couples

Several Hollyoaks actor have fallen in love with their Channel 4 soap co-stars from Rory Douglas-Speed and Nadine Mulkerrin to Ruby O’Donnell and Nathaniel Dass

Love is in the air in Hollyoaks village.

Numerous romances and real-life weddings have blossomed on the set of the Channel 4 drama since its debut in 1995.

The continuing series is renowned for its passionate plotlines which have featured countless love triangles and explosive affairs across the last 30 years.

It’s hardly shocking that many stars from the acclaimed continuing drama have carried their romance beyond the cameras throughout the years.

Whilst certain relationships amongst cast members fizzled out, others clearly remain rock solid.

As the soap marks its 30th anniversary, let’s take a look at some of the couples still together.

Ruby O’Donnell and Nathaniel Dass

The latest romance to blossom from the fictional village is Ruby O’Donnell and Nathaniel Dass.

Ruby, best known for her role as Peri Lomax, and her beau Nathaniel, who debuted as Dillon Ray in 2023, might not cross paths on screen often but off-screen their romance is blossoming since going Instagram official in 2024.

The actress marked their first anniversary on Instagram by sharing a series of loved-up snaps. She delighted fans by posting a quartet of adorable pictures, alongside the caption: “1 year with u” capped off with a pink heart pierced by a blue arrow.

Gregory Finnegan and Ariana Fraval

Hollyoaks heartthrob Gregory Finnegan previously shared scenes with his real-life wife Ariana Fraval.

The actress portrayed DS Cohen in the programme with her husband Greg playing scheming solicitor James Nightingale.

The duo exchanged vows in 2011 and Ariana has posted some personal photographs from their wedding day on Instagram.

DS Cohen was brought in to examine the demise of Gregory’s on-screen love interest, Harry Thompson.

The duo shot multiple scenes together during that period, and viewers were thrilled to discover that the two performers are actually wed in real life.

Anna Passey and Kyle Pryor

Kyle and Anna, famous for portraying Hollyoaks adversaries Laurie Shelby and Sienna Blake, disclosed their romantic involvement in 2019, the identical year his character Laurie met his end.

Following their decision to cohabit and unveil their secret behind-the-scenes romance, Anna revealed to New magazine: “We just don’t feel the need to put it out there.

“It’s nice to keep something for yourselves. But we’re not trying to keep it private to build the mystery. We became really good friends first and it went from there.”

Sienna remains a Hollyoaks mainstay and Kyle made his way back to the Hollyoaks studios in 2021 to kiss Anna on-screen due to coronavirus filming restrictions.

Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory-Douglas Speed

Rory and Nadine met on the set of the Channel 4 soap and got engaged in December 2018 after dating for just over a year.

The actor proposed just weeks after they filmed their characters’ Cleo McQueen and Joel Dexter’s wedding.

Nadine previously told OK! that they aren’t in a rush to tie the knot after welcoming two sons.

“We’ve been too busy to make plans,” the actress said at the time.

“We got pregnant, we moved out, then the world went crazy with COVID, then we got pregnant again. I’d love to have a wedding when the boys are older, so they’ll remember it.”

Danny Mac and Carley Stenson

Danny and Carley both appeared in Hollyoaks but the pair didn’t meet on the set of the Channel 4 soap.

The talented duo never appeared on the programme at the same time and actually met in a pub back in 2011.

Speaking on Loose Women previously, Danny explained: “We met in a pub in London when she was doing Legally Blonde on the West End. I went to see a mate who was in it at the time and we met in the pub after and that was it.”

Former Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Danny portrayed Dodger Savage in Hollyoaks from 2011 until 2015 and recently reprised his role.

Carley took on the role of Steph Cunningham in the programme from 2000 until 2011. The pair revealed their engagement in March 2016 and subsequently tied the knot in September 2017.

Danny and Carley are parents to two children.

Daisy Wood-Davis and Luke Jerdy

Former Hollyoaks stars Luke and Daisy revealed their engagement whilst on holiday in Greece in August 2019.

The actor dropped to one knee and proposed on the beach in front of Daisy’s family.

Daisy was eager to share the delightful news on Instagram, with photographs displaying her “dream” engagement ring that Luke had crafted.

“She said yes,” Luke captioned the same photo in Greek on his profile, before translating the phrase into English and adding: “Daisy is going to be my wife. I’ll take that.”

Luke portrayed Jesse Donovan on Hollyoaks from 2016 until 2020, whilst Daisy departed her role as Kim Butterfield in late 2018.

The couple first met back in 2011 through a mutual friend and are now married and parents to two children.

Emmett Scanlan and Claire Cooper

Claire, who played Jacqui McQueen in Hollyoaks from 2006 to 2013, met her now-husband Emmett in 2010 and they got hitched in New York on New Year’s Eve in 2015.

Emmett previously reminisced about their wedding day with The Sun, saying: “It’s something I’ll never forget. Everyone got behind the wedding with such love that it was overwhelming at times.”

Emmett and Claire have two chidlren and the actor also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am

Turkey’s conservative government has proposed extreme and hateful reforms targeting the LGBTQIA+ community.

On 15 October, Turkish lawmakers shared a draft of their 11th Judicial Reform Package, which includes updates to existing laws that restrict trans and queer people.

Under the proposed legislation, “any person who engages in, publicly encourages, praises, or promotes attitudes or behaviours contrary to their biological sex at birth and public morality” could face one to three years in prison, per Türkiye Today.

Another portion of legislation would reportedly make the legal age for gender reassignment surgery change from 18 to 25.

