axed

Strictly Come Dancing star ‘confirms return’ after several stars axed

Strictly Come Dancing is facing a huge reshape after five dancers joined Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in heading for the exit door, but one professional seems to have confirmed they are staying

Strictly Come Dancing will have a hugely different lineup when it returns to the small screen later this year, but one favourite appears to have confirmed his position.

While five professional dancers foxtrot away from the BBC show for various reasons, South African star Johannes Radebe appears ready to commit to another series.

The dancer, 39, had seen speculation rise about his future on the show following the huge cull of show regulars last month. Gorka Marquez also became the latest to walk away last week after 10 years on the show. But Johannes looks set to feature in the 24th series of the popular dance contest. The star is currently starring as Lola in the 2026 production of Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum.

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And in a chat with The i Paper, he seemingly confirmed his return to the ballroom floor for another year. He told the publication: “‘I live at the Coliseum while I’m in Kinky Boots.

“And when that finishes, Strictly will come around again, so I think I’m just too busy [for a love life].”

Fans of the show will be pleased to hear him cement his place following the exit of a number of big names. Announced departures from the show so far, include; Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Hauer.

Gorka’s announcement was the latest to stun viewers. He took to Instagram last week to share the big decision. He wrote: “After last year’s decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing with the Stars Spain, I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.

“I will always be incredibly grateful to Strictly and the BBC for everything. Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity—over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends. For that, I will forever be thankful.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and shared their love throughout this incredible journey.”

And it’s not just the dancers who won’t be returning. Part way through the last series, hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly confirmed they were stepping down.

The pair released a joint statement to reveal their time is up. And while thee hasn’t been an official confirmation on who will take their place, the rumour mill has been rife.

Among the favourites to take the job on is Rylan Clark. Bradley Walsh has also been speculated, but the star of The Chase previously moved to distance himself from the show.

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A League of Their Own to make huge comeback – one year after TV show axed

The sports-themed panel show, A League of Their Own, is set to make a new comeback just one year after it was axed from TV after 20 seasons on Sky.

A year after the show was axed, A League of Their Own has announced that it will return in the form of a live arena tour, set to take place later in 2026 in the autumn.

It was announced that many of the famous faces from the show will be making an appearance again, with Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott returning to the show. Jill will be the team captain for the blue team, while Tony will lead the red team.

Tom Davis, Patrice Evra, and Maisie Adam will also make guest appearances, with more A-listers set to be announced. The tour is set to hit major cities including Liverpool, Manchester, London, Newcastle, Birmingham and Glasgow, giving fans the chance to experience the action up close like never before.

As in the TV show, the live tour will include challenges in the studio, but this time performed live on stage in front of audiences.

Speaking about the tour announcement, Jamie Redknapp said: ‘‘I can’t wait to take A League Of Their Own on tour to some of the biggest and best venues in the UK. We’ve put together a top team of League legends, some very special guests, and every night promises to be different.

“It’s gonna be loud it’s gonna be chaotic and it’s probably gonna be full of Leatherman jokes at my expense. Hosting A League Of Their Own Live is a dream job, so come and join in the fun. See you there!”

The announcement that the series was coming to an end came in April 2025, with Sky revealing the series would be ending after the 20th season.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director of Original Unscripted at Sky, said: “Series 20 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate everything A League of Their Own has achieved and to give it the send-off it truly deserves.

“We’re incredibly proud of the show — it’s been a cornerstone of Sky’s entertainment line-up for fifteen years and has delivered endless laughter, heart, and unforgettable moments. Huge thanks to the brilliant team at CPL Productions and to our fantastic on-screen line-up — Romesh, Jamie, Jill and Micah — who continue to bring such energy and chemistry to the show.”

Tickets for A League of Their Own go on sale on Friday, May 1 on Ticketmaster.

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Alex Scott breaks silence after Football Focus axed after 52 years

The Saturday soccer show, which looks ahead to the day’s games, is to end following a drop in ratings

Alex Scott has issued a statement after BBC bosses blew the final whistle on Football Focus after a run of 52 years. The presenter, 41, said: “I always knew this would be my last season on the show, which the BBC were aware of too. My intention was to move quietly into the next chapter, but sometimes things change.”

The show, hosted by Alex Scott, was first broadcast in 1974. The decision is said to be based on “changing audience behaviours”, with fans increasingly consuming football content in different ways.

