You have to find it yourself, and you feel very bad because you are not prepared for it.”Despite the family’s struggles, Claudia maintains a positive outlook and regularly posts glam pictures and snapshots of their daily lives on Instagram where she has amassed more than 130,000 followers.Filip Jorgensen and Noemie RomeeNoemie worked for the Ministry of Finance in HollandCredit: Instagram / @filipjorgensen1She moved to London with her goalkeeper Beau in 2024Credit: Instagram / @filipjorgensen1Stunning Noemie joined goalkeeper Filip in London when he signed for the Blues last year.Before that the stunning brunette worked in the tax department of the Ministry of Finance in Holland, and it is not known if she has kept on that role.But the hard-working young couple certainly know how to play hard too, regularly sharing posts on social media of their travels, trips to theme parks and their pet Pomeranian dog.Noemie is also Filip’s biggest fan, posting videos of herself wearing a Chelsea shirt with his name emblazoned across the back. In one of her posts she gushed: “You have my heart Filip Jorgensen”.Reece James and Mia McClenaghanStunning Mia has a law degree from Royal HollowayCredit: Instagram/miamcclenaghanThe couple went public with their relationship in 2020Credit: Instagram/miamcclenaghanStunning blonde Mia is not just a pretty face – she studied law at Royal Holloway, University of London, and graduated in 2021.She then went on to advise prisoners at HMP Coldingley about family matters.Away from her legal career Mia has been dating Chelsea captain Reece for years, and they made their relationship public in November 2020 when James, 25, posted a picture with Mia on her birthday, calling her his “best friend”. Since then they’ve shared glimpses of their life together, including celebrating milestones and luxury holidays.But Essex-born Mia recently decided to step away from the spotlight, making her social media profiles private.REAL BETISIsco Alcaron and Sara SalamoSara has over a million Instagram followers and appeared on hit TV showsCredit: Instagram/sarasalamoThe couple opted to have a secret wedding ceremony after years togetherCredit: Instagram/sarasalamoThe Real Betis star and his wife have been dubbed the Spanish ‘Posh and Becks’. Sara, 33, is a leading Spanish actress with more than 35 film and TV credits to her name.Her popularity from hit shows El Favor, Stories to Stay Awake, The Year of Fury and Drug Squad: Costa del Sol has won her almost a million Instagram followers.The couple have been together since 2017, but finally tied the knot last year in a secret ceremony.Posting incredible snaps from their fairytale wedding, Tenerife-born Sara wrote: “Seven years, three children, four dogs… And a few days ago we said that we love each other again in front of the altar.”Stunning Sara regularly posts pictures detailing her incredible career on social media, but also gushing comments supporting her husband in his football.Antony and Rosilene SilvaRosilene is regularly seen at football games supporting her boyfriendCredit: Instagram/rosiilenny_The couple are childhood sweethearts who met as children in BrazilCredit: Instagram/rosiilenny_Manchester United star Antony has had a career renaissance since going on loan to Real Betis last season, after being frozen out by the Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim.In the run-up to this week’s final, he broke down as he detailed his struggles at Old Trafford where he was so unhappy he went for days without eating.But no doubt his loyal WAG Rosilene Silva was there to provide support. The couple were childhood sweethearts who met during their school days in Sao Paolo, Brazil. In 2019 Rosilene and Antony welcomed a baby boy named Lorenzo. And last year the couple added a baby girl, Lavinne, to their brood.The mum-of-two regularly shares photos enjoying days out with their young family on social media, with both parents besotted with their babies.And her posts documenting their glamorous lives have earned her an impressive 112k followers on Instagram.Pablo Fornals and Tania Lara VelascoTania and Marin have a two sons together, one born before their marriageCredit: Instagram/tannialvThe couple regularly enjoy luxury holidays abroadCredit: Instagram/tannialvMidfielder Fornals married Tania in their native Spain in 2023, just 48 hours after helping his former club West Ham lift the Europa Conference League trophy. Before the big day, Fornals took to Instagram to post a short message joking: “Best week of my life for sure. No worries my love, I’ll be there.”The couple, who already had one son, Martin, recently welcomed their second son Mateo into the world, with Tania posting a loving picture on social media captioned: “Welcome to the world little prince. You have arrived to complete us. Seeing you and your brother together is the most beautiful thing our eyes have ever seen.”The family returned to Spain when Fornals moved to Real Betis in 2024.With her model looks, Tania regularly posts about their family life along with breathtaking snaps of luxury holidays to Thailand, the Maldives and Paris.Johnny Cardoso and Lela ObinoStunning Lela is often seen on trips abroad to places like ParisCredit: Instagram/lelaobinoHer boyfriend Johnny hails from New Jersey in the United StatesCredit: Instagram/lelaobinoAmerican midfielder Johnny joined Real Betis in December 2023 and prefers to let his football do the talking, keeping his private life under wraps.But his Instagram posts reveal his long-term love is Lela Obino.Blonde Lela has almost 35k Instagram followers herself and regularly posts snapshots of the couple’s glamorous lifestyle including a city break to Paris, a ski trip to the French alps, and beach holidays in Portugal, Marbella and Greece.Read More on The SunAnd she likes to keep super-active, sharing pictures of her practising yoga, skate-boarding and water-skiing.It isn’t known what Lela does for a career, but with her stunning good looks and burgeoning social media followers, she could soon be counted amongst the ranks of WAG influencers. 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    Meet the stunning Europa League Wags cheering on Man Utd & Tottenham… from a glam doctor to Molly-Mae’s bestie

    WITH 80,000 fans heading to Bilbao and millions more glued to TV sets, the Europa League final is one of the biggest sporting events of the year.And there’s plenty at stake as Tottenham face off against Manchester United tonight in the much anticipated match.Famous WAG Fern Hawkins is married to Harry MaguireCredit: GettyMan Utd’s Diogo Dalot proposed to his stunning girlfriend Claudia Pinto LopesCredit: Instagram / @diogodalotThe winning team could receive up to £54.4million and will earn a place in the Champions League for next season.It’s a dream ticket for the victorious team, and they’ll be cheered on all the way by their glamorous wives and girlfriends.The supporting stars are a talented bunch themselves and have proved to be true keepers in the lads’ lives. BETTING OFFER – GET EITHER TEAM TO WIN THE EUROPA LEAGUE AT 40/1READ MORE SPORT We take a look at some of the stunning Manchester United and Spurs WAGs who might make you take your eye off the ball – from a star philanthropist to the daughter of a mayor.MANCHESTER UNITEDClaudia Pinto and Diogo Dalot The couple have been dating since 2020Credit: Instagram/ClaudiaspintolopesClaudia posts her lavish WAG lifestyle on her social mediaCredit: Instagram/laudiaspintolopesClaudia Pinto, 25, is engaged to Portugese full-back Diogo Dalot, 26, and they have a one-year-old daughter. The pair, who have been dating since 2020, regularly post loved-up snaps on social media. Claudia joined Dalot in Italy when he spent a year with AC Milan during 2020.Most read in FootballEarlier this month she posted snaps from her glamorous hen party online. The WAG appears to live the life of luxury and keeps fans up to date with her regular outfit and make-up Instagram posts. Fern Hawkins and Harry MaguireFern and Harry tied the knot in 2022Credit: InstagramFern now owns her own businessCredit: InstagramHarry Maguire slow dances with wife Fern Hawkins at lavish wedding Science graduate and former physiotherapist Fern has been married to Harry since 2022 but they met when they were just 18 years old. The pair have two daughters, Lillie Saint Maguire, six, and Piper Rose, four. Last year entrepreneur Fern decided to open her own florist. She targeted the celebrity party market and even named her business venture after her daughters – The Saint Rose Floristry. Loyal Fern, 30, previously spoke out in support of her husband, 32, after he was arrested in Mykonos following a drunken bust-up outside a nightclub in August 2020.She slammed “lying” Greek cops for trying to ruin the Man United defender’s “reputation”. Melanie Kamayou and Andre Onana Melanie Kamayou is a pharmacist doctorCredit: instagram @ melaniekamayouMelanie first started dating Andre in 2019Credit: instagram @ melaniekamayouMelanie Kamayou, 29, is a pharmacist doctor and businesswoman, acting as co-chair of the Andre Onana Foundation. Melanie and goalkeeper Andre Onana, 29, married in 2023 after first being spotted together in 2019. She was left devastated after being robbed of her £62,000 Hermes Birkin bag and a Rolex watch outside a restaurant in Alderley Edge, Cheshire earlier this year. The pair still look loved-up and support each other on and off the pitch, with Melanie travelling across four different countries to watch Onana play.The social media star and model has been in the stands supporting