Individuals looking to have the procedure would also need to be unmarried, receive a medical board report confirming that the procedure is “psychologically necessary” from a Ministry of Health-approved hospital; obtain four separate evaluations that are spaced three months apart; and have a court order amendment to their civil registry once the aforementioned medical report is approved.

Individuals with genetic or hormonal disorders would be the only ones exempt from the proposed regulations.  

Medical professionals who perform gender affirming surgery without going through the aforementioned archaic steps could face three to seven years in prison and fines.

In addition to severely limiting trans people’s accessibility to gender affirming care, the proposed reforms target same-sex couples.

If a couple is caught having an engagement or wedding ceremony, they can face between one and a half to four years in prison.

The penalty for “public sexual acts or exhibitionism” would also increase from six months to a year to one to three years.

As for the stated purpose for introducing the hateful amendments, the document claims that it’s “to ensure the upbringing of physically and mentally healthy individuals and to protect the family institution and social structure, per Türkiye Today.

While homosexuality is not banned in Turkey, and despite the country being home to numerous LGBTQIA+ associations, homophobia is widespread and anti-discrimination laws are nonexistent.

Over the last decade, events for the community – like Pride marches and other queer-focused gatherings – have faced censorship by government authorities. The conservative country has even opted out of competing in Eurovision due to the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ contestants.

In November 2024, Turkish authorities banned the screening of Luca Guadagnino’s drama Queer at Mubi Fest Istanbul, leading the organisation to cancel the event altogether.

A MARRIED At First Sight honeymoon takes a disastrous turn tonight when a bride piles on the pressure days after her wedding.

Reiss and Leisha walked down the aisle on the E4 show last week.

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But the painter and decorator, and dental industry marketeer failed to click.

They got off to a bad start at the reception when Leisha pummelled him with questions about his life.

In a preview clip for tonight’s show, Leisha and Reiss fail to see eye-to-eye again as they discuss what the future holds for them.

During a boat trip, Leisha asks her husband: “Do you visualise me in your future?”

But her need for reassurance doesn’t go down well.

An annoyed Reiss throws an epic strop and responds: “I can’t cope! You’re too much.

“I don’t need pressure yet, it’s so early.

“I don’t like it. I know you’re saying you want to see the real me you aint going to find that out over night.

“You know I’m a closed book. If you’re constantly pressuring me you’re just going to keep me closed.”

Leisha replied: “It’s just the lack of questions, it makes me feel you don’t really care about me.

“I know you fancy me. Do you want to know are we going to have a future together.”

He replied: “You want to know do I want a wife, to have kids, to settle down. Yes, yes, yes.”

He then dealt the hammer blow, adding: “I don’t know if that’s what I want with you after knowing you three days.”

Speaking to the camera away from his wife, he later vented: “I can’t believe Leisha just ask me that, is she joking?! F hell.”

AWKWARD RECEPTION

After the pair exchanged their wedding rings and said their vows, the registrar declared: “Leisha and Reiss, it’s my huge pleasure to proudly announce you husband and wife.”

The new couple awkwardly leaned in for two kisses on the cheek before stepping back from one another.

Their guests looked on with confused looks on their faces as they clapped for the pair.

It wasn’t the only awkward moment on the E4 show, painter and decorator Reiss struggled as Leisha and her bridesmaid fired a series of questions at him.

During their wedding reception, Leisha asked her new husband: “What’s your exes been like?”

Reiss explained that his ex girlfriends have been “all different”, saying he focuses on a “connection”.

Leisha asked: “Do you get a lot of attention?,” to which he replied: “No, not really.”

Speaking to the camera away from her husband, Leisha said: “I’m so happy with how things are going with me and Reiss.

“It’s in my nature to ask these questions, so I’m just going to keep asking them and I truly want to get to know him to his core.”

Looking uncomfortable, Reiss was then quizzed by the bridesmaid, who asked: “So how many exes have you had?”

Reiss said he’s not one for dating apps and has been longing to be in a relationship.

He said: “Four exes, luckily I’ve never actually dated a psychos.”

They then asked if jealousy on his behalf had caused the relationships to end, which he insisted was not the case.

But the interrogation didn’t stop there. The bridesmaid then asked if he would like kids and Reiss replied: “100% yeah.”

This prompted Leisha to then press him on what he would call his child.

Reiss quickly replied: “Frankie,” which Leisha agreed was a good name.

Speaking in her confessional, Leisha said: “Him telling me he wants kids is a massive turn on for me, I’m ovulating.”

While Reiss felt very differently, saying the the camera: “It started off as a grilling, there’s a lot to take in.”

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STRICTLY viewers have spotted a last minute wardrobe change as George Clarke danced his first Couple’s Choice – but did you see it?

Podcaster and social media personality George, 25, is competing on the show alongside new pro partner, Alexis Warr, 25.

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George and Alexis took the floor tonight with their couple’s choice accompanied by Soda Pop from K-Pop Demon Hunters.

The lively hip-hop dance thrilled the audience but viewers spotted a last minute costume change.

Taking to social media one wrote: “Thank GOD the wig changed.”

Another added: “WHYD THEY GET RID OF THE WIG.”

While a third exclaimed: “Not George taking that ugly blue wig off.”

“The fact he said NO WIG for the show,” added another.

Wicked actress Cynthia Erivo praised the dancers and declared: “I am so proud of you because earlier I felt you were not taking yourself as seriously as you could.”

Shirley Ballas agreed and said: “You were flying like an angel.”

