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Prince Harry hadn't even finished his proposal when Meghan Markle kept interrupting -- CAN I SAY YES NOW?!

The newly engaged couple dished details about their engagement in an interview with the BBC ... revealing some pretty spectacular details about how it all went down. According to the couple ... the engagement happened a few weeks ago earlier this month at Harry's Nottingham Cottage inside Kensington Palace.

Harry got down on one knee and made his case ... but apparently a way-too-excited Meghan couldn't and wouldn't let him finish before charmingly butting in and asking, "Can I say yes now?" Adorbs.

And check this out ... Harry included 2 diamonds that belonged to his mother, Princess Diana, in Meghan's engagement ring "to make sure that she's with us on this crazy journey together."

Harry and Meghan met about a year and a half ago, but the relationship was turbocharged just 4 weeks into it ... when they headed to Botswana. Turns out, they never went more than 2 weeks without seeing each other. Completely fooled us.

The World Series bonus checks are in ... and the Houston Astros are coming up BIG!!!!

Here's how it works ... each team in the MLB playoffs gets a bonus check based on how far they advanced. The bonus money is pooled from gate receipts from the playoff games.

The big winner -- the Houston Astros ... with each player getting a $438,901.57 bonus check!!!!

According to MLB, it's the largest bonus ever paid out. The previous record was held by the 2014 SF Giants, which paid players $392k each.

But don't feel too sorry for the L.A. Dodgers ... even though they lost the World Series, each player still made out with $259,722.14.

Here's how the rest of the bonuses paid out:

NY Yankees -- $138k
Chicago Cubs -- $133k

AZ Diamondbacks -- $40k
Boston Red Sox --$36k

Cleveland Indians -- $36k
Washington Nationals -- $36k

Colorado Rockies -- $18k
Minnesota Twins -- $18k

It pays to be good.

The University of Tennessee says they found no evidence that Greg Schiano helped cover up child rape during his time at Penn State ... but they're still not explaining why they backed out of hiring him as the Vols head football coach.

FYI, Schiano was reportedly signed to be the next head coach -- but some students and supporters lashed out over the decision due to claims Schiano knew about the horrific things Jerry Sandusky was doing to children and didn't report him to police.

Schiano has denied covering up anything -- and said he never had any knowledge about Sandusky's disturbing crimes. Yahoo! Sports' Dan Wetzel explained where the allegation stems from.

Still, many have speculated that outrage over the Penn State connection is what led to Tennessee backing out.

Now, UT athletic director John Currie has issued a statement essentially saying the school vetted Schiano and determined he had no role in protecting Sandusky.

"Coach Schiano worked at Penn State from 1990-1995. Consequently, we, of course, carefully reviewed the 2012 investigation report by Louis Freeh. Coach Schiano is not mentioned in the Freeh report and was not one of the more than 400 people interviewed in the investigation."

"We also confirmed that Coach Schiano was never deposed and never asked to testify in any criminal or civil matter. And, we conferred with our colleagues at The Ohio State University, who had conducted a similar inquiry after the 2016 release of testimony."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged, and the Royals couldn't be happier.

The couple announced the engagement Monday and say they will marry in the Spring, 2018.

Queen Elizabeth was quick to voice support, saying she's "delighted for the couple."

It's a break from tradition ... Meghan was born and raised in the United States. She's also divorced, but she's not the first Royal who's on her second marriage. Prince Charles' wife, Camilla, is also divorced.

You may know ... the Queen's uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in 1936 so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Meghan, 36, is 3 years older than Harry. She recently quit her job on the TV show "Suits" as she prepares to move to London.

Kobe Bryant ... in the ballroom?? Maybe.

With "Dancing with the Stars" doing a full sports-themed competition with athletes next season, Derek Fisher told TooFab.com "Kobe's name keeps coming up."

"He loves the show. He and the family watch it," Fisher said ... "[Producers] should at least try and call him!"

Fisher competed on the show this season and loved it -- despite being the 3rd couple eliminated.

Athletes tend to kill it on the show -- with NFL stars like Emmitt Smith, Hines Ward, Donald Driver and Rashad Jennings all winning dancing championships.

TMZ Sports has obtained video of Green Bay Packers rookie Aaron Jones' weed arrest ... showing the running back admitting he toked up before breakfast earlier that day.

Jones was initially pulled over around noon on October 1 for going 79 mph in a 55 when the officer smelled a strong odor and asked ...

"You gonna be straight with me or not gonna be straight with me? Weed."

Jones replied "I was smoking it."

