Children parenting and family life

A well thought-out interior, innovative tech and an impressive long range for an EV are just a few of the features that scooped the Renault Scenic The Sun’s Family Car of the Year award.

But could it cut the mustard (French or British) with an active family and hard-to-impress teenagers putting it through its paces?

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Here’s the lowdown on my extended Test.

Driving Experience

Over the months I had the Scenic on test, the lasting impression was that it certainly lives up to the name tag. It’s a serene drive across all types of terrain.

From a half-term trip to the West Country where we blasted down the M4 and M5 without the need for a pit stop, to a longer trek to the tip of Cornwall, we pushed the Scenic to the limit in terms of distance, weight and durability. 

As a result, it rose to the challenge, negating any fears that EVs can’t be the versatile plug-ins that so many British families are looking for.

While the acceleration is good, with a 0-62mph of 7.9 seconds, it won’t win any drag races. 

On motorways, it sits well at 70mph, with sound thrust on overtakes and lane changes. The brakes are solid and, around town, the ride held firm over pot-holed roads.

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There’s a drive mode for every whim. Eco mode naturally slows the car to optimise battery performance, capping speed and dialling down in-car features. 

All hail to its minimalist ways, which were particularly effective during a major motorway diversion.

A slightly longer route meant I might have been looking at an additional charging stop.

But I arrived home with 20 miles to spare and no range anxiety – job done!

For less frugal days, Comfort was the mid-range setting that became my default.

Sport provides that extra bit of power when required, and Perso is for those who want (and have the time) to create their own setup.

Battery Range

We’ve been treated to the Iconic Long Range 220 HP version, meaning that, in theory and on a full charge it can reach a range of 369 miles. This is pretty decent and, in my experience of EVs, gives it competitive appeal.

A larger battery size (87 kWh versus the standard model’s 60 kWH) does, however, come at an £8,000 price uptick, so one to factor into purchase budgets.

The Scenic’s output matched up well to the claimed range. In the colder months, it’s full charge only hit the 330 miles mark, but this is acceptable and more than adequate.

Similarly, on mid to longer journeys, it kept to the indicated range when driven in the 50-60mph territory. 

Any closer to 70mph and this began to drop off, but only as
expected, so not a point to fret over.

Cool Tech

Want suave design vibes? You got it. The tech was a tantalising teen dream. Sounds by French legendary electro-pop guru Jean-Michel Jarre and a rear-view mirror that can run as a video screen were the order of the day.

Throw in the Solarbay panoramic glass roof, which can darken or lighten on demand, and the awesome AC in the back and front sections of the cabin to dial up the chill factor, and we beat the heatwaves.

With the 12” multimedia touchscreen (portrait in shape so it feels like a large phone) and the 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system to boot, me and my gang were spoiled.

Family Friendly Features

As passengers in the back, my teens were impressed with the arm rest that keeps on giving. It unfolds to offer drinks holders, USB ports and a smart phone/tablet holder.

The boot area also had a surprise in-store. Prise up the easy-to-lift floor mat and you discover a whole new storage section. Excellent for boots in the winter, wetsuits in the summer and the dog kit whatever the season.

The Rivals

Renault is pitching the Scenic E-Tech into a cluster of new mid-sized EVs that have launched in the last year or so. 

Key rivals for the family-friendly vote come from the Kia EV3, Ford Explorer, Volkswagen ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq. All offer sleek designs and impressive cabin features, which the Scenic stands up well to. 

The Tesla Model Y is also in this herd of contenders, but Elon’s recent political distractions has damaged his appeal to UK buyers.

Final Verdict

Making the switch to an EV might not yet be the right choice for regular families in the UK, but it is one that will start to become more familiar. 

With an on-the-road price of just over £45,000, the Renault Scenic E-Tech could be considered a relatively expensive option, but it is the full package.

It’s therefore not difficult to see why it was also crowned European Car of the Year 2024. 

Winning these accolades from experienced car reviewers is one thing, but surviving a few months with my clan is another. 

The Scenic stepped up to the mark here too, so add that to its trophy cabinet.

Renault Scenic E-Tech Iconic Long Range – key facts

Here’s everything you need to know about The Sun’s Family Car of the Year:

• Price: £45,495
• Acceleration: 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds
• Battery: 87 kWh
• Top Speed: 105 mph
• Power: 220hp
• Range: 369 WLTP

FROM competitiveness to narcissism – if Noel and Liam have what it takes to patch things up, you have no excuse!

WITH the whole world watching, the Gallagher brothers have been taking to the stage for the Oasis reunion tour – and off the back of their 16-year feud, have proven sibling reconciliation is possible for anyone (though the jury is still out on Princes William and Harry. . .).

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One of the most impactful relationships you will ever have is with a sibling, who can be a best friend and confidante from day one to the end.

But the dynamic is complex.

Just because you have the same parents, it doesn’t mean you had the same experience growing up.

Likewise, you can share DNA, but not the same outlook on life or values.

Fallouts will occur, and that can lead to long-held feuds.

In fact, one study found 28% of people had experienced at least one estrangement episode with a sibling.*

“Our siblings have known us in our formative years in deeply intimate ways, sharing baths, bedrooms, road trips and battles over broccoli,” says Ali Ross from the UK Council for Psychotherapy.

“During this time, there’s a tension between them being your closest allies and greatest threats.”

How do you navigate tensions when they reach boiling point, or bring up long-standing resentments that are now having a big impact?

“Those conversations can be painful and difficult, especially if this is unprecedented for you in your relationship,” says Ali.

“But they can also be helpful to establish a new way of relating as siblings. It can also be a relief to name the elephant in the room, or to expose that you’ve been misinterpreting something and dispel long-held assumptions.”

But sometimes forgiveness feels impossible, and the healthiest thing to do is to walk away.

Here, Ali explains how to cope with each type of sibling and their typical traits.

The Competitive Sibling

Whether it be over board games or job salaries, sibling competitiveness can seep into every crevice of your life.

Exhausting, right? Often it’s just light-hearted banter, but if micro-aggressions are thrown around by your sibling, it can put a strain on your relationship.

“The truth is, people like to be in charge of their narrative and identity – and the way people see themselves within the family, or when compared to siblings, can challenge both those things,” says Ali.

“It is how much you want to buy into that game.”

WHAT NEXT?

When you feel the competitive urge, acknowledge it’s just a reflex, then redirect your energy.

“If you’re casting judgements about a sibling without attempting to understand what it’s like to live their life, challenge yourself to genuinely, compassionately understand them better, then do this for yourself,” says Ali.

He suggests imagining a version of yourself that doesn’t have a sibling to compete with. What would you care about?

“Once you understand the context, the desire to compare and compete diminishes,” he says.

Fallouts will occur, and that can lead to long-held feuds

The Narcissistic Sibling

However much you want to forge a stronger relationship with your sibling, the reality is that sometimes it’s near-impossible.

Does it feel like they won’t take any responsibility for their actions, and don’t seem to be capable of any empathy for you or your viewpoint?

“These are signs of narcissistic behaviour,” says Ali.

“But rather than writing your sibling off as a narcissist and trying to change this other person’s way of being, it is more empowering to understand what you are encountering, what that means for you, and to consider how you are going to navigate that.”

WHAT NEXT?

Ask yourself if your sibling shows any signs of understanding you or caring for you.

“If they don’t, do you really want to have a relationship with them?

“The answer may be hard and upsetting, but it means you can move forward from a more informed position,” says Ali.

There’s a tension between them being your closest allies and greatest threats

Ali Ross

The Peter Pan Sibling

Some people might describe your sibling as a “free spirit”, but you only see them as a big kid.

Ali suggests thinking about why your sibling’s Peter Pan energy irritates you so much.

“Do you feel like you got too old, too soon, or took on more responsibility and feel resentment?” says Ali.

Perhaps you took on caring responsibilities for other family members.

“Ask yourself honestly if there are feelings of being a martyr on your part,” says Ali.

“Have you rushed straight in to put out the fire before anybody else smelled something was burning?”

WHAT NEXT?

Try telling your sibling how much you are struggling.

“Say something like: ‘This is the burden I’m carrying, and you’re not helping,’ and follow it up with some actual strategising to prompt a practical shift,” Ali says.

Our siblings have known us in our formative years in deeply intimate ways, sharing baths, bedrooms, road trips and battles over broccoli

Ali Ross

The Controlling Sibling

Is your sibling overbearing or dictatorial? It’s likely to come from a fear of being vulnerable, says Ali.

“They’re taking power in a situation because they can’t bear the idea of not being in control. However, this feeling is often buried so deep that your sibling won’t recognise it for what it is.”