However, Anton Du Beke stated: “You came alive…but I thought it lacked a bit of edge.”

Craig Revel Horwood echoed this and said: “It needed to be sharper.”

But Oti Mabuse added: “You’re doing a beautiful job and keep going.”

When the scores came in George and Alexis received 6 points from Criag, 8 from Oti, 9 from Shirley and 8 from Anton giving them a respectable total of 31 points.

Cheers rose from the audience and the adorable pair looked very happy with their scores.

Meanwhile, viewers have branded the show’s latest judge shake-up awkward after a baffling decision.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 lineup

Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up

Cynthia has spent the week working with the celebrities and their partners to help them with their performance and offering up her advice during their training.

However, when the live show kicked off, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed that despite the huge hype surrounding Cynthia being on the panel, the actress was barred from scoring the couples.

As she wasn’t allowed a paddle to mark the pairs, Cynthia found herself sitting awkwardly among the judging panel as the other four judges offered up their scores.

It left fans at home begging the BBC to let Cynthia have a paddle last-minute after branding her inclusion on the panel “awkward”.

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Mercedes Bryce Morgan’s horror film “Bone Lake” announces itself with a startlingly cheeky opener and closes with a bloody gore-fest, the song “Sex and Violence” by U.K. punk outfit the Exploited spelling out the thesis of the film for us. It’s about the intertwining of sex and violence, you see. But what unfolds between these naughty, viscera-drenched bookends is less of a traditional horror film and more of a psychosexual thriller, like “Funny Games” played between two, young attractive couples, with a setup borrowed from “Barbarian.”

In the script by Joshua Friedlander, a double-booking of a secluded rental mansion becomes a double date when Will (Alex Roe) and Cin (Andra Nechita) stumble in on the intimate weekend vacay of Sage (Maddie Hasson) and Diego (Marco Pigossi). The couples decide to make the best of it and stay, promising to rock-paper-scissors for the house if anything gets “weird.”

And get weird it does. While Diego and Sage seemed perfectly happy on arrival, the sexy, uninhibited Will and Cin have a way of nosing out their insecurities, finding the cracks in their connection and weaseling their way in. Suddenly, their lackluster sex life is on trial, and Sage’s resentment about financially supporting Diego while he pursues his dream of writing a novel bubbles to the surface.

Like any weekend-goes-awry horror movie (e.g., “Speak No Evil”), the female half of the couple catches a bad vibe that her male partner dismisses, due to his vested interest in wanting to stay. For Diego, it’s the promise that Cin will share his writing with his favorite author, for whom she claims to work. They overlook the red flags, blow off their opportunities to leave and decide to go all in with this wanton pair, drinking, playing games, breaking into secret rooms and dodging sexual overtures from each of them.

Morgan and her cinematographer Nick Matthews make the location fun to look at, with a saturated color palette and clever camera movements. However, there are scenes where the film is frustratingly dim and underlit, even if it might be justified by the power going out during a storm.

While there’s a certain verve and style to the middle section, where Will and Cin draw in their prey and toy with them, the Grand Guignol climax bears no rhythm or suspense; it’s merely a bludgeoning of the audience with carnage — too much too late.

Other blunt instruments? Roe and Nechita, who don’t play their roles with any subtlety. Roe’s Will comes off as a dangerous himbo; Nechita’s Cin is an over-the-top minx in her seduction of both Diego and Sage. While Hasson’s Sage is a plausibly strident freelance journalist type, you wonder if she has much experience with female friendship, because Cin’s manipulation is so painfully obvious. Pigossi’s self-obsessed novelist, however, is perfectly pitched in his all-around obliviousness.

There’s a kernel of something fascinating at the center of “Bone Lake,” a melding of sex and violence into gestures that are familiar from true crime stories. But there’s not enough motivation baked into the big third-act twist, and the performances just aren’t strong enough to suggest anything deeper.

“Bone Lake” offers up an appealing surface but it’s ultimately too shallow to get you immersed.

Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic.

The Japanese government has granted more protections to same-sex couples.

According to The Japan Times, the government have decided to recognise same-sex couples as being in “de facto marriages” under nine more laws, including the Disaster Condolence Grant law.

The recent development comes months after the government determined that 24 laws – including the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, Land and House Lease Act, Child Abuse Prevention Act, and Public Housing Act – would apply to same-sex couples, per asahi.com.

Over the last few years, the local LGBTQIA+ community in Japan have been embroiled in a battle for marriage equality.

Currently, the country’s constitution defines marriage as “mutual consent between both sexes” and doesn’t recognise marriage equality.

In March 2021, the Sapporo District Court ruled that the government’s refusal to recognise same-sex marriage was unconstitutional under Article 14 of the Japanese constitution, which bans discrimination based on “race, creed, sex, social status or family origin.”

While the historic ruling offered a sign of hope for LGBTQIA+ equality, the community was hit with a major setback the following year.

In June 2022, a district court in Osaka ruled against three LGBTQ+ couples and their call for same-sex marriage.

“From the perspective of individual dignity, it can be said that it is necessary to realise the benefits of same-sex couples being publicly recognised through official recognition,” the court said on 20 June.

“Public debate on what kind of system is appropriate for this has not been thoroughly carried out.”

A few months later, a Tokyo court upheld the aforementioned ruling. 

However, despite the court doubling down on its stance, the presiding judge also stated that the lack of a legal system and protections for same-sex couples infringes on their human rights (per CNN). 

