Sam Smith breaks silence on BRITs decision not to ditch male and female awards

Two severe flood warnings have been issued in south Manchester which could pose a 'danger to life'.

Metallica have announced that their annual ‘Metallica Night’ event with the San Francisco Giants baseball team will be returning for an eighth year.The event, which has previously seen Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield perform the national anthem and drummer Lars Ulrich throw out the ceremonial first pitch, has been cancelled for the past two seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic.This year’s ‘Metallica Night’ will take place on May 24 at Oracle Park – formerly AT&T Park – in San Francisco, as the Giants take on the New York Mets. Tickets are on sale here.“It’s a tradition that we’ve missed the last two seasons, so we’re really excited for the return of Metallica Night at Oracle Park with our hometown baseball team, the San Francisco Giants,” the band said in a statement.“This year marks the eighth time we’ll take the field for the National Anthem, first pitch, and a few other pre-game shenanigans, and it all takes place on Tuesday, May 24th against the New York Mets.”A post shared by Metallica (@metallica)Special packages for the event include a ticket to the game and a limited-edition Metallica/Giants T-shirt; a portion of the proceeds from every Metallica Night Special Event ticket sold will benefit the band’s All Within My Hands foundation.In 2020, Metallica‘s All Within My Hands Foundation donated $350,000 to a series of charities providing aid and care during the coronavirus crisis.“In the wake of the spread of the coronavirus, the most vulnerable people in our communities need help now more than ever,” Metallica said in a statement at the time.

dinosaurs, has been spotted by scientists in an unexpected location.“It’s kind of hiding in plain sight in the human genome,” says Aris Katzourakis at the University of Oxford.There are two examples of the long-extinct virus hidden inside every living human.The fossil viruses are very unlike the ones that infect us with everything from Covid-19 to the common cold.Modern viruses tend to be retroviruses, which actively insert DNA copies of their RNA genes into the genomes of the cells they infect. Between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of the human genome consists “junk DNA” from retroviruses.The recently-discovered fossil viruses belong to an ancient group of DNA viruses known by scientists as Mavericks.Traces of fossil Mavericks have been identified in fish, amphibians and reptiles in the past, but the only previous known example of Maverick DNA inside mammals is in cast, and is thought to have been cross-contaminated from fish.But these very ancient viral traces have been with us all along.Stay in the loop with all the latest Daily Star news by signing up for one of our free newsletters here.In a new paper documenting the discovery, Katzourakis and his co-author Jose Gabriel Nino Barreat, write that one of the Maverick viruses was introduced into the genome of one of our distant ancestors at least 105 million years ago.“We further estimate the age of the viral ancestor around 268 [million years],” they write.“Our results provide evidence for some of the oldest viral integrations in the human genome and insights into the ancient interactions of viruses with the ancestors of modern-day mammals”.“There aren’t that many non-retroviral viruses in our genome,” Katzourakis told New Scientist.

Sunday Brunch viewers have called for a show shake-up after regular host Tim Lovejoy was replaced during the latest edition of the Channel 4 show.The 53-year-old presenter was replaced by Celebrity Gogglebox star Miquita Oliver on Sunday morning (February 20).She joined Tim's co-host Simon Rimmer in the studio and viewers seemed to love her presenting style.Some fans of the programme even called for her to be a permanent addition to the show.Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: "A much warmer interview technique with Miquita #SundayBrunch."Another added: "Miquita is doing a fine job... I much prefer her doing this."A third person posted: "Who is hoping Tim takes an extended break so Miquita can stay?"While a fourth social media user said: "So happy Tim’s off and @miquitaoliver is presenting!"However, some appeared to miss Tim and couldn't wait to have him back on their screens.""Just me missing Tim then? #SundayBrunch." one fan wondered.A second person wrote: "As much as i like this Miquita bird, i think i prefer Tim Lovejoy's complete indifference to his guests #sundaybrunch." Last month, Tim jokingly branded Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke "a terrible judge" after the TV presenter jumped into an impromptu dance on air - before ordering him off-set.Tim and Simon Rimmer welcomed Tom Read Wilson, Anton Du Beke, Tanya Moodie, Kerry Godliman and Robert Bathurst onto the show on January 16.

Mrs Brown's Boys is reportedly returning for a new series for the first time in almost a decade.The Irish sitcom stars show creator Brendan O'Carroll as Agnes Brown with several close friends and family members making up the rest of the cast.It adopts an informal production style where production mistakes and tomfoolery, mostly instigated by O'Carroll, are edited into each episode.Despite being lambasted by critics, the show has become a ratings success in both Ireland, where it is set, and the United Kingdom, where it is recorded.It also receives high ratings in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The show has won numerous awards.The last full series run of Mrs Brown's Boys aired in 2013.

Antonio Conte was left visibly unimpressed as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg appeared to snub a hug with the Tottenham boss at full-time after their dramatic victory over Manchester City. Spurs produced one of their finest performances of recent seasons to down the Premier League champions in their own backyard, with a goal from Dejan Kulusevski and a Harry Kane brace sealing a 3-2 win.

