Kanye's means prosperity and Cheryl's is a symbol of love: The Hindu charms the A-list love - and what their choices say about them

By Tamara Abraham



With the band: Cheryl Cole, arriving at the X Factor studios on Saturday, wearing her 'Heart' Chakra bracelet


With a slender red cotton band around his wrist, the uninitiated might think Kanye West was the latest celebrity devotee of Kabbalah.

But on closer examination, they might notice that it bears a gold disc with a flower motif on it. And that fellow A-listers including Sienna Miller and Cheryl Cole also wear similar bracelets in different colours, each bearing a different design.

Thankfully they have not all joined the latest religious cult - though these bracelets they are all sporting do take their lead from religion.


They are bracelets designed by London jewellery label Daisy, and each corresponds to one of seven Chakras - a Hindu concept relating to different kinds of energy.

Each colour has a different meaning, for example Cheryl's green 'Heart' Chakra band is supposed to remind the wearer that they are worthy of love. Telling, given that she has just been through a divorce.

Sienna has been photographed wearing the 'Brow' Chakra bracelet, which relates to 'intuition, perception and imagination' - all characteristics she might need to call upon in her work as an actress.

And Kanye West's 'Base' Chakra relates to 'stability, grounding and prosperity'.
Well, as long as something keeps him grounded.


Grounded: Kanye West wearing his 'Base' Chakra band at a party for Jade Jagger's Jezebel label last month


High brow: Sienna Miller arriving at LAX airport earlier this month, wearing her 'Brow' Chakra bracelet


The company, which began life as a Portobello Market stall, has also taken orders for the £75 wristbands from Katy Perry, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Alexa Chung, while Jude Law apparently 'wears his constantly'.

Of course the bracelets do not promise to 'protect' or 'guide' the wearer - rather, they are a reminder of affirmations associated with each Chakra. Sienna's comes with the phrase 'I am open to the wisdom within'; Kanye's with the line: 'I am here. I am real.'

Nor do you need to buy into the meaning behind the designs - they are pretty pieces to wear regardless, though given the price, they are likely to appeal more to people who have an understanding of the Chakra concept.


Joining the Daisy chain: Katy Perry, Alexa Chung and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley all own Chakra bracelets


Daisy's James Boyd, who designed the bracelets after an illness led him to discover yoga and the Indian healing system of Ayurveda, is delighted by the success of his design, and has expanded the collection to include chain necklaces as well.

'Since launching the Chakra Bracelets 3 weeks ago we've sold out 3 times over,' he told MailOnline.

'In Daisy's history we've never seen such an amazing amount of initial interest and sales in a new collection.

'People seem totally enchanted and enamoured by the bracelets and that makes me extremely happy and proud.'






Source:Dailymail

Tempted by laser eye surgery? It's not without risks

By Alison Smith Squire



Regret: Lois Roberts now suffers from painfully dry eyes


The TV advert for laser eye surgery made it sound so straightforward that Lois ­Roberts didn’t think twice.

‘The idea of just being able to see perfectly as soon as I opened my eyes in the morning seemed fantastic,’ says the law graduate.

She’d worn contacts and glasses for short-sightedness since she was 13-years-old and ‘really looked forward to being able to bin them’.


‘I also played a lot of sport such as hockey and found wearing glasses ­annoying,’ she says.

Her parents thought it was such a good idea that they helped pay for the £1,500 cost as a present for her 21st birthday.

Yet, instead of the simple pain-free experience Lois was led to expect, the surgery to correct her short-sightedness left her in agony for days.

Worse, three years on, she still has ­painfully dry eyes as a result of damage to the nerves that stimulate tears.

Lois has to apply eye drops daily - which in itself is a problem, as ­long-term use can raise the risk of chronic eye inflammation. Dry eyes can also lead to serious infections and, ultimately, even loss of vision.

As well as dry eyes, Lois suffers from constant floaters and poorer night vision.

‘The floaters are like clumps of black lines and dots,’ she says. ‘I’ve been reassured they’re harmless, but they are incredibly annoying.’

Floaters occur as a result of a popular form of laser surgery in which a flap is cut into the surface of the cornea — the clear, domed part of the eyeball.

The flap is lifted so that the laser can remove some of the corneal tissue underneath, to reshape it. But if the flap is folded back down with wrinkles in it or doesn’t adhere to the eye properly, it can result in speckles in vision. Poor night-time vision occurs because part of the cornea has been lasered incorrectly.

The good news is that the surgery did correct her short-sightedness ­(previously it was minus 4.5; now she has ‘perfect’ vision).

But I’m upset I wasn’t warned enough at my ­initial consultation that anything like this could happen,’ says Lois, from North Wales. ‘I would have thought much harder about it had I known the risks.’