While the marriage equality movement in Japan has suffered a handful of setbacks, it has also seen a few notable wins over the last three years.

In May 2023, the Japanese government faced renewed pressure when the Nagoya District Court ruled the country’s same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional.

Then, in 2024, the Tokyo High Court and the Sapporo High Court issued separate rulings marking the ban as unconstitutional.

Lastly, Japan’s Osaka High Court and Nagoya High Court delivered similar decisions in March 2025.

This is a developing story. 

MAFS UK’s Emma Barnes knows first hand what it’s like to walk down the aisle towards a stranger and is ready to give her insight in a weekly column

The autumn chill is settling in, and what better way to celebrate than with a dose of wedding chaos!

Luckily, we have Married At First Sight legend Emma Barnes here to give her verdict for the Mirror on all the weekly tears and madness the E4 show…

Firstly… Welcome to my weekly column! Honoured to pen my thoughts on, let’s face it, the UK’s welcome to Autumn. Darker nights, drama-filled dinner parties and clinging onto the hope of some happy endings while our dating life is in tatters: MAFS IS BACK PEOPLE!

What a first couple of episodes! The series will fly by with this new format, switching between weddings and honeymoons. We all get a bit bored of the often repetitive nuptials and personally I’d send Mel, Charlene and Paul to the honeymoons, some of these couples need them.

The cast seem a kind, calmer collective than the previous couple of series (for now, we all know!). I think I’d totally fit in with this group had I not made it into last series. Love that there’s two same sex couples, and I want to be bezzies with Nelly immediately.

This week Davide and Keye hitched in a classy, emotional day (round of applause on their guest’s pure style please!). Sarah’s asked for a bad boy and her new husband pre-wrote an acapella number that went down like a lead balloon, and we all learnt some lessons in feminism from Grace’s protective pal.

READ MORE: ‘I’m a beauty writer and this Clarins deal stack gets £278 worth of free products’

If you go into this experiment expecting the full package, you’re going to be disappointed, and emotions were running high. Types come up every year, two brides had tears after their vows. Sarah’s never dated someone like Dean. She likes a flirt, a cheeky wink and someone to through her down on the bed and rip her clothes off. Dean with the dimples is a kind, gentle, poet, and that’s not helping his sex appeal.

Grace expected an instant spark, (Ashley is going to have queues at his door if this doesn’t work out, he’s totally a bit of me!) but here’s the thing; from my experience women are more open to getting to know the person if the spark isn’t there. It will be a refreshing twist on blokes wanting fit birds and nothing else. Mark my words I predict one of these couples will go some distance with a sprinkling of expert help.

This is why we get hooked, the twists, turns, feedback and growth. The happiest couples on their wedding day face rocks in the road, while what starts off Grace’s tears after the ceremony could turn in a river of love by Christmas. Plenty of weddings to go so strap in, get hitched onto that sofa and get a wine and crisp in hand.

P.S I hate taking out the bins – totally a blue job if I had a boyfriend…

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Stranded On Honeymoon Island returned to our screens tonight and BBC viewers were totally perplexed by one couple.

Stranded On Honeymoon Island were left scratching their heads as they questioned if they had “missed something” after one couple appeared to already be on the rocks.

The new BBC series, fronted by Davina McCall, follows a group of single people who end up speed dating and, after just five minutes, have to pick their favourite person.

Shortly after, the singletons are paired up by a matchmaker, marry one another and then are left stranded on an island and have to live with the basics.

Last night, the show kicked off with a speed dating event where the singles, following five minutes of chat, are asked to select their favourites. The final couplings are then settled on by professional matchmakers. Viewers saw Sam, 30, married Hannah, 29, Helen, 35, married Abby, 32, while Moray, 28, married Mae, 30.

Now that the first three couples have wed, during tonight’s episode it’s the turn of the remaining pairs to get hitched.

However it was newlyweds Helen and Abby who had everyone talking as they are already showing cracks in their marriage.

Waking up together for the first time on the Island it was clear that Abby is already struggling with her new life on the deserted island.

While making breakfast, Helen went on to say: “Yesterday was, like, such a little dream bubble. And then overnight, and today, it’s like OK, this is reality.”

The new bride admitted: “Abby is struggling with this and I think it’s getting her a bit grouchy, it’s getting her a bit moany but it’s day one. So I don’t know; I don’t know if she’s going to stick this out.”

Turning to her new wife, Helen asked: “Do you think that you would struggle, like in this experience? Did you think that… Because last night was a lot.”

Opening up, Abby admitted: “Yes, it’s hard. I think for me I’m missing my family and I’m missing my friends. I’m definitely learning more things about myself even just from last night’s experience.”

Helen jumped in: “I feel like that is you, right? So it did kind of shock me this morning when you were like, ‘Oh I don’t know, like if I can do this.’

“You’re making me feel like… like can you?”

Abby explained: “No, I do feel like I can. I think I just needed a minute.”

The tension was palpable as a frosty Helen replied: “Sure. But it’s day one so, let’s see.”

Attempted to shift the mood, Abby confirmed: “Yeah, it is day one. You’ve been great, it’s nothing on you. It’s just me.. You know.. adjusting.”

Helen said: “I want to be there for you and I will be.” Abby added: Yeah, I know. I appreciate that.”

It didn’t take long for fans to rush straight to social media to share their reaction as they questioned how their relationship had shifted in just one day.

One fan wrote on X, formally known as Twitter: “#StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland What went on last night then between the two women? Did we miss something? Sure they were happy on last night’s ep.”

