Children parenting and family life

DID you know the first package holiday was actually in the UK, nearly 200 years ago?

My boys aged 13, 11 and six are all big steam train fans and we’ve had some amazing days out on heritage railways around the country. 

But what we didn’t realise riding the rails here in the Midlands, is that we were retracing a route that replicates the one chosen by package holiday pioneer Thomas Cook for his first ever excursion, some 185 years ago.

The stretch of track he used became so popular in Victorian times that a new line was eventually built to get passengers about, and you can still board heritage trains on the Great Central Railway today.

Nowadays, holidays offered by tour operators are all about flying abroad, fun in the sun and food and drink on tap.

But back then, a train trip between Leicester and Loughborough launched the concept of paying once and having all your needs met.

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About 500 passengers paid a shilling each for the trip, which included travel, refreshments and entertainment from a brass band.

Booze was a no-no as Thomas Cook and his first tourists were part of the temperance movement – it’s safe to say that things have moved on a bit since that first package holiday in 1841…

One thing that remains the same is that the Great Central Railway still offers a great family-friendly day out, with steam and diesel trains running on its eight-mile line between Leicester North and Loughborough.

If you’re looking for something to do over February halfterm, it’s the perfect option as it’s fantastic fun in all weathers and for all generations.

It’s lovely getting all cosy inside an old-fashioned carriage, enjoying the great British countryside passing by your window.

Some of our best trips have actually been on rainy days as the train tracks run alongside fields, woodland and even Swithland Reservoir so there is lots of wildlife to spot, without getting wet.

There are several old stations en route where you can hop on and off to enjoy kids’ activities, model railways, cafes and lots of heritage touches that bring the golden age of rail travel back to life.

Kids can ride for a quid at some points throughout the year and last year there was also a cut-price ticket for locals, so if you time your visit right or live nearby, you can bag a bargain day out.

There’s a couple of things you’ll want to bear in mind if you do decide to head to the Great Central Railway.

It’s not open every day so check out the website to find which trains are running when and for ticket prices, which can change depending on the season and what’s on offer.

There are special events throughout the year, including character appearances from family favourites like Paw Patrol or the Snowman.

Parking at Loughborough is on the road outside the station, so it can be tricky to find a space on busy days.

We usually head to Quorn to catch the train up and down the line from there, as it’s got a big car park and often has kids activities in its marquee. The other two stations also have parking.

There’s a small branch line to Mountsorrel and Rothley Community Heritage Centre, which only occasionally has trains running on it.

But if you can time your visit to coincide with the branch line being open, the heritage centre itself is well worth a visit, with a playground, den-building, woodland trails, a narrow gauge railway where you can take a short ride and a model train track where visitors can have a go at the controls for Thomas the Tank Engine or one of his friends.

It’s exciting times for the Great Central Railway, which is in the middle of a multimillion pound project to reconnect two stretches of track.

passengers will be able to travel on heritage trains for 18 miles between Nottingham and Leicester North for the first time since the line was axed in the 1960s and a small part of the track was built over.

So it’s full steam ahead for this half term and beyond.

SNOOP Dogg’s 11-month-old granddaughter has tragically died – as daughter Cori Broadus says ‘I lost the love of my life’.

Cori revealed the news that her daughter Codi Dreaux died on Monday, just 20 days after her release from the NICU.

Cori had welcomed Codi – her first child with photographer fiance Wayne Duece – in February last year.

But Codi was born three months prematurely, and spent the first months of her life in the NICU before being discharged at the beginning of January.

Cori, 26, had excitedly announced “She’s home” on January 6 in an Instagram post, but now she has shared the devastating news that Cori has passed away.

She posted a black and white picture of her holding her baby daughter as she looked down and smiled at her.

Alongside it she wrote: “Monday, I lost the love of my life. My Codi.”

She also reshared her post about Codi coming home and wrote: “20 days later?! dawg im sick.”

Wayne also shared a post to his Instagram Stories on Saturday, which showed Codi gazing up at him as he cradled her.

He wrote: “I been the saddest since u left me Codi Dreaux. But I know u at peace. Daddy will always love you.”

Meanwhile, one of Codi’s nurses also shared a heartbreaking post, which Cori reposted.

It showed a black and white video of a crib and mobile hanging over it, with the caption: “I been sad for 6 days straight. Being a nurse has its ups and downs and this is the biggest down I ever experienced.

“It was such a pleasure being mybabygirls nurse. I gave her one last bath told her I loved her and didn’t even know I was getting her ready for Heaven.”

Cori is the youngest of Snoop’s three daughters with his wife of 28 years, Shante Broadus.

She was diagnosed with Lupus when she was six, and suffered a stroke in early 2024, which made her pregnancy high risk.

She gave birth to Codi when she was just 25 weeks along, but when Codi was six months old and in the NICU, she told Us Weekly her baby girl was “feisty”.

She said: “Codi just has so much character. The doctors and nurses always tell me: ‘Your baby got her mind. She’s smart. She’s alert.

“‘She knows what’s going on. She can hear. She can see. Yeah, the circumstances are not what you thought they would be, but it could be worse.’

“That girl is just a sweet little firecracker.”

NINETIES classic Cotton Eye Joe blasts out of the speakers as my kids Poppy, six, and Raffy, four, attempt their first ever ski tricks on the “Indian piste”, gliding past cartoon figures and over obstacles like they’ve been skiing for years.

In fact, it’s only their second day. 

And I’ve got Stacey Solomon to thank for this golden memory.

It’s been nine years since I last wore a pair of skis, but watching Stacey and her gang hitting the mountains in BBC1’s Stacey & Joe made me crave a family ski experience.

So we’re on a four-night break with Ski Weekends, in the buzzing French village of Les Gets.

Chalet Girl

Newly spruced-up Chalet Marjorie, with its alpine decor, makes for a brilliant base, just five minutes’ walk from the ski lifts and a 70-minute drive from Geneva airport.

