Lance Bass Claims Britney Spears Bailed On Meeting His Kids: 'Very Strange'

John Bleasdale Guest Contributor As far as history goes, you can’t get much more historical than Taormina for a film festival. The Antico Teatro (or Greek Theater) – where the latest films will be shown – dates back to 300 BC. More recently – as in a mere century or so – the Sicilian coastal town has proved an irresistible getaway for many, from Oscar Wilde to Greta Garbo. Born in 1955 as the Taormina and Messina Film Festival, the festival has frequently hosted many international stars of cinema, and intermittently distributed the Nastri Azzurri awards voted on by Italian journalists, and at others the David di Donatello, Italy’s equivalent to the Italian Oscars. Here are some key moments from its history. When Dickie fought with Liz: Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor had used Taormina as a getaway right at the beginning of their romance fresh from the set of “Cleopatra.” In 1967, they returned to Taormina to attend the film festival with Franco Zefferelli’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” for which Burton received the David di Donatello as best foreign actor. According to rumors, a blazing row on the terrace of their hotel – the San Domenico Palace – ended when Taylor conked Burton on the head with a mandolin.

Police dogs caught two alleged drug dealers in Edinburgh after cops responded to reports of a gang of armed men.

Ferry firm CalMac only operated all sailings on its scheduled timetable on 31 days in a 15-month period, new statistics have revealed. The figures prompted fresh calls from the party for the Scottish Government to pay compensation to travellers affected by “mayhem” on ferry routes.

Fontaines D.C.’s vocalist Grian Chatten made his debut solo appearance on Later…With Jools Holland last night (June 17) – check out footage below.Chatten released his first solo single ‘The Score’ in April and took to Jools Holland on Saturday night to perform follow-up track ‘Fairlies’.“I wrote ‘Fairlies’ in intense heat,” Chatten explained at the time. “Partly in Jerez, Spain, partly in LA a couple of days before a Fontaines D.C. tour kicked off.

Janette Manrara is determined to host 'Strictly: It Takes Two', just months after giving birth. The 39-year-old dancer is expecting her first child with husband Aljaz Skorjanec and though it was previously reported Helen Skelton has been in talks to cover for Janette on the 'Strictly Come Dancing' spin-off show while she's on maternity leave, the brunette beauty insisted she won't be pressured into taking more time off than she wants to. She told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: “It has not been confirmed or announced yet but if all goes well, then I’ll be back on the show at the end of September.

Coronation Street star James Craven has officially confirmed his permanent exit from the soap following an emotional storyline that saw his character Aaron Sandiford finally leave the cobbles during Friday night’s episode. Speaking about his departure, actor James said: "It's obviously very sad", as he discussed leaving his character behind and moving on to new things.

Death in Paradise star Ralf Little has teased the potential of more spin-off shows following the launch of Beyond Paradise earlier this year.  Appearing in a live fan Q&A session on Instagram recently, the actor revealed that he'd love to see a spin-off show in America or the Maldives.  When asked by a viewer if he'd go down to Devon to film for a crossover episode with Beyond Paradise, Ralf said: "Yeah, totally.

A long-standing celebration of arts, music, dance, culture, and heritage, Preston Mela was back this weekend for its 26th edition. Bringing a touch of South Asian flavour to the North West, this vibrant event seeks to promote art across Preston and Lancashire, showcasing local talent and encouraging community cohesion.

Taylor Swift will release 'Cruel Summer' as her next single. The 33-year-old singer had initially planned to release the track - which featured on her 2019 album 'Lover' - in summer 2020 but her plans changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and after being left "truly perplexed" by the song's sudden surge in popularity on the streaming charts, the 'Shake It Off' hitmaker has confirmed it is finally getting an official release. Speaking on stage during her 'Eras' show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Saturday (17.

Beyonce continued her Renaissance World Tour in Amsterdam, Netherlands on Saturday night. The 41-year-old pop music sensation - who wowed in a designer catsuit days ago - kept her die hard fans enraptured as she modeled several outstanding outfits. The Texas-bred music artist, who started her tour May 10 in Sweden, wore a sparkly black mesh bodysuit as one of her looks.

fun? For bringing something fabulous? Something delightful? After many months consuming prestige TV as if a Michelin meal, dodging online spoilers, I am entering a time in my life where I would like to sit low in a beanbag chair and have a little excitement, a little joy poured directly down my throat like a foie-gras goose. Currently, I have to settle for less.

And Just Like That actress Cynthia Nixon has explained what felt different on set during filming of seasons 1 and 2, compared to that of Sex and the City. Now entering its second season, the sequel series rounds up Miranda Hobbes (Nixon), Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Charlotte York Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis) once again, this time in their 50s as they negotiate new life complexities. For one special scene in the upcoming season finale, Kim Cattrall will be back as Samantha Jones too.

Alan Carr's ex-husband Paul Drayton has slammed the comedian for saying he'd won 'custody' of superstar singer Adele after the pair split. Alan, 46, and Paul were together for 13 years and married for three, before their 'messy split' in January 2022. During an appearance on 8 out of 10 cats last summer, Paul made light of the split as he said he and Paul had 'divvied up their celebrity friends' and that he had 'won custody of Adele', who officiated their wedding in 2019 at her LA mansion.

With the warmer weather putting a real song in our hearts, the stars have aligned this week for much happiness across the zodiac. Ariens' new-found confidence means they fancy going it alone, while Cancerians' goals are well within reach. Elsewhere, Virgoans are feeling strangely experimental, Librans are the envy of others and Pisceans just want some time alone.Taureans have to deal with a contentious situation, Scorpios have a lot to be excited about and Aquarians are proving very popular.

Zara and Mike Tindall are among the most popular members of the Royal Family and frequently bring a sense of fun and informality to high-profile events.The couple have three children, Mia nine, Lena, five and Lucas, two and, despite their royal profile, the family of five are frequently pictured having a brilliant time at events near their home in Gloucestershire. As Lena celebrates her fifth birthday today (Sunday, June 18), OK! has spoken to royal expert Jennie Bond about the couple's parenting style and how they are "doing their best to give their children as normal life as possible." Speaking to OK!, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond spoke about Zara and Mike's lives at home with their three young children.

Kate Middleton's telling off to her three children while they were waving to crowds during the Trooping the Colour parade has been revealed by a lip reading expert. As the royal children rode in the carriage to Buckingham Palace, along with their mother Kate and Queen Camilla, they caught the attention of royal fans. Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, could be seen smiling and waving to the crowds, and were even seen making “cheeky” comments and funny faces along the route.

Daniella Westbrook has promised to foot the £500,000 NHS bill it will take to have corrective facial surgery after undergoing a traumatic procedure in Turkey.The former soap star, who has been open about her battle with drug addiction and osteoporosis, needed the surgical thread lift (a procedure where temporary stitches are used to produce a "lift" in the skin) to stop her face collapsing. However, Daniella revealed that even though she originally had plans to get reconstructive surgery here in the UK, a close friend persuaded her to go to Turkey, which led to a horrendous operation that was done without any anaesthesia.

Two young children who were found dead alongside their parents at a flat in London have been named.

Lance Bass is sharing an update on his friendship with Britney Spears.

Waving their rainbow flags proudly! Allies like Melissa McCarthy and Christine Quinn joined LGBTQ+ icons such as Tinashe and Niecy Nash-Betts for 2023 pride celebrations.

Did you know that Mila Kunis is friends with Lance Bass?!