Onana at Ajax in the Netherlands, Inter Milan in Italy, Manchester United and away on international duty for Cameroon.Anouska Santos and Luke ShawAnouska Santos is close friends with Love Island star Molly-MaeCredit: Getty ImagesThe pair typically keep their relationship privateCredit: Instagram @anouskasantosAnouska Santos, 28, owns an accessories brand, Treats Studios, and is good friends with influencer and former Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague. While Anouska is a familiar face among the Premier League WAGs, she and boyfriend Luke Shaw keep a very private relationship but have been posting together on social media since 2017. The pair have three children – a boy, four, and two girls, one and two. Anouska recently jetted to Germany to support England star Luke, 29, and fans were quick to compliment her flawless outfit. Maja Nilsson and Victor Lindelof Maja has been dubbed the Premier League’s hottest WAGCredit: Instagram/majanilssonlindelofMaja is a popular Instagram modelCredit: Instagram/majanilssonlindelofThe pair got married in 2018Credit: Instagram/majanilssonlindelofMaja Nilsson, 25, and Swedish defender Victor Lindelof, 30, tied the knot in 2018 and Maja has since been dubbed the Premier League’s hottest Wag, with fans calling her the “finest of the finest”. Maja is a keen influencer and fashion entrepreneur, with more than 250,000 followers on Instagram.She recently starred on the cover of a glossy magazine and showed off her flawless bump as she is currently pregnant with the pair’s third child. Sadly the family experienced a horrific break-in during 2022 and Maja was forced to lock herself and her children in a room after intruders broke into their home. Anna Mariana and Casemiro Anna has two children with her football crazy husbandCredit: Instagram/annamarianacasemiroAnna Mariana is a makeup artistCredit: Instagram/annamarianacasemiroCasemiro plays for Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyAnna Mariana Casemiro, 35, is a Brazilian makeup artist and shares two children with the United midfielder. It was rumoured in 2023 that Casemiro had been cheating on his wife for years, but Anna hit back on social media. She said: “Oh man, really? Best to investigate your sources first, I just look around and know it’s not him.”The pair got together in 2011 and tied the knot three years later.Anna made headlines last year for defending her husband on Instagram after his performance during a clash against Liverpool was criticised. She swiftly posted a picture of Casemiro’s trophy cabinet – reminding fans of his talents. Ana Pinho and Bruno Fernandes Ana Pinho and United captain Bruno Fernandes met when they were teensCredit: Instagram/anaapinho_Ana stuns fans in her bikiniCredit: Instagram/anaapinho_Ana and United captain Bruno, both 30, are childhood sweethearts and got together at just 17 years old. Bruno has since revealed that Ana used to pay for the pair’s dates as he was broke as a teenager. He wrote online: “Ana has been with me on this ride since we were 16, 17, 18 years old.“We met as teenagers, and when we first started dating, I wasn’t making any money as a footballer, and she had a nice job working as a futsal referee on the weekends.”The couple met in their hometown of Boavista and they share a daughter, seven, and a son, four.Sabrina Kvist Jensen and Christian EriksenThe loved up couple at the 2023 Laureus World Sport AwardsCredit: GettyChristian Eriksen and Sabrina Kvist Jensen with their son AlfieCredit: chriseriksen8/InstagramTrained hairdresser Sabrina has been in a relationship with midfielder Christian since 2016 and they have a young son called Alfie. Sabrina worked for a clothing company when they first moved to the UK. The Danish couple prefer to keep a low profile, but Christian has previously spoken out about how tricky life on the go is for his girlfriend. He said: “You have to learn how to cope physically and mentally, but I can handle the pressure and the demands because I live seven days a week for my job.“That is very tough for my girlfriend. Of course, I would like to go out in the city with her and friends, but it just doesn’t fit in with playing in England.”In June 2021, Christian collapsed on the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 game against Finland. Distraught Sabrina thought he had died and leapt over the barriers to run to his side. She was comforted by Leicester City’s Kaspar Schmeichel who made a beeline for her.Kaspar’s dad Peter said: “He said that Christian is breathing. She actually thought that he’d passed away, and just to confirm that (he was breathing) he went back to be absolutely sure that he wasn’t saying anything that was out of order.”Eva Garcia and Alejandro GarnachoEve is a Spanish influencerCredit: Instagram/evagarciaThe pair have a young son togetherCredit: GettyPopular influencer Eva, 20, has over 600,000 followers on Instagram and has been with Argentinian winger Alejandro Garnacho, 20, since 2021. The pair are both from Spain and share a young son, Enzo, and Eva is also a co-owner of a jewellery store. Rumours flew when Eva allegedly unfollowed her partner on Instagram last year after she gave birth, but the pair have recently been posting snaps of their happy family. TOTTENHAM HOTSPURSKennedy Alexa and James Maddison Kennedy is a supportive girlfriend of the star footballerCredit: instagram @kennedyalexaKennedy is a modelCredit: InstagramKennedy and James have been together for five yearsCredit: InstagramKennedy, 30, and Spurs midfielder James, 28, are parents to three young children and have been together for five years. The English-American model has a keen fan base with whom she regularly shares stunning outfit posts on social media. The pair went public with their relationship in 2020 but tend to keep it on the down-low. Kennedy gave birth to twins in 2023 and was later championed by mums online for showing off her stretch marks. Mackenzie Medlock and Lucas Bergvall Mackenzie Medlock and Lucas Bergvall on the model’s InstagramCredit: Instagram/mackenzie.medlockThe Swedish influencer is new to the public eyeCredit: Instagram/mackenzie.medlockSwedish social media influencer Mackenzie has over 20,000 followers on Instagram and loves sharing their luxe lifestyle on social media.The teen couple are fairly new to the public eye and Mackenzie had to turn off comments on her Instagram last year, after Barcelona fans got angry due to Lucas turning down the Catalan club.Lucas, 19, plays as a midfielder for Spurs. Karen Romero and Cristian Romero Cristian and Karen Romero with their sonCredit: Instagram @cutiromero2The pair met in 2018Karen, 25, is from Argentina and has worked as a human resources manager. Unlike other WAGs, her social media is private. She met Argentinian centre-back Cristian Romero, 27, in 2018 and they have two children, Lucy and Valentino. Cristian shared an adorable video in 2023 which showed him jokingly teaching his young son football, with fans going wild for the rare glimpse at their family life. Ioana Stan and Radu DragusinIoana and Radu have been dating since 2020Credit: Instagram/ioanastan_Ioana Stan sharing her fashion look onlineCredit: Instagram/ioanastan_Radu Dragusin of Tottenham HotspurCredit: GettyArchitecture student Ioana regularly shares romantic snaps online with her footballer boyfriend Radu Dragusin, 23. She too is from Romania and is the daughter of Gabriel Stan, the former deputy mayor of Constanta in the country. The pair have reportedly been dating since 2020, and Ioana has moved to England with Radu while he plays for the north London club.Indira Ampiot and Mathy Tel Fans have gone crazy for the French pair’s relationshipCredit: Instagram/indira.ampiotIndira is a beauty pageant queenCredit: GettyMathys Tel of Tottenham Hotspur in action in MayCredit: GettyFrench beauty queen Indira, 20, has been dating 19-year-old forward Mathys Tel, 20, since December 2024. Indira was crowned Miss France in 2023 and went on to compete in Miss Universe the following year. Read More on The SunShe also has a degree in communications and the blossoming love story has caught the attention of fans online. Mathys Tel is also from France and is on loan from Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. He plays for the French U21 national team.  More

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    How Wrexham was transformed from Spice-ridden hellhole to Welsh Hollywood as locals say ‘next stop’s the Premier League’