She said: “To have been part of it has been incredibly special, and I’m so grateful and proud of the eight years I’ve been involved , including the five years I’ve had the honour of presenting it.

“It has been such an important part of my life, working with some of the very best people in the business, both on screen and behind the scenes. I’ve loved so much of it, the conversations, the laughter, and sharing so many big moments with you, the audience. Thank you for being part of it.”

It comes as the Corporation battles with its finances, with the BBC saying “it is appropriate to respond to this as difficult decisions are made around how the licence fee is spent”.

In an age of content creators and social media, many football fans are no longer tuning in to the BBC1 show.

But BBC Sport chiefs insisted the decision to end the show at the end of the current season was not a reflection on the performance of Scott, who took over in 2021 after Dan Walker’s 12-year stint.

Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of BBC Sport said: “Alex Scott is one of our finest presenters, is hugely popular across the men and women’s game and is a big part of our present and future.

“She will remain at the heart of our sports output across both the Men’s World Cup this year and the Women’s World Cup in 2027, as well as continuing her lead role on the Women’s Super League and BBC Sport Personality of the Year. We are also working on a very exciting new project with her – more to come on that soon.”

He added: “Football Focus has been a hugely important programme in the history of BBC Sport and has played a key role in telling the stories of the game for generations of viewers. This decision was made before last week’s wider BBC savings announcement, reflecting the continued shift in how audiences engage with football and our commitment to evolving how we deliver content to reach fans wherever they are.”

But Alex, who will be the last presenter of the long-running BBC stalwart, is said to have been left feeling “bruised” over the BBC’s inquests into its declining performance. The BBC has not published viewing figures but the audience had dropped off significantly from 849,000 in 2019 to 564,000 by 2023.

Walker predicted the end of the show back in 2023, when he said: “It’s hard to see Football Focus struggling… I hope it stays part of the TV landscape.”

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Brits warned summer holidays ARE at risk of being cancelled as jet fuel runs low and thousands of flights are axed

HOLIDAYS are at extreme risk of being cancelled this summer, experts have warned.

The ongoing war in Iran has already resulted in thousands of flights being cancelled around the world, due to jet fuel prices and shortages.

Holidays are “very likely” to be hit by the fuel crisis, experts have warned Credit: Alamy
Airlines have already begun cancelling flights Credit: Alamy

Ceasefire talks between the US and Iran are yet to end the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, after a previous ceasefire lasted just hours.

While UK airlines are yet to see any cancellations, Dan Jorgensen, the EU energy commissioner, said it was “very likely” holidays will be affected, according to Sky News.

This includes both cancelled flights and more expensive costs, he said, as Europe is in a “serious crisis”.

He explained: “Even if we do everything we can do, if the jet fuel is not there, then it’s not there.”

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“It is primarily a crisis of prices and not yet a crisis of supply, but unfortunately we cannot be sure to prevent a crisis of supply, especially on jet fuel in the future, if the crisis continues.”

Earlier this month, the International Energy Agency warned that supply issues could hit Europe in the next five to six weeks.

ACI Europe backed this up, saying: “If the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a reality.”

Mr Jorgensen added that even if the Strait of Hormuz opened tomorrow, the “price crisis will still last for quite some time”.

It could even be years, he warned, to get down to price levels seen before the crisis.

UK airlines are yet to be affected by the fuel crisis, as many have ‘hedged’ fuel, meaning paying a set fee.

But Airlines UK, which represents a number of carriers, including BA, Virgin, easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair, are now calling on the government for support to protect flights and holidays.

This would include temporary use of fuel type Jet A (not currently allowed in the UK) as well as relaxing the strict airport slot rules that would see airlines lose them if they don’t operate flights.

Easing night flight bans and “relieving the burden of Air Passenger Duty” have also been put forward.

A huge number of airlines have already cancelled flights in response to fears of jet fuel running out.

This includes:

  • Lufthansa – 20,000 cancelled up to September
  • United – around 250 a month cancelled
  • Air New Zealand – around 1,000 cancelled
  • Scandinavian Airlines – around 1,000 cancelled
  • KLM – 160 cancelled
  • Cathay Pacific – two per cent of flights up to June 30

Which airlines have already increased the cost of flights?

