UK superstar invited to perform at star-studded Brit Awards at O2 arena

SHE ripped up the rulebook last year with her bold album.

And now Charli XCX is preparing to turn the Brit Awards into the Brat Awards.

I can reveal the singer has been invited to perform at the star-studded music ceremony at London’s O2 arena in March.

A source said: “Charli has become the poster girl for British music, and her album Brat was a global phenomenon.

“She was even involved with US politics after presidential candidate Kamala Harris rebranded her social media last year, using the same font and lime green colour as Charli’s Brat album.

“Her music became the soundtrack of 2024.”

A source added: “Charli will no doubt be up for plenty of awards in March after she was nominated for British Pop Act at last year’s Brit Awards even before the hugely successful Brat album hit the scene in June.”

Charli — who is also the face of clothing brand Acne Studios — inspired a messy, party-girl aesthetic last year following the release of her album.

Fans dubbed it a “brat summer” after ditching their clean-living lifestyles for partying into the early hours — inspired by the lyrics from the album.

In the song 365, Charli sings: “No, I never go home, don’t sleep, don’t eat. Just do it on repeat.”

Of what it means to be “brat”, Charli said: “It’s like this girl who goes to a rave and she is wearing a tank top.

“You can kind of see her nipples through it and she is sweaty but she is hot and she is dancing with her friends.”

Charli — real name Charlotte Emma Aitchison — landed her first UK No1 as a lead artist last year with her song Guess, featuring Billie Eilish from the remix version of Brat.

Thanking her team for the success of the album, Charli wrote: “Even when I’m being an absolute nightmare, you still stand by me and make me feel comfortable to be myself.”

I can only hope that I get a ticket to Charli’s Brits after-party.

Ekin-Su: No ex, please or I leave

LOVE ISLAND All Stars contestant Ekin-Su Culculoglu only agreed to take part in the show because producers promised not to bring in her ex Davide Sanclimenti.

Sources on the series say it was written into her contract with ITV that Davide – with whom she won Love Island in 2022 and collected a £50,000 prize – would not be approached to take part.

Now Davide is said to be angry Ekin-Su is will be up in lights again, as he fears what she will say about him on the show, which starts tomorrow, without him having an opportunity to hit back at her claims.

A source said: “Ekin-Su was heavily courted by the Love Island producers so she knew how much they wanted her and felt in a strong position to bargain.

“As well as getting a great deal financially, she made it a stipulation in her contract that there was to be no surprise appearance from Davide.

“The idea of him suddenly appearing in the villa, as a bombshell surprise, filled her with dread.”

But another source said: “Davide is furious about Ekin-Su’s decision to join Love Island All Stars.

“He feels like it’s a slap in the face – especially since he had already turned down the opportunity himself because it didn’t feel right. They’re no longer together but this has still hit a nerve for Davide.

“He feels like Ekin-Su’s decision shows a lack of emotional empathy, not just for him but for everything they went through as a couple.”

Ekin-Su and Davide first split in June 2023, after a year together, but quickly reunited before finally breaking up for good in January last year following her stint on The Traitors US.

Speaking in August, Ekin-Su said: “It was a toxic relationship that left a lot of emotional scars, but it’s all about looking forward now, and enjoying life.

“I wish Davide nothing but happiness.”

Looks like there will be plenty of All Stars drama off-screen as well as on.

FISHMONGER-turned-reality star Luca Bish said was in a “dark” place following his first stint on Love Island.

Luca was accused of “controlling behaviour” towards Gemma Owen, the daughter of former footie ace Michael, during the 2022 series.

Ahead of returning to the villa in South Africa on the spin-off series tomorrow, he said: “I was wrong and in the villa you might believe you were right.

“But on the outside it is not what people are seeing and it is not what I thought when the situation was happening.

“I was in two weeks’ quarantine – in total I was out there for over ten weeks, and just by the end I would say I probably wasn’t the same version of myself as on the outside.

“I was away from everyone I trust and care about. It was just a dark time for me towards the end, if I am honest.”

It’s all Abawd Titanic

HAVING whipped up a storm in New York and Sydney, Titanique has finally washed up in London’s West End.

But it was worth the wait, as this camp 100-minute parody of James Cameron’s 1997 movie packs quite the punch and will have everyone cracking a smile.

It hilariously weaves in Celine Dion as a central character, played by Lauren Drew and is littered with her hits, while the talented cast stun with their energetic jokes and impressive pipes.

Strictly star Layton Williams steals the show as The Iceberg and does a rousing rendition of Tina Turner.

A star-studded audience including Alan Carr, Christopher Biggins and Arlene Phillips were lapping up the raucous high-jinx on stage and guffawing with laughter.

Running until the end of March, so don’t miss the boat.

Tayce has opened up about winning Strictly’s Christmas special.

Speaking at RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2025, the Welsh star said: “That was something I hold really dear to my heart because I wanted to open up that dialogue for other queens and trans icons.”