This is far from a unique ­experience. Marketing manager Sarah Carter, 45, is taking legal action after treatment to correct severe short-sightedness (minus 6.5) left her with such dry eyes she needed further surgery.

Unfortunately, this operation also went wrong, and the laser damaged the rim of her eyelids.

As a result, Sarah, from Maidstone, Kent, ­suffers from painful ingrowing eyelashes, which must be plucked ­several times a month by an ­optician. She is about to undergo further eye surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital, but there is no ­guarantee of any cure.

Five years since she had the laser eye surgery, she says: ‘I regret ever having it done. It seemed incredibly straightforward and, at the time, I was just fed up of the inconvenience of contact lenses and glasses.

‘But that was nothing compared to the agony I’ve endured since.

‘I can’t wear eye make-up any more, and my days are full of drops, ointment and constant eye irritation.’


Every year, 100,000 Britons undergo laser eye surgery, which alters the shape of the cornea to correct long and short-sightedness.

First carried out in Britain in 1989, the technique was ­marketed as an end for the need to wear contact lenses and glasses.

Since then, a whole range of ­different types of laser surgery have become available.
However, some experts are ­concerned that the multi-­million-pound industry glosses over some unpleasant, and sometimes ­serious, side effects.

Last year, a Which? report claimed six out of ten ­opticians offering laser eye surgery — including branches of big chains such as ­Optical Express, Optimax and Ultralase — gave unsatisfactory advice and failed to point out the risks.

These include not only dry eyes, floaters and poor night vision, but also growths where the eye is cut, double vision, foggy vision, chronic eyelid inflammation and even loss of sight.

Shockingly, there is no law preventing any surgeon from ­operating as an ‘eye expert’ — though the Royal College of Ophthalmologists awards a ­Certificate of Competence after a surgeon has demonstrated ­expertise in laser eye surgery. It ­recommends patients choose a surgeon with a minimum of three months’ formal training in laser eye surgery who performs at least 500 eye laser operations a year.


Laser surgery can have permanent side effects such as dry eyes and poor night vision


The Royal College says at least 75 per cent of patients undergoing laser surgery
should end up with 20/20 vision. However, one in three still need glasses — and even when eyesight is successfully corrected, some will also be suffering from some sort of side-effect.

The ‘overall risk’ of something going wrong with laser surgery ­— including floaters and dry eyes — is ‘less than 5 per cent’, according to its report published this year.

The risk of serious complications — such as losing your eyesight — is less than 0.2 per cent. Worryingly, it admits the risk of complications at individual clinics can be as high as 40 per cent.

Retired optometrist Dominic Devlin was so concerned about the lack of information about potential risks, he set up a website to help consumers.

‘As part of my research, I’ve been to consultations and have been ­surprised how little is made of potential problems that might occur,’ he says. Mr Devlin is also concerned many patients believe laser surgery is a permanent cure and think they’ll never have to wear glasses again.

‘The truth is laser eye surgery is not a lifetime fix. Side-effects from surgery mean some people will still need glasses for night-time and, as eyesight changes as we grow older, the vast majority will eventually need glasses for reading.’

Furthermore, he says, surgery can be much more painful and the recovery time might take much longer than people are sometimes led to believe. As illustrator David Holroyd, 57, learned to his cost.


Eighteen months ago, he ­underwent laser eye surgery for short-sightedness, paying £2,600 for treatment at a private clinic near his Manchester home.

‘I’d seen a TV advert that made it look as if it was something you could have done in your lunch hour,’ he says. ‘I was ­struggling with several pairs of glasses — not only did I need bifocals generally, I also had a pair for reading.’

David says his consultation lasted 20 minutes, the ­surgery sounded straightforward and there was no mention of pain.

Yet he claims that within ­seconds of starting the surgery, he was writhing in agony.

My head was in a clamp so I couldn’t move, but I could feel every brush of the laser.

‘I’d had local anaesthetic drops put into my eyes, but the doctors could see from my face I was in excruciating pain.

‘I was in too much agony to even speak, let alone tell them to stop. Yet all the doctor said was: “We are aware. Try to keep still.”

‘The surgery lasted only minutes, but was terrifying. Had I known how painful it would be, I never would have had it done.’

‘Afterwards, I was in bed for three days, followed by two weeks when my sight wasn’t good enough to go out.’

As well as the pain, like Lois and Sarah he has also been left with dry eyes for which he will need drops for the rest of his life.

Now, though his sight is much better, he has been told his eyes will be permanently dry. ‘I just feel angry that I wasn’t warned about any of this,’ he says.

Mr Devlin is campaigning for a proper independent body where patients can seek advice and complain to if surgery goes wrong. He points out that contact lenses are much more sophisticated and cause fewer problems than they did 20 years ago and may be a safer option than laser surgery.

‘If you have a problem with ­contact lenses or glasses, you can pop back to the opticians where it can be easily rectified,’ he says.