Rather than axing routes – other airlines have added surcharges or baggage fees…

  • Air France and KLM have have increased their round-trip fares by €100 (£87) on most of their long-haul flights– with an additional charge of €10 (£8.69) for a round trip in economy.
  • Virgin Atlantic confirmed it would do the same earlier this week – passengers in economy will pay an extra £50, in premium economy passengers will pay an extra £180 and anyone in business class will see flights cost an extra £360.
  • JetBlue has increased baggage fees by $4 (£3) for off peak, economy travellers. This will now be $39 (£30) – the cost peak economy travellers will be $49 (£37).
  • The low-cost Spanish Airline Volotea is adding maximum surcharge of €14 (£12.20) per person to flight bookings.

Some flights routes have been axed entirely – this includes Norse Airways, London-Los Angeles route.

And flights and holidays have already gone up in price in recent months.

The Transport & Environment (T&E) said in a statement this week that long-haul flights are up to £77 more expensive – working out to more than £300 per family.

And easyJet warned people to book holidays sooner rather than later to avoid more price hikes.

For anyone worrying about their holiday, families are better to book package holidays rather than separate flight and hotels, as most packages offer ATOL protection (meaning you will get your money back if your trip is cancelled).

It is also worth checking your travel insurance, although most policies do not cover anything related to war.

Airlines are already cancelling flights and hiking prices Credit: Alamy

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Sydney Sweeney sensationally axed from Devil Wears Prada 2 in brutal snub for Euphoria star

ACTRESS Anne Hathaway steals the show in a red dress at the US premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 — but Sydney Sweeney was a no-show after her scenes were cut.

Anne, 43 — who wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown — was joined by co-stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci for the screening.

Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney skipped film’s premiere in New York despite being pictured on set last year Credit: Splash
Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci and Anne Hathaway on the red carpet Credit: Splash
Anne wore a custom Louis Vuitton gown Credit: Getty

British Bridgerton star Simone Ashley was also there, along with Lady Gaga, who worked on the music for the film and makes a cameo appearance.

But Euphoria star Sydney, 28, skipped the premiere in New York.

She had been pictured on set last year.

Sources said she shot a scene in which she played herself being dressed by Emily’s character Emily Charlton.

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However, it did not make the final cut as it was felt it did not work with the rest of the storyline.

The film’s stars are due back on the red carpet in London’s Leicester Square this evening for the European premiere.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 comes 20 years after the original, in which Anne played aspiring journalist Andy Sachs working for cruel magazine editor Miranda Priestly, played by Streep,

Anne has previously spoken about how it changed her career.

She said: “This film opened so many doors for me, and it gave me so many opportunities.

“It became this anchor for how audiences responded to me, and let me take a lot more risks and make a lot of weird choices in my career, because I have this warm hug to come back to.”

Lady Gaga worked on the music for the film and makes a cameo appearance Credit: Getty
British Bridgerton star Simone Ashley wore a dazzling green dress Credit: Getty

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All of the Ryanair flights being axed across Spain this year

A NUMBER of popular holiday destinations in Spain are losing their Ryanair flights this year.

The budget airline confirmed last year they would be cutting 1.2million seats across the country,

Ryanair is scrapping a number of flights to Spanish destinations including one airport in TenerifeCredit: Getty

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The cancellations are due to the increase in airport fees, which would mean airlines paying an extra 21 per cent from 2027 to 2031.

An initial increase of 6.44 per cent has already been introduced back in March.

At the time of the announcement, the CEO of Ryanair, Eddie Wilson said: “Next winter we will make further cuts to regional airport services and I remind you that our total traffic in Spain for this summer will only grow by 0.5 per cent compared to 9 per cent in Italy, 11 per cent in Morocco or 20 per cent in Poland.

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“Aena’s proposal to increase fares by 21 per cent is regrettable, but not surprising, as this airport monopoly has a history of applying the highest fares at the expense of traffic development, especially at Spain’s regional airports, which are 70 per cent empty.”

He also commented that if the fees were increased it would “make even the most popular airports in Spain uncompetitive” and that Ryanair would turn to “other places in Europe where rates are more competitive”.

Here are some of the destinations being affected.

Asturias

All Ryanair flights to the coastal region of Asturias in north Spain have been stopped.

