Denise Welch’s weight loss that was deemed ‘unsafe’ for UK audiences

January 12, 2025

Actress and Loose Women star Denise Welch found herself at the centre of controversy in 2014 when a weight loss advertisement featuring her was banned in the UK.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) deemed the commercial “unsafe” due to the rate of weight loss it promoted.

This weekend, the TV star will appear on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted. Denise will join a team of celebs as they attempt to stay off the grid for 14 days.

The Loose Women star was embroiled in controversy after her weight loss ad was called “unsafe” (Credit: ITV)

Denise Welch worked with a weight loss company

The Loose Women star had been working with the weight loss company LighterLife, which specialises in meal replacement programs and structured plans.

As part of their promotional campaign, LighterLife shared before-and-after images of Denise.

“Denise lost two stone in just two months,” they proudly announced.

However, this claim quickly drew scrutiny.

The ASA – the UK’s advertising regulator – stepped in, declaring that the advertised weight loss rate exceeded 2lb (around 900g) per week.

“While we understood that LighterLife had given an account of the actual rate of weight loss experienced by Ms. Welch, we noted the rate advertised was greater than 2lb per week,” an ASA spokesperson explained.

“We had not seen evidence to demonstrate that the rate of loss experienced by Ms. Welch was compatible with code requirements. We told LighterLife to ensure that rates of weight loss were compatible with good medical and nutritional practice and that treatments for obesity were not advertised to the public without suitably qualified supervision.”

The ruling meant the advert could no longer air in its current form.

Denise Welch on the red carpet — Denise argued that her weight loss program followed all guidelines (Credit: SplashNews)

Denise hits back

Meanwhile, Denise was vocal in her disagreement with the ASA’s decision.

Speaking out, she defended her weight loss experience.

“The Advertising Standards people need to get out more,” Denise said in response to the ruling.

“Weight loss companies are trying to help people. Yet they aren’t even allowed to tell us what they can do for us.”

She highlighted that her transformation followed the exact steps outlined in the LighterLife program and that the plan adhered to nutritional standards.

“How can that be right, when the Foodpacks comply with all the nutritional rules, including Trading Standards, and I did exactly what I was supposed to do with them? I felt better than I had for ages, and those are genuine before-and-after pictures.

“Meanwhile, obesity is increasing, people are dying from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, and yet a brilliant solution is being kept from us.”

Denise’s sentiments were echoed by Dr. Matt Capehorn, LighterLife’s medical director.

He questioned the logic behind the ASA’s decision and emphasised the company’s mission to help people achieve healthier lifestyles.

“This shows just why Britain is in its current mess, with one of the biggest obesity problems on the planet. There is something wrong when weight loss companies are trying to help dieters, and bureaucracy gets in the way.”

Dr. Capehorn further argued that LighterLife’s programs complied with all regulations.

Despite the criticism, Denise has maintained that her weight loss journey was a positive experience.

Celebrity Hunted: Season 6 continues on Sundays on Channel 4. It began on January 5.

Read more: Inside Denise Welch’s love life – split from husband of 25 years, ‘infidelities on both sides’ and romance with toyboy

Denise Opens Up About Her Recent Mental Health Battle | Loose Women

What do you think? Let us know with a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.

Source link

Beyond MicroStrategy: 7 More Publicly Traded Companies That Are Stockpiling Bitcoin – Decrypt

Web3

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 12, 2025

Beyond MicroStrategy: 7 More Publicly Traded Companies That Are Stockpiling Bitcoin – Decrypt

MicroStrategy’s Bitcoin buying plan—once maligned by big businesses—has produced blockbuster profits for the software company amid the latest Bitcoin boom, pushing its stock price to all-time highs in recent months as its stash tops $40 billion worth of the coin.

And its success has inspired a crop of copycats, though MicroStrategy founder and Executive Chairman Michael Saylor probably doesn’t mind—he’s been advocating for such a movement for years now.

In recent months, several more publicly traded firms have greenlighted corporate strategies to stack Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset, while others that have already invested in the cryptocurrency are building up their holdings of the asset.

