Connect with us

Published

on

The sister of reality TV star Honey Boo Boo has died aged 29 after battling stage four adrenal cancer.

Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell died peacefully at her mother “Mama June” Shannon’s home on Saturday night, according to her family.

Cardwell was a common fixture on reality TV alongside her family, which includes her half-sisters Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird and Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson.

L-R: June 'Mama' Shannon, Mike 'Sugar Bear' Thompson, Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson, Anna 'Chickadee' Shannon, and Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Shannon. Pic: Kris Connor/Getty Images)
Image:
L-R: June ‘Mama’ Shannon, Mike ‘Sugar Bear’ Thompson, Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson, Anna ‘Chickadee’ Shannon, and Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Shannon. Pic: Kris Connor/Getty Images)

In a social media post announcing Cardwell’s death, her mother wrote: “She gave one hell of a fight for 10 months… she passed away with her family around her.

“We love y’all and continued prayers and thoughts for our family doing this difficult time.”

Shannon told Entertainment Tonight about her daughter’s diagnosis in July, adding she had undergone four rounds of chemotherapy by the time of the interview.

“We don’t know what to expect because the cancer is very aggressive and it grew from nothing to something huge on the left side of her body really fast,” she said, adding the family had accepted the cancer was terminal and was now taking it “one day at a time”.

Shannon had updated her Instagram followers on Cardwell’s health via a video several days before her death, saying “some things have changed in our lives over the last few weeks that are totally out of our control”.

Read more:
Tennis legend says ovarian cancer has returned
Stephen Fry broke pelvis, hip, leg and ribs in O2 stage fall

“When that time does come,” Shannon added, “we will also as a family come to y’all on social media because Anna would not have it any f****** other way.”

Cardwell, who first appeared with her family in Toddlers And Tiaras and later starred in Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, is survived by her two young daughters, Kaitlyn and Kylee.

Thompson also updated her 1.2 million Instagram followers the day after Cardwell’s death.

Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson and “Mama June” Shannon in 2012. Pic: AP
Image:
Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson and ‘Mama June’ Shannon in 2012. Pic: AP

The 18-year-old said: “Last night we all surrounded Anna with love and let her know it was okay to go.

“Unfortunately around 11pm Anna took her last breathe. Anna was in so much pain last night but now as a family we all know she is at peace now.”

The reality star said her “heart is completely broken” and highlighted the strength of her late sister.

“I would’ve loved for you to get to see me graduate college but I know you will forever cheer me on in heaven,” she added.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Police take no further action over Bob Vylan’s London performance

Published

on

By

Police take no further action over Bob Vylan's London performance

Police will take no further action over alleged chants at a Bob Vylan concert in London.

Met Police had launched an investigation after allegations the singer, real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, was heard in footage saying “death to the IDF (Israel Defence League)”.

The footage was filmed at a performance supporting Iggy Pop, 78, at Alexandra Palace in May.

In a video, Mr Robinson-Foster is also alleged to have said: “Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel.”

But the Met Police confirmed they are closing the investigation following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The Glastonbury performance led to a police investigation. Pic: PA
Image:
The Glastonbury performance led to a police investigation. Pic: PA

‘No further action will be taken’

A spokesperson for the force said: “On Wednesday 2 July, officers became aware of footage that appeared to have been filmed at Alexandra Palace in London on 28 May. An investigation was launched into the language used in the footage.

“Early investigative advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service who considered a number of potential offences but determined that, based on the information and material available, there would likely be insufficient evidence to take the case forward.

“As a result, officers have decided that no further action will be taken. We recognise the concerns that the footage caused, particularly among many in London’s Jewish communities.

“It emerged during a period where we have seen a concerning rise in antisemitic hate crime.

“We continue to work closely with community representatives to understand those concerns, to ensure the safety and security of Jewish Londoners and to provide reassurance moving forward.”

Read more:
Trump’s son-in-law and Netanyahu meet to discuss Gaza ceasefire
Marco Rubio warns Israel against West Bank annexation

It followed footage of Mr Robinson-Foster allegedly leading a chant of “death, death to the IDF” during a BBC live-streamed performance at Glastonbury Festival, in June earlier this year, leading to an investigation from Avon and Somerset Police.

A man, in his 30s, understood to be Mr Robinson-Foster, had voluntarily attended an interview on Monday in relation to the band’s Glastonbury performance, the force said.

Police added the individual was not arrested but an investigation is ongoing.

After the Glastonbury appearance, the group were dropped from a number of festivals.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Samantha Morton calls for manslaughter charges over deaths of children in care

Published

on

By

Samantha Morton calls for manslaughter charges over deaths of children in care

Actor and director Samantha Morton has said councils who fail to prevent the deaths of children in care should face manslaughter charges.

Warning: This story contains references to suicide.

In a powerful interview with Sky News, the Oscar-nominated, BAFTA-winning actor and director, who grew up in care, said Britain’s care system needs to be “completely rethought”.