People under control can end up feeling resentment, but may be too oppressed to express their true feelings.

WHAT NEXT?

“Be aware that calling it out is a threat to their control in itself,” Ali warns.

“It is why they are likely to double-down on their control, or find another insidious way to try to resume or re-establish control.

“It is much better if the controlling person is left to try to figure it out for themselves, and you spend as little time as you can in their orbit.”

It can also be a relief to name the elephant in the room, or to expose that you’ve been misinterpreting something and dispel long-held assumptions

Ali Ross

The Disengaged Sibling

Of course, not all siblings are close.

Or perhaps you once were, but can’t make sense of how your friendship fizzled out.

“Too often, we draw conclusions too early, then base our response on that,” says Ali. There can be a multitude of reasons why your sibling is being elusive.

“Let’s say someone has been abused or neglected in some way [by the family], and they just want out. You cannot force someone to confront something if they do not want to, and you need to respect their space.”

Maybe you’re their problem, in which case, are you ready for some criticism?

“It might be that you are both very different people, and they’re just not that interested in having a relationship with you.

“This will hurt, but at least you’ll hear it for what it is and know what you are dealing with.”

WHAT NEXT?

It’s a tricky conversation, especially if it comes after years of distance.

“Say to them: ‘I feel sad that we don’t have much of a relationship, as far as I see it, and I don’t know why that is. Do you want to feel closer, because I do?’” says Ali.

“You can then try to suggest ways you can bridge that gap or, even better, leave it with them.”

EDDIE Hearn and his wife are allegedly living separate lives with the boxing promoter moving “abroad” and recently being spotted without his wedding ring.

Viewers were also quick to point out the boxing promoter’s wife’s absence from his recent tell-all Netflix documentary.

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Although the couple remain married, their relationship has grown increasingly distant, reports Mail Online.

Eddie, 46, now spends most of his time in his luxurious Monaco home, while former beautician, Chloe, resides at the Hearn family’s estate in Ingatestone, Essex.

While Eddie resides in sunny Monaco for six months of the year, reportedly due to tax reasons, his wife occupies a smaller property away from the main house on the grand estate.

It is believed that the pair’s two teenage children travel between the two residences, regularly paying visits to their father.

However, beyond living in separate countries, the chairman of Matchroom sport also appears to not be wearing his ring in his new Netflix tell-all documentary.

The new show has captivated audience as it follows the famous father-son duo in their bid to take their heavyweight sports promotion company to the next level.

Yet, viewers were quick to spot both the absence of his wife of 13 years and a wedding band on his finger.

Eddie, who represents stars including Anthony Joshua and Canelo Alvarez, doesn’t appear to wear the band in the show or in the publicity photos taken ahead of its release.

Due to not being seen in public for months, whether or not Chloe is wearing her ring remains unknown.

The sports promoter’s wife has only been spotted once this year on March 31 when she resigned as a director from Matchroom’s charity foundation.

The following day, Eddie filed papers with Companies House confirming his relocation to Monaco.

However, despite this, friends of the pair reportedly remain adamant that the marriage remains robust and they are still very much together.

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A spokesperson for the couple said: “Rumours around the status of Eddie and Chloe’s marriage are untrue. They are still very much together.”

A source close to the family confirmed this, adding: “Eddie and Chloe may spend a lot of time apart but that’s down to the differing demands on them for business and family reasons – and they remain very much together.”

Another friend echoed these statements, explaining that the couple do lead increasingly separate lives, however, they remain strong as a couple and have no plans to change that.

The friend said that they are very different people with very different demands, as he fronts a huge business, while she is the primary carer to their girls.

Another source close to the Hearn’s also said that Eddie and Chloe are made for each other, adding that they have a modern relationship.

Prior to choosing to live in separate homes, the couple has always remained confident about their differences.

In a 2015 joint interview at Chloe’s Brentwood beauty salon, she described being married to Eddie as meaning in practice, learning to do everything on your own.

Eddie then chimed in, describing her as a boxing widow.

Eddie also recently shared a post to Instagram of him being welcomed to Kamani Living, a luxury real estate company based in Dubai.

This could suggest that the promoter is looking to make more investments in the Middle East.

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STACEY Solomon has shared how she keeps her bouncy blow dry in place for more than a week after getting it done.

The mum-of-five retained her crown as the most relatable celeb in showbiz as she took to TikTok to post the exact routine she swears by.

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In the video, she said she was doing her best to get ready “as quickly as possible” for work, so had done her make-up in seconds and prepped her locks the night before.

“I didn’t wash it, but I just dampened it down,” Stacey said in a video on her TikTok page.

“It was, I had like a really old blow dry, and I’ve been trying to keep it in for a week.

“So I’ve just been putting my heatless curler in, and then going to bed with it, taking it out.”

Once taking the heatless curling rod out, Stacey, 35, used some of the REHAB. Essential Dry Shampoo on her roots – to absorb the grease and give her hair some extra texture.

She then ran her fingers through her hair, and grinned as she showed how it looked as though she’d had a “fresh, bouncy blow dry”.

“I wonder how long I can like this blow dry for,” she laughed.

“Like we’re on week one, I wonder if I can bring it into week two with my heatless curler.

“They’re just so good, and it just means I only have to destroy my hair with heat once every couple of weeks, because I can keep all of the curls in place, and keep it looking fresh with my dry shampoo and heatless curler.”

She finished off her speedy makeover with a swipe of lip oil, and then was ready to go.

“I want daily updates on the hair! BRING ON WEEK 2!” one person commented on the TikTok.

“You have such great hair,” another added.

“And it actually looks stunning!” a third praised.

“Go on girl!”

“I love the dry shampoo, it’s a life saver,” someone else said.

While others admitted they were more than a little jealous of Stacey’s finished look.

“I swear if I don’t wash my hair for two days on day three my curls look like rats’ tails!” one wrote.

“I have such hair envy! My hair doesn’t hold curl ever!” another added.

“OMG! You are so glamorous even when you’re not,” a third smiled.

“I get up looking like a badger’s bum!”

OPENING the thick, posh envelope with an embossed school logo in her council house, single mum Sophie Goffin was shaking and unable to catch her breath. 

This was no ordinary mail delivery. The contents of the letter would decide whether her little girl had been offered a life-changing place at a top-ranking private school for FREE.

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Sophie says: “It was a nerve-wracking moment. I was about to learn if my daughter was going to get a free private school education.

“When I read Sienna had been offered a full bursary, I screamed with joy. I will never forget the sense of pride I felt and the huge smile on my daughter’s face.

“It was like winning the lottery. Even today, I cannot believe it happened. She’d received a private education for free.”

Sophie, who runs her own cat care business, The Purry Godmother, and lives in Uxbridge, West London, could never have afforded the £30k a year plus expenses it costs to send a child to school. 

But she believed that a private school would help support Sienna better.

Sophie said: “Sienna started reception in September 2016 at a local government school. She was extra bright and, in the first two years, hit her milestones early.

“I asked the school to give her extra work, but with large class sizes, she was held back slightly. She ended up helping other children instead of moving forward herself.

“If I didn’t act, she would have been bored and frustrated. So I focused on securing a fully funded bursary.”

Private schools, also called independent schools, are run outside government control and paid for by parents, while Grammar schools are state-funded but selective.

Applying to a private school can feel intimidating, Sophie admits, but she knew it was the right move for Sienna and so set about applying.

She added: “It can feel overwhelming, but really it’s just about proving what you earn and showing your child is the right fit.”

Sophie contacted the Independent Schools Bursars’ Association and the Boarding Schools’ Association for guidance, then checked schools’ websites to see who still had bursary places.

She says: “Most scholarships are awarded on merit and achievement. They usually mean only a small discount.

“Bursaries are the golden ticket to elite private schools. They are means-tested, with bigger awards for lower incomes. Some schools also factor in talent in music or sport.”

Finding the right setting

Sophie and Sienna visited Maltman’s Green Girls School in Gerrards Cross, which was within commuting distance for them.

The school takes girls from as young as two up to 11 and has been operating for more than 100 years.

Fees range from £3,210 a term for nursery up to over £8,000 a term, or £32,000 a year for Year 6 pupils.

Sophie says: “Sienna’s eyes lit up when we visited. It was an educational wonderland.

“The school had a pool, science labs, 3D printers, art and drama rooms, small class sizes and an amazing Special Educational Needs department. I knew she would flourish there.”

Sophie and Sienna’s father, a chef, 32, had to complete forms because the full bursary is awarded to parents with low incomes who could not normally afford to send their child to the school.

As part of the means testing, parents must provide earnings information, tax forms, and bank statements and are assessed regularly once their child receives a place.