    AMERICAN and Japanese tourists seek some Hollywood glamour when they make a pilgrimage to Rob Clarke’s second hand DVD shop.The owner of Mad4Movies happily pulls his cardboard cut-out of Deadpool actor and local club owner Ryan Reynolds for the football tourists as they soak up all things Wrexham AFC.Wrexham recently secured promotion to the ChampionshipCredit: GettyThe Welsh team’s success has thrown the town into a frenzyCredit: GettyRyan Reynolds watched them secure promotion along with his wife Blake LivelyCredit: GettyDad-of-two Rob, 47, has his own claim to fame as he starred in Disney+ documentary Welcome to Wrexham which charts the town’s incredible football fairytale.The club has just secured a third historic promotion after beating Charlton Athletic 3-0, taking them from non-league to the Championship and one step from the Premier League.In delirious scenes, the club’s owners Ryan, 48, and his fellow Hollywood actor Rob McElhenney hugged the players as the fans raced onto the pitch at their Racecourse Ground.Ryan was also joined by his Gossip Girl actress wife Blake Lively who also greeted fans in the stands.Read More FeaturesHer husband Ryan, 48, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor Rob McElhenney bought the club for £2 million nearly five years ago with the lofty ambition of getting to the Premier League.Now the Welsh club, which was formed in 1864 and is the third oldest in the world, has an army of fans around the world.Foreign tourists fly in to take in a game and take coach tours of the former mining town.It’s a welcome turnaround for an area once dubbed ‘Spice Town’, after images emerged of people under the influence of drugs at its bus station, in 2018.Most read in ChampionshipIt was also found to have the highest number of rough sleepers in North Wales, with 57, in 2020.But the “Ryan and Rob effect” has meant the town is teeming with visitors – boosting the local economy and creating jobs. Danny Devito celebrates Wrexham’s last-gasp win over Barnsley as he watches from virtual stadium in LATourism and hospitality revenue has increased by £120m in just three years and is now worth £180 million.Many tourists beat a path to Mad4Movies, which also sells books, music CDs and tapes, as well as Wrexham postcards for £1.Lifelong fan Rob said: “Ryan and Rob came to the shop when they first bought the club.”They wanted to meet fans who’d supported the club for a long time.”They were lovely. Ryan said he’s never seen so many DVDs and then he said: ‘There must be one you’ve never sold, that’s been here for years?'”I told him: ‘Well, we won’t talk about the Green Lantern’. This is one of his flops.”Fortunately he laughed. To be fair he signed my copy of the film.”It read: ‘Apologies in advance, Ryan.’ That got in the documentary.”Rob added: “I can’t believe how far the club has come – it’s amazing.”A while ago we nearly went out of existence and we were only saved by a fan whip round which raised £100,000.”Now we have fans come in for coach tours so all over the world.”Prem dreamsWalking down the main shopping street in the town, one ex-player said he is stunned by the club’s transformation.DVD shop owner Rob Clarke met Reynolds and McElhenney when they first bought the clubCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSIONTheir ownership of the club has been documented in the documentary Welcome to WrexhamCredit: GettyImages of Spice addicts in the bus station shocked the world in 2018Credit: Daily Post Wales/Gavin RoddaThe centre was dubbed ‘Spice Town’Credit: Daily Post WalesWinger Nick Hencher, 63, who played for the club in the 1985-86 season, said: “It’s great – it’s galvanised everybody.”It’s a massive season in the Championship as it’s a big step-up.”You never know, we might see four promotions in a row.”He added: “The club has changed a hell of a lot.”I enjoyed playing for them, it was a great experience for a local lad.”But it’s big time now and I’m still a small part of it, being chairman of the former players’ association.”So I just stay involved a little bit.”Match days, the town is buzzing with thousand of people here enjoying the limelight.”The last few years since Ryan and Rob took over, it’s just boomed in football and tourismJames VealOther fans cannot also believe the transformation of the club.Former builder Brian Roberts, 60, said: “Three promotions in a row – I never thought I’d see it.”It’s fantastic for the town.”Miners’ charity worker James Veal, 27, said: “There’s just this buzz around Wrexham,”The last few years since Ryan and Rob took over, it’s just boomed in football and tourism.”It just seems brighter, there’s more going on.”More people want to invest in the the town, there’s more shops, more restaurants, bars.”It’s fantastic to see the growth and what these two lads have brought to Wrexham.James Veal has noticed a huge boom in tourismCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSIONWrexham were just a non-league club when it was purchased by the Hollywood starsCredit: PAEleanor Swash has met tourists from all over the worldCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSION”Wrexham seemed to be on the up and just doing its own thing, but they have shone a spotlight and given it a good boost.”Shop worker Eleanor Swash, 18, works in a Wrexham AFC pop-up shop in the town.She said: “We got lots of tourists from all over – America, Canada, Germany and Japan.”It’s crazy really but it’s so good for the town.”A-list fansDad-of-four Ryan has recruited a host of his Hollywood friends to the Red Dragons causes including Danny DeVito and Will Ferrell.He even took Magic Mike star Channing Tatum to The Fat Boar pub on a Friday night in December and bought everyone a drink.Manager Sean Cooney, 35, said: “We got a phone call from their team who said they’d be here in half an hour.The Ryan and Rob effect seems to be getting bigger all the timeSean Cooney”They turned up and were lovely.”We had a singer performing and they got on the mic to say drinks were on them.”We then put them upstairs in a room.”He added: “This place has become closely associated with the team.”We get lots of tourists especially Canadian and Americans.”In fact we are getting more and more Americans.”The Ryan and Rob effect seems to be getting bigger all the time.”I mean it must be them as you don’t normally get many Americans coming to Wrexham on holiday.”Now fans are dreaming of a fourth promotion in a rowCredit: Instagram/Ryan ReynoldsBlake and Ryan love supporting the gamesCredit: InstagramFans piled round the stars to snap a picCredit: APRyan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought the club for a mere £2millionCredit: GettyThe club itself is in a healthy financial position thanks to Rob and Ryan’s backing and shrewd deals.Club accounts going up to June 2024 covering their season in League Two show revenues of £26.7million – which is a figure greater than seven of the Championship clubs.The Red Dragons have now even been linked to some stellar Premier League players including Man Utd’s Jonny Evans and Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy.And the latest series of the Welcome to Wrexham doc is to be screened on May 16.Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council’s lead member for economy, business and tourism, said: “The impact of Ryan and Rob as well as the documentary has been phenomenal.Read More on The Sun”We used to go to trade fairs and people would see we were from Wrexham and just walk past.”Now they are beating down our door.”Ryan took Channing Tatum for a night out at The Fat BoarCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSIONBusiness is booming in the centre of the townCredit: iSKANDU AGENCY / SUN COMMISSIONHow Ryan Reynolds has been watching Wrexham games in styleCO-OWNER Ryan Reynolds hasn’t been able to make it to Wrexham in recent weeks due to filming commitments.But that hasn’t stopped him from watching his team in style.Streaming the match on a laptop or even a TV was not grand enough for the Deadpool star as he worked on the set of his latest movie.With a giant green screen behind him, he could not resist broadcasting Wrexham’s recent game on to the huge projector.Reynolds and his crew watched on as the Welsh side notched their 23rd win of the season against Crawley Town.He looked enamoured as the game played on behind him while surrounding by various pieces of Hollywood machinery.And Reynolds captioned the moment: “Watching the Wrexham game at work: new level unlocked.”It’s not clear what project Reynolds was working on at the time, with the actor currently developing several new movies including sequels to smash hits Free Guy and Red Notice. 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    VIP ‘black cards’, ‘rude’ celebs & OnlyFans models swarming the paddocks…how the Miami GP became the Coachella of F1

    AMERICANS like to go BIG – and the Miami GP, being held this weekend, is no exception.Since first hitting the calendars in 2022, it’s become an extravagant affair packed full of big-name celebs and influencers, with even the race itself becoming overshadowed by the glitz.Like Coachella, the Miami GP has become a celeb and influencer hotspotCredit: GettyA-listers like Kendell Jenner have been spotted swanning around the paddockCredit: APSand is imported to create an exclusive “beach club” areaCredit: APIt’s now one of the F1 season’s biggest showpieces, a crucial part of their strategy to boost its popularity in the States. Last year saw celebs like Kendell Jenner and LeBron James pay the race a visit, and even Donald Trump showed up in a surreal appearance that caused security a headache.And just like the music festival Coachella, it’s now full of internet-famous influencers who – many suspect – haven’t got a clue about F1 itself but spend their time snapping selfies and posing with drivers A record-breaking 275,000 fans turned up to watch McLaren’s Lando Norris clinch his first ever victory, and organisers are hoping this weekend’s race will be even bigger.Read More FeaturesThe Florida event has courted chaos ever since the inaugural race was held three years ago and it was decided to build the circuit at the city’s Hard Rock Stadium, home to local NFL team the Miami Dolphins.It nearly didn’t happen at all, after a handful of nearby residents filed a lawsuit over noise pollution complaints – though this was thrown out by a judge.A makeshift circuit was cobbled together – but it proved a dud, having to be resurfaced twice ahead of the race and seriously lacking grip. Many of the drivers lambasted it, with Sergio Perez labelling it “a joke” and Lando Norris accusing the designers of just “winging it”. Most read in MotorsportBut it would turn out that the track would be the least of the driver’s worries.Come 2023, the spectacle was even more intense, much to their dismay.Fernando Alonso goes public with stunning new girlfriend Andrea Schlager after whisking her to US for Miami GP Prior to the race, each driver was required to present themselves in a full-on WWE-style showcase, led out one-by-one past an honour guard of cheerleaders, announced by the rapper LL Cool J.Meanwhile, in the background, Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am conducted a black-tie-clad 30-piece orchestra. Little wonder then the drivers found the showbizzy spectacle “distracting”. “I don’t think there’s any other sport in the world that 30 minutes before you go out to do your business that you’re out there in the sun, all the cameras on you and making a bit of a show of it,” said George Russell.