Entertainment
Phil Donahue, Trailblazing US Talk Show Host, Dies at 88
Phil Donahue, the pioneering talk show host known as the “king of daytime talk,” has passed away at the age of 88. His family confirmed that Donahue died on Sunday at his home after a long illness, surrounded by loved ones.
Donahue created and hosted The Phil Donahue Show, a groundbreaking program that reshaped the landscape of daytime television in the United States. His show was the first to introduce many now-familiar elements, including active participation from the studio audience, which became a hallmark of the genre. From its inception in 1967 until its conclusion in 1996, Donahue hosted over 6,000 episodes, making him a household name and a significant cultural figure.
Throughout his illustrious career, Donahue interviewed a vast array of notable personalities, including Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Sir Elton John, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Dolly Parton, and Michael J. Fox. His engaging style and willingness to tackle controversial issues earned him widespread acclaim.
Donahue’s contributions to television were recognized with 20 Emmy Awards, including 10 for outstanding host and 10 for the talk show itself. Earlier this year, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, presented by President Joe Biden.
Phil Donahue leaves behind his wife, Marlo Thomas, and four children from his first marriage. His legacy as a trailblazer in daytime television and his impact on American culture will be remembered for generations.
Entertainment
Coldplay Set to Break Taylor Swift’s Wembley Record with 10-Night Run
Coldplay is set to make history by performing 10 nights at London’s Wembley Stadium next summer, surpassing the record previously held by Taylor Swift and Take That. Originally planning a six-night stint in August 2025, the band added four more shows in September due to overwhelming demand during a fan-only presale.
General ticket sales begin on Friday, 27 September, with prices starting at £20. Notably, Coldplay has opted not to use Ticketmaster’s controversial dynamic pricing model, ensuring ticket prices remain fixed at the advertised rate.
The tour supports the band’s forthcoming 10th album Moon Music, slated for release on 4 October. In addition to Wembley, Coldplay will perform two nights at Hull’s Craven Park Stadium, with 50% of tickets reserved for local fans.
The 12 concerts will be Coldplay’s only European dates in 2025, and 10% of the proceeds will go to the Music Venue Trust, supporting grassroots music venues across the UK.
Entertainment
Naomi Campbell Banned from Charity Work Following Misuse of Funds
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been banned from serving as a charity trustee for five years following an investigation by the Charity Commission, which revealed misuse of funds from her charity, Fashion for Relief. The inquiry found that donations meant for charitable causes were instead spent on luxury hotels, spa treatments, cigarettes, and security for Campbell and others.
The watchdog’s investigation uncovered that only 8.5% of the charity’s funds were being passed on to charitable causes, with large sums being used for personal and unauthorized payments. Two other trustees, Bianka Hellmich and Veronica Chou, were also implicated and received bans of nine years and four years, respectively.
The inquiry revealed that unauthorized payments totaling £290,000 were made to Hellmich for consultancy services, breaching the charity’s rules. Investigators have since recovered nearly £345,000 and secured the protection of an additional £98,000, which has been redirected to two other charities: Save the Children Fund and the Mayor’s Fund for London.
Fashion for Relief was removed from the register of charities in March 2024, following complaints from both Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund regarding mismanagement of funds raised through events.
This scandal marks a significant fall from grace for the once-prominent charity, with the commission’s actions aimed at holding trustees accountable for their failure to safeguard the charity’s assets.
Entertainment
Hip Hop Icon Fatman Scoop Dies of Heart Disease, Medics Confirm
US authorities have confirmed that rapper and hip hop star Fatman Scoop, real name Isaac Freeman III, died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The 56-year-old collapsed on stage during a show in Connecticut in August and passed away later in the hospital.
Fatman Scoop was best known for his chart-topping hit Be Faithful, which reached number one in the UK in 2003, and for his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015. Throughout his career, he collaborated with high-profile artists such as Timbaland and David Guetta, solidifying his influence in the hip hop scene.
In a heartfelt statement, his family described him as a “father, brother, uncle, and friend,” adding that he was “the laughter in our lives” and a constant source of support. His agency, MN2S, also paid tribute, noting that “Scoop’s legacy will live on through his timeless music” and calling him one of New York’s most influential hip hop figures of the 1990s.
Fans around the world continue to mourn the loss of this beloved artist, whose infectious energy and iconic voice made a lasting impact on the music industry.
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