Another commented: “She’s only been there a f****** day!” A third said: “She’s only been there a b****** day #StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland.”

Stranded on Honeymoon Island airs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night at 9pm on BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer

TWO married couples are dead after their British car veered off the road and smashed into trees in Germany.

The horrific accident happened shortly after midnight on Saturday near a highway in the Kassel district, north of Hesse in central Germany.

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The 32-year-old male driver and three female passengers aged 30, 31 and 32 all died at the scene despite the best efforts of German emergency services.

The vehicle had a British number plate, but The Sun understands UK officials have not been contacted for assistance in relation to the crash.

The car appears to have veered off the road at around 12:30am on Saturday.

It shot into a coppice of trees around 30m from the road, according to the Kassel police department.

One of the victims’ phones sent an automatic alert to the emergency services, who sent an ambulance to the scene.

Fire engines, more ambulances and police vehicles were all dispatched when the severity of the accident became clear.

The car was on its side and wedged between two trees when crews arrived.

Emergency workers only discovered there was a car full of people when they removed the roof.

All four people were pronounced dead at the scene after being pulled from the wreckage.

Those who worked on the victims were immediately supported by the specialist mental health workers.

A fire department spokesperson said: “The situation on scene was that a car was lying on its side, wedged between several trees.

“Initially, we assumed there were only two people in the wreckage.

“A crew was therefore dispatched to explore the wider area to search for any occupants who might have been ejected during the impact.

“At the same time, the vehicle was stabilized and a technical rescue using hydraulic rescue equipment was initiated.

“Shortly after the start of operations, we identified another person in the back seat.

“Once we had almost completely removed the roof, we discovered another person in the car.

“The emergency doctor checked the vital functions of the occupants, but unfortunately could only confirm that all of them were dead.”

Reflecting on the night’s horrors, the spokesperson said: “This high number of deaths is an extraordinary operation for our Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department.

“For some of the emergency personnel, it is the first time they have been confronted with death in this way.

“Therefore, a great deal is being done to help us process these images.

“We will also discuss this among ourselves and within families, because not everyone can easily shake off what they have seen.”

A police investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Some of the relationship journeys are never shown

A Love Is Blind UK couple have shared their “epic” love story that was not shown on TV, and how it very nearly all fell apart.

Love Is Blind UK has returned for a second season, with five newly engaged couples navigating their lives together after an extensive dating period on their pods. The latest batch of episodes (August 20) have seen the couples move on to the next phase of their journey.

But of course, not every love story has been shown on screens. Stars Amy and James found their way to one another, despite not being seen on screens.

Primary school teacher Amy, from Wales had been single for two years after her last relationship broke down when she suggested they started a family. Despite living in Dubai for the last few years, now back on home soil, she was ready to find her life partner.

Similarly, real estate manager James had been married before and has two daughters. The 33-year-old used to divide his time between the UK and Thailand where his mum is from.

According to Netflix’s Tudum, Amy initially said yes to another proposal but a twist of fate soon found her back to James. She said: “I’m a big believer in the universe, everything unfolds exactly how it’s meant to unfold.”

It has been revealed that during their dating period, Amy and James had actually found a lot in common, including the fact she recently returned from a trip to Thailand, where James had been living.

However, despite getting on in the pods, they were also forming other relationships. Amy admitted: “That day we missed was key because by day three, I had a strong bond with somebody else.”

Amy had started to build a connection with Ross M, whilst James was dating both Holly and Laurie. However, James admitted they were both “playing it safe” as he told Tudum: “In hindsight, I should’ve laid it on a bit thicker with Amy, but I didn’t want to propose and then have her say no.”

When it came to making a decision, Amy was left “crying”, unable to decide, until she said yes when Ross M had proposed. However, it was James who could not bring himself to propose to another woman.

After their first night out together, Amy and Ross soon called their relationship off, but a few days later she found herself chatting to James on Instagram. At the time, she was in Spain, and so James drove six hours to the airport to pick her up upon her UK return.

He added: “It was pretty epic.” They made their relationship official around two weeks later before James declared his love, and they have gone from strength to strength since, even meeting James’ children.

The two have now spent the last three months living together in Malta. Amy added: “Love Is Blind sets a foundation where you have to be vulnerable and emotional because there’s nothing else you can offer.

“Communication has been a strong point in our relationship, and I think that has genuinely come from starting in the pods.”

Love Is Blind UK season 2 is streaming on Netflix

A TOP Boy star has welcomed a child with his girlfriend. 

Giacomo Mancini took to social media on Saturday to share the very exciting news with his 7,000 followers. 

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Posting a carousel of images of the tot, he told fans that they’d welcomed a baby girl and revealed her name to be Mia. 

Giacomo wrote: “Mia Bella Mancini. August 9th 2025..The day you captured our hearts. Mummy and Daddy love you so much it hurts!” 

The 30-year-old Top Boy star is best known for his first acting role as Gem in the Netflix award winning series. 

He went on to star in Ripper Street in 2013, Pan in 2015, and Orthodox and Supacell in 2024. 

Among the images shared by the star was one of his daughter fast asleep. 

In another, little Mia was being carried out of the hospital by her happy parents, and he also gave a peek at her nursery. 

The happy dad was also pictured lying on the sofa with his bundle of joy, as well as popping out for a walk with her in the stroller. 

Giacomo also made sure to buy his new addition a Chelsea football kit with her name on it.

Fans flooded the comments with their messages of congratulations, as one person wrote: “Congratulations to you both. She is beautiful.”