More than 70 companies have dived headfirst into MicroStrategy’s crypto-first business strategy at a time when Bitcoin is flying high: President-elect Donald Trump vowed last summer to create a national stockpile of the digital currency, and the token hit an all-time high of $108,000 in December.

And although Bitcoin is hovering below the $95,000 mark as of writing time, there doesn’t appear to be any sign of the trend slowing down—multiple companies announced their own plans within the last week.

Here are seven more publicly traded companies that are following in MicroStrategy’s footsteps and stacking Bitcoin.

Tesla

Tesla, the electric car-making company led by Dogecoin aficionado Elon Musk, has held Bitcoin for four years. And although it moved its tokens to new wallets last fall, there’s no indication that the car maker is selling its Bitcoin.

Tesla has a long history with Bitcoin. The publicly traded company first revealed that it had invested $1.5 billion in the world’s oldest cryptocurrency in February 2021, with plans to accept the tokens as payment for its vehicles.

It backtracked on the latter plans after Musk shared concern about the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining, and sold some of the coins—but it still has a substantial stash. The company holds around 10,000 Bitcoin, as of its latest quarterly filing with federal regulators.

Block

Financial services conglomerate Block—the firm behind the Square payments platform—owns more than 8,000 BTC worth at least $758 million as of writing time, according to one estimate.

The Jack Dorsey-founded company began buying Bitcoin just a few months after MicroStrategy. Its first Bitcoin purchase came in October 2020, when it snatched up more than 4,700 tokens.

Rumble

In November, video streaming platform Rumble became one of the latest public companies to greenlight a Bitcoin treasury reserve strategy. Under the Bitcoin buying plan, Rumble will invest up to $20 million in the digital asset, according to a company statement.

It is also aiming to reinvent itself as a go-to platform for the crypto community. To achieve that goal, the company has received a $775 million injection from stablecoin firm Tether.

LEEF Brands

Cannabis company LEEF Brands announced in December it would adopt Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset.

The Canadian business plans to make the investment through a $5 million Bitcoin-backed debenture offering, according to a company statement.

Semler Scientific

Medical technology company Semler Scientific began purchasing the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization last May, when it debuted its Bitcoin reserve treasury strategy.

Since then, the firm has made several big buys of the token, with its activity ramping up toward the latter half of last year.

“We plan to continue to purchase bitcoin with cash from operations and with cash proceeds from our sales under our ATM program., Semler Scientific CEO Eric Semler said in November. “We are exploring additional financing opportunities that will enable us to acquire even more bitcoin.”

Semler Scientific held 2,084 Bitcoin as of December 15, according to its website. The coins are worth nearly $200 million as of publication time.

Semler Scientific has acquired 211 BTC for ~$21.5 million at ~$101,890 per #bitcoin and has generated BTC Yield of 67.0% QTD and 92.8% since adopting our BTC treasury strategy in May. As of 12/15/24, we held 2,084 $BTC acquired for ~$168.6 million at ~$80,916 per bitcoin. $SMLR

— Eric Semler (@SemlerEric) December 16, 2024

Banzai

Marketing technology solutions firm Banzai announced in November it would spend up to 10% of the funds in its corporate treasury on Bitcoin. Adding Bitcoin to Banzai’s balance sheet will diversify the assets in its treasury, in addition to enabling the company to profit off of the cryptocurrency’s long-term value growth, Banzai CEO Joe Davy said last year in a statement.

Edited by Andrew Hayward

Daily Debrief Newsletter

Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

Source link

Supernoderz: The vision behind it SUPERNODERZ

Web3

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 12, 2025

Supernoderz: The vision behind it SUPERNODERZ

Supernoderz transforms node deployment. It lets anyone join blockchain networks without wrestling with hardware setups or endless software installs. Powered by the Spheron Network, Supernoderz reduces the entire process to a single click, making it one of the coolest Web3 innovations people have ever seen. You can now easily deploy your node and explore the world of decentralization at your own pace.

