Welsh singer Charlotte Church has said she is in “no way antisemitic” after taking part in a concert which featured a controversial pro-Palestinian chant.
Church led a choir of approximately 100 people in a rendition of “from the river to the sea” at a gig she co-organised with a Welsh choir in order to raise money for charity, the Middle East Children’s Alliance.
But the singer faced a backlash after using the chant, which is viewed by some pro-Israel supporters as a way to call for the eradication of the Israeli state.
Some pro-Palestinian supporters reject this, saying it is simply expressing the need for equality for all inhabitants of historic Palestine.
In a live broadcast on Instagram on Monday, Church addressed “alarmist” reports relating to the Big Sing for Palestine event in Caerphilly.
“Just to clarify my intentions there, I am in no way antisemitic. I am fighting for the liberation of all people. I have a deep heart for all religions and all difference,” she said.
“It was a beautiful, beautiful event. But unfortunately the powers that be can’t have that. [They] can’t have such a powerful symbol of resistance as what we worked towards on Saturday.”
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The 38-year-old confirmed the event had ended with a chant of the words “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” but claimed it is not antisemitic.
She said: “Clearly, if you know the history of it all, [it is] not an antisemitic chant calling for the obliteration of Israel. It is not that in any way shape or form. It is calling for the peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians.”
Church said “lots of other beautiful songs… of liberation and freedom” were performed at the event, including Arabic songs, Welsh songs, and South African songs from the anti-Apartheid movement, which had lyrics “adapted to the situation in Palestine”.
Appearing on the Novara Live political podcast later on Monday, Church said she stands by everything they sang at the event.
“It was a deeply spiritual experience for me and I would do it again 100 times – and plan to,” she said.
The singer has previously been vocal about her support for Palestine.
Last month, she said she “is in tears daily” after watching videos that come out of the territory, adding that she would “fight like a lioness for their liberation”.
The charity, the Campaign Against Antisemitism, described the chant as “genocidal,” as it refers to the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea, saying it “only makes sense as a call for the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state”.
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‘From the river to the sea’ explained
Responding to Church, a spokesperson for the charity said: “Singing From The River To The Sea is not standing up for human rights.
“At… worst Charlotte Church is using the voice for which she is so well known to fan the flames of hatred.
“You cannot stoop lower than using your stardom to teach kids to sing extremist lyrics in a village hall.
“We will be writing to the Charity Commission to ask them to investigate how this was allowed to take place on a charity’s premises.”
American football star Travis Kelce has praised girlfriend Taylor Swift’s work ethic, saying her record-breaking Eras Tour was “excruciating” on the singer’s body and mind.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, Kelce, who is a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, was asked by reporters what he has learnt about Swift‘s dedication to her craft.
“What I saw on that [Eras Tour] last year was pretty remarkable,” Kelce replied.
“To see the week in, week out, travelling from one country to the next, how excruciating it is on her body and on her mind.
“It’s not just her, it was her entire tour. It was the dancers, it was the band, the singers, it was everybody involved.
“It was an absolute machine, and it was something I could admire watching, and I think about it all the time.”
Image: The couple celebrate the Chiefs making the Super Bowl. Pic: Mark J Rebilas/Imagn Images/Reuters
Spanning five continents, Swift’s Eras Tour became the highest-grossing of all time and the second most attended, seen by 10.1 million fans worldwide.
The singer played a total of 149 shows, each running for around three hours, the elaborate performance also featured multiple costume changes and a set list of more than 40 songs.
Image: Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour in Vancouver. Pic: AP
Image: Swift on stage in Wembley Arena. Pic: PA
Kelce, who has been dating the singer since September 2023, attended multiple shows and even delighted fans when he joined Swift on stage at London’s Wembley Arena.
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Although focus is firmly on Kelce as the Chiefs prepare to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a bid to win an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title, questions about his love life have dominated the build up to the game.
Image: Pic: Mark J Rebilas/Imagn Images/Reuters
The 14-time Grammy Award-winning singer was born in Pennsylvania – the largest city in Philadelphia – but when asked what team would get her full support, Kelce said he thinks this year she will be “wearing red” (the colour of the Chiefs).
“I know her father is an Eagles fan,” he said, adding: “But she’ll be all for the Chiefs this time around for sure.”
Image: Pic: Mark J Rebilas/Imagn Images/Reuters
The footballer was also quick to shut down questions on whether he plans to give Swift an engagement ring, should the Chiefs win a three in a row. When asked, he simply responded: “A Super Bowl ring? Next question.”
Swift has become a regular feature at Chiefs games, last seen cheering Kelce and his teammates on as they beat the Bills in the AFC Championship game that secured their place in the Super Bowl, and came on to the field at the Arrowhead Stadium after their victory to kiss him as confetti fell behind them.
Image: Kelce praised Swift’s work ethic. Pic: Stephen Lew/Imagn Images/Reuters
She also attracted plenty of attention in her own right at last year’s game, as she was making a much-discussed journey from her concert in Tokyo in time for the big kick-off in Las Vegas.
