Footballer, Bachelor star … fantasy writer? The TikTok furore over Luke Bateman’s book deal

His book is expected to be about a boy battling hardships in a magical world, but the deal has sparked real world debate about power and privilegeGet our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcastHello Caitlin. I hear people on TikTok are up in arms over a Queensland farmer/Canberra Raiders player/Bachelor star scoring a book deal. Who is this modern day Renaissance man?Julia, a colleague described Luke Bateman’s four years with the Raiders as the one of an “honest toiler, who always played above his weight”, and to be frank, it’s a fairly apt description for the guy. Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

Stephen Mulhern makes unprecedented blunder on ITV’s Catchphrase

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Former footballer charged with assaulting Sugababe

Former footballer ‘assaulted Sugababes star and banned her wearing red lipstick’

Liverpool Biennial review – AI seagulls, gladiatorial football and big trouble in Chinatown

Glastonbury Festival releases adidas football shirt today

Made in Walthamstow: a football kit that brought a community together

'Gareth made football more appealing for me'

Why Strictly star chose dancing over football

Lineker's football podcast dropped by BBC after row

How Gary Lineker went from football sensation to headline-hitting presenter

Make It to Munich review – uplifting story of a young footballer cycling to recovery

Culture

Stephen Mulhern makes unprecedented blunder on ITV’s Catchphrase

Lord Woodbine: The forgotten sixth Beatle

Police storm Rivals set to arrest actor accused of assaulting ex-girlfriend

Doctor Who fans in disbelief over ‘disrespect’ of iconic star Jenna Coleman

Chappell Roan's Apple dance, and other Primavera moments

NPR readers share stories of love and adversity in honor of Loving Day

Glastonbury welcomes back legendary pop star for ‘secret set’ two years after breakdown

EastEnders star Bobby Brazier quits BBC soap after nearly four years

Arnold Schwarzenegger says it would now be ‘easier’ for him to achieve the ‘American Dream’

Soldier Soldier star Marise Wipani dies on 61st birthday and leaves poignant final message

Adele thanks Netflix hit for ‘changing relationship with son’

‘I had to snort pure glucose’: Inside BBC’s outstanding 80s crime drama

Sunday Puzzle: Phonetically 'Gay'

Book Review: ‘Charlottesville,’ by Deborah Baker

Book Review: ‘Murderland,’ by Caroline Fraser

Sean Combs and the Sweater Defense

How to Watch the 2025 Tony Awards

Takeaways From Graduation Speeches by Trump, Taraji P. Henson and Others

Misty Copeland Broke a Ballet Barrier and Became a Star

Restaurant Review: What’s a Neighborhood Restaurant Without a Neighborhood?

Ryan Reynolds shares mock video reaction to having Deadpool role ‘stolen’ by Neil Patrick Harris

'I was a million metres away and her hair was still enormous': First-gig memories

One of the planet's most popular shows you may never have heard of - until now

A Nazi skinhead, a Japanese model and a film by Scots director that breaks all rules

Gogglebox family announce heartbreaking death as fans pay tribute

James Whale gives update on ‘very difficult’ situation amid terminal cancer diagnosis

Bruce Springsteen fans treated to a gig they’ll ‘never forget’ as Paul McCartney joins him on stage in Liverpool

If Trump has taught us one thing, it is that Scotland needs more mega-wealthy people

'We're shaped by our people': How celebrated music festival sparks island pride

James Kelman’s delightfully deplorable language is so f***ing necessary

Ukrainian and Scottish artists team up for Glasgow festival exploring sound

R-Truth ‘signs new WWE contract’ and returns under real name after fierce backlash

The Gold’s Charlotte Spencer: ‘I worry that acting is becoming only accessible for the rich’

Who can – or could – ever replace David Attenborough?

BBC’s ‘brilliant’ true crime drama made me question my own morals

The ‘inappropriate’ Peppa Pig episode that was banned in Australia twice

Ocean with David Attenborough is more horror film than nature documentary

Finding Margaret by Andrew Pierce review: A moving tale of abandonment

Good Night, and Good Luck viewers make surprise discovery while tuning in to see George Clooney live on CNN

How India's 'biggest art deal' buried MF Husain masterpieces in a bank vault

An ancient writing system confounding myths about Africa

The Gold Season 2 on BBC One review: still a criminally good time

Christian rock band Newsboys respond to singer Michael Tait sexual assault allegations

Paddy McGuinness reveals his unexpected celebrity crush ‘he wasn’t supposed to have’

How to manage the flurry of text messages on any given day? Texting etiquette explained.

Bruce Springsteen joined by Paul McCartney at Liverpool concert

A Sikh Captain America? Why religious diversity matters in the comics universe

Obama's doc criticizes Biden physician for failing to require cognitive test

Lebanon aims to lure back Gulf tourists to jumpstart its war-torn economy

EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick suspended by BBC for disabled slur in latest Strictly scandal

EastEnders star suspended over 'unacceptable' language

New action horror movie has critics saying ‘this is what streaming is for’

Tyler Perry’s new Netflix movie lands impressive audience score after dividing critics

Jared Leto denies sexual misconduct after facing accusations from multiple women

Strictly star Nick Knowles, 62, marries Katie Dadzie, 34, in lavish six-figure ceremony

Cynthia Erivo and The Vivienne among ‘LGBT+ changemakers’ in 2025 Pride List

Mormon Wives’ Jessi Ngatikaura breaks silence on Demi rift and split rumours after explosive finale

Trump orders federal government to help bulk up U.S. drone industry

Flights at Reagan National to be stopped for Army parade, fireworks show

New video shows DoorDash driver pulling up next to plane at Chicago O'Hare