No one gave a s**t’ Gavin Rossdale defends singer sons after ‘nepo-baby’ accusations

BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale has defended his and ex-wife Gwen Stefani’s kids against nepotism accusations, insisting their music will speak for itself. Their eldest sons Kingston and Zuma are both working on tracks, but he insisted there’s no reason they can’t succeed and be well-regarded for their talent, just as singer Tim Buckley’s son Jeff was. Gavin Rossdale with Gwen Stefani and Kingston James McGregor Rossdale Credit: Getty Gwen and Gavin’s eldest sons are both working on tracks, but he insisted there’s no reason they can’t succeed and be well-regarded for their talent Credit: Getty He explained: “People talk a lot about nepo babies and stuff like that. You know, no one gave a s**t about Jeff Buckley being a nepo baby. It just was so good. “So I think that being good at stuff is the great equalizer and is the great thrust into whatever you’re doing. If the quality is lacking, then yeah, that’s an easy jibe.” Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Despite their parents’ extensive music careers, it’s clear they aren’t fussed on using them for a step up. Speaking on the And The Writer Is podcast, Gavin said: “One boy has left school and he’s decided not to go to college. He’s recording songs and it’s just really fun. He doesn’t want to hear anything from me, by the way. It’s just, no advice. “It’s like, I can’t give him advice about anything. He just does not want it. “I say, ‘If you want to be a musician, you want to be a singer, it’s so hard and I don’t know how you’re going to do it and good luck. But by the way, sing a lot and play a lot of guitar and take lessons’.” DANNY DYER has confirmed he’s working on the follow-up to his 2025 film, Marching Powder. The indie flick, which saw Danny reverting to type as a hard-man football hooligan, was released last March to mixed reviews. Most read in Showbiz But Danny has high hopes for the sequel, saying: “Hopefully. There’s talk about it . . . in Ibiza. It will be called Stoned Island. What will be will be. I’m happy to be grafting. I’m very grateful.” VERNON’S PANTO ROLE IS A BEAUTY Vernon kay has been cast in Sleeping Beauty in Bromley Credit: All Rights Reserved. ANY plans Vernon Kay had for a quiet Christmas have gone out of the window, after he landed a bumper new stage role. I can reveal the BBC Radio 2 DJ has been cast in Sleeping Beauty in Bromley. Vern will play the comedy role of Billy – and he had a massive grin on his face as she shared his character shot with me. Vernon said: “Once you’ve caught the panto bug, there’s no going back. “I loved my time in Cinderella in High Wycombe three years ago, so when the chance came to head to Bromley this Christmas, it was an easy ‘yes’. “I love the madness of panto – the singing, the laughs, the audience shouting back at you, and seeing families make Christmas memories together. “I’m already counting down the days and promise we’ll have plenty of fun. Oh yes we will!” WIRELESS FESTIVAL TO RETURN Kanye West was cancelled from Wireless Festival after anti-semitic comments Credit: AFP WIRELESS Festival will return next year after this year’s event was cancelled. Its downfall came after Kanye West was booked to headline three consecutive nights, prompting a massive backlash from the public, politicians and sponsors, who pulled their support over Kanye’s anti-semitic comments. The rapper, now known as Ye, later said he made the remarks during a bipolar episode and apologised. Melvin Benn, the managing director of Festival Republic, said: “Timing, I think, is an important lesson. “I would hope that other people learn the lesson of forgiveness because forgiveness is an important part of being a decent human being. “I do think that is a lesson, but that’s not my lesson. “Wireless will return. We’re very confident about that.” THE Three Lions may have come third in the World Cup, but they are hoping to score Anotr a win in the charts on Friday. The Dutch duo’s track, Talk To You, ft. 54 Ultra has raced up to second place after a video of John Stones dancing to it went viral on TikTok. Will they be able to knock Sam Fender and Olivia Dean off the top spot? SHOW IS MAKING A KILLING Gen Z love all things retro, and now they’re embracing a vintage TV show – Murder, She