A second penned: “Massive congratulations to you both,” and a third echoed: “Congratulations 🩷 obsessed 😍. Can’t wait to meet her.”

Two months ago, the actor posted some sweet photos from their baby shower.

Standing with his stunning wife, he wrote: “The Family. 8 Weeks To Go. We Couldn’t Be More Excited To Welcome You Into Our World. Thank You To Everyone For Showering Our Baby. Everyday You Continue To Amaze Me And I’m So So So Proud Of You.”

The series that Giacomo stars in is one of the biggest shows on Netflix.

The popular show tells the tale of rival drug-dealing gangs on a notorious London estate, leading some fans to wonder if it’s based on a true story.

Top Boy is not based on a true story and the characters are fictional.

However, the topics the show addresses, the setting of the show and the issues they represent are very real.

The Netflix series mainly focuses on the drug wars between Summerhouse, headed by Dushane, and other rival gangs, who fight for control of London‘s drug empire.

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Turkey’s serene Konakli is the most affordable destination for couples looking for a break, with prices averaging £421 per person for an all‑inclusive stay, according to TravelSupermarket

The cheapest European destination for a couples holiday is Konakli, according to a new report.

TravelSupermarket, a holiday comparison site, has revealed the most affordable beach destinations for couples looking to escape once the summer holidays end, with September offering great value for romantic getaways.

New analysis of average prices for seven‑night couples’ holidays highlights Turkey and Greece as top choices, with both countries claiming three spots in the top ten. The study has been released after the Mirror published its interactive bargain holiday map.

Turkey’s serene Konakli is the most affordable destination with prices averaging £421 per person for an all‑inclusive stay.

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Konakli sits on the Turkish Mediterranean coast and is best known for its beautiful beaches. Hospitality is by far the biggest business in the region, with 15 five‑star hotels in a town of just 18,000 people.

It’s just 20 minutes away from Alanya, which is a bustling resort packed full of restaurants, bars and holidaymakers from across the world. If Konakli begins to feel a little quiet, then a visit to Alanya is a good bet.

If Konakli doesn’t float your boat, fear not. There are plenty of other cheap all0inclusive resorts to choose from.

TravelSupermarket ranked Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife second on the list at £487 per person. Turkey’s popular Alanya resort claims third place at £493 per person, while Spain’s Costa Dorada destination Salou ranks fourth at £506 per person.

Greek destinations feature prominently with two Corfu locations making the list, alongside Zante’s Alykes which secures fifth place at £508 per person. Marrakech in Morocco offers excellent value in sixth position at £531 per person, with Corfu’s lively Kávos ranking seventh at £543 per person, followed by Bulgaria’s Sunny Beach at £557 per person in eighth place.

Steph Marinkovic, head of editorial at TravelSupermarket, shares her expert couples tips for five of the destinations below, alongside a great deal for each destination:

Konakli – £421 per person

Turkey is a great bet for couples on a budget, and serene Konakli offers the best of all worlds. There’s a quiet, sandy beach for sunbathing, the Taurus Mountain for hiking and lively Alanya – ideal for fun nights out – just 20 minutes away.”

Deal: Seven nights all‑inclusive at the 5‑star NoxInn Deluxe Hotel from £419pp

Puerto de la Cruz – £487 per person

“Puerto de la Cruz is a world away from the resorts in Tenerife’s south. Colourful streets splashed with huge murals make this north coast city a joy to explore. The black‑sand beaches and cool Lago Martiánez pools are just the cherry on top!”

Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star Melia Costa Atlantis Tenerife from £479pp

Alanya – £493 per person

“Couples can combine culture, history and plenty of opportunities for R&R in sun‑drenched Alanya. Highlights include Cleopatra Beach, Alanya Castle, and the city’s excellent range of traditional Turkish hammams and spa hotels.”

Deal: Seven nights all‑inclusive at the 4‑star Club Big Blue Suite Hotel from £465pp

Salou – £506 per person

“Salou’s three‑park PortAventura World is much quieter in September, so kids‑at‑heart can indulge their inner child without the crowds. Couples will also love the resort’s chilled‑out side – think romantic seaside strolls, spa hotels and wine tasting in ‘cava country’ close to nearby Tarragona.”

Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star H10 Salauris Palace from £440pp

Alykes, Zante – £508 per person

“Low‑key Alykes is the perfect antidote to rowdy Laganas just 30 minutes’ drive away. The village centres around a golden beach lined with loungers and relaxed bars. Paddleboard together by day, then sip cocktails as the sun sinks over the Ionian Sea.”

Deal: Seven nights B&B at the 4‑star Koukounaria Hotel & Suites from £499pp

NASHVILLE — The private lives of public figures have increasingly become part of the national scene. Usually, they are caught in the spotlight; they do not turn it on themselves.

Not so in Nashville. Here, Mayor Bill Boner, 45, who is divorcing his third wife, is involved in a most public romance with his fiancee, Traci Peel, a 34-year-old country singer who sports a 2.2-carat engagement ring. Details of their sex life are discussed on radio talk shows, in local newspapers. And the most volatile revelations came from the couple themselves.

Last month the Nashville Banner reported that Peel and Boner, during a telephone interview, giggled and joked about their sexual prowess, saying they had been caught by the reporter “at a bad time.” At one point, Peel said Boner remained amorous as long as seven hours.

“That’s pretty good for a 46-year-old man,” Peel said.

“Forty-five,” Boner corrected, talking on an extension.

Later, Peel said she was just joking.

