eBay

BISCUIT fans, rejoice – the Tim Tam Sweet & Salty is back for good after sparking a shopping frenzy across the UK.

The Aussie choccie treat hit Tesco shelves in July as a limited edition and vanished almost instantly, with desperate snackers even hunting them down on eBay.

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The biscuit was first created as a tongue-in-cheek April Fool’s joke online – but demand went wild, forcing makers to put it into production.

Brits flooded comment sections with comments in fear the treat would not make a return to UK shelves. 

One shopper said: “My local Tesco store is no longer stocking this!”

Another added: “I’ve not been able to find a single packet in my store!” 

Now, Tim Tam bosses say it’s here to stay.

From October 3, shoppers can grab the cult treat in Tesco stores nationwide.

Talyah Falabella, Tim Tam’s international marketing manager, said: “The response to Tim Tam Sweet & Salty in the UK has been nothing short of incredible. 

“What was meant to be a limited-edition treat quickly became one of our most talked-about biscuits, with fans desperate to find it in stores.”

Tim Tams have long been Australia’s best-loved biccy – a crunchy biscuit with smooth cream filling, all covered in chocolate. Now Brits are well and truly hooked.

So, if you missed out the first time round, no need to raid eBay – just head to Tesco and bag yourself a packet of the viral biccy Brits can’t get enough of.

It comes after the release of the new white chocolate flavour earlier this month which left shoppers delighted. 

 Sainsbury’s supermarket was the first UK store to stock the white chocolate version of the snack.

One shopper said: “Need the white chocolate ones.”

While another eager customer said: “Sainsbury’s are now selling white chocolate timtams, my lil Aussie backpacker heart is so happy.”

And a third shopper simply said the treat looks “yummy”.

The tasty treat comes in many flavours, including chocolate and caramel.

Shoppers can also try out a range of other flavours too, including milk chocolate and extra chocolatey.

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eBay has made a big change to clothing listings and it’s good news for shoppers.

The major second-hand platform has said it is extending its authenticity guarantee programme.

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The programme helps verify second hand designer and branded goods, making sure they are real and match the description.

eBay currently offers the service for pricey goods like luxury watches, handbags, trainers, and jewellery.

But it is now rolling out the service for luxury clothing, shoes and accessories.

When an item from one of these categories is sold, it is sent to eBay’s UK authentication centre, where specialist check it out.

If the item passes, it’s sent on to the buyer with a tracked delivery and a unique QR-enabled authentication card. 

This is a free service, with no extra fees.

The service is automatically carried out when a buyer purchases an item from any of the categories listed above.

Products must also be over a certain price point for the service to be carried out.

You can check out the requirements below:

• Trainers from select brands listed at £100+
• Watches from select brandspriced at £1,500+
• Handbags and accessories from select luxury brands
• Jewellery from select brandspriced at £500+
• Clothing shoes and accessories from select brands priced at £200+

Kirsty Keoghan, GM European Fashion, eBay, said expanding the programme gives shoppers “confidence”.

She said: “Expanding Authenticity Guarantee to clothing gives people the confidence to buy the styles they love, from staples to statement pieces, knowing every item has been verified by experts.

“With whole-look authentication now possible, our goal is to make pre-loved fashion a natural first choice.”

The shakeup comes just days after the major selling platform said it would pay users more quickly.

Some sellers can now be paid within 24 hours, up from the previous two-day wait.

Sellers who have completed at least 10 sales totalling £150 or more in the past five years and have had no more than two unresolved cases in the preceding 12 months will be paid within 24 hours of sale.

How does eBay authenticity guarantee programme work?

If you buy a designer item such as a handbag the seller sends your item to an eBay authenticator.

It then undergoes an inspection from packaging to accessories, and against the listing description.

Once verified, your item receives a QR code-enabled card or tag containing detailed information and it’s sent to you via fast, tracked and secure delivery.

Vinted offers a similar service, but it is optional and you have to pay £10.

The items must cost more than £85 and it only applies to certain brands across clothing, bags, accessories, jewellery and shoes.

After the item is verified it is sent to the buyer within one to two business days.

THE final batch of £1 coins featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait will enter circulation for the last time – and they could be worth a pretty penny.