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With table football, a dinky hammam and a large hot tub, we have everything we need post-ski.

The kids share a bunk-bed room, husband Andy and I cosy up in a double, and there’s a piping-hot power shower for our aching muscles.

Each afternoon, showstopper cakes baked by sous-chef Emily welcome us home, while chef Markus rustles up an early kids’ tea, before presenting three courses of treats such as cheesy tartiflette, duck à l’orange and brioche pud for the grown-ups.

Conversation (and wine) flow between guests – this chalet sleeps up to 42 – and sharing stories of skiing triumphs and life’s adversities at the end of the day is special.

We hire boots and skis from Désiré Sport, just seconds from the gondola.

Staff here help the children each morning with huge smiles, and welcome us back each evening with mulled wine.

After two lessons with the lovely (and incredibly patient) Guglielmo, an Italian ski instructor from Maison Sport, the kids are confident enough to join us even higher up the mountain.

Riding the chairlift up above the clouds in prep to race down a stunning tree-lined run together, my heart swells with pride.

These children, who are usually first to complain back home that their legs are tired or that they’re cold, are lapping up every moment in this incredible landscape.

But while Les Gets is part of the mega Portes du Soleil ski area – home to more than 600km of pistes – we’re very happy to take things easy, grabbing cream-laden hot chocolates, £4.50, from Télébar du Mont Blanc, and spending afternoons enjoying the snow in so many other ways.

Sister Sledge

Handily, L’Aprèski Bar sits at the bottom of the slopes and serves up a stonkingly good soundtrack and cracking cocktails next to one of the resort’s sledging spots.

So, as Poppy and Raffy race each other down on sledges borrowed from the chalet, Andy and I toast them with an Aperol Spritz, £10.50 (Bellevue-lesgets.com).

Another afternoon, we stop by the 1.1km-long 4 Season Alpine Coaster, which can hit speeds of almost 25mph.

Opened less than two years ago, it’s ridiculously good fun and the kids beg to ride it again immediately.

Rides cost £8 per sledge (Lesgets.com).

Lungs full of alpine air and kids full of a new kind of confidence, we’ve all adored exploring the mountain and celebrating each other’s wins.

Give me family adventures in Mother Nature’s playground over a theme park any day.

AH, Ibiza. Those heady days of raving until dawn, no kids, and a lot of cocktails.

Take. Me. Back.

Well actually, two kids, slightly less dancing and a few less Espresso Martinis later, Tui might just have done it.

We’d tried once before, when our daughters were three and six, with less success, but with Lyla and Martha now 10 and 12, could we have finally hit the sweet spot?

Tui’s Holiday Village Seaview Ibiza is designed for kids, there’s no doubt about it.

With the busiest entertainment, sports and club programme I’ve ever come across, there’s literally about one hour in the day (after breakfast, before 10am) that they’re not catered for.

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Along with an onsite water park, three pools, snooker tables, an aerial walk, table tennis, arcades, paddle boarding and kayaking, there are also kids’ clubs, and stage, swimming and football academies.

There’s plenty of daytime fun and free games around the resort, too.

And all that is before an entire evening of child-friendly entertainment that begins as the pools close at 6pm.

In fact, it’s so busy, there’s a whole app devoted to the hotel, where you can book slots in advance for anything and everything your children could want to do on holiday.

As you squinted in the sunshine from your sunlounger (which, happily, the resort doesn’t let you reserve with your towel until after 8am) it was almost like watching a group of excitable Oompa Loompas rushing around Willy Wonka’s factory.

But instead of chocolate, they were squealing about the variety of fun they could have.

Although, it’s worth pointing out that as part of the all-inclusive, you can help yourself to free ice creams and afternoon cakes — so it pretty much is like Wonka’s factory.

Children zoomed around the resort, which is like a mini city — and because it felt so safe, my girls could dash between pools and the snack bar unaccompanied, while my husband David and I watched from the loungers.

We had to accompany the girls to the waterpark until we decided that as they were such good swimmers, and there were almost as many lifeguards as kids, we didn’t need to.

‘But what about the adults?’ I selfishly asked myself as we arrived, and I saw what the girls had in store.

Well, that’s exactly where Tui has played its trump card.

Favourite nights ever

Research conducted last year found that 60 per cent of parents miss their child-free clubbing days (like me) and regularly relive them with family kitchen discos (yes I do).

Inspired by this, Holiday Villages called on the youngest ever DJ duo — the brilliantly named Half Punk — to grace the island and give families enjoying their first summer holiday weekend a night to remember.

When I heard that the pair were 12 and 10, I wondered if they were actually going to DJ or just play at it.

But lo and behold. To mark 25 years since their namesakes Daft Punk released One More Time, the two properly mixed.

I’m not sure the hordes of children standing staring at the front fully embraced the old-school house music blaring out by the two helmeted youngsters — but the parents certainly did.

Eyes shut in ecstasy and arms were held aloft as confetti cannons blasted, glow sticks shimmered and the bass speakers reverberated around the resort.

You could instantly spot the old ravers who had allowed themselves to be taken back to those carefree days of thumping tunes and dancing like no one was watching.

And then after, a silent disco got all the youngsters involved again — wide-eyed at the adults belting out chart-toppers and throwing shapes like loons.

I’m not sure there’s anything better than properly dancing with your children on a dancefloor — and as we finally sank into our beds, we all decided it had been one of our favourite nights abroad ever.

And don’t think the fun stopped there. We also managed to get up the energy for a Neon Nights disco and an Ibiza Sunset dance while we were there.

The resort is right next to the beautiful sandy Port Des Torrent beach — with ­pedalos for hire and tavernas to relax in while watching the fabulous Ibiza sunsets.

We were lucky enough to get invited on a Meet The Sea boat trip, which aims to educate kids about the oceans.