Traditionally, node setup takes time and skill. You must configure servers, install the right software, and ensure everything works together. Supernoderz removes that hurdle. You pick a blockchain network, click a button, and your node goes live. This direct approach brings more people into the ecosystem. Even if you have never touched a server before, you can start running a node and help secure the network.

By lowering entry barriers, Supernoderz also improves security and decentralization. Each new node strengthens consensus, validates transactions, or supports local testing, empowering more users to shape the future of decentralized finance and applications. When more participants join, networks become stronger and more resistant to threats or single points of failure.

A Vision for Inclusion

The heart of Supernoderz’s vision is about making blockchain open to everyone, regardless of background or skill. Whether you are a seasoned crypto expert or a newcomer, you have the same chance to deploy nodes. This inclusion fosters a diverse community that works toward a more decentralized future. With Supernoderz, you do not need expensive hardware or deep technical know-how. All you need is a desire to learn and a readiness to take part in the blockchain world.

Our team has spent years in the crypto space, watching trends, learning from shifts in the market, and adapting to new protocols. This expertise drives Supernoderz forward. We know where the industry is heading, and we design our platform to stay a step ahead. We keep learning and updating our tools to help users confidently navigate this evolving landscape. This means you can trust Supernoderz as a resource for your node deployment, even as technology changes.

A Catalyst for Change

Supernoderz is more than just a platform. It is a catalyst that invites wider participation in blockchain networks. With node deployment simplified to a single click, many more people can join this movement. By tapping into a broader user base, Supernoderz helps ensure that digital finance’s future remains secure and open to all.

If you want to help shape the next phase of decentralized ecosystems, Supernoderz offers the quickest path. It replaces a complex setup process with one easy step. You click, and your node stands ready to serve the network. That is the power of Supernoderz—the coolest Web3 innovation you can use right now. It is time to deploy your node and be part of the blockchain revolution.

Source link

Marvel Rivals reaches new all-time peak player count after Season 1 release

Gaming

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 12, 2025

Marvel Rivals reaches new all-time peak player count after Season 1 release

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you’re reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here

Since its explosive debut in late 2024, Marvel Rivals has rapidly cemented its status as a powerhouse in the gaming landscape, merging the cherished Marvel universe with intense team-based hero shooters. The game’s launch was nothing short of explosive, attracting an impressive 10 million players within a mere 72 hours.

But with the recent launch of Season 1, Eternal Night Falls, Marvel Rivals has not just maintained its momentum but has taken it to new heights. This season brings an exciting array of new content, featuring heroes from the Fantastic Four, fresh maps like Midtown and Sanctum Sanctorum, and several nerfs and buffs, enabling players to rework character combinations and strategies.

The addition of these elements has breathed new life into the game, attracting fresh players, and just days after the Season 1 update, Marvel Rivals has achieved another remarkable milestone.

Marvel Rivals Season 1 spikes active player count to record high

Hitting an unprecedented peak active player count of over 644,269 concurrent players on Steam, as per SteamDB, Marvel Rivals has hit a significant high point in its popularity.

Not just that, according to the Chinese website Gamelook, projections for the game were leaked and a revenue indicated a robust $54.5 million expected from Steam, with an additional $27.2 million anticipated from PlayStation 5, and a modest $2.7 million from Xbox Series S|X.

Steam Marvel Rivals player count — Marvel Rivals reached at an all-time peak player count with Season 1 release. Image by SteamDB.

With its presence on the Epic Games Store and its dedicated PC client, Game Look estimates that total earnings outside of China have reached approximately $100 million. The inclusion of projected earnings from the Chinese version of the game brings the total revenue to a staggering $136 million. If the game maintains its current momentum, it has the potential to evolve into a franchise that could rake in over $1 billion annually.

Players who have been loving Season 1 so far turned in praises for the game, where one said, “This the best game out there right now.” Another chimed in, “This game deserves 2 million active players.” A third user wrote, “Beautiful, 100% deserved. This is probably the only PVP game that has managed to hook me this hard in the last few years.”

