Harry Styles has finally broken his silence and addressed the claims that he spit on Chris Pine after a video appearing to show him do so went viral online.
It’s been quite the whirlwind week for Harry Styles.
In case you need catching up a bit, the 28-year-old pop icon has recently ventured into acting and has taken on his first leading role in the upcoming drama film Don’t Worry Darling – which is directed by his partner Olivia Wilde, and stars Oscar-nominated Florence Pugh, Nick Kroll, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, and of course, Chris Pine.
The film is due for release at the end of September, but it has premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival this week – and has been grabbing headlines for a variety of reasons ever since.
To sum up all the drama and controversies surrounding the film would probably mean that we’d be here all day, but by far one of the most talked-about moments from the festival has, bizarrely, been whether or not Harry Styles spits on his co-star Chris Pine as he sits down in his chair to watch a screening of the film.
Caught live on camera, Chris Pine’s shocked reaction to the supposed ‘spit gate’ interaction had fans convinced that it happened, and only added to the growing rumours that there was a rift between the two men.
The footage subsequently went viral online, and racked up millions of views and saw people weigh-in with their opinions in their thousands.
While many were convinced from the initial viral video that the Cheshire singer does, in fact, spit on his co-star, videos of the interaction from other angles began circulating on social media shortly after which disapproved the widely-believed claims as it looked like Styles did nothing of the sort.
This only left the world even more in doubt and demanding answers.
First, Chris Pine’s team released a rather serious statement quashing the rumours and calling it a “ridiculous story”.
A spokesperson told People Magazine that it was “a complete fabrication” and “the result of an odd online illusion that is clearly deceiving and allows for foolish speculation”.
“Just to be clear, Harry Styles did not spit on Chris Pine. There is nothing but respect between these two men and any suggestion otherwise is a blatant attempt to create drama that simply does not exist.”
With days passing, the drama growing, and Styles or his team of representatives yet to address the spitting claims, the singer finally appeared on stage in New York at Madison Square Garden and told the audience of doting fans the truth they’ve all been waiting to hear.
No, he didn’t spit on Chris Pine.
Seeming very amused by the whole situation, Styles comically tells the audience: “This is our 10th show at Madison Square Garden, and it is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to be back in New York.
“I just popped very quickly to Venice to spit on Chris Pine – but fear not, we’re back.”
Most people were able to pick up on the sarcastic tone Styles took with his response to the situation, but, as there often is, not everyone realised he was joking.
“He definitely spit on him,” one person said on Twitter, while another questioned: “DAMN IT, DID YOU OR DIDN’T YOU?!?! …. Why am I so invested in this?”, and a third added: “But did he do it?”
Others took it as a chance to poke fun at people who didn’t realise the irony, with one commenting: “I think my favourite part is how many people don’t realise he’s making a joke at their expense. He’s both right and wrong for this and I love it and I’m here for it.”
Another said: “Even more strange how so many people are taking this as confirmation it happened as opposed to him joking about how dumb the notion was.”
The majority of people, however, are just glad it’s all over.
“And with that, SpitGate comes to a close. Great job everyone. A terrific 48 hours.”
Featured Image – Twitter
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Pep Guardiola hints at when Manchester City fans can expect to see their latest arrival
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given supporters a rough timeline as to when they can expect to see their new signing, or at least their latest arrival, make his first appearance.
The Blues wrapped up the January transfer window with four major signings: their new attacking number seven, Omar Marmoush (who has already bagged a hattrick on his home debut) promising defensive duo, Abdukodir Khusanov and Brazilian Vitor Reis, as well as their ‘mini-Rodri’, Nico Gonzalez.
However, the club has had another late arrival who was technically signed back at the start of last year but who has spent for the last 12 months or so loaned back to his previous parent club, River Plate in Argentina, waiting to make the move over to the Etihad Stadium – and now he’s here in Manchester.
Speaking on his touchdown in 0161, Pep said Claudio Echeverri won’t be thrown into first-team action straight away but did give a rough estimate as to when City fans could expect him to get involved. You can see him discussing the integration plan in his post-match press conference following the Spurs win.
The mention was only brief but there’s still plenty of reason for Man City fans to be excited by the late January signing.
“Yeah, he [Claudio Echeverri] is going to start to train and mainly will be for the end of the season, maybe the [Club] World Cup and as soon as possible [that] he arrives he can adapt quick for the future.”
As mentioned, the 19-year-old Argentinian attacking midfielder from Resistencia officially put pen to paper with CFG back in January 2024 and was quickly dubbed ‘the next Messi’.
Now, although the football world is often quick to jump the gun with these things and he isn’t the first and certainly won’t be last to be slapped with this premature title, he’s done more to back up these claims since then than he has rubbish them.
Starring at the 2025 Under-20 South American Championships, netting six goals in nine games to finish the tournament as the second highest scorer thanks to notable braces against Brazil and Uruguay as the young Argentine’s finished as runners up.
He also notched 48 senior appearances for River Plate thus far, netting four goals and grabbing eight assists in that time, not to mention having already captained his national team at the 2023 Under 17s World Cup, where he scored another five.
Safe to say there’s plenty of talent to be tapped in this lad.
Once again, Echeverri won’t go straight into the senior set-up for a little while yet, barring a major injury crisis, but he’ll be a more than exciting addition to the City Football Academy and for future first-team lineups for years to come.
Who knows, maybe he’ll be included in an FA Cup matchday squad? Nevertheless, you can expect him to not just come of the bench but hopefully show what he can do at the Club World Cup this summer.
City‘s first fixture as reigning champions of the competition will be against Moroccan side Wydad AC on 18 June 2025.
You can watch Echeverri’s first full interview as a Man City player down below:
The new Man City signing is excited to be finally be part of the club 13 months on from agreeing his contract.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
Emily Sergeant -
8th September 2022 
