Back to the day job! Tulisa shows how she earned her X Factor stripes in leopard spotted dress at V Festival with N-Dubz

By Jody Thompson





On the prowl: new X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos was back singing with N-Dubz yesterday at the Chelmsford leg of the V Festival





She proved herself when she made her debut as a judge on the X Factor at the weekend - and Tulisa Contostavlos showed how she earned her place on the panel with two storming sets at V Festival at the weekend.



The 23-year-old N-Dubz frontwoman wowed the crowds at both Staffordshire and Chelmsford legs of the festival, but it her grrreat leopard print mini dress last night in Essex that had her fans purring.



She impressed on the television on Saturday night when she joined fellow new judges Gary Barlow and Kelly Rowland for the first set of the X Factor auditions - particularly when verbally slapping down loser George Gerasimou, 19.



Feline fine: Wearing a tight leopard print dress, Tulisa worked the festival crowds like a pro





After he stumbled through a dreadful song and being asked to stop, he then abused Tulisa, storming: 'You’re some scumbag trying to replace Cheryl. Some scumbag from the block.'



But tiger Tulisa stood her ground, and slapping the desk, hit back with: 'You’re here to be judged, and you know what you’ve just done? You’ve embarrassed yourself to the entire nation. I worked myself up from Camden Town and that’s why I’m here today.'



Tulisa later confessed that she was tempted to deck the insulting contestant, saying: 'Well, if it was 10 years ago I would have, but I'm an X Factor judge now and I'm not allowed to do things like that.'



On song: Tulisa beamed at one point - showing off her new teeth - at the crowd reaction





Instead, the N-Dubz singer hit back with: 'I don't think your attitude has changed at all. You came and stood right next to me, and I felt a lot of aggression off you. You're very angry. It's not a good vibe.'



Meanwhile, it was revealed last night that launch of the new series of the X Factor was watched by a peak audience of 12.6 million on Saturday night - matching the record for the highest viewing figures for the opening night.



ITV said the peak number was a combination of people watching on ITV1 and ITV1 +1, and 12 million tuned in to the 8pm ITV1 showing.



She got the call: Simon Cowell will be very pleased with himself at getting Tulisa onboard after some great X Factor viewing figures





At its peak, more than half (51%) of those watching television were tuned in to the talent contest, the broadcaster said.



An average audience of 11 million watched the new panel of judges, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh launch series eight of the show, which was a 47% share of the audience.



A peak audience of 1.6 million (7.2% share) watched The Xtra Factor on ITV2. There was an average audience of 1.5 million across the show.



With the band: With her N-Dubz colleagues Dappy and Fazer at Weston Park in Staffordshire at V Festival on Saturday





The star-studded V Festival meanwhile wrapped up last night with Rihanna and Eminem headlining the Chelmsford site.



The Staffordshire leg meanwhile closed with Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Plan B, Bruno Mars, Kaiser Chiefs, Dizzee Rascal and headliners Arctic Monkeys.





New job: With her X Factor co-judges on Saturday's first show in the new series









source:dailymail

Summer loving! Michelle Keegan and Max George lead the charge of couples looking v. smitten in the sun at V Festival

By Jody Thompson





Smitten: The Wanted's Max George and his fiancée Michelle Keegan were hand-in-hand in the VIP area of the V Festival in Stafforshire yesterday





There can be few more pleasant ways to spend a weekend than cuddled up with a loved one watching a host of top music acts in the warm sunshine with free booze on tap.



So it was no surprise that seemingly half the celebrities couples in the UK appeared to have made a beeline for V Festival weekend to hang out and hold hands in the VIP area, both at the Staffordshire and Chelmsford legs.



Most loved-up of all however were Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan, 24, and her boyband fiancé Max George, 22, from The Wanted.



Festival chic: Michelle was sporting unusual lace-up wellies to the al fresco music fandango



What bands? The couple found their own entertainment backstage rather than venturing into the main arena to watch the other acts





Michelle was clearly raring to go, and Tweeted beforehand: 'I'm already to go...So excited!!! I might sleep in my wellies! X'



Then first thing this morning meanwhile, she exclaimed: 'V FEST!!!!!!!!!!!! X'



Michelle's wellies - although unnecessary on the bone-dry site in Staffordshire yesterday - were rather unusual lace-ups versions.



