BBC Breakfast returned once again on Saturday 1 November
BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty quipped ‘what’s going on this weekend’ during Saturday’s show(Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty quipped ‘what’s going on this weekend’ during Saturday’s show.
During the latest instalment, Naga, 50, and co-host Charlie Stayt reported on the world’s largest cake decorating show in Birmingham called Cake International.
Naga and Charlie, 63, were shown a series of creations from the event, which included a Jim Carrey inspired cake, a troll cake and some Halloween inspired creations.
However, Naga didn’t find the Halloween creations too appetising as she admitted: “I don’t want to eat that character’s teeth!”
To which Charlie responded: “It would be so wrong to slice into something created… they’re basically works of art, aren’t they? I do not know how they make those cakes like that!”
Naga then asked Charlie of the Halloween cake creation: “Would you eat the teeth or the eyeballs of that cake?”
To which Charlie admitted: “I think I’d choose to just leave it there and not touch it. I’d make a separate cake for eating and just have that one to look at.”
Yet weather presenter Louise Lear was quick to join in as she admitted over the creation: “I’d eat anything at the moment, I’m starving!”
To which a horrified Naga asked: “Would you eat the teeth on that one?” with Louise joking: “I haven’t had breakfast, anything, Naga, particularly if the icing is good!
“I mean, I’m one of those people. I’m a bit of a grazer, so I might just kind of, you know, have a little bit and then keep going back to it, yeah.
“But I’d have gone for the troll’s head straight away. Chopped it off. What does that say about me?”
To which an animated Naga joked: “Even more brutal. There’s no messing with you two. What’s going on this weekend?”
Cake International is the biggest cake decorating and baking event in the world.
It runs for three full days at National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. It opened on Friday the 31st of October and ends on Sunday the 2nd of November.
BBC Breakfast continues every day at 6am on both BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The co-hosts of the weekend morning show have been let go by the US broadcaster
Fran Winston and Chloe Dobinson
13:19, 30 Oct 2025
Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson are set to leave CBS Saturday Morning(Image: CBS Photo Archive, CBS via Getty Images)
Following seven years presenting CBS Saturday Morning, hosts Michelle Miller, 52, and Dana Jacobson, 52, have been dropped by the network amid ongoing redundancies.
The duo, who started on the programme in 2018, are among the latest victims after CBS’s parent firm, Paramount Skydance, was bought by billionaire tycoon David Ellison during the summer.
A source revealed to Variety that the majority of production staff have also received their marching orders. Executive producer Brian Applegate was similarly shown the door.
The 28-year-old programme, which broadcasts on TV on Saturday mornings between 7am and 9am, has been scrapped as part of sweeping changes, reports the Express.
Insiders informed the New York Post that the show is being restructured by CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and President Tom Cibrowski.
Ellison has revealed plans to cut over 2,000 positions throughout the company.
In a staff memo, he allegedly stated: “In some areas, we are addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organisation. In others, we are phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities, and the new structure is designed to strengthen our focus on growth.”
Whether the axing takes effect immediately or if Saturday’s edition will still broadcast on November 1 remains unclear.
The show has suffered declining audience figures this year, with viewership falling 10% to 1.9 million.
Miller began her career at the Los Angeles Times during the early 1990s before transitioning to television. She’s wedded to Marc Morial, the ex-mayor of New Orleans and current leader of the National Urban League.
Meanwhile, Jacobson spent a decade at ESPN, featuring on First Take and SportsCenter before moving to CBS in 2015.
An insider revealed to the New York Post that the broadcaster is also pulling the plug on CBS Mornings Plus, which broadcasts from 9 to 10 am on weekdays. The show, co-hosted by Adriana Diaz and Tony Dokoupil, reportedly aired its final episode on Friday, October 31.
However, they’re not the only hosts facing the axe. John Dickerson, host of CBS Evening News, also announced earlier this week that he would be departing the network after a 16-year stint.
In total, 100 roles at CBS News are being slashed. An initial wave of cuts across the broadcaster affected 1,000 staff members across various departments, with another 1,000 set to follow.
BBC Breakfast staff are rumoured to be raging at the “double standards” of suspending Kaye Adams from Radio Scotland whilst their own presenters remain in their roles whilst under review
23:04, 21 Oct 2025Updated 23:04, 21 Oct 2025
Kaye Adams has been suspended from her radio show with the BBC
The staff of BBC Breakfast are reportedly furious at the network bosses’ “double standards” after Kaye Adams was suspended from Radio Scotland following bullying allegations, while their own presenters, Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt remain in their roles, despite a review underway for similar claims.
Adams was pulled from her BBC radio show after allegations arose about her ‘bullying’ her colleagues. But, BBC Breakfast hosts Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are under review for the same complaint, it has been alleged, and have not been suspended from their show.
BBC bosses are said to be considering a range of allegations about the duo, but while they have already taken action against Adams, they have not taken action against Munchetty and Stayt.
A source said Adams’ suspension “put a cat among the pigeons” behind the scenes at the BBC: “The review on Naga and Charlie is rumbling on because new complaints keep coming up, which raise new questions, so they have to keep interviewing other people.
“The news about Kaye Adams’ suspension up in Scotland has put the cat among the pigeons because she’s been accused of the same thing as Naga and Charlie – bullying.
“People are saying it’s double standards and that the BBC are pandering to Naga particularly, because she is the big name because she has Breakfast and her 5 Live show. They are the nation’s broadcaster and should treat all complaints the same way.”
Adams was removed from her hosting job on BBC Radio Scotland while bosses conduct an inquiry. It is believed that complaints against the 62-year-old were raised under the BBC’s Call It Out scheme.
The initiative was set up after a review into the conduct of former MasterChef presenters Gregg Wallace upheld several allegations of inappropriate language and the misuse of power. The report also upheld an allegation that John Torode used inappropriate language. After allegations were brought against Wallace, a review into the working environment on MasterChef was conducted.
Following the review, both Wallace and Torode were told they would no longer be MasterChef’s presenters, though they did appear in the latest series as that had already been filmed. They will be replaced with Grace Dent and Anna Haugh for the next series.
The same Call It Out initiative that started from this situation and led to complaints from BBC Radio Scotland staff, rooted out complaints on BBC Breakfast.
When asked about the situation with Munchetty, Stayt and Adams, a BBC spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individual HR matters.”
BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty paid tribute to a late rock star on the show following news of his death
BBC Breakfast launched Friday’s programme (17 October) with heartbreaking news about a beloved rock legend’s passing, as the show delivered a touching tribute.
Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty returned to screens with another jam-packed edition of BBC Breakfast, packed with various interviews, news bulletins, and weather forecasts.
