Who or what was the mysterious Grim Reaper spotted at Westminster Abbey for King Charles’ Coronation?
As more than 20 million viewers tuned in to watch the historic event of King Charles’ Coronation on Saturday May 6th, onlookers clocked a creepy and mysterious cloaked figure holding what appeared to be a ‘scythe’, lurking in the background.
A clip of the moment went viral online as viewers took to social media to joke about what they had just seen.
Many dubbed the mysterious figure the ‘Grim Reaper’ — a mythological creature of death, as a personified force, who collects the souls of people when they die.
BBC
Social media users were left asking whether the figure had been someone pulling a prank, knowing the Coronation was being televised, or if it had just been a random passerby.
“Anyone else just notice the Grim Reaper at Westminster Abbey?” wrote one person on Twitter, while another added: “Who invited the Grim Reaper?”
A third chimed in: “Couldn’t decide if it was Death or maybe Darth Vader.” And a fourth joked: “For whom does he come?”
When contacted by Newsweek, Westminster Abbey identified the figure as a verger, a member of the abbey community who assists with religious services but who is not a member of the clergy.
A verger is sometimes seen carrying a rod before a bishop or dean as a symbol of office. They act as a caretaker and attendant.
Other viral moments from the landmark day included; Katy Perry looking around while she tried to locate her seat. The ‘Firework’ singer posted online: “Don’t worry, I found my seat.”
And Princess Anne’s magnificent hat, which obstructed Prince Harry’s view. Harry flew over to attend the event and left shortly afterwards to get back to the States to be with Meghan and their children for his son Archie’s birthday.
Mars Bars will change to new paper wrappers for a trial period in Tesco stores from today (Tuesday May 30th).
Mars Incorporated confirmed switching from its traditional plastic wrapping to an environmentally-friendly paper packaging for a trial run.
The chocolate bars will be available in Tesco for a limited time while the company explores different packaging options in a move to become more Sustainable in a Generation plan.
Mars is investing hundreds of millions of pounds to ensure it meets its goal of reducing use of virgin plastics by a third in the short-term.
Mars Incorporated
This includes using less plastic, recycled plastic and plastic alternatives. Once the pilot is over, it said it will use what it has learnt to inform other trials.
Richard Sutherland-Moore, packaging expert at Mars Wrigley UK’s research and development centre in Slough, said: “We are exploring different types of alternative packaging solutions for our confectionery products.
“For Mars bar, the challenge was to find the right paper packaging solution with an adequate level of barrier properties to protect the chocolate whilst guaranteeing the food safety, quality and integrity of the product to prevent food waste.”
@marswrigley / Instagram
Adam Grant, general manager at Mars Wrigley UK, said: “With our Mars bar pilot project, we are taking a big step to see how paper-based packaging works in everyday life.
“From the test, we will derive insights for our sustainable packaging strategy.
“While challenges may impact the pace of progress towards our vision, we at Mars Incorporated are committed to scaling up viable solutions where recycling options exist, and to test, learn, partner and advocate where they don’t.”
Piers Morgan and a TikTok prankster got into a heated argument during an interview live on air.
The TikToker known as ‘Mizzy’ called Piers Morgan a ‘moron’ during the bizarre and heated interview on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show, on Wednesday May 14th — just hours after his sentencing.
Mizzy — real name Bacari-Bronze O’Garro — and Morgan got into a spat while live in the studio. As the pair continued to interrupt each other throughout, Morgan listed the numerous extreme ‘moronic’ pranks O’Garro has carried out.
O’Garro is the person behind a series of notorious viral videos including stealing a woman’s dog, ripping up library books and jumping into strangers’ cars.
Piers Morgan Uncensored / Talk TV
The 18-year-old was also said to have put a family ‘at risk’ by walking into their home pretending he was trying to find a study group, a court heard.
When Morgan asked why he would choose to cause ‘so much alarm and distress to so many people’, O’Garro replied: “This whole public uproar just makes me laugh because people are getting hurt over something that didn’t happen to them and that’s how I see it as.”
Morgan went on: “You go up and take a dog from an elderly woman, you leapfrog over the top of an orthodox Jewish man standing at the side of the road minding his business.
“You go up to women in the street and say, ‘do you want to die?’”
Mizzy / Tik Tok
At one point the Talk TV presenter then asked: “A lot of the stuff that you do could have consequences far more serious but you don’t care do you, as long as you get a laugh?”
O’Garro replied: “Of course I care… I have remorse.” On why he pulled the pranks for social media, he said: “It was a trend. I just done it for a trend.” He then said he is his ‘own person’ and ‘I am legally an adult now so I can do what I want’.
The pair called each other ‘idiots’, and Morgan ended the interview by saying: “You’re just a complete moron.” Adding: “For the record, he wasn’t paid for this.”
O’Garro appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (May 24th) and admitted failing to comply with a community protection notice. He was fined £200 and will have to pay an £80 surcharge with £85 in prosecution costs.
Mizzy / TikTok
The teenager, from Hackney, east London, was also issued with a criminal behaviour order, for a period of two years, which means he can never upload a video again without the permission of all those appearing in it.
The CBO also prohibits him from ‘trespassing into any private property, including residential homes, business properties, school and retail outlets’, and ‘attending Westfield Stratford City.’
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway said: “The CBO issued is a powerful measure designed to prevent behaviour which has caused alarm and distress to our communities.
“If the conditions are breached, at any point over the two year period, a custodial sentence can result.”
ITV has issued a fresh statement on Phillip Schofield’s exit from This Morning after Eamonn Holmes’ comments on GB News.
The statement comes after former star Eamonn Holmes reportedly claimed the presenter ‘was sacked’. Chatting on Monday on his GB News show, Eamonn said: “Oh please, let’s just stop this. He was sacked.”
Holmes said Holly was ‘false’ and a ‘backstabber’. He went on: “She made her name on the back of him. Excuse me.
“If she has her own professional integrity, why isn’t she coming out in public and saying I have my own professional integrity, he’s done something that will reflect badly on me but she again is being as false as he is and nobody is talking about the elephant in the room.”
GB News
In a short statement to Huffington Post, ITV stepped in to dismiss Eamonn’s claims. It read: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.”
Schofield quit This Morning last weekend after more than 20 years following a reported feud with co-star Holly Willoughby.
The presenter ‘stepped back’ with ‘immediate effect’ and in a statement said the programme had ‘become the story’ and that he wanted to ‘do what I can to protect the show that I love’.
The move came after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were ‘barely speaking’ behind the scenes amid a ‘rift’ between the pair.
@schofe / Instagram & ITV
Issuing a statement on Saturday, following weeks of speculation that he and Holly weren’t getting along, Phillip wrote on his Instagram: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning, but recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
“Throughout my career in TV — including the very difficult last few days — I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
“I understand ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.
“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
@schofe / Instagram
I’d like to thank everyone what has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
Holly, 42 also, issued a statement in response, sharing to her Instagram, she wrote: “Hi everyone…
“It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.