Smitten: The engaged couple only had eyes for each other at the bash



Refreshment: The pair were enjoying some drinks in the sunshine in the VIP area



Great day out: Michelle had friends to keep her company when Max was busy working too





She'd teamed them with Daisy Dukes, a black bandeau top, straw trilby, aviator shades and a denim shirt, though that was soon tied round her waist because of the heat.



However, a large part of the soap star's excitement was seeing her beloved again, Max George from boyband The Wanted.



He was just as pleased to see her too, posting up a picture of them cudding up in the VIP bar backstage last night clutching paper pint cups of Carling lager.





Magic time: Harry Potter star Rupert Grint was spotted in the VIP area at the Chelmsford leg of V Festival with a female friend



Girls and boys: Pixie Lott meanwhile and her boyfriend Oliver Cheshire were together in the VIP area at Chelmsford today



Festival friends: Russell Tovey and Michelle Ryan were hanging out together at the Virgin Media Louder Lounge at V in Chelmsford





The Wanted played the Staffordshire leg of the festival last night at Weston Park, and played again today at the Chelmsford leg at Hylands Park.



The boyband were surprisingly low down the bill on the Arena Stage, playing after Dionne Bromfield and before Eliza Doolittle, with the Saturdays, Hurts, Big Audio Dynamite, Mark Ronson and Calvin Harris on afterwards.



However, the benefits of being on in the afternoon of course is having plenty of time to get stuck into the free bar afterwards...



Love you: The Only Way Is Essex stars Sam Faier and Harry Derbridge cuddle up to Stacey Solomon





In fact, there were a plethora of couples looking loved-up in the sun at the festival - even just platonic friends.



Sherlock star Russell Tovey and his former EastEnders friend Michelle Ryan had their arms around each other and sweethearts Rochelle Wiseman from The Saturdays and her JLS beau Marvin Humes looked as smitten as ever in the Mahiki VIP area in Chelmsford.



Of course, Rochelle was working, as her band were on the bill of the bash, but Marvin was just there as the dutiful boyfriend.



Feeling the love: Ex Corrie and Strictly Come Dancing star Tina O'Brien and boyfriend Adam Crofts were spotted backstage at V Festival at Weston Park yesterday





Harry Potter star Rupert Grint was there with a mystery female friend, and Pixie Lott was also at the bash with her boyfriend Oliver Cheshire.



The Girls And Boys star looked incredibly cute in a short white playsuit covered in daisies and gorgeous gold brogues, while Oli looked trendy in a trilby with beige trousers and desert boots.



Also hitting the backstage VIP area at Chelmsford - and hopefully venturing out amongst the general public to actually see some bands - were Myleene Klass, Ralf Little, former Hollyoaks star Hollie-Jay Bowes.



BFFs: Nick Grimshaw, Caroline Flack and Jameela Jamil were having fun at the Virgin Media Louder Lounge at V Festival in Chelmsford today





Also on her own without husband Wayne was Coleen Rooney.



Other acts playing at the Essex leg of the bash meanwhile today include Primal Scream, Pendulum, Manic Street Preachers, the Script and Rihanna, with Eminem headlining.



The Staffordshire leg meanwhile closes tonight with Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Plan B, Bruno Mars, Kaiser Chiefs, Dizzee Rascal and headliners Arctic Monkeys.





source:dailymail

Ab-mazing! Frankie Sandford's incredibly toned stomach gets the crowd All Fired Up at V Festival

By Holly Thomas





What's her secret? Even surrounded by gorgeous bandmates, Frankie Sandford's incredible abs stole the show





No-one expected the Saturdays to don jeans and long sleeves for their V Festival performance on Saturday.



But Frankie took it to another level last night as she bared an unbelievably taut stomach for a steamy appearance on the Staffordshire stage.



The singer strutted her stuff in a miniscule crop top and miniskirt combination that whipped the crowd into a frenzy of excitement.





Frankie's cheeky smiles showed how much the singer was enjoying the attention, looking at total ease as she took centre stage.



Having been spotted a few days beforehand wearing a baggy jumper to a rehearsal for the Staffordn gig, one might be forgiven for thinking that the singer was in a demure mood.



But on the night she couldn't have looked more confident, even wearing a belly ring to draw extra attention to her pancake-flat abs.



Her amazing look only served to add to the audience's enthusiasm as the girls belted out hit after hit, a fitting warm-up to the release of their new single All Fired Up.



Little Ego Frankie? The singer has never looked more confident, displaying not a scrap of spare flesh





It's possible that Frankie is feeling a little competition from her the other girls to maintain this super-slim physique.