Having sailed out to just off an uninhabited island, you snorkel with a marine specialist, who teaches you why the sea is nothing to be scared of.

He’ll even pick up sea anemones and cucumbers from the sea bed and let you hold them, while back on board the chef cooks paella. It’s a truly magical experience.

Plus, you’re just across the bay from San Antonio, so if you do feel the urge for nightclubs, you’re literally a bus ride away.

The hotel’s buffet restaurant was also ­perfect for the pickiest of eaters, with every kind of food a child could possibly ask for, and theme nights as well, so it didn’t get too samey.

You also get two free meals per week at the speciality restaurants, with Italian, American and grill options.

And as for the reps, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone more smiley and enthusiastic, even as they did the dance routine to Bruno Mars’ APT for the 19th time that day.

Like Butlins on steroids, I knew Tui had hit its mark when our eldest daughter, without any word of a lie, turned to me and said: “This is better than the Maldives.”

TAKING that dream trip to the white sand beaches of Florida, Africa or the Caribbean may seem out of reach – but dream trips don’t have to cost the world.

Don’t believe us? We’ve dug deep to find some of the flashiest long haul holiday deals around which are so cheap you’d be forgiven for presuming you’re jetting much closer to home – including Mexico, Jamaica and even Thailand.

We’ve scoured holiday company sites to find some of the cheapest long haul holidays out there – all of which are seven nights and include your flights in the price.

So whether you want to sip from a fresh coconut on the beaches of Mexico, or spend the week in a circus-themed hotel in Las Vegas, these are some of the hottest deals you can snag for some long-haul sun.

Florida, USA – £479pp (kids stay free)

The Ramada By Wyndham Hotel & Water Park is heaven for families – a colourful holiday resort with its own waterpark, right in the heart of Florida.

There’s 180 comfortable rooms, including family-sized options – plus each comes with its own rainfall shower.

There’s loungers and a hot tub for relaxation time, plus you’ve got your pick of waterslides and a lazy river to drift along in, too.

Kissimmee sits south of Orlando, and the city is only a 25-minute drive to Walt Disney World and a 30-minute drive to Universal Orlando Resort.

And to top it all off, this hotel offers FREE child stays for ages 0 – 17.

Loveholidays offer seven nights’ room-only stay for £479pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.

Makadi Bay, Egypt – £403pp

Serenity Alma Resort is easily spotted from the coastline of Makadi Bay, with its giant castle structure overlooking a waterpark and theme park.

The hotel’s attached theme park, Luna Park, is complete with dodgems, a merry-go-round and a kids’ coaster – meaning you won’t have to leave the resort for a fun-filled day out.

Choose to dine in the hotel’s Italian, Mexican, Moroccan, Turkish, Asian or Indian à la carte restaurants – or head to the main restaurant for a classic buffet dinner.

Add two large pools and a private beach into the mix, and this castle hotel really starts to feel like a fairy tale come true.

The resort is based in Makadi Bay, Egypt, where you can snorkel the bright reefs of the Red Sea, or take a trip out to Makadi Water World.

First Choice offer a 7-night all-inclusive stay for £403pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – £449pp

You could spend the week in a luxurious 5-star adults-only hotel in Dubai for just £449pp.

The Hilton Dubai Creek Hotel & Residences boasts an on-site bowling alley, basketball court, a fully-equipped gym, plus a steam bath and sauna to retire to.

But perhaps the best feature of this hotel is its large outdoor pool facing the glimmering city skyline.

Accommodation comes as spacious pink and gold apartments with kitchenettes, flatscreen TVs and breathtaking views over the city skyline or vast blue creek.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night room-only stay for just £449pp, including return flights from London Stansted.

Las Vegas, USA – £509pp

Circus Circus in Las Vegas is more than a hotel – it’s a casino and theme park, too.

Step inside the Big Top, and you’ll find a stage with circus acts, an arcade and roller coaster rides, as well as two pools and a splash park.

The best rides at this hotel include the Canyon Blaster, with the world’s only indoor double loop, and a ride simply named “Chaos” which is just as unpredictable as it sounds.

Plus this hotel is set smack bang on the Las Vegas strip, right in the middle of the action.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night room-only stay for £509pp, including return flights from London Heathrow.

Tululm, Mexico – £429pp

Mexico’s Tulum is a blissful coastal town on the Caribbean Coast, with some of the best beaches in Mexico.

Spots such as Paradise Beach and Playa Santa Fe almost don’t look real, with vibrant green palms overlooking turquoise waters and sugar-white sand.

Plus beaches such as Playa Pescadores and Playa Ruinas are right by Mayan ruins and archaeological sites, so you can combine your historical sightseeing with swimming and sunbathing, all in one day.

The Oyo Hotel Palma Real is a budget-friendly base that’s only a 25-minute drive from the beach and the fascinating Mayan Ruins.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night room-only stay for £429pp, including return flights from Birmingham.

Bangkok, Thailand – £509pp

Visiting Thailand just became a whole lot cheaper, with this package hotel and flights deal costing just £509pp with Loveholidays.

This city blends world-class nightlife with ornate temples and peaceful manicured parks.

Spend your days strolling or boating down Thailand’s “River of Kings”, the Chao Phraya River, to see remarkable temples such as Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.

As the sun sets, head towards Sukhumvit for trendy rooftop bars and street food at the cosy mini food market Soi 38.

Plus, staying at the King One Suvarnabhumi gives you a budget-friendly base to return to with air-conditioned rooms and spacious beds.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night room-only stay for £509pp, including return flights from London Heathrow.

Chicago, USA – £449pp

Home of the world’s first skyscraper, house music, and of course the deep dish pizza – you’ll find a real slice of Americana in Chicago.

Top sights here include the famous “bean” of Milennium Park (or the Cloud Gate sculpture) and the Centennial Wheel, which comes with views over the city and Lake Michigan.

