As college basketball players take their team buses to the NCAA Tournament arenas, many put on headphones, listen to a song and absorb the atmosphere. Coaches also sometimes take a moment to review last-minute scouting reports to escape to a tune filtering through their airpods.

These soundtracks, perhaps unconsciously, also serve a purpose. Music can calm our nerves – or cheer us up. A specific banger can provide a dose of self-confidence. A sentimental song may remind us of our great purpose. “Music is shorthand for emotion,” Leo Tolstoy once wrote.

So now that March Madness is underway, The Athletics wondered what these tournament stars will listen to before competing in some of the most important games of their lives. We asked players and coaches from women’s and men’s tournaments to share their pre-match playlists. The players’ tastes ranged from Nicki Minaj to Veeze and even Elvis Presley. Coaches ranged from Gospel to AC/DC.

You won’t make the same jump as these athletes by listening to their hype music, but these playlists will have you ready (from your couch) for a tip-off.

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Mixtapes of Women’s NCAA Tournament Players

JuJu Watkins

Guard | No. 1 USC

Watkins, the brightest freshman in women’s basketball, has taken the Trojans to new heights this season. The Los Angeles native, who ranks second nationally in scoring with 27 points per game, mainly listens to hip-hop before games. But she always plays a song from the soundtrack to “The Incredibles,” a song that could be used for USC’s 2023-2024 theme song, “Life’s Incredible Again.” It’s definitely in Los Angeles.

“I always play this before a game,” she says, “because I love The Incredibles and it gets me excited.”

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Guard | No. 3 LSU

Q: Who do you listen to before games?

Flau’jae Johnson: Myself.

That’s more annoying. The athlete-rapper signed a distribution deal with Jay-Z’s record label Roc Nation, so why not listen to her own lyrics before games? Maybe she’ll do a mashup of “One Shining Moment” with her song “My Moment” if the Tigers repeat as national champions.

“I’m not trying to be a pluggy, commercial-y person, but they’re all my songs,” says Johnson. “I listen to me before the games. I make really motivational, uplifting music. When I listen to my songs, I feel like I can do anything.”

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Paige Bueckers

Guard | No. 3 UConn

Bueckers is trying to advance to a third Final Four in her four seasons with the Huskies. With an average of 21.3 points and a score of almost 54 percent, she is enjoying a productive – and healthy – season. Her playlist is curated to inspire, packed with gospel and modern hip-hop. Bueckers often plays ‘Thank You For It All’ by Marvin Sapp.

“This is a great gospel song,” she says. “It helps me find my peace and gratitude before the games.”

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Forward | No. 5Utah

Pili, a 6-foot-4 forward, has Utah back in the NCAA tournament for the third straight season. She is one of the best (and most unique) post players in the country, averaging 20.8 points per game and shooting 55 percent. She especially likes hip-hop (from early 2000s to present) before the games.

Her favorite pre-game song is Drake’s “Up All Night” (featuring Nicki Minaj). “It gets me hyped,” says Pili, who calls the 2010 hip-hop single “old-school.”

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Guard | No. 4 Virginia Tech

Amoore, a senior from Australia, is averaging 19.2 points and 6.9 assists per game. She tries to lead the Hokies back to the Final Four. As a feisty guard on the court, it’s no wonder Amoore is looking for songs that fuel her energy.

Her favorite pre-game song ‘Never Lose Me’ by Flo Milli builds her confidence. “I’m trying to get into my mood,” Amoore says. “Like, I’m that girl.” She likes Rihanna’s
‘Love the Way You Lie’ to tap into a little aggression. “I like feeling heartbroken,” she says, “so I go out with my fists clenched.”

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Mixtapes of women’s NCAA tournament coaches

These coaches have sprinkled quite a bit of personal nostalgia into their playlists.

LSU’s Kim Mulkey features Brooks Jefferson’s “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” The former four-time high school state champion, a native of tiny Tickfaw, La., clearly enjoys being reminded of her roots before leading the Tigers onto the field. She also listens to Mel McDaniel’s “Louisiana Saturday Night,” Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn’s duet “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” and New Orleans legend Fats Domino’s “Blueberry Hill.”

As Mulkey puts it, “I’m a small-town Louisiana girl.”

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s playlist is filled with South African Amapiano music and West African Afrobeat artists, while the rhythms remind her of similar music from her childhood. McPhee-McCuin was born and raised in Freeport, Bahamas, before coming to the US for college. “I’m an island girl, so I love anything that has a Caribbean vibe.” The seventh-seeded Rebels are looking to pull off some upsets to advance to the Sweet 16, just like they did last season.

Veteran coach Vic Schaefer led Texas to a Big 12 title and aims to win the top-seeded Longhorns’ first national title since 1986. A little piece of his heart still seems tied to Mississippi State, where he coached for eight seasons. moving to Austin. A favorite pre-game listen is Johnny Cash’s “Starkville County Jail.”

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Mixtapes of Men’s NCAA Tournament Players

Wing | No. 1 North Carolina

It takes strengths at multiple positions to win an NCAA tournament, and Ingram’s playlist resembles a full roster. He draws from multiple eras and genres: a 2023 Veeze hit, a 2004 Snoop Dogg earworm and a 1972 Elvis Presley classic. “I just shuffle, and whatever’s playing, I just vibrate,” he says.

Averaging 12.1 points and 9 rebounds per game, Ingram will work to return the storied program to the Final Four.

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Chance McMillian

Guard | No. 6 Texas Tech

The junior is one of five Red Raiders averaging double figures with 10.6 points per game. McMillian hopes to help Texas Tech return to the Sweet 16 after losing in that round last season. There’s no need to be intimidated if you want to participate well into March, and his music choices reflect that understanding. Listening to Youngboy’s “War With Us,” he says, “gets me ready to go out and play and just be fearless.”

