Chris Taylor and Georgia Steel of Love Island All Stars 2024 (Image: ITV/Instagram)
If there is one programme that sums up the woes of the 20-something generation who seem to find it so hard to find romance, it’s I have seen it only once and fail utterly to understand its appeal, but younger viewers love it.
How depressing.
Apart from the fact that most of the participants look like cartoon characters, all plumped-up lips, artificially sculpted torsos and high-gloss complexions – and the women are even worse – it’s the pure cynicism of the show that jars so much.
People are encouraged to form emotional attachments and are then set up to be betrayed: what kind of message does this send out to the world? That it’s okay to steal people’s partners, because it’s only a game? That the only way to win is to look like a caricature of a normal human being? That you can’t find love the traditional way – meeting people at work or mixing with neighbours – but by going on reality TV?
And now new depths are being plumbed, as some of the original contestants are going to be brought back in, with the result they are being told by fans that they are too old to take part.
No one is faster to take offence than the current 20-something generation, apart from when ageism is concerned, at which point it’s okay of course. Some are, Heaven forfend, fast approaching 40, prompting a deluge on X: “Nah, there really should be an age limit for Love Island… why are you doing this again at your big age?” “Any of the past islanders over the age of at least 33 should have some respect for themselves and not go on, that’s a lil embarrassing sorry”; “Marcel whose 39 and married and going into the villa, not a good look ”; I know Love Island may not have an age limit but if you’re touching 40…” are just some of the reactions online.
Here is the news: in a society when it is now becoming increasingly normal to live into your nineties, 40 is not old. It is quite possible, too, to have inter-generational friendships and romances – telling people they are past it at 40 is just bizarre. Either Love Island is a show worth appearing on or it’s not – age has nothing to do with it.
However, they do have one valid criticism: going on the show when you’re married? Has anyone thought this through?
has a life of its own and once caught up in it people can make some very stupid decisions. Time to take this tawdry show off the air. Enough.
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The sacked its freelance news reporter left, after it was revealed he was behind the charity single Freezing This Christmas by Sir Starmer And The Granny Harmers, saying its release was against its “impartiality rules”.
Do me a favour. That the Beeb still calls itself impartial is becoming an offence under the Trade Description Act; if that song had laid into the , they’d have been playing it on the hour every hour.
As it was, they refused to air it, which didn’t stop it from raising £50,000 for Age UK. Well done, Chris. May your next single be a mega-earner for you personally.
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Meghan and Harry visiting residents in Pasadena (Image: Getty)
Dear old are shoving their oar in again, this time criticising Meta, owner of Facebook and , for ending fact-checking.
That’s rich from them. “Facts” don’t seem to have played a major part in their repertoire (“Recollections may vary”), with much wailing about “their” truth as opposed to anyone else’s.
Meanwhile, Meghan’s new TV series has been due to the tragedy in California. However will we cope?
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The morning after won the General Election, I wondered to my husband if they had a phone number for the IMF. Doesn’t look so funny now. Thanks, Rachel from Accounts.
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Nicole Kidman attends the 2025 National Board of Review Gala (Image: Getty Images)
says she doesn’t want her teenage daughters to see her latest film, Babygirl, due to its numerous sex scenes.
It’s always enjoyable when racy stars have offspring of their own and turn into puritans overnight.
Mick Jagger was said to be appalled when his daughter Jade was expelled from school for sneaking out to meet her boyfriend. Talk about do as I say, not as I do!
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The comedian has said her mother had her when she was too young, only 20, and that Sara, below, is glad she was 40 when she had her child.
How irresponsible. The greatest lie my generation was sold was that we could put off motherhood until forever and then pop out a few sprogs when we were ready; many women found out to their cost, this was not true. Sara is very lucky to have had her baby at all.
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A new drama is to air later this month titled Brian And Maggie. It is being billed as the “interview that destroyed Thatcher” and is based on a television chat Mrs T had with Brian Walden. Mrs T is played by Harriet Walter, left.
The only problem is it was nothing of the sort. I was there at the time and have no recollection of an interview between our greatest post-war PM and the Labour MP turned politico having such an effect. I do, however, recall very well falling out with the Iron Lady’s economics guru Professor Alan Walters, the devastating resignation speech by Geoffrey Howe, the terrible miscalculation of the poll tax and that snake Michael Heseltine finally seizing his chance.
But an interview that destroyed her? Come off it. This is yet another politically charged attempt by pygmies to tarnish her memory.
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I live quite close to and several times a week drive past the charred remains of the building, in which 72 people died.
Next month, a decision on its fate should emerge: Labour should bite the bullet and pull it down. Who would want to live there now?
The were clearly too terrified to do so as they didn’t want to be accused of covering up the tragedy, but Labour isn’t implicated and could construct a memorial garden in its place.
It would be a nice change to have them get one decision right.