Band mate Rochelle Wiseman has notably dropped weight in recent months, flaunting her newly toned midriff in belly tops on nights out.



Rochelle also looked gorgeous in a skimpy crop top last night, though it didn't have quite the impact of Frankie's black number.



Centre of attention: Though the other girls looked amazing, Frankie's stomach stole the show



All fired up: The girls were on top form as they belted out hit after hit





As ever, legs were on display all round, Mollie King's super-slender pins looking stunning as always in tiny turquoise shorts.



Nevertheless, Frankie seemed totally self assured, even tweeting the day before the show: 'Positive mental attitude! Sirryyy!!'



It looks like that attitude is paying off.



The Saturdays' new single All Fired Up is out September 4.





Little competition? Rochelle Wiseman (centre right), who also opted for a crop top and skirt combo has stunned fans with her weight loss in recent months









source:dailymail

Honorary Brit! Rihanna breaks out red, white and blue Union Flag crop top - and some breathtakingly short hotpants - at V Festival

By JODY THOMPSON



Rated R: Few singers could get away with Rihanna's raunchy outfit



After a few days of wearing rather more clothes than is customary for her as she got to grips with a less-than-sizzling British summer, it was business as usual for Rihanna last night at the V Festival.



The Loud star took to the stage at the Staffordshire leg of the two-day bash in some eye-wateringly short studded denim hotpants - and a tiny cropped Union Flag style top embellished with safety pins.



The 23-year-old singer finished her look with some raunchy fishnet stockings and a studded black leather jacket.



But despite temperatures being considerably lower than in her native Barbados, or even her adopted home of Los Angeles, Rihanna soon discarded the jacket after working up a sweat knocking out a string of her hits for thousands of fans in Weston Park.





Kick it: The star was wearing lace up stiletto boots too





On song: The star put in an impressive performance of a string of her hits





The Rude Boy singer was doing her best to whip the crowd into a frenzy ahead of last night's headliner on that leg of the festival, Eminem.



Writing on her Twitter straight after her sensational show, she wrote: '#VFESTDay1 I LOVE YOU!!! 80'000 screaming rockstars!!! I can't wait to see Eminem!!!!'



Also on the bill yesterday at the northern leg of the do were The Script, The Saturdays, Primal Scream, Pendulum and Manic Street Preachers.





Music fan: The star said after her set that she couldn't wait to see headliner Eminem





Playing Chelmsford yesterday meanwhile were the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Plan B, Dizzee Rascal, KT Tunstall and Jessi J.



Rihanna and Eminem meanwhile travel down with the rest of yesterday's Stafforshire bill to play the Chelmsford leg of the al fresco fandango at the city's Hylands Park - where all the celebrities were hanging out yesterday.



They included Coleen Rooney, the cast of The Inbetweeners and naturally, The Only Way Is Essex, and Billie Piper.





Leather and fishnets: It was more of Rihanna's normal style than her recent fashion forays in the UK





Rihanna will then have a break from her long-running tour promoting her album Loud, before playing another festival in Brazil next month.



She's been making the most of her time in the UK so far however, and spent Friday at the official UK launch of her perfume Reb'l Fleur.



As part of the promotion, she also personally met 400 of her fans at London's House Of Fraser flagship Oxford Street branch.





Style misses: Some fans weren't keen on her outfits in London on Friday









source: dailymail

The Only Way Is.... to hold tight! Sam Faiers and Harry Derbidge are flying high at V Festival

By Alanah Eriksen





As two of the stars of The Only Way Is Essex, Sam Faiers and Harry Derbidge are known for their high-maintenance lifestyle.



But the reality TV stars showed they know how to let their hair down as they enjoyed a reverse bungee ride at the Essex part of the twin-site V Festival.



Glamour model Sam, 20, and performing arts student Harry, 17, screamed in delight as they were hurled vertically around 50-70 metres high in air while seated in a cage.



Hold tight: The Only Way Is Essex stars Sam Faiers and Harry Derbidge scream as they enjoy a reverse bungee at the V Festival in Chelmsford, Essex on Saturday



Nervous: Performing art student Harry looks worried as he holds Sam's hand before the reverse bungee takes off





Their friends and co-stars BIllie Faiers and Kirk Norcross looked on from the ground as the duo enjoyed their adrenalin rush.



The pair looked dressed for the part with their coloured wellies and pack-a-macks, which they ended up using when the heavens opened.



