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    I’m proud of my ’80s footballer’ name Graeme – I’m determined to make it trendy again

    A PROUD Graeme is determined to bring back his “80s footballer” first name — after modern parents gave it the red card.Graeme Currie, 34, says the moniker he shares with former footie stars Graeme Souness, Graeme Le Saux and Graeme Sharp is “still kind of cool”.
    Graeme is determined to bring back his ’80s footballer’ first nameCredit: SWNS
    He shares the monker with former footie star Graeme SounessCredit: Getty
    That is despite it becoming officially extinct among today’s mums and dads, according to language experts Babbel, who looked at a century of naming records.
    Despite once being popular, the name was not given at all in 2020, the most recent records available.
    Retail assistant Graeme said: “I think more people should be named Graeme.
    “I believe the name sets you on a good path. I feel the same with a lot of older names — it sets you out in a certain way.
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    “I think it’s always good to encourage the older names like Graeme, Guy and Greg.
    “But to be honest, I guess society is moving on.” 
    “I wouldn’t say I’ve felt lonely, but I guess the only good side is that you don’t really get confused with any other Graemes.”
    Former Scottish Internationals Graeme Souness, 69, and  Graeme Sharp, 62, were born when the name was still popular, as was England star Le Saux, 54.
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    Babbel’s study found other boys’ names which have become extinct include Horace, Iain, Leigh, Royston, Melvyn and Nigel.
    Defunct names for girls included Bertha, Doreen, Mandy and Phyllis.
    In the 1980s, England star Graeme Le Saux helped to make the name popularCredit: Professional Sport
    But the name of footballers like Graeme Souness was not given at all in 2020Credit: PA:Empics Sport More

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    England World Cup star looking for love on dating app just three months after splitting from girlfriend of five years

    HE announced his split from his stunning ex last year and declared that football was his “priority” when it comes to dating.But I can reveal that England and Chelsea player Mason Mount has signed up to the A-list dating app Raya in a bid to find love after confirming in October that he was no longer with model Chloe Wealleans-Watts.
    Mason was named Britain’s most eligible man by society mag Tatler last yearCredit: Getty
    Mason — who was named Britain’s most eligible man by society mag Tatler last year for his “chiselled” good looks, “perfect white teeth” and England goals — has described himself as being in the “athletics” industry and linked his profile to Jack Harlow’s song Funny Seeing You Here.
    The England poster boy has also included snaps from a trip to Paris in front of the ­Eiffel Tower and also candid shots showing off his designer wardrobe and impressive trainer collection.
    A source said: “Mason is all about football but is also looking to find the right girl to settle down with. He is looking for a genuine connection and hopes that a few dates in the capital can help him find The One.
    “Mason has taken his time after the break-up but is not going to rush into anything.”
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    The midfielder confirmed his split with Chloe in October after five years together.
    And when asked about his relationship ­status by Tatler last year, he said: “Football is my priority.”
    Queue of women
    Meanwhile model and singer Chloe, who was also a member of London-based girl band 303, is making sure she shows Mason what he is missing and has posted a number of stunning bikini pictures from her recent trip to Jamaica.
    The sportsman, who has a reported net worth of £20million and has 5.4million Instagram followers, joins fellow Chelsea player, defender Ben Chilwell, in signing up to the exclusive dating app.
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    But while Mason is bound to have women queuing around the block to get a date, it seems they will have to play second fiddle to his one true love — the beautiful game.

    2023 will see amazing festival gigs from the likes of Elton John at Glasto and The Killers at Reading and Leeds.
    But one name I wasn’t expecting to see on a line-up was Gemma Collins but it’s happening – at South ­London’s Mighty Hoopla.
    She is pulling on her wellies for the second day of the event in Brockwell Park on June 4, where she will host a stage and sing.

