DATING, WAITING or HATING…?

She may already be pop royalty and have the name Ms King, but is Mollie King making it official by dating Prince Harry?

The engagement is off – but why are Michelle Keegan and Max George from ‘The Wanted’ waiting?

And hating…why is Sharon Osbourne hating on Simon Cowell?

Well to start with the happy story…the dating speculation surrounding the third in line to the throne, the younger brother to William, rugged redhead Prince Harry.

The rumour-mill is in full flow of late with stories circulating that my favourite Prince is dating stunning pop-princess Mollie King (She is the blonde one from girlband ‘The Saturdays’ just in case you didn’t know).  

Quite aptly possessing a regal surname already the singer may be well on her way to snagging herself an official royal title. But are these rumours to be believed?

Prince Harry first met Mollie in the summer of 2010, at the Asprey World Class Cup at Surrey’s Hurtwood Polo Club (Ooohhh very posh! Hope she didn’t come straight from a concert sporting her leather hot pants…don’t think the Queens heart could take that! Or Prince Philips for that matter!) Anyway, apparently the pair were introduced after the game and hit it off.

They have remained friends ever since and have been caught spending a lot of time together in recent weeks. Despite trying to keep the blossoming romance under wraps, they have been spotted at some of London’s most famous hotspots. Most recently tongues were sent wagging when the pair were seen partying and flirting at the Bunga Bunga Club in London singing karaoke a few weeks ago (I wonder were they blasting out ‘Saturdays’ tunes or maybe a bit of Prince!)

Reports are now abound that Harry is “smitten” with the 24 year old, however his camp has refused to comment on the story. As for Mollie, she is denying any sort of a relationship with the Royal. During an interview with the BBC, when asked whether she was involved with the Prince she responded with a simple: “No” followed by a girly giggle. If rumours are to be believed, the couple are trying to keep their romance a secret as its very early days. This could have something to do with their previous high-profile relationships.  

 

Both parties are probably eager to keep their relationship as private as possible after undergoing public heartbreak over the last year or so. Wild-child Harry was dating Zimbabwean-born beauty, Chelsy Davy for seven years on and off.

The blonde (I am beginning to see a trend here) made everyone aware that she didn’t want to lead the royal-life and was troubled by the thoughts of living her life in a fishbowl. The pair mutually ended their relationship in May 2010, even though she did attend the royal wedding between William and Kate Middleton.

As for Mollie’s previous boyfriend, well that girl is only used to the best. Not many could follow in the footsteps of her ex-boyfriend male model David Gandy. But Harry is more than qualified for the job. 

David is one of the world’s most famous male models. It’s easy to see why she fell so madly for the Dolce & Gabbana model. But the beautiful couple split just months ago blaming their problems on busy work schedules (Hell, no matter how busy I was I’d make time for those hot abs!). Anyway, not one to wallow in her misery, Mollie may have just managed to snag herself Britain’s most eligible bachelor, in the form of the dashing devilish Prince.

I, for one, am a bit skeptical of this union – can you really picture Harry bringing Mollie home to good old Granny? One rags to riches fairytale is probably enough for Elizabeth to deal with (not that Mollie is rags…she’s defo worth a couple of million) I think that these rumours are purely that – rumours – lacking in any truth. Although I admit it’s a fun thought, Prince Charming finally finding his pop-princess, I don’t think it’s going to end in happily ever after! My money is on Ms Davy making a reappearance sometime soon…

Playing the waiting game…She is soap-lands sexiest star and he is a member of one of the UKs biggest boybands (no I’m not talking about ‘One Direction’, but ’The Wanted’)

However, Michelle Keegan and Max Georges relationship is not running too smoothly at the moment. In fact it’s like something straight out of the script from Corrie! The couple, who got engaged last summer after a whirlwind romance (he proposed to her after about 6 months)  have announced that their engagement is off! However they have not split up – they are still together, but the wedding is off.

Max is over in the US with the band trying to crack America and it was while on a radio show there that Max made the shock announcement. When asked about his relationship status and whether he was engaged, Max quickly replied ‘No, no ,no, not anymore”. He later tweeted: “Hey everyone, so just to clear up any rumours, me and Shell are still very much together, just there is no wedding…”

A rep for Michelle told Digital Spy:  “Michelle and Max are still very much together as a couple, but they are both traditionalists and realised that there is no point in being engaged until they are in a position to plan a wedding.” Michelle emerged chirpy and smiling after the announcement wearing a t-shirt reading “Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken”. I hope the decision was mutual because I love Tina, I mean Michelle! 

               

Max has been over in the US for almost four months now. That alone is bound to be tough on any relationship, never mind the fact that he is a good-looking bloke in a top boyband! And he sure as hell doesn’t look like a man who is missing his lady too much. There have been photos all over the internet of the band surrounded by models and groupies as they continue to take the US by storm.