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Center | No. 4 Chestnut brown

The SEC tournament MVP wants to keep the good atmosphere going. Nasty are he best listens to music that makes him feeling like the best. At 6 feet tall, it’s no wonder he loves the song “The Biggest.”

“He just talks about being the biggest and one of the best and just letting your stuff pop,” Broome says. “It gets you hyped, and the beat is pretty good.”

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Men’s NCAA Tournament Coaches’ Mixtapes

Boy, do these coaches love the 80s?

UConn’s Dan Hurley is aiming for a championship repeat in the NCAA Tournament. Perhaps one of his favorite pre-game songs – “Dream On” by Aerosmith – could be dedicated to the underdogs who dream of upsetting his No. 1 seed Huskies?

Hurley says he’s listening as tip-off approaches for another reason. “To get my energy going,” he says.

Once Baylor players are on the floor for warmups, Scott Drew listens to Christian-themed music in the locker room for a few moments of pre-game comfort. But don’t misunderstand him; he will get excited too. Like Texas women’s coach Vic Schaefer, AC/DC’s thrasher “Thunderstruck” is a game day favorite.

One line in Scandal’s 1984 hit “The Warrior” particularly ignites Drew: “And the victory is mine.”

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletics; Photos of Paige Bueckers and Harrison Ingram: Paige: Jessica Hill/Associated Press, Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Dan Schneider has defended his relationship with a teenage Amanda Bynes and revealed he supported her decision to pursue parental emancipation aged 16.

The producer, 58, who has faced numerous allegations of inappropriate behavior  on the set of children’s TV shows, spoke out in the wake of documentary Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV – which made shock claims about the ‘toxic environment’ at the network.

Schneider, who was disturbingly filmed in a hot tub with a then-16-year-old Bynes in 2002, said he helped Bynes after she ran away from home and was ‘concerned for her safety’ when she decided to leave her parents.

Speaking with former iCarly actor Bobby ‘BooG!e’ Bowman on his own YouTube account, Schneider said of Bynes’ decision: ‘She wanted that for herself. We supported her.  

‘Amanda was between the ages of 16 and 17 and she wanted to get emancipated from her parents, which was a fairly common thing with successful young actors — at least at the time.

‘She wanted that for herself, so she turned to her team, which included her lawyer, her agent, her manager, her publicist, me — because she included me as part of her team, thought of me that way. 

‘We supported her, she tried to get emancipated and it ended up not working out and she didn’t.’

Schneider claimed matters came to a head one night when Bynes called him following a row with her parents – which led him to call a person he trusted to take her to the police.

He said: ‘One night very late, well after midnight, 1 or 2 in the morning, phone rang, I answered, it was Amanda.

‘She was upset. She was in distress. She had had some conflict with her parents, I think her father, and she called me. I was immediately concerned about her safety. 

‘I called someone that I knew was fairly nearby. That person was able to go and pick her up. I knew she was safe, I felt better. She ended up being taken to the police.’

Bynes did pursue legal emancipation from her parents Lynn and Rick – but later withdrew the petition. 

The 19-minute video saw Schneider discuss Quiet On Set, released at the weekend, which he said had made him ‘face his past behaviors.’

Schneider admitted that had previously overstepped professional boundaries and conceded he owed ‘some people a pretty strong apology.’

Schneider, who was previously described as ‘Nickelodeon’s golden boy,’ began by addressing the furor head on as he explained: ‘Watching over the past two nights was very difficult. 

‘Me facing my past behaviors – some of which are embarrassing and that I regret. I definitely owe some people a pretty strong apology.’

Schneider, who began working at the network in 1993, is said to have ‘launched the careers of child actors who became major stars’ including Miranda Cosgrove, Jamie Lynn Spears and Ariana Grande.

But he was later flooded with allegations before being sued over accusations of gender discrimination, hostile work environment and harassment – many of which were divulged in the new documentary.

It wasted little time in dishing that the period of the 1990s and 2000s ‘marked one of the darkest chapters,’ writer Scaachi Koul said.

Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen were hired as co-writers for The Amanda Show and split a single salary – as the network got ‘two writers for the price of one.’

‘It was early on when we first started that Dan said he didn’t think women were funny,’ Christy said.

‘He had fostered this very casual, fun atmosphere but I felt that Dan could be very volatile and could turn any moment. I was scared.’

She said that staff were left feeling ‘paranoid and uncomfortable,’ concluding: ‘Working for Dan was like being in an abusive relationship.’

Jenny also dished on having a similar experience, sharing that he ‘didn’t really value women in the writers’ room.’

But that was not all because, dishing on the depths of the inappropriate behavior at the channel, she claimed: ‘Dan was showing pornography on his computer screen. He asked me several time to massage him in the writers’ room and in the studio…

‘You always felt like disagreeing with Dan or standing up for yourself could result in getting fired. 

‘One of the worst, we were in the writers’ room and Christy was talking about high school which is relevant because we are writing for a young girl. 

‘And Dan just said: “You know what would be funny? If you leaned over the table and acted like you were being sodomized and told that story about high school.”‘

Jenny said that Christy had initially said no but Dan kept insisting and ‘she couldn’t get out of it.’

‘So she just leaned over the table and did what he asked her to do. It was upsetting to watch because I knew Christy at this point and I didn’t feel at all comfortable complaining to him.’

She concluded: ‘It was probably the wrongest thing I have ever seen happen to a woman in a professional environment ever.’

