Connect with us

Published

on

Colin Gibb, a founding member of the novelty pop group Black Lace, has died aged 70.

The band were best known for their hits Agadoo, Superman and Do The Conga, which were staple songs at summer discos across the UK throughout the mid-1980s.

They also performed in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in seventh place.

Gibb’s wife Sue Kelly announced his death on Facebook, writing: “It is with heartbreaking news that I am letting you all know my dearest husband Colin Gibb died this afternoon.

“I love you Colin, spent 22 years living your Agadoo dream, we were due to retire to Spain on Thursday, you were so happy, so looking forward to our new life, now you’re gone.

“As we used to say, always love you forever.”

Colin Gibb with his wife Sue Kelly. Pic: Sue Kelly/Facebook
Image:
Colin Gibb with his wife Sue Kelly. Pic: Sue Kelly/Facebook

Gibb had announced his retirement from the group last month and had planned to move to Spain with his wife.

A tribute on the official Black Lace Facebook fan page said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our great friend Colin Gibb.

“Colin was one of the founder members of Black Lace, together with Alan Barton, and will be truly missed by everyone who knew him.

“We’d like to send his family and friends all our love and support at this extremely difficult time.”

Former Black Lace singer Dene Michael wrote on X: “So sad to announce the passing of my singing partner in Black Lace Colin Gibb rest in peace my friend God bless you x”

Gibb joined Black Lace in 1976 and went on to tour the world with them.

Their biggest hit came in 1984 with Agadoo – a song about pushing pineapples, shaking trees, grinding coffee and dancing the night away – performed by Gibb and bandmate Alan Barton, who died in 1995.

The song sold more than a million copies worldwide and reached number two in the UK charts.

When being presented with an award for their success, presenter Richard Whiteley reportedly forgot Gibb’s name – calling him Mr Agadoo in honour of the hit track.

Thirteen years later, the band raised more than £25,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care on a day dubbed “Agadoo Day,” which saw them play 20 shows in 24 hours around the UK.

The catchy hit was famously parodied in the 1986 number one chart single The Chicken Song, written for the political puppet show Spitting Image.

Gibb’s final performance was at a beach hotel in Tenerife in May.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Chris Brown released on bail – but must pay £5m security fee

Published

on

By

Chris Brown released on bail - but must pay £5m security fee

US singer Chris Brown has been released on bail by a judge in London – and must pay a £5m security fee to the court.

The 36-year-old was granted bail at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, but did not appear in person.

Brown had been remanded in custody by a judge in Manchester on Friday until 13 June.

He faces a charge of grievous bodily harm following an incident at a London nightclub in 2023.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Cassie’s mum describes Diddy’s sex tape threats – as ‘The Punisher’ gives testimony

Published

on

By

Cassie's mum describes Diddy's sex tape threats - as 'The Punisher' gives testimony

The mother of Cassie Ventura has told a court she felt “physically sick” when her daughter told her Sean “Diddy” Combs had threatened to “release two explicit sex tapes” after discovering his long-time girlfriend was dating someone else.

Giving evidence on Tuesday, the seventh day of the trial, Regina Ventura said she did not initially understand the email Cassie sent her in December 2011, saying, “The sex tape threw me, [Diddy] was trying to hurt my daughter.”

The email said Combs was planning to release two explicit videos of her and send someone to hurt her and the man she was seeing, rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi.

Regina said the family took out a home equity loan and paid Diddy $20,000 to recoup money he had spent on Cassie “because he demanded it,” angry that Cassie was now dating Cudi.

She said the money was returned days later.

During her evidence, jurors were shown photographs of bruises on Cassie’s body Ms Ventura said were taken when her daughter returned home for Christmas in 2011.

Regina’s time on the stand was fairly brief, as the defence declined the opportunity to question her.

More on New York

Cast member Scott Mescudi, A.K.A. Kid Cudi, attends the global premiere of the television miniseries "Knuckles" at Leicester Square, in London, Britain, April 16, 2024. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
Image:
Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, who dated Cassie in 2011. Pic: Reuters

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs trial: Day 7 – As it happened

Prosecutors say Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, forced women to take part in days-long, drug-fuelled sexual performances known as “Freak Offs” from 2004 to 2024, facilitated by his large retinue of staff. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty.

The rapper faces five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Musician Sean Coombs and Cassie Ventura arrive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala 2015 celebrating the opening of "China: Through the Looking Glass," in Manhattan, New York May 4, 2015. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Image:
Combs and Cassie pictured in 2015. Pic: Reuters

Last week, the prosecutors’ star witness, Cassie Ventura, who dated Combs for over a decade, spent four days giving evidence.