He was also photographed with sexy J-Lo after ‘The Wanted’ performed on American Idol. During the performance Max serenaded Jennifer and giving her a sneaky kiss. He described it as ‘one of the best days of my life’. He has also been getting up close and personal in the bands latest music video with a hot blonde in kinky fishnets…all in a days work eh!?

And the final nail in the coffin for poor Michelle, who is sitting in the Rovers Return in rainy Manchester is that rumours have now emerged that her boyfriend partied all night with X-Factor (and sex tape participant) Tulisa Contostavlos. I think I’d be a bit worried if I was Michelle…dono would I want my BF hanging around with her singing “Glad You Came”……

Anyway, we still don’t know exactly when the engagement was called off or why, but I reckon distance is a factor, as well as the fact that Max looks like he is having too much of a good time in the US! He has probably now realised the perks of being in a top boyband! (But if they do break up maybe Tommy Duckworth could step into Max’s shoes!)

And now for the Hating…what is it about good old Simon Cowell – he just cannot avoid the headlines. Of late the media mogul has been gaining column inches for all the wrong reasons. This time is it his personal life that is causing a stir. In Tom Bowers unauthorised biography entitled ‘Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell’, it is claimed that Simon enjoyed a fling with Australian TV judge and singer Dannii Minogue. It is alleged that the duo hooked up during the X-Factor back in 2007.

This revelation comes at a difficult time for Dannii who recently split from her boyfriend of four years, Kris Smith. Her relationship breakdown was heartbreaking enough for her but now she has to face the humiliation of her affair with Cowell being tabloid fodder. Whenever there is a scandalous story to be broken you can always bet that PR guru Max Clifford will be close at hand to comment, and right on queue Max pipes up and confirms that: “’Yes – he did have a relationship with Dannii”. Not such a shocking story really when you think back on that particular series of the X- Factor…Cowell was photographed on a number of occasions in intimate/comprising situations with Dannii. I don’t really see what the big deal is anyway! Both parties were single at the time so why not go for it (even though I suppose his tight t-shirts and up-to-his-moob jeans may be a tad cringe-worthy for Dannii!) 

Anyway back to the hating part…in this book it is claimed that the reason Sharon Osbourne left the UK X-Factor judging panel was because of Simons romance with Dannii. It’s common knowledge that there was no love lost between feisty Sharon and Dannii, but Sharon claims these allegations by Simon are ridiculous and says that she left because Dannii became unbearable. Never one to mince her words Sharon said: ‘But I didn’t leave the show because Simon and Dannii were f******, I left because she became unbearable. She started bossing everyone around, even the producers.’ She also said: ‘All Dannii wanted to do was f*** Simon Cowell. That’s why she was on the show.’  Ah you gotta love the honesty of this woman! Bring her back to the judging panel I say!!!

     

But this is not where the attack on Simon ends…oh no siree! Sharon adds that during Simons brief engagement to Mezhgan Hussainy, Simon was having his wicked way with two other ladies (bit of a Cowell harem going on here). Sharons main reason for hitting out and being so annoyed right now is because she hates that she is being dragged into Simons life of “debauchery”. 

Never one to give up without a fight, Simon has hit back at Sharon branding her a liar. Sharons response was a cutting one to any mans ego: “Simon has small penis syndrome”.

…And you would know this how exactly….?  

Anyway, I cannot wait to see what the next installment of the Sharon v Simon feud brings…it’s gona be a good’n!

HATS, FLAGS OR HEADBANDS? – But should it be the players who are flogging them?

What is it about the GAA that we love so much? Is it the sense of community spirit it creates that you can only share with fellow County comrades? Is it the fun and banter that you experience with rival County supporters in the stands? Is it the spray-painting of the sheep, the flags, the bunting, the headbands, the hats, the tea and sandwiches or just the feeling of being at home surrounded and proud to be out representing your County?

Maybe it’s the fact that I grew up near Pairc Dubhghlas de hIde in Roscommon that instilled in me, from a very young age, the joys of cheering on the local lads from the stand. I have so many fond memories of being in Hyde Park and at various other GAA pitches across the country. The best summers were filled with these Sunday outings. Without doubt, one of the best feelings in the world has to be standing in Croke Park belting out our National Anthem on All-Ireland  Final day. Nothing makes me feel more patrotic. I love it!

The dedication that players, both club and County, give to their sport is admirable and painstaking. These guys train no fewer than three times a week with matches at weekends. For many of them, they have to commute long distances to train, sacrificing their personal time and social lives. And on top of all this, unlike the professional rugby and soccer players, our GAA lads hold down full-time jobs, many as teachers, Gardai, bankers etc.