Christy herself declined to talk about the incident but remarked that she felt sorry for her former self as she was just a young woman at the time. 

Ultimately, after quitting her role at the network, Jenny decided to sue Dan because she ‘didn’t want it to happen to other women in the future.’

‘I hired a lawyer and started blowing whistles. My lawyer filed complaints against the production company for gender discrimination, hostile work environment, harassment – and in response they did an internal investigation and they settled.

‘But it had a lasting impact on my career… To learn that it didn’t stop and that it was all for nothing.’

Former assistant Amy Berg also took to X, formerly Twitter, in recent days to slam Schneider as a ‘f***ing a**hole.’

She branded him as a ‘psychological tormenter’ and a ‘manipulator’ before claiming his treatment caused her to suffer panic attacks, anxiety, and develop a ‘heart arrhythmia.’

Addressing the widespread reports of inappropriate behavior in the writers’ room, Schneider said: ‘Let me just say no writer should ever feel uncomfortable in any writers’ room. Ever. Period. The End. No excuses.

‘Most TV writers comedy writers have been in writer rooms and they are aware that a lot of times there a re inappropriate jokes made and inappropriate topics come up.

‘But the fact that I participated in that e specially when I was leading the room embarrasses me. I shouldn’t have d one it.’

He continued: ‘I can tell you why it hurts really bad for me. I remember very clearly my first experiences in the entertainment business.

‘I was green, I was scared, I was excited – it meant the world to me that I was getting those opportunities and I went in and I got lucky because they were great.

‘My first couple of experiences were fantastic and t he fact that I didn’t pay that forward to every employee that walked through my door it hurts my heart because I should have. I wish I could go back and fix that.’

Schneider conceded: ‘In the writers’ room there’s no doubt that sometimes those jokes went beyond t he pale and I said things that went too far or made practical jokes that went too far.

‘That was wrong and that was because I was an inexperienced producer. I was immature – it wouldn’t happen today but I’m just really sorry it happened.’

Elsewhere, he also apologized for his frequent requests for massages from female members of staff while in the studio.

‘It was wrong. It was wrong that I ever put anyone in that position. It was wrong to do. I’d never do it today. I’m embarrassed that I did it then. I apologize to anybody that I ever put in that situation,’ Schneider said.

‘Additionally, I apologize to the people who were walking around because there were lots of people who witnessed it who also may have felt uncomfortable so I owe them an apology as well.’

BooG!E urged Schneider to directly address the people who did not have a good experience working for him as he dished: ‘I hate that anybody worked for me and didn’t have a good time… I would let the pressure of doing 40 or even more episodes per year get to me – which a good boss should never, ever do…

‘I would snap at people sometimes, I would be snarky when I could have given them a nicer answer, I would not give people the time that they needed, I would be in too big a hurry to get on to the next thing I had to do.

‘Watching [Quiet On Set], there were so many times I wanted to pick up a phone and call some of those people and say “I’m so sorry and let’s talk about it and I wish you had a better time and I wish I could have shown you a better experience.”‘

The documentary had also explained that Nickelodeon had raised eyebrows under Schneider’s leadership with some of its shows that were ‘full of uncomfortable sketches.’

Among them were ‘disturbing’ scenes that ‘sexualized’ child stars – including Ariana Grande who featured in scenes sticking her hand down her throat, putting her toes in her mouth, and talking about being ‘soaking wet’ at the age of 16.

Other parts also showed Ariana trying to get juice from a potato – which involved her squeezing it as hard as possible and letting out loud moaning noises – and attempting to drink water upside down in a provocative position – which resulted in it spilling all over her head and chest. 

‘It was clear that there was a permissibility around these sexualized jokes with children,’ commentators in the documentary shared.

Responding to the criticism, Schneider said: ‘All these jokes that you’re speaking of… every one of those jokes was written for a kid audience because kids thought they were funny – and only funny.

‘Now we have some adults looking back at them 20 years later through their lens and they’re looking at them and they’re saying “oh you know I don’t think that’s appropriate for for a kid show.” 

‘I have no problem with that if that’s how anyone feels then let’s cut those jokes out of the show.

‘I want my shows to be popular… so if there’s anything in a show that needs to be cut because it’s upsetting somebody let’s cut it.

‘The last thing I want to ever do is put any content in a show that’s going to upset my audience and make them want to turn off the TV. Why would I ever want to do that?  That makes no sense.’

Schneider also insisted that there were ‘many, many levels of scrutiny’ at every stage to get a joke approved and also denied that he had ever been banned from his own set – branding it as a ‘false rumor.’

In recent days, a resurfaced clip being circulated online shows Schneider in a hot tub with an underage Amanda Bynes during a Nickelodeon sketch.

The scene in question – which is understood to have been filmed in 2002, when Bynes was around the age of 16 – shows Schneider sitting next to a bikini-clad Bynes for the skit, which he wrote himself, with commentators branding it as ‘very uncomfortable.’

But Schneider, who is 20 years Bynes’ senior, defended his friendship with the child star and said he had only been trying to help her ‘regardless of what some people may think.’

It was also revealed in the Quiet On Set expose that three members of Nickelodeon staff were charged over child sex abuse to varying degrees – as Drake Bell spoke for the first time about being abused by dialogue coach Brian Peck who was described as ‘very much one of the cogs in the Dan Schneider machine.’ 

But, in his new interview, Schneider was quick to distance himself from the predators and stated that he had not been responsible for hiring Peck.

He added: ‘When Drake and I talked and he told me what had happened I was more devastated by that than anything that ever happened to me in my career thus far.

‘I told him “I’m here for you, what do you need” which Drake mentioned in the show.’