A stay at the four-star Chicago Hotel Collection – Magnificent Mile doesn’t disappoint, with rooftop igloo seating and a 24-hour gym.

Here you’re only steps away from shopping on State Street, and the mall located inside of a skyscraper – Water Tower Place.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night room-only stay for £449pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.

Bavaro, Dominican Republic – £539pp

The Dominican Republic’s Bavaro is a 10-mile strip of beach lined with action-packed resorts and luxurious hotels.

Facing the calm, crystal waters of the Caribbean Sea, Hotel Capriccio Mare has the exterior of a bright white island villa.

The hotel’s position on Bavaro’s coastline is perfect for exploring the popular resort town of Punta Cana.

Whether its strolling the sands to grab a fresh coconut with a straw, or venturing out on a catamaran trip to Saona Island, this dreamy Caribbean resort is not one to miss.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night room-only stay for £539pp, including return flights from Manchester.

Hurghada, Egypt – £397pp

Egypt‘s Hurghada sees year-round sun and temperatures reaching the mid-20s during British winter time.

To make the most of the sunny weather, there’s beaches like the trendy El Gouna and the peaceful Mahmya Beach to laze out on.

And for the adventurous type, there’s desert safaris and snorkelling on offer – plus Makadi Water World always keeps kids happy.

The Palm Inn hotel is just a 5-minute walk to the closest beach, where there’s kite-surfing and boat trips available.

First Choice offer a 7-night stay with breakfast at the Palm Inn Hotel for £397pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.

Orlando, Florida, USA – £469pp

Spending a week in Orlando with flights and accommodation included for under £500pp is quite the steal.

Especially when the hotel is just steps from Florida Mall and only 14 minutes’ drive from Disney World.

The Garnet Inn & Suites, Orlando is a clean and conveniently-located place to stay, with its own palm-lined pool and a tasty Colombian grill restaurant right next door.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night stay with breakfast for £469pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.

Negril, Jamaica – £609pp

The “Capital of Casual” of Negril, Jamaica sits at on the western tip of the paradisaical island.

Famously frequented by the likes of Bob Marley and The Rolling Stones, this easy-going resort town makes for an idyllic escape.

Here you’ll find the Seven Mile Beach, where visitors roam the sands via horseback and explore the seas by snorkel.

There are day-trip opportunities to swim through the tunnels of Joseph’s Cave, plus daytime party cruises to let loose out on the water.

Plus a stay at Samsara on the Cliffs situates you right by beachfront smoothie stalls and reggae bars.

On the Beach offer a 7-night room-only stay for £830pp, including return flights from Manchester.

Ocean City, Maryland, USA – £469pp (kids stay free)

This beachfront mega resort in USA‘s Maryland boasts plenty of exciting activities, with outdoor and indoor options perfect for all weather.

The Hilton Garden Inn Ocean City Oceanfront contains a games room, casino, fitness studios and more.

Outdoors, there’s sports courts as well as sailing and jet-ski options.

A 2-minute walk brings you to Ocean City Boardwalk, where you’ll find an American take on a seaside promenade with food stalls and carnival rides.

There’s also a beach volleyball courts, a skate park and tandem bikes available to stay active whilst making the most of Maryland’s coast.

Plus here you can bring up to two children aged 18 and under to stay for free, when sharing a family room.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night room-only stay for £469pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.

Cancun, Mexico – £449pp

Cancun is a classic long haul holiday destination, famous for its blend of blissful beaches and fascinating historical sites.

One of the most popular beaches is Playa Langosta, which has shallow waters perfect for families to wade into.

Playa Tortugas is a livelier option, with plenty of activities like snorkelling and bungee jumping available.

Plus you can tick off one of the New Seven Wonders of the World whilst you’re there, and take a day’s excursion to visit Chichen Itza.

A stay at the Departamentos Villas Capdeviel gives you a roomy apartment to return to after a day’s exploring.

First Choice offer a 7-night room-only stay for £449pp, including return flights from Birmingham.

New Jersey, USA – £479pp (kids stay free)

New York‘s neighbour state New Jersey has plenty to see and do across its near-130 miles.

The Atlantic City Boardwalk is the oldest and longest oceanfront boardwalk in the world – and you’ll find it dotted with everything from waterparks to world-renowned casinos.

Top attractions to stop at along the way include the Steel Pier Amusement Park and stopping to admire the grand Absecon Lighthouse.

Over in Cape May you’ll find one of the state’s prettiest seaside resorts, where romantic streets are lined with giant Victorian houses, each brightly painted and decorated with picket fence-white balconies.

The Travelodge by Wyndham Absecon Atlantic City is a comfortable option, close to top Atlantic City casinos including Golden Nugget and Borgada.

Or if you’re planning a more family-oriented trip, kids can stay for free (applies to up to two children under 18).

Plus it’s only one-and-a-half-hour’s drive away from New York City if you’re looking to tick off a visit to the Big Apple on your trip to the states.

Loveholidays offer a 7-night room-only stay for £479pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.

The Gambia – £589pp

The Gambia offers incredible value stays in stunning coastal landscapes.

With dry, bright days and temperatures averaging 32°C during British winter, this escape is made even better by the zero-hour time difference.

Whether you want to kayak your way through mangroves or lounge on the sand, this region caters to both adventurers and sun-seekers.

Baboon Islands is a must-visit to spot wildlife including chimpanzees, hippos and crocodiles.

Or take a trip to Kololi for a buzzing resort atmosphere filled with clubs, traditional music, and beachside barbecues.

First Choice offer a 7-night stay with breakfast for £589pp, including return flights from Manchester.

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt – £660pp (kids stay free)

The Coral Sea Aqua Club is home to a waterpark, wave pool, lazy river and plenty more to splash about in to cool off from the Egyptian heat.

