#the_independent

Robbie Williams Reveals Autism Diagnosis: 'It Explains So Much' Robbie Williams has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with autism, a revelation he described as a revelation that "explains so much." The former Take That star, who has previously discussed his struggles with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Tourette’s, shared the news during a Q&A session for the launch of his new clothing brand. At 52, Williams expressed his newfound understanding of his condition, stating, "I have ADHD and I just found out I have a bit of autism as well, which I actually f* love because it explains so much. It is my get-out-of-jail-free card now, and all the weird s** that I do I just say, 'Sorry, I'm autistic.'" Williams elaborated on how he channels his creative energy to manage his anxieties. He explained that while ADHD allows him to hyperfocus on specific tasks, he often struggles with maintaining attention on other activities. "With the ADHD you can completely and utterly concentrate on something 1000 per cent, but with absolutely everything else, you just cannot do it. Ask my kids," he said, referencing his children as a humorous example. He emphasized that creative pursuits provide a mental escape, allowing him to avoid intrusive thoughts. "What I’m completely and utterly obsessed with is creating images and making funny things. If I’m creating images and funny things, I’m not thinking about me, because my brain is incredibly creative, and it can be creative about everything in the world that you panic or scared about," he continued. Williams shared a vivid example of his intrusive thoughts, describing a scenario where he imagined having telekinesis and his intrusive thoughts causing a plane to crash.#the_independent #robbie_williams #take_that #nhs #tourette_s

Antonio Banderas Reflects on Leaving Hollywood for Spain Antonio Banderas, the 65-year-old Spanish actor renowned for his iconic roles in films like Interview with the Vampire (1994), Desperado (1995), and The Mask of Zorro (1998), has shared insights about his decision to return to his hometown of Málaga, Spain, after nearly 26 years in Southern California. The move, which he made in 2017 following a life-threatening heart attack, marks a significant shift in his personal and professional life. Banderas described his time in America as “beautiful, exciting years,” but emphasized that he always felt a sense of impermanence about his stay. “I always had this sense of provisionality that it was not going to last my whole life,” he told People magazine. “I knew that Málaga was there. I was not supposed to be in Malibu, but in Málaga.” This sentiment reflects his broader perspective on life, shaped by the health crisis that prompted his return to Spain. The heart attack, which he described as a near-fatal event, became a turning point. “It’s one of the best things to ever happen to me,” he admitted in a 2019 interview with The Independent. “I thought I was going to die, and it made me understand life in a deeper, more complex way. I detached from things that are not important anymore—the car, and this and that—and then I just put my attention in family, friends, and in recovering... well, the essence of why I became an actor.” Banderas’ decision to leave Hollywood was also influenced by his personal relationships. He initially settled in the United States after marrying Melanie Griffith, the American actress, in 1996. The couple, who share a daughter named Stella, divorced in 2015. Despite their separation, Banderas has maintained a close bond with Griffith, referring to her as “one of my best friends.#malaga #the_independent #mexico_city #antonio_banderas #melanie_griffith

El pesimismo inunda Manchester de cara a la remontada: "Hay una esperanza bastante pequeña" Ni los futbolistas del Real Madrid ni su entrenador se fían del resultado, pese al amplio colchón con el que llegan al Etihad. De hecho, en el entorno blanco parece preocupar más una posible reacción del City que en Inglaterra. En SPORT hablamos con tres periodistas ingleses para conocer qué sensaciones se respiran en la ciudad antes del partido. El más tajante fue Richard Jolly, periodista de The Independent: "¿La gente cree en una remontada del City? No, en una palabra. Es posible que el City gane el partido, pero no el empate tras ir perdiendo 3-0. La verdad es que el ambiente en el Etihad no suele ser muy bueno. Quiero decir, podría ser por un gol tempranero, podría ser por un partido más importante, pero no creo que eso sea algo de lo que preocuparse para el Real Madrid". A diferencia de Jolly, Martin Blackburn sí contempla la posibilidad de un milagro. "Sí, creo que sí que es posible la remontada. Creo que los aficionados del City lo creen. No diría que es probable, pero creo que existe la posibilidad. El City ha marcado cuatro goles contra el Madrid aquí en el Etihad, dos de ellos anteriormente. 'Este no es el mismo Manchester City que le marcó cuatro goles al Madrid en 2022 y 2023', analizó el periodista de The Sun". Por su parte, Ian Hawkey, de The Times, recuerda los precedentes entre ambos equipos en la Champions con cierto pesimismo de cara al martes: "Dada la historia de estos partidos City-Madrid, algunos tan dramáticos y algunos de victorias de City de márgenes grandes, creo que hay esperanza, sí. Aunque una esperanza bastante pequeña".#real_madrid #manchester_city #the_independent #the_sun #the_times