Schneider went one step further by slamming the famous faces who had continued to show their support to Peck even after the charges came to light – sitting on his side in court and writing letters of support during sentencing.

He fleetingly broke down in tears as he said that Drake’s mom, who he is still in contact with now, had gone to him for advice in writing her speech for the judge at the time.

‘That was probably the darkest part of my career,’ he said.

Schneider began wrapping up by admitting that there are ‘definitely’ things that he would do differently.

‘One that I think would be really, really important is when you’re hiring young actors – minors – to work in television I would suggest that we have a licensed therapist there to oversee that process for the specific reason of making sure that those kids really wanted to do this job – that they really wanted to be on television.

‘Maybe they should even be informed about what that means – what’s it going to mean if you’re famous, what’s that going to mean on social media, what’s it going to mean within your family. Let them find out.

‘That way if a kid doesn’t want to be on a TV show they can opt out.’

He continued: ‘Additionally, the main thing that I would change is how I treat people. I definitely at times didn’t give people the best of me.

‘I didn’t show enough patience. I could be cocky and definitely overambitious and sometimes just straight up rude and obnoxious. I am so sorry that I ever was.’

He concluded: ‘When I watched the show I could see the hurt in some people’s eyes and it made me feel awful and regretful and sorry.

‘I wish I could go back – especially to those earlier years of my career and bring the growth and the experience that I have now and just do a better job and never, ever feel like it was okay to be an a**hole to anyone ever.

‘I wanted to make funny TV shows for kids and we definitely did that but if I could go back I would get it done in different ways. I would just be nicer as often as possible and listen more to the people on my team.

‘I would do everything that I could to make sure that everyone had a good experience.’

Schneider left Nickelodeon in 2018 and said at the time he was parting ways to pursue ‘other opportunities and projects.

ARSENAL gave two first-team players some much-needed minutes in a 4-0 behind-closed-doors friendly defeat to QPR today.

The Gunners are making the most of the break to give those not on international duty the chance to get up to full strength ahead of the pre-season and title challenge.

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SunSport understands Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu were involved. Partey was credited with 60 minutes, while Tomiyasu played 45 minutes.

But Jurrien Timber did NOT playing as he continues his rehabilitation from ACL surgery.

The match took place at one of QPR’s training grounds and there were a lot of Arsenal U21s in attendance who had the chance to impress Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal had not played since beating Porto on March 12 to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with their next meeting against Manchester City on March 31.

Partey made his official return from the bench on March 4 against Sheffield United, having been out for five months following thigh surgery in October.

Before that, the Ghanaian had only been on the field for half an hour since August.

Partey also played the final few minutes of Arsenal’s 2–1 win over Brentford on 9 March, as he returned to regular football.

Boss Arteta hopes Partey can play a big role with just 10 league games remaining in the Premier League and a Champions League quarter-final next month.

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Tomiyasu has also struggled with injuries this season and has been dealing with a calf problem, meaning the Japan international is yet to play for Arsenal this calendar year.

But after signing a new two-year contract this week – with the option of a further 12 months – Tomiyasu was given game time against QPR.

The return of Tomiyasu gives Arteta plenty of options at the back and can rotate players like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White and Jakub Kiwior if necessary.

However, Dutch full-back Timber – who was injured on the opening day of the Prem against Nottingham Forest in August – is not yet ready to participate in a match situation.

Timber has been involved in full training with the seniors in recent weeks and is building up to be able to perform again sometime next month.

However, Arteta won’t be taking any chances with a player he sees as crucial to his setup, and internally the club is very excited about what Timber can bring to the side next season when he is fully fit.

FORMULA ONE stars arrived at Albert Park in style ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Hometown hero Oscar Piastri was swarmed by fans when he arrived at the track on Thursday morning.

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The 22-year-old wore the shirt of his favorite Australian Football League club, Richmond.

Some eagle-eyed fans also noticed he was wearing a masterpiece from boutique watchmaker Richard Mille, one of McLaren’s sponsors.

The Australian wore the RM 67-02 Automatic Winding Extra Flat ‘Alexander Zverev’ model, worth around £400,000, as he signed autographs for fans.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton also arrived in style, wearing an orange Balmain jacket and blue jeans.

Ring rider Zhou Guanyu wore a Christian Dior varsity jacket worth around £4,000 with red sunglasses.

And RB star Yuki Tsunoda was spotted in a pastel pink suit jacket with matching trousers and white trainers.

Teenage superstar Ollie Bearman was also spotted arriving at the track, but he was dressed in Ferrari’s team kit.

The 18-year-old made his F1 debut at the Saudi Arabian GP, ​​but he will not be present this weekend following the return of Carlos Sainz.

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Sainz was ruled out of the Saudi GP earlier this month after undergoing emergency surgery for appendicitis.

Bearman stepped in at the last minute to replace him and finished seventh in the race, good for six points.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen won the first two races of the season, with his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez finishing second both times.

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Thank you Keren Woodward, singer and star of the all-female 80s pop group Bananarama, for saying what I’ve been dying to express for a while. I was a little reserved in case people thought I had become a puritanical old fart, which, I assure you, is not the case.

But this week Keren said: ‘I don’t understand what some singers are wearing these days.’ I’d say the problem isn’t necessarily what they wear, but what they don’t wear.

“I have friends who have teenage daughters and these girls already have terrible body image and insecurities,” she continued, “and I don’t think having a woman like that on stage helps with that.”

Keren is absolutely right. Everyone from Dua Lipa, who recently announced she would be headlining Glastonbury, to the brilliant Oscar nominee Florence Pugh, seems to feel like they always have to appear half-naked in public. Likewise, Beyonce, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, is adored by young girls and women.