"Yeahhh, there you go. I appreciate the honesty," the cop said.

Jones was then asked to take a field sobriety test ... which he bombed. Jones was cuffed and taken to a hospital for blood work.

Texas Congressman Joe Barton sent nudes and illicit text messages to a woman, and he's apologizing for the graphic image first revealed by a Twitter user.

Barton, a Republican, sent the nude photo showing his penis. The Twitter user censored the image, and also revealed a sext that reads, "I want u soo bad. Right now."

Barton now says, "While separated from my second wife, prior to the divorce, I had sexual relationships with other mature adult women. Each was consensual. Those relationships have ended."

He adds, "I am sorry I did not use better judgment during those days. I am sorry that I let my constituents down."

The Twitter user who posted the naked shot and graphic text claims to also have several videos of Barton masturbating -- and tagged the Twitter accounts of President Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz. It's unclear if the tweeter is the woman to whom Barton admits sending the photos -- but the person claims he/she is being "harassed" by Barton.

Representative Barton has served in the House for 32 years. He recently announced a re-election bid, but now tells the Texas Tribune he's reconsidering.

Michael Rapaport is pissed at Donald Trump -- saying POTUS has forced him to side with one of the people he hates most in this world ... LaVar Ball.

Rap and Ball have been trading shots for months -- with the Hollywood star once famously declaring, "Big Baller Brand shirts look uncomfortable as f**k."

But now with Trump blasting LaVar in the media for not thanking him for getting LiAngelo back from China ... Rapaport is begrudgingly joining Team Ball.

"Donald Trump. You're such a f**k."

"You're gonna take away the pleasure I get from talking sh*t about LaVar Ball?"

Rap says when it comes down to it, he and LaVar are just "talkin' sh*t" -- but Trump's a "threat to society."

Kobe Bryant's 11-year-old daughter is already getting treated like royalty by the top women's basketball program in in the world ... begging the question -- is UConn angling for Gianna Bryant?

Mamba and Mini-Mamba hit up Pauley Pavilion in Westwood on Tuesday night to watch the Huskies take on UCLA. They sat courtside and they visited the players and head coach Geno Auriemma afterward.

The catch ... Gianna is a BALLER -- she's been training with her dad and learning all of his signature moves. Kobe has already dubbed her "Mambacita."

After the game, Kobe posted on social media -- "Thank you @uconnwbb for treating our baby girl to a night she will never forget #uconn."

Guessing UConn hopes Gianna remembers in about 6 years ...

Nick Carter is denying he raped former DREAM singer Melissa Schuman, and claims they only had consensual sex.

Nick says, "I am shocked and saddened by Ms. Schuman’s accusations. Melissa never expressed to me while we were together or at any time since that anything we did was not consensual. We went on to record a song and perform together, and I was always respectful and supportive of Melissa both personally and professionally.”

Carter added, "This is the first that I am hearing about these accusations, nearly two decades later. It is contrary to my nature and everything I hold dear to intentionally cause someone discomfort or harm.”

Dr. Larry Nassar just pled guilty to multiple counts of sexually assaulting multiple girls while working as a doctor for Team USA gymnastics and Michigan State University.

Nassar appeared in a Michigan courtroom early Wednesday morning dressed in his jailhouse orange jumpsuit where he entered the plea.

He now faces 25 to 40 years in prison.

Nassar was accused of molesting dozens of high profile athletes -- including Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney -- while telling the women he was simply performing routine physical exams.

Aly Raisman was not happy with the proceedings -- tweeting, "Court referring to Larry as DOCTOR Nassar. I AM DISGUSTED. I am very disappointed. He does NOT deserve that. Larry is digusting. Larry is a MONSTER not a doctor."

ONLY IN AMERICA!!!!!!

Donald Trump is CONTINUING his war with LaVar Ball -- this time ripping him as the "poor man's version of Don King, but without the hair."

Trump is clearly still pissed over LaVar's CNN interview -- in which Ball refused to thank POTUS for helping get his son LiAngelo Ball and 2 other UCLA teammates out of China after they shoplifted.

"It wasn’t the White House, it wasn’t the State Department, it wasn’t father LaVar’s so-called people on the ground in China that got his son out of a long term prison sentence - IT WAS ME. Too bad! LaVar is just a poor man’s version of Don King, but without the hair. Just think.."

Trump continued, "LaVar, you could have spent the next 5 to 10 years during Thanksgiving with your son in China, but no NBA contract to support you. But remember LaVar, shoplifting is NOT a little thing. It’s a really big deal, especially in China. Ungrateful fool!"

