Features

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Boyzone & Westlife stars’ bid to turn footie minnows into ‘new Wrexham’ as they declare ‘we’ll win the Prem’

      by

      BOYZONE and Westlife have sold out stadiums all over the world.But now three members of the famous Nineties pop bands have entered a new arena with a fresh challenge – to take a part-time football club all the way to the Premier League.Shane Lynch and Brian McFadden at Chorley this weekendCredit: Mark TattersallWrexham’s celebrity owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate the club’s promotion in April last yearCredit: GettySaturday’s clash with King’s LynnCredit: Mark TattersallJean Pedley, second left, with fansCredit: Mark TattersallKeith Duffy said: ‘Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of Chorley’Credit: GettyShane Lynch and Keith Duffy from Boyzone, with Brian McFadden of Westlife fame, are now shareholders of Chorley FC, who play in the ­National League North — SIX rungs below England’s top-flight squads.Chorley is just 25 miles from ­Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, but the clubs are light years apart in footballing terms.The smaller team, nicknamed The Magpies, averages gates of 1,400, compared to City’s 53,000. Their 80-year-old stand was originally built on an ash tip, and the club boasts such a ­community vibe, a fan once drove a crocked player to hospital because no ambulance was nearby.Read More on SportNow, with a potential documentary in the offing tracking their journey, Shane, Keith and Brian believe there is no reason why they can’t mirror Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham — whose story ­features in a Disney+ show — and Gary Neville at Salford City.Both have taken struggling teams towards the promised land.Brian, 44, said: “We have aspirations, just like Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds. “I wake up some nights thinking, ‘We’re going to win the Premier League in the next 30 years’.Most read in Football“You have to dream big, and we’ve got to aim for the top.‘Amazing support’“Teams like Salford and Wrexham, who have well-known owners, make us think, ‘Why not us?’.” Boyzone reuniting for Welcome to Wrexham-style TV docu-series after buying non-league Chorley FCAnd he joked: “Gary Neville and Ryan ­Reynolds may need to watch out!”Keith added of the locals’ pride in the team: “We’re from a working-class background in the north side of Dublin and it’s all about family.“It’s all about community — and coming here today, it’s like being home.“Hopefully we’re going to be the new adopted sons.”This week, The Sun was invited for the first ever access-all-areas tour of the ground with the lads, and to witness a 2-1 win for their team that took them joint top of their league.It is exactly a year since the trio signed on the dotted line as investors.Since then, the club has invested £250,000 in a new pitch, installed safer terracing at the 4,100-capacity ground and also created a brand new hospitality suite.But the pop stars insist they will not be meddling in the running of the team. Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of ChorleyKeith DuffyShane, 48, said: “What’s on the pitch stays on the pitch, and what’s off the pitch kind of stays off the pitch. “We try not to bleed into both. “We are here as investors.”Brian, who lives in neighbouring Rochdale, added: “When I was signed to big record companies, I hated it when they told me how to sing.“So, we’re definitely not going to tell them how to play football.”We arrive at the 105-year-old ­Victory Park stadium two hours before Saturday’s crunch home tie against King’s Lynn.The old-fashioned turnstiles creak as stewards warmly greet fans by their first names. One supporter sells pin badges while others chat to the players and give them high-fives as they head inside.Shane and Brian — both wearing club jerseys — guide us into the home dressing room, where the team’s black, white and red shirts bearing each player’s name are hung up neatly, with the rest of the kit folded below. We have aspirations, just like Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds. I wake up some nights thinking, ‘We’re going to win the Premier League in the next 30 yearsBrian McFaddenBut this is where the similarities with a Premier League changing room end. Instead of giant interactive screens similar to those you would see at the likes of City and Liverpool, a whiteboard displays hand-written notes on that day’s match rivals.Shane embraces Chorley manager Andy Preece and the pair share a joke.Brian, who scored a 1999 No1 with Westlife covering Abba’s I Have A Dream, said: “When I’ve got grandchildren, I want to be able to say I was a part of that.”However, not all fans were convinced when Shane’s friends, who bought the 141-year-old club last year, invited the lads to invest. Keith said: “Chorley Football Club belongs to the people of Chorley.“They’ve got this amazing community support. “It’s their club and I think there was a worry that we might come in and try to make it a bit Hollywood and throw money at it. “After speaking to everyone, we said we couldn’t do that. “We had to let this club grow naturally.”Shane added: “I’m not hugely into football, but Brian and Keith are.“It’s amazing to see how the fans bought into having two guys from Boyzone and a fella from Westlife on board.”And it’s not just the club that is in a different league. Most of Chorley’s players also have day jobs, such as school sports coach, personal trainer, plumber and electrician. One even works for the National Crime Agency.Outside, the ground has changed since the club was formed after switching from a rugby team in 1883.Fans can get in for just £14 if they buy tickets online, while under-12s go free — a snip compared to the £100 sometimes charged by Premier League sides in the area. Chorley — a town of just 120,000 people — is famed for its Chorley cake but, as well as being able to grab one with a cuppa for less than £3, the ground’s delicacy is its butter chicken, mushy peas and gravy for just over £5.‘Always felt like home’Since the lads took over a year ago, a revamp means state-of-the-art hospitality facilities offer fans a two-course meal, their own car parking space, a programme, signed ball and the best seats for less than £70 a head if bought in a group of six.Hospitality manager Sue Gautrey began working as a barmaid at the club in 2002, and said: “It has always felt like home. “My three daughters work here and I hope I’ll be here until I retire.“It’s quite surreal seeing Boyzone and Westlife wandering around, but they are lovely. “Everyone associated with the club is great.”In the summer, Shane, Keith and Brian saw £250,000 spent on a new pitch and drainage system, while the terracing got fresh Tarmac, a new perimeter fence was installed and improvements were made to the quaint main stand.Chairman Jamie Vermiglio, a former player who managed the club to the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2021, when they were beaten by Premier League side Wolves, said: “Having these guys here is brilliant for the club. “It’s exciting.“We have had some great times and achievements, and hopefully we will have many more.”I’m not hugely into football, but Brian and Keith are. It’s amazing to see how the fans bought into having two guys from Boyzone and a fella from Westlife on boardShane LynchShane said: “We’re on a ten-year project and we are coming into Year Two. “We’ve got lots of ideas for the ground, for the game and to grow Chorley as a town.“What we are doing is very much community based. “Just look at the queues outside. “This is why this club is alive, and the more people we can have walking through the turnstiles, is very important to us.”The trio said they are keen to bring in new sponsorship, boost attendance and generate funds to help climb the leagues.And watching their match with full-time squad King’s Lynn, it could be the start of something.Chorley win 2-1, sending them joint top with former league club Scunthorpe. Fans are jubilant and chant, “We are going up” as they leave.Chorley is a great community and the support they have is great. This is how it should be and it is a great day out for familiesKeith DuffyJean Pedley, 82, started watching the team aged 12 and lives next to the ground. She said: “My mother used to wash the kit. “My sister and I used to work in the refreshment bar and all you could buy was a pork pie and a cup of tea. “Now we have pop stars here. “It’s changed a lot.”John Vernon, 81, a supporter of 70 years, said: “The Premier League is another world, but this is the charm of it here. “At a game in Nottingham, one of our players suffered a nasty cut and there wasn’t an ambulance so I drove him to hospital.“I managed to get him back to the ground before the team coach left.“When we arrived back, everyone cheered. “If we’d missed the coach, I’d have happily driven him home. “Where else would that happen?”In the trophy room, Keith, 50, hailed fans’ post-match celebrations, which include a singer and a live band, revealing: “Chorley is a great community and the support they have is great. “This is how it should be and it is a great day out for families.”He added of their win over King’s Lynn: “It was good to see that today.”Shane added: “I was having a bit of banter with the fans, telling them that it’s not my fault if we lose.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I was nervous at the end of the game and it was a great buzz to winning. “There are real similarities with having a great gig.” More