More than 23million of the coins are being released today, Wednesday August 20 by the Royal Mint has said.

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That means you could spot one in your change in the coming weeks.

These pieces will be the final ones bearing Elizabeth II’s portrait to enter circulation.

Plus, the Royal Mint said these coins dated 2022, are the rarest £1 coins in active circulation.

If you are keen to spot the coin, there are a few details you can spot.

The front, or heads side, of the coin features a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth and the date 2022.

While the reverse, or tails side, features an image of a crown with an English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh leek and Northern Irish shamrock.

The coin joins a raft of other rare £1 pieces, including the 2011 Edinburgh City coin that has sold for 95 times its face value.

These coins have a mintage of just 935,000, making it a rare find.

Back in June, the coin sold for £23 on eBay after 21 bids.

The coin was part of a series depicting the four capital cities of the UK and is the only £1 coin with a mintage below one million.

In comparison, a recent bidder paid £7.53 for one of the coins after fighting off bids from five others.

But coins are only worth what sellers are willing to pay for them.

So another piece may sell for a higher or lower price later down the line.

It comes as the official maker of UK coins is also set to release 7.5 million new King Charles III £1 coins.

The 50p and £1 are the only denominations with Charles’s portrait to have entered circulation so far.

The King’s £1 coins feature an intricate bee design on the reverse and are part of the Definitive collection, inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “This release represents a pivotal moment in British coinage history.

“As we release more of the King Charles III £1 coins into circulation alongside the final coins of Queen Elizabeth II, we’re witnessing the physical representation of our monarchy’s transition.”

She added: “This dual release creates an exceptional opportunity for both seasoned numismatists and those new to coin collecting.”

“Finding these new coins in your change could spark a rewarding hobby that connects you with the heritage, history and craftsmanship behind British currency.”

And that is not the only rare coin that collectors are keen to get their hands on.

The Kew Gardens 50p recently fetched £205 on eBay after 29 buyers battled it out for the piece.

Other rare coins to keep an eye out for are the Atlantic Salmon 50p,

How to spot rare coins and banknotes

Rare coins and notes hiding down the back of your sofa could sell for hundreds of pounds.

If you are lucky enough to find a rare £10 note you might be able to sell it for multiple times its face value.

You can spot rare notes by keeping an eye out for the serial numbers.

These numbers can be found on the side with the Monarch’s face, just under the value £10 in the corner of the note.

Also, if you have a serial number on your note that is quite quirky, you could cash in thousands.

For example, one seller bagged £3,600 after spotting a specific serial number relating to the year Jane Austen was born on one of their notes.

You can check if your notes are worth anything on eBay, just tick “completed and sold items” and filter by the highest value.

This will give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for some notes.

But bear in mind that yours is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.

This is also the case for coins, you can determine how rare your coin is by looking a the latest scarcity index.

NOW is a perfect time to check whether you’re the owner of a 50p coin that could be worth 240 times its value.

The rare coin sold for £120 after an intense bidding war on eBay.

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Fifty pence pieces can often be worth much more than their face value.

This particular valuable rarity is a 2009 Kew Gardens 50p.

Earlier this week one of these coins sold for £120 on eBay after a bidding war, with 13 offers placed.

Other postings for the same coin are currently listed at £177.52, and £161.92.

The coin was designed by Christopher Le Brun in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Botanical Gardens’ foundation.

It had a very low mintage of just 210,000 copies, which means that it has since rocketed in value as it is the rarest of all 50p pieces.

One side of the coin features Kew’s iconic Great Pagoda.

Its base is encircled with a vine while the word ‘Kew’ decorates the bottom.

The dates 1759 and 2009 are inscribed, honouring the coin’s 250th anniversary celebration.

On the reverse, the fourth portrait of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II adorns the coin.

Alongside the portrait the initials identify the engraver as Ian Rank-Broadley.

To spot the coin among your collection, look out for the leafy design.

Another limited edition 50p recently sold for £262.

Dated to 2009, the design was the first of 29 officially licenced London 2012 Olympic coins to be released by The Royal Mint.

The coin is the same size and weight as a 50p coin found in your change and measures 8g by 27g in diameter.

The starting price was just £5 but six bidders fought it out, with one eventually submitting the winning bid on June 30.