The day was clearly quite boozy for the gang, with Sam Tweeting this morning: 'Just woke up in bed with Harry and Charlotte! 3 in a bed and the little on said! Need food ! Feeling hungover.'



Check out my wellies: Derbidge shows off his special 'Shuuut up' wellies



In the party mood: Sam and Harry joined The Only Way Is Essex co-stars Kirk Norcross (far right) and Billie Faiers (in pink top)



And then the rain came down: The pair were well prepared with their macs when it started raining





But after a fry-up to help them conquer their hangovers, the pair were preparing to head back for Day 2.



The pair didn't seem to mind missing their former co-star and Harry's cousin Amy Childs, who is currently in the Celebrity Big Brother house.



The TOWIE stars were just a few of dozens of celebrities at the Essex leg of the twin-site V Festival, with a second venue in Staffordshire.



Festival fun: The Faiers sisters, Harry and a friend pose up in the Virgin VIP lounge



Chic: Billie Piper at the Essex festival (left) while WAG Coleen Rooney brought a group of friends to the Staffordshire leg of the festival



Lookalikes: Coleen marched through the VIP area in Weston Park with a group of girlfriends all wearing similar black Hunter wellies and sunglasses





Actress Billie Piper, the cast of The Inbetweeners and Harry Potter star Rupert Grint were among the VIP guests at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, yesterday.



Mother-of-one Piper, 28, looked gorgeous in a pale peach-coloured dress, black leather jacket and leopard-print ballet slippers and she watched Clare Maguire and KT Tunstall.



Amy Winehouse's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield and Ellie Goulding also took to the stage at Weston Park in South Staffordshire and left fans screaming for more.



New couples: Olympian swimmer Rebecca Adlington and new boyfriend Harry Needs and ex-Coronation Street actress Tina O'Brien with Adam Crofts both attended the Staffordshire festival





Meanwhile, up north in Staffordshire's Weston Park, Coleen Rooney was also among the stars watching and looked relaxed as she drank from a Red Bull cup while sitting in a group of friends.



The 25-year-old wife of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney wore black Hunter wellies - identical to her four friends - and similar to the ones she wore at Glastonbury in June.



She paired the gumboots with a white T-shirt over denim shorts and kept her eyes safe from the sun with black sunglasses.



Coronation Street stars Michelle Keegan, 24, and Tina O'Brien, 28, also looked dressed for the part in Staffs.



Boy time: Lads Joe Thomas, Simon Bird and Blake Harrison from The Inbetweeners catching some sun



Rain and shine: Joe Thomas with Hannah Tointon and Elen Rivas who came prepared for rain



Salon time: Harry Derbidge and Billie Faiers took advantage of the services and, right, Rupert Grint





They both wore gumboots, Tina in short black ones with her high socks peeping out the top and a short white dress with a head band over her blond hair as she strolled the park with her new boyfriend Adam Crofts.



Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre in the soap, started with a denim shirt which she wore as a dress before stripping off to reveal denim shorts and a black printed boob tube.



She wore a hat and aviator sunglasses and laced-up gumboots on her feet.



The gang's all here: Hollyoaks co-stars Emmett J. Scanlan, Claire Cooper, Andy Moss, Bronagh Waugh, Jessica Forrest had a laugh



Tanned Vs Pale: Hollyoaks' actress Alice Barlow (left) and Emmerdale star Sophie Powles were going for different looks





Inbetweeners actors Joe Thomas, Simon Bird, Blake Harrison and Hannah Tointon took a break from promoting their new movie to listen to the music in Chelmsford.



Meanwhile, Olympian swimmer Rebecca Adlington looked loved up with boyfriend Harry Needs in the VIP area at Staffordshire.



Other stars at the two festival legs included Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, Peter Andre's ex Elen Rivas, Emmerdale actress Sophie Powles, former Footballers' Wives actress Sarah Barrand, celebrity hairdresser James Brown and Noel Gallagher's ex-wife Meg Mathews.



Back to the day job: Tulisa Contostavlos performed with her band N-Dubz just hours before her X Factor judging debut was screened on ITV



Raunchy: Rihanna was at her sizzling best in tiny hotpants and what looked like a customised Union Flag





Also in attendance was comedian Leigh Francis, looking remarkably like Where's Wally in a red and white striped T-shirt and singer Jade Jones, fiancé of former Spice Girl Emma Bunton.



Among the stars performing included new X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos, who sang with her group N-Dubz.