She says: “Having all your financial information up to date is critical to your application.

“Sienna had to do a written assessment for English literature and maths, which helps the school assess her level.

“We also met with the school head, and Sienna had a chance to explain why she wanted to attend.

“Bursaries are highly competitive, and the final decision is made by a specialist committee.

“Waiting for the letter was a roller coaster. Everyone wants the best for their child. It all rests on the letter. 

“Sienna wanted to go to the school, and I knew it would change her life dramatically.”

After three months, Sophie says the confirmation letter’s arrival in March 2021 was a “game changer.”

Sienna joined the Year three class in the 2021 summer term, proudly wearing the school’s distinct straw hat and its blue and green check uniform.

Sophie added: “Within ten minutes of arriving, another girl had said hello and invited her on an afternoon play date.

“A free private education can happen. Sienna is proof that the impossible is possible, no matter what your income is.”

Sienna’s mum Sophie

“The school pushed her abilities, and she started to thrive and shine.”

Sienna’s bursary included school trips in Year 4 and Year 5, and in Year 6, an overseas trip.

Sophie says: “That even included her spending money. School meals are included, free after-school care is offered, and you receive all-round support.

“For parents like me, it’s an education we could never afford but one our children deserve.

“During her three and a half years there, Sienna got to use an amazing computer kit, do photography, use the school pool, learn about coding, AI technology and use their 3D printer.

“I was amazed at the facilities and the friends she made.

“The smaller class sizes helped her learn at an even faster rate.”

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Sienna has now finished Year 6 and is being home-educated for her secondary education, but remains in contact with all her private school pals.

Sophie said: “I had only ever dreamt of her having access to that standard of education, and when it became a reality, I had to pinch myself.

“I was also shocked at how many parents are not aware that bursaries exist or that they may be eligible.

“It has been life-changing, and it proves that it isn’t always some other family that gets the gold ticket.

“Government schools suit many people, but for Sienn,a the system wasn’t working.

“I was also stunned that many of my friends had no idea bursaries existed or that they would be eligible.

“It is possible to win a bursary place. If you don’t get one the first year, keep trying. 

“It’s the golden ticket to helping a child like Sienna learn at the speed she needs to and thrive.

“Many children do that at standard schools. I was lucky enough that Sienna secured a bursary place.

“A free private education can happen. Sienna is proof that the impossible is possible, no matter what your income is.”

AS I watched the scene playing out on the TV, my heart started pounding.

Estate agent Cherry was meeting her boyfriend’s mum, Laura, for the first time – bringing back memories of the real-life monster-in-law who tried to destroy me in ways you wouldn’t believe.

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Hoping to make a good impression, she arrived with a beautiful bunch of flowers, but her future mother–in-law callously tossed them on a table, dismissing them as rubbish.

It’s a tale as old as time: son introduces the woman he loves to his mum, who instantly feels jealous that a new female will take her place.

So she makes her life HELL.

The reason The Girlfriend had such a strong impact on me was because, in many ways, I’d been there myself.

My ex’s mum hadn’t just disliked me, she’d hated my guts from day one.

She too had thrown down the flowers I’d given her the first time we met – not onto a table, but on the floor.

And the memories of the awful things she did while I was with her son still make me shudder.

Courteous to my face, but nasty behind my back, my monster-in-law, Jackie, constantly bad-mouthed me to friends and family – even my own neighbours.

She regularly told her son, Simon, that I wasn’t good enough for him and urged him to leave me, despite us having a child together.

Eventually, she succeeded and we split up. I simply couldn’t cope with her twisted games anymore.

Thankfully I’ve had no contact with her since the split, but I still have nightmares about it – and watching TV show The Girlfriend brought them all back.

I won’t spoil the story for those who haven’t seen it, but although Cherry isn’t all that she seems, Laura’s actions beggar belief.

For me, though, there’s one big difference.

Courteous to my face, but nasty behind my back, my monster-in-law, Jackie, constantly bad-mouthed me to friends and family – even my own neighbours

Cherry

While Laura’s awful behaviour pushes her son into his lover’s arm, the same could not be said for me and my ex.

His mother’s constant interference created a crack so wide that we still don’t talk to one another, despite sharing a six-year-old.

‘Overbearing’

I’d hoped the unappreciated flowers might be a misunderstanding, but soon I was being subjected to constant put-downs.

Sometimes we’d pop to her house for breakfast and if I asked for a bit of fruit instead of bacon and egg, she’d tut and mutter that I was ‘strange’.

She’d also get in a huff if Simon chose to spend a Saturday night out with me, instead of going round to see her.

He’d tell me his mum was ‘in a mood’ because he wasn’t paying her as much attention now.

I thought he was joking – at that point I had no idea how bizarre their relationship was.

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Just like obsessed Laura in The Girlfriend, Jackie had to know where Simon was at all times.

She’d call and text him multiple times a day, despite only living around the corner.

On one occasion, we were having sex at 11am when she messaged him six times in a row.

“Can you turn it off?” I pleaded as Jackie’s impatient alerts threatened to kill the moment.

I’m not alone in having a difficult relationship with my partner’s mum.

A two-decade study by Dr Terri Apter, a University of Cambridge psychologist, found that more than 60 per cent of women admitted their relationship with their mother-in-law caused them long-term unhappiness and stress.

Two-thirds of daughters-in-law also believed that their husband’s mother frequently exhibited jealous, maternal love towards their sons.

This was definitely true of Jackie.

She relished standing in front of me with her arms wrapped around Simon’s waist or shoulders.

And she had a key to his flat, so would often turn up unannounced.

One morning I plodded, half-awake, into the kitchen wearing nothing but a pair of knickers, only to find Jackie casually washing his dishes.

I complained that I found her actions overbearing and gently tried to explain to Simon that it wasn’t normal for a mum to be so involved in her adult son’s life.

But he responded saying she only did so because she “cared about him so much” and wanted to help.

Two-thirds of daughters-in-law also believed that their husband’s mother frequently exhibited jealous, maternal love towards their sons

During the three years we were together, Jackie would constantly gaslight me, telling Simon she’d sent texts inviting me to the cinema, or out shopping, and that I’d ignored them.

And if he dared take my side, she’d burst into tears on the phone so that he’d have to go round and console her.

Her words were vicious, but her actions were even worse.

If I invited her and her doormat of a husband round for dinner (yes, she controlled him too) she’d politely accept, then not turn up, secretly texting Simon afterwards to say she felt my invite was “fake”.

About a year into our relationship, I found out I was pregnant with our son, Josh.

For a while, Jackie softened – but within minutes of his birth, she reverted to type.

I had a terrible labour which culminated in an emergency c-section. Josh then had to be rushed to intensive care.

I felt exhausted, broken and bloody, so we requested that loved ones give us time to rest.

Everyone respected our wishes – except Jackie.

An hour after I’d got off the operating table, she burst into the room armed with balloons and a giant teddy bear.

“We’ve all been through it, you know,” she crowed as I burst into tears and begged Simon to get her out of there.

She even insisted on sneaking into the intensive care unit to see our newborn, even though I hadn’t been able to see him yet.

Jackie’s treatment only worsened when we finally brought Josh home.

She would message me constantly, telling me which wet wipes to use and what kind of vests I should be putting on him.

I even saw messages on Simon’s phone telling him to hide clothes I’d bought for the baby and replace them with ones she’d supplied instead.

The bullying was so bad, I even went to see a counsellor.

Jackie’s interference caused countless arguments and at one point, I even left Simon after she texted him claiming that I was “lazy” and “a useless mum”.

What hurt even more was that he never defended me.

That’s when I realised the level of control she really had over him.

It was relentless and in the end, I left for good.

I realised I would never be able to have a healthy relationship with such a mummy’s boy and that Jackie would never change.

Thankfully, I have little to do with her now, although she did try to continue her antics after we split.

She bombarded my friends and family with messages claiming that I was mentally ill, an unfit mother and needed help.

Luckily, they knew what she was like and blocked her.

But I’ve had to write my story anonymously, for fear of any backlash.

As a mother of a son myself, I understand it can be difficult seeing your child growing up, moving on and having another woman take centre stage.

But I’ve vowed never to be like my ex’s mum and to try to love whoever my son brings home.

I know all too well what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a hate campaign from a woman it is impossible to compete with.

LOOSE Women star Coleen Nolan no longer sees her granddaughter as a result of an ongoing family feud.

It has been reported that the 60-year-old has not had any contact with the little girl for close to seven years.

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According to the Mail, a feud between Coleen’s son Shane Jnr and his former partner, Emma Kivell, has stopped the TV personality from being in touch with her first-born granddaughter.

