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Wah-wah pedal inventor Del Casher dies aged 88

Del Casher, the guitarist and inventor whose innovations helped shape the sound of modern rock music, has died aged 88.
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One Direction surprised by X Factor video tribute


One Direction were surprised with a video tribute from their famous pals on 'The X Factor' on Sunday (13.12.15).
The quartet - Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson - performed their latest single 'Infinity' as they returned to where it all began for them before Simon Cowell, who put them together as a boyband on the show, shared some sweet words.
Speaking to the group - who are going on an extended hiatus - he said: "This takes me back five years ago when I met five guys as solo artists. I know you are taking a break, you deserve a break and I just want to say thank you, enjoy the break. Enjoy the time off, have a fantastic time. I'm proud of who you have become. You have been an absolute pleasure to work with."
Host Olly Murs then introduced a video featuring a host of famous faces including David Beckham, Danny DeVito, Little Mix and Wayne Rooney.
Danny, who starred in their 'Steal My Girl' music video, quipped: "Spend some of that money and while you're at it take some acting lessons."
A video of Beckham showed him singing along to their music before saying: "Boys, what can I say. Five years and you have given so much to so many people. You are unbelievably talented but more importantly unbelievably nice guys. You need to come back soon or you're going to have more videos like that."
Soccer star Wayne told them to "enjoy your holidays" while Little Mix proved they are firmly Team One Direction when they said: "You guys have smashed it for many years and we are so proud of you."
Simon then added: "It's been a privilege, it's been fun. Enjoy the break and I'll always be there."
The quartet performed one last song, 'History', which they have stated is a thank you to their fans, as a video montage of them played in the background.
They shared a group hug before Liam told Olly: "We've had the most amazing five years; we can't believe what's happened to us. We're sad to be going away for a while but we need it."
Earlier "ThisIsNotTheEndOfOneDirection" was trending worldwide on Twitter as fans shared the hashtag and their hope that the band will return after their planned hiatus.

Anita Rani eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing


Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko have been eliminated from 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
The TV presenter and her professional dance partner left the competition after losing the dance-off on Sunday (13.12.15) to Katie Derham and Anton du Beke, who had placed last on Saturday's (12.12.15) show.
Katie and Anton were awarded a lowly 24 for their Charleston and a 31 for their second dance, a waltz but managed to impress the judges during their dance-off.
While Anita and Gleb were eliminated, the other contestants were celebrating after making it though to the final.
Georgia May Foote's dance partner Giovanni Pernice tweeted: "Can t believe that we are in the FINAL!!! @georgiafoote!!Really really thanks for all your support!!we love you! #TeamGG until the end!!"
And Kevin Clifton's wife Karen showed her support for her husband and his 'EastEnders' actress partner Kellie Bright.
She tweeted: "My hubby @keviclifton 3x strictly finalist in a row . Hard work and just being a genius on that dance floor . I'm a proud wife! I love you x."
Kylie Mingoue was the musical guest on the semi-final show.

Caroline Flack: Olly Murs and I ‘nearly had sex’


Olly Murs and Caroline Flack "nearly" got intimate.
The 36-year-old television personality has revealed she very nearly had sex with her 'X Factor' co-presenter when they first started filming the ITV show together four years ago.
She recalled: "There was a time where we nearly did have sex. It happened at the first Judges Houses, four years ago. We had a lot of fun after filming and Olly was like, 'I'll come see you in your room' and I thought, 'Oh my God, is it happening?' I was like [to the tune The Stripper] dah-dah-dah-dah ...
"But nothing. We didn't even snog. I don't know whether we were just waiting for each other to make the first move. Maybe. But nothing happened."
And whilst people have likened her and the 'Kiss Me' hitmaker to 'Friends' character's Ross and Rachel - who finally get together after ten series of an on/off romance - she thinks them being a couple would "just be so wrong".
She added to The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Once you've gone through that 'almost' phase you know it's never going to happen. People say we're like Ross and Rachel from 'Friends', but we're more like Joey and Rachel. Together as a couple it would just be so wrong."

Bruno Tonioli clashes with Craig Revel Horwood


Bruno Tonioli is "at the end of his tether" with Craig Revel Horwood.
The 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge is reportedly finding it hard to work with the 50-year-old dancer, so much so that he is considering quitting the BBC One show.
A source said: "Bruno is at the end of his tether, with Craig in particular. Last week Bruno came off set saying if Craig is back next year, he won't be."
The news has worried the show's bosses as Darcey Bussell is also said to be fed up of the "negative energy" behind the scenes.
An insider added: "Darcey has said she has had enough of the negative energy in the show. When the cameras aren't rolling things can get bitchy."
However, her spokesperson has denied she is planning to "walk away" from the show.
They told the Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Darcey loves being part of 'Strictly'. There's no way she'd walk away any time soon."
Meanwhile, 'Strictly' hopeful and 'EastEnders' star Kellie Bright has revealed she has been on strong painkillers since week two, after she injured her left hip during training.
She shared: "I've had a left hip issue since the cha-cha in week two and it's never really gone away.
"And I don't think it will really until I stop and rest. I am having physio for it, yes. My body isn't used to it."

George Shelley and Ferne McCann have ‘sexual chemistry’


George Shelley and Ferne McCann have had their first "proper kiss".
The Union J singer has revealed there is "sexual chemistry" between himself and 'The Only Way Is Essex' star, who he met on 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here'.
He said: "I do fancy Ferne and there is sexual chemistry. We kissed properly for the first time on Thursday night at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. We had a few drinks, got a bit drunk and had a cheeky snog.
"There is potential romance but we want to take it slow. It is weird not being with her 24/7. We both have separation anxiety and have been a bit soppy."
However, the 22-year-old singer insists they want to "take it slow" and don't want to jump into things too quickly.
George added to the Daily Star newspaper: "We've been texting, messaging and FaceTiming each other all the time. I honestly love her to bits, I really do. But when you are in the jungle all your emotions are heightened, just like they were in the 'X Factor'.
"So we are trying to take it slow and work out what our feelings really are. We are trying to be mature. Maybe we should be young and just jump in but we want to make sure it's the right thing. We just love each other's company and want to spend all our time with each other."