“None of the drivers like it,” added Lando Norris.“We do so much publicity for the fans [but] as drivers we all just want to sit down and focus on what we need to focus on.”Influencer heavenToo bad for them, then, that the Miami GP has only gone from strength to strength and is a must-attend event for everyone from A-list actors to Z-list influencers. The 2024 Miami GP was won by Lando NorrisCredit: GettyModels and influencers shell out for pricey tickets to access to exclusive areasCredit: GettySecurity requirements made Trump’s visit quite the headache for organisersCredit: GettyEven political big hitters have gotten involved – including last year when none other than Donald Trump himself turned up.Ten days before his visit the secret service spent hours scrutinising and surveying the venue for threats. Everything was given the all clear – but then just hours before the race his security team ordered major shutdowns in areas of the paddock.“The Secret Service blocked off the walkway in the middle of the paddock for 20 minutes, and the teams were losing it because they were like, ‘I have to cross,’” recalled Tyler Epp, President of the Miami GP.His bright orange tan lined up with the McLaren team’s colours, at least, and he even told Norris that he was the British star’s “lucky charm”.And given how much Miami has become a hotspot for OnlyFans stars, with the sunny Florida weather always providing a great excuse to strip down to the bare essentials, it’s no wonder the GP event has become a hit with online models.There have been some celebrities that no one even knows were hereTyler EppWhile Trump was swanning around one part of the paddock giving his congratulations to Norris for his win, OnlyFans actress Veronica Rajek took the chance to pay the McLaren team a visit.Motoring media even fell for a hoax back in August that claimed OnlyFans was set to become the new title sponsor of the Alpine F1 team.The sensationalised spectacle that the race day has turned into has left plenty of die-hard fans wondering if all these famous faces have any clue about the sport itself.After all, despite being the voice of racing, not many of them seem to know the legendary Martin Brundle.’Rude’ celebsBack in 2022, the Sky Sports commentator was prowling a very crowded grid when he came up to tennis ace Venus Williams.But she was too busy saying hi to all the other famous faces and barely registered what he was saying, in an awkward but hilarious encounter.“What’s the question?” she laughed before whisking herself off somewhere else. OnlyFans star Veronika Rajek posed for pictures with the McLaren teamCredit: AFPEd Sheeran performed over the weekend at last year’s GPCredit: GettyKendall Jenner and Lewis Hamilton even found time to hobnob with each otherCredit: GettyVenus and Serena Williams on the grid at the Miami raceCredit: GettyFast forward to 2024, and a huge list of celebs popped in to catch the racing – including Shakira, Rory McIlroy, Kendall Jenner, and tycoons Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. And with neighbours Inter Miami going from strength to strength, boss David Beckham also made an appearance, as did Zinedine Zidane.Even Taylor Swift turned up in the city, alongside her boyfriend NFL superstar Travis Kelce – proof enough that the Hard Rock stadium will be the place to be seen this Sunday – though Taylor skipped the race itself.Perhaps her presence would have been too awkward for driver Fernando Alonso, because at one point rumours were swirling that the pair briefly dated. Fortunately for the VIPs – and maybe to make up for Martin Brundle always trying to nab them for a chat – the GP’s organisers are careful to keep the general public far away from them.Some celebs are even rumoured to attend in secret.We’re trying to create an environment to make special memories that will last a lifetimeTyler EppBeyonce and Jay-Z reportedly rocked up in 2022, while Michelle Obama attended as a guest of Lewis Hamilton.“She showed up right on time, got to experience a session, and was in and out very, very quietly,” explained Tyler Epp.“There have been some celebrities that no one even knows were here.”Also on offer is a “Black Card” experience. It allows the rich and famous to drive on a special, entirely separate lane off the highway, taking them straight into a luxury car parking zone.“You don’t have any interaction with the general population from the time you leave your hotel to the time you get to your seat. It’s all very protected and private,” added Tyler in an interview with Motorsport mag.Fake beach clubsMaybe this attention to detail will let Miami become the new Monaco. The inner part of the circuit gets turned into the Hard Rock Beach ClubCredit: APFans were left bemused by the fake waterCredit: APSky’s Craig Slater takes a ‘swim’ in the fake marinaCredit: ReutersBut then again maybe not – given the much-mocked attempt to copy the Mediterranean city with a fake marina was created by painting the ground blue, which even Sky’s Craig Slater attempted to have a “dip” in.They even stuck ten massive yachts inside it and imported heaps of fake sand to create a “VIP Beach Club”.It was slammed as tacky – but to access this luxurious lake of concrete in the middle of the circuit, guests had to shell out at least $1,000.And it was $2,000 on top of that if you wanted a deck chair. When it was first revealed in 2022, bemused fans compared the set up to the notorious Fyre Festival.At least they had two pools to relax in and a performances from big hitters The Chainsmokers to enjoy as well.Forget Coachella itself – because now, the entire GP weekend has turned into something of a music festival in its own right.In 2024, both DJ Steve Aoki and Ed Sheeran delivered performances to revellers at the Hard Rock Beach Club.And the entertainment on offer during race week is now spilling outside of the stadium itself, with the whole of Miami gripped by GP fever.Venues across the city are getting into the F1 spirit, including art exhibitions dedicated to exploring racing culture, and exclusive racing-themed pop-up bars in luxury hotels sponsored by F1’s partner, the champagne company Moët & Chandon.Just be ready to shell out $550 – and that’s for the most basic package on offer. This year, the Hard Rock beach club will once again be delivering a star-studded line up with performances by Pitbull, Kygo and DJ Tiësto.But given the Miami GP competes with two others F1 races in the states – in Austin and Las Vegas – organisers aren’t ashamed to say they go out of their way to make the Florida race weekend stand out.Read More on The Sun“We’re in the memory making business at the end of the day, and we’re trying to create an environment to make special memories that will last a lifetime,” added Tyler Epp.“That’s our goal.”More than 275,000 fans are expected to attend this weekendCredit: Getty More

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    Chris Eubank Jr’s torment over painful 6-year rift with idol dad… and how legend’s ‘crazy’ demands ‘cost his son £3m’

    AS Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr face up in the ring tomorrow at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, not even the screaming crowds and bright lights will be able to hide a very conspicuous absence.While Benn will have his dad Nigel backing him up in his corner, Chris Eubank Sr will be nowhere to be seen – despite this fight opening another chapter in a more than three-decade-old Eubank-Benn rivalry.Chris Eubank Jr and his father have been caught up in an ever-deepening rift since 2019Credit: Getty Images – GettyThe legendary boxer has called Saturday’s fight, between his son and Conor Benn, a “disgrace”Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdTheir relationship has been damaged by the passing of Chris Eubank Jr’s brother, Sebastian, in 2021Credit: Instagram @chriseubankjrChris Eubank Sr has branded the fight a “disgrace” and accused his son of “making a mockery” of the family legacy – even calling for his boxing licence to be revoked after the younger Eubank cracked an egg over Benn’s face in a February press conference.But while the build-up to Saturday’s fight has exacerbated the rift, the fallout is nothing new – dating back to 2019.In recent years their fractured relationship has been overshadowed by the tragic death of two members of the family, while promoter Eddie Hearn even claimed Eubank Sr cost his son millions.Ahead of the showdown, 35-year-old Eubank Jr has faced an uphill battle to shed enough weight, with Benn poking fun at the “pain” his rival had been experiencing at a press conference on Thursday.Read More Boxing“What is pain, though?” Eubank Jr hit back.