Just moments into Friday’s broadcast, Charlie and Naga revealed the tragic news of KISS guitarist Ace Frehley’s death, who died aged 74 on 16 October.
The musician, whose real name was Paul Daniel Frehley, was famous for his Spaceman character and served as a founding member of the American group, along with singer and guitarist Paul Stanley, bassist Gene Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss.
“Tributes have been paid to one of the founding members of the band KISS. Paul ‘Ace’ Frehley, who has died at the age of 74,” Charlie revealed on BBC Breakfast.
A compilation featuring multiple clips of Ace was subsequently shown, whilst Charlie added: “He was known for guitar solos and he wore the Spaceman outfit from the band’s formation in 1973 until he left the band in 1982.
“He later rejoined in the late 1990s. His bandmates Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley called him ‘an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier’.”
Ace’s passing was confirmed on Thursday evening through a statement issued by his family. He leaves behind his wife, Jeanette, and his daughter, Monique, reports the Express.
“We are completely devastated and heartbroken. In his last moments, we were fortunate enough to have been able to surround him with loving, caring, peaceful words, thoughts, prayers, and intentions as he left this earth,” the statement read.
The family continued: “We cherish all of his finest memories, his laughter, and celebrate his strengths and kindness that he bestowed upon others. The magnitude of his passing is of epic proportions and beyond comprehension.
“Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!”
Meanwhile, Ace’s bandmates Paul and Gene issued a joint statement, which read: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley.
“He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during some of the most formative foundational chapters of the band and its history. He is and will always be a part of KISS’s legacy.”
Adam and Steph, from Boston, have visited the UK several times and said they love the countryside and walking routes in the Cotswolds, but there is one thing that has left them ‘baffled’
The Cotswolds is one of the places that these American tourists loved visiting(Image: Chris McLoughlin via Getty Images)
American tourists have revealed what puzzles them most about Britain – our obsession with toast.
Adam and Steph, from Boston, Massachusetts, spoke their UK adventure whilst exploring the Cotswolds. When questioned about what caught them off guard during their visit, Steph quipped: “We have been to Britain quite a few times. I have been pondering the toast. Why is there so much toast everywhere?”.
The pair journeyed across the Cotswolds this summer and expressed their adoration for the rural landscape and hiking trails. Chatting in Chipping Campden, Adam remarked: “It is lovely here, and excellent mud! We love the rain!
“For us the walking is great, and the towns are quite beautiful. We both enjoy getting out in the countryside and dodging the sheep poop.”
The Cotswolds have witnessed a tourist surge in recent years, attracting growing numbers of both British and overseas visitors, reports the Express.
However, certain residents in the Cotswolds have bemoaned the rising visitor numbers owing to traffic jams and the proliferation of Airbnbs and holiday homes. Adam acknowledges he grasps locals’ worries, yet maintains that holidaymakers can benefit these areas.
He went on: “Tourism makes it a bit more of a varied economy, we support the shops and the restaurants here. It is a complex topic, but I think tourism plays a role in keeping these communities more vibrant.”
Steph concluded: “One of the reasons we like to walk in the countryside is because we don’t like tourist intense areas.”
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BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay were left emotional on Tuesday’s show as they spoke to a grieving mum who is still fighting for answers after her son died
08:38, 30 Sep 2025Updated 08:41, 30 Sep 2025
BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay shared some heartbreaking news on Tuesday’s programme following the tragic death of a young lad.
Kicking off the devastating segment, Jon explained: “Now, from today, social media sites and tech companies will have to preserve data relating to the online activity of a child who has died if requested to do so by a coroner.”
Sally added: “Yes, it’s the latest part of the Online Safety Act to be rolled out, but some parents who’ve lost their children say the measures simply don’t go far enough.”
Following some footage of Jools before his passing, Jon and Sally welcomed Jools’ mother, Ellen, who made a gut-wrenching appeal, according to the Express.
Jon observed, “So it’s an important day. It’s a change. But for you, it’s not a change enough, just explain.”
Ellen responded: “So as of today, there’s something called data preservation notices, which gives the coroner the right to preserve the data. So they’d have to go to Ofcom to preserve online social media data.
“I spoke to two new bereaved parents last night who are in this position. The police are… what happens when an inquest happens is that the inquest is opened and usually suspended and handed back to the police for investigation.
“The problem is the police are then saying, ‘well, we don’t have the power to do that’, then the coroner is not in control, so they can’t use that law. So it seems ridiculous, unless it’s automatic, then the coroners can’t use that law, and then we’re waiting months or potentially years.”
She continued, “The thing that bothers me is that there’s not enough training for police and coroners as well, so the coroner needs to understand what information to ask for. Do all coroners know how TikTok works, or other apps that kids are using, or what information to ask from Snapchat, and so Ofcom needs to help the coroner understand what information to request.”
Ellen went on to reveal that she remains “planning to go to the High Court” in an attempt to “piece together what information was missing” surrounding Jools’ death.
The devastated mum became visibly emotional as she declared, “I think I’m three and a half years down the line. I could get emotional now, but I don’t know why my child’s not here, and I want to try for answers.
“And I think as a parent, I should have the right to try to look at social media, and I get we may be too late now, and this law will help other parents, which is great, but I want to try to understand what happened to my son.”
The morning meal comes with a pork patty and melted cheese, and can be topped with either ketchup or brown sauce.
It will cost £1.99, although you can get a selected drink with the sandwich as a bundle deal for £2.99.
The new item will be on the Saver Menu alongside six other breakfast choices including hash browns (£1.59), porridge pots (£1.69) and apple slices (79p).
Other items on the list include a cheesy bacon flatbread for £1.99 and apple or orange Tropicana juice for £1.89.
Remember, if you want to try the new sandwich you’ll need to head to your local McDonald’s before 11am as that’s when breakfast is served until.
The fast food chain has made plenty of changes to its breakfast menu in the past.
Last year, it brought back the popular Breakfast Wrap after it was axed in January 2022.
Luckily for fast food fans, it’s still on the menu for now.
More menu changes
Maccas changes its menu every few weeks to keep things fresh for customers.
Its latest menu drop was on September 10, when it brought back favourites including the Philly Cheese Stack and Mozzarella Dippers.
Plus, the Chicken Big Mac was added to the menu.
But other items were axed, including the Chilli Cheese Bites, Steakhouse Stack, Big Tasty and Spicy Chicken McNuggets.
‘Relieved’ BBC Breakfast editor Richard Frediani has reportedly been ‘cleared’ after a review into his behaviour and will be continuing his duties
08:08, 09 Sep 2025Updated 08:08, 09 Sep 2025
‘Relieved’ BBC Breakfast editor ‘cleared after review’ into behaviour(Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast’s editor, Richard Frediani, has reportedly been ‘cleared’ of bad behaviour by bosses amid a ‘feud’ with presenter Naga Munchetty. During the summer, it was claimed that show boss Richard went on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour.
