Not quite like a duck to water: Kelly Brook struggles to stay standing as she tries to water-ski in Barbados

By Mail Online Reporter

'Now what did the instructor say?' Kelly Brook looks deep in concentration as she prepares for her water-skiing ride in Barbados earlier today


Since arriving on Barbados on Saturday, Kelly Brook has been wowing the paparazzi on a daily basis by showing off her curvy figure in a series of colourful bikinis.

But after spending most of her time lounging around in the sun, the model decided to challenge herself today and try her hand at water-skiing.

But given the terrified look on her face, we can assume she isn't quite so adept at water-skiing as she is as posing for the cameras.


Don't let go! Kelly holds on for dear life as the boat gets faster and faster


That's not so graceful: The model looks terrified as she tries to stand up on the skis


After swiftly becoming a fan of jet skiing and even taking charge of the steering wheel of a yacht, the 30-year-old decided to try out water skiing.

Taking a speed boat ride with a few family friends, the smiling brunette was given a quick lesson on how to ride the skis across the sea.

But after putting on her lifejacket and strapping on her skis, her trademark smile was soon replaced by anxiety.


'I'm up, I'm up!' Kelly finally stands up and appears to be screaming with a mix of joy and fear


And she's down: Kelly lets go of the handlebar as she crashes into the sea


As the boat began to pull her along behind it, the model soon appeared terrified and looked like she was struggling to stand upright.

When she did eventually stand up, it wasn't long before she crashed backwards into the azure waters of the Caribbean sea.

Unfortunately for Kelly, she wasn't holidaying on the same island as TV presenter Christine Bleakley, who water skied across the English Channel earlier this year, who could have provided some useful tips.


Another day, another bikini: The brunette wore a turquoise and white print two-piece today


And skiing wasn't the only water sport the model tried out today - she also went snorkelling.

Ms Brook jetted to the Caribbean on Saturday, a week after announcing she and rugby player Danny Cipriani, 22, had split after a 22 month romance.

Their split came just a few weeks after the pair were spotted looking close on holiday in Los Angeles together.

After their 'break' was announced, Ms Brook threw herself into socialising and was spotted out with a variety of friends - predominantly male - in various nightclubs and restaurants in London.


Water sports: Kelly jumps off a speed boat into the Caribbean sea for a spot of snorkelling


Hold your breath: Kelly plunges into the sea


She was spotted dining with Glee actor Matthew Morrison on two occasions, prompting speculation he may be the next man in her life.

However, the TV star said: 'There's nothing going on with me and Kelly. She's lovely and I've known her for a while. We met when she was over in Los Angeles.'

And since venturing to the West Indies, she's given Cipriani a clear message he's the last thing on her mind as she's been enjoying the attentions of male holidaymakers.

In the past five days, Kelly has been flaunting her figure in a collection of bikinis and a racy blue cut-out swimsuit.


Beach babe: Kelly wore a floral playsuit before the heat got the better of her and she stripped down to her bikini


Social: Surrounded by family friends, Brook is unlikely to feel lonely following her recent split for Danny Cipriani


source: dailymail

Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard share first public kiss as they holiday together for first time in Sardinia

By Georgina Littlejohn

Come here, you: Christine can't resist another kiss with her footballer beau


They've been very careful not to be seen engaging in any public displays of affection, not even holding hands.

But Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard threw caution to the wind today when they shared their very first public kiss.

The couple were snapped puckering up at a hotel in Sardinia where they have joined Jamie and Louise Redknapp on holiday.


First public kiss: Christine and Frank are oblivious to everyone else as they share a kiss on the first day of their Italian holiday


If her status as Frank's girlfriend needed any more establishing, then this shot proves that Christine has more than secured her man.

The couple had a glass of wine and a spot of lunch at the plush resort on the island of Sardinia and were seen laughing and joking before they leaned in for a kiss.

Then it was off to meet the Redknapps, and judging by the warm greeting that Bleakley was given, she has been welcomed with open arms into the footballing family


Basking: Christine Bleakley and Frank Lampard lie side-by-side in the sun as they enjoy their first holiday together in Sardinia


Summer loving: Christine looks content and in love as she throws back her head and laughs at Frank's joke


After the couples swapped greeting, Lampard and Bleakley then stripped down to their swimwear for a spot of sunbathing by the pool.