Coleen was a proud grandmother when Shane became a first-time father to little girl, Amelia Rose, in Januray 2016.

She was even present in the hospital room where she first met the tot.

However, in the years that have followed, a devastating family feud has left relations soured.

Sources have told the Mail that difficulties in the strained relationship between parents Shane Jnr and Emma has caused the lack of contact.

Shane Jnr and Emma are believed to not have been in an official relationship when they conceived their daughter.

A friend told the Mail: “At the time Amelia Rose was born, Coleen was on cloud nine. She was so proud her son and she fell in love with the baby, but Shane and Emma aren’t together, and these situations can become quite hard to navigate.”

They added: “Shane promised to support Emma as she set about her journey into motherhood as a single mum along with the support of her own family, but now there is no contact between the little girl and the Nolans.”

Earlier this year, it is reported that Emma and her inner circle were left “disgusted” when Shane Jnr and his new partner, Kimberley Sallis, sent her a script of their ‘pregnancy announcement’ just ten mintues before their Instagram post to confirm the news.

This left Emma unable to tell their daughter that her father was welcoming another sibling before it was posted online due to her being at school.

It has further been reported that one of Emma’s friends even lodged a complaint to ITV about Coleen but they were unable to take any action due to it being “a private matter”.

The Sun has contacted a representative for Coleen Nolan for comment.

Coleen previously discussed Shane becoming a father and the state of his relationship with Emma with the Mirror, telling the publication: “They got together one night and there you go.

“But they’re not compatible in a relationship. Obviously, you wish they were badly in love and could see a future together.

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“That’s the best scenario for anyone. But then I thought ‘Oh my God I’m going to be a nanny and was thrilled.’’’

Shane Jnr met Emma when they were both working as Bluecoats at a holiday resort.

Shane is the son of Coleen and her ex-husband, EastEnders actor, Shane Richie.

Following the birth of Amelia Rose, Shane dated Maddie Wadhan for six years before marrying her in June 2022.

His daughter was not present at the ceremony.

The couple later split in December 2023 over accusations that Shane cheated on Maddie.

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A BARGAIN hunter mother has shared a stern warning to parents about a viral buy from The Range.

Last year, mums and dads were racing to stores desperate to get their hands on the must-have buy that was sure to make the festive season even more special.

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And earlier this month, parents were left overjoyed to see that the purse-friendly product was now available to buy again.

But one shopper has been left very disappointed with the Large Christmas Sleigh Hamper, which she claimed is “not worth the hype.” 

Eager to alert others about the “flimsy” purchase, Emma Smith took to social media to express her frustration with the £7.99 buy.

Posting on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, a private Facebook group with 2.6 million members, the savvy shopper uploaded snaps of the huge sleigh, which was once sold-out and can hold dozens of gifts and decorations.

Alongside her post, she shared a messaged to “everybody thinking of getting The Range viral large Christmas Sleigh Hamper.”

She fumed: “I would not waste your money.”

Sharing pictures of the damaged sleigh, she snapped: “The cardboard is very flimsy.”

As well as this, she claimed: “The sleigh has collapsed to the side.”

Clearly very frustrated with her purchase, which has been described as a “fun way to display gifts” and is hailed as “the gift that keeps on giving,” Emma added: “Definitely not worth the hype!”

Emma’s post has clearly shocked many, as it was posted just 13 hours ago, but has already racked up almost 200 likes and 239 comments.

Big divide

But social media users were left totally divided – while some were thankful for her thoughts, others had “no issues” with their Christmas Sleigh Hamper, which is bound to turn your home into a magical festive scene in seconds.

One person said: “Not buying again. I was crazy to get it from The Range. When you put it away it won’t fold back up. It’s cute but not worth it and very small.” 

Looks like it’s been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all

Facebook user

Another added: “Thank you, I was going to get one. So glad I saw this post.” 

A third commented: “Same happened to mine! Filled it with sweets and it couldn’t take the weight and the legs buckled!” 

However, at the same time, one shopper wrote: “I got these two years ago and this will be the third year I’ve used them. Mine are great. No issues with them.” 

A second chimed in: “I got two the other day and put them up and all fine.” 

Someone else beamed: “I got the large one from The Range last year and I’ll be using it again as I found it ok and didn’t have any problems with it.” 

Whilst one user observed: “Looks like it’s been forced together tbh. For the price, it looks amazing, warts and all.”

Definitely not worth the hype!

Emma Smith

However, to this, Emma wrote back and claimed: “It wasn’t forced. The cardboard is hard regardless so you’ve got to make sure it’s put in the slots properly.” 

Meanwhile, others praised a similar sleigh hamper from B&M.

One shopper shared: “B&M ones are better and cheaper!”

Another agreed: “Got mine from B&M, £5. Sturdy and solid.”

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club

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LOVE a freebie? Don’t we all – but the best giveaways rarely last forever.

We’ve rounded up the very best offers and promotions that are due to run out before the end of 2025. Don’t ignore them: you could miss out on free Apple AirPods, a £400 laptop, cheap theatre tickets, and more video games than you could ever hope to play.

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FREE SAMSUNG LAPTOP

A tempting offer to claim a free £400 laptop from Samsung is due to expire this year.

Samsung launched the promotion back in August.

It gets you either a £399 14-inch Chromebook Go or a Samsung Galaxy Watch7 worth £239.

You can claim it if you’ve recently bought an eligible Samsung smartphone.

For a free laptop, you’d need to have bought:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
• Samsung Galaxy S25+
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

And for a free smartwatch, you’d need to have snapped up one of the following:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE
• Samsung Galaxy S25
• Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The promotion is due to close down on October 2 this year.

And you need to submit your claim for the freebie within 30 days of making your purchase.

To claim the offer, just follow our guide here: Samsung free laptop promotion.

THREE+ FREEBIES

Earlier this year, Three revealed a generous batch of freebies along with the dates that they would expire.

They’re part of the Three+ rewards scheme, which is free to join. You just claim the freebies through the dedicated app.

And many of them are currently due to cut off at the end of the year.

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That includes 10% off theatre tickets, a cut-price English Heritage membership, and cheap airport parking.

They’re all decent perks, so don’t miss out on claiming them.

Here’s the full list of Three perks with a current expiry date of December 31, 2025:

• LOVEtheatre – 10% off tickets
• English Heritage – 25% off annual membership for 2x adults and up to 12 children = £36
• Tiqets – Get up to 45% off museums, theme parks, zoos and more, plus an extra 10% off with Three+
• Airparks – Up to 30% off airport parking
• Go Henry – two months free on financial education app for kids, plus £15 pocket money
• Banjo Robinson – free activity pack

It’s always possible that some of these perks could be extended, but there’s no guarantee.

FREE APPLE AIRPODS

Yes, really.

Apple is running a back-to-school promotion that expires next month.

And the offer nets you a free pair of Apple AirPods if you’ve bought a qualifying gadget.

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You just need to be a teacher, staff, student or parent.

And students are anyone who has gone on to college, university, or any other public or private tertiary education institution.

But beware: the deal runs out on October 21, 2025.

If you’ve bought a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro then you can claim:

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 (with £50 fee) – saving £169
• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC (free) – saving £169

If you’ve snapped up an iPad Air or iPad Pro, you can get:

• Apple AirPods 4 (free) – saving £119
• Apple AirPods Pro 3 (with £100 fee) – saving £119

And if you’ve bagged an iMac, the options are:

• Apple AirPods 4 with ANC (free) – saving £169
• Apple AirPods Pro 3 (with £50 fee) – saving £169

The main catch is that you can only do this once for the promotion period. Just don’t miss the offer window.

It’s also worth noting that Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are brand new, so they’re a good buy.

BONUS £100 FROM O2

If you’re planning to buy one of the new iPhone models recently announced by Apple, take a look at this O2 offer.

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It comes with a bonus £100 – but only until October 8, 2025.

If you buy the new iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max on a pay-monthly plan, you’ll get an extra £100 if you recycle your existing mobile.

That’s in addition to the regular trade-in value of your phone.

It’s a special promotion on the O2 Recycle scheme, and you can only claim the deal once.

You don’t get the money in cash – but it’ll be credited to your plan.

So effectively, it’s a £100 discount on the amount you would’ve plaid.

You can check out the full terms for the offer here.

AMAZON PRIME GAMES

There are loads of Amazon Prime freebies that will vanish before the year is out.

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Amazon runs a special scheme for Prime members called Prime Gaming.

Every month, Amazon will dish out a selection of free games that you can keep forever.

Usually the monthly haul is worth hundreds of pounds, so it’s not bad at all.

The games drop in waves every single Thursday, and by the end of the month, the full batch is available.