But that was only the beginning of the uproar here. Nationally, the tabloids, both print and television, have had a ball. The Nashville Scene, a local weekly newspaper, ran a contest to complete this sentence: “You are so Nashville if . . . “

The winner, from Maralee Self: “Your mayor is married and engaged at the same time.”

An oft-repeated joke here, which betrays some disgust with Boner, takes a feminine voice: “If he’d made love to me for seven minutes, it’d seem like seven hours, too.”

Peel complained Tuesday in a surprise telephone call to a radio talk show that the media are making Boner “look like an idiot.” In an interview with The Times, the mayor, looking like a harried man, refused to discuss the matter.

“I don’t want to get into my personal life, other than I can just tell you that we’re doing the job here and working every day,” he said. Boner said he will not seek reelection next year, but rejected calls for his resignation. “Barring some unseen event, no,” he said.

However, as the situation wears on, a lot of people around here are beginning to resent the publicity, even as they revel in the jokes. The shift comes as the bloom fades from Nashville’s economic boom.

“Nashville is really on its butt,” said Bruce Dobie, editor of the Scene. So, while on one level, “The whole thing is really a hoot,” he said, on another level, “people are really getting bitter about it. They feel he is making us look like ‘Hee Haw,’ ” the television show depicting hicks and bumpkins.

Economists say that Nashville seemed headed for super-stardom in the mid-1980s but that overbuilding created a glut of properties, a huge factor in the city’s economic slowdown. Now bankruptcies are up and housing starts are down.

In such a soured economic climate, there is little tolerance for a mayor from whom rejuvenation seems to take on a new meaning.

Boner said he met Peel in May at a golf tournament. He announced in July that he and Peel were engaged, even though he is still married to his third wife, Betty. Boner’s aides say the mayor and his wife had agreed to separate in January, but at the time his engagement was announced, the estranged Boners were living under the same roof with their 4-year-old son.

Peel, a former backup country singer and now an aspiring soloist, sings in Nashville nightclubs and is occasionally joined by Boner, who pulls out a harmonica and accompanies her. She said she and Boner plan to marry in Hawaii once the divorce is final. She sent pineapples to reporters to announce the impending nuptials.

Until the extensive discussion of his sex life in the public print, Boner appeared politically secure in Nashville. He ran for mayor in 1987 while sitting as a U.S. congressman representing Tennessee’s 5th district. He was elected mayor with 53% of the vote. His resignation from Congress ended a House Ethics Committee investigation into a $50,000 salary paid to his wife, Betty, by a defense contractor.

Boner is now routinely pilloried on issues ranging from the city’s need to improve its school system to where it should locate a landfill.

Richard Jackson, general counsel for Meharry Medical College and a recent unsuccessful candidate for the state Senate, said: “The Boner situation is why some people feel Nashville is not moving the way it should. People have to find some reason to explain why we didn’t become the next Atlanta.”

Boner argued that he inherited an extraordinary set of challenges when he assumed office in 1987. “People were living through the economic good times, and a lot of outside investors came in and invested,” he said, adding that the city was “not prepared for this sudden on-rush” of building.

The mayor sounded an optimistic note. “We think we’ve about bottomed out,” he said.

But within days of the story about his sex life, bumper stickers appeared here proclaiming: “Seven Hours for Traci. Three Years for Metro,” referring to Boner’s years as mayor of the 500,000-person metropolis.

Boner’s supporters who had contributed $526,000 to his reelection campaign have begun asking for refunds because the mayor decided not to run again.

And, in an impassioned call for him to resign, Ruth Ann Leach wrote in her column for the Nashville Banner that Boner has become “a national dirty joke.” She recounted wisecracks she encountered during a trip to Dallas, saying that Boner jokes had replaced Dolly Parton jokes.

Jo and Martin were given a stern warning by their resort hotel

A holidaying couple were left furious at a hotel’s ‘unfair rules’ when it comes to sunbeds. Jo and Martin travelled to the resort town of Salou, near Barcelona, Spain, for one week.

But while staying at the four-star, £140-per-night H10 Salauris Palace, the couple were hit with ‘stern warning cards’. After leaving their sunbeds for 30 minutes, they came back to find a warning card left on their towels.

Jo said, “When you leave your sunbed for 30 minutes, yet others leave theirs for two plus hours and nothing gets done to them.”

She added: “Two-tier sunbed policing at the H10 Salauris Palace, Salou.”

The clip went viral on TikTok with 235,000 views and dozens of comments. One local said, “Thirty minutes? Hardly time to go for lunch before you need to come back.”

“At least somewhere with rules with sunbeds though, but probably should be after one hour,” added another. Jess joked: “I would place it on someone else’s.”

Jo, who jetted from Belfast International Airport, near where they live, also shared a video of the hotel’s sunbeds appearing to be fully reserved early in the morning.

She advised others: “Unless you get down to the pool at 6 am, you won’t get a good location for your lounger.” One follower said: “We are in a five-star in Lanzarote and despite rules saying no allocating sun loungers, most have towels on by 8 am.”

Pete suggested: “Just move them.” Regina added: “Go somewhere a bit nicer than Salou, then problem solved.”

Jo, known as ‘Grump’ online, also complained about holidaymakers using large pegs to pin down their towel on a windy day. She fumed: “What is it with these giant pegs on sunbeds that annoyed me so much?

“We survived without these for years before!”

However, many of her followers disagreed. One follower said: “Nahhh, they’re amazing. Best fiver I ever spent. Mine are watermelons.”