One source told the Mirror: “He is not a bully at all and the truth will come out. He’s a great boss and was – and is still – overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition. He has delivered great audiences and the first ever Bafta for breakfast TV.
Richard Frediani was reportedly cleared(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/James Stack)
“He can be brash and opinionated but works so hard for his team and allows people to flourish.”
Three months on, it was reported that the BBC conducted an interview review of the bullying allegations, with the broadcaster conducting 70 sessions and a ‘listening exercise’ with staff.
Richard, who is said to be ‘relieved’ with the outcome, reportedly told staff he was in the clear and would be continuing with his duties as editor.
Naga and Charlie are reportedly ‘furious’ with the outcome(Image: BBC)
“He’s in a significantly more secure place than he was. And I think he’s had a lot of support from people on the team who have come out and said he’s a great editor,” a support told The Times.
“Not everyone on the team because there are divided loyalties, but he is in a much better place.”
A spokesperson for the BBC told the Mirror: “While we do not comment on individual HR matters, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.”
A source claimed Naga and co-host Charlie Stayt were ‘furious’ about Richard being ‘cleared’ to return to his duties.
“Naga and Charlie are furious and feel like the BBC have backed him over them,” they told The Sun. “No one would be surprised if they ended up leaving.”
In July, an insider told the publication that Naga was looking for a new job. While the presenter ‘loves the BBC’, her team reportedly ‘renewed talks’ with other companies.
They said: “Her team last week renewed talks with LBC. The Global Radio station would suit her as there’s far less of the fluffy nonsense that’s involved in working at the BBC.”
Meanwhile, the BBC’s annual salary was previously published and Naga was revealed to be earning almost double her co-host Charlie’s pay.
Charlie has stayed within the £190,000 salary band, whereas Naga enjoyed a £10,000 increase to her earnings, moving from £345,000 to £355,000.
The Mirror have reached out to the BBC and the representatives of Charlie and Naga for comment.
The host has confirmed she’ll be appearing on the iconic red sofa for a second week running and fans appear to like the change
BBC Breakfast has undergone a presenter shake-up(Image: (Image: BBC))
Presenter Emma Vardy has revealed she’ll be appearing on BBC Breakfast for the second week running. She first took over duties on September 2, where she confirmed she would be with her BBC Breakfast colleagues for a “while”.
After fronting Sunday morning’s instalment (September 7) with co-host Ben Boulos, Emma signed off by saying that she would be back on Monday morning (September 8).
During the closing moments, she expressed: “That’s all from us today but Breakfast will be back tomorrow from 6am. I will be there too, setting my early alarm clock for 4am.”
Ben then smiled before adding: “Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, have a great day. Goodbye,” as the iconic theme tune played.
Eagle-eyed fans were quick to comment on the shake-up as they flocked to X, with one writing: “Nice change, Emma Vardy and business school Ben this morning #bbcbreakfast.”
Emma Vardy will be back on the red sofa again tomorrow morning(Image: BBC)
Another said: “Emma Vardy is better viewing,” while someone else penned: “She is lovely Emma.”
Yet another asked: “#bbcbreakfast Has Emma Vardy replaced Northern Nina on Breakfast?,” and a fifth added: “Emma Vardy is great #bbcbreakfast.”
Emma’s equation with the BBC is long-running as she’s the broadcaster’s Ireland correspondent, covering Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
After revealing she would be appearing as an anchor for BBC rolling news back in May, the journalist told her fans on September 2 that they’d be seeing her on their screens a lot more.
She wrote on X: “Goooood morning!! I’m back with the @BBCBreakfast gang for a while. First day back at school vibes, been finding my coat peg and writing my name neatly at the top of scripts. Will see if @sallynugent wants to be my bf at lunch break.”
Naga Munchetty delivered some tragic news during Saturday’s instalment(Image: BBC)
Jon Kay and Sally Nugent usually host the show from Monday to Wednesday, with Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty leading the charge from Thursday to Saturday. Sunday editions of BBC Breakfast are usually presented by members of the stand-in presenting team.
Emma’s announcement comes after Naga was forced to deliver some sad news during Saturday’s edition of the show (September 6).
She confirmed: “14 minutes past six is the time. The founding member of the band The Turtles, Mark Volman, has died at the age of 78.”
Following a clip from one of their classic tracks, photographs of Mark flashed across the screen.
She went on: “The band was known for the number-one hits Happy Together and Elenore. Volman passed away yesterday after a brief and unexpected illness, according to his representative.”
BBC Breakfast’s Luxmy Gopal were left shocked after their co-host shared some statistics on eating in bed
BBC Breakfast: Hosts chat about places to eat dinner at home
Luxmy Gopal told her co-star, “That’s not good,” after he announced some surprising news on Monday’s BBC Breakfast.
During one segment, Ben revealed the latest statistics about where most people eat their tea or dinner in the evenings.
However, when he explained that some people have admitted to eating in bed, Luxmy was left taken aback.
To kick off the discussion, Ben asked his co-star, “What do you think about having your phone at the dinner table?”
“I would say just hygiene-wise, it is not ideal because you know, your phone has a lot of bacteria on it,” Luxmy replied, reports the Express.
“You use it a lot without washing your hands; there is just a lot of dirt there.”
Luxmy said it wasn’t good to eat in bed(Image: BBC)
Ben went on to point out that many people sit at their tables and scroll on their phones or watch TV while they eat instead of talking to their family.
“I understand watching TV, it’s kind of a classic, it’s how TV dinners were a thing,” Luxmy went on. “Watching TV while you eat is quite common.”
Ben then read out some of the statistics that had been reported. He said, “Three percent eat their dinner in a bedroom..”
Before Ben could continue, Luxmy looked disgusted and responded, “Ohhh, that is not good. That doesn’t seem hygienic.”
Ben Thompson and Luxmy Gopal(Image: BBC)
Ben then gave the statistics for how many people stood in the kitchen while they ate.
“Standing up?” Luxmy said in surprise. “That can’t be comfortable or enjoyable. I don’t think that is good for your digestion, is it?”
“I am actually surprised that it is as high as that,” Luxmy chimed in after Ben revealed that a quarter of people still sit at a table and eat together.
“I think that is quite encouraging,” she commented, with Ben adding his two cents: “But the phone has to be away. You can’t have it sat on the table because then it is like you’re waiting for something better to come along.”
Meanwhile, Carol Kirkwood was in the studio to provide the latest weather updates, while John Watson provided the most recent sports news.