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      I partied with Rodri & Man Utd’s Alejandro Garnacho at Ballon D’or – Harry Kane let slip plans for Prem League return

      by

      IT was a glitzy night with football’s biggest stars – and I was one of the lucky few invited to attend.More than 500 bottles of Champagne were cracked open before the creme de la creme watched Manchester City’s Rodri and Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati receive the Ballon d’Or.Ellie Henman with her Tottenham hero Harry Kane in ParisCredit: SuppliedEllie with Man Utd’s Alejandro GarnachoCredit: SuppliedMan City’s Rodri picked up the men’s Ballon d’OrCredit: ReutersHe was helped on stage by former Manchester City player George Weah in the closing segment of the eveningCredit: SuppliedBut the caterers scored an own goal when they ran out of platters to serve their nibbles — forcing the chefs to send out waiters holding metal colanders full of macaroni cheese balls.That flash of chaos did not affect the presentation of the only two balls that really mattered — the rotund golden trophies that were carefully wheeled on to the stage in Paris.There was even more fanfare to the moment than I’ve seen at the Oscars and the Baftas.The gongs came in custom-made Louis Vuitton cases, which each took three people to open, while fireworks threatened to set off the fire alarm as the crowd watched in bewilderment.READ MORE IN SPORTSSome hours before then, my evening began by navigating four road closures and more than 200 confused French coppers to get to the Theatre du Chatelet in the French capital on a windy Monday night.Rabid selfie-takersOnce inside, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with football heavyweights including French legend Marcel Desailly and Barcelona president Joan Laporta — who was flanked by heavies to bat off rabid selfie-takers, myself included.My first port of call was tracking down Harry Kane, the former captain of my beloved Tottenham Hotspur, who on the night picked up the Gerd Muller trophy with Kylian Mbappe as they had both scored the most goals in Europe this season.Grabbing Harry for a chat before he was celebrated for his 44 goals in 45 matches, he admitted he was loving his new life at Bayern Munich.Most read in Football“I’m really enjoying it,” Harry told me with a grin on his face, although he went on to admit his German could still do with a bit of work.“I am learning and doing two lessons a week,” he added. “I have a good teacher at Bayern.Harry Kane scores incredibly rare German hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 4-0 win over Stuttgart“For me it is difficult but hopefully I will be there for many years and at some stage will be able to talk a bit of German.”But what about coming back to Spurs I plead, given we desperately miss our golden boy.“Maybe one day,” Harry tells me with a somewhat sympathetic smile. Although I suspect, deep down, I may be left wanting.The reception waiters are bringing out posh canapes in great haste but I spy Marcel Desailly waving away cubes of raw cod — which, given they were room temperature, was a wise decision.After I introduced myself, the Chelsea legend gossiped about Real Madrid’s decision to snub the big night after learning star forward Vinicius Junior would not be awarded the top prize.Lamine Yamal with mum Sheila and brother KeyneCredit: RexSpanish footballer Jennifer Hermoso got the first standing ovation of the night as she won the Socrates awardCredit: ReutersEllie hanging out with Marcel Desailly at the bashCredit: SuppliedInsiders at the glitzy bash told me the club’s decision to not send a single delegate caused a big headache and a hurried last-minute switch to the seating plan on the theatre floor.Elsewhere in the bash, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho was tucked away in a corner of the champagne reception furiously tapping away on his mobile phone as his glamorous female companion stared blankly into space.I am learning and doing two lessons a weekHarry KaneIt wasn’t surprising the striker only had eyes for his iPhone, given just six hours before he arrived his gaffer Erik ten Hag was handed his P45.I chose to not mention the chaos when I started up a conversation but it was clear Garnacho was so deep in the club WhatsApp group gossip that time for a chinwag with me was not on the cards.He sat with schoolboy-like stoicism on the front row next to Harry as the awards began. By this point, more than 500 bottles of Taittinger had been cracked open and the players, Uefa bigwigs and everyone in between were certainly well-oiled.As the players started to take their seats I went down on to the floor and spotted Barcelona’s teenage wonderkid Lamine Yamal — who won the best young player trophy at the ceremony — carrying his toddler brother Keyne around to meet his peers.The tot won hearts when Lamine carried him out on to the pitch after Spain won the Euros this summer and he was the centre of attention at the ceremony.As Keyne was passed from player to player, Lamine looked on proudly as they cooed over him.And later that evening, at just past 11pm, he was among the last to leave as proud Lamine carried the tuxedo-wearing tot down the red-carpeted stars and off to bed. Spanish footballer Jennifer Hermoso got the first standing ovation of the night as she won the Socrates award.Jennifer — the woman at the centre of the storm last July when she was kissed without consent by Fifa’s ex- vice-president Luis Rubiales — was the first woman to be handed the gong and used her time on stage to push for equality.‘Make a better world’She said: “This award is not just mine, but belongs to all my teammates, with whom I share a space where equality is not always a given.“That’s why we all work day by day with the hope and desire to leave women’s football in a better place for the new generations.”She added: “I’d like to tell all women to keep being courageous. Work together in order to make a better world possible.”Two hours in, and the ceremony came to a close with the unveiling of the top award, the Ballon d’Or.Barcelona’s Aitana won the women’s gong for a second year in a row and was handed the accolade by Hollywood actress Natalie Portman.The Black Swan star, who part-owns LA-based football team Angel City FC, told me she was a regular at Paris Saint-Germain games with her teenage son — who worked the theatre floor like a pro and took selfies with everyone from Harry to Rodri.I’d like to tell all women to keep being courageousJennifer HermosoCollecting her prize, Aitana paid tribute to her teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo who were left in second and third place respectively.The pair did not seem too impressed with her sentiments, though, and struggled to raise a smile as Aitana spoke about them.Afterwards, when the Champagne started to flow again, they made a beeline for the dessert table and I stood and watched as they despondently ate miniature cream cakes and poached pears as Aitana swerved the after-party.Man City’s Rodri, who picked up the men’s Ballon d’Or, was helped on stage by former Manchester City player George Weah in the closing segment of the evening.The midfielder is on crutches after undergoing surgery following a nasty injury last month, but refused to pose with his sticks and handed them to a flunky as he stood on stage clutching his prize.“I am feeling much better,” he reassured the crowd. “This is a big injury for me. Football has a lot of risks and this is the first time in my career to have something like this.“I am trying to rest and recuperate and come back stronger.”He was joined by his parents, who were seated towards the back — and when I saw him leaving the theatre, his mother had to fight through a crowd of 20 heavies to reach her boy to give him a kiss.It just goes to show, you are never too old, or too successful, to get a smacker from Mum.Back inside the bash, there was uproar at the decision to shut the bar at 11pm — two hours before the official closing time.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith all the stars gone, though, and the warm, raw cod starting to repeat on the most prestigious of guests, it was best to call it a night.Until next year, Paris.Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati receive the Ballon d’OrCredit: ReutersWaiter and colander full of nibbles after platters ran outCredit: suppliedNatalie Portman, who presented an awardCredit: GettyEllie at the awards in ParisCredit: Supplied More

