Connect with us

Published

on

Meet the schoolgirls taking on the UK’s quest for Eurovision glory.

Hayla and Yazmin, 12, and 13-year-old Maisie make up STAND UNIQU3, who will perform for the UK in today’s Junior Eurovision in Nice.

Their song Back To Life was written by Sky Adams, Jakke Erixson and Jack Hawitt – a team that has also composed hits for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jason Derulo and Ava Max.

Having arrived in France last week, the girls say the experience has been “so exciting” and a “dream come true”.

They initially auditioned for the contest individually but were put together after a long process and since then have regularly rehearsed in London.

The girls have been juggling school with rehearsals – something which is continuing in Nice.

The band says they feel the pressure of representing the UK, but Maisie from Essex added: “It’s such an honour to be able to say, ‘oh I’ve represented our country’.”

More on Eurovision

Perhaps unlike the main competition, the girls have insisted there are no rivalries and have become best friends in particular with the act from the Netherlands.

“It’s as if it’s not a competition. We’re a big family. It’s honestly like Christmas when you do a board game and all want to win,” Yazmin from Newcastle said.

For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of girl group called Stand Uniqu3 who has been chosen to represent the UK at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Nice, France. Following an extensive audition process, the trio, consisting of Maisie, Yazmin and Hayla, whose grandfather was a backing dancer for the 1987 UK entry, will perform on Sunday November 26 at the Palais Nikaia. Issue date: Thursday October 19, 2023.

For Hayla from Liverpool, it is not her family’s first brush with the iconic music competition.

Her grandfather was a backing dancer for the UK entry in 1987.

His advice to her? “Enjoy it and live out the moment.”

Click to subscribe to Backstage wherever you get your podcasts

After their Eurovision experience, the girls are intent on performing together after forming such a “strong bond”.

Sixteen countries are set to take part in this year’s Junior Eurovision.

The competition was established in 2003 with all participants being between the ages of nine and 14.

Last year, Freya Skye represented the UK with the song Lose My Head – winning the public vote and coming fifth overall. The UK has never won the competition’s 20-year history.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Snoop Dogg says he hopes to open burger van at Celtic Park

Published

on

By

Snoop Dogg says he hopes to open burger van at Celtic Park

Snoop Dogg says he hopes to set up a burger van at Celtic’s stadium and wants to serve fans himself.

The US rapper, 53, has described the football club’s supporters as “special” and the best fans in European football.

And Snoop, who played Glasgow‘s OVO Hydro arena in 2023, has also said he strongly identifies with the club’s mascot Hoopy the Hound.

He said a fast-food van at Celtic Park would become a foodie “Paradise” which is a nickname for the ground in the Parkhead area of the city.

Celtic Park. Pic: AP
Image:
Celtic Park. Pic: AP

Snoop told the Sunday Mail: “I would love to bring a pop-up burger [van] to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good.

“It’s got to be Celtic Park, man. The secret to a good burger is the love in the preparation. The ground beef has got to be mixed with some secret spices, then add a good quality cheese and some maple-cured bacon.

“The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself.”

More on Glasgow

But he said he would not be taking his culinary ventures to Rangers – Celtic’s Old Firm rivals at Ibrox.

The Drop It Like It’s Hot star told the paper: “Am I going to bring my burgers to Rangers as well? Nah, I think we will give that a miss.”

Read more from Sky News:
Raducanu says she not ‘playing for money’
Is Rachel Reeves the next Steve Jobs?

The musician has previously spoken of investing in Celtic, similar to Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds’s involvement with Wrexham FC.

Snoop has already published a cookbook and claims to have spoken to chef Gordon Ramsay about a possible venture in Glasgow together.

The keen sports fan worked as a correspondent for NBC at the Paris Olympics last year, and has launched two youth football leagues, as well as being a vocal advocate for pay equality for female athletes.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Dawn French apologises for ‘mocking tone’ in video about Israel-Hamas conflict

Published

on

By

Dawn French apologises for 'mocking tone' in video about Israel-Hamas conflict

Dawn French has apologised and taken down a video she posted about the war in Gaza after facing backlash.

The popular actress and comedian said she apologised “unreservedly” after posting a video in a “mocking tone”.

In the original 40-second clip, the Vicar of Dibley star said: “Complicated, no, but nuanced. But bottom line is no.”

Then, using a different tone, she went on: “Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us, yeah but no.

“But we want that land… and we have history… No.

“Those people aren’t really even people, are they really? No.”

On Saturday afternoon, she issued an apology, saying that in an effort to convey “an important message” she had “clumsily used a mocking tone”.

“My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023,” she posted on X and Instagram.

She said her intention was to “point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leader on ALL sides of this atrocious war”.

French faced criticised after her initial post.

Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman said she was “saddened” by it.

She said: “This mocking voice ‘bad thing’ of October 7 that Dawn (who I revere by the way) appears ro [sic] be mocking involved the most horrific terrorist attack.”

Read more from Sky News:
Thunderstorm warning issued
Rod Stewart cancels more concerts
Meghan shares video of Disneyland trip

MP Rosie Duffield responded to Oberman’s post, saying: “One can, and should hate what is happening in Gaza and also condemn the hideous events of October 7th.

“It is agonising to see events unfold, and requires extremely careful, measured and well-considered comments and actions. This is not that.”

Some social media users tried to pressure M&S, who French voices adverts for, over the incident.

In October 2023, Hamas led other militant groups in a cross-border attack, killing around 1,200 people and taking about 250 people hostage.

Since then, Israel has launched a number of large-scale campaigns in the region, including in Gaza where over 54,000 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the enclave.

Many of these are said to be women and children.

Israel claims to be targeting militants and blames collateral deaths on Hamas fighters positioning themselves in densely populated areas.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Sir Rod Stewart ‘devastated’ after cancelling more US concerts as he recovers from flu

Published

on

By

Sir Rod Stewart 'devastated' after cancelling more US concerts as he recovers from flu

Sir Rod Stewart says he is devastated to have to cancel a series of US concerts, blaming lingering flu for the decision.

It affects four shows in Nevada, along with a further two in California, which he plans to reschedule.

They were due to take place over the next eight days.

“So sorry my friends. I’m devastated and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I’ll be back on stage and will see you soon,” he wrote in a message on Instagram.

Sir Rod, 80, has been struggling to recover from flu and this week had already cancelled two concerts at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

On Wednesday, he disclosed that his doctor had “ordered” him to take “a bit more rest”.

The star is in the midst of his epic One Last Time Tour.

More on Rod Stewart

Sir Rod, who was recently put on vocal rest, is due to play the legends slot at Glastonbury later this month.

In May, he was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the American Music Awards (AMAs).

Rod Stewart performs during the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas
Image:
Sir Rod performing at the 2025 American Music Awards in Las Vegas. Pic: Reuters

In a sign of how seriously the singer takes his health, last month he was also spotted in Italy attempting to avoid conversations to preserve his voice.

He wore a message attached to a lanyard which read: “Sorry. Cannot talk. Having vocal rest.”

In 2024, he promised he would not retire but confirmed his 2025 European and North American shows would bring an end to his “large-scale world tours”.

Read more from Sky News:
Beyonce starts London leg of tour
Interview: Star of John Wick spin-off

The performer, best known for songs including Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?, Every Beat Of My Heart, and Maggie May, said he plans to focus on more intimate venues instead.

Sir Rod has faced other health challenges in the past.

In May 2000, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had surgery. In 2017, he underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer.

Continue Reading

Trending