But the games are only available for a month before they vanish from Amazon’s freebie list.

So you need to claim them before they disappear.

If you’re savvy, you’ll collect them all. You can bag September’s lot, and then get the October, November, and December offerings too.

You’ll probably end up with more than £1,000 in games from a four-month run.

But if you miss any of them then you’ll be too late – they’re then gone for good.

So make sure you’re hot on checking for the freebies each month. You can find them here at the Prime Gaming website.

Just note that you’ll need to have an active Amazon Prime membership to claim the games.

All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed.

Always do your own research before making any purchase.

A MUM who bought a tummy tuck off a Facebook as nearly died after an infection ate her stomach from the inside out.

Soreena O’Malley, from Hull, saved up for years to undergo the knife but was left “crying every single day” and a future in a wheelchair.

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The cosmetic procedure saw her bedridden with a gaping wound across her stomach.

The 34-year-old said she has “no tummy” left after the 360-degree liposuction in Turkey.

Soreena told Hull Live: “It is not very nice having to be bed-bound three months after a surgery that I have paid for because I was so self-conscious about my body.

“I wouldn’t wear bikinis on holiday. It really did take me a long time to save this money because it was something I have wanted since having my child.

“I have no tummy. My whole tummy is gone and it could take well up to two years to heal. It is a massive hole.”

Her husband Declain added: “She nearly died from it.”

Soreena recalled arriving at Turkish hospital and being handed consent forms with no English translation.

She is now warning people against opting for surgery abroad, and buying into dodgy advertisements on social media.

The 34-year-old required a skin graft and specialist care when she returned to the UK.

Her family have set up a GoFundMe to help cover medical fees, and support Soreena’s daughter.

Declain told how donations would help “give my little girl her mum back” after the ordeal tore their family apart.

The couple are desperate for funds to cover corrective surgery, a wheelchair and legal action.

Soreena fears her mobility may never return and says the nightmare has devastated their mental health.

NHS England was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.

This comes after another woman told how she was left rotting in a dingy hotel and wanted to die after a £15,000 botched tummy tuck.

Sara Platt, 34, is now taking the Turkish doctor who operated on her to court.

Speaking to the Mail, she said: “I was left with three days to live. I suffer with nightmares every night. I’ve got extreme PTSD.

“If somebody touches my stomach straight away, I can feel pain and that’s going to be with me forever.”

As soon as she woke up from the 13-hour operation – which included the tummy tuck, a breast implant and three other procedures – she knew something was catastrophically wrong.

The pain was so severe that she begged her dad to let her die – while her right breast was purple, she claimed.

Over the following days, Sara’s health deteriorated further – as brown liquid began to seep from her body.

She later spent eight weeks at the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery.

Now, the traumatised mum, who claims to be suffering from PTSD, will be forced to return to Turkey for medical examinations – as part of legal proceedings against the surgeon.

Elsewhere, another mum underwent the same horror when she contacted sepsis after a failed tummy tuck abroad.

Mum-of-one Cennet Lo went under the knife within hours of getting off her plane in Turkey with plans to have a tummy tuck, liposuction and Brazilian butt lift.

But the 28-year-old has been left traumatised from the ordeal after she regained consciousness during the invasive procedure.

Once she was under, the mum recalls horrifically waking up and witnessing her own operation.

EDDIE Hearn has praised his rarely-seen sister as the “secret star” of his dad’s billion pound sports empire.

But despite Katie’s key role at Matchroom, she won’t be seen by Netflix viewers on the family’s new docuseries, Matchroom: The Greatest Showmen.

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Explaining why to The Sun, Eddie said: “My sister has no interest in the limelight.

“We are chalk and cheese in so many ways.

“She was an A-star student, I really wasn’t and when we did the deal with Netflix they were like, ‘oh and we’ll see your sister as well?’

“But she’s in the office all the time, hiding every time the cameras come in.

“I definitely took the extrovert side out of us.”

Eddie still backs himself as dad Barry’s favourite as he prepares to take over the business.

But Katie is a key player behind the scenes – with 40 years of experience in producing and globally distributing live sporting events.

Since becoming the first female to work on the Premiership and International production team at Sky Sports, Katie is now Director of Programming and CEO of Matchroom Media.

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Eddie added: “Katie’s a massive part of the business. She runs all the TV production and she’s a little bit of a kind secret star.

“She’s very talented, but she wouldn’t tell you how talented she is. I’m not very talented, but I’ll tell you how talented I am.”

Eddie also opened up about the decision not to include his wife and kids in the TV series that shot straight to the top of Netflix’s charts.

“It was mainly for the children,” he says.

“They already get a load of stick really through being my daughters. I’ve got two daughters and I want them to be able to live as normal a life as possible without someone having a preconceived perception of who they are or what they might be.

“It’s not like they’re hidden away, but I’ve seen some other documentaries where the kids are there and I just feel like it’s a huge amount of pressure, especially at that age, 13 and 15.”

It hasn’t stopped his kids from giving their opinions about his performance on the show.

Eddie laughed: “My eldest is watching the series and her first comment was ‘yeah, it’s good, but you lose a lot in it’.

“But that’s the real part of it. In an ideal world, AJ would have beat Dubois. We would have won the 5v5, but that wouldn’t be a great show.

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“I think it’s good for them to understand as well that it’s not just you go to work, you win, you make money, you go to work, you lose, you have bad days. You have a lot of pressure.”

Asked whether they’re likely to join the family business once he takes the top spot, Eddie added: “I’ve always said no to the thought of my daughters joining the business but as they get a little bit older, I think if they have a passion for it then why not.

“When I left school, I didn’t want to work for my dad. Everyone said to me growing up, ‘well, you’re just going to work for your dad anyway’.

“I thought no, I’m going to go out and I’m going to do my own thing and I did for probably four or five years, but then realised I’m putting all this energy and time into someone else’s company instead of putting that into what my dad built.

“Suddenly it felt like my role and responsibility was to carry on what was important to him.

“So, yeah, if they have a passion for it, then I wouldn’t stop them. But maybe not boxing. I’ll probably keep them away from boxing…”

THE grief-stricken parents of the woman who died with her fiancé of methanol poisoning have revealed they bought the toxic Limoncello that killed them.

Newly engaged couple Greta Marie Otteson, 33, and Arno Els Quinton, 36, were found dead in their Vietnamese villa on Boxing Day last year.

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Cops immediately launched an investigation into the deaths and tests later concluded both died of methanol poisoning, believed to be linked to the tainted limoncello, according to Vietnamese police.

The barman who allegedly made the deadly drink was charged in February and remains detained while investigations continue.

Greta’s parents Paul, 71, and Susan, 70, visited the pair in Vietnam in November 24 – where they had been running a villa and renting rooms out to travellers.

During their stay, they ate at Good Morning Vietnam and enjoyed free shots of Limoncello at the end of their meal.

When they returned home, they decided to order a few bottles of the drink and have them delivered to the couple’s home as a Christmas gift – a decision they would later regret for the rest of their lives.

It was not long before Greta messaged her parents complaining she had the “worst hangover ever” and was suffering from “black spots” in her vision.

The couple reportedly tried to “sleep it off” instead of going to the doctors despite being urged to by pals.

They were found dead three days later in separate rooms of the villa by a cleaner.

The family said the wait for answers has been “unbearable”.

They have received no further update from police nor an apology from the restaurant.

Paul told the BBC: “It’s about accountability”, adding “we can’t move on”.

Greta and Arno’s ashes are currently stored in two bags in the Ottesons’ home in Rhandirmwyn, Carmarthenshire – one has a pink bunny on top of it, the other a blue bear.

Parents, Paul and Susan, heartbreakingly revealed they can’t face laying them to rest until they have “received justice”.

They said: “Justice for us would be naming the people responsible and prosecuting them.”

TOXIC DRINK

The pair are said to have gone out for dinner on December 24, before returning back to the holiday villa which they own at around 10pm.

Two bottles of limoncello were waiting for them at the reception desk after being delivered earlier in the night by a different restaurant.

The business is said to be popular in the area and a photo of their menu online shows they offer the lemon liqueur at a cheap price.

They advertise a shot as costing 85,000 Vietnamese dong (£2.70) and, according to the menu, it is homemade.

It is unclear how methanol could have been inside the drinks.

The highly toxic industrial chemical is found in antifreeze and windscreen-washer fluid but also appears in some home-brewed or counterfeit alcohol.

HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTES

Greta and Arno Els Quinton passed away less than a month after the pair got engaged.

They had moved to Vietnam together and settled in Hoi An.

The happy couple had taken out a lease out on the gorgeous red-roofed Silverbell Villa where they were later found dead.

