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RIMES' REASONS

LeAnn Rimes reveals stepkids are the inspiration for her latest music after stunning performance of her new hit The Story

Singer is a stepmum to her husband's two children and says she is bonded with them by love

LEANN RIMES is at her best stripped back and raw – as anyone who watched the country star’s .

With only a piano, she performed single The Story, out today, for a lucky few who joined me at the piano rooms at Yamaha Music in London.

Leann Rimes performs at the Yamaha building London
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LeAann Rimes performs at the Yamaha building LondonCredit: Array

LeAnn, who I revealed had signed a huge comeback deal with Sony’s RCA records in June, also played some of her biggest hits, including How Do I Live – but it wasn’t just her tunes that left fans speechless.

Asked some probing questions by my guests, LeAnn had words to say about the stigma surrounding step-parents.

Dan Wootton interviews Leann Rimes as her gig
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Dan Wootton interviews LeAnn Rimes at her intimate gigCredit: Array

She has two step-sons with actor hubby EDDIE CIBRIAN, but has previously voiced fears about not being able to have children of her own.

And opening up about Love Lines, a heartfelt ballad dedicated to little Mason and Jake, LeAnn said: “My love for them inspired it.

"It’s about how you’re bonded by a love line, not a bloodline.

Leann Rimes recently signed a new record deal
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LeAnn Rimes recently signed a new record dealCredit: Array

“There’s such a stigma around step-moms – it doesn’t get talked about very much, especially in music.”

I love her honesty.

 

She's the Una & only

ALMOST two years after THE SATURDAYS last performed on stage together, UNA HEALY is going it alone.

Yesterday, in a live unveiling watched by thousands on my Facebook page, I revealed the Irish star’s big decision.

Dan Wootton with Saturdays singer Una Healy
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Dan Wootton with Saturdays singer Una HealyCredit: Array

Una has signed a deal with Decca Records and hopes to release an album soon.

I have a feeling it’s going to be on husband BEN FODEN’s workout playlist for months to come.

That’s because the England rugby ace is at the heart of Una’s new material.

She has dedicated several songs to him and told me: “There are love songs to Ben. I’ve written lots of songs about Ben. There are some obvious ones about him.

“Ben’s not embarrassed. He loves it. He sings along to them now.”

Una and hunky hubby Ben Foden
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Una and hunky hubby Ben FodenCredit: Fame Flynet

Ben has been doing that for years, it seems. Una let slip that there are several clips hidden away online of the couple performing duets of The Saturdays’ songs in their front room — what she calls “Ben-Una Moments”.

Just don’t expect to find the Northampton Saint appearing on the new album.

She said: “Ben is a good singer. But what he cannot do is harmonise, so it could be quite difficult.

“He has to sing the melody and I’d harmonise.”

una_healy
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Una Healy is preparing to release a solo album

The good news for fans of Una, ROCHELLE HUMES, FRANKIE BRIDGE, MOLLIE KING and VANESSA WHITE is that girl group The Saturdays are not going away.

Una assured me: “It’s not a departure from The Saturdays.

“We are still a band but it is time for us to focus on ourselves. But we are 100 per cent not breaking up.”

Thank heavens for that.

Below is a reminder of what the other girls have been up to.

  • Go to to watch my interview with Una.

THE CALVIN HARRIS/TAYLOR SWIFT saga continues.

Fans reckon the Scot has made a thinly veiled dig at his ex in his video for JOHN NEWMAN collaboration Ole.

Calvin Harris
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Calvin recently split with Taylor SwiftCredit: Getty Images - WireImage

In the vid, Calvin is perched on some rocks with a girl – a scene reminiscent of Taylor and boyfriend TOM HIDDLESTON’s romantic date at her pad in Rhode Island.

It has been alleged that Calvin penned the song – which tells the story of a girl in a bad relationship who is secretly messaging another guy – about Taylor.

Our exclusive pictures show Taylor cuddling up to hunky actor Tom
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Our exclusive pictures show Taylor cuddling up to hunky actor TomCredit: The Image Direct

The Sun exclusively revealed the famous photos of Taylor and Tom as they kissed and cuddled on a beach in June.

Now Calvin has adopted a similar stance in the sunny video – that also shows the star on a yacht surrounded by a bevy of beautiful women.

It’s tough work being a world famous DJ.


Gwen Stefani is talking about marriage again
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Gwen Stefani is talking about marriage againCredit: James White / Cosmopolitan

GWEN STEFANI went through months of 'torture' during her divorce from BUSH frontman GAVIN ROSSDALE but it hasn't put her off marriage.

She is ready to tie the knot with country singer BLAKE SHELTON, who she met on The Voice US, and has been dating for the past ten months.

Gwen Stefani covers the September issue of Cosmopolitan
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Gwen Stefani covers the September issue of CosmopolitanCredit: James White / Cosmopolitan

Gwen, who graces the front cover of September's Cosmopolitan, and Blake had already go a wedding planner - Jerri Woolworth, who organises events for America's National Football League.

As long as Jerri doesn't make Gwen wear an NFL helmet, I'm sure it'll be a great day.


AFTER I broke the news of the fight that sparked LINDSAY LOHAN and EGOR TARA-BASOV’s split, footage has emerged showing the shocking moment.

The video, sold for tens of thousands to Radar Online, shows the couple on a beach in Mykonos, brawling over Egor’s phone.


Next big thing

If you haven't heard of BLOSSOMS, you will soon.

I'm backing the five-piece as my Next Big Thing after they released their self-titled debut album yesterday with a midnight gig in their hometown Stockport.

Tom Ogden of The Blossoms performs
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Tom Ogden of The Blossoms performs

It was a special moment for the boys - frontman TOM OGEN, CHARLIE SALT, JOSH DEWHURST, JOE DONOVAN and MYLES KELLOCK - who only formed in 2013.

Since then they have garnered a huge following, including some very famous names.

Tom said: "ALEX TURNER is our biggest hero and we warmed up for THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS in Dublin.

"Josh was shaking when we met him."

With Alex flying the flag, Blossoms have a very bright future ahead.

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