“I have a 31-year old brother who is buried in the desert in Dubai, that is pain. I have a son, three years old, he asks why can’t I see my daddy? Why can’t he take me to school? That is pain.“My own father, a man I idolised for my entire life, and he doesn’t speak to me. We haven’t spoken in years and he thinks I’m a disgrace. “These things are what pain is to me.” Most read in BoxingFor years, Chris Eubank Jr. could count on his dad’s support as he rose up to establish himself as a fighter in his own right. The father and son pair would often be sat side by side at press conferences, with Eubank Sr. helping to coach and manage his son’s career, and providing Eubank Jr. with critical feedback in between rounds.Driven by Rejection, Defined by Greatness | Behind the Gloves: Chris Eubank SnBut this close relationship would eventually come to an end, with a professional – and personal – break-up that left the younger Eubank heartbroken.“We don’t talk, he has shown no interest in my career for a long period of time now. He’s shown no interest in me in a long period of time,” he said in October.“As somebody who’s lost a son, I think that’s a pretty insane thing [for my dad] to be doing, an insane way to be acting – to kind of not be speaking to your remaining kids.”Fighting demonsEubank Jr added that he still wishes his father will have a change of heart and be there the night of the fight.“I would love for him to be involved. The fact that I even have to say that is insane. How is that even a thing?” he says.“His son is gonna fight the son of his arch-nemesis, [from] all those years ago when he was a world champion. How is it a thing that he may not be there?”The build-up to Eubank Jr vs Benn has reheated the rivalry between the boxing familiesCredit: GettyChris Eubank Jr’s dad was constantly by his side as he established himself as a boxerCredit: GettyEubank Jr says their rift began when he chose to forge his own careerCredit: GettyDoubling down on these feelings in March, he told Piers Morgan: “I still hope he’s there on the night, just like [Benn’s] old man will be. I honestly don’t know. I hope and I pray that he is, and I will do things to try and get him there.“He needs to be able to get over whatever demons he’s fighting. Now, this fight is either gonna enable him to get over those demons or unfortunately it’s gonna make those demons grow. I don’t know.”Conor’s father Nigel also urged Eubank Sr to attend, telling the BBC: “I don’t want him having a disagreement with his son.”We all want you there, so we can see each other after the fight and hug each other and say it is all over – so be there my friend.”Eubank Sr. hasn’t been seen in his son’s corner since 2019, and given their recent comments, it doesn’t seem like their relationship will be healing any time soon.By this time, Eubank Jr felt ready to start taking more control over his career – rather than simply becoming another version of his dad. But his father did not take this move well.“My old man was always next to me, and it got to a stage where I decided that I needed to walk my own path. He was not happy with that decision. That’s the start of it,” Eubank Jr told Morgan.I think it’s going to take me being out of boxing for him to come back into my lifeEubank Jr“I had to step out of that cycle because I felt it wasn’t working, and as my own man, I had learned enough and had done enough in the game to do my own thing, to walk my own path and not follow someone else,” he told the Mirror.Tragically, Eubank Jr added that he’d have to ditch his love of boxing to rebuild any relationship with the man who had given him so much.“At this moment in time, he’s having trouble separating the business and the boxing and the coaching from being just my dad.“I think it’s going to take me being out of boxing for him to come back into my life. I hope that’s not the case, but that’s how I see it.”I’m very appreciative of everything he did and everything he taught me throughout my life and my career, but I want to be my own man, and that’s what I’m doing now.”Family painHowever, their gap only widened after a pair of tragic deaths within the family. Much of Eubank Sr’s fury has been directed at the fact that his son is having to shed so much weight, fearing that boiling down to the 160lb needed will risk needless damage – akin to what left Eubank Sr’s own brother paying the ultimate price.Eubank Sr still mourns the death of his brother Simon, who faced a debilitating battle with dementia caused by boxing injuriesCredit: Instagram @harlemeubankThe older Eubank and his nephew Harlem lost Simon in 2023Credit: Louis WoodEubank Jr has had to drastically cut down his weight in order to make the cut for SaturdayCredit: https://www.instagram.com/chriseubankjr/“I don’t want my son getting down to 160lb. And that is why I have spoken about people trying to murder my boy by boiling him down to 157lb,” Eubank Sr told The Sun while choking back tears.“Trying to boil my son down to 157lb a few years ago, would have killed him. You might think the word ‘killed’ is a bit strong but my brother is dead from boxing. He lost his life from boxing, with frontal lobe dementia. “In the end, Harlem was feeding him with a baby bottle, he had to feed his own father. I didn’t have the strength to go and see my brother in the last six months of his life because he was locked in spasm all of the time he was awake,” he added.“That is boxing and 20 losses at the hands of the promoters. It’s a business and a racket and when you keep bringing the same guy in to lose, he ends up being killed.“He was my brother. It is real for us.”Chris Eubank Jr hasn’t made one decision, he doesn’t breathe without his dad’s say soEddie HearnEubank Sr’s brother, Simon, passed away aged 61 in September 2023 after a harrowing battle with dementia, believed to have been brought on by injuries sustained in the ring.In response, Eubank Jr’s promoter Ben Shalon agreed that trying to reach 157lb was “crazy”.“It was irresponsible for everyone involved that we asked Chris Eubank Jr to get 157. [It was] absolutely crazy that that was ever agreed to but we’re here now. He’ll make the weight and he’ll be ready to go,” he added, in reference to Saturday’s fight.Tragically, Eubank Jr also lost his brother, Sebastian, after the 29-year old passed away from a heart attack in Dubai in 2021.“That affected [my dad] in a deep way – it affected all of us,” he told Piers Morgan.“Mental health is a real thing. “That incident, coupled with the fact that we were already not seeing eye to eye, destroyed a large part of the relationship.”‘Crazy’ demandsBut the cost of the animosity has been financial as well as emotion, according to promoter Eddie Hearn, which may have driven the younger Eubank’s decision to step out of his dad’s shadow.In 2016, Eubank Jr was being lined up for a £3million bout against WBC, IBF, and WBA belt-holder Gennady Golovkin. Promoter Eddie Hearn blames Eubank Sr’s “crazy” demands for Eubank Jr missing out on a £3million bout in 2016Credit: GettyEubank Sr and his lawyers never ended up signing the contract for the fight against Gennady GolovkinCredit: PA:Press Association More

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    The insanely lavish worlds of F1 tycoons…from Red Bull boss’s private island to £30million Bond villain-style mansion

    AS things heat up ahead of this Sunday’s Bahrain GP, the Gulf State will soon be crowded with the jets and supercars of the rich and famous.It’s fair to say there’s a lot of money in the world of F1 – and drivers and team staff alike certainly get paid handsomely.The late Eddie Jordan certainly knew how to enjoy his £85million fortuneCredit: AlamyEddie was among the most flamboyant of the F1 tycoonsCredit: GETTYRed Bull owner Mark Mateschitz inherited an entire tropical island from his fatherCredit: jason busch/LHW.comBut at the very top of the motor sport pyramid are the people who don’t just run the teams, but own them. And when you combine a net worth of millions – or in many cases billions – with a love of fast cars, you can be sure you’re dealing with a flashy spender.After all, if you can afford an F1 team, you might as well own a yacht on the side – or a Pacific island getaway when you need a break.It’s a sport that attracts some pretty big characters, just like the late Eddie Jordan, who went from flogging salmon on the streets to amassing a fortune of £85million.Read More FeaturesBut his riches are small fry to what others in the business are worth – such as Mercedes’s Toto Wolff, worth a whopping $1.6billion.And even Toto’s wealth is dwarfed by Red Bull owner Mark Mateschitz, who has a net worth of over £30billion. So what have they been spending it all on?Join us as we dive into the lavish lives of the biggest F1 tycoons.Most read in MotorsportBrave Eddie Jordan’s final public appearance just weeks before his deathToto WolffAfter trying his hand as a racing driver before moving into the boardroom, Toto Wolff bought a 30 per cent stake in Mercedes in 2013 for an estimated $50million.And as Mercedes moved up the rankings, so did his wealth increase – making the Austrian worth around a whopping $1.6billion today, according to Forbes. It’s no wonder Toto Wolff takes such an active role in ensuring his teams success – because he owns a third of itCredit: GettyThe Mercedes part-owner enjoys diving off his 49 metre-long superyacht off the coast of MonacoCredit: Instagram/totowolff_originalA video Toto posted to his Instagram shows he isn’t afraid to take his cars – in this case the iconic Mercedes-Benz SL from 1954 – for a spinCredit: Instagram/totowolff_originalOnce living near the team’s base in the UK, Wolff and his family have now moved to Monaco, close to where many of the drivers live.He’s also reported to own an 18,000 square foot mansion in Switzerland, which was reportedly bought for $62million.Unsurprisingly, the 53-year old owns a stunning car collection which features plenty of rare Mercedes. Wolff has frequently been spotted driving round Monaco in his Mercedez-Benz SL from 1954, worth around £1million, as well as the more modern Mercedec-AMG GT R, which sells for around £150,000-190,000.But brand loyalty hasn’t stopped him from also reportedly owning a Bugatti Veyron, a Ferrari LaFerrari, and also an iconic Ferrari F40  which he allegedly sold for some £1.2million. And when road travel doesn’t cut it, he can be spotted relaxing on the 49-metre-long superyacht UU, which he is thought to own – though he is thinking of designing one himself. Eddie JordanThe late Eddie Jordan owned properties around the globeCredit: AlamyEddie Jordan bought the spectacular yacht Blush for £32millionCredit: BLUEI PRODUCTIONSFrom trading on the streets of Dublin to securing iconic sponsorship deals – once convincing delivery firm DHL to repaint all their vans with his famous “Jordan yellow” – the late Eddie Jordan certainly reaped the rewards of his hard graft.Among his lavish assets was Sunseeker’s biggest ever yacht, which he bought for a cool £32million back in 2014, named Blush.Also under his ownership was a stunning 45-metre sailing yacht that let him enjoy times spent near the coast.Over the years, he amassed a massive – and very valuable – collection of F1 memorabilia, including the very car Michael Schumacher made his debut in.And like other team owners, he had multiple properties around the world including a palatial manor in Surrey, a house in Ireland, and a pad in Monaco.He also owned a £750,000 flat in Tooting, London, which he raffled off in 2017 to the lucky winner of the £10-to-enter competition. Lawrence StrollHaving made a fortune in the luxury fashion industry selling shares in brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors, the Canadian businessman is thought to be worth over £2billion.The 65-year-old tycoon is also part-owner of the Aston Martin racing team – and is the dad of their star driver, 26-year-old Lance. Lawrence Stroll, owner of the Aston Martin team, made his fortune selling shares in luxury fashion brandsCredit: The TimesThe Canadian billionaire hosted his 60th birthday party on board his massive yacht Faith, which was attended by the likes of Sarah Ferguson and Catherine Zeta-JonesCredit: PAHe is the proud owner of the Ferrari 250 GTO, which is thought to be worth over £50millionCredit: RexThough based in Geneva, Stroll also owns homes in London, Quebec, and also a £70million pad on the Caribbean island on Mustique where he wed Brazilian stunner Raquel Diniz, 35.When it’s race weekend in Monaco, you can find him on board Faith – a 96-meter superyacht which Toto Wolff has said is the nicest boat he’s ever been on, worth around £200million.Featuring a glass-bottomed swimming pool, beach club, and wet bar, it hosted stars such as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas for Stroll’s Great Gatsby-themed 60th birthday bash.Recent reports, however, suggest he’s sold the vessel on – downsizing to a 78-metre-long yacht instead.But it’s cars he really loves, amassing a collection reportedly worth over £140million.This includes a Ferrari 250 GTO, one of the most valuable cars in the world with a price tag north of £50million. Also in his garage are multiple LaFerraris, a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB he snapped up for a cool £20million, as well as McLarens and a Ford GT. Ron DennisSir Ron Dennis made a handsome penny from selling his McLaren sharesCredit: GettyWork started last week on his new £30million Berkshire mansionThe enormous property includes underground Roman-style baths, and a private tunnel to the River ThamesAlthough his split from McLaren was far from amicable, Sir Ron still walked away with £275million after selling his shares back in 2017.And what better way to enjoy retirement than to build yourself a £30million ‘Bond villain’ mega-mansion that’s set to be one of the most lavish homes in the country.Work began last week on the 77-year-old’s new Berkshire home for the, which will feature a Roman baths-style underground swimming pool and even a secret tunnel to the Thames to access his boat.There’s also extensive staff quarters, a room just for glassware and crockery, and a hair salon for when you don’t have time to nip down the massive drive to the local barbers. I am a pretty wealthy guy. So why wouldn’t I have some exotic cars?Sir Ron DennisIt goes without saying that the tycoon – who started life as a mechanic – is a massive car nut, once owning four go-karts built by McLaren for his own personal use.And planned for the new mansion is an underground garage complete with turntable to house his fleet of vehicles, including a McLaren worth £5million.“I love my McLarens,” he once told MailOnline.“I am a pretty wealthy guy. So why wouldn’t I have some exotic cars?”, he added.Aerial pictures taken of the plot near Henley-on-Thames last week show that diggers have moved in to start excavating the site. Mark MateschitzMark Mateschitz is one of the world’s youngest multi-billionairesCredit: GettyThanks to the Red Bull fortune, Mateschitz owns a private island in the South PacificCredit: http://www.laucala.comThe Austrian had enough spare cash to snap up Bernie Ecclestone’s extraordinary collection of motorsCredit: Tom Hartley Jnr/PA WireIt’s hard to avoid being rich when you’re Mark Mateschitz – son of Dietrich, co-founder of the Red Bull beverage and sporting empire who passed away three years ago.Dubbed Europe’s richest millennial, Forbes estimates the 32-year-old’s net worth to be north of £30.8billion, making him the 31st richest person on the planet.And Mateschitz has proved keen to carry on his father’s connection to F1, as evidenced by an enormous purchase he made just this month.The young billionaire is the new owner of Bernie Ecclestone’s private car collection – featuring 69 Grand Prix cars estimated to be together worth £500million.The Red Bull owner is thought to own multiple castles and villas across his native Austria, and his rumoured to have a £43.5million pad in swanky Knightsbridge.Also inherited from his dad is the island of Laucala, Fiji, a billionaire’s playground with a luxurious private resort – which even has its own airline to ferry visitors to and from the tropical paradise. And as if the Red Bull billions weren’t enough already, Mateschitz is currently dating heiress to the Swarovski crystal fortune, Victoria. Together, they’re working on a brand new getaway – a multi-million pound villa Marbella, close to where Victoria’s mother lives. Bernie EcclestoneBernie Ecclestone celebrating his 90th birthday with wife Fabiana FlosiCredit: Instagram @fabianaecclestoneEcclestone named his £30million superyacht after his daughter, PetraCredit: RexBernie Ecclestone’s daughter, Petra, is thought to be the owner of this giant 57,000 square ft. Beverly Hills home which was reportedly bought for $150millionCredit: Splash NewsHe enjoys lavish holidays with wife FabianaCredit: fabianaecclestone/InstagramThe F1 supremo himself has amassed billions of the decades, and the 94-year-old certainly knows how to spend it.As we revealed, he was once the owner of a car collection worth around £500millionAmong his property empire was a London home overlooking Kensington Palace, which sold for £57million, and he bought his daughter Tamara a £70million London mansion complete with gold bathtub and 50 staff. He’s now living in Switzerland in a £23million chalet called Le Lion, located in the resort town of Gstaad, along with his wife Fabiana Flosi.Ecclestone – who has an estimated net worth of £1.85billion – also owns not one, but two massive yachts.Read More on The SunThe £30million Petara, named after his daughter, can accommodate up to 12 guests and boasts a spacious interior.Then in 2022, he snapped up the 63 metre-long Force Blue for the bargain price of £6.6million, which features a spa, cinema, and nightclub onboard. 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    The stunning celebs you forgot were F1 grid girls – from I’m a Celeb legends to soap heartthrob and Ted Lasso star

