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James Gandolfini death 'an awful shock'

James Gandolfini at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2008. Credit: Tammie Arroyo/AFF/EMPICS Entertainment

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said: "It's an awful shock. James Gandolfini was a fine actor, a Rutgers alum and a true Jersey guy. I was a huge fan of his and the character he played so authentically, Tony Soprano.

"I have gotten to know Jimmy and many of the otheractors in the Sopranos cast and I can say that each of them are an individualNew Jersey treasure.

"Mary Pat and I express our deepest sympathies to Mr Gandolfini's wife and children, and our prayers are with them at this terrible time."

The 'minimum wage dress' goes on sale for £3.68

A £3.68 - dubbed the Minimum Wage Dress (MWD) - has gone on sale aimed at women who "want to look good on a budget".

The Minimum Wage Dress costs just £3.68. Credit: PA

The MWD costs the same as an hour's pay on the minimum wage for under-18s "to enable ladies to look super sophisticated, no matter how little cash they have to spare".

The MWD, made by Figa Store in Leicester, is available in three colours - neon green, pink and black - and goes on sale today from retailer SheLikes.com.

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Brits 'spend 100 hours in bath or shower each year'

Brits spend 100 hours in bath or shower each year, according a new study released today.

The study also shows that we spend nearly an average of 20 minutes in a bath.

It also found that 20% of men accuse their partner of showering too long compared to 15% of women, but reveals that in fact men spend 30 seconds longer in the shower on average.

The study by E.ON also states that those aged 18-24 take 25% more time in the bath and take twice as long in the shower than people older than them.

Over a quarter of people (26%) listen to music in the bathroom, while one in seven (15%) sing to themselves, the report added.

Tributes to an 'extraordinary actor'

Realmikefox?size=bigger

Shocked and saddened by James Gandolfini's passing. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

From @realmikefox on Twitter:
Susansarandon?size=bigger

So sad to lose James Gandolfini. One of the sweetest, funniest, most generous actors I’ve ever worked with. Sending prayers to his family.

From @SusanSarandon on Twitter:
Robinwilliams?size=bigger

My thoughts and prayers go out to James Gandolfini's family. An extraordinary actor. RIP, Mr. Gandolfini.

From @robinwilliams on Twitter:

Racegoers prepare for Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot

Racegoers are preparing for Gold Cup Day, also known as Ladies' Day, one of the highlights at Royal Ascot.

Ladies’ Day is one of the highlights at Royal Ascot. Credit: PA

Ladies' Day is known for its display of flamboyant and exotic hats and the most extravagant creations.

Racegoers also traditionally bet on the colour of the hat the Queen will wear on the day.

Bookmakers Coral believe she will wear a blue hat and makes the colour its 3-1 favourite.

However, punters have been backing purple and its odds have fallen from 8-1 to 5-1.

Read more: Queen tipped to wear pink at Royal Ascot Ladies' Day

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Queen's horse favourite for Gold Cup success

The Queen will be hoping her horse Estimate triumphs in Royal Ascot's Gold Cup today as the famous race stages its Ladies' Day.

Estimate ridden by Ryan Moore (right) leads the field in the Queen's Vase last year. Credit: PA

Over the years the Queen has had 21 winners at the Royal Ascot. This year her filly is a favourite to win.

RSPB: 'Nature in the UK is in trouble'

Nature in the UK is in trouble and some of our more familiar garden species are amongst those suffering serious declines.

Gardens provide a valuable lifeline for species like starlings, toads, hedgehogs and butterflies, which are struggling to find homes in the wider countryside.

Our aim is to provide one million homes for nature across the UK, because if there's no home for nature, then there's no nature - it really is that serious.

– Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB

Brother pays emotional tribute to M62 victim

Ryan Jones, whose 18-year-old sister died in the M62 crash in West Yorkshire, paid an emotional tribute to Bethany.

His mother and other sister – Diane and Amy - were also involved in the accident and he said they are “on the mend” in hospital.

“She was the most beautiful, caring girl I’ve ever met - my baby sister. I just hope she’s at peace now."

Funeral for hen party crash victim

A funeral service for Beth Jones is due to take place later today. Credit: Family Handout

The funeral is due to take place of a student nurse who was killed when a minibus was involved in a motorway crash on the way to a hen party.

Beth Jones, 18, died in the collision between the bus and a lorry on the M62 near Pontefract in West Yorkshire in April. Her funeral service will take place at St Joseph's Church in South Elmsall.

Brother: M62 victim was 'loved by everyone'

Twenty other women on the bus were hurt, eight of them seriously.

They were travelling from the small former mining town of South Elmsall, between Doncaster and Wakefield, for a hen night in Liverpool to celebrate the wedding of Stefanie Firth.

Miss Firth, 24, was among those seriously injured in the crash.

Read: Hen party bus crash leaves one dead and 20 injured

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