If you do want to head to Asturias though, British Airways, Iberia and Vueling all fly to the airport from the UK.

Vigo

All flights to the port city of Vigo in northwest Spain were suspended on January 1.

Routes cancelled include from London Stansted Airport.

There are currently no direct flights from the UK with other airlines to Vigo – instead, you would have to book a flight to Madrid then to Vigo.

Alternatively, Porto Airport is less than two hours away.

Instead of Tenerife North, Brits will have to head to Tenerife SouthCredit: Alamy

Tenerife North

All Ryanair flights to Tenerife North were stopped over the winter.

This included a route from London Stansted Airport.

If travellers want to head to Tenerife now, their best bet is to fly to Tenerife South, which Ryanair flies to from a number of UK airports including London Stansted, Bristol and Birmingham.

Valladolid

All flights to Valladolid in northwest Spain have been scrapped with the airline’s base closed at the airport since winter 2024.

If you wish to travel to Valladolid, the best way would be to fly to Madrid which is under two hours away.

Jerez

Ryanair has cancelled all of its direct flights to Jerez in the Andalusia region.

However, if you still want to fly to the destination, you can do so from the UK with Jet2.

Jet2 offers flights to Jerez from Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted and Manchester.

Alternatively, you could fly to Seville and then hop on a train that takes less than an hour to Jerez.

Other destinations where flights will be impacted include Santiago de CompostelaCredit: Getty

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela Airport in the Galicia region will no longer have a Ryanair base, which will mean fewer flights to the destination.

While the budget airline does still operate flights to and from the airport, Sun Travel found that these are mainly to destinations within Spain.

There are a number of other airlines that fly to the airport though, including British Airways, Vueling and Iberia.

Santander

Ryanair is set to reduce its capacity from Santander, known for its stunning views of the Bay of Biscay, by 38 per cent.

But the airline is still operating UK flights to the airport, including from Manchester, Birmingham and London Stansted – just a reduced number.

Zaragoza

The airline is also reducing flights from Zaragoza – the capital of Aragon in northeastern Spain – by 45 per cent.

While the airline does still fly to the airport, it is mainly from destinations outside the UK such as Milan in Italy.

Sun Travel found one route from the UK to the airport, which is from London Stansted.

Despite some routes being scrapped completely, there will also be reduced flights to and from a number of other aitportsCredit: Getty

Vitoria

There will be a slight reduction in Ryanair capacity to Vitoria (two per cent), which is the capital of the Basque region.

Despite this, Sun Travel found no routes from the UK to the Spanish airport with that airline.

If you want to head to Vitoria, your best bet is to fly to Bilbao Airport which is about an hour-and-a-half away.

Girona

Routes from Girona in Catalonia are also set to be reduced by 11 per cent over this summer season, according to Euro News.

Sun Travel found that there are currently still flights from UK airports including London Stansted, Bournemouth and Birmingham to the airport.

In other flight news, British travel misery is set to get worse as European flight cancellations stretch to five days.

Plus, two major airlines are set to hike flights by up to £90 due to rising jet fuel prices.

For some airports, travellers can fly with other airlinesCredit: Getty



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‘Vital’ 180-year-old ferry linking two UK seaside towns is being axed in just two days

A QUICK ferry route that spares Brits a half-hour car journey will cease operations this week.

The popular service, which connects two towns, has been in operation since the 1840s.

Fleetwood, Lancashire, seen across the Wyre River estuary from the Knott End-on-Sea slipway.
The Fleetwood-Knott End ferry service is set to cease operations later this weekCredit: Alamy

The ten-minute Fleetwood-Knott End ferry service in Lancashire is due to end on Wednesday, April 15.

This service carries 35 passengers from one side of the estuary to the other, sparing an 11 mile road commute via the Shard Bridge.

Wyre Council said the River Wyre service, which serves 30,000 people each year, was coming to an end because no “compliant tenders” to run it had been received after an 18-month search.

For three years, locals have been running a campaign to save the ferry, which they describe as a “vital service” and a “solid piece of heritage”.

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“Gutted” called the upcoming ceasation of the “national treasure” a “devastating” move for the local economy.

Wyre Council had been working alongside Lancashire County Council, which jointly subsidises the service, to try to “secure the long term future of the ferry”.

“This has included early market engagement, a formal open tender process in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, and detailed discussions with organisations that expressed an interest in operating the service,” Wyre Council said.