‘But adverse side effects from laser surgery might be ­irreversible and permanent.’

Dominic Devlin’s website can be found at laser-eye-surgery-review.com



Source:Dailymail

As if by magic, Harry Potter stars lead Brit rich list... but Emma Watson only comes third

By Liz Thomas


She has earned more at the tender age of 20 than most of us can imagine making in a lifetime.

But despite having more than £20million to her name, Emma Watson has only made it to third place in a list charting the wealthiest British stars aged 30 and under – with her Harry Potter co-star Daniel Radcliffe beating her to the top spot.

Miss Watson’s fortune has come primarily from her role as Hermione Granger in the seven films, topped up by a contract as the face of Burberry and modelling work for Chanel.


Wealthy: Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson are collectively worth more than £65million


But Radcliffe, 21, is estimated to have made more than £45.6million from playing the boy wizard, as well as starring in West End and Broadway productions such as Equus.

Keira Knightley wins second place in the chart, with a £30.1million fortune from roles in films such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Atonement, as well as a modelling contract with Chanel.

But the Potter spell is cast again over fourth place – taken by actor Rupert Grint, who has made £19million from playing Harry’s sidekick Ron Weasley.

The success of teenage vampire films the Twilight Saga has seen 24-year-old Robert Pattinson become a multi-millionaire, earning £18.5million in just a few years.

Coleen Rooney, 24, also scrapes into the top ten, with £9million from deals with Littlewoods, Argos and Nike as well as her ITV2 series.

But Cheryl Cole, 27, only makes it to 14th place, with a relatively modest £7.9million income.

The list was compiled by industry experts for Heat magazine.

Editor Sam Delaney said: ‘The Heat rich list is proof that not all mega-rich people are corrupt, cigar-chomping fat cats.'





Source:Dailymail

Something kinda ooooh! Girls Aloud see the funny side as old band shot is used to promote Russian escort service

By Georgina Littlejohn


It's probably just as well that Girls Aloud have a sense of humour.

Otherwise there is one Russian escort agency that could have been taken to the cleaners over this cheeky use of the girls' image.

According to the Mirror, the Babylon Moscow Escort Agency have used an old photograph of the pop stars to promote its services.


Sense of humour: Girls Aloud saw the funny side to a Russian escort agency using their image to promote its services


The advert claims that Sarah Harding, Cheryl Cole, Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh are among its 'friendly and sophisticated girls waiting for your call.'

The image was taken five or six years ago before Sarah cut her blonde locks short, before Cheryl married Ashley Cole and found solo fame and before Nadine underwent a dramatic weight loss.

But even though it's an old picture, the agency didn't ask permission to use it and the band's management could sue.

The girls, however, have reportedly seen the funny side to the poster and have been making jokes about it.


Later years: The girls snapped in one of the their last pictures together last June just before the band announced they were taking a break


A source told the Mirror: 'It's an embarrassingly old picture of the girls so the company figure they might get away with using it.

'But they failed to warn the band's record label they were using it and theoretically could get sued.

'Thankfully, Cheryl and co have seen the funny side. They've been joking that that Chezza's been jetting off to Moscow in Simon Cowell's private jet.

'But in all seriousness, this is exactly the kind of thing that needs to be monitored. People can't be going around using the girls' faces on their products willy-nilly.'


Different worlds: Several years on, Cheryl is a successful solo artist and X Factor judge while a skinnier Nadine is struggling to make a name for herself outside the band



Source:Dailymail

Anything Newcastle's girls can do The Only Way Is Essex girls can do better

By Daily Mail Reporter



Healthy glow: The Only Way Is Essex stars Lydia Bright (left), Lucy Meck (centre) and Sam Faeirs (right) show off their fake tans in tiny dresses


Temperatures might have fallen below zero last night, with snowfall hitting most of the UK, but The Only Way Is Essex girls were still tanned to perfection and sporting tiny dresses.

They appeared to have taken inspiration from the scantily-clad partygoers of Newcastle, who ventured out in the snow on the weekend wearing not very much themselves.

The reality TV stars put on their stilettos and fake bake to celebrate Sex And The City 2 being released on DVD.


ITV’s favourite Essex girls Sam Faiers and Lucy Meck arrived in their colourful concoctions with James ‘Arg’ Argent and his girlfriend Lydia Bright.

They might have looked like they’d just jetted back to the UK from Marbella but their tans were more likely the result of a spray booth.

Glamour girl Sam showed off her bronzed legs in a little black dress, which boasted a mesh front to make the most of her ample cleavage.


Co-stars: Mark Wright's wingman Arg (left) joined his cast-mates and girlfriend Lydia (left), Lucy (centre) and Sam (right) at the DVD release party


While Lucy made an impact in a fuchsia sheer dress over black tights and knee-high boots, which will surely grab boyfriend Mark Wright’s attention.