The coin’s design was created by eight-year-old Florence Jackson from Bristol.

How to sell a rare coin

If you are lucky to find a rare coin among your spare change or have one at home, you can sell it through online marketplaces such as eBay.

Simply take pictures of the coin, any certificates of authenticity you have and any packaging.

You can also sell coins via auction, through the Royal Mint’s Collector’s Service.

If you choose this option a team of experts will authenticate and value your coin.

You will also receive advice on how to sell it.

Bobby Knutt’s jumper went under the hammer for a good cause years after the the actor died in 2017

A colourful jumper worn by late Benidorm star Bobby Knutt has sold for nearly £500 at auction eight years after the actor’s sudden death. The pullover, which featured in the hit ITV sitcom, fetched £487 as part of a special costume auction organised by Benidorm creator Derren Litten.

The sale saw several fan-favourite pieces from the show go under the hammer, with proceeds going towards medical treatment for a close friend of Litten’s. Bobby Knutt starred as cheeky pensioner Eddie Dawson between series eight and ten of the popular comedy, which aired from 2007 to 2018. Benidorm became a cult favourite with British audiences thanks to its outrageous humour and funny depictions of holiday chaos at the fictional Solana resort.

Fans also snapped up other memorabilia from the show, including the Solana hotel-branded staff tabard, which sold for £422. A darts shirt worn by Johnny Vegas as Geoff ‘The Oracle’ Maltby sparked a bidding frenzy, reaching over £1,000 before being withdrawn.

Darren explained: “Sadly it was withdrawn as someone was bidding and retracting bids 30 or 40 times a day which, although I don’t understand eBay, is a method of bumping other bidders off the auction item. I will have to find another method of auctioning it. The vast majority sold to very happy buyers.”

The auction, which ran from May 25 to June 2, was set up to raise funds for Litten’s friend Leonard, who is battling Facial Fibrous Dysplasia. This is a rare and serious condition that can lead to blindness and severe disfigurement if left untreated.

Fans and castmates were shocked when they received the news that Bobby Knutt had died suddenly from heart failure in 2017 at the age of 71 while on holiday in France. At the time, Benidorm creator Derren Litten tweeted: “Very sad Benidorm news guys. The wonderful Bobby Knutt has passed away suddenly aged 71. Sending our Beni love to his family.”

Co-star Tony Maudsley, who played Kenneth in the series, added: “Take a bow Grandad Dawson. Your Benidorm family will miss you. RIP Bobby Knutt x.”

Knutt’s had a long and successful career, as he found fame early in life on The Comedians and went on to bag roles in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and Last of the Summer Wine. In Emmerdale he played Albert Dingle for a decade, and later appeared in Corrie as garage boss Ron Sykes.

Off-screen he was also known for stage work, a stint doing comedy shows on cruise ships, and his role as the voice of Gaffer in the Tetley Tea adverts.

After his death, it was revealed that Knutt left much of his £350,000 estate to friends and his sister, while his four children received little or no inheritance. He asked to be buried with his third wife Donna Hartley-Wass, a former Olympian and champion bodybuilder who passed away in 2013.

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

WITH reformer pilates machines costing around £1,800, it is no wonder that shoppers have raced to buy Aldi’s £149.99 version this weekend.

However, shoppers have been left outraged after spotting that some people had snapped up the devices only to list them for £500 on eBay when they got home.

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TikTok user Anna screenshotted her Vinted page which had numerous machines being sold for over twice the price. 

On her @annaleonora26 account, the upset Aldi shopper said: “Resellers are jerks.”

Many people agreed with her, with one person saying: “I saw this too, some are on eBay at almost £500.”

A second wrote: “I missed out this morning by a couple of minutes and it’s so disappointing to see resellers trying to make a quick profit.”

A third commented: “Was the same with the 5 in 1 styler a few weeks ago- They were putting them on at more than double.”

Aldi’s purse-friendly machine arrived in stores on Sunday for £149.99, and we shared how shopper Kasey Clarke was among lucky Aldi fans who have managed to get their hands on one of the coveted machines after it arrived in stores today.

Taking to her @kaseyclarke0 account, she said: “POV you won the Aldi war and got a pilates reformer.