Frank, 32, is cousin to former Liverpool and Tottenham player Jamie Redknapp, 37, whose father is Harry, 63, Spurs's current boss.

Frank's father Frank Sr, 61, is Harry's brother-in-law, and was married to Harry's wife Sandra's sister Pat, who died aged 58 in April 2008 following a long battle with cancer


Bit sunburnt Frank: The Chelsea footballer's back looks a bit red as he enjoys a dip in the pool with Christine


Red hot: Christine gives photographers a glimpse of her rarely seen bikini body


They are a very close-knit family so it's good news for Christine that she has been accepted into the fold.

And it's just as well that she gets on with Louise as she may be in need of some female company.

If she's sick of hearing about football, then she may want to make a girlie escape with the former pop star.


Wakey wakey: Lampard tries to rouse his girlfriend as she dozes off in her sunlounger


Girl talk: Louise Redknapp talks to Christine as she strips off her patterned kaftan to reveal her red bikini


WAG tips: Louise, who has been married to Jamie for 12 years, may well have plenty of advice for Bleakley in the notoriously bitchy world of the WAGs


Because being such a huge football family, no doubt Jamie and Frank may want to spend some time dissecting the World Cup - and the upcoming football season.

She already established herself as a proper WAG when she travelled to South Africa to support Frank and the England team in their game against Germany last Sunday.

And she was on board the official England plane that brought the dejected players back to Heathrow after they were knocked out.


Hanging out: Frank chats to his cousin Jamie Redknapp and another friend by the pool


Yesterday, she flashed a ring to the cameras which was on her wedding finger as she and Frank left his London flat, but her agent denied they were engaged, insisting it is a ring she wears all the time which she swaps between hands.

Lampard and Bleakley have been dating since October last year after meeting at the Pride of Britain Awards.


Cool down: Frank looked thrilled to be chilling out in the pool after his disappointing weekend in South Africa


Welcome to the family! Christine Bleakley is given a warm greeting by Louise Redknapp as her husband Jamie shakes his cousin Frank Lampard's hand



source: dailymail

As Britney Spears launches her own fashion line, what makes all these celebrities think they can design clothes?

By Tamara Abraham

Playing at fashion: Britney Spears' models items from her new range for Candies. She says it represents her personal style - but did she have any in the first place?


She's not exactly known for her fashion sense, so why Britney Spears has been signed up to design a clothing line is beyond us.

U.S. budget retailer Candies will be selling a collection inspired by the outfits worn on the singer's Circus tour - the one in which she wore top hats, leotards and ostrich boleros - from Thursday.

But the 28-year-old insists that the range features looks that both she and her fans would wear.

'This collection really represents my personal style,' she told WWD.

'I took pieces from my Circus tour and pieces that I wear every day. I love denim, so I made sure to include a lot of jeans'

'I wanted to design clothes that I would wear and my fans would wear. That was the most important thing to me.


'I wanted to make both daytime casual looks and fun dresses to go out in at night. I met with the design team for Candie's and Kohl's, and we started making sketches and designed a line.

'I got to approve every single piece in the line. It was really a lot of fun. I can't wait for it to come out


Inspiration: Britney's fashion line was basen on the costumes from her Circus tour


Though Britney is not the first celebrity to play at being a fashion designer - only last week we saw Madonna and her daughter Lourdes launch a 'tween' line that looked better suited to a red light district than a schoolyard - she highlights everything that is wrong with the concept.

The fact that a person is famous does not give them style - most stars have personal stylists for that - it takes years of training, experience and talent to become a fashion designer as anyone who has tried to succeed in the industry will testify.

Indeed, Ungaro really should have known better when they hired Lindsay Lohan as 'artistic adviser'.

Of course, there are some stars that have managed to capitalise on their celebrity status with some genuine credibility.

Back in her Spice Girl days we could never have imagined that the name Victoria Beckham would become a byword for impeccably-cut dresses. And a preview of Sienna Miller's Twenty8Twelve line is always a hot ticket at London Fashion Week.