Club promoter Mark, 23, had been dating Lucy on the reality TV show in-between his on/off long term relationship with Lauren Goodger, while also constantly flirting with lads mag regular Sam.

But with their friendship going back to their schooldays, Lucy and Sam have managed to overcome any awkwardness to remain good friends.


Metallic madame: Sugababe Jade Ewen looked stunning in a silver knee-length dress with minx nails and a pink feathered cape


Sugababe Jade Ewen joined the Essex cast too for the DVD release party at the Swarovski Crystallized Cosmos and Lounge in London.

And Jade stole the spotlight in a silver knee-length cocktail dress garnished with a pink feathered cape, matching pink Christian Louboutin heels and a Swarovski Crystal bracelet.

She was clearly inspired by a metallic theme and sported charcoal minx nails to match her silver frock.


What snow? There might have been snow in London this morning but last night Lydia went backless (left) and MTV presenter Laura Whitmore (right) went out without a coat too


The only male cast member to join his female co-stars last night though was Arg, who accompanied his girlfriend Lydia.

Platinum blonde Lydia wasn’t letting the below zero temperatures influence her wardrobe choice either and stepped out in a backless silk gown, without a coat.

And MTV presenter Laura Whitmore also braved the cold in a strapless LBD and sheer polka dot blouse.

But we’re sure Sarah Jessica Parker and her Sex And The City co-stars would be proud of their dedication to fashion, despite the freezing forecast.


Coatless glamour: Jade Ewen looked elegant in her ensemble and still managed to smile despite not having a coat in the below freezing temperatures



Source:Dailymail

Why pretty women give birth to more girls... and could lead to shortage of handsome men

By Fiona Macrae



Famously good-looking parents like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, seen here with daughter Suri, are more likely to have girls than uglier couples


Single girls have always grumbled that good-looking men are difficult to find.

But science may have just proved them right – because beautiful women are more likely to have daughters than their plainer counterparts, according to a study.

As parents tend to pass on genes that determine looks, this could result in handsome men becoming rather thin on the ground.


And it may also explain why many models have daughters who follow in their glamorous footsteps – such as Yasmin Le Bon, who is signed to the same modelling agency as daughter Amber, and Jerry Hall, whose daughters Elizabeth and Georgia Jagger have both taken to the catwalk.

Dr Satoshi Kanazawa, of the London School of Economics, analysed data from a survey of 17,000 babies born in Britain in March 1958 and tracked them throughout their lives.

At the age of seven, their attractiveness was rated by their teachers.

When they reached 45, they were asked about the gender of any children they had.
Those rated as attractive were equally likely to have a son or daughter as their first child – but the unattractive sorts were more likely to have a son.


Attractive: Actress Jessica Alba and her husband Cash Warren with their daughter Honor


Put another way, the beautiful women were more likely to have daughters than those who were less blessed in the looks department, the journal Reproductive Sciences will report.


A previous study of 2,000 Americans suggested that women are becoming more beautiful over the generations because attractive women have more children than plain ones – and a higher proportion of their offspring are girls.

Dr Kanazawa believes that parents tend to produce children who benefit from their own attributes.

Beauty, he says, is of more benefit to a woman than a man, and so it pays for attractive women to have daughters.

But couples blessed with strength and aggression rather than looks are better off having boys, as these characteristics are of more use to males.

However, not everyone subscribes to his theory.

Andrew Geltman, a statistician at Columbia University in the U.S., analysed People magazine’s annual 50 most beautiful people lists for 1995 to 2000.

With the featured celebrities slightly more likely to have sons that daughters, his conclusion was the opposite of Dr Kanazawa’s.

And his verdict will probably prove more popular with glamorous mothers such as Victoria Beckham – who has three sons with husband David.

This is not the first time that Kanazawa has come up with a controversial theory.

Earlier this year another of his studies made headlines when it found that men who cheat on their partners are more likely to have lower intelligence.

Dr Kanazawa explained that entering a sexually exclusive relationship is an 'evolutionarily novel' development for them.

According to his theory, intelligent people are more likely to adopt what in evolutionary terms are new practices - to become 'more evolved'.

Therefore, in the case of fidelity, men who cannot adapt and end up succumbing to temptation and cheating are likely to be more stupid.

'The theory predicts that more intelligent men are more likely to value sexual exclusivity than less intelligent men,' he explained.



Source:Dailymail

Hugs for Mummy: Emotional family reunion for Gillian McKeith and her daughters after she is finally voted off I'm A Celebrity

By Sarah Bull



Happy families: I'm A Celebrity contestant Gillian McKeith is reunited with her daughters Skyler and Afton in Australia


After 17 days of moaning and annoying her campmates with her refusal to take part in trials, Gillian McKeith's time in the jungle has finally come to an end.

