Russell T Davies shares first public romance since the death of his husband

Doctor Who showrunner and acclaimed writer Russell T Davies has quietly confirmed a new relationship after sharing a festive photo with his boyfriend, Oliver Cole.

The image, posted around Christmas, showed the couple smiling together as Davies wished followers a “Merry Christmas” from himself and Oliver.

The moment quickly caught attention because it marks Davies’ first publicly shared romance since the death of his husband, Andrew Smith, in 2018.

Davies has spoken openly in the past about his grief following Smith’s death, including weaving elements of loss and love into his celebrated series Years and Years.

According to reporting, Oliver Cole is 27 and works as a model, with the pair believed to have been seeing each other quietly for several months.

The couple’s 35-year age gap has drawn some online commentary, but most reactions have focused on warmth, support, and genuine happiness.

Fans and fellow actors responded enthusiastically to the photo, filling the comments with heart emojis and messages of congratulations.

Several well-known figures praised the couple publicly, with some calling them a “beautiful” and “delicious” pairing.

Cole has also shared glimpses of his time visiting the Doctor Who set, playfully referencing the TARDIS while making it clear he is not the next Doctor.

While Davies has kept much of his private life out of the spotlight in recent years, this small but meaningful post felt intentional rather than accidental.

For many LGBTQ+ fans, the moment resonated as a reminder that love can reappear later in life, even after profound loss.

Davies’ career has long been celebrated for centering queer stories with depth, realism, and emotional honesty.

Seeing that same tenderness reflected in his own life has struck a chord with audiences who have grown up with his work.

The post was not a dramatic announcement or a glossy photoshoot, but a simple, affectionate snapshot.

In its quiet way, it communicated comfort, companionship, and the possibility of new beginnings.

At a time when visibility often comes packaged as spectacle, Davies’ understated confirmation felt refreshingly human.

For fans, it was less about headlines and more about seeing someone they admire find joy again.

📷 IG: @ russeltdavies63

Dónal Óg Cusack and longtime partner Nathan Adams announce their engagement

Irish sports icon and LGBTQ+ trailblazer Dónal Óg Cusack has announced his engagement to longtime partner Nathan Adams, sharing the joyful news on Instagram over the Christmas holidays.

The couple posted a video showing off their engagement rings while standing together in a dramatic coastal setting, marking a major milestone after more than a decade as a couple.

The announcement was first reported by Outsports, which noted that Cusack and Adams have been together for over ten years.

Cusack is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Irish sport, both for his achievements on the hurling pitch and for his decision to come out publicly in 2009.

At the time, he became the first openly gay elite athlete in Ireland, a moment that had a profound impact on visibility and inclusion in traditionally conservative sporting environments.

Throughout his career, Cusack won multiple All-Ireland titles with Cork and later became a prominent media voice and advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Nathan Adams, his now-fiancé, is a model, entrepreneur, and competitive HYROX athlete who has quietly built his own career alongside Cusack.

While the couple have largely kept their relationship private, they have occasionally shared glimpses of their life together, balancing visibility with personal boundaries.

Their engagement announcement was met with an outpouring of congratulations from fans, fellow athletes, and LGBTQ+ community members across social media.

For many, the moment felt especially meaningful given Cusack’s history and the barriers he helped break simply by being visible and honest about who he is.

The engagement also comes at a time when positive stories about LGBTQ+ athletes continue to resonate strongly amid ongoing debates about inclusion in sport.

Rather than making a grand statement, the couple’s announcement focused on love, longevity, and shared history.

After more than ten years together, the engagement feels less like a surprise and more like a celebration of something already deeply rooted.

As fans quickly noted in the comments, this is the kind of queer love story that quietly rewrites expectations.

Cusack and Adams have not yet shared wedding plans, but their announcement already stands as a hopeful and affirming moment to end the year.

📷 IG: @ nathanadams95 / donalogc

LGBTQ+ athletes say sponsorship money is drying up in today’s political climate

Several openly LGBTQ+ athletes in the United States are speaking out about how increasingly hostile social and political conditions are making it harder to secure sponsorships and financial backing.

A recent report by the Los Angeles Times highlights how endorsement deals that once helped queer athletes train, travel, and compete are quietly disappearing.

For many athletes, sponsorship money is not about luxury but about whether they can afford to stay in their sport at all.

The impact is especially severe in individual sports, where athletes themselves function as the brand and rely heavily on private funding.

Openly gay NHRA drag racer Travis Shumake is one of the athletes featured in the reporting.

Shumake made history as the first openly gay professional driver on the NHRA circuit and previously competed with visible support from major corporate sponsors.

At one point, his dragster even deployed a rainbow-colored parachute after reaching speeds of more than 330 miles per hour.

According to the report, most of those sponsorships have now disappeared, leaving Kroger as the only remaining major backer.

As a result, Shumake was forced to keep his car in storage for much of the past year because he could not afford to race.

The Los Angeles Times also spoke with speedskater Conor McDermott-Mostowy, an Olympic hopeful working toward the 2026 Winter Games.

McDermott-Mostowy described losing sponsorship support despite strong performances and increasing visibility as an openly gay athlete.

He told the Times that without stable funding, he may qualify for food assistance while continuing to train at an elite international level.

The athletes interviewed emphasized that the issue is not a lack of audience interest but a growing reluctance among brands to be publicly associated with LGBTQ+ identities.

Several described a noticeable shift away from diversity-focused marketing as political pressure and backlash increased.

Advocacy groups say this trend places LGBTQ+ athletes in an impossible position, forcing them to choose between authenticity and financial survival.