Furthermore, Season 1 has also made headlines since NetEase Games removed mods from the game that allowed players earlier to change character skins into bizarre characters and pop culture icons.

Marvel Rivals

Platform(s):
macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X

Genre(s):
Fighting, Shooter

Source link

Paris Saint-Germain Enters the Metaverse with Virtual Experience on Roblox – Cryptoflies News

Arts

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 12, 2025

Paris Saint-Germain Enters the Metaverse with Virtual Experience on Roblox – Cryptoflies News

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the professional football club from Paris, France, has launched a new experience in the metaverse.

The virtual experience, named “PSG OBBY,” is hosted on Roblox and created in collaboration with game development studio The Gang.

It offers users a gaming experience across two levels. Players can win weekly rewards, including free user-generated content (UGC) items, and participate in interactive surveys to share their opinions about the PSG world.

The “Paris Saint-Germain OBBY” became available on January 10 and will run for four weeks.

Fabien Allègre, Chief Brand Officer at PSG, shared, “This initiative is the start of a new adventure on Roblox, and we are excited to receive the users’ feedback about this project, which goes hand-in-hand with the launch of our new collection.”

Reba Sitcom Alums Who Have Appeared on Reba McEntire’s Happy’s Place

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 12, 2025

Reba Sitcom Alums Who Have Appeared on Reba McEntire’s Happy’s Place

Happy’s Place has enjoyed keeping it in the TV family by casting numerous stars from Reba McEntire‘s past sitcom Reba.

Reba, which aired from 2001 to 2007, starred McEntire, Melissa Peterman, Christopher Rich, JoAnna Garcia Swisher and Steve Howey. Nearly two decades later, McEntire and Peterman reunited with former Reba executive producer Kevin Abbott on Happy’s Place.

“We are new characters. It’s a new time and it’s different. But those core things that you loved about it are there. It does feel really different [though],” Peterman exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2024. “As far as trying to harness the things that [Reba fans] love — like the chemistry that we have — that is there no matter what. We’re just new characters. And Barbra Jean [from Reba] was forced on Reba because she married her ex-husband. Gabby is there because she’s her friend.”

Peterman applauded Happy’s Place for finding a way to “keep the magic” without copying the same sitcom structure.

“The other big difference is real life family and the reality of blended families,” she noted. “Happy’s Place is all about finding family at work, and Belissa [Escobedo’s] character is also finding a family that she didn’t know existed and figuring that out. You’ll feel that same warm feeling but you’re gonna it’s new.”

Her costar Howey felt the same way when he joined for a potential multi-episode arc. “Kevin had this idea for this character ahead of time. And then he was like, ‘What if Howey would do it? That would be really great to get a reunion going.’ I fit the character description, so he gave me a call,” Howey recalled to Us two months later. “The planets just aligned on this one.”

He continued: “Now after 20 some years, I can bring different experiences to the characters that I play. Also the character relationships — because Happy’s Place is a new thing — are different. Yes, it’s Reba and Melissa, but the characters are different. Bobbie is a lot different than Reba. Gabby is a lot different than Barbara Jean, and Danny’s obviously different.”

Keep scrolling to see which Reba alums have reunited on Happy’s Place so far:

Source link

Dancing On Ice bosses left ‘nervous’ after star suffers string of injuries in training

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 12, 2025

Dancing On Ice bosses left ‘nervous’ after star suffers string of injuries in training

Sir Steve Redgrave has revealed that Dancing On Ice bosses were feeling “very nervous” thanks to the star suffering a string of injuries in training.

The Olympic rowing legend will be making his debut on the ice next weekend (Sunday, January 19).

It’s been a rough rehearsal period for Sir Steve (Credit: ITV)

Sir Steve Redgrave talks Dancing On Ice injuries

Sir Steve is set to make his Dancing On Ice debut soon – but it hasn’t been an easy journey for the 62-year-old.

The star – who won Gold for Britain at five Olympic games – has revealed that training for the hit ITV show has taken its toll, thanks to a string of injuries.