    • 200 Shares99 Views

      in Athletics

      From legendary strongman to avid budgie breeder – the unforgettable life of beloved Olympian Geoff Capes

      by

      GIANT policeman Geoff Capes, who became Britain’s best-loved strongman, has died aged 75.Shot putter Capes — who stood 6ft 5½in and weighed 26st — represented Great Britain at three Olympics.Despite his strongman persona, Geoff Capes’ hobby was breeding budgerigars which he held gently in his giant handsCredit: GettyGeoff Capes of Great Britain competing in the men’s shot put event during the Summer Olympic Games in Montreal 1976.Credit: GettyGeoff won the 1983 World’s Strongest Man competitionCredit: RexHe was Commonwealth champion and European champion twice and since 1980 has been the country’s shot put record holder with a throw of 21.68metres.But the star was best known as the World’s Strongest Man, who could tear London phone directories in half and bend three-foot long, one-inch diameter steel bars.But remarkably, his hobby was breeding budgerigars which he held gently in his giant hands.And he became the president of the Budgerigar Society and was never happier than when he won the world budgie championship and travelled the globe judging bird shows.READ MORE ON GEOFF CAPESLast night fans took to social media to pay tribute to the beloved strongman.I was a hell of a fighter as well. If the next town came down on a Friday and there were only eight or nine of them I’d say, ‘Go back and get some more.Geoff on his youthOne said on X: “I watched him as a young man — my sincerest ­condolences to his family and friends, we’ll miss you Geoff.”Another added: “Sad to hear the passing of Geoff Capes. A fixture growing up on our TV and during athletics coverage.”Geoffrey Lewis Capes was born in 1949 in Holbeach, Lincs, the seventh of nine children.Most read in AthleticsAnd trouble was never far away. He remembered: “I was a hell of a fighter as well. If the next town came down on a Friday and there were only eight or nine of them I’d say, ‘Go back and get some more.’VW Polo from 3848 advert featuring Geoff Capes advert from 1983“I’d fight them on my own. I was quite quiet, but there was an inner aggression.“My headmaster, a guy called Joe Fathers, took great pleasure in trying to knock it out of me. He had a choice of canes.“On the last day I went into his office, I took the canes off the wall in the office in front of him and walked out.”Gifted sportsmanGeoff’s salvation was Holbeach Athletic Club where he was coached by BBC athletics commentator Stuart Storey.A gifted sportsman, Capes represented Lincolnshire at basketball, football and cross-country. But shot put was where he could channel the chip on his shoulder.Capes said: “I threw in bare feet in a concrete circle — and came second from last.”Capes would hitch-hike to athletics competitions and was told by Storey that he would achieve great things if he could just direct his energy.But growing up in the Lincs fens Geoff had a softer side — he was ­fascinated by the natural world and cared for injured birds and animals. After leaving school he worked as a coalman and an agricultural labourer before joining Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1970. He served in the force for ten years.He was allowed time off to compete at athletics meetings, but on a copper’s salary he could barely afford a daily diet that included six pounds of red meat, a dozen eggs and a large tin of baked beans.He also consumed two tins of ­pilchards, one and a half pounds of cottage cheese, a packet of cereal, two large loaves of bread with a pound of butter. All washed down with a pint of orange juice and seven pints of milk.Capes went on to become the most capped British male athlete of all time, with 67 international credits, and in 1983 he was voted Britain’s best-ever field athleteCredit: GettyThe strongman appearing in the kids’ TV programme ‘Supergran’Credit: RexIn a recent interview Capes said: ‘I enjoyed my life and I went around the world. How many people can say that?’Credit: RexIn his last interview he said: “I ate like a f***ing horse! Anything I could get my hands on. But nearly all protein.”Capes, who would lift 120 tons in training each week, did sponsorship deals that helped him to bypass the Olympics’ strict amateur rules.He had advertising slogans “Butcher Brown is the best in town” and his Talbot Estate car displayed “Dewhurst: Master Butchers” on the side.Capes went on to become the most capped British male athlete of all time, with 67 international credits, and in 1983 he was voted Britain’s best-ever field athlete.Just before his last Olympics, Moscow 1980, he won Britain’s first strongest man competition and became a household name. Tests of strength such as bending steel bars, lifting a platform of bunny girls, pulling lorries, arm wrestles and tug of war gave the show cult status.And Capes was soon in demand for everything from 17 pantomime appearances and children’s TV to performances at the London Palladium with Bobby Davro and TV ads.By 1983 he was officially the world’s strongest man but the following year lost the title to Jón Páll Sigmarsson.The Icelander who was 11 years younger, taunted: “The King has lost his crown!”But Geoff swore: “I’ll be back.” The next year he took the title and roared: “The King has not lost his crown!”Once, at Scotland’s Braemar Games, he used so much resin competing that when he was congratulated by the late Queen, their hands stuck together, causing Her Majesty to roar with laughter.READ MORE SUN STORIESGeoff’s son Lewis and daughter Emma were both shot putters, while two of his grandchildren, Donovan, 19, and Lawson, 15, train at the shot put ring Capes built in his home village of Stoke Rochford, Lincs.In a recent interview he said: “I enjoyed my life and I went around the world. How many people can say that?” More

    • 213 Shares159 Views

      in Boxing

      How boxing legend played by Sydney Sweeney beat cocaine addiction before surviving murder attempt by vicious hubby

