apps

Apple TV has launched a rare Black Friday deal that sees the subscription cost cut in half for six months.

Apple TV has unveiled a rare Black Friday deal that’s slashed its subscription cost by half. Across this Black Friday weekend, new and eligible returning subscribers can join Apple TV for £4.99 per month for six months.

This marks a 50% discount from the usual £9.99 and grants full access to series such as Slow Horses, Severance, Ted Lasso and The Studio, all while saving a cool £30. However, Apple TV has issued a ‘last chance’ warning to claim the deal before it expires on Monday, December 1.

It makes Apple TV the most affordable major streaming service when compared to the basic plans of Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video, which all now cost £5.99. After the six-month promotional period, Apple TV will revert to its usual price of £9.99 per month unless cancelled.

Those who take advantage of this offer will be able to stream every episode of titles including Pluribus, the new sci-fi drama from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. Emma Thompson’s mystery thriller Down Cemetery Road, based on Slow Horses author Mick Herron’s debut novel, is also streaming now.

Coming to Apple TV soon are Brad Pitt’s F1 (December 12), Hijack season two (January 14), and Godzilla series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season two (February 27). It comes as Apple’s streaming service quietly underwent a significant change in October, dropping the ‘+’ from its name and rebranding simply as Apple TV, reports Wales Online.

Get Apple TV half price for Black Friday

£9.99

£4.99

Apple TV+

Get Apple TV+ here

TV fans can get Apple TV half price for six months as it drops from £9.99 to £4.99 until December 1.

The Apple TV half price deal is also available for Sky customers when subscribing via the Apple TV app, as part of Sky’s Black Friday sale. The provider has cut several TV packages to their ‘lowest ever price’, offering free Netflix subscriptions and more than 100 channels with options like the Essential TV and 500Mbps Full Fibre Broadband bundle (£35).

Apple TV has had a record-breaking year for its original content, with season two of Severance surpassing Ted Lasso to become the platform’s most-watched series ever. It also dominated the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, bagging a total of 22 wins for Severance, Slow Horses and The Studio.

The latter made Emmys history by scooping 13 awards – the highest ever for a comedy series – including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor for Seth Rogen. However, while Apple TV’s library is brimming with original content, it doesn’t offer the endless blockbusters and classic films found on rivals like Netflix or major Disney+ franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel.

What it does provide are exclusive titles featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Jake Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt and Matthew McConaughey, as well as legendary filmmakers like Martin Scorsese. Customers can enjoy 50% off Apple TV when signing up by December 1.

Chloe Bennett, 27, was bored of British life and was ‘miserable’ after going through a break-up

A woman left behind the “cold and miserable” UK for sunny Dubai without securing a job or flat beforehand and insists that she could “never go back”. Chloe Bennett, 27, had grown tired of British life and felt “bored” during weekends, where her most thrilling pastime was browsing Home Bargains.

Following a visit to see a mate in Dubai, she became smitten with the city, handed in her notice and relocated in December 2023 with no employment or accommodation arranged. Although she initially had to accept lower wages to find work, she felt instantly happier thanks to the climate and the wealth of activities on offer.

Now, two years on, she operates her own business as a social media manager, pulling in 20% more than she earned in her previous UK tech sales position.

Chloe, from Eastbourne, East Sussex, said: “It’s so cold and miserable in the UK and there’s nothing to do in the evenings. I just worked a normal 9-5 and then spent my weekends going around Home Bargains and TK Maxx and that was the most excitement I got.

“I came to Dubai on holiday to see my friend and I just fell in love with it. It’s sunny all year round. There’s so much to do and it’s hard to be depressed when you open your curtains every day and it’s sunny.

“Now I spend my weekends going wakeboarding, visiting the zoo and staying on boats. There’s just so much more to do. I’ve started my own company here, got a puppy and I can’t imagine ever going back.”

Chloe felt “miserable” in the UK following a painful break-up and family relationship breakdown. She made the decision to leave her tech sales role after five years with the company.

“I came to see my friend in Dubai and she was having a great time and it just felt like a nudge to try something new,” she said.

However, finding work in the UAE proved challenging, as she discovered most positions there were commission-based rather than salaried.

“I tried for months to get a job, but I just decided to leave anyway with no job and nowhere to live, and just give it everything,” she said. Upon arriving in Dubai, Chloe began sharing a room with a girl she’d connected with through a rental app to keep expenses down.