Sir Steve – who is partnered up with Vicky Ogden – has revealed to The Sun that his health issues, as well as nasty injuries during training, have made his Dancing On Ice journey a difficult one.

“I’ve got colitis, I’m a diabetic. I’ve got a frozen shoulder. I had a fall on the third day, which then sort of irritated the shoulder – there were a lot of things that we couldn’t do. I pulled a hip flexor. So that’s all in the first few weeks,” he revealed.

Sir Steve Redgrave on prepping for Dancing On Ice

The Olympian then continued.

“I think the production team got very nervous, saying, ‘We’ve got to wrap him up in cotton wool. We’ve got to get him to the show.’ And here we are, we’re at the show,” he then said.

The star also revealed that he struggles with sensation in his feet and cannot stretch his hands.

Despite the odds seemingly being stacked up against him, Sir Steve believes he could go on to win the competition.

“Certainly in my deepest dreams – and it has to be a deepest dream – I think I’ve got a chance of winning this,” he said.

The cast of Dancing On Ice 2025 — Who will come out on top? (Credit: ITV)

Sir Steve tipped to exit first

However, the bookmakers aren’t of the same opinion of Steve’s hopes.

According to Grosvenor Sport, Sir Steve is favourite to be eliminated from the competition first.

The Olympic gold medallist has odds of 33/1 to win the show.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale are The Traitors star Mollie Pearce and Coronation Street actor Sam Aston.

Both have odds of 4/1 to go all the way.

Read more: Dancing On Ice star Chelsee Healey fainted after fall during rehearsals

Dancing On Ice kicks off tonight (Sunday, January 12) at 6.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Sir Steve Redgrave Opens Up About Feeling Depressed & Diabetes Diagnosis | Good Morning Britain

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story.

Source link

Trend Forecasting 2025- Innovators vs Data Crunchers – University of Fashion Blog

Couture

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 12, 2025

Trend Forecasting 2025- Innovators vs Data Crunchers – University of Fashion Blog

If you’ve been following fashion trends as long as I have, you’ve probably seen it all. As co-author of the Historical Dictionary of Fashion (First & Second Edition), I have documented trends such as the miniskirt, Mod, Grunge, Punk, Unisex, athleisure, power dressing, the return of the corset, leather apparel cycles, minimalism, quiet luxury, DIY, and of course, the never ending rehash of vintage looks from the 1920s thru to the early aughts.

“Everything old is new again” ~ Jonathan Swift, Winston Churchill & Mark Twain

Historical Dictionary of Fashion (First & Second Edition by Francesca Sterlacci & Joanne Arbuckle

Throughout my decades-long career in the fashion industry, one of the questions I am often asked is “who is responsible for predicting upcoming fashion trends and how do they do it?”

What is Trend Forecasting?

Fashion trend forecasting is the act of predicting fashion trends including colors, fabrics, silhouettes, patterns, styles and more, for clothing brands in upcoming seasons.

University of Fashion’s lesson Trend Forecasting by Marieke van der Poel, Chief Creative Officer and Executive Editor of Proef.

University of Fashion’s lesson Trend Forecasting by Marieke van der Poel, Founder & Chief Forecaster of Proef. (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com)

In the fashion industry, many brands rely upon information from a variety of sources that specialize in predicting fashion trends, color, and silhouette direction. These predictions, which are made more than a year in advance of products making it to the selling floor, cover multiple areas within the industry, such as childrenswear, womenswear, both for clothing and accessories.

To gain insight into how trends are predicted, watch our lesson entitled, Trend Forecasting taught by one of the most respected trend forecasters in the industry, Marieke van der Poel, Founder & Chief Forecaster of Proef. In her lesson, Marieke covers the history of trend services, the definition of a trend and the various types of trend forecasting. She explores how trends are predicted, how companies use trend services and why trends services are important to the success of any business, not just fashion. Marieke also discusses what role consumer emotions plays in forecasting trends and the various sources of where and how trends germinate.

image of Pref website Proef – From innovation to brand to product strategy services. (Image credit: getproef.com)

Proef – their services range from innovation to brand and product strategy. (Image credit: getproef.com)

Predicting Trends Powered by AI

iamge of Heuritech - An AI-based fashion trend forecasting service. (Image credit: Heuritech.com)

Heuritech – An AI-based fashion trend forecasting service. (Image credit: Heuritech.com)

AI is gaining momentum in the fashion trend prediction business. Fashion forecasters at WGSN, Heuritech and Pinterest Trends scour catwalk shows, read e-commerce data and analyze social media posts to figure out what our wardrobes might look like.

