Jon Bon Jovi has finally spoken out publicly after his son and Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown announced their engagement.
It’s fair to say the showbiz world blew up a bit when the British actress, who is best-known for her starring role as Eleven on Netflix’s hit show Stranger Things, hopped on social media to casually announce one Tuesday morning that wedding bells were ringing.
The 19-year-old confirmed that her boyfriend, 20-year-old Jake Bongiovi, had popped the question and the two were now engaged.
The young star took to Instagram to share a beaming black and white photo showing off a huge ring on her left hand and her now-fiancé embracing her – with the confirming caption: “I’ve loved you three summers now, honey, I want ’em all.”
Jake also proclaimed it was “forever” for the pair in a series of engagement announcement pictures he shared on his Instagram.
The couple are believed to have been in a relationship for three years, and struck up their romance after connecting on Instagram.
Of course, given the fact that many would consider the relationship to be in the relatively early stages, and the fact that Millie Bobby Brown is a child star who first rose to stardom after appearing on our screens at the age of 11, the engagement was slammed by fans.
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Their young age, though, was what appeared to draw the most public criticism.
But aside from the age of the pair, the other major talking point was that many were shocked to learn that Jake Bongiovi is, in fact, the son of rockstar Jon Bon Jovi – which left many questioning what the legendary Bon Jovi frontman thought of the engagement, and if he would ever publicly address the situation at any point.
Now, Jon has spoken out to have his say on everything during an interview with SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live yesterday.
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When host Andy Cohen asked the 61-year-old rocker if he was worried about Jake and Millie getting engaged at such a young age, Jon responded that he “doesn’t know if age matters”.
He explained: “If you find the right partner and you grow together, I think that would be my advice really, growing together is wise. I think that all of my kids have found the people that they think they can grow together with, and we like them all.”
The rockstar also added that Millie is “wonderful”.
“Her whole family are great, and Jake is very, very happy,” Jon concluded.
Jon Bon Jovi’s decision not to buy into the public concern of his son’s engagement will likely make sense to fans who know the musician himself found love at a young age and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothea.
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Jon and Dorothea have four children together, with Jake being the second youngest.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd May 2023 
