felt

I was lying on a bed with no trousers on. A young man helped me into some crotch-high boots and zipped them up. He turned the lights down low, put on some music, pressed a button and left the room. Argh! The boots started to slowly inflate from the toes up, like a giant blood-pressure cuff. As they clenched around my upper thighs, I started to panic. What if they just got tighter and tighter until my legs exploded? As I was about to shout for help, the pressure suddenly released, leaving my legs feeling deliciously light. I took a deep breath and submitted to another 19 minutes of this sweet torture.

I was at Siro Boka Place in Montenegro, having compression boot therapy, which is supposed to boost circulation and reduce swelling. “It’s especially effective on women over 35,” my youthful assistant had told me, helpfully. The hotel, which opened last year, is proud of its “state-of-the-art wellness facilities”. In most hotels that means a poky gym. At Siro the facilities are so good the Montenegrin Olympic team is training here ahead of Los Angeles 2028.

But more about the hotel later. First I was keen to get outside and explore. Siro is in Porto Montenegro, a swanky development on the edge of Tivat in the beautiful Bay of Kotor. My companions and I escaped the bling on a morning ebike tour around the bay, taking us from designer shops and luxury restaurants to charming old fishing villages. We cycled to the tip of the promontory to peer at the islet Our Lady of the Rocks, then biked right round the other side until we were facing Kotor’s triangular, red-roofed old town across the water. We cut inland to complete the loop via a switchback mountain road, where I was grateful for the electric assistance.

The next day we hit the Vrmac mountain trails on foot, hiking to Gornja Lastva, a half-abandoned village high above Tivat, and then on to tiny St Vid church, which stands alone on the peak. The panoramic views made it the perfect picnic stop. In the afternoon, we explored the calm waters of the bay by kayak. It was blissful just getting out on the sparkling water, but with more time it is possible to kayak round to the famed Blue Cave on the Luštica peninsula.

These trips can be booked through Siro, which has partnered with local activity companies. Guests can go running and rock climbing; canyoning in the Drenoštica or Nevidio canyons; paddleboarding on Skadar Lake; or try a host of watersports in the bay, from funtubing and efoiling to wakeboarding.

Back at the hotel, group classes are on offer in the fitness studios – there are about five sessions a day on weekdays and two at weekends. I tried yoga, pilates and mindful strength, while more high-octane options include run club, Hyrox and full body blitz. The gym – sorry, “fitness lab” – is enormous (1,600 sq m), and divided into cardio, weights and functional training zones. There is a lovely 25-metre outdoor pool on the third floor, with views over the marina.

All this exercise called for some more treatments in the spa, or “recovery lab”. During red light therapy, I had to lie in a coffin-like pod with the lid closed – not one for the claustrophobic. The near-infrared wavelengths are thought to help reduce inflammation, speed up muscle recovery and rejuvenate the skin. If nothing else, the gentle warmth was very relaxing, once I stopped thinking about being buried alive.

I was a little nervous about having a body composition analysis, but it was a simple procedure. You stand on a Seca Tru machine and hold the handles, and the results are sent to an app on your phone in about 30 seconds. It seems like sorcery, but actually uses “bioelectrical impedance analysis” to measure the resistance of electrical currents as they pass through the body, and is highly accurate when compared with an MRI or Dexa (bone density) scan. It was fascinating to pore over the results: muscle and fat mass, water levels, bone mineral content, basal metabolic rate (calories burned at rest) and, a new one on me, phase angle: “an indicator of overall health, metabolic activity and nutritional status”.

When I’d digested my results (88/100, not bad for a woman well over 35), I had a consultation with Hélène Boussiard, a French-trained clinical dietitian and fount of nutritional knowledge. We bonded over our vegan diets, but she was less happy with my late nights and alcohol intake. As I’ve been resolving to go to bed earlier and drink less for the past 25 years, it wasn’t exactly a revelation, but her written report did spur me on to try harder.

I cheered myself up with a massage or three. Two were conducted on a waterbed (well, Rivals has brought the 80s back into fashion), one involved stretching and all were utterly incredible. I could have tried cupping, dry needling, EMS therapy and percussive therapy as well, but there are only so many hours in the day.

Guests with any energy left can work out in their rooms, too – they are equipped with a Swedish ladder for pull-ups and dead hangs, a wellness ball to work the core even while sitting, plus weights, resistance bands and a yoga mat. A restful night’s sleep is aided by meditation playlists, temperature-controlled mattresses and sunrise alarm clocks.

As you might expect, the restaurant, Siro Table, serves healthy food. The breakfast buffet features ferments, nuts and seeds, with à la carte options such as avocado toast with poached eggs. At lunch and dinner, there are lots of vegetable-based dishes with protein add-ons “to achieve your desired macros” – I added chickpeas and tofu to courgette spaghetti, for example. But it’s not too abstemious: chips, desserts and wine are all on the menu too. The ground floor Refuel Bar serves smoothies and protein shakes, but there is an actual bar on the roof, with cocktails and Friday-night DJs.

After three days at Siro, I felt like an Olympic athlete myself. Now all I have to do is keep it up back home. I wonder how much a pair of compression boots would set me back?