Catherine Tyldesley has Coronation Street nightmares


Catherine Tyldesley's "nightmare" is being killed off on 'Coronation Street'.
The actress has no plans to depart the soap but when she does decide to walk away from Weatherfield, she wants producers to leave the door open for her character, Eva Price, to return.
She said: "My nightmare is to be killed off, because if I do go off and try other things I always hope I can come back because 'Corrie' is like my spiritual home and I've been such a fan of the soap from such a young age."
And if she is still in the show in 40 years time, Catherine doesn't think much will have changed for Eva.
She said: "She'll still be wearing a wonderbra and will have her crinkly boobs hiked up to here.
"She'll probably still be feisty and still have turmoil with men.
"I'd love to see her behind The Rovers, giving people gyp."
The 32-year-old star has seen her character lock lips with Nick Platt (Ben Price), Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) and Aidan Connor (Shayne Ward) and Catherine admits she's very lucky.
She quipped: "It's a tough job... I mean, I've had some real mingers haven't I?"
She told heat magazine: "Shayne is lovely and the stuff they're giving us is brilliant, some of it is truly hilarious."

Che Chesterman eliminated from X Factor


Che Chesterman has been eliminated from 'The X Factor'.
The singer - mentored by Nick Grimshaw - lost out in the public vote to Louisa Johnson and Reggie N Bollie on Saturday's (12.12.15) semi-final.
Nick said: "He's come such a long way, I've been so blessed on my first year that I've got to meet someone like Che and I think he's going to go on to great things."
Each of the finalists performed three times with Che opening with 'In The Air Tonight' followed by 'Valerie'.
Louisa first sang 'Fighter' before following it up with 'I Believe I Can Fly' and Reggie N Bollie arrived on stage to 'Jump' before performing a mash-up of 'Spice Up Your Life' and 'Boom Boom'.
All three acts were then joined by celebrity guests with Che enjoying a collaboration with Rod Stewart, who praised the singer for his professionalism during 'First Cut Is The Deepest'.
Reggie N Bollie were joined by Fuse ODG and Craig David for an energetic performance of 'Dangerous Love' and 'Re-Rewind' while Louisa's mentor Rita took to the stage with her for a duet of 'And I Am Telling You' and compared her act to former winner Leona Lewis.
She told the presenters, former contestant Olly Murs, and Caroline Flack: "The only two people who have made this kind of impression in this competition are Leona and Louisa."
Former winners Ben Haenow and Leona joined forces to sing 'Slamming Doors' and 'Run' while Fleur East and Little Mix teamed up for the ultimate girl power performance of 'Black Magic' and 'Sax'.
Olly and Caroline were left flustered by a video mix-up, causing them to apologise profusely as Simon Cowell asked what was going on.
Earlier Louis Walsh delighted fans by making a brief return to the show, in the form of a spoof of the John Lewis Christmas ad.
Similar to the old man in the retailer's commercial, Louis could be seen looking through a telescope at earth from the moon.

Nick Grimshaw to leave X Factor?


Nick Grimshaw is reportedly being booted from the 'X Factor'.
The BBC Radio 1 DJ joined the ITV talent show as a judge for the latest series but show bosses are said to have already decided he won't be returning next year.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "It feels like the writing has been on the wall for him. He has got better, but it's too little too late."
It is believed axed judge Louis Walsh or One Direction star Louis Tomlinson - who joined Simon Cowell at judges' houses this year - will replace him.
The news comes after the 23-year-old singer confirmed he had "handed [his] CV" to Simon ahead of the new series.
He shared: "I've handed my CV to Simon for next year's show, so we will see how it goes. It's definitely something I am thinking about. I am the biggest 'X Factor' fan and I would love to be there week in, week out and really give that level of passion. I think I would be a decent judge.
"I've been in Simon's ear the last few years about helping him out, so when he did actually ask me officially I was honoured. It was more me asking him non-stop, a lot of relentless nagging. I'd love to do more judging to be honest. It's been great to be involved in the process."
The 'X Factor' final begins tonight (12.12.15).

Rita Ora’s sisterly love


Louisa Johnson says Rita Ora is like a "sister" to her.
The 17-year-old 'X Factor' hopeful - who is favourite to win the show against rivals Ché Chesterman and Reggie and Bollie - has praised her mentor for being more like a sibling than a judge.
When asked if she would have preferred to have Rita or fellow judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini as a mentor, she shared: "I love Cheryl's music. But I'd say probably more Rita, because she's more edgy and we have the same sort of style. But I would have been happy with either of them as mentor.
"Cheryl's got a motherly sense about her. Rita's more like a sister. You can talk to her about anything. She wants us to work hard because she's worked hard - and look how far she's come."
And Louisa - who hails from Essex - also admits she has been "surprised" by Nick Grimshaw's judging abilities and praised the BBC Radio 1 DJ's genuine nature.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Nick has surprised me the most actually. He's been amazing. I didn't doubt him in the first place, I knew he'd know a lot because he works on a radio station.
"He's such a nice person - so funny and genuine and lovely. He and Ché are so jokey and take the mickey. They say, 'Oh Louisa, you're not gonna win.' But it's all light-hearted jokes and banter backstage."
The first part of the 'X Factor' final airs tonight (12.12.15).

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