They love her music, just like they think megastar Taylor Swift’s songs touch their hearts and souls. But why do such talented, successful and powerful women feel the need to appear on stage virtually naked in jewel-encrusted leotards or, in Beyonce’s case, naked except for strategically placed jewelry astride a horse?

When Beyonce unveiled the artwork for her new album this week, I was thrilled to see her clothes back on… until I noticed the back of her leather pants had been cut away to expose her bum – why?

These stars must have worked extremely hard for the bodies they like to show off. There are no bingo wings, no bloated bellies, no swollen ankles. They must exercise every day and have expert chefs who prepare nutritious, healthy meals. Very different from the teenage fan who has to eat her way through school lunch, may have a bit of puppy fat and the only exercise she gets is copying a TikTok dance in her bedroom. No wonder so many girls have body problems and more young people than ever are receiving treatment for eating disorders, according to the NHS.

I have friends whose girls simply stopped eating and lifting weights to achieve the strong, handsome arms of their idols.

The sad reality is that far from being inspiring, many of today’s female pop stars are a danger to the mental health of young people.

Then there is the risk that girls run themselves by copying the outfits. Like Keren, I have friends whose teenage daughters spend hours listening to the music of the women they adore and do their best to look and dance like them. They hope Mom doesn’t notice when they sneak out in the requisite barely-there clothing.

Nothing can be more disturbing to a parent than seeing their little girl go out dressed like a porn star, unaware of the dangers this can bring.

In the 1980s, Bananarama’s heyday, and even into the 2000s, if reruns of the old Top Of The Pops on BBC 4 are to be believed, it wasn’t about showing the flesh.

Keren says they are proud of becoming pin-ups without being overtly sexy: “We became sex symbols in donkey jackets. We had no stylists or make-up artists. That wouldn’t happen now.’

But why wouldn’t that happen now? Since the turn of the century, we seem to have lost the sense that talent matters above all. Think of Annie Lennox or Debbie Harry; major stars appreciated for their beautiful voices and idiosyncratic sense of style, who always came across as intelligent and thoughtful in interviews.

For me, as a feminist, journalist, interviewer and cultural commentator, it felt like women were achieving something because of what we had fought for.

Women were valued for the quality of our minds, not primarily for the size of our breasts – or how willing we were to show them.

Of course, it’s not just pop stars who only appear in essentials. On every red carpet, be it the Oscars or the Baftas, there are always a number of beautiful, famous women who appear to be wearing as little as possible.

Sometimes the dresses are sheer and sheer and leave nothing to the imagination, or the cut is so tight that large, full breasts struggle to break free.

I have no doubt that this is a result of the proliferation of porn, an arena where women perform almost exclusively for the delight of men.

But it’s the hugely talented, half-naked, ripped women radiating sex and suggestiveness that bother me the most. Why don’t they consider the impact on their impressionable young fans? And the impact on women as a whole.

We have worked so hard to be seen as the intellectual equals of men. Please don’t blame us for being seen as nothing more than glorified strippers.

A fitting farewell for Charlie

Once I needed it, I hadn’t seen BBC’s Casualty in a while. But on Saturday I couldn’t miss the departure, after 38 years, of Charlie Fairhead. I was so relieved that he was saved from being stabbed in the chest and left for retirement in a yellow VW Beetle, the same car he had arrived in all those years ago. A happy ending for once.

• Let’s not make too much of a fuss about Dame Laura Kenny leaving cycling ‘in the interests of her children’. She said she just didn’t want to do all that training anymore. Her husband, Sir Jason Kenny, quit in 2022 to become a coach. Now the children will have father and mother to take care of them.

“This is not PepsiCo, your former employer. This is the BBC!’ All my adult life I have willingly paid the licensing fee, knowing it would give me wonderful programs without any hint of the influence of the commercial world.

Yes, the BBC is short of money – always has been. But successive DGs have fallen out with governments when the Charter came up for renewal and received an increase.

Who will be willing to pay the license fee if they know the BBC is no better than its commercial rivals? I won’t and it will break my heart.

• I have always longed to play an instrument and there is evidence that learning piano would keep my brain sharp. But a teen horror story still scares me. A neighbor offered me free lessons. One day I had to practice scales when she came up, and I still tried to figure out Little Donkey. She came down and hit me on the knuckles with a ruler and told me to do a scale. I left feeling like my creativity had been crushed. Do I dare to try again?

Here’s a question: If a tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound? Not if it ends up in a pile like bears do in the woods!

Sorry about that! But it’s International Day of Forests and World Poetry Day, so I’m taking some poetic license with an old proverb!

While Venus and Saturn are connected, it is our creativity (no matter how silly) that can create harmonious connections. Together we can grow stronger and prosper.

read more horoscopes from MailOnline.

RAM

March 21 – April 20

The Equinox is about restoring balance. Someone in your world has too much power. And someone else has too little. And while we used to think that having a “boss” kept us from arguing over who was in control, our perception of authority has changed. We are wiser and more insightful. We understand that when people feel like they don’t have a voice, they are much less likely to make an effort. Perhaps you are not in the most powerful position right now. But when you speak out and share your concerns, you create change that restores harmony.

Be prepared for a special time, because the Equinox brings transformation. Visit cainer.com/dm

BULL

April 21 – May 21

You are more competent and capable than you think. But since you’ve only dipped a toe into the pool of your talents, you don’t appreciate all the gifts you’ve been blessed with. Therefore, you have decided that you are unable to handle a sensitive situation. But what have you tried? Where do you think you failed? What avenues have you left unexplored? Under the influence of the Equinox, the power of your imagination is powerful. Imagine yourself with the skills and insight to make a difference. Progress is possible.