She also started posting frequently on her TikTok about relocating to Dubai and was approached by a recruiter she’d previously spoken with, who offered her a position at a property firm. Before starting the role, she met a colleague from the same company and they began having lunch together daily, eventually deciding to share a flat.

The property job paid Chloe less than she’d been earning in the UK, but it didn’t matter because she felt happier. In April 2025, she decided to go it alone and launch her own social media management business, Socials with Chloe, where she now earns 20% more than her UK salary, allowing her to live comfortably despite high living costs.

Despite loving her life in Dubai, Chloe admitted that the one downside is being separated from her family. “When I left my little brother was seven and now he’s about to be 10, it’s nuts how much he’s grown”, she said. “I feel like I’m missing out on a lot, this is going to be my second Christmas away from them.”

Yet Chloe’s closest friend has recently moved to Dubai with her partner, which has eased her homesickness. Another aspect of the UK she longs for is the cuisine.

“I’m just really fussy, the McDonald’s chicken nuggets here taste so different, I don’t know what it is”, she said.

Chloe explained that Dubai boasts a thriving entrepreneurial scene and offers far more prospects than the UK.

She said: “As crazy as it sounds, I feel like you can do anything you wanted. If you want to start your own company or launch a clothing line, you can do it, people are so supportive.”

Dubai is renowned for its high costs, but following a TikTok post about Waitrose prices in the UAE, Chloe received numerous comments from Brits asserting that the UK has become just as pricey as Dubai.

“From what I hear, the prices are pretty much the same in both places now”, she said. She mentioned that she no longer does a weekly food shop, as ordering takeaways nightly works out cheaper and costs merely £3 monthly for unlimited delivery.

“You can get anything you want delivered in 15 minutes, it’s so much better than Uber Eats back home”, she said. Hailing from a small town, Chloe revealed that back home everyone was privy to everyone else’s affairs.

However, she relishes the fact that Dubai is nothing like that. “Dubai is actually really tiny and everyone know everyone, but they don’t know everyone’s business”, she expressed.

Recently, Chloe became a dog mum and now spends her weekends at a local dog beach, watching her new pup frolic in the sea. She confessed that she can’t envision ever returning to the UK, although she does have concerns about the long-term implications of living in the UAE, particularly the fact that all schools are private.

“I know a lot of people who say that they will go back, but for me personally, I can’t see it happening”, she admitted.

Married At First Sight UK has come to an end and a series of bombshell splits have been announced

Married At First Sight UK has reached a dramatic conclusion, leaving viewers curious about which couples are still going strong beyond the cameras.

The hit E4 programme has delivered an absolutely explosive series packed with shocking revelations. From Julia-Ruth’s bombshell about getting matching ink with another groom and texting someone else, to devastating break-ups – this series has truly had everything.

However, only five couples managed to reach the final vows ceremony, with four deciding to continue their romances in the real world.

Now that the latest Married At First Sight UK series has wrapped up, we’ve examined which couples made it to those crucial final vows and who’s still together after filming ended.

This follows a series of surprising separation announcements. So which pairs are actually still loved-up? reports OK!.

Davide and Keye – separated

Fan favourites Davide and Keye breezed through their final vows and took their romance into the real world. Nevertheless, it’s now been revealed that the pair are no longer an item.

The duo confirmed their break up this month after Keye admitted to using dating app Grindr, which a devastated Davide uncovered. In a social media statement, Davide revealed the two were no longer speaking but said he “wished Keye the best”.

Confirming their split, Keye said: “In the early hours of a Sunday morning, while Davide was on a flight, I downloaded Grindr. I want to be clear that I was not looking to cheat, hook up, or find someone else. I was in a dark and fragile place and reached for something unhealthy because I did not know how else to cope.

“What I was seeking had nothing to do with intimacy. It was an attempt to escape emotions I could not sit with, and I reached for substances when what I really needed was support.”

He added: “When Davide found my profile through his, it cost me my marriage. That is something I carry with me every day.”

Leigh and Leah – separated

Viewers will recall the devastating final vows as both Leigh and Leah chose to end their relationship there and then.

Leigh confessed the couple had battled with their communication along with trust issues, whilst Leah spoke about the strain and uncertainty as she revealed she felt she was being put on “trial”.