The nutritionist survived the jungle for over two weeks, but caused controversy with her frequent 'fainting', which was deemed 'fake' by many viewers and some of her fellow celebrities.

And Gillian said she was thrilled to be out of the camp, telling Ant and Dec: 'I'm so happy, I'm so happy I cannot tell you! I'm the happiest person alive.'

The 51-year-old was reunited with her daughters Skylar, 16, and Aston, 10, who flew in last week pleading for their mother's eviction.


Skylar McKeith-Magaziner, who greeted her mother off the bridge, told last week how she couldn't wait for the controversial contestant to be voted off the show.

‘To be honest, I would rather my mum comes out now rather than stay in that jungle,' she said upon her arrival in the Gold Coast.

'I want her out so that I know she is okay. I am worried about her. I know she would never quit the show, but now she can be evicted and I can get to see her.'

Her children and husband Howard, who accompanied the girls to Australia, were ecstatic when their wish was granted.


Excited: Gillian McKeith couldn't stop smiling after she was finally voted off I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!


Together again: Skylar greeted her mother as she walked free from camp


Despite her jubilant exit, Gillian declined to be interviewed on ITV morning shows Daybreak or Lorraine this morning.

Writing on her Twitter, Lorraine Kelly said: 'Well Gillian McKeith has decided not to come on Daybreak or my show - should I consider this a birthday pressie?'

Calls made to I'm A Celebrity by the Mail Online were yet to be answered.

Gillian spoke to Ant and Dec after her eviction about the numerous fainting attacks she suffered during her time on the show, insisting they weren't fake.

Gillian said: 'I have a history of fainting, it's not something that I would ever want to do - it feels horrible. When I stood up my legs felt like jelly and then I woke up with the mask on. It's horrible.'


Missing you: Gillian was happy to receive a care package from her family after Jenny, Stacey, Dom and Shaun won a secret mission for the group last week


Legendary: Gillian's many fainting attacks have becoming something of a legend and have gone down in I'm A Celebrity history


She also admitted she had no idea why she had decided to take part in the ITV show considering all her phobias.

Gillian, who took part in EIGHT Bushtucker Trials, said: 'I must have lost my marbles. I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't think I would be picked for all these trials, I thought I would be cooking all the time!'

And Gillian labelled taking part in the trials 'so draining', adding to Ant and Dec: 'The first day I thought that would be it and then each day it would start again and the anxiety levels grew into panic attack mode - I felt as thought I was on high alert all the time.

'I was petrified I was going to get to do more trials. I thought, I've had my Hallelujah moment, I don't want to ruin it.'


Time to go home: It was between Gillian and Aggro Santos, but viewers voted for Gillian to be evicted


Ecstatic: Gillian couldn't believe her luck when she was told she would be going home


The 51-year-old also spoke about the Dreaded Digger task, which Jenny Eclair had taken part in earlier in the show, but which she refused even to try.

She explained: 'I felt like I had a breakdown in that digger. I felt like I was so emotionally raw I had nothing left to give. I would have liked to have tried but my brain wouldn't kick in with all those levers and everything.

'I thought I was going to faint and there would be bugs all over me - I couldn't do it.'

During her interview with Ant and Dec, Gillian was shown footage of her numerous arguments with former Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder, who was more than a little vocal about his dislike of the TV presenter.


Tentative: Gillian walked slowly across the bridge to meet Ant and Dec for her post-eviction interview


Revealing all: Gillian said she must have 'lost her marbles' by agreeing to go on the show


But Gillian said she doesn't hold a grudge, adding: 'The funny part is we got on sometimes but other times it was just frightening.

'He's a warm-hearted guy, he's kind and generous but there are times I just can't take the way he behaves.'

However, there was one celebrity Gillian connected with more than all the others - former X Factor star Stacey Solomon.

Asked who she wants to be crowned the winner of the show on Saturday, Gillian said: 'Stacey, without a doubt - she's definitely the Queen of the jungle in my book.'


Cringe-making: While Gillian deemed her fainting attacks 'embarrassing', she insisted they were entirely real


But it doesn't look like McKeith will be keeping in touch with former Bond girl Britt Ekland.

The Swedish actress vowed to not 'have anything to do with her' following the nutritionist's 'appalling' behaviour in the jungle.

She told The Sun: 'I found her behaviour and lack of knowledge about the show absolutely astounding for a professional woman. She is a fake - a bloody good fake but a bloody annoying one.'

And it's not just Ms Ekland who is questioning McKeith's professionalism.

The nutritionist's former publicist, Lucy Heather, says she believes she has 'committed career suicide.'

Heather told Reveal magazine: 'When I found out Gillian was going into the jungle, I actually thought it was a joke.

'Gillian is passionate about what she does for a living - she feels very strongly about people eating healthily.

'It's something she's very serious about - which is why going on I'm A Celeb... was such a bad idea.