      by

      WITH a bullet lodged three inches from her heart and several stab wounds, boxing champ Christy Martin lay on the floor and prepared to throw in the towel.But then a voice in her head said it was not her time to die just yet.Boxing champ Christy Martin beat addiction and survived a murder attemptCredit: GettySydney Sweeney will play Christy in a film about her lifeCredit: instagram/sydney_sweeneyShowing incredible strength and de- fiance against her monstrous husband Jim Martin, who had just tried to kill her, Christy dragged herself outside, where a passing stranger took her to hospital.Now, 14 years on, the woman who made female boxing mainstream, fought as the undercard to Mike Tyson and was the first female slugger to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, is being played by Sydney Sweeney in a movie about her life.This week, the actress was unrecognisable during filming on location in North Carolina.The as yet untitled flick will show how the fighter from small- town West Virginia took the sporting world by storm, earning more than £3million during 35 undefeated bouts, only to lose herself in domestic violence and drugs.READ MORE ON BOXINGChristy, now 56 and happily married to a woman having divorced violent former manager Jim, is keen to make one thing clear: “It is not a boxing movie.”She said in an exclusive interview: “That was the main thing I wanted to stress when I met the producers.‘Not born to box’“This is the underdog story. It’s about domestic violence, sexuality and sexual abuse.“I’m a coal miner’s daughter from a small town and no one expected I would make it. And at the same time, I had all these other things happening in my life.Most read in BoxingHuge Hollywood sexbomb unrecognisable on set of new movie – but can you guess who it is?“I hope it’s a movie that, in ten years, a father will sit down with his daughter and say, ‘These are the things I don’t ever want you to endure. I don’t ever want you pushed into a relationship’.“I want parents to watch it then say to their children, ‘If you’re gay, we will love you no matter what’.“I want people to know that to be a professional boxer, you don’t have to sell your soul to the devil. It’s a complex story and I hope it’s got a lot to say to lots of different people.”It was November 2010 when Christy, following years in an abusive marriage, finally plucked up the courage to walk out the door.Enraged Jim stabbed his wife multiple times in the chest and shot her once with her own pink revolver.The bullet narrowly missed her heart and her leg was cut almost to the bone.But in a heroic effort, she managed to escape and flag down help.Anyone But You actress Sydney, 27, signed up to play Christy despite — or perhaps because of — being famed for racy TV shows, rom coms and horror movies until now.Both women hail from unfashionable US towns. Sweeney is from Spokane, Washington, while Christy grew up in Mullens, West Virginia.But while the Hollywood star, who set pulses racing in Euphoria and White Lotus, is engaged to producer Jonathan Davino, Christy spent much of her life hiding her sexuality.Heterosexual actors playing gay roles has proved controversial in the past.Sydney coming onboard is huge. I met her over a Zoom call the other day. She has a mixed martial arts background, so she understands combat sports. It’s not exactly the same, but she understands the mentalityChristyBut Christy said: “I wasn’t worried that a straight person would be playing the part.“I was more concerned how she would feel portraying a gay person. I think she will do fine. It’s acting, so you get to be whoever you want, straight or gay.“Too much is put on that stuff. Let’s just be us and whatever happens, happens.”She added: “Sydney coming on board is huge. I met her over a Zoom call the other day. She has a mixed martial arts background, so she understands combat sports. It’s not exactly the same, but she understands the mentality.“I watched her in Anyone But You and I liked her. It will be interesting seeing her being me and I’m excited.“Sydney is an A-lister. If you ask a young guy who she is, they know her, so I think she’s pretty cool.”Christy first boxed in college, aged 18, when she was secretly dating a woman.Raised in America’s devoutly religious Rust Belt, her parents would not have approved and fighting was an escape.At her current home in Austin, Texas, Christy said: “I was definitely not born to box.Sydney has mainly starred in rom coms and horror films in the pastCredit: GettyChristy in the ring in 1996Credit: Rex“I accidentally stumbled into boxing while I was in college. I thought it would be a great challenge and I got hooked.“My mother wasn’t happy about it and my dad said, ‘If you are going to do it, get trained and don’t get hurt’. I trained very hard.“I think the instinct to go for a knockout came from the emotional turmoil within me. I knew I was gay and I knew it wasn’t going to be accepted.“My family was very religious. When I was six, an older cousin sexually molested me and I didn’t tell anyone because I was scared. I had a lot of internal turmoil and, when you get into the boxing ring, you can be aggressive and violent and that is acceptable.“But to learn the skills I had to spend hours in the gym on hand pads trying to improve my hook and jab. I had to work really hard. Nothing came easy for me.”‘Prayed to survive’The sporting star was 22 when she met Jim, who was 25 years her senior. They married in 1991, at a time when she was becoming a household name, on a run of 35 consecutive fights undefeated and appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1996.The same year, she fought on the undercard to heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson in a bout promoted by Don King.Boxing brought unimaginable riches and she estimates she made around $4million in a career that stretched from 1989 to 2012, and saw her win the WBC female super-welterweight title in 2009. Christy with her husband and trainer JimCredit: GettyThe boxing great and her wife, Lisa HolewyneCredit: instagram/christymartinpromotionsMeanwhile, her troubled personal life ended up bringing nothing but pain.She said: “Jim controlled every move I made and every person I spoke with. I was his ATM machine, his only source of income, and he isolated me.“I tried to love him and be happy, but he knew I had feelings for women and he would threaten to expose me. It was not easy to be accepted as a female boxer, and I was always worried my fans would turn against me if they found out I was gay.”In 2007, she began using cocaine to escape the misery and it took her three years to kick the habit.She said: “My husband was supplying me with coke and I was snorting it. Before I even got out of bed in the morning, he would bring a line to me. If I complained I was tired after the gym, he would crush up a line before I had the chance to take my gloves off. I would be up for days — coke, coke, coke — and I was drinking a lot of beer. I wouldn’t even leave the house because I was afraid someone would see me high.“I’m lucky I didn’t die. I looked in the mirror one night and thought, you look like an addict.When I lay down, I was ready to dieChristy on night Jim tried to kill her“And I had to accept, you don’t look like an addict, you are an addict.“It took me a couple of days to get clean, but I had to realise, this is not who I am.”Christy’s husband had always vowed he would kill her if she left him.And in 2010, when she finally plucked up the courage to walk out of his life, he attempted to make good on his word.Having found the strength to fight back from the brink, Christy now lives with fellow former boxer Lisa Holewyne, 58, who she fought in Las Vegas in 2001 and married 16 years later.Christy said of the night Jim tried to kill her: “When I lay down, I was ready to die.“But at some point during the attack, I told him, ‘You can’t kill me’, and I prayed to survive.“I believe God had a plan for me, which must be talking about domestic violence and stopping others from going down that path.“And I hope my ex spends every day of his life in jail.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If he ever gets out, I am convinced he will kill me and, who knows, he might. I still look over my shoulder sometimes. He always told me, ‘If I can’t kill you, I will find someone that will’.“I get the occasional message from someone who has been in jail with him, and that shakes me up a bit.”Jim stabbed wife Christy multiple times in the chest and shot her once with her own pink revolverCredit: AlamyChristy was the first female slugger to grace the cover of Sports IllustratedCredit: Supplied More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Thomas Tuchel is ruthless, demanding and humourless but he’s a WINNER – and just what England need for next manager

