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I stayed at the chocolate box village hotel that’s the Cotswolds best kept secret

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THE HOLIDAY inspired hotel rooms? Check. Free fudge after check in? Check.

If both of those have you tempted, here’s everything you need to know about a stay at The Feathered Inn.

The Feathered Nest Inn overlooks Evenlode Valley in Nether Westcote Credit: Handout
The rooms are just as stunning as the village itself Credit: supplied

What is The Feathered Nest like?

This 350 year-old former malthouseturned-inn with a fine dining restaurant is a cosy bolthole in a chocolate box village overlooking the rolling hills of the Evenlode Valley.

What are the rooms like?

The inn has four tastefully decorated rooms where homemade cookies and fudge will await you.

For those wanting a Kate Winslet moment, inspired by movie, The Holiday, the inn features a gorgeous honey-coloured cottage that sleeps four guests.

It features flagstone flooring, an open fireplace and a huge freestanding bath.

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Rooms start from £235 per night, including breakfast. Stays at the cottage are from £350 per night. See thefeatherednestinn.co.uk.

Dogs are allowed at the cottage for an additional £25.

What is there to eat and drink at the hotel?

The inn’s award winning 3-AA Rosette restaurant sources the best seasonal ingredients, such as Welsh lamb and Yorkshire rhubarb and is where head chef James Erasmus works his magic.

Breakfast can be served in either the pretty garden room or the grounds.

What else is there?

The nearby village of Stow-on-the-Wold is a market town featuring quaint antique shops and traditional tea rooms.

David Beckham‘s favourite sausage roll can be found at The Cotswold Guy in the village of Guiting Power.

Fine dining restaurant with a menu of seasonal ingredients Credit: Adrian Sherratt – The Times
The Feathered Nest country inn in the village of Nether Westcote starts from £235 per night

The Feathered Nest has lots of information about circular walks or, if you’re up for it, take on The Cotswold Way – a 102-mile hiking route between Chipping Campden and Bath.

It’s surely one of the best kept secrets in the Cotswolds.

Is it family friendly?

The cottage fits 4 people which families will want to book to make their stay easy. 

Is there access for guests with disabilities?

The ground floor of the Inn can be uneven and requires the use of short staircases throughout the building.

Guests that need a room with easy access should contact the bookings team to discuss requirements for the stay.

However, there is level access to the dining terrace and the Garden Room, although guests should let the booking team know that easy access is needed. 

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ITV The Box star branded a ‘snake’ as cast left stunned by lie told on show

The competition series fronted by Gary Lineker took an uncomfortable turn as lies told by one of the cast finally came to light

ITV’s The Box cast were stunned after learning their co-star had lied to them.

The star-studded competition series sees celebrities taken to a series of locations where they are then given a challenging task to complete. As per ITV’s synopsis: “Plunged into the unknown while enclosed in a box, 10 celebrities emerge in mystery locations to face their fears in tricky challenges.”

While the line-up initially featured 10 famous faces, that has now been whittled down to just eight at the start of the third episode, which aired this evening (September 12). Remaining in the contest was YouTuber Danny Aarons; comedian Ellie Taylor; reality star Joey Essex; JLS star JB Gill; The Chase’s Jenny Ryan; former politician John Bercow; presenter Ranvir Singh and Love Island star Shakira Khan.

The opening challenge saw the cast thrust into a debate at the prestigious Oxford Union in front of a packed audience. Their debating partner was a fellow celebrity, with reality stars Joey and Shakira going head-to-head in an argument over whether cats or dogs made the better pet.

Just before the start of their debate, Shakira revealed that not only had she been Head Girl at her school, but that she had also been “head of the debate club”, leaving the audience erupting into gasps and Joey immediately doubting his chances at a win.

“I’ve no chance, have I?” he said, before show host Gary Lineker revealed that Joey had to argue for cats being better pets, while Shakira was assigned the counter-argument during which she claimed a scar on her face had been at the hands of a cat.

Despite his passion for the subject matter, Shakira was ultimately crowned the winner of their debate by the watching audience. However, when Gary brought the cast together later on, it emerged Shakira had not been entirely honest.

“Shakira, as head of the school debating society how relieved were you not to lose to Joey Essex?” Gary asked, prompting a sheepish admission from the Love Island star.

“That was actually a fib Gary,” she started, as a stunned Gary replied: “It was a fib was it? I didn’t think you had that in you.”

“The scar from my chin is also not from a cat,” Shakira added, leaving her co-stars open-mouthed. “So a few white lies don’t hurt in politics.”