Nicole Richie's hippie-chic Winter Kate and House of Harlow lines have seen phenomenal sales at retailer My-Wardrobe.com, and Dannii Minogue's Project D collection promises to do the same.

But while Sienna, Posh, Dannii and Nicole may know what they like, they are not the ones wielding the fabric cutters.

House of Harlow accessories are created with jeweller Mouawad, Dannii's was created with friend and fashion designer Tabitha Somerset-Webb, Sienna has her Central Saint Martins-trained sister Savannah behind the scenes and Victoria Beckham's team, which trained in the finest Paris ateliers, can call upon the likes of Roland Mouret for advice.


Family affair: Sienna Miller with her fashion designer sister Savannah (left), who is the talent behind their Twenty8Twelve line; Right, Madonna and daughter Lourdes have also designed a collection together


'He gave me advice when it came to putting my team together,' she explained. 'He doesn’t have anything to do with the design of anything that I do, but he taught me about how to turn my dreams into reality, if you like.

'He told me I needed a production manager - he helped with that side of things.'


Fashion friends: Dannii and her Project D co-designer, Tabitha Somerset-Webb


Indeed, Victoria is rare in her respect for the fashion designer's craft, so much so that she was embarrassed to admit the launch of her own label to friend and fashion designer Marc Jacobs.

'I felt a little bit embarrassed,' she said. 'He’s Marc Jacobs. What else can I say? I never really told him, and then we went to dinner and he said congratulations on all the reviews.'

So what, then, of Kate Moss - perhaps the most famous of celebrity designers, whose fantastically successful range for Topshop is in its 12th season.

Laura Collins, who wrote Kate Moss: The Complete Picture, says that Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green initially had serious reservations about Kate's commitment, and wanted to be sure that the collaboration was not just some three-hour photoshoot to publicise a handbag.

She revealed that both Sir Philip and Kate were used to being in charge: 'He found making decisions by committee tiresome, while Kate insisted on signing off each and every piece personally.

'He provided her with designers, buyers and merchandisers. She brought her own team.'

So it is clear that Kate is hands-on - even if she is just mimicking favourite pieces from her own wardrobe. As she unveiled her latest collection, she said: 'I just think of what I want to wear in the summer. They're all still really me.'

So it is possible for a celebrity to convincingly put their name to a collection - but the rule of thumb is that they have to dress well in the first place. Take note, Britney.

To read more of Spears' interview with WWD, visit their website.


I'm wearing myself: Nicole Richie modelling her Winter Kate collection, Kate Moss in a Kate Moss Topshop romper and Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham


source: dailymail

Don’t look down: Workers put finishing touches to 1,000m high Alpine viewing tower

By Mail Foreign Service

Workers make finishing touches to the AlpspiX viewing platform in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, southern Germany


You'll definitely need a head for heights if you're planning on visiting the 1,000m high AlpspiX viewing tower, which is to open in southern Germany on July 4.

The towering structure is situated in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen region of the country and provides panoramic views of surrounding Hoellental and Garmisch.


The arms of the platform cross in an 'X' shape above a 1,000m abyss


Each arm of the tower is 24m long, crossing in an ‘X’ shape over an abyss at the base of the Alpspitze mountain, while jutting out 13m over an empty void, with the other 11m anchored in rock.

At the end of each arm, a glass wall offers a unique view of the alpine surroundings.

Each arm of the ‘X’ is just 3m wide and formed of a grid, which will allow snow to pass through it during winter.


Each platform arm ends in a glass wall, offering unobscured views of the Alpine surroundings


The breath-taking structure is due to open on July 4


Vision: An artist's impression of the 3metre-wide viewing platforms which are suspended above the drop


source: dailymail

WORLD CUP 2010: Spain 1 Portugal 0

By Ian Ladyman in Cape Town

King David: Striker David Villa clips the ball over Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo to score the decisive goal for Spain


Just as South American teams were threatening to sweep all before them, Spain delivered a superb reminder on Tuesday night that the champions of Europe are more than capable of claiming the biggest prize in the game.

Vicente del Bosque's side were forced to reach the World Cup quarter-finals the hard way. Portugal provided stern opposition and they can count themselves unlucky to be going home. Ultimately, they paid the price for being drawn in a difficult group and, as a result, progressing as the second-placed team behind tournament favourites Brazil.