The Equinox emphasizes dynamic changes. Your future has enormous potential. Visit cainer.com/dailymail

TWIN

May 22 – June 22

Why do some people think they know all the answers when there are so many unsolved problems and unanswered questions? Because they feel vulnerable. That’s why they project such an ‘omniscient’ exterior. We feel good when we know what’s going on. So if we pretend we know, it gives us the illusion that things are going well. The danger is that we accept unnecessary limitations and don’t force ourselves to find out what is really going on. The Equinox brings an insight that changes your current plan. But that’s okay.

Wonderful opportunities arise as the Equinox energizes your life. Enter the code ‘DMFREE’ at cainer.com/dmfree

CANCER

June 23 – July 23

We store our deepest hopes and visions in our hearts. Of course, there must also be visions in our minds; our greatest dreams are somewhere between these two realms. And we don’t have much control when we think about our imagination. Although we know when we are entertaining pure fantasy, we can be so entertained that we fail to notice that we are projecting a fantastic attitude onto an unsatisfactory reality. The Equinox brings a realization. By changing your perception, you will appreciate what is really happening in your world.

Use the Equinox energy to create the change you desire. Visit cainer.com/dm

LION

July 24 – August 23

What if you work in the construction industry and your current job involves demolishing a large building? You have prepared the area, placed the explosives in the right place and lit the fuse. As the dust clears, you realize it’s still standing. Argh! That’s about where you are right now regarding a challenge or obstacle. But if you’re tempted to go there to find out what happened, don’t. To wait! The next gust of wind will blow the whole thing over! That is what the Equinox energy will do.

How will the Equinox change your life? There’s some inspiring news if you visit cainer.com/dailymail

VIRGIN

August 24 – September 23

Life is by nature unpredictable. It can always go pear-shaped. And there is always a small chance of disaster. But wouldn’t it make more sense, instead of dwelling on the negative, to expect a time of calm contentment? The Equinox promises a series of serendipitous events that will boost your confidence and enthusiasm. It’s time to think bigger (and braver) about your future plans. Like artists who describe their inspiration as coming from somewhere outside themselves, you are in a state of grace.

The Equinox brings powerful positive change! For good news about your future, enter the code ‘DMFREE’ at cainer.com/dmfree

SCALE

September 24 – October 23

“Judge not, and you will not be judged.” Hmmm… easier said than done! But making judgments is an essential part of life on planet Earth. A croissant? Or a pain au chocolat? From the food we eat to the friends we have, we are constantly judging and judging things (and each other). As a fair Libra, who can see pros and cons in almost everything, you don’t find it easy to make judgments. Therefore, decision-making can be challenging. Yet your instincts are finely honed. Trust them today.

The Equinox suggests that good times are ahead. For more information, visit cainer.com/dm

SCORPION

October 24 – November 22

Since our world is full of contradictions, it’s no wonder we get confused. Here’s an example: They say the best things in life are free. But they also say that everything has its price. So what should we think? As always, the truth lies between the two extremes. Some of the best things in life are free. And some cost a fortune. There is something you want that would bring reassurance and comfort to your world. It is an emotional quality (rather than something that can be purchased). The Equinox brings a priceless gift your way.

Discover why this Equinox is so magical for you. Visit cainer.com/dailymail

ARCHER

November 23 – December 21

We all sometimes wonder why we are here and what we should do with our lives. Are we arriving on planet Earth with a special mission to carry out? And if we don’t succeed, what happens? Since these are unanswerable questions, we just have to do our best. But what does that mean? Surely it’s about knowing ourselves and acting honorably toward others? Ruled by visionary Jupiter, you have an innate understanding of your purpose. If you’re not sure where you’re going, follow your heart.

The Equinox offers the key to the future you dream of. For the necessary information, enter the code ‘DMFREE’ at cainer.com/dmfree

IBEX

December 22 – January 20

When a wand runs out of magic, it is as useful as a twig. If your washing machine is broken, it just takes up space. It doesn’t take much to turn something useful into something useless. But the reverse is also true; it doesn’t take much to turn ‘not much’ into ‘something precious’. But when you’ve tried (and failed) to change something, you lose sight of the fact that it is possible. The Equinox provides the energy and insight to overcome a mental blockage. It strengthens your determination. Keep going. There are hopeful signs ahead.

Maximize Equinox Energy! For your latest predictions, visit: cainer.com/dm

AQUARIUS

January 21 – February 19

It’s easy to say something and start an argument. And if we’re not careful, a simple disagreement can escalate into a fighting situation. We are all capable of this. That’s why we have to be careful about what we say and who we say it to. What’s the point of fighting to get what you want, when you can get it if you just step back and take the time to find a more sensitive approach? Use your powers of observation today. If you decide to work together, you can negotiate towards your goal in a harmonious way.

The Equinox brings positive change! Find out more! Visit cainer.com/dailymail

FISHING

February 20 – March 20

How will you get the most out of the Equinox energy? Instead of thinking about what “could have been,” or worrying about what “could happen next,” what if you focused on what’s happening now? Try to have the most optimistic view of your current circumstances and trust them. This is a cosmic invitation to reset, refocus and take a step forward with hope and faith. If you make a gesture that reflects your belief in a more fulfilling future, and act as if something good will come from everything that happens, then it will.

The Equinox can transform your world. For valuable keys of the week, enter the code ‘DMFREE’ at cainer.com/dmfree

SCOTLAND will not dangle a carrot before Euro 2024 to entice a player to pledge allegiance.