On a six-game unbeaten run and nine points further up the table than their opponents, Brighton arrived at Liverpool’s St Helens stadium as favourites – but their Wembley dream was in serious jeopardy when they fell 2-0 down after 22 minutes.

Manuela Vanegas gave Brighton hope when she halved the deficit with a determined finish 105 seconds after Beata Olsson had scored the Reds’ second.

The Seagulls looked revitalised after the break and they were rewarded when Madison Haley nodded in the leveller.

“They found it difficult in the first half but they stuck to the task with intensity and energy,” former England defender Anita Asante said on TNT Sports.

Manager Dario Vidosic said he “felt like it was coming” when Brighton were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the hosts’ box in the final seconds.

“I didn’t even think about extra time, even though it was so close to it. It just felt like the momentum, how dominant we were, that the goal was bound to come,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

Noordam, who had never previously scored for Brighton, had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes when the set-piece clearance rolled to her and she calmly slotted the ball into the top-left corner.

“What a moment from Nadine Noordam,” said ex-England midfielder Fara Williams on TNT Sports.

“Brighton had a really slow start but they managed to claw their way back. It’s a credit to them. They really believe in what they’re doing.

“That’s what this competition is all about. That’s the history of this competition. Those last-minute moments that get to Wembley.”

AFTER quietly returning to the dating scene following his split from Chloe Madeley, James Haskell thought he was ready to move on.

But the former England rugby star says one fear involving his ex-wife can still stop him in his tracks. 

James and Chloe split in October 2023 after five years of marriage, just 14 months after welcoming daughter Bodhi, now three, despite appearing to have the perfect family life. 

But it was the thought of publicly dating another woman while still close to Chloe – daughter of daytime TV icons Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan – that caused James to pause for thought.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun about starring in the new series of E4’s Celebs Go Dating, James says: “It sort of felt like I was cheating because it was the first time I was dating in public in front of Chloe. I got all these mixed emotions and froze.

“For me, when you’ve got a daughter and you’ve got an ex-wife, both of them I hold in the highest regard and I want to be the most respectful I can be.

“I talked to Chloe [about doing the show] because it was really important to do that. We discussed it because I was probably getting quite nervous about doing it.

“This is very much out of my comfort zone. You’ve got emotions, you’ve got other people, you’ve got romance…

“It’s a difficult thing to put in the public eye, so I spoke to her about it. She was very supportive.

“I would talk to her about how the stuff on the show went, so she was always informed.

“And if my daughter ever watched it back, I’d want her to be proud of how her dad was.”

James admits navigating romance in the public eye hasn’t been easy off-screen either. 

The former rugby star, who dated advertising executive Helen Barclay and Big Brother star Sara McLean in 2025, admits relationships come with added pressure. 

James split from Sara just days after they went public with their romance at Cheltenham.

The rugby star has also been linked to other women since his split from Chloe and previously sparked speculation after being spotted looking cosy with a mystery brunette on a night out. 

“I’m in the public eye and a lot of my life is centered around stuff on social media and DJ’ing and making music and podcasting stuff,” he explains.

“So I’m always very wary if you were to go out on a date and get photographed, that narrative can be created around that, which puts pressure on both people.

“I want to go on date people and have fun and when it’s the appropriate time, you would then discuss it with an ex partner but sometimes that’s taken away from you.

“So I’ve always been quite nervous. I have dated, I’ve been quite chilled out, but it’s always been quite respectful.

“That’s why this was such a big moment, because actually one of the first things I thought was ‘Oh my God. I’m like, now doing this in front of people’.

“There’s so much more to think about as opposed to just going for a drink with someone.”

James, 41, and Chloe, 38, split while their reality series, Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair, was still airing on TV. 

But rather than mixing things up in the future, James reveals he’s in the market for a strong, independent woman – just like his ex.

He says:  “I know what I want, I want someone that’s got intelligence, I want someone that’s got their own life, their own success.

“I’m not threatened by having a really powerful partner who could be more successful than me.

“Badass is the wrong word, but that’s the kind of thing.

“I want someone to challenge me so I can learn from them.

“I had a lot of that or had almost all of that with Chloe really, she made me a better person in lots of ways.

“When you come out of a relationship, you want to find that in someone else.

“And that’s kind of what I doubled down with really on this.”

He continues: “While looks and stuff are really important, I wouldn’t settle because all my dating technique would always be to go up to someone and speak to them, I never used apps, I would do everything in person.

“So this process was so weird because someone was telling you who you could date, which is weird.

“This was a bit like looking around in the dark and exploring.”

Fitness fanatic Chloe has spent years documenting her gruelling workouts and toned physique online – and it seems James still has a clear type.

As well as wanting a confident, driven woman, the rugby ace admits he is attracted to women who prioritise their looks, fitness and overall wellbeing. Sound familiar?

He says: “It shows a commitment, just someone who takes care of their appearance because I think it helps in other areas of your life.”

He also reveals the “real reason” he signed up to the show – and it wasn’t just for him to find his dream match.

“Being a strong man with good manners and morals and to show a vulnerable side as well as other sides is really important,” he says.