It featured a nine-bedroom guesthouse with a swimming pool and sat just ten minutes from Hoi An Ancient Town – a Unesco World Heritage site.

A heartfelt Instagram post on December 3, saw the pair officially announce their engagement to the world.

Days after their bodies were discovered the pair were featured in a touching engagement video posted to YouTube.

A filming studio posted a montage they had made of the pair to celebrate their marriage.

The video shows Greta and Arno, wearing white, dancing, walking hand-in-hand, and expressing the love they shared.

Greta’s parents, Susan and Paul, also paid a touching tribute their only child as they called her “beautiful”.

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The statement continued: “Both Greta and Arno were experienced worldwide travellers.

“They found their perfect home and were incredibly happy with their life in Vietnam, planning for the future.”

Paul, originally from Swansea, added: “We were so happy she picked Arno. He was such a lovely boy. Arno was a great musician, composer and lyricist.

“They bought a second-hand bike and were so proud. Susan told Greta, ‘Make sure it’s red for Wales’.

“They were a loving couple with their life ahead of them. The tributes we have had from around the world are unbelievable.”

Travel lover Greta had previously lived in Dubai and backpacked around different countries in Asia before settling more recently in Vietnam.

She was a digital strategist who ran a social media and content marketing agency called Not Sorry Socials.

Arno was a barista, musician, and streamer.

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STRICTLY Come Dancing star Thomas Skinner has revealed that he had terrifying death threats after meeting up with the vice-president of the United States JD Vance.

The American politician reached out to him after seeing his social media posts saying he admired his positive attitude for life.

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And he invited him to the barbecue of the summer at 18th-century Dean Manor near Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds.

But afterwards The Apprentice star and market stall holder proudly posted a photo of them together on social media – and received a shocking backlash.

In an exclusive interview he admits: “Since I posted that picture I’ve had loads of death threats. People saying they want me dead, saying I am this political figure that I’m actually not. I actually really ain’t. I couldn’t tell you what’s going on in the world right now.

“Now the left seems to be attacking me every day on social media. The right seems to see me as this figurehead and it’s all been a bit much for me, if I’m honest with you.

“I was getting death threats and people calling me controversial. I was thinking, what have I ever done? What have I ever said that’s controversial? When you actually go through my tweets, apart from saying that knife crime is bad in London, yeah?

“I’m not this political figurehead that people believe that’s got my hand.

“I’ve had loads of death threats over the years, you know.

“I didn’t see it as anything more than a barbecue, if I’m honest with you. But I’ve been turned into this political figure that I’m actually not.”

But the East Londoner does admit he was nervous after accepting the invite along with Cambridge academic James Orr and Tory MP Danny Kruger.

He said: “I was very nervous about it, I didn’t know what to wear. When I arrived he literally was like, ‘Why have you got a suit on?’

“He was actually a normal bloke. We spoke about English cheese being so much better than American cheese, West Ham United and how they call football ‘soccer’.”

Fry-up fan Thomas was blown away by the food, laid on by the local pub, describing it as “the b******s.”

He said: “There was a pub in the town, and Jay wanted to go to a traditional English pub, but he knew by going to this pub it would obviously have to shut, because I’ve never seen so many security guys in my life… a proper entourage… he didn’t want it to affect the locals.

“So he asked the pub if they would kindly – he paid them a lot of money – bring some of their staff to cook at the place, and they did, they actually left this beautiful pub in the Cotswolds, they’d come round to the garden, and they cooked this fantastic spread, it was steaks, kebabs, halloumi, honestly it was unreal.  Everyone was really friendly.”

He didn’t take pictures, he says, because he didn’t want to “disturb his privacy”.

Joking, he adds: “When Trump comes he might invite me to a BBQ too.”

NO REGRETS

Despite the furore online Thomas insists he doesn’t regret posting the picture. He said: “I don’t regret it, I am a normal bloke and it was an amazing opportunity.

“Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do?  You’re a normal person.  And, I’ve been given this opportunity to sit with the Vice President of the most powerful country in the world, the United States of America. To me that was, “Wow’.

“And I would have gone, whether it was the leader of France, Germany, I think to sit there and learn, and experience that, whether you agree with him politically or not, it wasn’t about that for me, it was literally to say, ‘I’ve sat there and met the Vice President of the United States of America’.”

Yesterday, dad of three Thomas told how he had cheated on his wife – but bitterly regrets his mistake.

Sinead has been by his side since they got together nearly a decade ago.

Thomas began working part time as a market trader at 13 after being expelled from school. He found several businesses before starring on The Apprentice in 2019 after Sinead encouraged him to apply.

Since then he has appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Michael McIntyre‘s Big Show.

But he is also known for his motivational videos on social media where he shares his love of kebabs and pints.

It was his conservative political views that led to US Vice President JD Vance actually getting in touch with him.

SPREADS POSITIVITY

He says he loves spreading positivity.

He said: “Even when JD Vance sent me a DM, he was like, ‘Look I love your energy, keep it up, I love seeing the high energy and the positivity you spread’.

“Which is literally all I do, all I do is share videos of me having a roast dinner, and do a morning video to say, ‘Have a good day’,  because I know what it’s like to wake up and feel like you can’t do this. I’ve been there, and that’s why I won’t ever give up spreading the positivity.”

Throughout the ups and down in his life Sinead – who he dubs Super sensible Sinéad – has been at his side throughout.

He admits the past few weeks have been tough and he has struggled with the public scrutiny.

He said: “It does affect you. I’ve always put on this brave face. But it’s alright to be vulnerable and be down and be upset. There are times I’ve felt low.”

CLOSE PALS WITH RYLAN CLARK

His close pal Rylan Clark also faced backlash recently over his views on migrant hotels which sparked over 700 Ofcom complaints.

Thomas said: “Rylan has been a friend of mine since I was a teenager. I love him. He’s a family friend, he comes to our family events. I go round to his and I bring him round to ours.

“He’s a top guy. And the thing that I just worry about is nowadays, whether someone’s got a different opinion to you, or you say something that might be slightly incorrect or you don’t agree with, everyone should be allowed to have their opinion, and everyone should be allowed to express it and argue it and talk about it.

“But if your opinion is different to someone else’s, people shouldn’t be able to attack you and ram it down your throat, and I think that’s wrong, if I’m honest with you.

“Poor old Rylan got a bashing, and obviously I know what it feels like, because I’ve had a bashing in the last couple of years.”

What Rylan said was: “How come if I turn up at Heathrow Airport and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in? But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?

“I find it absolutely insane that all these people are risking their lives coming across the Channel like they are. But when they get here, it seems, ‘Welcome, come on in’.”

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He later said he was angry at being “put in a box” over his opinions and called for more intelligent debate. Rylan posted on X: “You can be pro immigration and against illegal routes. You can support trans people and have the utmost respect for women.

“You can be heterosexual and still support gay rights. Stop with this putting everyone in a box exercise and maybe have conversations instead of shouting on Twitter.”

Thomas says the pressure that he and other celebrities receive due to fame can be hard to deal with.

And key to helping keep his mental health stable is the group of friends from the market that he still meets every Friday for “a pint”.

He said: “I think that’s so important, they think it’s funny I’m going on Strictly.

“Every Friday, and I’ve done this for years, you know, since I started out, no matter what, me and my group of little pals have a pint on a Friday afternoon.

“Some of us could be skint on our arse, some of us could be flying, we’re all having the same beer, in the same circle, talking the same thing, and we always, we always talk about what’s been a bad week, sad week, a happy week, a good week, a great week, and we all support each other, and I think that’s so important.”

And his biggest fan – his mum couldn’t be prouder.

Both his parents still work and are real “grafters” – which is where he says he gets his work ethic from.

His mum works in a call centre – but until this week hadn’t revealed who her famous son was, because she says they “never asked”.

He said: “She’s one of the people, when your boiler goes, she’ll ring up, my mum’s the one that you abuse on the phone saying, ‘My boilers gone,” she’s got one of the hardest jobs in the world. bless her.

“When she asked for the day off she said her son was on Strictly. They said, ‘What who’s your son? What do you mean?’ She showed them a picture of me.”

Her son is still a market trader with his own stall selling mattresses and pillows. He survives on just five hours sleep a night and even when rehearsing for the BBC show he says he will set up his stall first.

He still loves his work and feels proud to be helping Britain’s High Street.

Thomas said: “I’m going to try and set up at 6am. Markets help the shops, but then the shops are suffering, the high street’s dying.”

One thing that isn’t dying is his fan base.

Thomas confesses that he has been inundated with direct messages from celebrities on social media offering support for the new dance show.