The pair remain apart, with Leah seemingly dating someone new since leaving the programme whilst Leigh appears to be single at present.

Bailey and Rebecca – separated

Despite keeping a solid relationship going throughout the series and delivering touching final vows, Rebecca and Bailey revealed their break up after filming wrapped.

Rebecca simply posted on Instagram: “To answer all the questions…. Yes, he fumbled.”

Meanwhile, in an extensive statement, Bailey revealed: “Unfortunately it’s time to share that Bec and I are no longer together…

“We tried our best to navigate life after the experiment, and although we spent a lot of great time together on the outside, unfortunately the relationship came to an end. I still have a lot of love for Bec and I’m grateful for the amazing relationship we shared. I had fallen for Bec completely and it really was a true love story.”

He went on to say he accepts responsibility for his role in the relationship breakdown, describing it as “heartbreaking”.

Leisha and Reiss – separated

Leisha and Reiss faced their share of communication struggles during their MAFS UK journey but departed the experiment determined to make their romance work.

Nevertheless, it was subsequently revealed the pair had parted ways.

It seems their communication difficulties persisted beyond the show as Leisha was spotted in floods of tears during an emotional reunion episode.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Leisha penned: “This experience has taught me that my worth is not defined by someone else’s ability to value it. I may have lost him, but in the process, I found me.”

Abi and John – still together

Abi and John remain the sole couple from the series who are still loved-up and going strong.

The duo stayed solid throughout their MAFS UK adventure, despite arriving as latecomers to the experiment. Earlier this week, John took to Instagram to share some news, stating they had an “announcement to make” before confirming that the couple are still going strong.

In a subsequent post, John revealed that they’ve been spending more time in North Wales, with Abi responding to his update: “Best feeling ever is to step into our new lives together! Wales = Home.”

Married At First Sight UK is available to stream on Channel 4 online

This Morning star Michelle Elman has revealed that she is set to undergo another brain surgery after a scan showed another cyst on her brain

She has earned herself a legion of fans on the back of her life changing advice as This Morning’s relationship and life coach. But away from the cameras the TV expert has been battling a debilitating condition.

Michelle Elman recently revealed that she is to undergo surgery after a scan showed a new cyst had grown on her brain. The 32 year old star has been dealing with a condition called hydrocephalus.

This condition is caused by fluid building up on the brain creating pressure, that can be fatal if left untreated. Taking to social media, Michelle told her followers that she plans to remove the cyst next year.

On her Instagram story, she penned: “Yesterday I found out I need another brain surgery. I have a cyst in my brain again and also the magnet in my brain needs replacing.”

Currently, Michelle lives with a metal magnet on her brain which doctors inserted to control the flow of fluid to reduce a build up.

Michelle continued: “It’s not urgent but it is needed so now I have to figure out when to schedule this so it disrupts my life as little as possible. Inevitably I will have to pause my life and go deal with this, likelihood it will be next year, but until then it’s business as usual.”

But this is not the first time Michelle has been under the surgeon’s knife. She previously revealed that she has battled a brain tumour, a punctured intestine and obstructed bowels. And on the back of her various conditions, she has undergone 15 surgeries.

The TV personality has not had the best of luck. As she also shared with viewers on This Morning that she was engaged for a mere 24 hours after finding out that her fiancé, who she had been darting for three years, was cheating on her.

Hours after her partner popped the question a woman contacted her to expose her boyfriend’s deceitful behaviour.

Sat on the TV show’s infamous sofa, she revealed: “He was with me when I got the first message saying ‘Is this person your fiance?’ “I thought it was a colleague, like this person knows you, and it took a while to figure out. My first reaction was shock.”

She continued: “I was shaking and I kept saying, ‘Please tell me first I don’t want to find out from her’.”

Last year, she told hosts Ben Shepherd and Cat Deeley :”We met on a dating app, he was my first date after the pandemic. Love of my life, healthiest relationship I had ever had. I was engaged and then a woman reached out and asked if he was my fiancé. I ended up speaking to her for an hour on the phone. He was on a dating app, he was on a business trip and yeah…”

She continued: “I fully back myself. I am emotionally intelligent, smart, intelligent woman. I have every tool in my tool kit to notice red flags. If someone wants to lie to you they will. Wholeheartedly I did not see any red flags. As a red flag the second you go on their phone, the relationship is gone. The trust is gone.’