It would be easy to see why many would not be so committed to the game, as I often wonder what thanks they get in return. But the Irish blood running through our veins means that we are traditionalists at heart and want to keep our culture alive. The foundation of the GAA in 1884 changed the face of Irish sport forever and it is only improving and modernising with each blow of the final whistle. We are a proud nation and the proof of our strength is evident in Croke Park – a true testament to our country and to the amateur status of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Ni neart go cur le cheile! (There is no strength without unity)

    

But one thing that troubles me is when I question the younger generations, the primary and secondary students, about their idols, the response is always the same:- Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Mario Balotteli and David Beckham.

     

It is very rarely someone like Sean Cavanagh, Alan Dillon, Karl Lacey, Colm Cooper or Stephen Cluxton and these are the very men that they should be aspiring to be like – hard working decent lads who work full-time jobs yet manage to balance their sporting lives with their personal ones. There are no illicit newspaper spreads detailing the latest fling with a cheap lady-of-the-night (and I can bet they are not that cheap!) there are no seedy kiss ‘n tells, there are no flash cars and grand displays of riches favoured by many of the professional Premiership footballers.

       

What is it about the professional soccer and rugby players that the youth find so appealing? Easy peesy– the glamorous lifestyles and the wealth that is associated with them.

  

These guys lead the lives that most of us can only dream of with limitless funds to buy multi-million-Euro mansions. Fancy driving a Bentley or Aston Martin?  Done! Want to wear D&G, Gucci, Tom Ford, DVF or whatever designer is hot at the moment? Done! Oh and always with an attractive girl on your arm. We are inundated with pictures of Mario Balotelli splashing out on new cars, Cristiano Ronaldo decked out in designer gear and stunning WAGS (Alex Curran and Coleen Rooney do love Cricket in Liverpool y’know!)splurging in all the chicest stores.

Just to set the record straight, I am not advocating the transition of the amateur status of the GAA to a professional one. No siree! But I do think that the GAA sector needs a boost, an injection of glamour in order to continue to entice our youths into it. Without having to pay salaries or bonuses, the use of product endorsements could be utilised more. This is an extremely lucrative business for both the individual player and the brand in question.

Seeing David Beckham advertising everything from Armani underwear (Swoon! Yes please…)to Pepsi (with global Goddesses Beyonce and J-Lo) does absolute wonders for the brand, the individual and ultimately, the sport. (Maybe it’s just me but Ronan O’Gara fronting a Newbridge Jewellery campaign did him no harm!)

Now I’m not saying we need to stick Colm Cooper in an advert with Katy Perry but getting these GAA players more heavily involved in the advertising/endorsement game cannot be detrimental and will make them recognisable in each and every home cross the 32 counties. We know the name so lets get to know the face! If we recognise a face we are more likely to take note of them and look out for them in subsequent games. Let the public know the players personality a little.

GAA stars appearing in advertising campaigns is not a completely foreign concept; Colm ‘The Gooch’ Cooper appeared in Lucozade adverts as did Westmeaths Dessie Dolan; Adidas have Corks Sean Og O’Hailpin, Tipperarys Eoin Kelly and Kilkennys Henry Shefflin on their books;  Dublin’s Bernard Brogans face was emblazoned on a double-decker bus promoting o2. It’s an industry waiting to be exploited. Conor Ridge, a partner in Horizon Sports management which looks after athletes Derval O’Rourke and David Gillick, feels the landscape between the GAA player and the commercial world is changing and says “the day when a GAA player can earn €100,000 through commercial activity is not that far away at all”.

    

One player who has done wonders for the glamorisation of the sport (even if he is renowned for some dirty trickery on the pitch) is Paul Galvin. As a player I detested Galvin because any of my dealings with the man resulted in me leaving a stadium in floods of tears as Kerry, yet again, stormed forward to reclaim Sam (Maguire that is!) However in recent months I have softened towards the sportsman and now find myself religiously reading his style-bible in the Irish Independent Weekend supplement and following him on Twitter. His fashion column is witty and informative and if you haven’t read it its worth a look – it’s rather funny.

The Kerry style-guru was also voted third in February 2012, to find Ireland’s most desirable Valentines. He has made GAA fashionable and recently announced that he was dating Today FM presenter Louise Duffy.

So what do the GAA need to do in order to increase their popularity and to raise their revenue…glamorise the sport. One way of doing this is to exploit the good looks of some of their main men and to cash in on their high-profile marketability. Get some product endorsements in place.

If these faces become household faces and not only associated with on-pitch playing but also with a more diverse, fun and glam lifestyle, younger kids might start to turn from the Wayne Rooneys of this world to the Sean Og O’Hailpin and Stephen Cluxtons for inspiration. These guys work hard and play hard. Great role models for the younger generations.  (Plus some of them are handsome devils whom I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more of on my telly-box!)