However, the council said there was not currently a “financially viable and deliverable proposal that would allow the service to continue beyond the current contract”.

“We recognise the ferry is an important part of daily life for many residents, businesses, and visitors.”

Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North & Fleetwood and Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster & Wyre, shared a joint statement regarding the closure of the 600-metre crossing.

Describing how “deeply concerned and disappointed” they were over the outcome, the MPs wrote: “The Fleetwood–Knott End ferry is a valued and much‑loved service, relied upon by communities on both sides of the river.

“We strongly urge both councils to come together as a matter of urgency and prioritise finding a swift and sustainable solution.”

The service currently costs £2.50 per person one-way, with additional fees for those travelling with bikes and dogs.

The Sun has reached out to Wyre Marine Services for comment.

And a century-old ferry service based out of a popular seaside town recently plunged into liquidation.

The Fleetwood to Knott End Ferry, named Wyre Rose, crossing the water.
The ferry service has been in operation in the area since the 1840sCredit: Facebook

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Scott Mills’ ‘work wife’ Tina Daheley breaks silence on why she’s been missing from Radio 2 after he’s axed by BBC

SCOTT Mills’ “work wife” Tina Daheley has revealed the “real reason” she was missing from Radio 2 this week.

It was revealed this week that fan-favourite host Scott had been fired from his Radio 2 Breakfast Show over allegations surrounding his “personal conduct.”

Scott Mills’ ‘work wife’ Tina Daheley has broken her silence on an ‘awful week’Credit: Instagram
Scott was fired this week over allegations surrounding his ‘personal conduct’Credit: BBC
Tina shared a photo of her in bed as she recovered from fluCredit: Instagram

The Sun understands that his contract was terminated within five days of the complaint being made.

It then came to light how Scott’s sacking was linked to a complaint about a 2016 police probe into historic “serious sexual offences” against a teenage boy, with the timeline of proceedings showing the BBC took seven years to act.

Scott’s co-presenter Tina took to social media on Wednesday to admit that it’s been an “awful week” after she went “missing”.

She shared a photo of herself in bed with a cup of tea and wrote: “Good morning! Just about recovered from this awful cold/flu.

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“I’ve had for the past week (being parent to a primary school aged child is like having a subscription service to viruses!).”

Tina then revealed when she would be returning to her hosting duties.

“Good news is I’m over the worst of it and looking forward to spending two weeks with my family over the Easter hols from tomorrow after what’s been an incredibly difficult past week,” she said.

“I’ll be back on the radio Tuesday 21st April.”

It comes after Scott’s podcast was pulled by the BBC.

His Mercedes-Benz Vans Under the Bonnet: On the Road podcast has also been taken off Spotify.

The four part series created in 2025 with the Under the Bonnet report, shone the spotlight on varying issues for van drivers including everything from road conditions to mental health.

Scott has previously opened up on his own mental health battles and the podcast saw him reveal how 65 per cent of drivers had also struggled.

Yet when users search for it on Spotify, from a Google link that previously worked, a caption now states: “Couldn’t find that podcast.

“Search for something else?”

Scott’s podcast was pulled by the BBC and SpotifyCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

The BBC have also removed him from a Race Across The World podcast and pulled scenes he filmed for EastEnders.

Yesterday, we exclusively reported how charity Neuroblastoma UK dropped him as a patron.

Recently, we reported how Scott had been wiped from the BBC’s social media.

It comes after it was confirmed the Scott Mills Bridge at the M3 service station was now set to be re-named.

Additionally, The Sun was first to report how his Eurovision replacement is his fellow BBC Radio 2 DJ, Sara Cox.

Since 2011, he has commentated on the semi-finals, which air on BBC One on Tuesday and Thursday in the week leading up to the grand final.

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SCOTT Mills has been sacked from BBC Radio 2 – yet what’s happening?

  • Scott Mills has been sensationally sacked by the BBC in a “tense” meeting with bosses
  • The sudden axing is understood to be linked to a 2016 police probe into historical sex offences involving a teen boy
  • Mills was questioned by police under caution in 2018 but the case was dropped in full due to a lack of evidence it is understood
  • The race is now on to find a replacement for Mills, with fellow BBC DJ Gary Davies standing in
  • And uncertainty now surrounds his future projects

In recent years, he has been joined by Rylan Clark to commentate on the shows, as well as the final live on Radio 2.