He said: “I’ve had hundreds of messages, footballers, TV stars, all sorts.

“But I don’t think it’s fair to say who, because they’ve said that to me confidentially, and I respect that.

“People like my energy and the positivity I spread, which is literally all I do.”

Thomas has experienced financial highs and lows, and even homelessness.

He said: “I know what it’s like to have a few quid in my pocket, when everything’s going well, and your business is flying, and you’ve got everyone around you.

“But I also know what it’s like to be on your a***, not having anywhere to live, and not knowing how you’re going to pay your next bill. I’ve been at both spectrums.

“It’s taught me to be strong, and taught me to try and help other people, because life can be so hard.”

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WITH the chilly season well and truly here, many retailers have been launching new autumn stock.

But it looks like Tesco might have to remove an item after one eagle-eyed mum spotted a spelling mistake on their kid’s clothing.

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The error was picked up by mother-of-three Rebecca Jeffs, from Northamptonshire, who took to TikTok to tag the popular supermarket.

According to Rebbeca, who posts under the username @rebeccaanicole_x, she stumbled across an adorable autumn-themed two-piece whilst shopping at Tesco.

The cosy co-ord consisted of comfy joggers, as well as a matching cream sweatshirt with a pumpkin design.

On the front side there was a little pumpkin, as well as a sticker that said ”Look at my back”, urging customers to check out the rest of the design.

However, what the major retailer clearly didn’t realise is the spelling mistake they’d missed during the printing process.

Sharing the epic blunder on social media, the mum-of-three said in the video: ”The cutest outfit but turns out it has a mistake.

”Didn’t even notice. If anyone’s picked this up, has yours got this mistake?!” Rebecca wondered in the caption where she also tagged the retailer.

As well as having several adorable pumpkins printed on the back of the cosy sweatshirt, there was also text in a bold fond that was supposed to read as ”best little pumpkin picker”.

While at first glance the text looks absolutely fine, there is a letter missing – and dozens of social media users admitted it took them a while to spot it.

One TikToker commented: ”The dyslexia in me didn’t spot a mistake, I had to look in the comments to see what was wrong.”

”Genuinely thought for a second the mistake was it was beige and who takes there kid pumpkin picking in a beige outfit,” another joked.

A fellow mum said: ”I got this for my girl the other day i didn’t even realise.”

”What’s the mistake?” someone else was struggling to spot the missing letter.

Are you still looking at the text and everything looks like it should?

”It says best lttle instead of best little. It took me an embarrassingly long time to work it out,” one of the 250k viewers finally figured it out.

”Maybe nobody will really notice as took a lot of us ages to realise,” a shopper joked.

Want to test your eyesight even more? Earlier this year, Primark shoppers spotted a ‘‘spelling mistake’’ on new Rita Ora top – and you can’t unsee it.

Fashion fans were also gasping as Matalan launched an £18 jumper with glaring spelling mistake.

SHARON Osbourne has shared a glimpse into her life without Ozzy – and how she is being helped by Kelly and a winged friend.

TV star Sharon – who lost her beloved husband Ozzy in July – has ‘found her smile again’ after getting into falconry with daughter Kelly.

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Alongside the heart-warming clip, Kelly said: “Today I introduced my mum to falconry and she loved it! Thank you @gerardsulter for putting a smile on my mum’s face too!”

“Mum, put your hand out,” Kelly instructs in the video.

Wearing a checked shirt, jeans and a leopard-print hat with dark-rimmed glasses, Ozzy’s daughter exudes the confidence of a professional owl handler.

As Sharon receives the bird, she regretfully says: “I don’t have anything to give you. Come on.”

Fans praised the sight and wrote: “There she is!!!! We’ve all missed seeing Sharon. Thank you Kelly.”

“Absolutely love this! So glad you both have somewhat of a distraction,” penned a second.

“So happy to see this! All the positive and healing vibes to you and your family,” remarked a third.

A fourth shared: “Spiritually, the owl symbolises wisdom, intuition, and a connection to the spirit world due to its nocturnal nature and ability to see in the dark. Lovely that your mum enjoyed it too.”

“I love this family more so for being so real, honest and vulnerable for all to see. The Osbourne’s have always embraced imperfection. They also embraced love,” praised a fifth.

Dressed in black with a white T-shirt, the star looked calm in the open field surrounded by dark skies.

Kelly previously shared a photo of herself with an owl and explained: “In all my sadness and grief I have found something that truly makes me happy!

“I never thought I would find my smile again through falconry but I did. I absolutely love being with the birds!” 

Last month, The Sun revealed how a documentary into the late star’s life had suddenly been pulled.

The special, which was called Coming Home, mysteriously vanished from the BBC schedule just 11 days after it was announced.

Filmed over three years, the documentary gave “unique and intimate access” to the whole family, including Ozzy, Sharon, 72, son Jack, 39, and daughter Kelly, 39.

It documents the late rocker’s life as he tried to peruse his dream of moving permanently back to the UK, after living in LA for decades.

The moving film was originally going to be called Home to Roost, however the project moved in a different direction as Ozzy’s health deteriorated.

Ozzy’s family, friends and fans were left devastated when it was revealed the heavy metal star had died aged 76 on July 22.

Speaking about postponing the documentary, a BBC spokesperson told The Sun: “Our sympathies are with the Osbourne family at this difficult time.

“We are respecting the family’s wishes to wait a bit longer before airing this very special film.

“The new tx date will be confirmed shortly.”

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A YOUNG mum has revealed the reason she never gets to school on time.

Carmen Louise, from the UK, revealed she went to great lengths to avoid playground politics and ‘DryRobe mums’.

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The mum was sat in her car, possibly waiting for her kids to come out of school.

She revealed she would wait until the last minute to get out to avoid the other parents.

Carmen said: “I am the mum that waits till the very last minute to go and pick the kids up.

“I can’t deal with people.

Claiming she ‘hated everyone,’ Carmen said she avoided mum groups as much as possible.

She continued: “I don’t like those mums that are standing in a f**king group, stuck up their own b**holes wearing DryRobes.”

Carmen also joked that they all stank in their oversized rain coats.

“I just take my car. So I don’t have to speak to people,” she added.

It seemed that the mum’s vent on clicky school mums was something many others could relate to.

The video went viral on her TikTok account @carmslouise97 with over 1 million views and 77k likes.

Plenty of people took to the comments agreeing with her statement and revealed they did the exact same thing.

One person wrote: “Omg the dry robes is TRUE.”

Another commented: “For 3 months I pretended I didn’t speak English.”

“I am the mum that pays for breakfast and afterschool club to avoid people and all those mums you speak of,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “It’s funny cus I wear my dry robe but also my head phones and sunglasses so nobody can approach me, I can’t see or hear you huns.”

“Same! Cannot stand playground politics,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “I’ve been a school run mum for a few months now and it’s horrible.”

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AS the UK waves goodbye to summer, experts are urging people to take extra precautions to stay healthy.

As winter illnesses start to circulate, one virus parents are being asked to be especially wary of is RSV – as new evidence shows it can be just as risky to healthy babies as those born premature of with underlying health conditions.

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RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, is a common cause of respiratory infections in young children and accounts for around 245,000 hospital admissions annually in Europe. 

In some cases, it can lead to more severe respiratory issues like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which can lead to hospitalisation, the need for oxygen or mechanical ventilation, and even death.

Researchers have now analysed data from more than 2.3 million children born in Sweden between 2001 and 2022 to find out who is at greatest risk of suffering serious complications or dying from an RSV infection

Almost all children will get RSV at least once before they’re two years old.

Premature babies and children with chronic diseases are known to be at increased risk of developing severe illness when infected with the virus.

And children under three months of age are also particularly vulnerable – although it hasn’t been entirely clear how common severe disease is among previously healthy children. 

As part of their findings, scientists from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found the largest group among the children who required intensive care or were hospitalised for a long period of time were under three months of age, previously healthy and born at full term.

“When shaping treatment strategies, it is important to take into account that even healthy infants can be severely affected by RSV,” said the study’s first author, Giulia Dallagiacoma, a physician and doctoral student at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet.

“The good news is that there is now preventive treatment that can be given to newborns, and a vaccine that can be given to pregnant women.”

The NHS RSV vaccine programme was launched in England on September 1, 2024 offering protection to pregnant women from 28 weeks gestation to protect their baby and to older adults aged 75 to 79.

Several factors were linked to an increased risk of needing intensive care or dying by the researchers.

Children who were born in the winter, or had siblings aged 0–3 years or a twin, had approximately a threefold increased risk, while children who were small at birth had an almost fourfold raised risk.