Spain, though, were irresistible at times and - the out-of-form Fernando Torres notwithstanding - they produced a spell midway through the second half last night that culminated in a fourth tournament goal for David Villa and a last-eight match-up with Paraguay.


Headache: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo endures a frustrating night


Torres was so ineffectual that he had been substituted five minutes before his team scored. He will surely start the quarter-final but there is a growing case for his omission. That, of course, is a debate for later in the week. Last night was all about the heavenly gifts of the Barcelona trio, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Villa.

The admirable thing about teams like Spain, and indeed Portugal, is that there is so much to watch even when the game is a stalemate, as it was for an hour last night.

When the going is tough and the route to goal uncertain, these teams do not ask their central defenders to hit long balls. They rely on what they do best and trust that, eventually, they will do it well enough to break through.

This is what happened last night as Spain emerged from a period of uncertainty either side of half-time to spring forward and secure the vital goal.

Del Bosque's team almost scored twice in a minute just after Torres had been replaced by Fernando Llorente, who headed a superb Sergio Ramos cross straight at goalkeeper Eduardo. Villa then curled a ferocious shot inches wide with his right foot.

Seconds later, though, they were ahead and it was a superbly crafted goal. Iniesta and Xavi - who else? - combined on the edge of the penalty area to play in Villa and when his first shot came back off Eduardo, he rammed the rebound high into the net.


Seven heaven: Villa wheels away in delight after his decisive goal


It was tough on the Portugal goalkeeper, who enjoyed an impressive night. He later left the field in tears.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo cut a miserable figure, too. His irritation was understandable. After a stellar first season at Real Madrid, he did not produce anything like his best form at this World Cup and the forward endured a poor night against Spain.

No matter. This was a game that Spain deserved to win, if only just. They began brightly, with Torres and Villa (twice) bringing saves from Eduardo in the first 10 minutes, and for a while it looked as though Xavi would simply pass Portugal on to the plane home. However, Portugal were unbeaten in 19 games before last night and - content to play on the break - they grew into the game.


Flashpoint: Argentine referee Hector Baldassi shows the red card to Portugal's Ricardo Costa as Joan Capdevila writhes in agony


Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas pushed up a Tiago drive and then had to paw the ball away from under his own bar as striker Hugo Almeida closed in. Tiago and Almeida then went close with headers.


Notice of the Portuguese threat had duly been served but the game took its decisive course in the quarter of an hour after half-time as an Almeida cross struck Carles Puyol and almost looped in, before Spain recovered to score.

Once ahead, they could have stretched further clear.

Eduardo saved well from Villa and the excellent right back Sergio Ramos, but Spain's all-round ability was best illustrated right at the death when left back Joan Capdevila threw himself into the path of a goalbound drive from Ricardo Carvalho. Spain are not just a pretty side.

Portugal lost their cool in the closing moments and, as tempers became frayed, a series of heavy challenges went in and Capdevila was left prone by an elbow from Ricardo Costa.

The defender was sent off. That, though, was not the story. Happily, there were better things to talk about.



source: dailymail

WORLD CUP 2010: Paraguay 0 Japan 0 (Paraguay won 5-3 on pens)

By Matt Barlow reports from Pretoria

Dying hope: Japan in agony as lucky charm Yuichi Komano misses his penalty and Oscar Cardozo scores the winner


Paraguay coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino collapsed in his seat and cried like a baby.

Not tears of boredom at such a turgid spectacle but of pure joy as the Argentinian led his adopted nation to their first World Cup quarter-final.

Paraguay made it four South American teams in the last eight, from just five qualifiers, but they needed the tournament’s first penalty shoot-out to kill off Japan and it was Oscar Cardozo, a familiar name on Merseyside this season, who claimed the winning penalty.

Cardozo scored three for Benfica against Liverpool in their Europa League quarter-final, including two penalties in the first leg.

And he scored twice in a minute in a 5-0 destruction of Everton in Lisbon earlier in the campaign. For every shoot-out hero, however, there is a villain, so spare a thought for Japan’s Yuichi Komano — a player who has endured a series of harsh setbacks in his career.

Komano suffered thrombosis while recovering in hospital from a cruciate ligament injury, then broke his collarbone before an eye complaint almost made him blind.


Still running: Parauguay players celebrate after Cardozo's crucial penalty booked their place in the last eight


After overcoming his troubles, Komano was fondly named ‘Good Luck’ by fans, but last night his fortunes turned.

The penalty shoot-out was 3-2 to Paraguay when he stepped up. His shot struck the bar and flew into the sky.

Nelson Valdez and Keisuke Honda both found the net before Cardozo coolly completed the win, firing past goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, who had saved a penalty from Frank Lampard in a friendly last month and from Jon Dahl Tomasson in the group stage.

As Komano broke down on the pitch, manager Takeshi Okada strode solemnly out to console him.


Gutted: Japan's Komano looks to the sky after his penalty hits the crossbar and hands Paraguay the advantage


Martino was an emotional wreck too, removing his glasses to dry his eyes as he was mobbed by staff and players.

‘Everyone knows it is unfair to settle a game like this,’ said Martino.

‘When you make it all the way to the shoot-out you’ve made a huge effort and the tension is released, so many things go through your mind. That was the reason for the tears.’

Martino, a former Argentina player, won the Paraguay title four times before transforming the national team over the last three years.


Denied: Lucas Barrios (centre) can't find a way past Marcus Tulio Tanaka (left) and Eiji Kawashima


‘We celebrate with the rest of Paraguay,’ said Martino.

‘Let them enjoy it. The players made a huge effort. This is a success.

‘We know we are in the best eight in the world. We were just lucky in the shoot-out.

We had solidarity, enthusiasm and will to make it to the history books.’

Paraguay deserved to win, dominating possession over 120 goalless minutes and finishing strong in extra-time.


So close: Justo Villar is beaten by Daisuke Matsui but the bar saves the Paraguay keeper
Japan risked little but had their chances to seize the lead. Daisuke Matsui smashed a 30-yarder against the bar in the first half and CSKA Moscow striker Honda missed a terrific opportunity, firing wide from the edge of the penalty area before the break.

Roque Santa Cruz screwed Paraguay’s best chance wide from eight yards. ‘I have no regrets about how we played,’ said Japan boss Okada.

‘The players were wonderful. They represented Japan and Asia as a whole.’ He also hinted he may no longer be in charge by the next World Cup.

There is a rumour he intends to become a farmer.



CORRECTING ID OF PARAGUAY PLAYER Japan's defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka (R) deflects a ball next to Paraguay's striker Lucas Barrios (L) and Japan's defender Yuji Nakazawa during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match Paraguay vs. Japan on June 29, 2010 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane/Pretoria.



Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz, second from left, and Paraguay's Paulo Da Silva, second from right in front, try to score a goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, June 29, 2010.




Paraguay's Paulo da Silva goes in for a tackle on Japan's Keisuke Honda during their 2010 World Cup second round soccer match at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.




Paraguay players, front row from left, Carlos Bonet, Nestor Ortigoza, Cristian Riveros, Claudio Morel, Edgar Benitez, Lucas Barrios, back row from left, Enrique Vera, goalkeeper Justo Villar, Antolin Alcaraz, Roque Santa Cruz, and Paulo Da Silva pose for a team photo before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, June 29, 2010.




Paraguay's Edgar Benitez (R) and Cristian Riveros (16) fall during the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.



Japan's national soccer team poses for a photo at a 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Paraguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010. Pictured are (front L-R) Japan's Makoto Hasebe, Yuto Nagatomo, Yasuhito Endo, Yuichi Komano, Yoshito Okubo, Daisuke Matsui, (rear L-R) Yuki Abe, Yuji Nakazawa, goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, Tulio and Keisuke Honda.




Paraguay's team huddles before their 2010 World Cup second round soccer match against Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.



Japan supporters with Japan's national flag painted on their cheeks are pictured before the 2010 World Cup round of 16 match Paraguay versus Japan on June 29, 2010 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.




A Japan's fan, with his face painted, waits for the start of the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Japan and Paraguay at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010.


Japan's Keisuke Honda (4th L) warms up with team mates before the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match between Paraguay and Japan at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria June 29, 2010