And when you’re not spending time zipping down waterslides or lounging by the two giant pools, there’s an action-packed entertainment programme to make the most of.

Whether you spend your nights dancing at the mini discos and singing along to live music, or heading out to explore the glowing markets of nearby El-Khan – you’ll be spoilt for choice with things to do.

Plus this hotel is part of TUI‘s Free Kid’s Place offer, where one free kid’s place is available per two paying adults at select resorts.

TUI offer a 7-night all-inclusive stay for £660pp, including return flights from London Gatwick.

Prices correct at the time of writing.

BEFORE making his most ambitious album Cosmic Opera Act I, Labrinth reached a crossroads: Was he chasing fame or authenticity?

He says: “Am I on a journey to be famous or am I on another journey where creative fulfilment doesn’t always mean being super-successful?”

The album, he explains, came from choosing the latter — and finally being at peace with that decision.

Labrinth has had hits and won major awards since being discovered and signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label in 2010.

I thought it was weird that I wasn’t obsessed with awards and accolades, and I questioned if I was in the right industry

Labrinth

These include MOBO and Brit Awards for collaborations with Tinie Tempah, an Ivor Novello, an Emmy for his Euphoria soundtrack, alongside Grammy nominations for work with The Weeknd, Beyonce and Billie Eilish.

Chatting on a video call from a studio in LA, the singer and producer says: “There were moments in my career where I found myself more focused on novelty and gold.

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“There are artists who want to be at the Grammys in three years — that’s their focus. They want to be successful and famous within a certain time and organise all of that in their head.

“For me, I was more focused on the music than the fame. I’d be obsessed with a guitar sounding like a Chuck Berry record and I started to question if I was in the right place. Should I be chasing success?

“I thought it was weird that I wasn’t obsessed with awards and accolades, and I questioned if I was in the right industry.”

On his recent single, the hip-hop confessional Implosion, Labrinth says: “I was losing my mind. It was ripping away from my ego.

“When you taste success, it’s an addictive drug, and you don’t know you’re obsessed. It’s chasing dopamine. You don’t know you’re addicted until you try to pull away.

“If you need success to be validated or to be fulfilled, then there’s something wrong. And that’s where the implosion for me was. I needed to evolve beyond these urges and needs. Then I got an ADHD diagnosis and everything made sense.”

That was two years ago, when the artist born Timothy McKenzie finally got an answer that explained his behaviour.

He says: “I was lucky and went to see a doctor in the US.

“It can take months, even years, to get answers. I went to see Dr Amen, who is a celebrity doctor, and he did a scan of my brain.

“He could literally point things out like where I’d hit my head when I was ten. He did a real deep dive into how my brain works. And after that, it allowed me to be a lot more forgiving with myself.”

The idea for Cosmic Opera Act I came from the inner turmoil Labrinth had experienced with his mental health in the entertainment business while trying to define his own success plus his love for films like Star Wars.

“I still haven’t been to an opera — I know that sounds insane,” he says with a laugh.

“The opera is connected to drama and deep emotion.

“Then the cosmic part was after reading an article which said there are as many connections in our brain as there are stars in our universe.

“So that was the perspective of the title — with mental health the subject.

“I’ve always been a fan of opera from a distance, and I’ve always enjoyed the idea of exploring it.

“Also, I grew up with films from the Eighties like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. Those film scores stuck in my mind and I wanted to make an album that incorporated and explored their sound.

“Of course, me working in film and TV pushed me further into that direction.”

I wrote that song to show how I had evolved from the pain and confusion about my dad. I looked at myself as being a mini Luke Skywalker coming out of his demons

Labrinth

Labrinth’s love of Star Wars was also the inspiration behind one of the many standout songs on the album, S.W.M.F. (Star Wars Motherf***er), the singer feeling at peace with his demons.

It was a battle that helped him agree to soundtracking the Christmas John Lewis advert, a remake of 1990 rave classic Where Love Lives with original vocalist Alison Limerick.

“The John Lewis song was the finish line of dealing with demons for me — which was my relationship with my father.

“The John Lewis storyline was about a father and son’s relationship, so me doing the ad was like me saying, ‘Hey, Dad, I get it’.”

He adds: “Our relationship wasn’t great. My dad, who has passed, was violent and not present. He’d had a horrible childhood with an extremely violent stepfather, and that affected the way he was a father to me.

“I saw him occasionally. He was a bit of a ladies’ man, and I don’t think he knew how to be present enough for me as a kid. He didn’t do stuff like taking me to the park or giving me advice.

“Also, he was violent with me, trying to knock me for six when I was very young.

“So I had to face those demons and it made me think about my own anger or frustration. But when I look back, I feel pity for him, because he didn’t have the tools that I have today.

“It was the same with ADHD — I wanted to understand my brain and the way it works, so that I could be the best father I can be to my three young kids. And, in that journey, it made me think of my dad compared to my relationship with my kids and the moments they needed me — because I never had that.

“So I wrote that song to show how I had evolved from the pain and confusion about my dad. I looked at myself as being a mini Luke Skywalker coming out of his demons.”

God Spoke is a special gospel-influenced track inspired by Labrinth’s struggles with religion.

He says: “I grew up very religious. My grandad is a reverend and my mum is a devout Christian. She came over for Christmas to be with her grandkids, and we had loads of talks about religion.

I had a really bad temper. I would be kicked out of class all the time and I’d end up in the music room

Labrinth

“I’m spiritual, but I don’t follow a practice. I have all the respect for those who do follow a religion but I see God as unlimited and infinite and in a lot more places than a room or a structure — that’s why, to me, it’s bigger than one religion or one place.

“So God Spoke is like a homage to my grandad. When I was a kid, a lot of people would come to church for redemption. So I wrote that I’m at the end of being the old me, and I’m ready to grow and morph into the new me.”