BBC Breakfast is broadcast every day at 6am on BBC One.
You may dash for your morning commuter train, but you won’t want to rush for the sleeper to Vienna. The Nightjet train to the Austrian capital is the most illustrious departure of the day from Amsterdam. There is an art to conducting the perfect departure and the perfect arrival, the bookends of a thrilling overnight journey.
There are four major hubs for sleeper services across western and central Europe: Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna and Zurich. Then there are secondary nodes at Budapest, Brussels, Milan, Munich, Paris and Prague. Most of the region’s night trains start or end in one of these 10 cities. Whatever your departure point, savour the moment by going for an aperitif and a relaxed dinner before boarding. And upon arrival, don’t just dash on – linger over a coffee and let the morning, and the city, develop around you.
Don’t miss the excellent Grand Café Restaurant 1e Klas in the former first-class waiting room (entrance via platform 2B). It opens at 9.30am, so the perfect spot for breakfast after decanting from a Nightjet (or an early-morning Eurostar from London), and stays open till late evening, so also ideal for pre-departure supper. It serves fairly priced Dutch staples in a space that oozes retro flair. The Guardian, no less, has called it one of the “finest station eateries in Europe”.
An alternative pre-departure option for drinks and dinner is Bistro Berlage in the undercroft of the former Beurs (stock exchange), seven minutes walk from the station.
The Grand Café Restaurant 1e Klas in Amsterdam Centraal. Photograph: Greg Balfour Evans/Alamy
This can be a frustrating station, with fierce ticket barriers guarding platform access (luggage lockers in the east wing from €10 per day). It gets another black mark for the lack of showers for passengers arriving on overnight trains, but a big plus for being at the very heart of the city it serves – its enchanted canal network is right outside the station.
Just head south from the station to hit the main sights. If, like me, you prefer to cut away from the crowds, then leave the station on the north side and hop on the F4 ferry for a free 15-minute ride to the NSDM Wharf, an old shipyard that is now a creative and cultural hub with many alt-vibe cafes.
Berlin Hauptbahnhof
A stroll by the Spree River is an ideal prelude for a long distance train journey from Berlin. Photograph: John Kellerman/Alamy
For ÖBB Nightjets to Basel, Graz, Paris, Vienna and Zurich; SJ/RDC or Snälltåget to Stockholm; MÁV Euronight to Bratislava, Prague and Budapest; European Sleeper to Amsterdam and Brussels; and, from later this year, PKPIC night sleepers to Chelm and Przemyśl in eastern Poland
A multi-level essay in glass with a striking vaulted roof, the station is on five levels, with level 0 in the middle and trains departing/arriving on levels -2 and +2 – all utterly confusing for a first-timer. The station isn’t the most relaxing spot to linger, but for the exalted few, Deutsche Bahn’s premium (first-class) lounge is an oasis of calm.
For an extraordinary breakfast in a stunning setting, book a table at Käfer on the roof terrace of the Reichstag (900 metres from station, open daily from 9am). For a posh pre-departure dinner, Paris-Moskau at Alt-Moabit 141 (open from 6pm) is a traditional Berlin restaurant in a half-timbered building just 400 metres away.
Breakfast at Käfer on the roof terrace of the Reichstag. Photograph: Thomas Rosenthal
With time on your hands, catch the vibe of the German capital by wandering along the banks of the River Spree, passing the Reichstag en route to the Brandenburg Gate.
Leave luggage at the DB Gepäck lockers (levels -1 and +1, from €2 for two hours or €4 a day). Shower for a fee at the “rail and fresh” facility on level 0.
Vienna Hauptbahnhof
A visit to Vienna’s stunning Amelienbad pool will help compensate for the lack of showers at the city’s railway station. Photograph: Viennaslide/Alamy
For ÖBB Nightjets to Amsterdam, Berlin, Bregenz, Brussels, Cologne, Dresden, Hamburg, Hanover, Milan, Paris, Venice and Zurich (also until late September, additionally with ÖBB Nightjets to Florence, Rome and Verona); for Euronight to Kraków, Stuttgart and Warsaw; and other operators to Bucharest, Braşov, Kyiv and Lviv, plus summer-season overnight trains to Rijeka and Split
Fully opened 10 years ago, Vienna’s Hauptbahnhof rates as one of Europe’s most efficient transport hubs and boasts a greater range of destinations than any other station in Europe.
For a relaxed breakfast, skip the fast-food options in the station and head for Café Goldegg, with its elegant wood panelling and art nouveau style (on corner of Goldeggasse and Argentinierstrasse). Ask nicely and they’ll even knock you up a full English.
For evening eats, I recently followed the advice of Mark Smith, the legendary Man in Seat 61, and tried the excellent Ringsmuth at Johannitergasse 1 (closed Sun and Mon), a traditional Viennese restaurant with schnitzel galore as well as fish and veggie options.
Vienna Hauptbahnhof is south of the city centre. Three stops north on the U1 metro is Stephansplatz, where you can cleanse your soul at the lovely St Stephens Cathedral. Or go two stops south on the U1 to Reumannplatz to cleanse the body in art deco elegance at the wonderful Amelienbad indoor pool – a triumph of progressive socialist design. A visit will help make up for the lack of showers at the railway station for those arriving on night trains (but there are luggage lockers aplenty, from €2).
Zurich Hauptbahnhof
A colourful angel floats over the concourse at Zurich Hauptbahnhof. Photograph: eFesenko/Alamy
For ÖBB Nightjets to Amsterdam, Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Graz, Hamburg and Vienna; and Euronight to Budapest, Dresden, Ljubljana, Prague and Zagreb
Zurich’s main station is a place for grand arrivals – check out the colourful flying angel pivoting over the concourse. Then freshen up with a shower (mezzanine level, €12). And now it’s time for breakfast …
My go-to spot is Roots on Lintheschergasse, just two minutes from the platforms. Power porridge and avocado toast go down a treat after a night on the rails, as do all sorts of shakes and juices. For pre-departure supper, try Maru, a little oasis of Japan on level 2 of the shopping complex under the station serving matcha and “Japanese comfort food”.
I love Zurich for its small-town feel. Having arrived on a night train and lingered over breakfast, I usually wander down pedestrianised Bahnhofstrasse and make for St Peterhofstatt, a haven of calm in the historic heart of the city.
London
The Caledonian Sleeper chugging through the Highlands
Paddington station for the GWR Night Riviera for 11 destinations in Cornwall;Euston station for Caledonian Sleeper trains to 40-plus stations in Scotland
Let’s not forget London. The last direct night sleeper service to the continent stopped 45 years ago (that was the Night Ferry to Brussels and Paris, which for a spell even conveyed a through sleeping car to Switzerland) but you can slip between crisp, clean sheets in sleepers departing the UK capital for the Cornish coast or Scottish Highlands.
