Sam Ryder battles through secret health issues as his debut album heads to No1 spot
SAM RYDER has been battling through a growing workload with gritted teeth after dislocating his shoulder and breaking a toe.
After releasing his debut album There’s Nothing But Space, Man! last week, he has been a very busy man.
The Essex-born singer has soldiered on despite his injuries and has been travelling up and down the country to see fans.
He put on surprise performances, including a huge show at GAY Heaven in London over the weekend.
An insider said: “Sam is the definition of a trooper.
“At the weekend he dislocated his shoulder and since then it’s popped out twice.
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“He then ended up breaking his toe in Liverpool. Sam is completely in the wars.
“It hasn’t stopped him though, and so far he’s done eight gigs and ten signings with a broken toe and a bad shoulder.”
I can think of plenty of pampered and prissy pop stars who would do well to take a leaf out of Sam’s book.
Next, Sam will perform at a kid-friendly gig at Pryzm in Kingston, South West London, on December 20.
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And there could be plenty to celebrate as he is on course to go straight to No1 tomorrow with his debut album.
According to the midweek charts, Sam was outselling his closest competition, SZA, by two to one.
If he makes it, which I have no doubt he will, Sam’s record will become the first debut by a solo artist to hit the No1 spot in the UK since Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour in May last year.
Kim a beach blonde
KIM KARDASHIAN has shown she is ready for a White Christmas while modelling a plunging see-through bikini.
The ex-wife of rapper Kanye West flaunted her figure in the tiny set as she posed on a tropical beach with her drenched blonde locks in the sea.
Kim, who also ended her relationship with comedian Pete Davidson in August, captioned the snap: “Life tip - do you.”
It comes as her momager Kris Jenner hosted her annual Christmas party alongside daughters Kim, Khloe Kardashian with Kendall and Kylie Jenner at the Casa Vega Restaurant in California.
Youngest daughter Kylie, who shares two children with rapper Travis Scott, got into the festive spirit in a white mini dress and pink fur-trimmed boots.
The guests were also treated to goodie bags from Kim’s SKIMS brand while sipping on Kendall’s 818 Tequila.
Toast to cheese with blue return
★★★★☆
FOR the past week, Blue have been quietly pulling off a rather remarkable return to form.
At a time when, quite frankly, I’d rather watch repeats of Friends than see yet another Nineties band reform, Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Antony Costa and Simon Webbe have embarked on a near sell-out UK arena tour, including shows in Manchester, Nottingham and London.
Admittedly, I was in Year 4 when they first broke on to the music scene.
But during their hour-and-a- half show at The O2, the lads proved that time really can make the heart grow fonder.
With a set list sensibly balanced between a smattering of new tracks and Noughties classics, it is safe to say the crowd were more than Bubblin’ – lapping up the cheesy dance moves and surprisingly strong vocals from start to finish.
When they first arrived in the charts with their debut single All Rise in 2001, the venue was still a questionable tribute to the turn of the millennium.
So to be able to play it more than two decades on is a seriously impressive feat.
No doubt they were able to Breathe Easy at the final bow on Tuesday after it went without a hitch.
Luke having Wales of a time
LUKE EVANS called on an impressive list of famous friends for his first BBC music show.
The actor and singer went back to his native Wales for Showtime, in which he will present a stellar night of entertainment.
Luke invited pals including Olly Murs, Nicole Scherzinger, Beverley Knight and LeAnn Rimes to join him on the hour-long show, which airs on BBC2 next Thursday.
As well as performing a duet with LeAnn on her 1997 chart-topper, How Do I Live, Luke performs a version of fellow Welshman Tom Jones’ song It’s Not Unusual with Olly.
He also dips into his previous acting role as Gaston in Beauty And The Beast, singing Tale As Old As Time from the 2017 Hollywood remake alongside Pussycat Dolls star star Nicole.
Luke said: “As I walked into the studio and saw the set-up before we started filming, I had to pinch myself and take a moment to absorb it all.
“The energy on stage was electric and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
Coldplay collab
COLDPLAY and Nile Rodgers have teamed up with a collaboration for the first time.
Nile said in an exclusive chat at the Nordoff Robbins Carol Service fundraiser for Music Therapy in Chelsea on Tuesday: “Yesterday, I worked with Coldplay for the first day.
"We had a blast. What was great working with Coldplay is that we’re all in the room together and it’s sort of like a spiritual thing.
“It’s like they walk in and they say, ‘Do you want to join the circle or not?’. I’m an old hippie, you’re speaking my language.
“Let’s go.”
Heading for new heights
MIMI WEBB is back to full health after being taken to hospital with a mystery illness last month.
The House On Fire singer is pictured here in a festive red PVC skirt and white trainers for sportswear firm Puma’s latest campaign.
She has spent the past few weeks resting and making her home like a real life Whoville from the Dr Seuss books.
After her scare, Mimi told me: “I’m good. It was a lot of relaxing. Christmas is coming so it was a lot of Christmas films.
“I started early this year. The tree was up early. I went full out. It’s very festive, like Whoville.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with the family and coming back with a bang next year.”
She’s one of the most exciting talents – and I have no doubt 2023 will take her to new heights.
HE was the first DJ to remix Skepta’s hit single Shutdown in 2015 – and it seems the love-in between the rapper and Idris Elba is still going strong.
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The Luther actor played to a packed crowd at KOKO in London on Friday, with Skepta quietly slipping in to watch Idris play.
A source said: “Idris’ set went down a storm and Skepta was quietly supporting him in the wings. Afterwards they partied together in The Penthouse Studio in The House of KOKO members’ club.”