'Her whole career is based on being credible and anyone watching her won't take her seriously anymore.'



Source:Dailymail

'My Katie still loves me': X Factor star Waissel's sex scandal grandmother speaks out as she insists 'it's a free world'

By Daily Mail Reporter


Katie Waissel's 'high class escort' grandmother has spoken out, insisting she has done nothing wrong by sleeping with clients for £250 an hour.

Sheila Vogel, who turns 82 next month, said her granddaughter was 'very upset' when the revelations about her grandma's private life were first printed, but has now started to accept it.

In an exclusive interview with new! magazine, Sheila said: 'I haven’t done anything wrong. It’s a free world and I haven’t killed anybody. I’m just trying to make a living.


We are family: Katie Waissel with her grandmother Sheila Vogel. Sheila revealed she has spoken to Katie, but it will take some time for her to come around


'Katie was very upset at first. We spoke on the phone but she wouldn’t let me talk. She was screaming at me. It was very hard. In the end she hung up - as did her mother and father.

'But then she phoned me and said, “Hi Grandma, I just phoned you to tell you I love you.” And I said, “Katie, I love you too." '

However, Sheila, who insists she has no intention of giving up being a prostitute, says she is disappointed with the way her family have treated her overall.

She said: 'Do I think I’ve let Katie down? No, I don’t think so at all. If anything she’s let me down.

'The family released a statement saying that they want to disassociate themselves from me. I don’t think they’re being very sensible about it, but if that’s what they want to do, then fine.

'I find it very hard. I have the right to live my life the way I want to, but it’s sad we can’t discuss it as grown-ups. If they’re not going to accept me for what I am, I’m not going to say sorry.'


Proud: Sheila insists she has nothing to apologise for about her choice of career


Asked if Katie and her family will ever accept the fact that she's a prostitute, Sheila replied: 'It’s very difficult to answer that.

'It’s still very raw and I understand it was a shock. I’d like to think they can come into this century and become more liberal.'

Sheila, who goes by the name Grand Dame Cecilia Bird on the website for escort agency Mature Courtesans, also spoke about what her work entails, admitting she has slept with over 100 men, ranging in age from 22 to their mid-60s, and earns around £300 to £400 a week.

And Sheila insisted she is proud of her career, adding: 'I have no inhibitions. I’m a good example for prudish people. It’s not the end of the world to be 70 or 80 years old. Live your life!'


Hard talk: X Factor reject Katie Waissel was on ITV1's This Morning when she came in for some uncomfortable questioning from Holly Willoughby and Ben Shephard, standing in for Phillip Schofield


On screen: Katie appeared to be remarkably positive and upbeat during her chat on the show despite being booted off the X Factor on Sunday night


Sheila has even set her sights on one of Katie's former X Factor pals, Wagner Carrilho.

She said: 'I usually like younger men but I would be happy if Wagner paid me a visit!'

Sheila also spoke about how it was having Katie as a grandaughter, saying her 'attention-seeking' side is anything but an act.

She said: 'She has always been a drama queen! Always seeking attention, right from the beginning!'

Katie, who was voted off The X Factor on Sunday night, spoke about the sex scandal on ITV1's This Morning yesterday, when she was asked by Ben Shephard - standing in for Phillip Schofield - whether they had been in contact.


Songbird: Katie arriving in the dark at the London Studios for her appearance on Daybreak after being voted off the X Factor on Sunday


That's my girl!: Katie catches up with her mother Diana for lunch after her day of breakfast television


Looking distinctly uncomfortable talking about the family feud, Katie said: 'Yes I have, but there wasn't really an explanation. I just think in life stuff happens and life is too short, you just have to pick yourself up and deal with things.'

She added that it hadn't affected her performances on the X Factor, saying: 'It's a personal and private matter. I separated that from the competition and kept my head held high.'

Katie's sister Natalie Davis said in a statement after the revelations: 'We were completely shocked and devastated to hear the news that my grandmother has been conducting immoral activities, including prostitution and pornography.

'We, as a family, disassociate ourselves wholly from these activities and from any future stories that arise from them.'

Also on This Morning yesterday, Katie slammed reports at the time that she had deliberately collapsed on an outing to Top Shop with other finalists in order to draw attention to herself and garner more column inches.

She stormed: 'That's so bad - I was actually really ill that day. I suffer from panic attacks... and I think that panic attacks should kind of be taken a little bit more seriously. I'd love to make people more aware of how many people do suffer from panic attacks.'


Ladies' men: One Direction's Liam Payne, left, and Harry Styles, right, get mobbed by fans as they arrive at a rehearsal studio in Battersea


Love in: One Direction's Zain Malik and Louis Tomlinson show their affection for Mary Byrne as they arrive at rehearsals yesterday


The wannabe also nixed speculation that she started the rumours that she and Matt Cardle had been found in bed together at the X Factor house, sparking a furious row with the former painter and decorator.