Following the admission, her co-star Aaron fumed: “Shakira has shown her true colours today. She lied to the audience and I think that shows a snake.”

The Box continues tomorrow night at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. Episodes 3 and 4 are also available to stream now on ITVX.

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Angel City rallies from two-goal deficit to force draw with Denver

Angel City and the Denver Summit played to a 3-3 draw at BMO Stadium on Friday.

Angel City (9-8-6) opened the scoring in the 45th minute when defender Sarah Gorden intercepted the ball and immediately played it to Maiara Niehues for a goal. The midfielder matched the club record with her eighth goal of the season.

Denver forward Yuzuki Yamamoto scored for the third straight game in the 49th minute with a shot from inside the box. A minute later, Lindsey Heaps scored her first goal for the Summit (8-8-7) on a rebound.

Janine Sonis added a long-range goal for the Summit in the 61st minute to give Denver a 3-1 lead.

On a breakaway in the 63rd minute, Angel City’s Sveindís Jonsdottir passed the ball to Prisca Chilufya for a tap-in. It was initially ruled offside but video review overturned the call.

Later, Denver defender Ayo Oke’s high boot in the box caught Angel City midfielder Ally Sentnor in the face. Sentnor converted on the ensuing penalty kick for the final goal in the 74th minute.

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How Zendaya became Hollywood’s hottest heroine raking in $2.4BILLION at box office in biggest year of her career to date

HOLLYWOOD star Zendaya has become the big screen’s hottest heroine after her films raked in some £3billion this year alone at the global box office.

The 30-year-old actress has pulled in £1.8billion with Spider-Man: Brand New Day and £1.2billion with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey — with Dune: Part Three still to come.

Zendaya has become the big screen’s hottest heroine after her films raked in some £3billion this year alone at the global box office Credit: PA
Newlyweds Zendaya and Tom, who also star in the Spider-Man movies Credit: Getty

It puts her ahead of every other leading lady in cinema in 2026 — with her annual income from movies alone estimated at tens of millions of pounds.

Zendaya plays MJ in the Spider-Man movies, opposite husband Tom Holland, also 30, in the title role.

The superhero extravaganza has become one of the biggest movies of all time.

She also stars alongside him and an ensemble cast including Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway in The Odyssey.

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The swords and sandals epic has itself become a massive summer hit and a box office phenomenon.

It easily grabbed the cinema top spot after its July 17 release, until the latest Spider-Man movie took the crown when it came out two weeks later.

Zendaya with Matt Damon in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Credit: PA
Zendaya plays MJ in the Spider-Man movies, opposite husband Tom in the title role Credit: Alamy

Spidey stayed at No1 on the global box office throughout August — until The Odyssey knocked it off again last weekend, proving the pulling power of newlyweds Zendaya and Tom.

She began the year with her other release, romantic dark comedy The Drama, in which she starred alongside Robert Pattinson.

It made £97million worldwide.

And Zendaya is showing no signs of slowing down, with Dune: Part Three set to debut on December 18 and looking to be another massive hit, possibly grossing another billion dollars (£740million).

Zendaya began the year with her other release, romantic dark comedy The Drama, in which she starred alongside Robert Pattinson Credit: Alamy
Zendaya is showing no signs of slowing down, with Dune: Part Three set to debut on December 18 Credit: Alamy

Dune: Part Two made a global gross of over £526million in 2024, growing from part one’s £303million in 2021. It is now likely the third instalment will skyrocket way past its prequel. 

It all comes as Hollywood’s leading lady just recently celebrated her 30th birthday after becoming one of the most influential young actresses of her time.

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The Box star breaks silence after leaving ITV show immediately

A second celebrity has been eliminated from ITV’s The Box, after losing a duel on Gary Lineker’s new celebrity game show.

A contestant on The Box has spoken out after their exit from the gameshow, as they became the second star to be eliminated.

The ITV series, which premiered on Saturday (September 5), sees 10 celebrities take part in a variety of challenges. Fronted by former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, the cast includes Danny Aarons, Ranvir Singh, Joey Essex, Ellie Taylor, JB Gill, Jenny Ryan, John Bercow, Sara Davies and Shakira Khan. During Saturday night’s debut episode, Graeme Souness became the first star to be eliminated, and now a second celebrity has been sent packing.

After losing out on The Duel, a head-to-head game after the main challenge, Sara Davies was confirmed to be going home. She shared how much she enjoyed her experience, adding that she was “dead proud” of putting herself through challenges, reports the Express.

