‘I’m never going to be size zero. I think I was relatable for a lot of women because the girls [on Strictly Come Dancing] are really petite’
No dancing around the subject of body image for former Strictly star Oti Mabuse
ALISON HAMMOND
Backtracks on supporting theatre singalongs This Morning presenter Alison Hammond has apologised for “making light” of distress caused to theatre-goers by people singing along to shows in the wake of a reported “mini riot” at a musical in Manchester. While discussing the story with co-host Dermot O’Leary and broadcaster Vanessa Feltz on the ITV show, the presenter, 48, said: “I can’t believe it. I’d be devastated,” if joining in were to be banned.
Her comments caused a social media storm and she later posted on Twitter: “I had no idea the level of disruption audiences were causing and tried to make light of the topic on Wednesday’s show, and for that I’m truly sorry. I’m a great supporter of theatre and the arts and would never sing at the top of my lungs at any performance.”
AMAL CLOONEY
Voices support for Ukraine youngsters
Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has spoken about children’s rights in a phone call with the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office last week, after 31 children returned home from Russia having allegedly been illegally deported.
Speaking with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s advisor Andriy Yermak, Amal – who is a co-founder of the nongovernmental organisation Clooney Foundation for Justice – said she shared the pain of the Ukrainians and that her foundation remained committed to delivering justice for victims of international crimes committed by Russia after its 2022 invasion.
Thanking the lawyer, 45, for her support, Andriy said the citizens “appreciate it a lot”.
CHOUPETTE
What will Karl’s cat wear to the Met Gala?
The beloved cat of designer Karl Lagerfeld, Choupette, has scored an invitation to this year’s Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala – the Met Gala – in New York next month in celebration of her former owner’s legacy.
The 11-year-old feline has a reported net worth of $13m (£10.4m) from modelling contracts, endorsements and an inheritance from Karl, who died in 2019.
With this year’s theme announced as Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty, Lucas Bérullier, the cat’s agent, said: “It’s an event in honour of the legacy of Karl and Choupette is obviously a central part of the legacy. He used to say: ‘In my life, my priority is Choupette over everything else.’ She was everything to him.”
RYLAN CLARK
Confirms departure from Strictly spin-off Rylan Clark has announced he is ste