Arriving passengers can benefit from posh arrival lounges with free showers at both Paddington and Euston, although the facilities at the latter are only for those who booked en suite accommodation on the train.
Passengers departing Euston should board early and head straight to the Club Car (seats are limited) for dinner for a taste of Scotland and a wee dram as they head north. Those departing from Paddington to Cornwall should take a chilled bottle of champagne to enjoy in the GWR lounge (the former royal waiting room) on Platform 1.
BBC Breakfast has been shrouded with difficult claims in recent months as it’s been reported two of its presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are under review
17:10, 09 Aug 2025Updated 17:23, 09 Aug 2025
BBC Breakfast has been hit by claims of a ‘toxic’ feud(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/James Stack)
BBC Breakfast stars Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are facing claims they are embroiled in a ‘toxic feud’ with the show’s editor Richard Frediani.
Richard has reportedly returned to work after taking extended leave as he faced allegations over bullying behaviour. Upon Richard’s return it has been reported that relations between himself and presenters Naga, 50, and Charlie, have ‘turned sour’.
BBC Breakfast is said to be ‘in crisis’(Image: BBC)
A source has said: “Fredi now doesn’t brief Naga and Charlie or any of that sort of thing and someone else is on the talkback to them from the gallery.
“The crew are entirely bemused and exhausted by it — in what world is it normal for a boss to be banned from talking to his staff?,” they added to The Sun.
The BBC said in a statement: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.”
Representatives for Naga, Richard and Charlie are yet to respond.
Talkback is where production staff can communicate with presenters from the gallery by speaking to them via their earpiece. It has been claimed that Richard’s editorial team now communicates with the presenting duo.
The source added: “Bosses are desperate to get Breakfast back on an even keel and know the tension between Fredi, Charlie and Naga is at the heart of the rising crisis.”
The change was said to have been put in place as a way to “manage the situation in the hope it will all blow over”. It comes after it was reported that Charlie Stayt may also face a probe following reports Naga is “under review” over “bullying” claims.
Naga Munchetty is said to be under review(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/James Stack)
Following the reports Naga is under review, it has since been claimed the BBC star “kicked off” at an intern over ‘how they spread Marmite on her toast’.
And a whistleblower has also alleged Naga complained her porridge was “too hot” and she didn’t like the blueberry topping on the dish.
The allegations come after it was claimed last week a number of colleagues have filed complaints over Naga’s alleged bullying behaviour on BBC Breakfast and her BBC Radio 5 Live show, which she presents from Monday to Wednesday. It has been claimed the BBC has officially moved to “place the complaints under review”.
“The review is to ascertain whether a full-on investigation is required and that could come in weeks,” the insider claimed to The Sun.
A BBC spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.”
Naga Munchetty was left red-faced on BBC Breakfast when she was forced to admit an amusing mishap live on air.
Kelly Smith Screen Time Reporter
11:04, 09 Aug 2025
TV star Naga Munchetty found herself in an awkward spot on Saturday’s programme (9 August), admitting to viewers she was thinking “I’ll have to get out this one” after wrongly anticipating her colleague’s next move whilst presenting.
The BBC Breakfast host experienced an embarrassing moment alongside co-presenter Charlie Stayt as they prepared to hand proceedings over to weather forecaster Simon King for the weekly outlook. Earlier in the programme, Simon had been delivering promising news of continuing sunshine and an approaching heatwave set to sweep across the UK – welcome tidings for viewers nationwide.
However, unbeknownst to Naga, Simon had switched up his usual approach and opted to begin his weather segment with overcast skies and rainfall predictions. As the BBC Radio 5 Live presenter turned to face him mid-sentence, she suddenly realised the forecast didn’t match what she’d been discussing on air, reports the Express.
Naga Munchetty says ‘i’ll have to get out of this one’(Image: BBC)
The presenting duo had been chatting about British seaside resorts and their iconic pleasure piers when Naga expected the sunny predictions to complement their conversation perfectly.
She began: “I think Simon will tell us…” before catching her error and adding: “It doesn’t quite look like it there.” In an attempt to ease the uncomfortable silence, Simon quipped: “I always try to link what you are going to say with the weather,” before admitting: “It hasn’t worked.”
Naga Munchetty candidly acknowledged a blunder, saying: “I turned around thinking, ‘yes, there’ll be a visual of sunshine or something’ and then ‘Ahh I’ll have to get out of this one’.”
Her co-host Simon chimed in with an explanation: “I’d been starting with the sunshine all morning but thought I’d focus now on the rain because we’ve had quite a bit across Scotland and Northern Ireland,” leading Naga to respond with sarcasm: “Thank you.”
Naga found herself in a red faced moment(Image: BBC Breakfast)
The week wasn’t without its hitches for Naga and Charlie, as a BBC spokesperson had to issue apologies following a noticeable disruption during Thursday’s (August 7) programme.
In the midst of presenting the day’s news, Naga and Charlie were caught off guard by a technical glitch that resulted in some viewers seeing an unexpected switch to alternative programming.
Viewers took to social media to report the odd occurrence, describing how their screens briefly showed a preacher before returning to the regular broadcast.
The technical issue appeared to be localised, affecting only certain regions. Disgruntled viewers who encountered the interruption expressed their frustration online.
One perplexed viewer questioned on X: “Anyone else got tbnuk just taken over #bbcbreakfast?” A fellow viewer confirmed the anomaly: “Yes – and then a switch back after 5 mins without any explanation!”
Further comments echoed the confusion, with remarks such as: “Yes, I was so confused,” and queries about the source of the problem: “Its just happened again & also on iPlayer, but still #BBCBreakfast on BBCNews! I have Virgin – it may be coming through their feed?”
Another viewer shared their experience: “I had a frozen screen but it was flashing green and orange, no sound, thought my TV had broken.”
In response to the technical glitch, a representative from the BBC stated: “Due to a technical issue, viewers in the Midlands experienced a short interruption to BBC Breakfast this morning. We apologise for this.”
BBC Breakfast airs on weekdays starting at 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Marlee Matlin always looked forward to Sundays.
It was her father’s only day off, so her family made a weekly tradition of meeting up with close friends for breakfast at a local deli. Afterward, she and her family of five would do a season-friendly activity — apple picking in the fall or a Chicago Cubs game during the summer, perhaps — before wrapping up with a finale event they called “takeout Sundays.”
In Sunday Funday, L.A. people give us a play-by-play of their ideal Sunday around town. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.
“Sundays were always my favorite day because I knew that we’d all be together,” says Matlin, who became the first deaf actor to win an Oscar in 1987 at the tender age of 21. During our Zoom call, she communicated via an interpreter.