It comes after it transpired the broadcaster was questioned by police under caution in 2018 – when he was in his 40s, the Mirror reports.

The interview was related to alleged offences which took place between 1997 and 2000.

The case was dropped in full due to a lack of evidence.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told The Mirror: “In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

“The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.”

The spokesperson said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

“A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges,” the Met said.

“Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.”

The allegations, which did not result in any charges, were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

Scott began at Radio 1 in 1998 presenting the early morning slot before earning his own breakfast show The Scott Mills Show.

Scott’s pals have also claimed they “can’t reach him” amid the “teen boy sex probe”.

A BBC spokesperson told The Sun: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”

Scott’s pals have also claimed they ‘can’t reach him’ amid the ‘teen boy sex probe’Credit: Splash

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Families face £1.6bn tax hell on ‘great British holiday’ as 33,000 tourism jobs could be axed

A crowded Brighton beach with people swimming in the sea and relaxing on the pebble shore under red umbrellas, with the Brighton Palace Pier visible in the background.

FAMILIES are facing a whopping £1.6billion tax blow on the “great British holiday”, a new report has warned.

The findings from industry body UKHospitailty, with figures crunched by Oxford Economics, show that a proposal to slap a five per cent levy on accommodation could “decimate” the industry.

A crowded Brighton beach with people swimming in the sea and relaxing on the pebble shore under red umbrellas, with the Brighton Palace Pier visible in the background.
A holiday tax could slap holiday goers with a £1.6billion tax hell and lead to 33,000 jobs being axedCredit: Alamy

It comes as Labour Government has been proposing to allow local authorities the right to tax overnight stays in holiday parks, campsites, B&Bs and hotels as part of a new holiday tax.

UK Hospitality claim the proposed levy would slash GDP – a benchmark for the country’s economic health – by £2.2billion.

It also warned it would result in a £1.8billion reduction in hospitality spending.

The group also claimed that it would lead to the loss of 33,000 job roles in areas of the UK where there are few alternative employment opportunities.

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Allen Simpson, chief Executive of UKHospitality, said the tax would make staycations “more expensive and decimate tourism.”

“There are no winners from a holiday tax. From coastal communities and city centres to local guesthouses, pubs and taxi firms, the impacts are stark and indiscriminate.

He added: “Taxes up, jobs lost and our high streets hit once again. Holidays are for relaxing, not taxing. The government should keep it that way and stop the holiday tax.”

The charge, which could be applied to hotels, Airbnb-style accommodation and short lets, could amount to a whopping £1.6billion holiday tax on tourists by 2030, according to the figures

Meanwhile, Simon Palethorpe, chief of Haven, said it would mean fewer UK holidays resulting in “less investment and fewer jobs, often in areas where there are few alternative employment opportunities”.

He added: “In the UK, visitors are already paying double the VAT rate of the most popular overseas holiday hotspots. The UK is a great place to visit and we should be encouraging people to do so, not adding extra taxes.”

The government launched a consultation on the tax, with final views submitted last month.

Other measures that also could be introduced include a £2 tax per person per night on staycations.

However, it is worth noting that it will be up to individual mayors to decide whether or not to propose a charge for visitors to their towns or cities.

Government has previously said the charge will help improve local tourism infrastructure, public services.

But it has faced major pushback, with a Labour MP warning last week it will hit family breaks in the UK.

Emma Lewell wrote to Chancellor Rachel Reeves raising “serious” concerns about the proposals.

The South Shields MP said: “When households are already under pressure with the cost of living rises, this is demoralising and unaffordable.

“Families need a break. Taxing their break is a step too far.”

Major firms including Butlin’s, Hilton and Travelodge have responded to the proposals.

They say the plans would drain cash from local businesses and make the UK less competitive.

A Government spokesperson previously said it expect any new charges to be modest, and for mayors to consider the “right level for their area.”

The Sun has launched a campaign to show how the tax could affect YOU, to show your support go to our website at StopTheHolidayTax.uk.

Illustration of a graphic titled "The Impact on Your Break," showing how a new £2 per person tax increases the total cost of self-catering holidays for families of four and six, for both seven-night and four-night stays.
We show how the tax could impact you

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