Children with underlying medical conditions had more than a fourfold increased risk of severe illness or death.

“We know that several underlying diseases increase the risk of severe RSV infection, and it is these children who have so far been targeted for protection with the preventive treatment that has been available,” said the study’s last author, Samuel Rhedin, resident physician at Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital and associate professor at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet.

“However, the study highlights that a large proportion of children who require intensive care due to their RSV infection were previously healthy.

“Now that better preventive medicines are available, it is therefore positive that the definition of risk groups is being broadened to offer protection during the RSV season to previously healthy infants as well.”

In the UK, if you’re pregnant, you should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.

If you’re aged 75 to 79 (or turned 80 after 1 September 2024) contact your GP surgery to book your RSV vaccination.

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Spotting RSV symptoms is important to help prevent serious complications.

Most people who get an RSV infection will only get cold-like symptoms, according to the NHS, including the five following signs:

• a runny or blocked nose
• a cough
• sneezing
• tiredness
• a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)

Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual.

But if RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause a worsening cough, shortness of breath, faster breathing, difficulty feeding in babies, wheezing, and confusion in older adults.

It’s important to note cold-like symptoms are very common in babies and children and aren’t usually a sign of anything serious.

They should get better within a few days.

There’s no specific treatment for an RSV infection as it often gets better on its own in one or two weeks.

If you or your child have mild RSV symptoms, there are some things you can do to help ease symptoms at home, including taking paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have a high temperature and are uncomfortable (giving children’s paracetamol or children’s ibuprofen to your child) and drinking lots of fluids.

But children and adults who get a more serious infection may need to be treated in hospital.

A PARENT was left baffled after she was scorned by her child’s school for ‘failing snack time’.

The mum received a passive-aggressive note which accused her of breaking the “classroom policy”.

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She shared a snap of the letter and told her followers: “Day 1 of school and I’ve already failed snack time.

“Strong start, mom,” she added.

Her child had taken pretzels into class, which, according to the note, is one of three foods that are banned from school grounds.

The note read: “Your child’s snack of pretzels today did not meet our 4K classroom snack policy.

“Please make sure to send only fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese or yoghurt for their snack.

“Goldfish, popcorn and pretzels are not allowed for 4K students.

“If your child was without another snack, they were offered a classroom snack in place of this non-approved snack.

“Thank you for helping keep our 4K students safe due to severe classroom allergies.

The teacher added: “If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks!”

The post was reshared by an influencer, and the identity of the parent and the school in question is currently unknown.

The controversial note sparked conversation in the comment section, with one saying: “Those snack restrictions are insane.”

“Please make a charcuterie board and send it,” joked another.

“Please send a rotisserie chicken,” said a third.

“Please send only perishable snacks so your 5yo lets it rot in their bag all day until snack time, thanks,” echoed another.

One wrote: “Good morning darling, please remember to take your snack time ribeye with you. Have a great day!”

The post was also shared on Reddit, where one person argued: “Speaking as a teacher: I hate teachers who are militant about snacks.

“So many families are just barely holding on, and you’re going to crawl up someone’s a** about food?”

Whilst many of the people who saw the post made a joke out of the situation, allergies are an incredibly serious matter.

Benedict Blythe died when he was just five years old after accidental exposure to cow’s milk protein in 2021.

Benedict had asthma and several allergies, including eggs, nuts, kiwi fruit and milk.

His parents had worked with the school to put together an allergy action plan in case of a reaction.

The school was responsible for storing oat milk in the staff fridge, which was labelled with the child’s name, and pouring it into Benedict’s cup in the classroom before handing it directly to him.

However, the jury inquest found that, on the day of his death, that process was not followed because his milk had been poured in the staff room rather than the classroom.

His parents were called to pick him up after he vomited and later “collapsed”.

Benedict was rushed to hospital but tragically couldn’t be saved and died later that day.

This year, his sister, Etta, six, took a petition to Downing Street to campaign for higher food safety regulations in schools.

She was joined by five other primary school students who took placards and the letter to Whitehall.

They called for Benedict’s Law to be implemented across the country to end the “postcode lottery” of allergy safeguards in schools.

Etta and friends joined other children affected by allergies to stand in front of No 10 and knocked on the door to hand over the petition signed by more than 13,000 people.

It comes following July’s jury inquest into Benedict’s death at Peterborough Town Hall, which found that Barnack Primary School, between Stamford and Peterborough, did not follow all the measures in place to prevent the fatal anaphylactic reaction.

It also found there were risks of contamination and delays in administering the adrenaline pen.

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A MUM has been praised after sharing the genius hack she swears by to give her kids a toy room without making her house look messy.

As a home schooling mum, Paige has devoted a whole room in her abode to her kids’ learning – which also contains some toys.

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But as any parent knows, toys eventually make their way into different rooms, and can end up making the house look untidy.

So Paige came up with a clever idea to let her kids play in the lounge – one of the main family areas of the home – without it turning into another toy room.

In a video on her TikTok page, the mum-of-three showed the kitchen, toy room and lounge, all of which looked perfectly neat and tidy.

She then took the camera to behind the sofa, where she had set aside a large area for toys to go.

“Having a little mini toy room behind the couch was the best decision!” she wrote over the top of the video.

Thanks to the positioning of the sofa, the area is entirely invisible until you’re right on top of it.

And it also means that Paige doesn’t have to deal with tidying it up until she wants to.

“Really has help the house look a bit cleaner haha!” she added in the video caption.

People were quick to praise Paige in the comments section for the clever hack.

“This is so smart!” one wrote.

To which Paige replied: “It really works well!”

“So cute! Great idea!” another added.

“Your house is literally a dream – it’s beautiful,” a third gushed.

“Aww thank you!” Paige responded.

“We love it so much but we are growing and will need more room eventually.

“This space is huge, but tiny rooms is the down fall!”

How to baby-proof your house

IF you’ve got a baby coming very soon, here’s our top tips on how to get your home ready for their arrival…

Secure Furniture and Appliances: Use brackets or straps to anchor heavy furniture and TVs to the wall. Ensure that large appliances like fridges and ovens are stable and cannot tip over.

Install Safety Gates: Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Use gates to block off rooms that are not baby-proofed.

Cover Electrical Outlets: Use outlet covers or plates to prevent little fingers from poking into sockets. Ensure that electrical cords are out of reach or secured.

Lock Cabinets and Drawers: Install child-proof locks on cabinets and drawers, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Store hazardous substances, sharp objects, and small items that can be swallowed out of reach.

Use Corner and Edge Protectors: Attach soft corner and edge protectors to furniture with sharp edges. Consider using them on low tables, countertops, and fireplace hearths.

Secure Windows and Doors: Install window guards or locks to prevent windows from opening more than a few inches. Use door knob covers and door stoppers to prevent pinched fingers.

Maintain a Safe Sleep Environment: Use a firm mattress and avoid placing pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals in the cot. Ensure the cot meets current safety standards.

Keep Small Items Out of Reach: Regularly check the floor for small objects that could be choking hazards. Be mindful of items like coins, buttons, and small toys.

Adjust Water Heater Temperature: Set your water heater to a maximum of 49°C (120°F) to prevent scalding. Always test bath water temperature before placing your baby in.

Use Baby Monitors: Place baby monitors in the nursery to keep an eye on your little one. Ensure the monitor cords are out of reach to avoid strangulation hazards.

By taking these steps, you can create a safer environment for your baby.

“With all that wood accenting going on in there you could easily turn this into a hobbit house,” someone else pointed out.

Paige’s family home is located in Northern California, and is nestled within 10 acres of woodland.

She lives there with her other half and their three children – River Wildfox, Cedar Moon and Sequoia Rain.

A WOKE horse charity has barred its members from using the words “mum” and “dad” to describe parents. 

The British Horse Society’s advice is in a newly unveiled, socially inclusive language guide. 

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The guide asks members to call maternity leave “parental leave” to try to stamp out outdated gender references. 

Chairman should be “chairperson”, while it suggests that ethnic minorities should be called the “global majority”.

Foreigners are “people from overseas”. 

The guide also suggests “humankind” instead of mankind while able-bodied people become known as “non-disabled”. 

It states: “The BHS wants to create a culture of inclusion, which means maintaining positive and respectful communication with peers who may not have the same characteristics as us. 

“We are antiracist and antidiscriminatory.

“We will work to break down barriers and enhance voices who have not yet been heard.” 

The BHS was set up in 1947 “to protect and promote the interests of all horses and those who care about them”. 

Members fork out up to a staggering £204 a year to join the UK’s “largest and most influential equestrian charity”. 

Its advice follows universities and councils issuing guides with alternatives for widely accepted terms.