Throughout her career, the “Coda” star has been vocal about her battles with addiction and sexual abuse, but fans are getting an even more intimate look into her life via her latest project, “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore,” which is showing in select theaters nationwide and will be available on demand on August 22. When she was approached to do a documentary, Matlin says it was a no-brainer for her to have her longtime friend and fellow deaf actor, Shoshannah Stern, direct it.
“What better way to have two deaf women who have similar shared life experiences to tell my story?” Matlin says. In the 1980s, she convinced lawmakers to add closed captioning to television programming.
The veteran actor and activist has been a self proclaimed “California girl” for nearly 40 years, but says that she will always be a “Chicago girl at heart.” (The skyline of the neighborhood she grew up in, Morton Grove, is proudly tattooed on her forearm.) These days, she’s enjoying empty-nester life with her husband Kevin Grandalski. Her ideal Sunday in L.A. involves visiting the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, getting her steps in at the Rose Bowl, having a slice of pizza in Eagle Rock and spending quality time with her 14-month-old granddaughter.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
6 a.m.: Take care of my pets
If I had the choice, I would probably wake up at 8 a.m., but because I have a cat, it’s 6 a.m. I also have a dog who needs to be taken out on a walk. Like a fool, he barks at every other dog that we encounter, and I have apologize to each dog owner.
Then I have to have to have breakfast. I’m a breakfast person. I don’t skip it. I love my oatmeal with a little bit of brown sugar and blueberries. If I’m in the mood, I’ll make some turkey bacon and make sure it’s extra crispy, and I drink my Red Bull sugar free. I know I’m going to get a lot of flack because I drink a Red Bull in the morning, but that’s what I drink. I like my drink, and it’s as simple as that. I don’t drink coffee. I wish I did, but I don’t like the taste.
After I’ve gotten breakfast out of the way, I have to make my bed. I can’t even leave the house with an unmade bed. I have to make the bed immediately, and my husband knows that very well.
10 a.m.: Go shopping for new threads
I might go to Rose Bowl either for the flea market, which is open once a month, or for a walk. Before I had foot surgery, I would always go and walk around the Rose Bowl at least twice for a total of six miles. I love power walking.
Afterward, I would go to a couple of boutiques that I like. I’m a big supporter of small local businesses, so I would stop by Tuck in Pasadena and Everson Clare in La Cañada Flintridge. They are both female-owned, and they care about their customers a great deal. Both of them are very good friends of mine. They both work so hard to get their stores opened. I watched them from their inception to where they are today. They have different clothing styles that seem to fit me well. Then there are some stores that I’ll go to in Studio City. You can find me at Sephora, Nordstrom or HomeGoods.
2 p.m.: Pick a favorite L.A. activity
If we’re in the mood to be active, we’ll go to Descanso Gardens or to a Dodgers game. We recently went to Shot of Art, and it’s so fun. It’s similar to paintball. You create art on a canvas as it spins. I just got reelected as the governor of the Academy Museum, so I’ll make sure to go there. Being governor and a member of the Academy, they have been nothing but so supportive of my community and many other underrepresented communities as well. Everyone who has a love for film or history [and] how films are made should go to the museum. Even if you [do] not, you’ll be surprised.
4 p.m.: Quality time with my granddaughter
Then I’ll come back home to spend time with my granddaughter, who is 14 months old. We’ll have playtime at the house. She’s always exploring. She loves the cat. She runs after her, and I’m always the one having to run after the baby. So there’s the three of us running around: cat, baby, then me. I’ll take her to the park, which is down the street. Just being with her is the most important thing. We are just in awe of watching her grow, exploring the world and watching what she learns. That’s the perfect Sunday for me.
6 p.m.: Enjoy an early dinner
I love to cook on Sundays and have an early dinner. I have a whole raft of cookbooks and recipes that I’ve printed out. I’ll just take that big stack and search through it. I’m not somebody who does a whole lot of research. I just pick one and then go for it. I love to barbecue, and I love to bake desserts. I have a sweet tooth. I set up a candy bar — like a bar for candy — in my house. It’s dangerous to have a candy bar. Wait until my granddaughter grows old enough to realize what the candy bar is actually about.
But if I don’t feel like cooking, we might go to Casa Bianca. It’s a pizza shop in Eagle Rock. The pizzas, the mozarella sticks and the salads are fantastic. The chicken piccata is great, and the people who own it are just wonderful people and so welcoming.
8 p.m.: Backgammon before bed
I’ll spend time with my husband after dinner, and we’ll clean up. Then I’d check my phone to see what’s coming up for the week. Depending on what’s going on, I’ll get in touch with the kids and play backgammon on my phone — just spend time winding the day down. And I’ll take an evening walk. Before I close shop, I have to take the dog out once more. I go to bed early. I’m usually in bed by 9:30 p.m.
BBC Breakfast had a slight technical glitch during the latest live broadcast, which did not go unnoticed by hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty.
BBC Breakfast encountered some technical hiccups during Thursday’s live transmission.
During the programme on July 17, presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty crossed to Mike Bushell, who was broadcasting live from The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
But as the BBC correspondent began speaking with former champion Andrew Murray, both men suddenly became frozen on screen.
Spotting the technical glitch, the show quickly returned to Charlie and Naga, who were swift to acknowledge the problem.
Naga explained: “Apologies there. We’re having some issues. I don’t think a golf ball has hit our satellite truck to knock it out of service, but we’ll have a look, we’ll have a quick check.”
The BBC presenter assured viewers they would continue receiving updates from Royal Portrush throughout the morning as they smoothly transitioned to the weather forecast, reports the Express.
Naga Munchetty issues apology to BBC Breakfast viewers saying ‘we’re having issues’(Image: BBC)
Fortunately, the technical troubles were swiftly sorted, with Mike returning on-air during a subsequent segment to cover the golfing tournament.
Prior to the minor technical hitch, Charlie had playfully ribbed his colleague about his unusually subdued manner.
He remarked: “I wouldn’t say that Mike Bushell is one of the loudest broadcasters we have, but this morning he was particularly hushed when we threw to him earlier on, for all the right reasons.”
Mike Bushell was speaking to Andrew Murray when the issue unfolded(Image: BBC)
Naga responded: “Do you know what it was? He was behaving and applying good etiquette.”
The 59-year-old humorously pretended to take umbrage at their comments about his quieter-than-usual approach.
He remarked: “There’s some more players coming through, so I will go into my dulcet quiet tones again in a moment.
Mike was reporting live from the golfing event in Northern Ireland(Image: BBC)
“You seem surprised that I’m well behaved and showing etiquette and politeness, how dare you?!”
