Aitch is to brave a whopping 15,000ft free fall as he takes on a charity skydive in the name of Down Syndrome awareness.
You may remember that the chart-topping rapper – real name Harrison Armstrong, who proudly hails from Moston in North Manchester – became an ambassador of the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA) back in October last year in honour of his sister Gracie, who has Down Syndrome.
The 23-year-old’s role as an ambassador came after he made a generous donation from the budget of his music video for his track ‘My G’ – which is dedicated to his little sister, affectionately known as ‘G’ – to the charity, with the rapper describing the song as the most important track on his debut album, Close to Home.
Aitch said at the time of becoming an ambassador that there was “nothing more important in the world” to him than Gracie, and that’s why the role meant so much to him.
And now, he’s taking his support one step further – and a big step at that.
As this week is Down Syndrome Awareness Week here in the UK, the BRIT Award-winner has decided to take the leap and will be bravely free falling in tandem with an instructor from a plane that’s 15,000ft above the ground this month, all to show just how important Gracie is to him and his family.
Down Syndrome Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about what Down Syndrome is, what it means to have Down Syndrome, and how people who have Down Syndrome play a vital role in our lives and communities.
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Aitch will be skydiving alongside his Dad, and successful influencer and former Love Island contestant, Joanna Chimondes – who is also an ambassador for the charity.
“I’m buzzing to jump out of a plane for World Down Syndrome Day,” Aitch said.
“My Dad will be doing it with me, and we’ll be raising awareness for a cause that’s close to me and my family”.
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Carol Boys – Chief Executive of the DSA – says that she’s “extremely grateful” to Aitch for agreeing to take on such a big challenge, adding: “Aitch has already done a fantastic job of raising awareness and understanding of Down Syndrome among his fans and followers.
“But to actually jump out of a plane to raise money to help us continue our vital work, is just amazing.”
Aitch has set up a dedicated JustGiving fundraising page for his skydive, and you can find out more and make a donation here.
Featured Image – DSA
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ITV confirms release date for new single parents dating show dubbed ‘middle-aged Love Island’
Emily Sergeant
ITV has confirmed that its brand-new dating series for single parents is officially a thing, and it’s hitting our screens later this year.
It had long been rumoured that ITV had a somewhat Love Island-inspired spin-off series geared more towards those looking for love in the middle of their lives in the works, with reports hotly-tipping it to hit screens soon first surfacing back in July of last year – but nothing was actually set in stone at that point.
Then it was revealed back in January that, after months of speculation, all the rumours were true, as the broadcaster was actively casting for contestants and calling on single parents across the UK to get their applications in.
Already having been dubbed “middle-aged Love Island”, but previously called the working title of The Romance Retreat, ITV explained when it first put out the casting call that the new series would see a group of “vibrant single parents” from across the UK all meet under one roof, and that it was set to be the only dating show where they can search for love in a safe space.
Now, coming up to six months after that initial casting call, ITV has confirmed that the long-awaited series is finally set to hit TV screens later this autumn.
Given the new official title of My Mum, Your Dad, and hosted by legendary TV presenter Davina McCall, ITV took to social media yesterday to reveal that the “secret is finally out”.
Teasing a little more information about the new show, ITV explained: “My Mum, Your Dad is a brand-new series following a group of single parents looking for a second chance at love. They’ve been nominated by their grown-up kids, but what they don’t know is that their kids are watching their every move, playing matchmaker and holding cushions over their faces as they watch the shenanigans.”
An exact release date for the show is expected to be announced by ITV in due course, so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – ITV
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Matty Healy delivers perfect reply to being called a ‘slack-jawed f***wit’ by Noel Gallagher live on stage
Danny Jones
Matty Healy is once again poking the beehive and after being called a “slack-jawed f***wit’ by Noel Gallagher, The 1975 frontman delivered the perfect comedic response to his comments.
Healy was on stage in Dublin on Wednesday, 7 June, essentially warming up for himself after American singer Caroline Polachek had to pull out of the show, playing an hour of additional 1975 songs that didn’t make it onto the headline setlist.
A much more informal set than the main show — just Matty, a guitar, a keyboard his laptop and a little help from bandmate Jamie Squire — he spent lots of time chatting with the crowd and at one point, addressed the Manc music legend’s recent roasting.
The former Oasis songwriter and guitarist was sitting down with The Spin when the interviewer asked what he made of Matty Healy’s comments that he and brother Liam should “stop marding” and get back together — to which Noel said: “Oh, that slack-jawed f***wit… He needs to get over how shit his band is and split up.” Bit harsh but the 34-year-old seemed to take it in stride and had his own cold comeback.
Clearly enjoying having riled up the 56-year-old, Healy fired back by saying “The difference between me and Noel is I do a series of interviews to promote an album, whereas he does an album to promote a series of interviews”.
As one person posted in the comments, “I’m not the biggest 1975 fan but he’s absolutely mugged him off here”, and a lot of people tended to agree.
Healy did assure the cheering crowd that he and the band all “love Noel Gallagher” and claimed that they even “asked Liam to open up for [them] but he was busy” — we would have paid good money to see that happen.
Nevertheless, we’re certainly enjoying this hilarious little spat between the two and whatever you make of the two of them, they sure. Also, Matty’s right, the Gallagher bros should just get over it already and give the people what they want: an Oasis reunion. One day, we can always pray.