    Mimi’s late swipe at ex
    MIMI Webb will release her debut album Amelia in March and has already let slip the name of one of her “favourite” tracks.
    The House On Fire singer, posing here on a recent night out, shared that she’s written 12 tunes including one about an ex called Remind You, which she recorded in Justin Bieber’s studio in LA.
    Mimi will release her debut album Amelia in MarchCredit: INSTAGRAM/MIMI WEBB
    On Instagram Live, she said: “I was in a relationship and I remember I played it to this person and it was about them and it was like a, ‘Don’t f* this up’, kind of song – and then it got f*ed up.
    Anyway, at the time it wasn’t, so it was about this whole situation and it is such a great song.
    Then I changed it after because I was like, ‘No, I’m not having it about that, I am going to make it more with the update of what had happened.’ It is even better now.”
    Sam loves The Toon
    SAM Fender has gone back to his roots by debuting a new song to punters at a pub in his home town.
    The Seventeen Going Under singer made a surprise performance on Monday as part of a buskers night at the Low Lights Tavern in North Shields.
    Sam made a surprise performance on Monday as part of a buskers night at the Low Lights Tavern in North ShieldsCredit: The Mega Agency
    Sam sang with his guitar at the same pub he first played before going on to scoop two Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello gong.
    Robert Webster, who hosts the weekly Low Lights Buskers Night, shared a snap of Sam captioned: “One of me very first Buskers from 8/9 years ago, got up!! Sam Fender. Sang a new song (you heard it here first).”
    Sam was first spotted performing at the Tyne and Wear pub, where he also worked at 18 as a barman, by Ben Howard’s manager Owain Davies.
    In 2019 Sam donated his Brit Critics Choice trophy to the pub to be turned into a beer pump before doing the same last year with his Best Alternative/Rock Act gong.
    If his last album is anything to go by, I can’t wait for this new one to hit the airwaves.
    Cash rolling in for Harry
    HARRY Styles has had his most successful year yet, banking a whopping £18.5million over 12 months thanks to the success of his hit records.
    New financial documents have shown how assets across his four companies shot up in value from £39.4million to £57.9million in 2021.
    Harry has banked a whopping £18.5million over 12 months thanks to the success of his hit recordsCredit: Getty
    And he is expected to have made even more in 2022 after scoring both the most successful single and album of the year in the UK.
    As It Was, which spent ten weeks at No1, was the biggest hit, while Harry’s House was the top album, according to Official Charts.
    He has also taken his hugely impressive Love On Tour around the world over the past 12 months and released the films My Policeman and Don’t Worry Darling, all of which is sure to have earned him a fortune.
    This year will see Harry get to work on his fourth studio album between more dates on his long-running tour.
    It will restart with three shows in California later this month, followed by concerts in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
    This summer will see him return to the UK and Europe for yet more stadium gigs, finishing in Italy in July.
    Following his recent split from film-star-turned-director Olivia Wilde after almost two years, he had a quiet Christmas break back in Cheshire with his family.
    Given the mad year he had in 2022, the star can certainly afford to relax a bit now if he wants to.
    It’s raining Pussycat’s and dolls
    AFTER weeks of bikini photos on Insta it was back to work with a bang for Ashley Roberts yesterday when she returned to the Heart Radio breakfast show.
    Ashley returned to the Heart Radio breakfast show yesterdayCredit: Splash
    But the Pussycat Dolls star didn’t let the early start or bleak weather dampen her spirit, as she got all dressed up in this extravagant outfit to head to the ­studio in London’s Leicester Square.
    Adele’s aching
    ADELE will be wishing she could Set Fire To The Pain after revealing she is battling “really bad sciatica.”
    The superstar said she now has to “waddle” instead of walk because of nerve pain in her back.
    She was on stage at her Las Vegas residency at the weekend when she shot T-shirts into the audience and made the remarks.
    Adele told the crowd: “I’ve just got to get over to the other side of the stage. I have to ­waddle these days as I have really bad sciatica.”
    She had better hope it clears soon though or the rest of her year could be uncomfortable indeed.
    Adele is due to ­perform at Caesars ­Palace nearly every weekend until the end of March. Ouch!

    Raye heads back to top
    RAYE is on course to score her first UK No 1 this Friday with Escapism after it rebounded up the charts post-Christmas.
    It has rocketed up 12 spots to the very top in the mid-week update, having previously peaked at No 1 midweek last month.
    In the past six years Raye has had ten Top 40 hitsCredit: Getty
    In the past six years the South Londoner has had ten Top 40 hits including You Don’t Know Me with Jax Jones and Bed with Joel Corry and David Guetta, both of which reached a peak of No 3.
    Her closest competition is Kill Bill by US R&B singer SZA, which is set to go to No 2.
    Making Haye with Una
    David Haye has had a belting start to the New Year by holidaying with not one but two beautiful women.
    The ex-world champion heavyweight raised eyebrows after sharing this photo of himself in a pool in Morocco with his arms wrapped around his model girlfriend, Sian Osbourne, who he got together with in 2021, as well as Saturdays singer Una Healy.
    David Haye enjoyed New Year with two beautiful girlsCredit: INSTAGRAM/DAVID HAYE,
    The trio jetted off to Marrakech to welcome in 2023, but I can reveal this isn’t the first time they have holidayed together.
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    Una joined them on a trip to Ibiza in October.
    Alongside his insta snap he wrote a cryptic post that said: “If a picture paints a thousand words then this one says exactly what it needs to.”
    Jolie’s desire for Paul
    PAUL Mescal has befriended A-list actress Angelina Jolie after he impressed her with his performance in the West End show A Streetcar Named Desire.
    The Irish actor, who had his breakout role in the 2020 BBC drama Normal People, is currently starring as Stanley in the play in London, which Angelina watched last week.
    But she was so enthralled that she then met him for a coffee at the Almeida Theatre’s cafe the following day, along with her ­daughter Shiloh.
    Fans spotted the surprise meeting and shared snaps on social media.
    Paul has become a hugely in-demand young actor, so I wouldn’t be surprised if actress-turned-filmmaker Angelina soon snaps him up for one of her own movie projects. More