Combs’s legal team has sought to show jurors that his relationship with Ventura was complicated, and while they acknowledge he was an abusive partner, and had substance issues, they say the sex acts described by the prosecution were consensual.

Read more:
Everything you need to know about the Sean Combs trial

The rise and fall of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

‘Diddy wanted our bodies to shine’

A male exotic dancer nicknamed “The Punisher” also gave testimony, telling jurors that in the autumn of 2012, Cassie contacted him asking him to “create a sexy, erotic scene” Diddy, and using the pseudonym “Janet”.

Male exotic dancer Sharay Hayes, arrives at the Federal courthouse to testify in the Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial at U.S. court in Manhattan, in New York City, U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Image:
Male exotic dancer Sharay Hayes, aka The Punisher. Pic: Reuters

Sharay Hayes said he went on to have eight to 12 more encounters with the couple, having sex with Cassie, while Diddy watched from a distance.

He described the hotel rooms as routinely being dressed with electric candles and sheet-covered furniture, and says Cassie told him not to “acknowledge” her husband, and to “try not to look at him and no communication”.

He says Diddy would often wear a cap, and he could not see his face, but he later realised it was the famous rapper.

“The Punisher” mentioned using a “considerable amount of baby oil” during the performances, saying “[Diddy] wanted us to keep our bodies covered, to shine”.

He later described the acts as “a fetish type thing,” and while he said he believed Cassie was fully consensual, he also said he “did occasionally see her sigh or wince” and said she would frequently look at Diddy “for cues”.

Paid between $1,200 (£900) and $2,000 (£1.500) for each performance, he said he was not called back after struggling to get an erection during one encounter.

He said he never saw Diddy use drugs or saw filming during any of the performances.

Car park dispute with Suge Knight

David James, Diddy’s ex-personal assistant, also completed his evidence and testified that he never saw physical violence between Cassie and his former boss.

David James, a former assistant for Sean “Diddy” Combs, exits after testifying at the Federal courthouse to testify in the Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial at U.S. court in Manhattan, in New York City, U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Image:
David James, Combs’s former assistant. Pic: Reuters

James, who worked for Diddy for two years, said he left Diddy’s employment after he realised his “life was in danger” following a dispute in a car park with rival record label owner Suge Knight, which culminated in Diddy bringing three handguns to try to find Knight and his entourage.

He also detailed an altercation between Diddy and his personal chef, Jourdan Atkinson, and said he refused to file a police report after Diddy told him to say “Chef Jourdan hit him first”.

The final person to give evidence was a special agent responsible for planning the March 2024 raids on Combs’s Miami home on Star Island.

Steve Gannon showed photos of items taken during the raid, including sex toys, high heels and loaded guns, and explained how an armoured vehicle was used to break down the mansion’s front gate to gain entry while the family was away on a trip.

Combs has been held in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since September and faces at least 15 years or possibly life in prison if convicted.

The trial is set to last for around two months.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

George Wendt, who played Norm in Cheers, dies at age of 76

Published

on

By

George Wendt, who played Norm in Cheers, dies at age of 76

Actor George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson in the iconic sitcom Cheers, has died at the age of 76.

His family said he died early on Tuesday morning, peacefully in his sleep, according to publicity firm The Agency Group.

“George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever,” the family said in a statement.

His character as an affable, beer-loving barfly in Cheers was watched by millions in the 1980s – earning him six consecutive Emmy nominations for best supporting actor.

The sitcom was based in a Boston bar “where everybody knows your name” – proved true given everyone would shout “Norm!” when he walked in.

Wendt appeared in all 273 episodes of Cheers – with his regular first line of “afternoon everybody” a firm fan favourite.

He was also a prominent presence on Broadway – appearing on stage in Art, Hairspray and Elf. Before rising to fame, he spent six years in Chicago’s renowned Second City improvisation troupe.

More from Ents & Arts

In an interview with GQ magazine, he revealed he didn’t have high hopes when he auditioned for the role that would catapult him to fame.

“My agent said: ‘It’s a small role, honey. It’s one line. Actually, it’s one word.’ The word was ‘beer.’

“I was having a hard time believing I was right for the role of ‘the guy who looked like he wanted a beer.’

“So I went in, and they said, ‘It’s too small a role. Why don’t you read this other one?’ And it was a guy who never left the bar.”

One of nine children, Wendt was born in Chicago and graduated with a degree in economics.

He married actress Bernadette Birkett in 1978, who voiced the character of Norm’s wife in Cheers but never appeared on screen. They have three children.

Wendt’s nephew is Jason Sudeikis, who played the lead role in Ted Lasso.

Continue Reading

Trending