Dancing On Ice is often way more dramatic than producers anticipate for, and the 2022 series is no different.Fans were left fuming when Love Island's Liberty Poole was eliminated last week (February 13) after a shocking fall on the ice.And Ben Foden's wife was adamant the show was "pointless" after her man became the first to be voted off the show back in January.But over the years, contestants have had backstage drama which has seen them quit the show without facing the public vote.Here, as viewers get excited for Musicals Week on Dancing On Ice, Daily Star takes a look at the ITV show's most shocking exits.Back in 2018, Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Waring became the second celebrity to be voted off after a skate-off against singer Lemar, who stumbled during his routine.And it seems her emotions got the better of her as she burst into tears as she spoke to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield afterwards.She had scored just 17 points for her skate, alongside pro Sylvain Longchambon, and said she'd "done it better in rehearsals".As she spoke through her tears, Stephanie said: "Do you know what I've had the most amazing time."I'm really proud of myself for what I've done."Sylvain later slammed the judges, claiming they broke the rules by saving Lemar when he had a stumble.He told The Sun: "The rules are if there’s a stumble in the skate off then if the other couple skate well then they should be out. That is the rule of the skate off.“This happened five years ago with Pamela Anderson.

movements every day," he added.To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.When learning his condition would be permanent, Darren admitted his mood dropped, despite trying to hide it.He said: "Nothing can prepare you for the news that you'll never walk again, but to be told this along with the fact I'd never be able to use my hands again was devastating."I feel like I'm just a burden to everyone which doesn't help my depression and anxiety."Despite everything he has been through, Darren said his family have been "very supportive" throughout his treatment and added that his mother has even put off having heart and hip surgery because of his situation.He also praises the support and dedication from his medical team throughout the pandemic.

aliens from outer space says the extra-terrestrial creatures showed him visions of the future – including a terrifying preview of a grim global war with people’s skin melting off. Calvin Parker, who was just 19 when he was fishing in Mississippi and was allegedly grabbed into a UFO with lobster-like claws, says his alien encounter also predicted the Covid outbreak.

Liam Gallagher has shared his views on the British Monarchy, sharing his love for the Queen, who he describes as “a little Jedi”.Gallagher was speaking to NME for this week’s Big Read cover feature about his massive forthcoming Knebworth gigs and third studio album ‘C’MON YOU KNOW’.During the feature, Gallagher was alerted to a tweet he sent out at the start of 2022, which read: “So I’ve missed out on the NYs honours list AGAIN ffs what more do I have to do to get myself 1 of those SIR things oh well onwards and sideways LG x.”Responding to NME, he said: “There’ll be some fucker there going” – he puts on posh accent – ‘Who does he think he is, scruffy little shit from Manchester thinking the Queen is gonna give him that?’“If I can wind some cunt up [on the] first of January, start as I mean to go on.”Going on to discuss his views on the Monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II, he added: “Unless they delivered it to my fucking door through the letterbox, like the Royal Mail fucking should do… I’m certainly not going there and bending down for no cunt.“Not that I’m anti-Royals – I like the Queen. I think she’s like a little Jedi.

Sam Smith has shared a new live album recorded at Abbey Road Studios – check it out below.The new record takes its tracks from Smith’s livestreamed performance from the legendary studios, which aired last November.“I’ve seen all your comments and messages about this, so I’m so excited to announce my live album Love Goes: Live At Abbey Road Studios, will be released on March 19th!!” Smith wrote to fans when announcing the album, which came out yesterday (March 19).“It was an incredible experience creating the show with my band and team, and it was so special being able to celebrate the album release with so many of you around the world,” they added.Listen to ‘Love Goes: Live At Abbey Road Studios’ below:Sam Smith released their latest album

Sam Smith has some new music to share, and it’s a haunting take on an ’80s classic.

Griff has been named as the winner of The BRITs Rising Star Award.

Sam Smith will never be a kid again.

Sam Smith delivered an emotional performance of their latest single ‘Kids Again’ on US TV last night (March 16).The track features on the London singer-songwriter’s third album ‘Love Goes’, which was released last October.Appearing on the most recent episode of The Late Late Show With James Corden, Smith performed a stirring rendition of ‘Kids Again’ with their band. The song began with an acoustic guitar accompaniment before more musicians and backing vocalists gradually joined in.Backed by blinking pink lights, Smith stood beside a teacup and a bunch of flowers that sat atop a wooden stand.

Brit Awards keeping gendered awards for this year’s show.The singer, who came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns, has had previous success at the award show, having been presented with the critics choice award at the 2014 ceremony, as well as being named British breakthrough act and global success act in 2015.Although the Brits have faced pressure to scrap the female/male categories, they have kept them for 2021 at least.

The Brit Awards is sticking to old ways, and Sam Smith has something to say about it.

Sam Smith has shared a statement after sources claimed the BRIT Awards are planning to keep gender-based categories.Smith came out as non-binary in early 2019, and changed their pronouns to they/them in September that year.Back in 2019, it was reported that the BRITs were planning to scrap their gender categories in a bid to include non-binary artists.

AFTER a year of no gigs, few albums and very little in the way of pop sparkle, I’m ecstatic to say the Brits are back. And against the odds, they will be the same as ever — with big names performing to a live studio audience — and male and female award categories kept in place.

BRITS bosses have shelved plans to go gender-neutral and scrap Best Male and Best Female categories.

Rina Sawayama, Griff and Pa Salieu have been announced as nominees for the 2021 BRITs Rising Star Award.