Wrote – pictured Angela Lansbury Credit: Getty GEN Z love all things retro, and now they’re embracing a vintage TV show – Murder, She Wrote. The detective series may have ended 30 years ago, but one in ten young adults say they would rather watch the Angela Lansbury hit than any other crime series. Half of those quizzed by Freeview channel Great Mystery also said her character, Jessica Fletcher was more engaging than the on-screen crime-solvers of today. Great Mystery is currently replaying the detective drama and it’s even sparked a live show called Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote, which brings episodes to life in front of an audience. Jamie Lee Curtis is also working on a reboot, in which she will play the famous detective. Angela would be proud. KOOK LUKE IS LEW’S NO 1 FAN The Kooks frontman Luke Pritchard has heaped praise on Lewis Capaldi after they performed together at BST Hyde Park Credit: Alamy THE KOOKS frontman Luke Pritchard has heaped praise on Lewis Capaldi after they performed together at BST Hyde Park. Luke got up on stage to sing the band’s 2006 hit Naive with Lewis last weekend and when I caught up with him, he had nothing but praise for the Scottish star. Explaining his love for Lewis, Luke said: “I think it’s his vulnerability and that amazing Scottish humour . . . not taking himself too seriously. “I really appreciate that because a lot of people in music aren’t like that. “It’s like there is a therapeutic aspect with Lewis. You can cry and you can laugh at the same time. “When I started out, a lot of the bands didn’t have that kind of vulnerability. “I always had that in my music and all the stuff Lewis has gone through, I can relate. “I get asked a lot by younger artists, how did we traverse the whole thing as teenagers? “You’ve got to enjoy it, not take it too seriously, which is why I like Lewis.” BRUNO’S STILL GOT IT Bruno Mars was anything but rusty as he kicked off the first of six nights at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday Credit: Daniel Ramos Showman Bruno in a cape showing the album title Credit: Daniel Ramos HE hadn’t performed in the UK for eight years but Bruno Mars was anything but rusty as he kicked off the first of six nights at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday. A decade-long Las Vegas residency has turned Bruno into one of the most polished performers in pop so everything from his three costumes, slick choreography and sing-a-long medleys were flawlessly executed. But the glossy showmanship of Vegas did mean much of his crowd participation felt like the same old rehearsed speeches he’s been saying for years. Thankfully, his singing voice made up for the lack of what he actually had to say – and even his mildly received latest album, The Romantic, worked far better in the room than it did on record. During his two-hour masterclass, Bruno broke into covers of Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On, referenced James Brown’s Get Up and brought out his Silk Sonic bandmate Anderson.Paak for a four-song set from their Grammy-winning 2021 album. Bruno’s band The Hooligans gave big, brassy backings to the majority of his show, but he stripped things back for Grenade and When I Was Your Man, playing the piano alone on the stage. And while Die With A Smile, his 2025 megahit with Lady Gaga, went down a storm, it was penultimate track Uptown Funk – one of the biggest selling songs of the 21st century – which had everyone on their feet. Bruno feels like a star from a different generation. He marches to the beat of his own drum, and in an era of trend-chasing, it’s a joy to see. HOWELL DAVIES THE WEEK IN BIZNESS WEDS: The Isle of MTV Malta returns, with a massive concert in the capital Valletta headlined by Katy Perry, which will air on MTV later this year. THURS: Scottish talent will be on full show at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow where KT Tunstall, Nathan Evans, Nina Nesbitt, Saint Phnx and Callum Beattie will perform. FRI: New albums will drop from Charli XCX, Shania Twain, The Strokes, Tyla, Nia Archives and Baby Queen, resulting in what’s sure to be a busy chart race. SAT: The UK tour of Burlesque The Musical launches at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre ahead of dates around the country, ending in Canterbury next May. Comment now