Burn out

Labrinth says music was his saviour as a child and he would spend hours making music after being excluded.

“I got in a lot of trouble at school,” he says.

“I had a really bad temper. I would be kicked out of class all the time and I’d end up in the music room.

“Eventually it got to the point where I would get in trouble purposely, just so I could go there, because it was the easiest place for me to be, and the most peaceful.”

Labrinth says there is still not enough help with artists and their mental health in the entertainment industry.

He says: “RSD — Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria — is associated with ADHD and there are many artists in the music industry with this.

“Artists don’t learn how to manage their careers or their mental health. When they get a deal, they can burn out because they don’t have the tools to support the way their brain works.

“A lot of artists can end up in drug abuse, because they don’t have the skills to deal with a song not working.

“There isn’t a support system in the music industry — and it’s needed.”

In April Labrinth will take Cosmic Opera Act I to Coachella festival in California.

He says: “I am still working on how that looks, because it’s not cheap to do what is on the record. But I have big ideas and big visions for how I want to present the music and what I want to explore sonically.”

The Hackney-born star last played the festival in 2023 and was the talk of the weekend, with surprise guests Billie Eilish and Zendaya — in her first live show in over seven years, performing I’m Tired and All For Us from Euphoria on the second weekend.

“Zendaya was not planned at all,” says Labrinth. “Billie was the first week but Zendaya, who was on a film set, said she couldn’t make it.

“Then she called me to say she was going to Vegas to watch Usher and would be passing by. So it was literally last minute.”

Labrinth is looking forward to working on the score for Euphoria season three because Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer has joined the show’s production team.

He says: “The show is special because it speaks to the language of this era. That’s what inspired me.

“And this time, having Hans Zimmer involved — an experienced genius — makes a difference. I’ve always wanted to work with him, so this is my chance to do so.

If I could work with anyone next I’d say David Attenborough

Labrinth

“Gladiator was the film that got me on to Hans, and True Romance is another I love.

“He and Beyonce picked my song [Spirit] for Lion King so then I was like, ‘Well, I need to meet this guy’. It seems like life is trying to pull us together.”

Labrinth has learned a lot from working with superstars.

He says: “Beyonce has been a fan for a long time, because she’s checked out a lot of my records. She’s very kind, and treats people with respect, and is a real professional.

“Abel [The Weeknd] was like an animal in the studio. He knows what he wants and then it goes crazy when he releases something.

“If I could work with anyone next I’d say David Attenborough. I know he’s not a musician, but I love his voice and I’ve always wanted to put him on a record. Morgan Freeman and him — their voices are musical instruments to me.

“But next I’m in London working with Skepta. The UK has some special artists and I’m dying to get over there to perform.”

LABRINTH Cosmic Opera Act I

★★★★☆

FROM playing music out loud to putting your feet on the seats – travelling by train in the UK can be an infuriating experience.

But I’ve found a new frustrating trend – reserved carriages for school groups.

As someone who regularly commutes to London by train, I already have the daily battle of finding a seat, especially one with a table.

But I’ve noticed a recent surge in entire carriages being booked by teachers ahead of taking entire classes into London for the day.

According to Southeastern: “If your group is at least 30 people, we can look into reserving a carriage for you, although it may not always be possible during busier periods.

“Reserved carriages will generally be at the rear of a train, and will be marked with labels in the windows and on the doors stating that the carriage is reserved for your group.

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“There isn’t a charge for reserving a carriage.”

While this may sound grumpy at first – after all, who wants to try and find 30 seats for school kids – my complaint comes with both the timing and space.

My train is regularly a four-carriage train until later in the journey.

Not only that, but as a commuter train, seats cannot be reserved until other train operators, so most seats are find-as-you-get-on.

So with a whole carriage taken up by a school, it ends up making these other busy carriages already a lot more chaotic.

A poor train conductor had the awkward task of kicking everyone already sitting in the carriage before the reserved time out onto the platform as they waited for an attachment

Not only that, but many of them are being booked for the morning commute, often around 9am.

In my opinion, there should be blocked out times to allow weary office-dwellers their last chance of respite before having to be stuck staring at a computer for nine hours.

At least there is one upside – I know which carriage to actively avoid unless I want to be subjected to streams of TikTok videos being played out loud next to me.

However, the Sun’s Head of Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire backs reserved carriages.

She said: “As a school mum who has been on a lot of class trips in recent years, I think this decision by the train company to reserve an entire carriage for the kids is genius. 

“Herding a group of children on and off transport through London – one of the world’s busiest cities – is a nightmare. 

“Will you get them all in one carriage? Will one get left behind? Will they all get seats?

“Will the ‘other’ members of the public get annoyed with the exceptionally loud noise that accompanies 30-plus kids on a day out? 

“This allows them to make sure all of the children travel safely, while causing minimal issues for other passengers. 

“It’s so smart, I’m considering suggesting it to my child’s school next time that I accompany them on a trip.”

A train company recently launched adult-only carriages.

And here’s a converted train carriage you can spend the night in.

YOU might think a holiday city break with the entire family would be an expensive staycation – but I’ve found a cheap way to do it.

My family of five stays in a different UK city or town every February half-term for less than £50, thanks to a cheap-as-chips offer from the Youth Hostel Association.

What we especially love about our little break away is that we can get a room in a beautiful building in a luxury location for very little money.

Family rooms and cabins are already pretty affordable at this time of year anyway and the annual YHA January Sale discount code takes an extra 20 per cent off, which makes it incredible value for money.

The deal is still running and covers February half-term and the Easter holidays, so you can take a trip to city, countryside or coastal hostels during the school holidays for next to nothing. 

We love a city break at this time of year as it’s the perfect way to while away the grey days. Generally there are very few tourists about and we can normally find lots of free stuff to do indoors at museums and the like. 

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My favourite was when we stayed at YHA Chester Trafford Hall a couple of years ago, as that was the perfect blend of city and countryside.