There has been talk of a number of top talents regarding a possible move to represent the Tartan Army this summer.

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Newcastle quartet Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson and Tino Livramento, plus Leeds’ Archie Gray, have been mentioned as possible suitors for months.

Although Gordon has now been called up by England while Anderson withdrew.

But Scotland number two John Carver insists there is little chance either of them will wear a dark blue jersey in this year’s final.

To the suggestion that the euro would be used as a bargaining chip, Carver replied bluntly: “I would be very surprised because the loyalty is enormous.

“It is important to give these guys, who have been loyal and done very well for this national team, a chance to be part of the squad of 23.

“I think we’re almost certain of what we’re going to take with us.

‘I would be very surprised if someone came out of nowhere. Unless we find someone who says: ‘Wow’: an excellent player.

‘I’m not going down this street of Anderson and Gordon and all that, because I’ve had enough of that. I’m tired of talking about that.

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“If someone came out of nowhere, I would be very surprised.

“But we are looking at all options for the future – because we have to go one step further after the European Championship.”

Norwich’s Grant Hanley has withdrawn from Friday’s opening match against the Netherlands in Amsterdam due to injury, while FC Copenhagen’s loan chief Scott McKenna is a doubt.

Brentford’s sidelined Aaron Hickey is sweating out of place in the Euros after aggravating a hamstring injury.

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Aaron Taylor-Johnson has reportedly been formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond – taking over from Daniel Craig for the next films.

And the actor’s real Bond Girl is his wife Sam, 57, who is 24 years his senior and a  British film director and artist – with the pair having a fiercely private relationship. 

Actor Aaron, 33, met the filmmaker, 58, on the set of Nowhere Boy in 2009 and they share daughters Wylda Rae, 13, and Romy Hero 11, as well as Angelica, 26, and Jessie, 16, from Sam’s previous marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling.

When they first met on the film Aaron was just 18 and Sam was 42. They didn’t get together until after they finished the project where a ‘deep connection’ was formed. 

Sam has enjoyed a hugely successful filmmaking career with films such as Fifty Shades of Grey and has also directed the upcoming Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black.

But she has also faced a fair amount of personal turmoil – having battled cancer twice. 

In December 1997, at age 30, she was treated for colon cancer. Then in 2000, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She practices yoga and meditation, of which she has previously said: ‘I wouldn’t be able to survive everything without the meditation that I do. It’s what I think has made me able to cope with the madness.’

Sam was born in Croydon and grew up near Streatham Common in south London, with her younger sister Ashley and her mother Geraldine and father David.

Her father left the family when she was nine which she has previously described as a ‘sudden, very weird and abrupt’ split. She didn’t see her dad for the next 10 years.

Sam went to Beacon Community College in East Sussex and later attended Goldsmiths, University of London.

She then began exhibiting fine-art photography in the early 1990s and began working on her filmmaking with short videos during this time. 

She was nominated for the Turner prize in 1998, and was the winner of Most Promising Artist award at the 1997 Venice Biennale.

She then moved further into filmmaking and in August 2008, was chosen to direct Nowhere Boy, a biopic about the childhood of John Lennon. She was subsequently nominated for a BAFTA for the film. 

Last year Aaron gave a rare insight into their marriage and touched on their ‘creative partnership’. 

Speaking to Esquire the Kick-Ass star said despite collaborating with Sam on three films he ‘doesn’t think it’s accurate’ to suggest the couple’s relationship is rooted in their creative partnership.

Saying: ‘Yeah, we worked—I met Sam as actor and director. I think we’re really great at collaborating. But that’s not why I fell in love with her’.

Elsewhere in the conversation he discussed the couple’s home life and his shock that his children were already teenagers.

The family moved back to the UK from Los Angeles in 2022 and have since settled in Somerset where Aaron said he has pigs and bees and ‘loves’ life in the country.

The Bullet Train star also spoke about his upcoming acting gigs after originally opting to work less stay to home with his children when they were younger.

Saying: ‘I wanted, purely, to be with my babies, I didn’t want to be taken away from them. I battled with what that would be like.’ 

He later admitted to the interviewer: ‘I’ve probably talked to you more about my kids and Sam than I have with anybody. I’ve got really nothing to hide, and I’m secure in what we have. But I’m not going to unlock things that are actually precious to me.’

Aaron has also previously touched on their age gap which has come under scrutiny in the past. 

He said: ‘I’ve got really nothing to hide, and I’m secure in what we have. But I’m not going to unlock things that are actually precious to me.

‘I don’t really analyze our relationship. I just know that it works. I just feel secure and loved and safe. We have this very deep connection. We’re just in sync.’ 

Before Aaron Sam was married to art dealer Jay. They tied the knot in 1997 and had two daughters together, born in April 1997 and 2005, respectively.

In September 2008, the couple announced that they were separating amicably after 11 years of marriage.

Sam found out about her colon cancer at the end of 1997 – the same year she married Jay and welcomed their first daughter Angelica. 

She originally thought that her cancer symptoms were her body’s reaction to giving birth and had three GP visits where she was told she was just ‘recovering slowly’.

After her pain intensified she went to see a private doctor and was correctly diagnosed. 

The next day she went into hospital and had a foot-and-a-half of her colon removed and stayed in hospital for three weeks.  

Then, in the autumn of 1999, she found a lump in her armpit and subsequently had treatment for breast cancer.

She told The Guardian of the tough experience: ‘You go through all that, and you still don’t know if it’s gone. 

‘It’s all percentages: if you do this, you get this much percentage knocked off the possibility of recurrence. And it’s always something pathetic like three per cent.’

After overcoming cancer and her divorce she found happiness with actor Aaron.