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    Man Utd ace Marcus Rashford has no excuse for being late — after bagging two new speedy cars

    SLEEPY Man United ace Marcus Rashford now has no excuse for poor timekeeping — after bagging two new speedy cars.He forked out £280,000 for a McLaren 765 Long Tail, top speed 205mph, plus £390,000 on a 155mph Black Badge Cullinan Rolls-Royce.
    Rashford now has no excuse for poor timekeeping after buying two new top–of-the-range carsCredit: Getty
    United boss Erik ten Hag benched the striker on New Year’s Eve over an ‘internal disciplinary’ matterCredit: PA
    The 25-year-old striker was benched by boss Erik ten Hag for the Wolves game on New Year’s Eve over an “internal disciplinary” matter.
    Rashford, currently in red-hot form, then came on to score the winner and later admitted he had been late for a team meeting because he had “overslept”.
    The new luxury motors were delivered last week to the house where he lives with his mum in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
    The 4-litre sports car, which he got in white, is one of just 765 built.
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    Meanwhile, his 6.75-litre, twin-turbocharged Roller has a luxury bespoke interior with leather seats which double as a cooling bin.
    We told last week how Rashford’s ex-United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo was given a £240,000 Rolls-Royce Dawn by his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez.
    The Man Utd ace’s Black Badge Cullinan Rolls-RoyceCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
    Rashford forked out £280,000 for a McLaren 765 Long Tail More

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    Hilarious moment Newcastle’s 6ft 7in defender Dan Burn arrives for training in tiny £11k Smart ForTwo

    THE Premier League’s tallest footballer turned up for a match driving one of the UK’s smallest cars.Newcastle United’s Dan Burn was pictured arriving at St James’ Park in a tiny Smart ForFour.
    Burn, 30, who signed for the Magpies from Brighton for £13m last January, previously drove a spacious Audi SUVCredit: Rex
    He’s the latest football star to be seen driving a German Smart car after Raheem Sterling
    The 3.495-metre length car is the third smallest on Britain’s roads
    The 6ft 7in defender squeezed into the mini motor ahead of their 0-0 draw with Leeds United.
    Staff laughed as he ducked his head to clamber out of the door and shake their hands on New Year’s Eve.
    The centre back was spotted signing signatures for young supporters, who have nicknamed him Big Dan Burn, the previous day at the Toon training ground.
    His dinky two-seater, built in 2018 with a 900cc petrol engine, was most recently registered with the DVLA in August.
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    The 3.495-metre length car is the third smallest on Britain’s roads – only behind the Citroen Ami and Smart ForTwo.
    Burn, 30, who signed for the Magpies from Brighton for £13m last January, previously drove a spacious Audi SUV.
    He’s the latest football star to be seen driving a German Smart car after Raheem Sterling, Granit Xhaka and ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
    Supporters compared Burn with The Simpsons’ character Ian the Very Tall Man who drives a Volkswagen Beetle – and Mr Incredible from Disney’s The Incredibles.
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    One fan wrote on Twitter: “His knees will be on his chin.”
    Another added: “Seat must be in the boot mind.” More

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    World Cup penalty hero Harry Kane rakes in eye-watering sum from sponsorship, image rights and property investments