      by

      ENGLAND’S new manager has a ruthless streak that has seen him fall foul of players and club bosses — but it might be just the job for the Three Lions.Those who know him best admit Thomas Tuchel has not been out to win any popularity contests while fighting his way to the top.England’s new manager Thomas Tuchel has the ruthless streak the Three Lions needCredit: PATuchel played for German club Augsburg before a series of injuries ended his careerCredit: PATuchel is said to put ‘tactics and results over all’Credit: PAFootball writer Carsten Germann told The Sun: “He’s absolutely unhumorous. “He’s not a coach for the people.“He’s a football scientist, he puts tactics and results over all. “But that winning mentality is what England could need.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTuchel, the 51-year-old former chief coach at Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain, was caught on video bawling out a young striker — and French superstar Kylian Mbappe said the only German word he learned from him was “scheisse” (s***).Tuchel, who has followed rival Jurgen Klopp into posts at various club sides, has also been known to bristle if compared to the former Liverpool boss.Experiences that have shaped him include one seven years ago, while manager of Borussia Dortmund, when he survived a bomb attack on the team bus, with shrapnel striking seats close to him.And the father of two ended his 13-year marriage to an ex-journalist after allegedly beginning an affair with a Brazilian businesswoman 14 years younger than him.Most read in FootballBut there are also accounts of him offering warm words of encouragement to stars in one-to-one chats — and paying for his cleaner’s son to receive life-saving medical care.Tuchel was born in the small town of Krumbach in Bavaria, and was coached by dad Rudolf with the local side. Thomas Tuchel gives his first message to fans as England manager At 15 he was spotted by top-flight German club Augsburg, and he played three times for the national Under-18s.Yet teammate Heiner Schuh recalled: “He had few friends as he was exacting and demanding.”Defender Tuchel turned professional at lower league Stuttgart Kickers. He never drank with the other players and is still almost teetotal, often opting for drinking warm water.A series of knee injuries ended his playing career when he was at FC Ulm, aged just 24.The cartilage damage was considered wear and tear by the insurers, so he did not get a payout. He said: “I was insured for everything apart from this one lousy condition.”Tuchel waited tables at the Radio Bar in Stuttgart in 1999. It helped him become more gregarious and fund his business administration course at university.A year later he was hired as a youth coach at top side Stuttgart, before moving on to Augsburg’s second team and then Mainz 05.In a shock move he was promoted from under-19 coach to first team manager in 2009.IS TUCHEL RIGHT MAN FOR THE THREE LIONS JOB?YES: says Shaun SHAUN Custis, Head of SportYES, it would’ve been ideal if we could have had an Englishman.But football is not an ideal world and nobody who listened to Thomas Tuchel yesterday could doubt his passion for the job. He loves our football history and he loves the country.He is our third foreign coach but the first to convince us this is made for him. Sven-Goran Eriksson would have left in a year for Man United had Alex Ferguson not stayed. Tuchel rejected United this summer still hoping he’d get the England gig. Fabio Capello gave the impression he was doing us a favour.Tuchel is a top coach and a proven winner whose dream is to deliver us the World Cup. What more could we ask for?NO: says Harry Redknapp, Ex-Prem managerI WANTED an Englishman. I’m very patriotic.All the clubs are owned by foreign owners and they bring a foreign manager in.With the FA and the money we spend on coaching courses and everything else it’s sad.Thomas Tuchel lost his job quite quickly at a couple of clubs. It’s not like he’s been a massive success. People say you’ve got to be a great coach for England, (but) you just have to have a bit of common sense. Pick the best players, make them feel great about themselves, make them feel good about playing for England, let them know we can go and win a trophy, that the team is fantastic.Harry spoke to Sky SportsAll of Tuchel’s trophies as a managerTuchel pictured with rival Jurgen KloppCredit: AFPBut Tuchel’s thin skin could be a problem as England coachCredit: GettyANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love lifeBy Andy DillonTHOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England jobTuchel admitted at the time that the Bundesliga club had been willing to take the risk because it had worked with Klopp in the past.In the same year he married Sissi, a journalist at the highly respected national newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.She reportedly gave up her career to bring up their two daughters, Emma and Kim.Sissi, who is very private, was seen by his side celebrating successes on the pitch as unfashionable Mainz twice qualified for the Europa League.But an amateur cameraman caught Thomas screaming at young striker Shawn Parker for almost a minute in the dressing room after one game — before telling him: “So go join the under 17s.”Club executive Christian Heidel wanted his manager to engage with the fans and media more — like the popular Klopp did. But he regretted starting a conversation saying, “with Kloppo we used to . . .”In an unauthorised biography titled Rulebreaker, Heidel said: “That’s when Thomas started yelling at me, ‘How dare I?’ “The conversation was over. “I thought to myself, ‘Whoops, I hit a nerve’.”He’s very sensitive to criticismFootball writer Carsten GermannEngland’s Liverpool players, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, may do well to remember that anecdote.Indeed, Tuchel’s thin skin could be a problem as England coach — where flak comes with the job.Carsten, who has interviewed Tuchel, said: “He’s very sensitive to criticism.”Who has Tuchel coached?Here is a list of the England stars that have already worked with Thomas Tuchel…Harry Kane – Bayern MunichEric Dier – Bayern MunichMason Mount – ChelseaReece James – ChelseaBen Chilwell – ChelseaCallum Hudson-Odoi – ChelseaRuben Loftus-Cheek – ChelseaRaheem Sterling – ChelseaRoss Barkley – ChelseaTammy Abraham – ChelseaConor Gallagher – ChelseaHowever his undoubted talents led Dortmund to hire him as Klopp’s replacement in 2015.Two years later he won Germany’s equivalent of the FA Cup and reached the quarter final of the Champions league.In April that year a controversial 3-2 defeat against Monaco showed how hard it can be to know the truth about Tuchel’s character.It came after he survived the team bus attack, which left him being viewed by some as a heroic defender of his squad, and by others as a callous villain.Sports journalist Pit Gottschalk’s book Locker Room Whispers reported he responded to seeing tearful players by saying: “I’m supposed to beat Bayern with these wimps?”The manager gave a totally different account. He had been angry that his side had been ordered to play the game against Monaco just 24 hours after the bombing.He said: “We had the feeling we were being treated as if our bus had been hit by a can of beer.”Bizarrely, it turned out that perpetrator Sergei Wenergold hid homemade devices filled with hydrogen peroxide and a dozen bolts close to the bus in order to make money on the stock exchange.Shortly before the attack he “bet” that the club’s shares would drop.In November 2018 Wenergold, 35, was jailed for 14 years. The fallout from the incident caused a rift with Dortmund’s chief executive and Tuchel was dismissed.He joined PSG, taking the French side to their first Champions League final. He’s a football scientist, he puts tactics and results over allFootball writer Carsten GermannHowever it was reported that he fell out with star player Mbappe as well as Brazilian sporting director Leonardo, and he lost his job.Before leaving the French capital, Tuchel heard his cleaner’s son was going to hospital and paid for his care.In January 2021 he arrived in London, replacing Frank Lampard as Chelsea manager.Tuchel took them from ninth in the Premier League to fourth, qualifying for the Champions League, but lost in the FA Cup final to Leicester.Off the field, there were problems with Tuchel’s marriage. He started a relationship with Brazilian Natalie Guerriero Max, 37, and in 2022 he split from Sissi.Natalie, who still lives in London, could be one of the reasons he was keen to take the England job.An insider said: “Thomas is obsessed with Natalie, but he is still close to his children and is a good father who sees them often.”Tuchel led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021, masterminding victory against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.Yet he was dismissed by the club’s new American owners in September 2022. An email included in Sissi’s divorce papers suggested that he had been fired for “’off-field reasons” with the players “losing respect for him.”But the manager remained in demand. Hired by Munich, he won the league title in his first season before a poor set of results the following year led to yet another departure.Three Lions fans will be hoping Germany’s loss is England’s gain.Cops at the team bus after the bomb attackCredit: Getty Images – GettyForgotten England stars could benefit from Tuchel appointmentWITH Thomas Tuchel announced as the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel.German laughter at rivals’ boss bidBy Rob PattinsonTHE Sun’s front page announcing Thomas Tuchel as the new England boss was the talk of Germany yesterday — even being retweeted by its ambassador in Britain.Diplomat Miguel Berger cheekily added a laughing emoji as he sent out yesterday’s splash with the headline “Football’s coming home” translated into German. He wrote: “A German manager for England! Congrats to Thomas Tuchel. A brave decision.”Reaction across Germany was mixed, with many gleefully mocking Tuchel’s deal to manage their arch rival.Bild, the country’s biggest-selling newspaper, used a picture of The Sun’s splash and claimed England must be desperate if we were turning to a German. It said the ideal outcome would be England losing the World Cup final to Germany on penalties.An online vote had 80 per cent of Germans gloating England would not win the World Cup with Tuchel.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd one journalist wrote: “The desperation on the island must be enormous if they admit that only a German can help now.”Upmarket magazine Der Spiegel promised Tuchel “can be trusted” but warned he would inevitably “face anger” for crossing the North Sea.Diplomat Miguel Berger retweeted The Sun’s front page with the headline ‘Football’s coming home’ translated into German More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Well done, Annie Kilner for taking control over cheat Kyle Walker – now it’s time to hit him where it hurts