It comes after a Sky News documentary, A Girl Called Nonita, told the story of 18-year-old Nonita Grabovskyte, who died in the care of the state following a catalogue of failures by those responsible for her care.

Nonita took her own life on railway tracks in December 2023, just two weeks after her birthday. She had previously told doctors and social workers that she intended to kill herself as soon as she turned 18. But nothing was done to prevent her death.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Unseen: A girl called Nonita

“I was a child of the state, just like Nonita,” Morton told Sky News.

“I was put in care at birth until I got the letter to say I was no longer the council’s responsibility. I was kicked out at 16 and put into a homeless hostel.”

After spells of homelessness, she found a local TV actors’ workshop and managed to secure roles that would eventually lead to Hollywood.

But she says she has never forgotten her childhood, which saw her in and out of children’s homes and foster families.

“The lack of care historically is shocking,” she said. “But the lack of care today is worse. Back then, it felt like there was at least some comeuppance.

“The system now is not fit for purpose. It needs root and branch reform. It needs to be completely rethought.”

The young people who grew up in care who have died in England since 2020

2020: 40

2021: 30

2022: 60

2023: 90

2024: 80

Source: Department for Education

The data shows a sharp rise in deaths among care leavers – young adults who have aged out of the care system and are expected to live independently, often with little or no support.

The Department for Education only began collecting data for care leavers aged 22 to 25 in 2023, meaning the true scale of deaths over the past decade is likely to be far higher.

Morton says councils should be held more accountable for the deaths of children in their care, especially if local authority failings contributed to deaths.

Pic: Invision/AP
Image:
Pic: Invision/AP

‘State manslaughter’

“A failure to care has massive consequences,” she told Sky News. “And the consequences are that people like Nonita die. I believe that that is a kind of state manslaughter.

“And individuals who fail to do their job properly should be in a dock.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has told Sky News that deaths of care-experienced young people should “shame us all”.

All deaths of children in the care of the state must be reported to the government via the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification Scheme.

But there are doubts as to whether all deaths are being reported.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Phillipson: ‘Nonita was failed on so many levels’

‘Shames us as a country’

Ms Phillipson told Sky News she has asked officials to urgently review the process to check for underreporting.

“I’m concerned about serious incident notifications – about making sure we’re receiving all notifications of such incidents taking place,” she said.

“Because it’s only if we know what’s happening, if we fully understand what’s going on in the lives of children, that we as a government, as a country, can provide the support they need.”

Read more from Sky News:
PM vows to fight plots to oust him
Thousands of NHS staff to lose jobs

Ms Phillipson added: “It shames us all as a country that we so badly fail many of the most vulnerable children who’ve experienced such appalling trauma and abuse in their early lives.

“I read every single notification personally – and it always stays with you. Every case is a child or young person who deserved better.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help, and support is available. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123 anytime day or night. You can also email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find support online.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Sally Kirkland, famous for her Oscar-nominated roles in The Sting and Anna, dies aged 84

Published

on

By

Sally Kirkland, famous for her Oscar-nominated roles in The Sting and Anna, dies aged 84

Sally Kirkland, a former model and Oscar nominated actress known for her roles in films such as Anna, The Sting and JFK has died aged 84.

Her representative, Michael Greene, said Kirkland died on Tuesday morning at a Palm Springs hospice.

Kirkland had been unwell and struggling to cover medical bills after she fractured six bones last year and developed two life-threatening infections. She had also been diagnosed with dementia.

A GoFundMePage that was set up by her friends to help pay for her ongoing treatment had raised over £45,000 ($60,000).

Michael Douglas, left, and Sally Kirkland appear with their best actor Golden Globes for Wall Street and Anna. Pic: AP
Image:
Michael Douglas, left, and Sally Kirkland appear with their best actor Golden Globes for Wall Street and Anna. Pic: AP

Her biggest role was in the 1987 film Anna, as a fading Czech movie star remaking her life in the United States and mentoring a younger actor.

Kirkland won a Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nomination alongside Cher in Moonstruck, Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, Holly Hunter in Broadcast News and Meryl Streep in Ironweed.

Born in New York City, Kirkland was encouraged to start modelling at age five by her mother, who was a fashion editor at Vogue and Life magazines. Kirkland went on to graduate from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1961.

More from Ents & Arts

An early breakout for the star was appearing in Andy Warhol’s 13 Most Beautiful Women in 1964.

Sally Kirkland in 2015. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Sally Kirkland in 2015. Pic: Reuters

Some of her earliest roles were playing Shakespeare parts, including Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Miranda in an off-Broadway production of The Tempest.

She once told the Los Angeles Times: “I don’t think any actor can really call him or herself an actor unless he or she puts in time with Shakespeare.”

Kirkland was also infamous for her nude scenes, often disrobing in films and for social causes. In particular, Kirkland volunteered and advocated for people with AIDS, the homeless and prisoners.

Continue Reading

Trending