In 2022 Sam dubbed her husband Aaron ‘father to all 4 girls’ as they celebrated 10 years of marriage. 

’10 glorious years. My incredible husband, father to all 4 girls. I love you, I love you, I love you. love conquers all,’ she wrote.

In honour of the marriage milestone, the pair decided to renew their ‘vows and confess our love in front of our nearest and dearest friends and family.’ 

‘It was a magical unforgettable day and the sun did not stop shining on us both,’ Aaron gushed on Instagram.

‘We are blessed beyond belief. Sammy you are my love, my life, my soulmate, my wife, my world!’

In 2011 then-Prince Charles presided over the ceremony in which Sam received her OBE in honor of her photography and artwork.

‘It’s such an incredible honor to receive this award — something I would never have dreamt of,’ she told the BBC. ‘It’s very gratifying for an artist to get recognition at this level.’

It comes as Aaron ‘has been formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond’, putting an end to months of speculation regarding Daniel Craig’s successor. 

He is yet to officially accept the role, but should he do so he will become only the seventh actor to play the iconic British secret agent since the franchise launched in 1962.

A recent poll suggested Idris Elba was still the public’s number one choice for the role, despite being 51 – old for a Bond candidate – and already ruling himself out of the running in order to focus on his crime drama, Luther. 

But Aaron, who is known for his roles in Nocturnal Animals, Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy and Avengers: Age of Ultron, has landed the coveted part, reports The Sun.  

A source said: ‘Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.

‘As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.’ 

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Aaron for comment. 

Responding to the rumours that he could step into Bond’s shoes last week, Aaron played coy, telling Numero: ‘I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.’

He began acting as a child and has seen his career go from strength to strength, with three huge film appearance this year alone.

Aaron will be starring as a famous action star who goes missing in The Fall Guy, opposite Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

And he will also be appearing in the hotly anticipated remake of 1922 gothic horror Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers and featuring a star-studded cast, including Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe.

But Aaron’s biggest upcoming role will see him rejoin the superhero universe, as he will be playing the titular role in Kraven the Hunter, the fifth film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.

He also has been nominated for two BAFTAs and previously won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes for Nocturnal Animals.

The Bullet Train star’s name has been in the running for Bond for a while now, alongside fellow A-list contenders like Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill and recent Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy.

In October last year, the Mail exclusively revealed that Aaron was the ‘one to beat’ to take the iconic role, while Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan was looking likely to helm the next film in the franchise.

The insider said: ‘Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the hot favorite to step into the iconic role, he’s the first choice for Barbara Broccoli – he is the one to beat.’

They added of Christopher: ‘He is extremely interested in doing something very different with the franchise. If he can get his way with producers, then he is all for it.’

Fern Britton worries about her housemates as she brings them together for a candid chat in scenes set to air on Tuesday’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother.

The presenter, 66, was emotional on Monday and even went to bed early after planting a snake in Louis Walsh’s bed.

While Big Brother told Fern that the snake would mean Louis would be excluded from eviction, in a shocking twist it actually gave him immunity from the nominations, sending him straight through to the grand final.

And while the former X Factor judge, 71, is on a mission to find out which ‘snake’ planted the snake in his bed, Fern heads to the Diary Room to speak to Big Brother.

Fern says, “I don’t like keeping it a secret and I would like to tell them that it’s me and that’s how it happened and I’m sorry.”

Big Brother then suggests that Fern gather the Housemates and get it off her chest as she struggles to cope with the burden.

As the star asks her housemates to join the couches, they fear the worst and suspect she has decided to leave.

Louis asks, “What’s going on?” as Marisha says, “Something is happening.”

When Fern asks Zeze to come to the benches, Zeze exclaims, “Oh no, you’re going, right?”

Bradley tells David, “Don’t tell me she’s going to say she’s going,” while David adds, “I have a feeling she’s leaving.”

With the celebrities all together, she reassured them as she got her snake secret out of her heart.

She started: “Big Brother allowed me to bring you two together,” before looking at Louis and revealing: “I was given the job of the snake on your pillow.”

But how will Louis react to Fern’s confession? Will he forgive her for trying to get him kicked out of the Celebrity Big Brother house?

On Monday, after the Housemates found the red snake on Louis’ pillow, he was the first to be called to the diary room to nominate.

In a dramatic turn of events, viewers then found out that Big Brother had lied to Fern, when Louis was told he had been chosen for eviction by a fellow housemate. So a snake was placed on his pillow.

He was then told to look in the hatch in front of him, where he found a four-leaf clover, meaning he missed the next round of nominations and guaranteed his place in the grand final.

Determined to find out the culprit, Louis vowed to unravel the mystery, convinced it was ‘never the obvious person’.

Pointing to Coronation Street’s Colson Smith, he said: ‘I know it wasn’t him, it could be someone else.’

Louis then said, “I’ve been watching you all week, I’ve been watching everyone, it’s never who you think…”

Tensions between Louis and Fern are high after the TV judge commented on her performance in a previous episode.

The Irish music manager sat opposite Ekin-Su Culculoglu, Zeze Millz, Lauren Simon and Fernand asked: ‘I honestly want to know how things are going.’

Ekin-Su responded, “I’m doing well,” and Zeze agreed, “I’m actually doing well,” before Ekin-Su continued, “Everyone is doing their best and we’re getting there.”

Louis replied, “You look great. Even Fern looks good.’

The ladies all turned to look at Fern, who immediately reacted and playfully kicked the air in front of Louis.

Louis continued, “Do you know what I mean? You look good.’

Fern crouched low in front of him and repeated, “Even Fern?” while her co-stars told Louis he couldn’t say that.