In response, community-led efforts like the Out Athlete Fund have stepped in to help cover basic expenses such as travel, coaching, and equipment.

While these initiatives provide crucial support, they cannot fully replace the scale of corporate sponsorships that once sustained many careers.

The athletes featured in the report stress that they are not asking for special treatment, only equal opportunity.

They also warn that reduced visibility and funding for LGBTQ+ athletes sends a broader message about who is considered marketable and worthy of support.

Despite the challenges, many remain committed to competing openly and authentically, even when doing so comes at a personal cost.

As one athlete put it, queer competitors are still here, still training, and still dreaming, even if the financial runway has grown much shorter.

📷 IG: @ travieshu / conor.mm

Tyler Perry hit with another lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery

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Tyler Perry is facing a new lawsuit in California from actor and model Mario Rodriguez, who alleges Perry subjected him to unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate touching over a multi-year period.

The lawsuit was first reported by TMZ on December 26, 2025, and seeks at least $77 million in damages for sexual assault, sexual battery, emotional distress, and related claims.

According to reporting from the Associated Press, the complaint alleges that some of the incidents took place at Perry’s Los Angeles home and that Rodriguez met Perry through industry connections tied to acting opportunities.

The suit also names Lionsgate, the distributor of Boo! A Madea Halloween, alleging the company failed to act despite being aware of the situation.

Rodriguez appeared in a small role in the 2016 film Boo! A Madea Halloween, and the filing claims Perry’s alleged behavior was intertwined with promises of access, mentorship, and career advancement.

People and Entertainment Weekly report that the complaint describes multiple alleged incidents and argues that Rodriguez felt pressured due to the power imbalance between an aspiring actor and one of Hollywood’s most influential figures.

Perry’s attorney, Alex Spiro, denied the allegations in a statement quoted by multiple outlets, calling the lawsuit a “money grab” and asserting that the claims are false.

It is important to note that these allegations are part of a civil lawsuit and have not been proven in court.

This new case follows another high-profile lawsuit filed earlier in 2025 by actor Derek Dixon, who accused Perry of sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation related to his work on the TV series The Oval and Ruthless.

Perry has denied those allegations as well, and his legal team has consistently pushed back against both lawsuits.

According to multiple reports, Rodriguez has said he decided to come forward after learning about Dixon’s lawsuit, describing it as a turning point that made him feel less alone.

The situation has reignited broader conversations about power dynamics in Hollywood, accountability, and the risks faced by people who come forward with allegations against powerful figures.

As of publication, Lionsgate has not issued a public statement addressing the claims, and Perry’s legal team maintains that he has done nothing wrong.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available, and reaching out to a trusted local support service can help.

MAFS UK’s Davide Anica goes Insta official with new boyfriend Nate

If you needed a little “love really does find a way” energy this week, Davide Anica just delivered it.

The Married at First Sight UK groom has officially introduced his new boyfriend, Nathaniel Painting, after his very public split from Keye Luke.

And yes, the way he revealed the relationship is exactly the kind of soft, romantic montage that makes the group chat go quiet for a second.

A fresh start after the Keye split

Davide was one of the standout grooms on MAFS UK in 2025, where viewers watched him build a relationship with Keye during the experiment.

But after filming ended, their marriage didn’t make it to the happily-ever-after stage.

Davide has said the relationship ended after he discovered Keye had been using a dating app while they were together, which ultimately led to a definite breakup.

Since then, there’s been some back-and-forth in public, with fans watching the post-show fallout play out in real time.

“All this love. No longer a mystery.”

This week, Davide shifted the vibe from heartbreak to healing by posting a festive Instagram montage featuring sweet, everyday moments with Nathaniel.

The clips included cozy outings like golf, fun-fair dates, and travel moments that felt very “we’re building something real” rather than “rebound energy.”

He also shared the caption that basically sent the gays into collective sigh-mode: “All this love. No longer a mystery.”

The airport moment that made everyone melt

One of the biggest aww-moments was an airport greeting that looked like it came straight out of a feel-good rom-com.

Nathaniel surprised Davide with a handmade welcome sign and a sweet message about how “love is everywhere,” which felt like the exact emotional palette cleanser fans needed after the messier parts of the season.

It’s simple, it’s sincere, and it’s the kind of thing that makes you believe in soft launches turning into real relationships.

Who is Nathaniel Painting?

From what’s been shared publicly, Nathaniel is based in Oxford and is described as a travel lover and animal enthusiast.

In other words: the perfect match for a festive montage that’s equal parts cozy and adventurous.

And judging by the energy in Davide’s post, this looks less like a “look who I’m dating” reveal and more like a “look how happy I finally am” moment.

Fans (and celebs) are cheering him on

Support poured into the comments, with fans celebrating Davide’s fresh start and praising the sweet way he shared the relationship.

A few familiar names also popped up showing love, including Chizzy Akudolu and Cat Burns, which only added to the “we love a supported gay romance” vibe.

Even people connected to the MAFS UK universe have defended Davide and the timeline, with castmates backing his right to move forward and be happy.

From reality TV chaos to real-life calm

Reality TV relationships are messy by design, and post-show life can be even messier when the audience keeps watching.

But Davide’s update feels like a gentle reminder that endings can still lead to something genuinely beautiful.

Whether you rooted for him on the show or only know him from the post-season drama, it’s hard not to smile at the idea of him stepping into a calmer, happier chapter with Nathaniel.

And honestly, after all the reality-TV chaos, a little queer joy is exactly what we deserve.

📷 IG: @ daveanica / nate_painting