      by

      ANNIE KILNER has consulted divorce lawyers over wayward husband Kyle Walker.And I couldn’t be happier for her.Annie Kilner has consulted divorce lawyers over her husband Kyle WalkerCredit: GettySince he first got together with wife Annie, Walker has been unfaithful many timesCredit: Refer to CaptionIf you are not au fait with Kyle Walker, let me explain.On the pitch for England and Manchester City, he is an amazing, talented footballer.Off it, his life is an absolute car crash, which could be turned into a Carry On film.Since he first got together with Annie, he has romped in a car with Ex On The Beach’s Laura Brown and fathered two children with reality TV star Lauryn Goodman.READ MORE FROM JANE ATKINSONHe exposed himself in a bar and snogged another woman.During Covid he had a party with two sex workers.And he has been caught twice urinating in the street after a session in the pub — most recently just two weeks ago.He has run rough­shod over his relationship with Annie. And I don’t know how she has held it together.Most read in FootballShe always appears to look steely, strong and determined when she is out with their four children — the youngest of whom was born in April — or watching him on the pitch.But her confidence must have been absolutely crushed over the years. Imagine the anguish and pain she has gone through.Drama at Kyle Walker’s Home: Annie Kilner vs Lauryn GoodmanThis is a woman who was a normal working-class girl from Sheffield when she fell for local lad Kyle at the age of 16.He was playing football but he wasn’t the megastar he is now.She fell in love with him, knowing he could one day play for England or get injured and end up on benefits.He hit the jackpot in his career — with the salary to go with it — but Annie has been the one to pay the price.Terrible behaviourShe has tried to deal with it and chucked him out of the house — and taken him back. Multiple times.She has slated Lauryn, had public spats with her, apologised to her and told friends she wishes Lauryn was dead.Annie bravely admitted that his terrible behaviour even became “acceptable”.And some have said that his wealth has cushioned his behaviour while others have slammed her for not leaving before now.But leaving any man — rich or poor — isn’t easy when you’ve spent half your life with him and have four kids together.Any woman who has been cheated on knows that it takes a long while to regain your strength afterwards and come out fighting. Now Annie has. She is finally, thankfully, taking control.She recently sought advice to make sure she could get half of his £150,000-a-week salary and this week she has gone a step further and met with lawyers to discuss legal proceedings to end her marriage.Strength and courageI bet those who love her are proud of her.Annie has shown strength and courage.She has also given an important message to all those kids who idolise her husband — that there must be consequences for your actions.This summer, a survey of 1,306 children aged six to 17 across the UK revealed that almost a fifth wanted to be a footballer.They rank second only to parents as the people that youngsters admire the most.You could argue that Kyle is only a role model on the pitch but thanks to sponsorship deals and five million followers on social media, he is a role model, and influencer, off it too.Children across the country this summer stuck his picture into Euro 2024 albums.They stayed up late to watch him play and, week in week out, they idolise him at Manchester City.Nobody wants to see a marriage end.But nobody wants to see a woman cheated on and humiliated either.Now Annie can have the greatest revenge of all by hitting him where it truly hurts — his wallet.The England defender also secretly fathered TWO kids with reality TV star Lauryn GoodmanCredit: AlamyRihanna at the reddyLESS is more – unless you’re Rihanna.In a new promotional photoshoot, she sports amazing scarlet hair, blue fur coat and a red snakeskin outfit that involves a skirt attached loosely to a bustier to show off her bum.Rihanna posed with amazing scarlet hair, a blue fur coat and a red snakeskin outfitCredit: savagex.comThe singer and businesswoman completes the style with a smouldering pout and terrifying long talons.Most of us would look like we had walked out of the local brothel but she somehow manages to pull it off.BORIS JOHNSON has insisted refurbishing his Downing Street flat was necessary because it looked like a “crack den” once he had pulled the carpets out.You have to wonder how he knows what a crack house looks like.50 still niftyI COULDN’T be happier for the newly married Miranda Hart.But I do wish everyone would stop being so shocked that she tied the knot at the age of 51.I do wish everyone would stop being so shocked that Miranda Hart tied the knot at the age of 51Credit: GettyThe actress was 49 when surveyor Richard Fairs came to her £2million home to deal with mould.It was during the pandemic and she was struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome after being diagnosed with Lyme disease.In her new book, she says she was so ill that she never thought she would find love and was “fading away”.I get that.But now a million relationship experts have taken to social media to discuss how to find love over 50 as if she is some dinosaur.We are no longer living in the dark ages and no woman should be written off in their 50s – or think that they are either.Rights bill so wrongREMEMBER a time when we were all desperate to get out of the house, mingle and live a normal life when Covid struck.Now, thanks to the Government’s new Employment Rights Bill, we can all return to that because flexible working, including working from home, will be made the “default for all” where possible.So no mingling in the office, no chatting by the coffee machine when you are feeling down, no making lifelong friends.And forget office flirting because Zoom and Teams really don’t cut it for the fun things in life.I’ve worked from home for more than a decade because I live hundreds of miles from head office.If I could go in every day, I would.I’ve grown sick of the amount of times people have said: “Oh, but you work from home,” as though I spend my life on the sofa watching This Morning or baking banana bread.In fact, unless you are a grade A skiver you end up working more because your home is your office and you can’t get away from it.Plus there is no free coffee and the heating bills are a fortune.We should be careful what we wish for.Tash leaves KittenWHEN Natasha Hamilton announced on Friday that she had quit Atomic Kitten, I was in utter shock.Natasha Hamilton announced on Friday that she had quit Atomic KittenCredit: RexI didn’t even know the band was still going.Ticket farce unfareI HAVE sympathy for train passenger Sam Williamson, who mistakenly underpaid for his ticket by £1.90 and now fears a criminal record and huge fine.He used the Northern Trains app to buy an Anytime ticket to central Manchester last month and used his 16-25 railcard for a discount without realising it can only be used under certain conditions.Sam Williamson mistakenly underpaid for his ticket by £1.90 and now fears a criminal record and huge fineCredit: SWNSWhen an inspector grilled him and told him the mistake, he immediately offered to buy a new ticket or pay a penalty.Instead, the jobsworth reported him and now Sam faces prosecution.Sam says it isn’t even clear on the app how you can use the railcard.I had the misfortune of using Northern last month and had a similar experience.I wanted to buy a cheaper ticket from the app but was told I had to buy one from an employee who, when I explained that the app ticket was cheaper, told me: “Northern don’t care what the customers pay.”Super. Maybe if the train firms did care and explained their baffling price structures, we wouldn’t hate travelling with them so muchSpice boy hitMY new motto is: Don’t buy things after drinking wine.My latest credit card purchase is Brooklyn Beckham’s chilli sauce.My latest credit card purchase is Brooklyn Beckham’s chilli sauceCredit: GettyI saw his mum Victoria plugging Cloud23 on Instagram (obviously) and forked out £30 on two bottles of it as I love spicy food.He’s been slated for his choice of careers but I can confirm Brooklyn, below, is actually pretty good at this one.READ MORE SUN STORIESThink Tabasco but not as harsh, with a lovely smoky hit.I just hope that he ditches the fancy box it comes in and gets it on a super­market shelf to avoid the big price tag. More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet world’s biggest WAG with more fans than Georgina Rodriguez & pals like Madonna… can you guess her footie boyfriend?