She went on: “Where I’ve played this wrong is, I’ve shown my true colours a little bit. They’ve seen that actually, she’s playing this to win. And I think that’s what’s been my downfall.”

Sara continued by saying how much she’d enjoyed her time taking part in the show, adding: “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” Each episode of the show sees a celebrity get enclosed in a yellow box, before finding themselves in mystery locations across the country.

“They will never know where they are, or what challenge is facing them on the other side. The challenges could be physical, mental, logical, funny, a bit daunting, or all of those at once,” the synopsis adds. “With minimal or no instruction, they must decipher and work out what to do. At the end of each episode, two players will battle it out in The Duel, a high-stakes head-to-head game to avoid elimination.”

Just a day earlier, when The Box premiered, Sara shared a message about filming the programme on social media. She shared: “So around this time last year, I was asked to take part in a brand new and totally different show for ITV called ‘The Box’.

“I received a phone call asking if I would take part and, because the show had never been made before, I didn’t really fully understand what I was letting myself in for. I just knew I was going to be put into a big yellow shipping container, transported SOMEWHERE, and then I’d have to work out what the hell was going on and what I needed to do about it the split second the box doors opened!

“What they did promise was that it would be a challenge, it would be unexpected, I’d be pushed well out of my comfort zone, and I’d have to challenge myself in ways I could never have imagined. Well, they weren’t wrong and I can’t wait to hear what you all think of it!”

She went on to say that unfortunately she’d be missing the show airing as she was walking the Great Wall of China with breast cancer charity CoppaFeel, but she wanted to share the “truly memorable experience” with her followers with some behind-the-scenes pictures.

Sara was widely supported from fans after her post, with one writing: “Love this can’t wait to watch.” Another said: “Just watched 1 and 2 episodes big love from another Northern Gal.” Someone else wrote: “I’m watching the second episode now and it’s brill xx.”

Sara’s exit from The Box comes after she quit Dragons’ Den last year. She had become the youngest ever female Dragon when she joined in 2019.

She shared at the time: “Little update from me… As this last run of Dragons’ comes to an end I have to say l’ve loved every minute of this series so far and I’m so proud of the businesses l’ve invested in this year!

“As a lot of you will know, l’ve taken up my position again as CEO of Crafter’s Companion and my business is my big priority this year. And when I commit to a business, I really commit, which is why I find Dragons’ Den such a rewarding role.

“As well as filming an incredible show, being a Dragon requires so much dedication and time behind the scenes as you join the life of each business you invest in. It means seeing through your investment and committing to your part in that organisation. It’s so much more than a TV show.

“That’s why l’ve taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business, which was my first baby! So I won’t be filming with the team this year for the next series.

“Sending so much love to my fellow Dragons and the amazing team behind it all. In the meantime, you can still catch me in the second half of this series of Dragons’ Den later in the year – it will not disappoint!”

The Box is available to watch on ITVX

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The Box star Graeme Souness’ devastation after heart disease diagnosis aged just 38

Graeme Souness is one of ten celebrity contestants on Gary Lineker’s new ITV game show The Box

Graeme Souness is appearing in new ITV show The Box on Saturday night.

The Scottish former professional football player, manager and television pundit, 73, is one of ten celebrity contestants on Gary Lineker’s new game show. Also joining the line-up are Danny Aarons, Ellie Taylor, Joey Essex, JB Gill, Jenny Ryan, John Bercow, Ranvir Singh, Sara Davies and Shakira Khan on the new ITV show.

It comes as The Box crew were forced to fly a drone to find a ‘missing’ star during filming and The Chase’s Jenny, 44, admitted she felt ‘guilty’ over brutal decisions in the new ITV show.

Away from the ITV show, Graeme has spoken candidly about his health over the years after he was diagnosed with a heart condition aged just 38, which left him asking ‘how can this happen to me’.

Graeme shared his experience with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), revealing what life was like following his diagnosis and treatment for heart disease as a young, physically fit man.

While managing Liverpool in 1991, the Scot was struggling to sleep and experiencing chest pains in bed. With a family history of heart disease, alarm bells were ringing. He underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) – a straightforward test used to assess the heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.

Following the results, he was referred for an angiogram, a specialised X-ray procedure used to examine blood vessels. Despite displaying no obvious symptoms, Graeme was diagnosed with three blocked arteries and coronary heart disease. Just five days later, he was facing open heart surgery.

Speaking on the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) podcast, the Ticker Tapes in 2021, he said at the time: “At the time I was training like the professional football players and was only 38-years-old. I kept thinking ‘how can this happen to me?’