    WORLD Cup penalty flop Harry Kane is on target in business, bagging a £22million fortune.Accounts show that the 29-year-old Tottenham and England star is raking in the cash through a pair of companies.
    Kane, 29, investments have risen by a combined £4.3million over the course of the past yearCredit: Getty
    HK28 Ltd, which handles his image rights and sponsorship deals with the likes of Nike and Mars, had its best year and has more than £9million in assets.
    Meanwhile, Edward James Investments holds properties worth £13.1million.
    His investments have risen by a combined £4.3million over the course of the past year.
    The accounts, filed at Companies House last week, are dated up to March 31 2022.
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    The England skipper runs the property firm with his brother Charlie and parents, Kim and Patrick.
    The couple sealed a dream move earlier this year – after moving into a 1million-a-year rented mansion.
    His sprawling seven-bed property has its own spa, cinema room, staff quarters and lift system.
    The Spurs marksman has been on fire once again this season, bagging 14 goals in 23 games for the Lilywhites and equalling Wayne Rooney’s 53 goal record for England during the World Cup.
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    Harry, on £200,000 a week at Spurs, missed a crucial penalty in England’s quarter-final defeat by France in Qatar. More

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    Ex-Premier League star, 39, declared bankrupt after racking up debts of more than £1 million

    JERMAINE Pennant has been declared bankrupt after racking up debts of more than £1million.The former Premier League star, 39, owes money to a string of creditors, including HMRC, banks, councils and utility companies.
    Jermaine Pennant has been declared bankrupt after racking up debts of more than £1millionCredit: The Sun
    Pennant celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal against Southampton in 2003Credit: Getty
    He was given a one-year bankruptcy order at Birmingham county court.
    A source close to the star said: “He owes stacks of cash all over the place.
    “His debts are into seven-figures.
    “His debts to the taxman and banks are huge.
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    “He has defaulted on mortgage payments and will likely have property repossessed.”
    Pennant was taken to court by creditors after failing to settle a number of outstanding bills.
    The star’s money troubles have been building.
    His media company Jermaine Pennant Ltd was dissolved and struck off the company register in 2020.
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    He set up the company to handle his pay from Celebrity Big Brother and TV appearances. More

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    Football watchdog will be created to stop greedy clubs trying to set up European super league

    A FOOTBALL watchdog will be created to stop greedy top clubs again trying to set up a European super league.The regulator will also have powers to ensure teams are not financially run into the ground — in the manner of Bury and Macclesfield.
    A football watchdog will be created to stop greedy top clubs again trying to set up a European super leagueCredit: Rex
    The regulator was mooted by Boris JohnsonCredit: Getty
    It is the biggest shake-up of the game since the creation of the Premier League in 1992.
    And it follows outrage at a bid by six top Premier League clubs to launch the European Super League last year.
    The regulator was mooted by Boris Johnson.
    Now, PM Rishi Sunak, a Southampton fan, hopes to revive the idea.
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    He will ask the regulator to put fans back at the heart of the game.
    It will have powers to prevent breakaway leagues.
    Proposals for any new competition will have to be decided in consultation with the FA and fans before it could be launched.
    It will also force teams to show they have enough cash in their accounts to run and protect core assets like their stadium from being flogged off.
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    This will protect much-loved clubs from bankruptcy and keep them going for future generations, ministers reckon. More

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    Gareth Bale shocked after masked gunmen burst into family member’s house

    FOOTBALL ace Gareth Bale and his wife Emma were shocked after armed raiders burst into a relative’s home.Emma’s aunt was left shaken after up to four masked men brandishing shotguns broke in.
    Gareth Bale and his wife Emma were shocked after armed raiders burst into a relative’s homeCredit: Karwai Tang
    Gareth was playing with Wales at the World Cup at the time of the raidCredit: Getty
    One of the intruders, believed to be the gunman, demanded: “Where’s the gold? We want the gold.”
    One man has been arrested but police are hunting the rest of the gang.
    Emma’s favourite aunt, who runs her own business, told the gang there was no gold in her house and they fled empty-handed.
    Police were called and a cordon put around the family’s three-bedroom home in North Wales.
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    Gareth, 33, now with Los Angeles FC, was playing for Wales in the World Cup in Qatar at the time of the raid.
    A family source said: “Gareth and Emma are shocked and really concerned that a gun was used to make threats.
    “We don’t know why Emma’s aunt was targeted. They seemed to be asking for a haul of gold. It has left Emma’s aunt and her family terrified.”
    She moved out of the property temporarily. The early-hours raid on November 29 is said not to be connected to a 2016 drug gang vendetta in Cardiff which Gareth and Emma, 31, became caught up in.
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     Police said “a  man, 28, from the Barnsley area was  arrested on suspicion of burglary.” He has been bailed. Emma’s aunt refused to discuss the raid. More