Unpacking how the revelation unfolded, she went on to say: “Then it was screenshots of the dating profile and his number, I believed her from the get go, but I needed evidence. She told me the hotel, and I said put that in your email, and it came up, then he admitted it. He admitted it and to others as well but I think my reaction was just was ‘you have ruined a good thing, this is supposed to be happiest day of my life’.”

READ MORE: Top-rated baby car seat that ‘makes life much easier’ has 20% off in Black Friday sales

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Comedian Ruby Wax and social media star Morgan Burtwistle, known as Angryginge, will be the first celebrities to face an eating challenge on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

I’m A Celebrity fans have been left furious after they encountered issues with voting on the app during last night’s show.

The ITV1 show, filmed in Australia, began with five of the celebrities flying over a beach in a helicopter, which they were told they would be jumping out of. Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp, model Kelly Brook, rapper Aitch, comedian Eddie Kadi and former EastEnders star Shona McGarty were all seen skydiving in the programme.

The five celebrities were then made to enter a wooden structure and wade through offal and slime to find a key fob that would gain them access to a getaway car taking them to camp. Aitch, real name Harrison Armstrong, and Kadi won the challenge and got in the car where they were met with cocktails.

READ MORE: Dad whose son left school due to bullies has now been threatened with fines

READ MORE: Hero ex-boyband star saves man from taking his own life with selfless act

The three other celebrities entered the Cockie van which had a giant beetle structure on top of it.

The five other campmates – Wax, Burtwistle, soap star Lisa Riley, TV presenter Jack Osbourne and sports broadcaster Alex Scott – missed out on skydiving and arrived at a luxury villa before battling it out for a seat in the getaway car.

The celebrities had their heads placed inside boxes filled with snakes and were asked to put their hand in a box of green ants to unscrew bolts and release the fob for the car. Osbourne and Burtwistle won the challenge, while Brook, Kemp, McGarty, Riley, Wax and Scott were left riding in the Cockie van, alongside Kiosk Kev.

After arriving at camp, Jack cooked a steak dinner with mushrooms and avocado for Eddie, Aitch and Angryginge while the others were given emu neck to eat.

Fans were then able to vote for the first Bushtucker trial of the series but some viewers have branded the show a fix and claimed the app wasn’t working.

Taking to X one person moaned: “ I’m a celebrity is a fix. Can’t vote cos the app doesn’t work.” A second said: “Would be nice if they sorted this app out, it didn’t work for a lot of people and we weren’t able to vote.” While a third asked: “Is anyone having issues with the voting app? Why isn’t it letting me vote??”

Comedian Ruby Wax and social media star Morgan Burtwistle, known as Angryginge, will be the first celebrities to face an eating challenge on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly told campmates the bushtucker trial will take place at “revolting restaurant” The Divey, during Sunday’s debut episode.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! airs daily at 9pm on ITV1.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Apple has removed two popular gay dating apps in China in response to the government’s continued policing of LGBTQIA+ related online content.

According to a recent report from Wired, Blued and Finka disappeared from the company’s App Store in China after the country’s internet regulator issued an order.

“We follow the laws in the countries where we operate. Based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two apps from the China storefront only,” an Apple spokesperson told the news outlet in an email statement.

The spokesperson went on to say that the two apps, owned by parent company BlueCity, had already dialled back availability before being completely removed.

“Earlier this year, the developer of Finka elected to remove the app from storefronts outside of China, and Blued was available only in China,” they added.

While Finka and Blued can no longer be downloaded from the App Store, users who already have the app can still access them.

Over the last few years, the LGBTQIA+ community in China has faced relentless censorship by the government.

In 2020, the country’s annual Pride celebration, Shanghai Pride, was unceremoniously shut down.

The following year, dozens of queer-related accounts on the popular messaging app WeChat were removed, and all their content was deleted.

In 2022, Grindr disappeared from China’s App Store a few days after the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) launched a month-long campaign to remove content it deemed problematic.

The Chinese government has also censored LGBTQIA+ content within other sectors of the entertainment sphere.

In 2021, CAC introduced a new policy banning any “effeminate” male characters, established queer relationships and characters with “no clear gender” in video games.

Films like Alien: Covenant, Bohemian Rhapsody and Together also faced censorship in China, with their LGBTQIA+ content either getting chopped or altered to fit a heterosexual narrative.