Trump then switched gears to the NFL -- and suggested the league is considering changing the policy on the national anthem next season.

"The NFL is now thinking about a new idea - keeping teams in the Locker Room during the National Anthem next season. That’s almost as bad as kneeling! When will the highly paid Commissioner finally get tough and smart? This issue is killing your league!"

David Cassidy, the 'Partridge Family' heartthrob who sold millions of records and became the fantasy of millions of girls, is dead.

Cassidy died in a Florida hospital after his organs failed.

Family sources tell TMZ, David had been on life support since Monday. Doctors advised the family Tuesday the only way David could survive was with a liver transplant, but he was not a candidate because he would never survive surgery. The family decided at around noon to remove life support.

A number of family members were present when David died, including his brothers Shaun, Patrick and Ryan, his children Beau and Katie, along with various nephews and his ex-wife, Sue Cassidy.

We're told death came almost immediately after life support was withdrawn.

TMZ broke the story, David was in need of a kidney transplant but ultimately doctors said it was futile. His liver and other organs shut down and early Sunday his son and ex-wife were summoned to the hospital to say goodbye.

Cassidy was a multi-faceted entertainer ... from singing, to acting to Broadway to Vegas. "The Partridge Family" hit like an earthquake and catapulted him to stardom. The show ran from 1970 - 1974 and produced hits like "I Think I Love You," "Come On Get Happy," and "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted."

David reluctantly auditioned for the role of the guitar-playing Keith Partridge and producers cast him not even knowing if he could carry a tune.

After "The Partridge Family" ran its course, David recorded a number of solo hits, including the remakes of "Cherish," "How Can I Be Sure" and "Rock Me Baby."

He took the starring role on Broadway in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" from 1983 to 1984.

David was the son of actor Jack Cassidy and Broadway performer Evelyn Ward.

David guest starred in a number of TV series, including "The F.B.I." "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Ironside," "Bonanza" and "Medical Center."

Cassidy battled alcoholism for most of his adult life.

He's survived by son Beau, daughter Katie -- who stars in "Arrow" -- half-brothers Shaun, Patrick and Ryan, step-mother and co-star Shirley Jones and ex-wife Sue Shifrin-Cassidy.

RIP

Losing streak be damned ... Blake Griffin still had the energy to hit the clubs in NYC with Kendall Jenner on Monday night after getting shellacked by the Knicks.

Blake and Kendall were spotted leaving Up & Down nightclub in Manhattan. The photo agency that has the pics says they were taken at 3AM Tuesday morning.

Earlier that night Kendall was at Madison Square Garden to watch Blake's Clippers lose to the Knicks in a 105-87 beatdown.

It was the 9th loss in a row for the Clips ... but whatever. #HotChicksAndClubbing

Former Dream singer Melissa Schuman claims Nick Carter raped her back in 2002 ... when she was 18 and he was 22.

Melissa says she and the Backstreet Boys singer started talking because their managers suggested they date -- presumably for good PR -- even though she says she already had a boyfriend.

She claims Carter invited her and a friend to his Santa Monica apartment for what she calls a "casual hangout" -- and after some boozing he started making out with her. In a very graphic blog post, Melissa claims he eventually took her into a bathroom, he forcibly performed oral sex on her ... and then forced her to reciprocate.

Melissa says she repeatedly told him she did not want to have sex, and was saving her virginity for her husband. She claims Carter took her to a bedroom, and then forced her to have intercourse.

Schuman says she told her manager about the alleged rape, but was told Carter's legal team was too powerful, and publicly accusing him would hurt her career.

Gabby Douglas just announced that she, too, was abused by her former team doctor, Larry Nassar ... this after 2 other U.S. gymnasts claimed the same thing.

Gabby issued a statement Tuesday which started out by apologizing for her perceived victim shaming of ex-teammate Aly Raisman ... and then dropped the bombshell that she, too, was a victim.

She said she didn't view her comments as victim shaming because "I know that no matter what you wear, it NEVER gives anyone the right to harass or abuse you. It would be like saying that because of the leotards we wore, it was our fault that we were abused by Larry Nassar."

Gabby continued ... "I didn't publicly share my experiences as well as many other things because for years we were conditioned to stay silent and honestly some things were extremely painful. I wholeheartedly support my teammates for coming forward with what happened to them."

As we reported ... Simone Biles blasted Gabby last week after Gabby essentially told Aly that women need to dress modestly to help avoid attracting potential predators.

Gabby apologized for the way her comment came off at the time .. but did not go public with her accusation of sexual abuse until now.