Harry Styles has finally broken his silence and addressed the claims that he spit on Chris Pine after a video appearing to show him do so went viral online.
It’s been quite the whirlwind week for Harry Styles.
In case you need catching up a bit, the 28-year-old pop icon has recently ventured into acting and has taken on his first leading role in the upcoming drama film Don’t Worry Darling – which is directed by his partner Olivia Wilde, and stars Oscar-nominated Florence Pugh, Nick Kroll, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, and of course, Chris Pine.
The film is due for release at the end of September, but it has premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival this week – and has been grabbing headlines for a variety of reasons ever since.
To sum up all the drama and controversies surrounding the film would probably mean that we’d be here all day, but by far one of the most talked-about moments from the festival has, bizarrely, been whether or not Harry Styles spits on his co-star Chris Pine as he sits down in his chair to watch a screening of the film.
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Caught live on camera, Chris Pine’s shocked reaction to the supposed ‘spit gate’ interaction had fans convinced that it happened, and only added to the growing rumours that there was a rift between the two men.
The footage subsequently went viral online, and racked up millions of views and saw people weigh-in with their opinions in their thousands.
While many were convinced from the initial viral video that the Cheshire singer does, in fact, spit on his co-star, videos of the interaction from other angles began circulating on social media shortly after which disapproved the widely-believed claims as it looked like Styles did nothing of the sort.
This only left the world even more in doubt and demanding answers.
First, Chris Pine’s team released a rather serious statement quashing the rumours and calling it a “ridiculous story”.
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A spokesperson told People Magazine that it was “a complete fabrication” and “the result of an odd online illusion that is clearly deceiving and allows for foolish speculation”.
“Just to be clear, Harry Styles did not spit on Chris Pine. There is nothing but respect between these two men and any suggestion otherwise is a blatant attempt to create drama that simply does not exist.”
But the silence by Styles was becoming deafening.
Chris Pine's Rep Responds to 'Ridiculous' Claim That Harry Styles Spit on Him: 'Complete Fabrication' https://t.co/AUVJ58CiOo
With days passing, the drama growing, and Styles or his team of representatives yet to address the spitting claims, the singer finally appeared on stage in New York at Madison Square Garden and told the audience of doting fans the truth they’ve all been waiting to hear.
No, he didn’t spit on Chris Pine.
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Seeming very amused by the whole situation, Styles comically tells the audience: “This is our 10th show at Madison Square Garden, and it is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to be back in New York.
“I just popped very quickly to Venice to spit on Chris Pine – but fear not, we’re back.”
Harry Styles: "It's wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to be back in New York. I just popped very quickly to Venice to spit on Chris Pine." pic.twitter.com/TUGOSoQPxw
Most people were able to pick up on the sarcastic tone Styles took with his response to the situation, but, as there often is, not everyone realised he was joking.
“He definitely spit on him,” one person said on Twitter, while another questioned: “DAMN IT, DID YOU OR DIDN’T YOU?!?! …. Why am I so invested in this?”, and a third added: “But did he do it?”
Others took it as a chance to poke fun at people who didn’t realise the irony, with one commenting: “I think my favourite part is how many people don’t realise he’s making a joke at their expense. He’s both right and wrong for this and I love it and I’m here for it.”
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Another said: “Even more strange how so many people are taking this as confirmation it happened as opposed to him joking about how dumb the notion was.”
The majority of people, however, are just glad it’s all over.
“And with that, SpitGate comes to a close. Great job everyone. A terrific 48 hours.”
Featured Image – Twitter
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First look images released of new BBC drama series from Happy Valley creator filmed in Yorkshire
Emily Sergeant
A new BBC series telling the story of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band is set to air later this year.
Riot Women, the brand-new drama from the multi-BAFTA award-winning writer Sally Wainwright – best known for being the creator of Happy Valley – is a six-part series set and filmed in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
First look pictures of the new show have now been released.
Starring Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, and Amelia Bullmore as band members, alongside a talented supporting cast consisting of Taj Atwal, Chandeep Uppal, and Macy-Jacob Seelochan as the band’s riotous backing singers, the newly-released pictures show the women in action.
First look images have been released of a new BBC drama series filmed in Yorkshire / Credit: BBC
According to a synopsis on the BBC website, Riot Women dives headfirst into the world of five women who come together to create a makeshift punk-rock band in order to enter a local talent contest.
But, in writing their first original song, they soon discover that they have a lot more to say than planned – and this is their way to say it.
As they juggle demanding jobs, grown-up children, complicated parents, husbands who’ve buggered off, and disastrous dates, and relationships, the band becomes a catalyst for change in their lives, and it’s going to make them question everything.
📸 Here's your first look at Riot Women – the new drama from Sally Wainwright coming to @BBCiPlayer and @BBCOne in 2025
New pictures feature Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, Amelia Bullmore, and more
Creators and producers say the show is a testament to the power of friendship, music, and the resilience of women who “refuse to be silenced by age or expectation”.
Speaking ahead of the show airing later this year, Riot Women creator, Sally Wainwright, commented: “I’m having a whole new buzz of excitement about the show as we bring it together in the edit, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
Riot Women will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK later this year.
Featured Image – BBC
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A Manchester barbershop is offering a ‘pay what you can’ service this month
Danny Jones
Amidst the tidal wave of January deals on food and drink in Manchester, a local barbers is championing their own ‘pay what you can’ offer to help people along this month.
Jefe’s Barbershop, located in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, is one of the best barbers in the city centre, offering a wide variety of cuts and facial hair grooming services – they even offer a subscription service that helps people save money on regular trims.
That being said, they are well aware of those January blues and the mounting obstacles and anxieties that come with weeks of penny-pinching to make it to month’s end, as well as the general toll it can take on people’s mental health.
So this January, Jefe and his team are doing something different – as he puts it, “something special”: the barbershop is allowing customers to simply pay what they feel comfortable handing over and, in the case of those struggling, whatever they can afford.
It’s a simple gesture with a big purpose which helps ensure no one has to miss out on a feel-good moment or the confidence that comes from a fresh trim.
“All we do is laugh and joke about life—that’s why people come here,” Jefe explains. “I don’t want anyone to lose the chance to be present, to feel good, and to laugh with us.
“Men often need more help than they’re willing to let on and we want to be a helping hand they can rely on.” Now that’s a cause all of us can and should get behind.
Community support has remained at the core of Jefe’s Barbershop since the beginning when he swapped a basketball career for providing a much-needed service to Mancunian men.
From partnering with Manc sandwich shops and offering free haircuts for the homeless, to hosting street parties with local events companies and providing £5 trims to promote men’s mental health in 2023 when the cost of living crisis really kicked in – Jefe’s is always trying to make a difference in the area.
You’ve got to love businesses that go the extra mile.
If you want to make the most of this wholesome deal or just feel like you’re in need of a trim, you can book HERE or call them directly on 0161 818 7659.
The ‘pay what you can’ offer runs Monday to Thursday, 9am-7pm, subject to availability. You’ll find Jefe’s Barbershop on Stevenson Square
Because as the man himself puts it, “Everyone deserves to feel their best”.
Emily Sergeant -
8th September 2022 