      by

      WITH 64.4 million fans on Instagram, she’s got more followers than Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.But chances are Brits may not have heard of Brazilian superstar Anitta, who can lay claim to the title of the world’s most popular WAG.Brazilian megastar Anitta is officially the world’s most popular WAGCredit: GettyDespite being worth a reported $50m, she remains relatively unknown in the UKCredit: AlamyWith multiple accolades under her belt, the singer says she’s ready to take on the English-speaking worldCredit: Savage X FentyCareer highlights for the star so far include performing at the Rio Olympics opening ceremony and joining Madonna on stageCredit: Instagram @anittaOne of the biggest Latin musicians of her generation – with more than 30million monthly Spotify listeners, a Grammy nomination, and collaborations with stars such as Cardi B and Kylie to her name – Annita is said to be worth a cool $50million.So she’ll certainly be out-earning her footballer beau, Vinicius Souza, who hails from plucky Championship side Sheffield United.From humble beginnings in a Rio de Janeiro favela, Annita has conquered South America with her chart-topping hits, even performing at the Olympics opening ceremony.Fiercely independent, she acted as her own manager for years, and has even sat on the board of Latin America’s biggest banks.Read More FeaturesAnd a viral video of her getting a tattoo on her bum spiralled into a controversial political scandal engulfing then-president Jair Bolsanaro.So just who is the “Queen of Brazilian Pop”?Humble originsWith an artisan mum and a car battery salesman dad, Anitta was born in 1993, growing up in the Honório Gurgel favela, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro.Following her parents’ divorce when she was a toddler, the family found themselves even more strapped for cash. Most read in FootballThe future pop-megastar slept in the same room as her mum and brother, as this was where their aircon was – but they could only afford to switch it on for a few minutes every night.Anitta has spoken since about how much family means to her – and how they keep her humble.“Family is the thing that makes me feel grounded,” she said, speaking to Nylon mag.“When I come back home, I’m treated as the same motherf***er as always. I speak to them literally every day.”While she’d always declared at a young age that she was destined to be a star, it was a viral video uploaded in 2010 of her singing into a stick of deodorant that led to that becoming a reality.At just 16 years old, she caught the attention of record label Furacão 2000, which specialises in a style of music called “funk carioca”.Family comes first for the superstar, who grew up in a room with her mum and brotherCredit: InstagramRio – Brazil’s second largest city – is home to landmarks such as Christ the Redemeer and the Sugarloaf MountainCredit: AlamyAfter releasing her first single, Meiga e Abusada, in 2012, she then brought out her self-titled debut – which went straight to number one and is certified platinum in her home country.Shortly after this, the music video for her second single, Show Das Poderosas, went viral.In less than a week, it became Brazil’s most-watched music video on YouTube of all time.Now, with 32.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify, she’s widely considered to be Brazil’s biggest female popstar.She’s won four Latin American Music Awards, three MTV Music Video Awards, and has been nominated for a Grammy for best new artist – while her 2022 hit Envolver spawned a TikTok challenge of twerking with your head on the floor.The star has also frequently cited Madonna as an inspiration, and performed alongside her in front of 1.6 million people on Copacabana Beach in Rio.Fiercely outspokenAnnita isn’t afraid to do things her own way, having acted as her own manager until 2019, maintaining total control over sponsorship partnerships, business deals, and directing her own music videos.She has spoken confidently about showing off her cellulite – but is also happy to talk about her plastic surgery journey, which includes a nose job, jaw-line reshaping, and multiple breast reductions. Speaking to Nylon she said: “I won’t be pretending I’m some type of way that I’m not.”Annita joining Madonna – who she cites as one of her biggest inspirations – on stage earlier this yearCredit: GettyThe superstar has only gone from strength to strength since going viral on YouTube in 2010Credit: AlamyAs one of Latin America’s biggest stars, the singer has performed with stars including Snoop Dogg and Cardi BCredit: Getty“Girls don’t need men for s**t. We got vibrators, we got friends – we got gay friends, which is way better than any other f***ing husband. Trust me.”While she proudly embraces her sexuality, she’s also made it clear that she’s so much more than just a sex object.She told Today: “I don’t care about talking about sexuality. It’s part of our life, and it’s a big part of who I am, so I don’t mind at all being asked about it. I love being a sexual person. It’s part of my character. “I just don’t like it when people think that’s just it. When people treat me as if ‘Oh, being sexy is all she knows.’ No, that’s not all I know. I was managing my own career for so many years. I’m a business woman. “I can’t be reduced to just sex – I do so much, and I still want to do much more.”Insta’s biggest WAGsWhile Anitta may take number one spot, here are the other WAGs that have stacked up the followers on Instagram… and become stars in their own right.Georgina Rodriguez – 61.6mAntonela Roccuzzo – 40.3mBecky G – 47.4mVictoria Beckham – 33mPerrie Edwards – 19.2mAlisha Lehmann – 17mPilar Rubio – 11mBruna Biancardi – 10.6mLeigh-Anne Pinnock – 10mDiletta Leotta – 9.1m‘15million boyfriends’Since coming out as bisexual in her first Netflix documentary, Vai Anitta, in 2018, the star has been open about her relationships – and the variety of her dating life.“I hate hiding things,” she told Nylon. “Yeah, [I] f*** girls too.”She’s previously been linked to stars including Brazilian singer Mr Thug, dancer Ohana Lefundes, Colombian megastar Maluma, and 365 Days actor Simone Sussina.And in 2017, she took a leap into marriage, tying the knot with Brazilian businessman Thiago Magalhães in a private ceremony in the Amazon rainforest. But things only lasted for a year before they split.Anitta – who says she has ’15 million boyfriends’ – has a love life that’s hard to pin downCredit: GettyAnitta was married to businessman Thiago Magalhaes for a yearCredit: RexThe Brazilian star has most recently been linked to Sheffield United midfielder Vinicius SouzaCredit: RexMost recently, Anitta’s been linked with Sheffield United and former Flamengo player Vinicius Souza, with the pair recently seen together at Paris Fashion Week, as reported by Billboard.But while he may be her boyfriend for now, she’s happy to admit that exclusivity in relationships isn’t exactly something she craves – and she’s been in plenty of open relationships before.“I have 15 million boyfriends, whatever,” she told Nylon.“If the guy makes me feel respected and incredible, I don’t care if he sleeps with another woman. I’ve had boyfriends who never cheated on me, but they treated me like trash.”I stopped caring about all of the things that I used to care about, like record sales, or the number of people talking about me. Now, I honestly just want to have a good timeWhile she’s always had a free-wheeling attitude to life, a hospitalisation in 2022 that left her thinking she was “going to die” led to further enlightenment.“I got really sick and was so physically ill I couldn’t work, and I hadn’t stopped working in so many years,” she told Today, adding: “It was a big wake up call.”Doctors investigated her illness for five months to no apparent avail.It was only after travelling to Mount Everest to heal with shamans that things got better.“After my health issues, I started taking better care of my spirituality. I follow Yoruba religion, and I had to jump into that. I dove into myself, and everything that makes me feel peace,” she said.“I stopped caring about all of the things that I used to care about, like record sales, or the number of people talking about me. I used to care so much. Now, I honestly just want to have a good time.”She counts celebrities such as Camila Cabello among her palsCredit: GettyAfter performances at Coachella and more recently in London, she has her sights set on global dominationCredit: GettyBum tattoo scandalWhen it comes to activities outside of music – and outside of jetting around the world to see her lovers – Anitta has also kept herself busy in the world of business.In 2019, she became Head of Creativity and Innovation for the Brazilian version of the drink Skol, launching Skol Beats – a citrus take on the beer, coming in several fruity flavours.And in 2021, she became a member of the Board of Directors of Nubank, the largest Fintech bank in Latin America – and even played a crucial role in getting the bank listed on the Brazilian stock exchange.While she’s no stranger to dipping her toe into politics, being an outspoken advocate for protecting the environment and LGBT rights, she also became embroiled in a political scandal for a very different reason.In February 2021, a video went viral showing Anitta getting “I love you” tattooed on her bum.One year later, right-wing Brazilian artist Zé Neto took a swipe at the star – because of a political debate over government subsidies for the arts, known as the Rouanet law.And I was thinking that all I was doing was an intimate tattoo“We are artists who do not depend on the Rouanet Law,” he said to the crowd.“Our fee is funded by the people. We don’t need to put a tattoo on our butt to show that we are doing well.”Anitta’s hordes of fans turned against him – and it was exposed that Zé Neto himself had relied on public money to fund his shows.READ MORE SUN STORIESEventually, the spiralling scandal led to state public prosecutors investigating funding irregularities in 29 municipalities across the country.“And I was thinking that all I was doing was an intimate tattoo,” the star later posted on X. More