    THEY were the stunning models who lived life in the fast lane – both on and off the track.But after going on to become TV stars, reality TV bombshells and even the owner of an animal sanctuary, you might have forgotten these stunning celebs who once posed as grid girls.Katie paid tribute to Eddie who got her involved in F1 as a grid girlCredit: PAEddie was one of the driving forces behind the women being brought into the sportCredit: RexOn the grid, Katie was known as her alter-ego JordanCredit: GettyKatie said his death was a great loss to the paddockCredit: PA:Press AssociationThis week, Katie Price’s fans were stunned to see gorgeous throwback snaps of her with the late F1 boss Eddie Jordan, who has sadly died at the age of 76.The glamour model, 46, became a grid girl under the motor racing legend’s tenure back in 1998 when she was aged just 19.Eddie pioneered the introduction of the glamorous women, and Katie even did a stunt for his team Jordan where she straddled one of the F1 cars. Here, we have a look at the other celebs who gave their blossoming careers a boost as a motoring hostess.Nell McAndrewBack in the 1990s, Nell was known for her outrageous behaviour and incredible modelling shoots, so it’s no wonder F1 snapped her up. Eddie convinced the beauty, now 51, to pose for a sizzling series of photos with one of his F1 cars in 2004.In the snaps, she is seen sprawled out in a yellow bikini over the pricey motor, while in another she channels Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, swishing around with a sword and slick jumpsuit.It’s certainly a far cry from her days now as a marathon runner.Lizzie Cundy says being a grid girl was ‘the best job she ever had’ on Good Morning BritainFellow glamour model Nell posed for a photo shoot with one of Eddie’s carsCredit: GettyShe channelled her best Kill Bill vibes for the fun shootCredit: GettyJodie MarshKatie’s long-time nemesis Jodie Marsh made a special guest appearance as a grid girl back in 2003. The former glamour model, now 46, graced the paddock and track at Silverstone to promote Playstation 2 game Formula One.Jodie made a special apperance as the face of PlayStation 2’s new F1 gameCredit: GettyJodie also knew F1 legend Eddie Jordan from her brief stint as a grid girlCredit: ReutersShe opted to wear a driver’s jumpsuit tied at her waist rather than a classic skimpy skirt, and in her special guest appearance on the track, she planted a kiss on Eddie’s cheek.Nowadays, Jodie has traded her hard partying socialite reputation for a new life running an animal sanctuary. And this week, the down-to-earth star joked she’s “fat but happier than ever”.Keeley HazellKeeley also appeared briefly as a grid girl to promote a video gameCredit: AlamyShe posed for photos with F1 drivers Tiago Monteiro (L) and Christijan Albers (C)Credit: GettyThese days you’re most likely to recognise Keeley as Ted Lasso’s Bex but back in the day, she was a lads’ mag favourite who also turned heads on the F1 track.The 38-year-old made her debut as a grid girl in 2003 at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone – leaving fans delighted.Like Jodie Marsh, she turned up to promote PlayStation’s Formula One game, which saw her perch on the Midland F1 team car. It certainly was a gear change from her usual Page 3 shoots.Gemma AtkinsonGemma was named the face of the British Grand Prix in 2007Credit: GettyThe model told how she was a big fan of the sportCredit: GettyBefore Strictly Come Dancing fame, Gemma, now 40, was unveiled in 2007 as the ‘female face’ of the British Grand Prix.At the time, the Hollyoaks star said: “I’m a massive F1 fan and this is my first time at the British Grand Prix. I’m really excited to be here as the female face of the British Grand Prix.“The atmosphere here at Silverstone is incredible! It is an unbelievable experience and I never imagined I’d get so close to the action. I’m so thrilled to be here.”Just a few months later, she was snapped up for I’m A Celeb and from there her star has continued to rise. Melinda MessengerMelinda doesn’t look back on her time as a grid girl in a positive mannerCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdShe posed up with drivers and fellow glamour model Katie PriceCredit: AlamyLike fellow Page Three girls Jodie and Keely, Melinda made an appearance at the British Grand Prix to promote an F1 video game. She wasted no time getting cosy with drivers Ralph Schumacher and Damon Hill in the pits during a practice run in 1998.Melinda became a regular fixture, but she doesn’t look back on the time positively. She told The Sun: “I was willingly exploiting myself, don’t forget. I was quite happy to go and get paid to look glamorous. So that’s a self-exploitation.”Lucy PinderLucy proved a big hit when she posed next to F1 cars back in 2005Credit: AlamyLucy posed up to promote a video game with pal Michelle MarshCredit: Getty Images – GettyLucy, 41, has turned her talents to acting in recent years, but at the height of her glamour girl fame she made a special appearance on the F1 grid.Alongside pal Michelle Marsh, she turned up at Silverstone in 2005.And even the drivers were fans of the beauties, with former F1 champ Fernando Alonso looking delighted while getting a picture with the girls. She also made appearances as a gird girl at the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport back in 2009. Michelle MarshOutsiding of posing for F1, Michelle and Lucy also appeared with bikes for RiskologyCredit: AlamyPage 3 blonde Michelle, now 42, turned up on the track alongside Lucy back in 2005. After being announced as the face of PlayStation’s F1 game, she posed for a series of photos on a F1 car, many showing off her ample cleavage. In a photo of her and Lucy with driver Fernando Alonso, the motor head is seen to peer down Lucy’s top. The pairing certainly proved a hit that year. Olivia AttwoodOlivia wasn’t an F1 girl, instead she posed for Monster at Motorsport eventsShe claims the job saved her life and put her on the path to fameOutspoken Olivia found fame appearing on Love Island back in 2017, but before then she was touring the world as a Motorsport grid girl for Monster Energy.Sadly, she never made it to the prestigious F1 paddock, but isn’t ashamed of her brolly dolly days, claiming it saved her life.Olivia blasted F1 bosses’ decision to axe the grid girls in 2018, saying: “They’re taking the fun, glamour, and extravagance out of absolutely everything – where does it end? If you got a mechanic to hold a brolly over the bike on the track, how boring’s that?”She later told The Sunday Times: “That job saved my life. I travelled the world, it gave me discipline, I met amazing people, so to me, it’d be pretty sad to think someone else wouldn’t get that opportunity.”Lucy Pinder and Michelle Marsh pose with F1 drivers at the British Grand PrixCredit: GettyMelinda Messenger, Katie Price and Emma Noble launched the F1 racing season for team JordanCredit: PA:Press Association More

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    Maverick Eddie Jordan was cowboy who brought rock’n’roll to F1, made Katie Price a star and gave Schumacher his debut

    EDDIE JORDAN was the Irish underdog who brought rock’n’roll energy to Formula One – and helped make Katie Price a star.The former team owner, who has died aged 76, draped the then 20-year-old glamour model over his trademark yellow cars at racetracks in his Nineties heyday.Eddie Jordan, pictured here with Katie ‘Jordan’ Price, was a true F1 rock starCredit: GettyJordan handed big breaks to a number of drivers in F1 including Michael SchumacherCredit: Getty’Eddie Mania’ was in full swing during the 1990sCredit: PA:Press AssociationJordan’s record of giving rookies their big break was second to noneCredit: AP:Associated PressWith glamour girl Jodie MarshCredit: ReutersIt gave The Sun’s Page 3 girl her first taste of global attention – and made everyone remember her alias, “Jordan”.At the time, the Jordan Formula One team was by far the most exciting name in racing thanks to Eddie’s trailblazing sense of fun.As well as making so-called “pit babes” part of the action, he painted menacing snakes on the noses of his racing cars and organised rock concerts after races, with himself on drums.While other teams seemed to care mainly about technical specs, he was all about passion, and his motormouth enthusiasm made that passion infectious.READ MORE ON EDDIE JORDANThe scrappy former Dublin street-trader also captured imaginations with his swashbuckling sponsorship deals – including one when he managed to convince delivery firm DHL to repaint their entire international fleet of white vans and planes with his famous “Jordan Yellow”.Eddie once recalled: “We were like cowboys in the Wild West, chasing around finding money.”He was also famous for what even back in 1990 was described as an “uncanny ability to spot young drivers and maximise their potential”.Those he gave big breaks to included Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, others to drive for him included world champion Damon Hill, Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barichello, Ralf Schumacher, Jean Alesi, Martin Rundle, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Rubens Barichello.Most read in MotorsportBut top drivers always ended up getting lured away to richer and more corporate teams, backed by huge car makers such as Ferrari and McLaren.Maverick Eddie ended up being the last independent owner in the sport.Brave Eddie Jordan’s final public appearance just weeks before his deathHe finally sold up in 2005, becoming a TV racing pundit and presenting Top Gear alongside Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc from 2016.Meanwhile the father of four threw his deal-making energy into the business world, including owning chunks of Celtic FC, Jazz FM and posh people’s bible Debrett’s.According to the Sunday Times Rich List, by 2020 he was worth £85million.But despite his success Eddie once admitted: “I want people to think I’m a bit of an Irish eejit.