'No way!' she gasped. 'Matt is an amazing guy and very talented and it was so blown out of proportion, I didn't say anything. I'm still really surprised about where all these sparks come from. But he's a great guy. It's just really weird and I find it really bizarre.'

The finalist also said she was 'nervous' leaving the X Factor house after death threats had been made about her on the internet.


Countdown is progressing: Cher Lloyd and Matt Cardle arrive at rehearsal studios in south London ready for the semi-finals this weekend


Chic: Rebecca Ferguson arrives to practise her next song having survived through to the semis


She told Ben and co-host Holly Willoughby: 'I am a little nervous because we've been kept in this bubble for such a long period of time and protected but I just feel like this is a new chapter, and I'm just going to embrace whatever comes. Some [of the threats] did get serious and it's a weird one because I don't really want to think about it too much.'

It was Katie's third ITV1 interview of the morning, after chats to Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles on Daybreak, followed by an appearance on Lorraine Kelly.

Despite her diva reputation, Katie appears to be making a good impression post-X Factor.

Myleene Klass was also at ITV yesterday morning and told her fans on Twitter: 'In TM studios and just bumped into Katie Waissel. Can report not only does she not have horns, she's extremely sweet and humble.'



Source:Dailymail

Cheryl Cole's £3m U.S. deal as singer signs up for American X Factor launch

By Sara Nathan



Bye bye: Cheryl Cole is set to join Simon Cowell on the panel of the U.S., version of the X Factor in a multi-million pound move stateside


One of her acts was sent home this weekend, but it seems Cheryl Cole still has something to celebrate.

The 27-year-old has discovered that she’s landed a place on the judging panel of the U.S. version of The X Factor, according to a source, in a deal worth up to £3million.

An insider had already suggested that Cole was a ‘good bet’ to join Simon Cowell on the show next year.

But on Saturday night, Mrs Cole was officially offered the job, the source said, only a week after executives from U.S. television network Fox flew in to watch the ITV talent show - and the judge - in action.


Cowell, 51, last week revealed that he planned to announce the judges for the U.S. version in December.

The multi-millionaire said: ‘I’m going to make an announcement within three or four weeks, which is going to tell everyone everything. There will be some surprises.’

He then revealed: ‘OK, one of the judges has quite long hair.’

Singer Nicole Scherzinger, who performed her new single Poison on Sunday night’s show, is also a favourite to join the judging panel after a successful stint standing in for Dannii Minogue at the auditions this summer.


Cheryl with her category on Sunday's results show: She joined the show two years ago


Mrs Cole is said to be keen to launch her music career in the U.S. and flew to meet record bosses at Universal earlier this month. They want to release her second solo album, Messy Little Raindrops, there next year.

Cowell helped the singer make the move away from her pop band Girls Aloud when he handed her the X Factor role two years ago.

Since then she has launched a successful solo music career – and increased her fame.

Mrs Cole, who has an estimated £10million fortune, will earn £1.5million for this series of the X Factor – but will make up to twice as much from her U.S. television deal, as the budget for the show is considerably larger.


The new look American Idol line-up: Judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson. Cowell is hoping trounce the show with the US version of X Factor


She is already accustomed to the U.S. lifestyle, having spent weeks in Los Angeles working on her music and spending time with her close friend Derek Hough as she recovered from malaria.

She was in California as her divorce from her footballer husband Ashley Cole was finalised in October.

Friends of Mrs Cole said she was planning to make this series of the British X Factor her last in a bid to focus on breaking America.

However, she may not have to quit the UK version for the U.S. show as it is still not confirmed when, or if, the X Factor will return to UK screens next year.

A show source said: ‘When Cheryl goes to America she will also launch her music career there too.


Big move: Cheryl's relationship with dancer Derek Hough could also be a plus for her to move to the US


‘It’s the next part of her big plan, she’s an incredibly hard worker and she will definitely get a boost by appearing on the X Factor, which is set to be a sure-fire hit.’

Cowell quit American Idol this year to focus on the launch of X Factor USA.

When the British show finishes next month, Cowell will take a holiday and then start work in the U.S.

A source said: ‘This is everything to Cowell, he has to make sure it’s right.’

An X Factor spokesman said: ‘No decision has been made yet.’




Source:Dailymail

X Factor 2010: Katie Waissel gets the boot... shortly followed by Wagner as judges decide to save Mary Byrne in double eviction night

By Chris Johnson


-Show's two most controversial contestants sent packing
-Cowell's relief as attempts to 'derail' show with a Wagner win fail
-Rebecca, Cher, Matt, One Direction and Mary gear up for semi-finals


Dream is over: Wagner and Katie Waissel were booted off the X Factor tonight, missing out on a place in the semi-finals. Katie was the first to go, followed by Wagner after he faced Mary Byrne in the sing-off


Katie Waissel and Wagner have been dramatically booted off the X Factor in tonight's double eviction show.