“Happy Aldi reformer day to those who care.”

The easy-to-assemble machine is £1,750 less than the Original Fold Reformer, which will set you back £1,899.99.

The machine features adaptable resistance levels with five resistance bands and adjustable height settings.

It has a smooth gliding functionality, and has transport wheels for easy movement, and foldable storage capabilities.

If that wasn’t enough for your fitness journey, Aldi is also selling lots of gym accessories to go with it.

Also up for grabs is a pilates pad, a three piece pilates ball set, a pilates ring, and rotation ring,

Each of the products are just £5.99 each, and will help with strength, balance, conditioning and coordination.  

For additional strength training, Aldi’s adjustable step deck (£12.99) allows fitness gurus to add in cardio with ease, and even includes resistance handles and a balance board for a full-body workout.

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As with all Aldi Specialbuys once they’re gone, they’re gone, so head to stores quickly if you want to grab them.

Reformer pilates has become a viral hit online in recent years with over 2.8 million posts being made about it on TikTok.

While it is proven to be an effective workout, it can be costly.

Prices for just one class start at £37 – not something we can afford to do multiple times a week.

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Aldi bosses say: “Whether looking to strengthen cores, improve flexibility, or tone muscles, the machine is designed to help anyone achieve their fitness goals.

“Complete with an introductory exercise chart, it’s a must-have addition to any home gym.”

For those tech savvy trainers, a smart watch is also available for £11.99 to track your progress.

When you are done with your workout, cool down with the foldable fitness mat for just £19.99.

To make sure you get all knots out, use the massage roller for £3.99.

The 5 best exercises to lose weight

By Lucy Gornall, personal trainer and health journalist

EXERCISE can be intimidating and hard to devote yourself to. So how do you find the right workout for you?

As a PT and fitness journalist, I’ve tried everything.

I’ve taken part in endless fitness competitions, marathons and I maintain a regime of runs, strength training and Pilates.

Fitness is so entrenched in my life, I stick to it even at Christmas!

The key is finding an activity you love that can become a habit.

My top five forms of exercise, especially if you’re trying to lose weight, are:

1. Walking
2. Running
3. Pilates
4. High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
5. Strength training

BRITS are being urged to check down the backs of sofas and rifle through their purses after a rare coin sold for £69.

Cash is being uses less and less nowadays, with many preferring the convenience of tapping contactless cards to make payments.

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And whilst many of us increasingly see loose change as an annoyance, which we shove deep into our jeans pockets, never to be touched again, it can actually be extremely valuable.

The rarest coin currently in active circulation is His Majesty King Charles III’s 50p coin, depicting the Atlantic Salmon.

Just 200,000 of the coins were released back in 2023, 10,000 less than 2009’s Kew Gardens 50p coin, which was previously the rarest in circulation.

The commemorative coin features a salmon jumping out of the water on one side, and the word ’50 pence’ on the other side.

On the other side of the coin is a picture of King Charles III.

Over 100 different 50p designs have been released since the coin was first introduced, making it the nation’s most collectable coin.

And if you happen to have a rare 50p gathering dust in your piggy bank, it make you a decent bit of cash.

This week, an Atlantic Salmon coin sold on eBay for a whopping £69, after a fierce 16 bid showdown.

There are countless other listings for the coins, with sellers charging upwards of £100 for the rare 50p.

Royal Mint revealed that one in 355 people have the likelihood of finding a salmon coin in their wallet, so why not check now to see if you could make some cash.

On October 7 one coin sold for £164 with six bidders fighting for the prize.

Another sold for £147 on December 16 with a whopping 37 bids.

If you’re ever unsure of how much a coin should be sold for, it helps to look at what prices other people are listing.

You can also run it through Change Checker’s Scarcity Index to get a sense of its value.

Rare coins, especially those with low mintages, can fetch hundreds and even thousands of pounds.

Coins that have mistakes on them are also extremely rare, and collectors will pay thousands for them.

How to Sell a Rare Coin

If you’re lucky enough to find a rare coin amongst your spare change, you can sell them through online marketplaces such as eBay.

You can also sell coins via auction, through the Royal Mint Collector’s Service.

If you choose to do it this way, a team of experts will authenticate and value your coin, and advise you on how to sell.