It was glorious to be greeted by a carpet of snowdrops as we arrived at the hostel, an old Georgian mansion set in lovely grounds.

You can hop on the bus nearby to get into the city centre in less than half an hour and go for a wander through the historic streets, taking in Roman ruins and the Rows, covered wooden walkways that allow access to shops at first-floor and street level, a famous feature of the city since medieval times. 

Our family room only cost £29.25 (£5.85pppn) and another great element of a hostel stay is that there’s generally a self-catering kitchen, a restaurant where kids eat for £1 and a games room.

We can choose whether to cook for ourselves or order from the restaurant menu and the boys have somewhere to entertain themselves while waiting for food.

It’s lovely staying somewhere that’s got a bit of character and seeing a historic building given a new lease of life for the 21st century.

And it’s great to chat to other guests using the communal areas and pick up tips for where to visit next.

This February, we’re heading for Canterbury to stay in a cosy log cabin for just £34 a night for the five of us – which works out at £6.80 each.

We can’t wait to check out the sights, including the historic cathedral, and hopefully head to the Kent coast if the weather is okay.

It was a bit of a toss up between Canterbury and staying at the iconic Albert Docks in Liverpool for just £28 for a room for four people.

I’ve been visiting this northern powerhouse since I was a child and I love the warm Scouse welcome we always get when we go back.

So if you want to follow in the footsteps of the Beatles or take a ferry across the Mersey, this could be the perfect base for you. 

YHA Manchester also has £40 rooms for a family of five and its canalside location is just a 15-minute walk from the city centre.

One year, we took a trip to YHA Bath, another gorgeous Georgian villa a walk or bus ride away from the city centre.

Bath can get pretty crowded once the weather warms up so going in February is perfect if you don’t want too much hustle and bustle. A stay in a family room there is £72 during half-term.

Using a youth hostel as a base can also be a really affordable way to visit the capital over in the holidays. We stayed in a log cabin at YHA Lee Valley one February, which is next to Cheshunt railway station, where trains stop en route to Liverpool Street.

It was slightly surreal waking up in a nature reserve surrounded by birdsong and then being in the heart of the city within half an hour. The best London deal I’ve spotted for this half-term is at YHA Earls Court, where a six-bed family room costs just £48.

If you’re not a fan of city breaks, the January sale discount code also works for lots of the Lake District hostels and other countryside locations, which often have outdoor cabins and glamping options as well as family rooms. 

We visit YHA Stratford-upon-Avon most years to stay in the deluxe camping pods behind the main building.

They’ve got a little kitchenette and a built-in shower room with toilet, so the pods are a lovely place to get a bit of peace and quiet, before heading into town to enjoy some of the tourist hotspots before they get busy later in the year.

We’ve stayed for less than £20 a night for all of us before, but this half-term, the pods cost £48 using the sale code.

You really can’t beat a YHA stay if you want to bag a bargain and take the family away for a night in half-term for next to nothing. 

For more budget stays here are the UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks, B&Bs and pubs from just £22 a night.

And if you’re heading abroad – here are the most popular hotels in the loveholidays sale with rooftop pools and beautiful beaches… and holidays from £149.

STANDING barefoot in the soft white sand, with her husband’s arm wrapped around her and her baby daughter crawling at her feet, Michelle Keegan couldn’t keep the huge smile from her face.

It was a moment she had been looking forward to for years, but her joy wasn’t felt by others. “How dare the wealthy actress bag a £2,000-a-night trip for free?” raged the Essex mums online. Here, we can reveal what Michelle really thinks about the cruel whispers – and how her next steps are likely to cause even more upset.

While it was back to work for most people, Michelle, 38, kicked off January with a trip to Abu Dhabi alongside husband Mark Wright and nine-month-old daughter Palma.

The couple, who are worth an estimated £20m, stayed at the lavish Rixos Premium in Saadiyat Island, but they didn’t pay a penny for the stay.

It got locals back in Britain, who have got to know Michelle since she moved into her £3.5m mansion in Essex, talking – and not in a good way. 

A source explained: “Local mums are incredibly jealous of the trip and the fact she got it for free. They feel like she is really out of touch and showing off something rotten by plastering it all over social media. They are used to it from Mark, but not her.”

And her outraged Instagram followers rushed to express their upset, with one person questioning: “Lovely, could you not have gifted it to a family who could never afford the experience??”

While another ranted: “Makes me mad when these celebs get free holidays, pay for your own, it’s not as if they can’t afford it.”

And someone else added:  “Dripping with expensive Cartier jewellery but won’t pay for holidays, work on their house, stuff for their baby. Before you mega fans jump on me, no this isn’t jealousy, it’s pure greed and materialism.”

But insiders tell us that Michelle has “had enough of the constant whispering and bitching from these so-called Essex wives and the trolls”.

They added: “These women are obsessed with her because they want to be her –  they’re jealous, plain and simple.

“They watch everything she does because they wish they could be as beautiful and famous as her, then sit around slagging her off just because Michelle is too busy to be their friend.

“They have misinterpreted it as a total snub, so they sit around gossiping about her to try to make themselves feel better about their sad little lives. 

“Michelle has tried to keep her head down and ignore it. It was really hurtful when she first started to hear about this, and she was upset about it for a while, but now she’s reached the point where she’s not hiding her feelings anymore.

“She’s made a conscious decision not to dim her shine just because other people can’t handle it.”

And while in the past she might have shied away from sharing pictures from her trip, Michelle uploaded a whole carousel of images last week in what those close to her are calling a show of defiance.

Appearing toned and tanned, the Our Girl actress looked incredibly put together in every snap. Everything was perfect, down to her pristine white outfits – and it left other mums feeling she was “rubbing her extravagant lifestyle in their faces”.