Katie was first to go after receiving the least number of votes before Wager and Mary Byrne faced the sing-off.

The judges then chose to send the 54-year-old Brazilian home, with Louis, Dannii and Cheryl sealing his fate.

Simon Cowell was clearly relieved with the decision, commenting that internet campaigns for Wagner to win and so 'derail' the show, had not succeeded.


Tough talk: Cowell said he was pleased efforts to 'derail' the show had not been achieved, referring to internet campaigns for Wagner to win and so make a mockery of the programme


Cowell said that they had 'handed the show to the public' and Mary had 'sang him off the stage' in the sing-off.

In a bid to stay, Wagner performed the classic 1951 Nat King Cole hit Unforgettable in a pared down performance with no scantily clad female dancers.

Next up was Mary, who let her vocal chords loose on the Shirley Bassey track My Life.

Louis - who mentors both Mary and Wagner - was asked first by host Dermot who he was sending home and he chose Wagner.


Decision time: Louis, Cheryl and Dannii all chose to send Wagner home after his performance, sealing his fate, before Cowell agreed with their choice


Sing-off: Mary Byrne and Wagner perform in a bid to stay in the competition and make next week's semi-finals


Moment of truth: Wager threw his arms in the air upon being told he had been given the chop as a relieved Mary watched on


'Mary this is your life, so the act I am choosing to send home tonight is Wagner.'

Making her decision, Dannii said: 'I want to keep the person in who has heart and soul and a fantastic voice so I am going to send home Wagner.'

Cheryl followed suit, sealing his fate, by voting to send him home.


Good news: Rebecca Ferguson was the first to be told she had made the semi-finals


Over the moon: Matt Cardle and mentor Dannii Minogue punch the air after getting the green light while, right, Cher hugs Katie after being told she was safe


Talking about their fractious relationship, after he told an undercover reporter she was 'just a girl from a council estate who got lucky', Cheryl said: 'Wagner I know me and you haven't always seen eye to eye.

'But you have been a gracious man and apologised to me and I accept that.'

Simon then agreed with the decision, clearly pleased that internet campaigns for Wagner to win the show and make a mockery of it had not succeeded.


Jumping for joy: Simon Cowell's only remaining act One Direction leap in the air after making it through


'I am happy with the decision because there were people out there trying to derail this show for whatever reason and tonight we have handed this show back to the public and, no disrespect Wagner, but tonight Mary sang you off the stage.'

Katie thanked everyone for their support after she was given the news by host Dermot O'Leary, saying: 'I am just grateful to have gotten this far.

'Thank you to everyone for keeping me in this long and I hope that I have inspired people and shown that no matter how many times you get knocked you can still keep going.'


Battle of the cleavage: Judges Cheryl Cole and Dannii both wore low cut numbers, see with Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh


Knock-outs: Cheryl wore a flowing gold dress while Dannii donned a draped black gown


Dermot announced the four acts that were safe first which were, 'in no particular order', Rebecca Ferguson, Matt Cardle, Cher Lloyd and One Direction.

Earlier in the show Dermot warned that the voting was 'very close'.

X Factor guest judge and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger took to the stage with a spectacular showcase of her new single Poison, performing as a solo artist for the first time.


Spectacular: Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and guest X Factor judge performed her new single Poison on the show, the first time she has hit the stage as a solo artist


Sultry: The singer dressed in a stunning red and black catsuit design, throwing off her trench coat midway through the performance


Laser show: The energetic performance, complete with laser show, wowed the judges and the audience


Dressed in a revealing black and red catsuit, the 32-year-old was backed by an army of dancers as she strutted her stuff around the stage. Her motor racing boyfriend Lewis Hamilton was in the audience too.

New British boyband The Wanted also performed on the show as did U.S. teen sensation Justin Bieber with a mash up his tracks Somebody To Love and Baby, which he appeared to mime.

Speaking after the energetic routine, the 16-year-old said he wasn't at all nervous about performing in front of Simon Cowell, saying: I wasn't that nervous. I was pretty cool, pretty calm, pretty collected.'


Teen sensation: Justin Bieber performed Somebody To Love and Baby, which he appeared to mime


Turning on the charm: He then flirted with Cheryl Cole, saying hello to her suggestively


He then promptly flirted with Cheryl Cole after thanking his fans for all their support.

'I want to say hello to hello Cheryl Cole, hello,' he said, waving at the judge from her seat and raising his eyebrows.

Cheryl reacted by laughing and looking a little embarrassed. Dermot then said: 'Cracking on to Cheryl Cole. What a precocious young man.'


New kids on the block: Upcoming British boyband The Wanted performed their new single on the show




Source:Dailymail