In 2018, Chinese broadcaster Mango TV cut Ireland’s performance from the Eurovision semi-finals due to the inclusion of two same-sex dancers.

Three years later, the country’s top three streaming platforms – iQiyi, Tencent Video and Alibaba’s Youku – took out a segment from the Friends reunion that celebrated the show’s LGBTQIA+ fans.

Lastly, in 2024, eagle-eyed viewers of Netflix’s hit series Arcane noticed that scenes depicting Vi and Caitlyn’s romance were either heavily censored or cut altogether.

One Reddit user said they had visited markets in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, and Estonia last winter, and the experience soon began to lose its sheen.

Visiting a Christmas market is a delightful festive tradition for many. The ambience and festivity make them a great way to get into the seasonal spirit, and there’s a chance of finding some unique Christmas gifts you wouldn’t spot elsewhere.

But there can be too much of a good thing, as one Reddit user discovered when they visited eight different markets across Europe last winter. Posting on the social media site, the user said they had visited markets in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, and Estonia, and the experience soon began to lose its sheen.

They wrote: “When I visited more than two or three markets in a short time (weekend) they all started to blur together really quickly. Each market had its own things, like different themes, food, and decorations, but after a few markets, it became hard to remember what things were in which city.

“All the markets started to feel repetitive, like a general ‘winter/Christmas market’ packed with people rather than something new and interesting in each location.”

They added they were disappointed to see local, handmade products were often drowned out by mass-produced goods. Concluding, they said they would still be visiting some Christmas markets this year, but would spread out their visits, and wouldn’t go to as many.

“I don’t regret my travel decisions – mainly because the markets were not the main point of my travels,” they said. “But if they were, I would be, just because it turns into one big blur so easily.

“So I will definitely recommend checking out some Christmas market or two if they’re your thing, just spend a little bit more time there to actually translate and understand all the cool local products they have.”

Commenters were mixed in their reactions, with some agreeing, but others saying they loved visiting Christmas markets in the lead-up to the big day.

One wrote: “I think going to one Christmas market – either here at home or somewhere else – per year can be charming, but to be honest, the whole thing has become so industrialised that I’m pretty done even after one. But I see it as more of an experience and usually don’t want to buy much.

“Like part of the charm is being outside, getting rosy cheeks, dipping in somewhere for a cappuccino or hot chocolate, or having eiswein, being with friends and not having structure or plans. Goes honestly for outdoor markets not at Christmas time, also, but there is something unique and charming at Christmas. It is sad about the squeezing out of real artisans.”

Another said: “Visiting too many Christmas markets quickly can really drain the experience and make them blur together tbh. It is actually smart to focus on one or two. I’d also support local artisans over mass produced souvenirs to keep the culture and quality alive.”

But a third said: “I’ve been to lots of Christmas markets with nice local food, crafts and arts that you can’t easily find elsewhere. And even if it is stuff you can find elsewhere, often the ambience is often quite nice. Talking about the real deal, German markets, and the best of Dutch markets; many other countries have markets which are fake touristy imitations of the real deal.”

And another said: “I love the markets, and go to several for the vibe and the food and the gluhwein. German village markets are fantastic.”

Travel giant Expedia has shared its top 10 destinations of the year, which are powered by real-time data from daily visitors to its site and app

If you fancy exploring hidden gems, these top 10 spots revealed by the travel giant might be perfect for your upcoming getaway. Expedia’s 2026 destinations of the year list draws on real-time data from daily visitors to its site and app.

The announcement coincides with the travel giant launching its Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel report. It showcases where worldwide interest is surging rapidly.

This year’s selection features France, Italy, alongside more distant locations in Canada and Mexico.

Six of these emerging hotspots also satisfy the requirements for Expedia’s fresh Smart Travel Health Check, which acknowledges destinations that actively manage tourism sustainably, reports the Express.

Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, said: “Some of my most unforgettable travel moments come from immersing myself in local cultures, supporting local economies, and exploring less-travelled destinations.

“With one billion average monthly travel searches, Expedia Group isn’t just a travel marketplace, we’re a catalyst for positive change.

“We have a responsibility to shape the future of travel: one that’s smarter, more sustainable, and deeply respectful of the places we go.”

Big Sky, Montana, U.S.

Nestled within the Rocky Mountains’ core, Big Sky in Montana provides year-round activities.