In the end she made it with plenty of time to spare, and went on to enjoy herself after the Chiefs’ 25-22 win over the 49ers.
Sarah Michelle Gellar has responded to reports about a reboot of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, confirming the hit nineties TV drama is set to return.
The actress, who played Buffy Summers, has shared details about why she decided to return to her days as a slayer, almost 22 years after the show ended.
The series, created by writer and director Joss Whedon, featured Gellar, 47, as one in a long line of young women chosen by fate to battle evil forces in the fictional US town of Sunnydale.
Now the star has posted a message on Instagram confirming her involvement in a revival of the drama, although did not reveal if it will be a reboot or sequel.
Image: Buffy means business. Pic: TM/20th Century Fox Film Corp
She described a conversation three years ago with director Chloe Zhao “to hear her take on a potential ‘Buffy’ revival”.
“Our twenty minute coffee quickly turned into a four hour adventure. We laughed, we cried, but mostly we both talked about how much this show means to us,” she wrote, adding that at the time she didn’t agree to continue Buffy’s story.
She added that she did “shock” herself by agreeing to continue the conversation “until ultimately, one day, we landed on an idea”.
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On Monday, Variety reported that Gellar was in “final talks” to play the iconic character, although she would not lead the new series, which would focus on a new slayer.
The US entertainment news outlet also said it had been told by sources that the sequel “is nearing a pilot order at [US streaming network] Hulu”.
Image: Cast pictured in 1999. From left: Alyson Hannigan, Seth Green (crouching), Anthony Stewart Head, Charisma Carpenter, Nicholas Brendon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanaz, James Marsters (crouching), Juliet Landau. Pic: TM/20th Century Fox Film Corp
Buffy the Vampire Slayer ran for for seven seasons from 1997, its finale episode airing in May 2003.
It also featured British actor Anthony Stewart Head who starred as Giles, Buffy’s Watcher, along with her schoolfriends Willow and Xander from Sunnydale High, played by Alyson Hannigan and Nicholas Brendon respectively.
The show was so successful that the character Angel – a cursed vampire who is Buffy’s love interest – got his own spin-off series. The actor who played him, David Boreanaz, also went on to star in the long-running police series, Bones.
Image: Sarah Michelle Gellar and her on-screen love interest David Boreanaz in 2003. Pic: 20th Century Fox Film Corp
Gellar wrote that she has always listened to the fans and heard their desires to revisit Buffy and her world.
“But it was not something I could do unless I was sure we would get it right. This has been a long process, and it’s not over yet,” she added.
“I promise you, we will only make this show if we know we can do it right. And I will tell you that we are on the path there.”
Nora Zuckerman and her sister Lilla Zuckerman are confirmed as part of the team – reportedly writing the pilot. They have both previously collaborated on shows such as Fringe, Suits and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Chloe Zhao – best known for her Oscar-winning film Nomadland – is attached to direct.
Dolly Parton will be among the executive producers via her production company Sandollar, which was responsible for the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel television series.
TV chef Gino D’Acampo has denied dozens of allegations of inappropriate and intimidating behaviour on the sets of TV shows he has appeared on.
D’Acampo actions were described as being “unacceptable”, “distressing” and “horrendous”, according to an ITV News investigation.
Anonymous women who spoke to the news broadcaster also accused D’Acampo of aggressive behaviour and making highly sexualised remarks.
In a statement to ITV News, D’Acampo has said he “firmly” denies the allegations and “would not do anything that I thought would upset or distress anyone”.
He adds: “I am a father, husband… the suggestion that I have acted in an improper way against is deeply upsetting.”
Sky News has contacted D’Acampo for comment.
ITV also reported that bosses at Objective Media Group, the production company behind Gordon, Gino And Fred’s Roadtrip in 2018, appear to have been aware of concerns about D’Acampo’s behaviour.
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Objective Media Group said: “We have robust protocols and procedures in place for all cast and crew, including on-screen talent, that we review regularly whilst also ensuring that we take into account developments regarding industry wide ‘Duty of Care’ guidelines.”
The production company continued: “Across all productions we encourage people to raise any concerns at the earliest opportunity… If there are incidents or complaints reported, we implement our Escalation Procedure and ensure that a full and thorough process is followed in close collaboration with the broadcaster.”
Other production companies that have worked with D’Acampo have also issued statements following the allegations.
Studio Ramsay said: “Whilst we do not disclose or discuss personnel matters publicly, Studio Ramsay is committed, in conjunction with our broadcast partners, to a safe and professional work environment. We take all allegations of inappropriate behaviour and workplace misconduct seriously, promptly investigate, and take appropriate remedial action when warranted.”
MultiStory Media said: “It would be inappropriate to go into the detail of individual concerns but we give our assurance that we are reviewing the concerns which have been raised, what was known at the time and what action was taken. We will also look at any new concerns that have come to light.”