“I was nervous, but I think I managed to navigate it in the appropriate way and actually show a bit of a different side to myself than some of the bravado and the kind of stuff from being a former sportsman or DJ’ing.

“I grew a lot, I’ve obviously been separated for a little while, but I wanted to have an adventure and I’ve learnt to be vulnerable.”

And while James teases that he isn’t against tying the knot again in the future, his number one priority is crystal clear.

He says: “My priorities are very simple – my daughter, she’s nearly four. I want to be the best dad for her and provide the best kind of life for her.

“We’re obviously having her kind of 50 per cent of the time, which means that you have to prioritise different parts of your life.

“Relationships are lovely and I think if you meet the right person and obviously as we’ve gone through this process, I’ve met lots of lots of really interesting people.

“I’d say that isn’t something that is a real focus to settle down and get married.

“I think if it happens, it happens.

“But I’m quite happy in my own space, really.”

And don’t expect James to introduce Bodhi to a new partner anytime soon, as the star has one very strict rule when it comes to future girlfriends. 

“Essentially I’d have to be walking down the aisle [to introduce my next partner to my child],” he says.

“Genuinely my life is very complicated. The idea of bringing somebody into my daughter’s life and putting a sort of a tent pole on the ground and saying, listen, this is something serious.

“I’m light years away from that because it’s not something I want to mess around with.

“Chloe and I are still a family. My daughter is still a family that sits over here. My life sits over here [with them].

“And I mean when is the right moment? It will be light years away.”

And any future girlfriend won’t just need to win over Bodhi – she’ll also have to impress James’ fiercely protective mum, Susie Haskell, too. 

This week, Susie Haskell made her Celebs Go Dating debut, and didn’t hold her tongue.

Fearing what she could say, James told the camera: “Mum is an absolute loose cannon at the best of times.

“I am dreading what’s going to come out of her mouth. As long as she does not upset my ex.”

But Susie struggled to hold back as she ripped into Chloe.

Susie said: “I’m not sure where he’s gone wrong because prior to his marriage, I met lots of lovely girlfriends.

“Each of them just loved me, which is a bonus.”

She added: “I do have quite a strong opinion on why I think it went wrong.

“You can’t have two stars because you have them competing for the floor space the whole time.”

Susie continued: “In the past he’s been extremely popular. I’ve seen at rugby matches where elderly ladies have got very close to him.

“He needs someone who can see the softness of him, coupled with quite a brilliant intellect. He’s written seven books. Three of them are on The Times best-seller list.”

James previously admitted that his love of drinking contributed to the end of the relationship, describing their final year together as a “difficult period”.

AS I strolled through the vineyards with a glass of bubbles in my hand, I imagined myself in the South of France.

Yet I was just a one-hour train ride from my home in Kent – one of the most established regions for producing English sparkling wine.

While it may not boast the same sunshine levels as France’s Bordeaux, the soil here is very similar to the Champagne region, offering optimal growing conditions.

And it produces some excellent wines.

I’d been touring one of Kent’s most famous vineyards – Chapel Down, in the village of Small Hythe, near Tenterden.

Visitors can book a three-hour Wine And Dine experience, starting in the vines on the beautiful 22-acre estate, which was founded in 1977.

HUT STUFF

The luxe Oxfordshire glamping site with a Scandi-inspired spa and nearby vineyard

DRINK IT IN

Beautiful English village with top UK pubs and vineyards that feel like France

It has immaculate rows of grape varieties that include Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Following a stroll among the vines, we were taken into the barn to learn about the art of riddling. The process was made famous by France’s Grand Dame of Champagne – Madame Clicquot, who invented the first riddling table in 1816.

It sees each bottle periodically turned to loosen the sediment and achieve a crystal-clear wine.

Sitting among oak barrels in the barn, it gave us a taste of the generations of wine wisdom in every glass.

But it’s not all about wine. Guests can enjoy a taste of Shakespeare, too from £18pp. Sussex-based company This Is My Theatre will bring William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Chapel Down, and visitors can bring a blanket and pick up a bottle of English sparkling wine to toast a night of magical comedy among the vines on June 12.

If you are not a Shakespeare fan, Chapel Down will also host a summer series of music including the Bacchus Wind Orchestra and an evening of jazz playing on July 5. Tickets are from £20pp.

Instead of the gym, why not book a spot for sunset yoga at the vineyard followed by a one-hour tasting of five wines?

These sessions will take place among the vines (weather permitting) on selected dates in May, June and August for £35pp.

Following my history lesson, it was time to put my knowledge to the test with a tasting session.

The best-selling bottle here is the £30 Brut, which has notes of fresh citrus and strawberry. But my favourite was the Chapel Down Grand Reserve 2019, which matures for five years to create a rich, toasted taste.

Then it was time for lunch at The Swan restaurant. Dishes included beetroot and vodka cured trout, which pairs well with a crisp glass of Chapel Down Bacchus.

Those visiting on a Sunday should try the roasted pork loin served with a tart apple sauce.

Then grab a tipple to take home from the on-site shop. I picked up a bottle of the Grand Reserve for £45.

After all, every day should be toasted with the best.