ANTHONY Joshua may have an unlikely fan ringside for his next fight – Emeli Sande.
The world champ boxer has struck up a surprising friendship with the four-time Brit Award winner and they have grown so close they even have matching necklaces.
AJ, gearing up to fight Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller in June, has been hanging out with the Read All About It singer in London in the past few months which has raised eyebrows among their pals.
A source said: “AJ and Emeli have known each other for years. He even presented her with a Mobo award in 2012. They have stayed in touch and recently have been seeing more of each other. People would probably be surprised they have become pals, as they have such different careers. But there’s a spark.
“She designed a chain for herself which features a crown and AJ had one made which is almost identical.
“At the weekend they went to Drake’s gig at The O2 Arena with friends. They just enjoy spending time together.”
Emeli released comeback single Sparrow last month and is now gearing up to put out her third studio album this summer. In 2014 she told how she had divorced her biologist husband Adam Gouraguine after a year’s marriage and almost a decade together.
She went on to date British rapper and producer HYPO for a few months in 2016.
In 2017, AJ suggested he could not think about being in a long-term relationship for at least a decade, until he had quit boxing.
He said: “If people can ride with me for the next ten to 12 years I would really appreciate it, but if they can’t foresee the future I’d rather they jump off the boat because I can’t stop for no one right now.”
Perhaps the right person could make him reconsider.
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El of a look Millie
MILLIE Mackintosh channells her inner senorita as she hosts an album launch.
The former Made In Chelsea beauty sizzled in a scarlet dress at a Madrid bash to showcase Brazilian singer Anitta’s new album Kisses.
Millie is in Italy promoting flip-flop brand Ipanema and, as well as welcoming guests to the party, shared Instagram snaps of her scooting about on a Vespa and shopping.
She is known for going on a crazy number of holidays. In 2017 she had 20 but last year just eight. She did have her wedding to fellow Made in Chelsea graduate Hugo Taylor to pay for.
Fast Food
JOHN Newman is launching a new TV series which looks just as hilarious as Carpool Karaoke.
The Feelings singer and rally driver is working on John Newman’s Fast Food Challenge for YouTube. It will see celebs try to eat a three-course meal while he drives them at top speed.
An insider explained: “John wanted to put his driving to good use. He’ll be taking the stars around a track while they try to scoff a posh dinner, it’s going to be carnage.
“Keith Lemon has filmed his episode and John’s pals Ed Sheeran and Rudimental are lining up their schedules so they can have a go.”
I can’t wait to watch.
Is J-Lo fur real?
J-LO has broken her silence after The Sun revealed the sordid messages her fiancé Alex Rodriguez had been sending British Playboy model Zoe Gregory behind her back.
Promoting her upcoming film Hustlers in New York she said: “We’re not gonna let other people tell us what our relationship is. We’re just happy.”
She faced her own criticism on Wednesday after going out in this outfit, which appeared to be real fur. Trust us when we say: it looks better on the animals than on you, Jen.
BMI backs boycott plea
ONE of the biggest organisations in the UK music industry is taking a stand against hate.
I’ve learned the BMI London Awards, which last year honoured Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, will be moving from a venue owned by the Sultan of Brunei following a celebrity-backed campaign against the country’s new laws allowing LGBT people to be stoned to death.
The 2019 ceremony set for October will be the first since the awards began in the early Nineties not to be held at The Dorchester in London’s Mayfair.
George Clooney and Elton John led the charge for a global boycott of Brunei-owned hotels.
A spokeswoman said: “In light of recent events, BMI is not returning to The Dorchester and is looking for a new location for its awards show.”
In recent years, the awards ceremony has attracted big names including Sting, Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay, Liam Payne and James Arthur.
Having such A-listers associated with the event makes it the biggest in the boycott so far.
No doubt those stars will welcome this important change.
Instaglam
bizbit
GLASTONBURY organiser Michael Eavis is hoping to get Sir Paul McCartney to headline its big birthday bash in 2020. Asked if The Beatles legend would be playing the festival, he replied: “Hopefully for the 50th.”
Teletubbies on tour
THE TELETUBBIES are going on the road. Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po will be performing the new Teletubbies Big Band Live Show from Saturday at Alton Towers, Staffs.
They released their first album since 1997, Bug Hugs, in 2017.
Teletubbies Say Eh-oh! only missed out on the 1997 Christmas No1 because of Too Much, by the Spice Girls. It’s still a classic in my house.
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SUPERHERO film Shazam opened with £4.1million at the box office last weekend. The DC Comics movie starring Zachary Levi and Mark Strong has been so successful a sequel is already in the works. It was at No1 ahead of Dumbo, still flying high with takings of £3.5million in its second week.
FORMER STARSAILOR frontman James Walsh is returning with solo album Tiger On The Bridge. The singer/songwriter, who has also written tracks for Eliza Doolittle, Melanie C and Professor Green, will release the album, which was recorded in front of some of his fans, on May 31.
LIAM PAYNE has revealed Steven Spielberg rejected him for a role in his big-budget reboot of musical West Side Story. I revealed he had auditioned for the director last year. On Capital Breakfast, with Roman Kemp, Liam said: “I didn’t get it but I was in like, the last five people for it, which I was quite happy with.”
LIAM PAYNE has revealed Steven Spielberg rejected him for a role in his big-budget reboot of musical West Side Story. I revealed he had auditioned for the director last year. On Capital Breakfast, with Roman Kemp, Liam said: “I didn’t get it but I was in like, the last five people for it, which I was quite happy with.”