Camille added: “They are actually quite handy, loved mine, didn’t have to keep fixing the towel!” Andie remarked, “I have watermelon and flamingo ones, which makes your sunbed look quite pretty.”

The H10 Salauris Palace has been approached for comment.

Tam Kaur, a 24-year-old YouTuber, is telling women to leave their boyfriends at home and solo travel – something she promised herself she’d do before she got in a relationship

A woman says ditching her boyfriend to go on holiday alone is key to the success of their relationship.

Tam Kaur, a 24-year-old YouTuber, is telling women to leave their boyfriends at home and solo travel. The Londoner has travelled by herself to Paris, Amsterdam, Cyprus, and even New York, and is now urging others to follow in her footsteps.

“Before I met my boyfriend, I made a promise to myself that I would still prioritise me, and solo travel is what that looks like. So many women leave this behind when they get partners because we’re expected to holiday with them, but that’s just not necessary in my eyes,” she said.

Tam first explored solo travelling in late 2023, sharing her trip to Amsterdam online and documenting her first-ever flight alone.

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“I was terrified. I was so used to my boyfriend leading me through the airport, but solo travel was on my bucket list, so I did it anyway. It changed everything for me. It helped me discover my love of solo travel,” she said.

“You learn to be okay being alone with your thoughts. You learn how to book your own table, ask strangers for photos, and talk to people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. It’s a huge confidence builder in the most unexpected ways.”

While the experience of going it alone has been mostly positive, there have been harder moments.

“Confidence isn’t something I was born with. I built it, trip by trip, flight by flight, and it’s still a work in progress. Originally I felt deeply uncomfortable about taking a flight on my own, staying in a hotel alone, travelling all alone in a foreign place where people speak a different language,” Tam said.

“It’s scary, but I’ve managed to do it all multiple times and it wasn’t half as scary as I thought it would be. For any woman who wants to try it, I’d recommend starting small. Take yourself on a solo date in your hometown first, then build up to a staycation, and eventually travel abroad.”

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Today, Tam’s social channels boast more than three million followers, and she has released a book, Buy Yourself The Damn Flowers.

“Whether you’re single, taken, or somewhere in between, every woman deserves to feel like she’s enough on her own and a solo trip is a beautiful reminder of that,” Tam said.

Tam is not the only one to enjoy a solo trip. Last year, the Mirror’s Jackie Annett headed to Turkey for her first lone holiday.

“Every year, three million Brits travel to Turkey with Babadag mountain in Oludeniz being one of the top paragliding destinations in the world. But did you know Turkey is also one of the most popular countries for people holidaying alone or enjoying a ‘Me Moon?’” she wrote.

“Less than 24 hours earlier, I’d arrived at the Mirona Deluxe Hotel not quite sure what to expect from my first solo holiday. Now that my daughter’s almost all grown up, I want to spend more time seeing the world and I don’t see why being single should stop me.”

Click here to read her full report.

Eric Dane and filmmaker Janell Shirtcliff looked to be in full couple mode Wednesday at the premiere of Prime Video’s “Countdown,” a new series he stars in with Jensen Ackles. Hands were held; smiles and admiring glances were exchanged.

He was definitely not with Rebecca Gayheart, whom he married in October 2004 and just said — on national news, no less — is the person he reaches out to daily for “stalwart” support. Nope, even though Gayheart in early March requested the dismissal, without prejudice, of the 2018 divorce petition she had filed against Dane.

Dane revealed in April that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a.k.a. ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Earlier this week, he revealed that he had lost function in his right arm due to the neuromuscular disease and felt his left arm failing.

So who’s dating whom? Dane’s relationship status is a bit fuzzy.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum, 52, has been “in an on-and-off relationship” with Shirtcliff for more than three years, Entertainment Tonight reported Wednesday. The two “care deeply for each other,” the outlet said, citing a source who added, “Eric asked Janell to be there for him during this time, and she wanted to show up for him.”⁠

Shirtcliff, who is a photographer and director, is in pre-production on the film “Generation Angst” and post-production on the horror flick “Triton,” according to IMDb.

But — Dane’s alleged girlfriend, actor Priya Jain, 27, was “blindsided” by his appearance at the event with Shirtcliff, 41, a source told Page Six on Thursday.

Jain and Dane met last summer and became “exclusive” in November 2024, the source said. “They never broke up.” The two have been photographed arm-in-arm in public and have matching tattoos, and she has spent “almost every night” at his house since they coupled up, Page Six said. They reportedly were together last weekend.

This three-way confusion is a tiny bit reminiscent of Dane and Gayheart’s nude 2009 bathtub video with actor Kari Ann Peniche, which Dane discussed in 2019 with Glamour. In the leaked video, the three could be seen bathing together naked — not having sex — and discussing their potential porn names about 15 years into the Gayheart-Dane marriage.

“I don’t necessarily think I was breaking any laws and corrupting anybody. We were just three people taking a bath,” he told the magazine. He added, referring at the time to the entirety of his past — including the bathtub video and his addiction to prescribed painkillers — “I have no regrets nor do I make any apologies for my life experience. It’s my life experience and I am at peace with all of it.”

As for Gayheart, she and Dane remain estranged as husband and wife even though she called off the divorce and they are in frequent contact as co-parents of their two daughters.

“I call Rebecca. I talk to her every day,” Dane said Monday on “Good Morning America,” fighting back tears as he talked about battling ALS. “We have managed to become better friends and better parents. And she is probably my biggest champion, my most stalwart supporter, and I lean on her.”