Heuritech, created in 2013 by two PhDs in machine learning, possesses an AI-based visual recognition technology and a forecasting model that assists apparel brands in quantifying and predicting what people will wear. According to Heuritech, their technology helps brands create a balanced collection assortment adapted to regional market specificities and therefore can reduce the problem of overstocking. By analyzing more than 3 million social images a day they claim that they can provide unbiased data about a brand’s market. From celebrity influencers to mainstream consumers, their data-crunching technology claims to be able to predict trends rather than rely on designers to innovate. I don’t know about you but if we start relying on algorithms and data to create product, where is the creativity in that? Would we ever have had innovators like Coco Chanel, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen?

Trend Forecasting is Much More Than Number Crunching

iamge Trend Forecasting lesson by Marieke van der Poel referencing the use of experts to help predict trends. (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com)

Trend Forecasting lesson by Marieke van der Poel referencing the use of experts to help predict trends. (Image credit: UniversityofFashion.com)

In a recent conversation with Marieke van der Poel of Proef, we discussed the issue. She said that the concept of data crunching is a bit like ‘driving a car while looking in the rear-view mirror without knowing where you are going.’ I couldn’t agree more. Marieke calls this ‘referentialism’ and she asserts that “we live in a time where we refer to data directly as a source, whereas our human drivers are much more complex“.

According to Marieke, “with predictive analytics, it again depends on the input, and whilst AI is growing in meta analysis, it cannot tell us what people will want, yet”.

Relying solely upon social media analysis where there’s an abundance of curated content and people are too dependent on algorithms, it fails to consider where certain concepts can go. The data collected only deals in the ‘now’.

Trend forecasting today is a combination of understanding the now, pattern recognition and intuition. It also involves the way people are reacting to social, political and environmental issues to create new concepts. A thoughtful trend forecaster uses a philosophical paradigm whereby the process is often highly intuitive, utilizes emotional abstracts and conceptional thinking.

Trend Predictions for 2025

As we move into the new year, several sources have predicted their colors and trends for 2025. For example, WGSN’s Color of the Year prediction is Future Dusk and at the Pantone Color Institute it’s Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse.

image of WGSN & Pantone's 2025 color of the year predictions" Future Dusk & Mocha Mousse

WGSN & Pantone Color of the Year 2025 (Image credit: Pinterest.com)

According to an AI search for the top 2025 fashion colors, it predicted butter yellow, marigold, cocoa, lava red, seafoam green, frog green, sky blue and pink blossom. But of course, their research consists of data crunching from the most recent runway shows.

AI search for 2025 Color Trends based on data collected from most recent runway shows (Image credit: Effective Colors.com)

In terms of clothing trends, AI has predicted that there will be a return to boho chic, sleepwear as daywear, the return of the skinny jean and hot pants, strapless dresses, asymmetric designs, leopard prints, and probably the most exciting trend of all – personalization. That means we have finally been given the right to choose our own style!

Source link

Celebrity Scramble Guess Who!

Metaverse Fashion Week Online

January 12, 2025

Hidden under this brunette beauty was a child star in the ’70s and is now someone you may see on TV. Given the clues, put your celeb knowledge to the test and see if you can land on the unknown star.

One of her first TV roles was on the western drama series “Little House on the Prairie.” One of her popular movies is commonly watched during spooky season. When she’s not hustling in Hollywood or pumping iron in the gym, she’s a doting mother to her 4 daughters.

This BH hot mama turned turned 56 yesterday!

Can you guess who she is?

Source link