Despite the cheeky comments, he continued with his broadcast in his usual professional manner.
During his segment, Mike expressed his astonishment at the size of the event, saying: “You’ve got this little town of Royal Portrush on the beautiful North coast, which usually has a population, I’m told, of 11,000.
“It suddenly becomes this sporting metropolis with 287,000 fans here over the next three days, generating £213m for the Northern Ireland economy.”
Viewers can catch up with BBC Breakfast on BBC iPlayer.
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty is reportedly in talks to join another station amid the programme’s bullying row
22:07, 16 Jul 2025Updated 22:07, 16 Jul 2025
Naga Munchetty ‘renews talks’ for new job amid BBC Breakfast bullying row(Image: BBC)
BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has reportedly ‘renewed talks’ with a radio station away from the corporation amid a bullying row that has plagued the morning programme. Last month, it was revealed show boss Richard Frediani was on extended leave on the flagship show after complaints about his behaviour.
Munchetty is reportedly in talks for another job(Image: BBC)
Speaking to The Sun, they said: “Her team last week renewed talks with LBC. The Global Radio station would suit her as there’s far less of the fluffy nonsense that’s involved in working at the BBC.” The Mirror have reached out to Munchetty’s reps for comment.
Meanwhile, the BBC’s annual salary was recently published and Munchetty was revealed to be earning almost double her co-host Charlie Stayt’s pay.
Stayt and Munchetty present BBC Breakfast from Thursday to Saturday morning, while Jon Kay and Sally Nugent take the helm from Monday to Wednesday.
It comes as the BBC salaries were released (Image: BBC)
Stayt, aged 63, has stayed within the £190,000 salary band, whereas Munchetty, aged 50, has enjoyed a £10,000 increase to her earnings, moving from £345,000 to £355,000.
Munchetty, who has presented on the flagship news programme since 2014, has always been paid more than Stayt. Her pay packet accounts for 180 days of presenting on BBC Breakfast, as well as her Radio 5 Live programme and election coverage.
The BBC pay comes amid a bullying row concerning the BBC Breakfast editor. Some current and former staff of the programme jumped to his defence.
One source told the Mirror: “He is not a bully at all and the truth will come out. He’s a great boss and was – and is still – overwhelmingly loved by the team, who respect his drive, expertise, and journalistic ambition. He has delivered great audiences and the first ever Bafta for breakfast TV.
“He can be brash and opinionated but works so hard for his team and allows people to flourish.”
A second source said: “Yes, he is old-school and can rub people up the wrong way but it’s always in the pursuit of great television. It’s the best-rating breakfast show in the country – it’s not supposed to be a walk in the park. Some – Naga included – need to understand this. It feels like it’s a case of presenter power turfing out a brilliant journalist.”
Co-host Stayt is also said to have a strained relationship with Frediani.
One man who bought breakfast, lunch and dinner in Bangkok, Thailand admitted he was stunned by the price of it all. He went online to talk about his travel experience
Thailand offers a variety of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner (stock photo)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
One man who went to get breakfast, lunch and dinner in Thailand admitted he couldn’t believe the price of it all. Ryan Losasso is one half of the popular award-winning TikTok travel content creation duo ‘Live The Dash’ alongside Jade Beaty.
He went out into the streets of Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city to buy his three meals on a budget. Bangkok is known for its bustling street life, including street food and markets. One of the most famous street food dishes is pad Thai, a classic stir-fried noodle dish with shrimp, egg and peanuts. Ryan took his TikTok viewers along with him as he explored the Thai food scene and couldn’t believe the price of his breakfast, lunch and dinner.
To start his culinary journey the travel influencer went to Siam House Cafe where he opted for a traditional Thai breakfast that was made up of egg, pork meat and toast for just £1.50.
Taking a bite of his meal, he said “mmm” and reported that his breakfast was a “roaring success.”
Next he moved onto lunch where he picked up a ham and cheese toastie and a bottle of water from 7-Eleven for £1.05.
Ryan continued: “I do not have much left for dinner but let’s see what we can do.” He “scoured Bangkok’s streets” for an affordable dish and spotted Hai Som Tam Convent where he tucked into a pad Thai for £2.30.
In total Ryan’s breakfast, lunch and dinner from Bangkok cost him a mere £4.85. Bangkok is a foodie paradise as it offers a “mix of delicious street food, budget-friendly restaurants and hidden gems serving world-class Thai cuisine”, according to H and L Blogs.
The travel blog website claims that Bangkok’s “cheap eats are everywhere”, such as wok-fried noodles in Chinatown or “authentic local curries served for just a few Baht in local markets.”
One Thai Baht is equal to 0.023 Great British Pounds so it is very easy to eat out on a budget in Bangkok.
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H and L Blogs has listed some of the best budget food spots in Thailand’s capital city, including Yaowarat (Chinatown), best for street food like noodles and seafood, Or Tor Kor Market for fresh Thai ingredients and local dishes and Soi 38 Sukhumvit, a classic Bangkok night market with affordable meals.
Trip Savvy states that the average cost of a basic Thai meal in a restaurant is 90 to 150 Baht (£2.02 to £3.37) and pad Thai noodles with chicken or tofu can be found at street carts and from simple restaurants for 35 to 40 Baht (£0.35 to £0.90).
It adds that the average cost for pad Thai in tourist places is around 50 Baht (£1.12) per plate.
Ryan’s TikTok video showcasing how cheap it is to eat out in Bangkok has garnered thousands of views and likes and more than 100 comments.
One user simply said: “Thailand is very affordable.” While another exclaimed: “That pad Thai is a bargain!” A third described the cost of Ryan’s three meals as “so cheap.”
Many Brits seek summer sun abroad from Turkey to Cape Verde, but holidays often turn into costly disasters with delays, illness, and nightmare accidents
Martin Bullen broke his neck and back after a stranger pushed him into a pool(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
From flight delays and lost luggage to heatstroke, food poisoning, and unexpected injuries, the holiday season often brings more chaos than calm.
Travel insurance providers report spikes in claims during July and August, with accidents abroad, hospital visits, and missed connections among the top complaints.
Here, the Mirror looks at some dream getaways that quickly became nightmares…
Horrific joke gone wrong
A “joke” on a lad’s holiday in Benidorm ended up with a dad breaking his neck after he was shoved into a pool.
Martin’s life has completely changed since the injury(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
The single dad-of-two said he tried to turn his fall into a dive but he didn’t realise how shallow the water was and he split his head open on the bottom of the pool.
Luckily one of the revellers at the party was an army medic who helped get Martin out of the pool and kept him still until an ambulance arrived.
Paramedics took Martin, who works as a sales advisor, to a nearby hospital where doctors gave him 16 stitches in his head and found that he had fractured his neck in three places and broken his back.