‘Sticking two fingers up’

Insiders tell us that Michelle finds it particularly grating that the nasty comments come from people who sit at home and do nothing all day.

She is a hugely successful actress, who built her career up from the ground up, with our source explaining: “People see the glamour and think it all came easy, they see Michelle on TV and think she’s soft, but Michelle’s tougher than people think. 

“She’s thick-skinned, she’s ballsy, and she’s done biting her tongue to keep the peace. She’s now sticking two fingers up at them all.”

It’s certainly not the first time the couple have raised eyebrows with their freebies.

Indeed, when they wed in May 2015, they included no less than 38 plugs for wedding freebies in a Hello! magazine interview. In the ten years since, their careers have gone from strength to strength.

Michelle is one of the UK’s most in-demand actresses thanks to roles in Brassic and Netflix hit Fool Me Once, while Mark has gone from reality star to radio DJ and TV presenter. 

Last year, Michelle landed a six-figure advertising deal to become the new face of Sky, and she’ll next be seen in ITV thriller The Blame alongside Douglas Booth. 

Freebies galore

It’s also thought the actress raked in a staggering £441,082 while pregnant with daughter Palma, bringing her net worth to more than £4 million.

But when they purchased their dream home in Essex, their huge wealth didn’t stop them from pulling in a few favours here and there. 

They tagged in a staircase designer when showing off their “mind-blowing” stairs, and Mark gushed he was “so happy” with his “beautiful” bathroom tiles.

A panelling company was also plugged for their gym upgrade, and their dining room appeared to be completely gifted, all of which sparked upset amongst social media users, and when they covered their mansion in fairy lights at Christmas, locals branded them “distasteful” and “tacky”.

But the couple are undeterred, and we can reveal they have big plans for 2026, which might cause even more upset. 

Our insider said: “Michelle and Mark are already planning more holidays and are looking to buy more houses. They would love to go to the Maldives this year and back to Dubai; they also both want to get out to America.

“They have recently been talking about how they would love to buy a holiday cottage in the Cotswolds for them and their families because they love Soho Farmhouse, and they want to be closer to that. 

“They see it as the ultimate status symbol, and to live just around the corner from the Beckhams is something Mark really likes the idea of.”

It’s unlikely to be a popular move, with Cotswolds’ locals already complaining about the number of out-of-towners who have moved in.

The couple already have a property in Majorca and are thought to own a number of other places in the UK. While many Brits are struggling to pay even one mortgage, showing off properties tends to cause upset and won’t do anything for claims they are out of touch. 

Michelle isn’t bragging, she’s just living her life loudly and unapologetically now

Last year, Mark and Michelle were forced to reevaluate their lives after their sprawling Essex home was broken into.

Michelle, who was heavily pregnant with daughter Palma at the time, and Mark were forced to lock themselves in a bedroom when masked raiders broke in.

The incident had a lasting impact on Michelle, who is said to have laid down strict rules about their use of social media – pictures of Palma’s face have been banned, and they will no longer be sharing pictures from inside their home. 

Michelle has also apparently adopted supermodel Kate Moss‘ “never complain and never explain” motto, so she isn’t doing any interviews or offering any comments about her private life or Palma.

But it seems she’s determined not to let the trolls and her negative experience with the house ruin things for her entirely. 

Our source is adamant, saying: “Michelle isn’t bragging, she’s just living her life loudly and unapologetically now. And if that makes the gossip worse, so be it.

“They have lots of big plans on the horizon, and they won’t keep it secret from fans or their haters; they’ll be posting it all on Instagram.”

CONTROVERSIAL new plans are being introduced in a European country which bans kids from certain train carriages.

Rail operator SNCF has unveiled a new ‘Optimum’ carriage on its high-speed Inoui trains where during the week, there’s a ban on children.

It’s described it as a “high-quality travel experience” and is generally for commuters who want quiet before heading into the office.

Optimum class is a dedicated first class carriage, with reclining seats, individual power outlets, reading lights, free Wi-Fi and winged headrests.

Online details add that “to ensure maximum comfort in the dedicated space, children are not permitted”.

The carriage will always be at the end of the train which will stop passengers from walking through the Optimum dedicated area so it will remain quiet.

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The ticket also includes use of TGV INOUI lounges in stations which have high performing Wi-Fi, drinks, an entertainment portal as well as newspapers and magazines.

The Optimum carriage is only available on SNCF’s main Inoui brand of express trains, which run across France and into Germany and Luxembourg.

And the ticket is also only an option from Monday to Friday – during the weekends every carriage is open to passengers of all ages.

And tickets don’t come cheap, A one-way journey from Paris to Lyon taking just over two hours is regularly priced at €56 (£48.63).

But with Optimum tickets it’s €180 (£156.31).

Not everyone is onboard with the decision though.

On the French news outlet, BFM, the French high commissioner for children, Sarah El Hairy, described the child-free ban as “shocking”.

The podcast Les Adultes de demain also said that “a red line has been crossed” and the the company shouldn’t be excluding children.

In its response to criticism, SNCF pointed out that the Optimum carriage forms less than 8 per cent of the total capacity of a TGV InOui train.

While this may be a first for rail, it isn’t for the skies as some airlines have introduced dedicated child-free zones in recent years.

Corendon Airlines has ‘Only Adult’ zones for travellers over the age of 16 on flights between Amsterdam and Curaçao.

Scoot Airlines has its own ‘Scoot-in-Silence’ section which is is a child-free zone for those 12 and under in the forward economy cabin of Scoot’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

And AirAsia X has a “Quiet Zone” on certain long-haul flights which is a, child-free area for passengers aged 12 – usually this area is in the first seven rows of economy class.

IndiGo is another airline that has under-12-free zones.

For more, here’s a new high-speed train that will connect two European capitals in just three hours.

Plus, take a look inside UK’s new £2bn high speed trains with underseat luggage storage and the ‘most comfortable seats ever’.