During winter months, the area becomes a snow enthusiast’s haven, whilst summer brings spectacular walking routes.

Okinawa, Japan Okinawa

Japan’s southernmost island chain, offers a blend of turquoise waters, coral reefs and a unique Ryukyuan heritage. Once a kingdom in its own right, the region now provides a mix of hospitality, history, and a relaxed island lifestyle.

Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is a hidden jewel in the Mediterranean, offering crystal-clear waters, ancient history and untouched landscapes. From glamorous beaches to a bustling city, Sardinia provides an Italian getaway without the crowds.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Located off the southwest coast of Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island boasts white sandy beaches and emerald waters. Once a tranquil fishing hub, it’s now a fusion of beach resorts and night markets.

Savoie, France

Tucked away in the French Alps, Savoie is home to world-class ski resorts, making it perfect for a winter holiday. In summer, anticipate hiking, cycling and sailing, as well as indulging in cheese fondue and alpine wines.

Fort Walton Beach, Florida, U.S.

North Florida’s Gulf Coast is a region of exceptional natural beauty, with picturesque beaches and nature walks where you can explore the state’s native parks. It’s the ideal spot for those who love the outdoors, with activities such as snorkelling, hiking and dolphin watching.

Ucluelet, Canada

Visitors to Ucluelet can enjoy surfing, kayaking, and spotting whales and sea lions just offshore. There are also plenty of land-based activities like rock climbing, ziplining, biking and wildlife watching.

Or, if you prefer to relax, there are numerous top hotels and holiday rentals available.

Cotswolds, UK

The Cotswolds, one of England’s most scenic regions, is home to quaint towns like Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold. Here, you can wander through historic gardens, savour a pint in traditional English pubs and tearooms, and admire the iconic Cotswold stone.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Tucked away in Mexico’s central highlands, San Miguel de Allende is a compact city boasting stunning architecture, ancient religious structures and cobbled streets. It’s renowned for its community of artisans and artists, with some of their finest works on display at the Fabrica La Aurora galleries and studios.

Hobart, Australia

Once notorious as a penal colony, this harbour city has transformed into Tasmania’s cultural heart, drawing food enthusiasts and nature buffs from around the globe. Hobart serves up some of the country’s most inventive cuisine, and its beer, wine and produce are celebrated across Australia.

Budget airline Ryanair to scrap the option for passengers to print out and use a paper boarding pass

Ryanair passengers will be forced to use digital boarding passes only from next week.

The budget airline issued update to remind customers, ahead of the big change from Wednesday November 12. From that date, passengers will no longer be able to download and print a physical paper boarding pass.

Instead, they will have to use the digital boarding pass generated in the “myRyanair” app on their mobile device – smartphone or tablet – during check-in process to board any of its flights.

Ryanair insisted the “vast majority” of people already use digital boarding in this way, adding that nearly 80% of its more than 207 million passengers annually did so. But that still means that around 40 million passengers who prefer other methods, including printing their pass, will be impacted.

Dara Brady, Ryanair’s chief marketing officer, said: “While over 80% of passengers already use digital boarding passes, and therefore won’t be affected by this progressive change, we remind the small number of passengers who still print boarding passes to download the myRyanair app ahead of the move to 100% digital boarding passes from Wednesday, 12 November.

“Moving fully digital means a faster, smarter, and greener experience for passengers, whilst also providing easier access to a range of innovative in-app features, including ‘Order to Seat’, live flight information and direct updates during disruption. We look forward to delivering an enhanced travel experience for 100% of our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class myRyanair app.”

Ryanair insisted the move would mean lower airport costs and so fares for all Ryanair passengers, as well as saving 300 tonnes of paper annually.

But it has already had to reassurance customers who fear they will be caught out. For instance, it says that if passengers lose their smartphone or tablet they can get a free boarding pass at the airport, but assuming they have already checked-in to their flight online. The same is true if their battery runs out before they get through airport security, it says, while if it packs up before boarding then they “will be assisted at the gate.”

Then there is the question of what happens if a customer does not have a smartphone with the Ryanair app. The airline says: “If passengers don’t have a smartphone or tablet, as long as they have already checked-in online before arriving at the airport, they will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.”

Ryanair added that, as long as passengers have checked-in online, the digital boarding pass will be available regardless of whether they have a mobile signal or not.