Sitting pretty: Jessie J was carried onto the stage due to her broken leg and performed from a chair





She rocked the Staffordshire leg of the V Festival in a pair of spray-on black jeans and an unusual armour-style top just hours before her X Factor debut was screened on ITV.



Jessie J was carried onto the stage with her leg still in a cast after breaking it three months ago.



She sang some of her biggest hits including Do It Like A Dude and Price Tag, dedicating her one hour set to all 'those who have forgotten their suncream'.



Star power: Dionne Bromfield, who recently lost her godmother Amy Winehouse, and Ellie Goulding



Scarlett lady: Clare Maguire performs live on the Arena stage



Drawing a crowd: Thousands of festivalgoers headed for the main stage to watched Bruno Mars









source:dailymail

Stars on stage outshone by stars in the crowd: Billie Piper joins TOWIE crew, Coleen Rooney and Inbetweeners at V Festival

By Alanah Eriksen





Concerts are usually all about the famous singers on stage but the two V Festivals had just as many stars in the crowd.



Billie Piper, 28, was one of dozens of celebrities at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, today.



The mother-of-one looked gorgeous in a pale peach-coloured dress, black leather jacket and leopard-print ballet slippers and she watched Clare Maguire, KT Tunstall.



Chic: Billie Piper and Coleen Rooney were among the famous faces in the crowd at the V Festival





Amy Winehouse's goddaughter Dionne Bromfield and Ellie Goulding also took to the stage at Weston Park in South Staffordshire and left fans screaming for more.



Also playing at the festivals today and tomorrow include Eminem, Rihanna, Plan B, Arctic Monkeys, Jessie J, Bruno Mars, Manic Street Preachers, Olly Murs, The Script, The Saturdays, The Wanted and Ziggy Marley.



The Only Way Is Essex stars Harry Derbidge, 17, and sisters Sam, 21, and Billie Faiers, 20, didn't appear to be missing their former co-star Amy Childs who is currently living in the Celebrity Big Brother House.



Day off: Colleen spent time relaxing with her friends at the festival and left her son Kai at home



Boy time: Lads Joe Thomas, Simon Bird and Blake Harrison from The Inbetweeners catching some sun





Harry even had his hair blow-dried in a VIP tent at the festival. Coleen Rooney was also among the stars watching and looked relaxed as she drank from a Red Bull cup while sitting in a group of friends.



The 25-year-old wife of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney wore black Hunter wellies - identical to her four friends - and similar to the ones she wore at Glastonbury in June.



She paired the gumboots with a white T-shirt over denim shorts and kept her eyes safe from the sun with black sunglasses.



Coronation Street stars Michelle Keegan, 24, and Tina O'Brien, 28, also looked festival ready.



Rain and shine: Joe Thomas with Hannah Tointon and Elen Rivas who came prepared for rain



Salon time: Harry Derbidge and Billie Faiers took advantage of the services and, right, Rupert Grint





The wore gumboots, Tina in short black ones with her high socks peeping out the top and a short white dress with a head band over her blond hair as she strolled the park with her new boyfriend Adam Crofts.



There was no sign of Michelle's fiance, The Wanted's Max George, 22, but she looked happy in two different outfits today.



She started with a denim shirt which she wore as a dress before stripping off to reveal denim shorts and a black printed boob tube.



Raunchy: Rihanna was at her sizzling best in tiny hotpants and what looked like a customised Union Flag



Chilly: The crowd watch Bruno Mars perform on the V Stage at the festival



Star power: Dionne Bromfield, who recently lost her godmother Amy Winehouse, and Ellie Goulding





She wore a hat and aviator sunglasses and laced-up gumboots on her feet.



Inbetweeners actors Joe Thomas, Simon Bird, Blake Harrison and Hannah Tointon took a break from promoting their new movie to listen to the music.



Other stars at the festival included Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, Peter Andre's ex Elen Rivas, Emmerdale actress Sophie Powles, former Footballers' Wives actress Sarah Barrand, celebrity hairdresser James Brown and Noel Gallagher's ex Meg Mathews.



Also there were British actress Georgina Groome, 19, comedian Leigh Francis, looking remarkably like Where's Wally in a red and white striped T-shirt and singer Jade Jones, husband of former Spice Girl Emma Bunton.



On form: KT Tunstall left the crowd screaming for more after her stint on stage



Scarlett lady: Clare Maguire performs live on the Arena stage





source:dailymail