“I don’t want people to know whether I’m clever or not. I like them to think I just got lucky.”Edmund Patrick Jordan was born in Dublin on March 30, 1948, and first began wheeler-dealing in the playground with conkers: “I would be buying and selling constantly.”After a brief attempt at studying to be a dentist, he ditched university in 1967 to work as a bank teller.He bragged in 2004: “I was by far the best person at opening new accounts.”When a strike closed Dublin banks in 1970 he headed to work in Jersey where one Sunday he had a go in a go-kart at a local track.He wrote in his 2008 autobiography: “I had no idea that this sort of exhilaration existed.”The following year he won the Irish Kart Championship.Then in 1972, aged 24, came a crash that left him with an infected fracture that hit his nervous system and caused alopecia. Jordan was worth around £85m according to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2020Credit: PAJordan started out as a bank tellerCredit: GettyHe eventually fell in love with racing in 2008Credit: GettyJordan married Marie in 1983Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdFor the rest of his life he covered up his total baldness with wigs: he had three in different lengths that he wore on rotation.He then moved into car-racing, starting with the Formula Ford competition, then Formula 3 and Formula Atlantic.And to fund it all, in his own words: “I was always a hustler.”That included flogging smoked salmon on Dublin’s streets, dressed in chef’s whites and standing under a sign designed to make the cut-rate fish look high-end: “Saumon fumé ici”.Meanwhile he did “brisk business” selling used cars from the car park of the bank where he still worked.He won the Irish Formula Atlantic Championship in 1978 and tested for McLaren’s F1 team but later admitted: “I was a little accident prone.”So in 1979 he moved to Britain and founded his team, Eddie Jordan Racing, letting other F3 drivers including, briefly, Ayrton Senna, take the wheel while he wrangled fees and sponsorship deals.By this time he had just married Marie McCarthy, a former Irish basketball international and his “absolute rock” for the rest of his life.He said he had first fallen for her because she was a “jeans and bacon butties” kind of girl.And to his amazement when, after his team had aced both the F3 and Formula 3000 competitions, she supported him when he told her in 1990 that he wanted to move into F1.By then, they had four children and £5m in the bank, largely from managing drivers’ careers.He wanted to spend it all on the high-risk venture and recalled: “I talked to Marie about it and she said, ‘You’ll never be happy until you do it. Let’s get on with it.”Jake Humphrey’s heartfelt tributeUtterly devastated.EJ has left us.Formula One won’t see the likes of Eddie ever again where a guy with a love for racing can hustle his way into the sport and end up winning races.More important than race wins though, he won hearts. I will never forget how his face would always light up whenever he saw a Jordan GP jacket, flag or cap… as we traveled the world together years after the team had been sold.His greatest achievements were Mikki, Zoe, Kyle and Zak. His incredible 4 kids who share his spirit. His wife Marie is one of the strongest, most wonderful women I have ever met.The 4 years we spent together hosting F1 on the BBC were greatest of my career. Wing-walking, scooter riding, car driving madness that I know he loved deeply.His incredible spirit and love of life lives on in me, and my children who were lucky enough to meet him and hear all about him.Eddie lit up a room whenever he entered it. That is a lesson for us all – be the light in the room.I was lucky enough to share one, final, cherished meal with him and his boys a few months ago. It was special. We talked about me doing one last interview with him. Sadly that will never happen.As I left his departing words were ‘I love you brother’.I love you. Brother.One of the 3 Amigos is gone. The world seems a little less bright this morning.Farewell friend. Play the spoons up there for meSo he renamed his team Jordan Grand Prix and gathered a crack design group that on a tiny budget built what is still regarded as one of F1’s most beautiful cars of all time: the Jordan 191.That first racing year, 1991, the team colour was green, after he “browbeat” a sponsorship deal out of 7UP then ran around signing up other sponsors associated with the same colour: Fujifilm and, famously, the country of Ireland.The Irish government coughed up £1m when he claimed he had painted the car green because “I felt so strongly about this being the first ever Irish F1 team”.Thanks to this, Eddie was an instant cult hero in his homeland; the rest of the world took notice when underdogs managed to keep up with and sometimes beat the big-name teams.Most spectacularly, in that first season he gave a young Michael Schumacher his F1 debut at the Belgian Grand Prix.The 22-year-old qualified seventh, considered impossible for a newbie.He was then swiftly poached by another team in a murky deal that led to Eddie denouncing his fellow owners as “the piranha club”.This off-track drama only helped raise the Jordan team’s profile and a so-called “Eddie mania” began to take off.He explained the attraction of his team this way: “We do things differently. We like entertaining, we like rock’n’roll.”From 1994 rock literally became part of the team’s image, when he began putting on gigs at Silverstone after the annual Grand Prix.A keen drummer since his teens, his band V10 – later called Eddie and the Robbers – became GP fixtures and were joined on stage over the years by everyone from Bono to Rod Stewart.Meanwhile in 1996 Eddie finally got his financial breakthrough, landing the deep-pocketed Benson & Hedges as a sponsor – and finally getting his trademark yellow cars.Jordan blasted his fellow team owners as the ‘piranha club’ after Schumacher was poached from himCredit: GettyJordan landed a financial breakthrough in 1996 to get his trademark yellow carsCredit: PAJordan started putting on rock concerts at Silverstone every yearCredit: PAJordan has been a keen drummer since his teensCredit: GettyInitially that year the vehicles were painted gold to match the cigarette brand’s packaging, but after a single race everyone realised the sponsorship logos did not “pop” well against that shade.So tests were done and the team found that the best background colour for logos was what became known as “Jordan Yellow”.That was a breakthrough: the Jordan cars were instantly by far the most eye-catching racers on the track.It was then Eddie realised that Jordan was a “brilliant brand” – whether or not his cars actually won was not the point.He went even further with the following year’s model by adding a snake to the paintwork. It was dubbed “Hissing Sid” and Eddie later said it had “a colossal impact”.There had been nothing like it in F1 before.Eddie also decreed that he wanted his team to be “sexy”, so in 1998 he brought in a handful of glamour models to events and races.They included Melinda Messenger and Katie Price, who had adopted the name Jordan when she first posed for The Sun in 1996.Jordan was the breakout star, and was soon being referred to in the Press as “Eddie Jordan’s pit girl”.She wrote in her autobiography: “I was definitely on the way up.”That same year, 1998, his team had its first win, when Damon Hill triumphed in the Belgian Grand Prix.Eddie danced a jig all the way to the podium.By this stage, the team was so popular that its bright yellow merchandise outsold Ferrari’s.At the end of that glorious year, unable to resist a good deal, Eddie sold 49.9 per cent of team to private equity firm Warburg Pincus for £40m.But costs for designs and drivers were rocketing as more big money came into the sport, and Eddie was still always scrabbling for sponsors.He later admitted: “We were insolvent most of the time.”It was because he was still “desperate for the money” that in 2002 he wrangled one of his proudest deals, with delivery firm DHL.They were interested in being sponsors, but balked when Eddie refused to repaint his cars white with red trim to match their company colours.So Eddie demanded a meeting with the board, then handed out a picture of a street full of boring white delivery vans.He followed that with a picture of a street full of boring white delivery vans plus one in Jordan Yellow, and his point was made.They rebranded, repainted their entire fleet and sponsored the team.Eddie boasted in 2023: “To this day they pay me a tiny royalty.”The team went on to have four wins in total, the last in 2003.But by then the Irishman was tiring, especially after he lost a £150m court case against Vodafone in 2003.He had claimed the phone giant had reneged on a sponsorship deal; the judge branded him “a wholly unsatisfactory witness”.In early 2005, Eddie sold the team to the Midland Group for £47million and walked away.He thought he would miss it, but later wrote in his autobiography: “To my surprise it did not matter at all.”He threw himself into TV commentating, golf, cycling and raising money for child cancer charity CLIC Sargent, as well as into other businesses.In March 2023 Eddie, who was awarded an honorary OBE in 2012, celebrated his 75th birthday by zooming down a black-run ski slope in a bright yellow Jordan jacket, holding dozens of yellow balloons.Twelve months later Eddie was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder and prostate, which was “quite aggressive” and quickly spread.Revealing his diagnosis on his Formula For Success podcast in December 2024 he said: “Everybody listening to this – don’t put it off. “Go and get tested, because in life you’ve got chances.”As he had said a few years earlier: “We need to get people to believe.”And that’s the key word in life, and it’s the biggest word I’ve ever used.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he also admitted he had plans for what he wanted done with his body when he did die.He revealed happily: “I’m going out in flames.”Jordan wanted his F1 team to be ‘sexy’Credit: GettyEddie Jordan has four children with his wife, MarieCredit: GettyHe was good friends with Sir Rod StewartCredit: GettyJordan attends the Monaco GP in 2022Credit: Getty More