He said that the trip to Benidorm had been intended as a relaxing getaway with his cousins to give Martin a break from being a busy single dad.
Martin explained that he had gone to book travel insurance before the holiday, but he had gotten distracted before paying and forgot to purchase it – a mistake he dubbed ‘stupid’.
The tourist ended up forking out £1,500 for the hospital stay and extra flights. He urged holidaymakers travelling this summer not to make the same “daft mistake” as him.
Martin, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, said: “I was having a drink but I had my wits about me and stuff. Somebody pushed me into the pool and I didn’t know it was a shallow pool.
“I’m thinking I’ll just dive in and dive back up and my head hit the floor straight away and it split open my head.
“It was quite scary. I’ll be honest, there was at one point I thought I was going to die on my own [in hospital] because I didn’t know what was going on or who to talk to.
“It was a moment of madness [not to take out insurance]. I was looking at getting it, I put it in the WhatsApp group for my cousins to get it and as I went to do mine something came up with the kids.
“Then it just slipped my mind and then I forgot all about it and didn’t get it done. It was a daft mistake. I knew I needed to get it. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail, that’s the best thing I could say.”
Raw buffet food hell
25 Brits reported issues with the resort, including raw fish at the restaurant(Image: Irwin Mitchell / SWNS)
What was supposed to be a dream getaway quickly spiralled into a holiday from hell for 25 Brits after they allegedly suffered gastric illnesses while staying at the Riu Karamboa, in Boa Vista in Cape Verde.
The group claim there were disturbing scenes around the hotel’s buffet – birds, flies, and even cats wandering freely. The food, they allege, was often “raw and undercooked,” served alongside “dirty crockery and cutlery.”
One NHS worker who splurged £3,000 to celebrate early retirement said she ended up hospitalised with a severe E.coli infection during her holiday.
Sharon Burrow, 56, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, recalled how the luxury break became “one of the worst experiences of her life,” and eight months on, she still battles ongoing complications.
Another guest, Penny Robson, a 55-year-old paramedic from London, was forced to take antibiotics after battling a brutal bout of gastric symptoms – bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, and stomach cramps. Penny, who paid £2,000 for a weeklong stay with a friend in September 2023, had to cancel two prepaid excursions, including a stargazing trip and a private island tour, after falling ill five days in.
The Riu Karamboa resort told the Mirror: “For RIU Hotels & Resorts, the health and safety of our guests is our highest priority. That is why we adhere to strict Health & Safety protocols and comply with all applicable regulations.
“Additionally, we work closely with local health authorities to ensure a safe environment for both our guests and employees. As part of our proactive approach to preventing health issues, we conduct thorough internal and external audits on a regular basis.
“Our hotels in Cape Verde, which consist of six properties with a total of 4,650 rooms, maintain an average occupancy rate of over 80%. Given this high level of activity, we continuously monitor our operations to uphold the highest health and safety standards.”
‘Never leaving UK again’
Alison Shah, 60, and her partner, Richard Kay, 52. (Image: No credit)
The couple finally made it home after a three-day trek but their ordeal has made them vow ‘never again’. “I have never experienced anything like this,” said Alison. “We paid a lot of money for the holiday and it has ended in a nightmare.”
The couple had flown from Thailand to Dubai last April to find the airport in turmoil due to severe storms, with their plane circling above the airport for an hour and a half before it was able to land. They had a few hours to wait until flying to Manchester.
“Finally at 8am, we started to board the plane, the plane was there,” said Alison. “We then sat there for two and a half hours in the holding area waiting to get on the plane. Nobody was answering any questions and people were getting frantic.”
The couple’s frustration peaked when they were informed of their flight had been cancelled. “We were then told our flight was cancelled and we had to leave the airport,” added the emergency control operator. “We went back the following day and joined another queue for seven and a half hours.
“We were waiting to board the plane and it kept saying delayed, delayed, delayed. The screen changed from Manchester to Sydney and they sent us away again.”
After spending money on a hotel stay, the couple faced further uncertainty at the airport the next day when they were offered a flight to Manchester on April 28 – 12 days after they were meant to head back home. “We couldn’t do that. We had to go to work and we had already been out of the country for a month,” Alison said.
“I asked if they could get us to another airport, if I could get near the UK I could work it out. They got us a flight to Istanbul.”
But their ordeal wasn’t over – landing in Istanbul on April 19, Alison and Richard were greeted with the news that their luggage had gone missing, meaning they had to buy clothes there. The couple then made their way from Istanbul to Dalaman, Turkey, on Saturday in hopes of catching a flight to Manchester.
“We’re pleased to be home, but really really upset not to be able to give the grandchildren the gifts and open the cases and do what you normally do when you get home,” Alison said.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, penned an open letter at the time of the disruption, which said: “The UAE experienced its highest rainfall in 75 years. Storm winds and torrential rain disrupted activities across the cities.
“While our hub in Dubai continued to operate, albeit with reduced flight movements for safety reasons, the flooded roads hampered our customers, pilots, cabin crew, and airport employees from getting to the airport, and also affected the delivery of essential supplies like meals and other flight amenities..
“We know our response has been far from perfect. We acknowledge and understand the frustration of our customers due to the congestion, lack of information, and confusion in terminals. We acknowledge that the long queues and waiting times have been unacceptable.”
Terrifying break-in
Becca Farley had a fearless reaction to intruders in her hotel room (Image: Becca Farley / SWNS)
On their final evening, amidst hotel notices about an impending power outage, Becca headed to their room to charge mobile phones ahead of their journey back. She recounted the unsettling moment: “As I got in the lift these two teenagers got in the lift with me and just pressed my floor level. I honestly didn’t think anything of it because there’s five rooms per floor, so I just assumed they were going to one of them.”
However, the situation took a turn when the youths exited the lift before her and made a beeline for her room, which was propped open with a shoe. Initially confused, Becca thought she had got off on the wrong floor, but she quickly realised that wasn’t the case.
“It happened all quite quickly and they just strolled straight into my room,” she said. Becca decided to follow them inside and confront them.
“But I just didn’t really think and went straight into the room and shouted ‘What are you doing in my room? Get the f*ck out, get the f*ck out, get the f*ck out’.” Thankfully, the teenagers did.
Yet, the ordeal hadn’t ended—the youth hammered on the door shortly after while Becca remained barricaded inside. “I was absolutely petrified,” she confessed.
“I know it sounds silly and people have said you should have done this, you should have locked them in the room, you should have decked them but at that moment I think it was just that invasion of privacy. This is supposed to be your safe place when you are away, you’re away from home, we don’t travel all that often so we were really shaken.”