“I looked after myself in terms what I ate and drank and had trained from the age of 15 – I trained as vigorously as a professional athlete. I didn’t carry any weight, I never had done. How had this happened to me?

“I didn’t have the obvious symptoms that there was something badly wrong with my heart so I’m so glad I got checked when I did. It’s because of this that I’m here 30 years later.

“If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. At that time I was a very fit, young man. If you’re concerned about your family history, go and get checked. You must get yourself checked.”

In 2015, Graeme suffered a heart attack and has since become a British Heart Foundation (BHF) ambassador, throwing himself into numerous campaigns and events, as well as making visits to BHF research laboratories.

Graeme said of the terrifying health scare: “My heart attack was very scary but I’m still here, able to talk about it thank goodness. Fortunately, it hasn’t caused me any lasting problem.

“It’s so important to go to your doctor and get yourself diagnosed if you’re at all concerned. You owe it to yourself and those close to you – your wife, your children and your grandchildren. They want you around as long as possible.”

The Box launches on Saturday 5th September, with Episode 2 airing on Sunday 6th September, on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player.

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How ‘The Comeback’ Season 3 honored the late Robert Michael Morris

We’d have to say the most challenging thing about us writing “The Comeback” was coming back from the dead after the show was canceled following its first season way back in 2005. Talk about a hiatus.

There are always nerves when you return to do the next season of a series, but when the hiatus lasts 10 years between Season 1 and Season 2, and then another 10 years between the second and this third, final season — that’s a whole other level of “When we last left Valerie …”

But, gratefully, when we get together to write Valerie Cherish and her world again, it’s somehow more exciting than daunting. The nerves fade and the fun starts. The fun along with — of course — the doubts, the surprises, the deadlines, the page count. The comedy and the tragedy (see page count again). We improvise dialogue so much in the writing room that our notes tend to reach into hundreds and hundreds of pages — per episode. That’s a joke … kind of. And on top of all that, this season and this script that we’ve been nominated for writing had a particular challenge.

Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King,

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Between the second and third seasons, one of our most beloved cast members, Robert Michael Morris, died. Robert played the beloved, significant, audience-favorite character Mickey, Valerie’s hairdresser. At first, we couldn’t imagine doing a season without this important person and character … but when we decided to go forward with this season’s story, which deals with the TV industry’s fear of an AI takeover, we knew we had to find a way to deal with Mickey’s absence. We decided that since Robert Michael’s death happened during that second 10-year hiatus, we had to find a way to incorporate that history into the Valerie and Mickey storyline. And because it had never been dealt with by the show on camera, we decided that maybe Valerie hadn’t fully dealt with it as well. That way, the viewers wouldn’t feel like they missed a significant turn in Valerie’s journey. We decided if we could create a story where Valerie hadn’t really grieved Mickey’s passing and had to face it in the episode, then she and (hopefully) the viewers could share the sadness and the love together. And together, they could find a way to accept and release him with respect for the actor and the character and with a bit of triumph for all he meant to Valerie and to all of us on our series.

So, we created a character named Tommy Tomlin — another hairdresser and longtime friend of Mickey’s who Valerie hires to step in and take Mickey’s place and be the hairdresser on her new AI-written sitcom. Well, Tommy can do her hair but, by design, can never replace Mickey, and that conflict between Valerie and Tommy underlines her loss and her denial of Mickey’s passing. Tommy’s presence helps push Valerie to acknowledge Mickey’s absence and moves her to gently face it, finally scatter his ashes and let him go.

It was an emotional story to write and even more emotional to film. Lisa was standing on top of a Warner Bros. soundstage ready to open the box of prop ashes, to allow them to float over “Old Hollywood,” a lure that Mickey loved. But we were filming this scene at sunset, and what comes with the light at that picturesque time of day in Burbank is a strong wind from the surrounding mountains that gets trapped in an impromptu kind of wind tunnel between the soundstages. If Lisa opened the box at the wrong moment, the ashes would fly right back into her face — and in this moment, we were not going for comedy.

I was directing from down on the ground, and I looked up to the heavens and said to Robert Michael Morris, “This is your big moment — please quiet the wind so it can be beautiful and touching and an appropriate goodbye to you and your character.” And — I swear — the wind died down. I called “Action!” and on top of the soundstage, Lisa said her goodbye as Valerie, opened the box and the ashes lifted out, almost magically, and floated out and away into the sunset over the Warner Bros. Studio back lot — just as we imagined in the writing room all those months earlier.

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