Mobo 2024 hosts revealed as Love Island beauty and I’m A Celebrity star
THERE are 19 days to go until the Mobo Awards, with Little Simz and Stormzy leading the nominations on four each.
But no one could be more excited about the event in Sheffield than this year’s hosts, Babatunde Aleshe and Indiyah Polack.
Announcing their new jobs, the duo admitted they could not believe their luck after being asked to present the show live from the Utilita Arena on February 7.
Indiyah, who presented an award last year, said in an exclusive chat: “I was speechless when they asked me back to present. I was gobsmacked.
“I remember being at my mum’s, tuning in with everyone and watching it and now here I am talking to you about doing it. It doesn’t make much sense.”
Babatunde added: “Watching over the years – now it’s us. I was speechless for about then seconds.
“I’ve been speaking about it to Eddie Kadi, who co-presented on it before. Little Simz, she is amazing, so I am backing her all the way.”
Soul II Soul and DJ Spoony are among the performers at the event but Babatunde and Indiyah said they are also ready to wow the crowds with their own presenting style – and looks.
Babatunde said: “Me and my stylist are prepared. If you think you’ve seen a suit, you’ve seen nothing yet. And the outfit changes are going to be spectacular.”
I can’t wait to see it.
HANNAH SPEARRITT did her best homage to Frozen in this blue dress.
It’s just as well given she’s is taking part in Dancing On Ice.
Her look was totally apt, as she narrowly avoided a frosty reunion with her S Club bandmates Jon Lee and Bradley McIntosh, who were also at the European premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s Alegria show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday.
Hannah quit the band under mysterious circumstances last year, weeks after bandmate Paul Cattermole’s sudden death, and since then, we’ve heard rumblings of a fallout between them. They didn’t race to catch up.
But on the red carpet, Bradley said: “If Hannah wants to come and join the gang, S Club is always going to be happy to have the original gang together.”
Meanwhile, Bradley said: “I’ve been doing up some houses. I was buying some spray paint and I got ID’d for that in B&Q today.
“And I got ID’d for alcohol when I was buying my dad a bottle of wine. I was chuffed.”
No mean feat at 42.
Rob chat to talent of future
ROBBIE WILLIAMS is going back to school to inspire the next generation of stars.
With the support of LMA – the creative college he co-owns – the singer is being joined by comic John Bishop in speaking to students and young people.
The event is taking place at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on Monday and Tuesday, with Woody from Bastille and music producer Joe Cross.
Robbie said: “YOU Festival is the latest exciting chapter in LMA’s ongoing mission to motivate and connect the next generation of pop stars, performers and creatives.
“I can’t wait to get on stage with friends and colleagues I have known for years and share our knowledge and experience with the LMA students.”
He’s a good egg, is Robbie.
Charli’s got rave reviews
AUSSIE pop trio Blusher had a heavy night with Charli XCX that was so memorable it inspired their new single.
Lauren Coutts, Jade Ingvarson-Favretto and Miranda Ward released their new tune Rave Angel yesterday and said it is named after Charli, who they bumped into on an evening out in Los Angeles.
They recalled: “There was a night we went out so determined to have a big dance, but everywhere we went the DJs were terrible. Miranda’s hype-up playlist in the Uber outmatched them all.
“A few clubs and an In-N-Out pitstop later, we managed to sneak into a secret Charli XCX and AG Cook DJ set and the night turned around.”
I’ll remember to invite her on our next work night out.
Becky cuts it on cover
QUEEN of dance music Becky Hill is back with another banger – and looks ready to party on the cover of her new single.
She posed in this racy, cutaway black dress for Never Be Alone, a collaboration with Australian producer Sonny Fodera, which is out today.
Becky, engaged to talent booker Charlie Gardner said: “Never Be Alone was born out of a post-lockdown world where isolation and distance were forced upon the world.
“We felt the full force on the events industry. Our careers were in jeopardy and I felt the downward spiral of someone I loved, who’d worked his entire adult life curating line-ups for festivals and clubs.”
But just like her huge 2023 hits Disconnect and Side Effects, the track is not all doom and gloom.
Also new out today is Paloma Faith’s collab with Kojey Radical, called Pressure, and Noah Kahan’s new version of Homesick, featuring Sam Fender.
Emily: I use botox but face moves
EMILY RATAJKOWSKI has bucked the trend of celebs lying about getting Botox.
In February’s edition of Glamour Magazine, the model says: “I get Botox. My face still moves, which I am quite proud of, but I’m not scared to use what’s out there.”
Finally, a celebrity who tells the truth about their wrinkle-free face.
I’ve done countless interviews with big-name stars, male and female, who claimed their line-free foreheads was all down to getting eight-hours sleep, having good genes or using some ridiculously posh face cream none of us normal people can afford.
What a load of b*****ks.
Emily, I salute you.
FLORENCE PUGH and Rachel Chinouriri link arms as they team up to play furry good friends in a video.
Hollywood actress Flo has given her support to rising British singer Rachel by appearing in the visuals for her new single, Never Need Me, which came out last night.
The tune will be on Rachel’s debut album What A Devastating Turn of Events, which she also announced this week.
The record is available on May 3.