    • 288 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      How love rat Kyle Walker’s ‘clever’ wife is ‘no doormat & had been plotting to cash in on his cheating for FIVE YEARS’

      by

      KYLE Walker’s wife Annie Kilner had been plotting to cash in on his cheating for years, pals told The Sun.The despairing mum of four allegedly asked at least four footballer’s wives for advice before marrying the love rat to ensure financial “security” in case he strayed again.Kyle Walker’s wife Annie had been plotting to cash in on his cheating for years, pals saidCredit: XposureAnnie and the football star in 2018 before their public falloutAnnie, above watching Kyle during the Euros in June, was said to have been looking at her options as far back as 2019Credit: Paul Edwards – Commissioned by The SunInsiders claimed Annie was looking at her options as far back as 2019, when she first dumped Premier League footie ace Kyle, 34, over his affair with Ex On The Beach star Laura Brown.It comes after we revealed yesterday that Annie, 31, has demanded £15million cash from the Manchester City defender to fix their relationship after he fathered two children with Lauryn Goodman.In messages seen by The Sun from five years ago, before the couple tied the knot, Annie glumly conceded, “It’s the same old s**t, he’s been doing it for ten years”, before asking pals for their opinions on how to future-proof herself financially.Annie, who started dating Kyle aged 16, also seemed to predict that he would betray her again, writing to a friend at the time: “He’s going to have a lonely end . . . ”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShe went on to marry the footballer in 2021, but kicked him out of their £4million Cheshire mansion in January this year as it emerged that he had fathered a second child with Lauryn, 33.‘Cut losses and run’Friends said they believed it was only a matter of time before Annie pulled the plug on the 17-year relationship for good.A source added: “Annie married Kyle for love, but she also knew in her heart of hearts she had to do it to secure a financial windfall for herself and their children.“She has been formulating a get-out plan for some time in terms of finances. Annie is actually very astute and is no one’s fool.Most read in Football“People may assume she is a doormat, but Annie is clever and she was aware that she’d need to marry Kyle to have access to his money.“When she first dumped Kyle in 2019, Annie sought advice from her married Wag friends about her options and what she should do.Kyle Walker’s furious wife Annie ‘will only give their troubled marriage another go if he pays her HALF his fortune’Lauryn, 34, said the multi-millionaire footballer, 33, told “Some said she should leave him at the time, cut her losses and run. But others warned marrying him would be the only way she could really secure herself financially.”Friends told us that Annie herself later agreed, revealing to them: “Marrying Kyle would give me security if he ever does it again.”Messages Annie sent to pals not long after she temporarily gave Kyle the boot in 2019 also reveal her despair at his wayward antics off the field. Soul-searching in the wake of the cheating scandal, Annie then wrote to a friend: “I have been his backbone all these years. I helped to make him what he is.”I have been his backbone all these years. I helped to make him what he isAnnieA pal said: “Annie was at her wits’ end and didn’t seem to be getting help from anyone, which is why she started to speak to her married friends about what they would do.Annie has demanded £15million cash from the Manchester City defenderCredit: AlamyKyle fathered two children with Lauryn GoodmanCredit: Splash“By this point she’d been with Kyle for well over a decade. In her eyes, she had given everything for their relationship and cheating is how he repaid her loyalty.”When Kyle and Annie were still apart in early 2020, he slept with Lauryn Goodman — a short-lived affair which resulted in the birth of their son, Kairo. Later that year, he held a sex party in lockdown and issued a grovelling apology.He said at the time: “I want to apologise to my family, friends, football club, supporters and the public for letting them down.”Despite his infidelities, Annie took Kyle back and he secretly proposed that summer. Before they wed in a low-key ceremony in November 2021, Annie confided in friends that when Kyle had begged for another chance, he had promised they would marry.And friends said Annie walked down the aisle hoping they could work things through as a family. But she took some comfort in knowing that, if Kyle cheated again, she would be able to divorce him and get her share of his money.They added: “Annie had been with Kyle since she was a teenager. She felt they had true love and, by this point, they had children together.“Annie desperately wanted them to be a family, but she knew she had to think with her head rather than just with her heart.“She married him for love, but also to protect herself. She wanted to stake her claim for the money.”Just over two years after their wedding, Annie’s worst fears were confirmed when reality TV wannabe Lauryn messaged her around Christmas to reveal she had given birth to a second child with Kyle.Lauryn now has Kairo, four, and Kinara, one, with the footballer — who pays her huge sums of money for their two children.The humiliation at Kyle’s deceit was compounded for Annie by the fact that when Lauryn told her Kyle had cheated again, she was pregnant with their fourth child. Marrying Kyle would give me security if he ever does it againAnnieAnnie has since allowed Kyle to move back into the Cheshire pad they share with their four boys on a “trial basis”.But friends told The Sun Annie’s motive was purely to let Kyle have time with their children while she weighed up her options — including the demand to be paid around £15million. A source said: “Annie’s worst fears came true when Kyle cheated again, but this time she has the security of being his wife.“It’s exactly what she was thinking about five years ago when Kyle was begging for her to take him back and promising to marry her.“Annie has spoken to solicitors with Kyle about getting the money into her account for her and the boys.“He has a fortune of almost £30million and she wants half of it. She has stuck with Kyle through thick and thin, through every humiliation and pounding from online trolls and forum gossips.’Thick and thin’“Kyle accepts what he has done and has been open to the conversations and has spoken with solicitors about Annie’s position. “He has desperately been trying to make amends, but knows Annie has been pushed to the limit with this.”Pals said that Kyle’s recent court case with Lauryn over child support had added to Annie’s uncertainty over whether she should take him back. Documents which were made public by a judge in July revealed how Lauryn was using Kyle like an “open-ended cheque book”, demanding an astroturf pitch and air conditioning for the £2.4million home Kyle bought for her and their children to live in.He also makes provisions for the kids, including helping with the cost of her nanny, transport and nursery fees.Those close to Annie told The Sun it smarted for her to see another woman cashing in.A source said: “Annie created this family unit with Kyle and has been by his side through thick and thin.“She’s been a loyal partner and a good mother to his children, and she wants what is rightfully hers.“She had no idea the extent Kyle had been paying Lauryn until the court case and she hit the roof. She hates the idea of her cashing in.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Annie is trying to make it work with Kyle, but she doesn’t know what will happen.“But going forward she knows her future is secure, whatever they decide to do.”Kyle had an affair with Ex On The Beach star Laura Brown in 2019Credit: laub212/InstagramAnnie out with baby in buggy earlier this monthCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke More