Rupert and friend
Find the best equipment to have in your corner, says Liz Connor
Rupert Everett didn’t expect to get off lightly on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, having previously called the TV host “elephantine” and suggesting he is “hung like a budgie”.
He also wrote: “Piers Morgan was a person who reminded me exactly of all the people I was terrified of at school. I don’t like how he is. He takes it too seriously. He’s a killer. He’s pathological.”
But the caustic comments made the former newspaper editor laugh when he read them out on Good Morning Britain.
Piers said: “You’re wrong factually on some of that, but it would be indecent of me to say which bits on morning television.”
In Life Stories, Rupert squirms as Piers reads out all the names he’s called him.
But Rupert later said on ITV’s Loose Women: “We got through it and now we’re the best of friends.”
Rupert, 61, also talked about his latest book, a memoir called To The End Of The World: Travels With Oscar Wilde, which tells the story of his 10-year quest to make a film about Wilde’s last days.
He told Piers he begged actor friends to star in it – including Colin Firth, who he once treated horribly as he had a crush on him. He told of his promiscuous life in London in the 70s and 80s, the impact of the Aids/HIV crisis and his relationships with women – including the late Paula Yates, above. He admitted: “I am mystified by
my heterosexual affairs.”
Boxing has become one of the biggest breakthrough trends on the fitness scene in recent years and could now be more effective than ever for both physical and mental health. As well as torching that extra lockdown weight, it’s also a really effective way to let go of any stress and tension you’ve built up while homeschooling or working from home during the pandemic. Plus increasing cardiovascular fitness and improving hand-eye coordination are just more benefits of getting into the ring. Although we may be restricted, you can still reap the benefits of a boxing class at home with a few key pieces of kit. Get yourself into fighting shape with these best buys...
1 Mirafit Freestanding Punch Bag
£94.95, mirafit.co.uk Mirafit’s freestanding punchbag is a lot less expensive than its other competitors but it does the job just as effectively. To use it, you simply need to fill the bottom with sand or water and it’s ready for use. Perfect for the garden, it has an anti-slip base that helps the bag to absorb punches without toppling over. Although it’s not made from real leather, the fabric is really durable, and won’t rip or pucker during heavy rounds.
2 Boxraw 4.5m Hand Wraps in Neon Green £10,
boxraw.com Wraps are really important, as they’re used to prevent injury to hands and support our wrists. There are lots of small, fragile bones in each hand, and if you don’t take the right steps to protect them, it’s very easy to leave your session with a painful fracture or break.
This neon green pair from Boxraw will do the job without breaking the bank. They’re made from a cotton blend, have thumb-lock loops to keep everything in place, and are finished with a premium rubber strap. If you’re not sure how to wrap your hands, we recommend checking YouTube for a tutorial.
3 Adidas Hybrid 300 Boxing Gloves £130,
adidas.com Boxing gloves are a must for protecting your hands, and you can rely on Adidas to create a pair that will stand the test of time. These glorious gold ones have shock-absorbing padding that keep your fingers and knuckles safe during powerful jabs, hooks and uppercuts.
As well as using a multi-layered foam technology, the gloves have a smooth satin-like lining that feels really lovely on the hands. Made with durable leather, you can slip them on with a firm hook-and-loop closure for a snug fit. They also come in three different weights; 8oz, 10oz and 12oz.