CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – AUGUST 01: Olivia Rodrigo performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic)Credit: Getty
OLIVIA Rodrigo is set to embark on a huge world tour later this year.
She is releasing a new album in the summer, and to mark it, the superstar singer will be performing across the globe.
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What are Olivia Rodrigo’s UK tour dates?
To mark the release of her upcoming record, Rodrigo is going on a world tour that will span North America, Europe and the UK, with over 60 dates announced.
It is titled ‘The Unravelled Tour’ and will start in the US in September 2026.
The tour will start its UK leg in April 2027, with four nights at London’s O2 Arena the only dates announced so far in Britain. The dates announced for the London shows are:
Tickets for the tour go on general sale on Friday, May 7 at 12pm, and will be available on Ticketmaster here – but there are ways to grab tickets ahead of that date.
There are various presales in which you can secure your place at one of the gigs:
O2 presale – Tuesday May 5 at 10am. Only for O2 customers
Album presale – Tuesday May 5 at 12pm. This is for fans who preorder Olivia’s new album.
American Express presale – Tuesday May 5 at 12pm. For American Express card holders.
There will also be tickets available on secondary ticket websites, such as Viagogo here.
No prices have yet been confirmed for the tour, however for an idea of how much they could be, her 2024 GUTS tour ranged from around £65 to £200 for non-VIP tickets.
Cheaper “silver star” tickets will also be made available during the tour. In the US they’ll cost just $20, with the UK dates priced at ‘a local currency equivalent’.
These tickets will be made available at a later date.
When is Olivia Rodrigo’s new album released?
Olivia’s new album “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love” comes out on June 12.
So far, she has only released one track from her new record, a song called “Drop Dead”.
How many episodes are in new series Widow’s Bay and when you can stream them
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The 100% rated horror series has started streaming but fans still face a wait.
Widow’s Bay is the latest title to land on Apple TV+ and be welcomed with rave reviews. Only the first two instalments have premiered so far as of today (April 29).
Rhys takes on the role of Tom Loftis, Mayor of Widow’s Bay, a quaint island town 40 miles off the coast of New England where something lurks beneath the surface. He is desperate to put the place on the map and turn it into one of the must visit locations for tourists in the US.
However, not only does the island have no Wi-Fi, spotty cellular reception and very little to actually do, Tom must also contend with superstitious locals who believe their island is cursed. Unfortunately, it seems the locals were right. After decades of calm, the old stories that seemed too ludicrous to be true start happening again.
The series is only available to those who have access to the Apple TV+ service. This is available either as a standalone subscription via its own dedicated app, or as an add-on through the Prime Video platform.
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TV fans can get Apple TV free for a week to stream shows like Ted Lasso, Severance and Slow Horses.
Early reviews have been extremely positive for Widow’s Bay. At the time of writing, Widow’s Bay has managed to record a perfect 100% rating on website Rotten Tomatoes against 23 reviews.
But how many episodes are there in the season? And when are each one supposed to arrive on the streaming service? Here’s all you need to know.
How many episodes are in Widow’s Bay and when are they released?
As mentioned, the series has celebrated a two episode premiere that landed today (April 29). Following instalments are expected to drop on a weekly basis each Wednesday.
Although there is one occasion when a couple later parts will arrive one the same day as a double bill. Here is the full schedule including episode titles of when each are expected to release.
Apple have not specified a release time, therefore episodes will be expected to become available at the usual time new titles land which is usually 8am local time.
Episode 1 – Welcome to Widow’s Bay, premiere date – April 29
Episode 2 – Lodging, premiere date – April 29
Episode 3 – The Inaugural Swim, premiere date – May 6
Episode 4 – Beach Reads, premiere date – May 13
Episode 5 – What To Expect On Your Trip, premiere date – May 20
Episode 6 – Our History, premiere date – May 27
Episode 7 – Seasickness, premiere date – May 27
Episode 8 – Your Baggage, premiere date – June 3
Episode 9 – Emergency Shelter, premiere date – June 10
Episode 10 – We Hope You Enjoyed Your Time, premiere date – June 17
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz, in place since April 13, has raised concerns that Iran could run out of crude oil storage capacity and be forced to curb production.
Bloomberg reported analysis on Tuesday from the data and analytics company Kpler suggesting Iran could run out of crude storage in 12 to 22 days if the blockade persists.
Last week, United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that storage capacity at Kharg Island, where most of Iran’s oil is exported, would be full “in a matter of days”.
So how quickly could Iran run out of oil storage, and why does it matter?
What is happening in the Strait of Hormuz?
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel that connects the Gulf to the open ocean. It spans the territorial waters of Iran on its northern side and Oman on its southern side. It is not in international waters.
During peacetime, 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies are shipped through the corridor.
Two days after the US and Israel launched their first air strikes in their war on Iran on February 28, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the commander in chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced that the strait was “closed”. If any vessels tried to pass through, he said, the IRGC and the navy would “set those ships ablaze”.
As the war has dragged on and negotiations have failed to achieve a settlement, Iran has at times in the past two months allowed some “friendly” ships and those that pay tolls to pass. It is currently refusing to allow any foreign-flagged ships, including those previously deemed friendly, to pass until the US lifts its own naval blockade.
Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said on April 19 that the “security of the Strait of Hormuz is not free”.
“One cannot restrict Iran’s oil exports while expecting free security for others,” he wrote in a post on X.
“The choice is clear: either a free oil market for all, or the risk of significant costs for everyone,” he added. “Stability in global fuel prices depends on a guaranteed and lasting end to the economic and military pressure against Iran and its allies.”
Since the US naval blockade on the strait began, the US has opened fire on and taken control of an Iranian-flagged tanker near the Strait of Hormuz while also redirecting vessels on the high seas transporting cargo to or from Iran. Iran’s armed forces have denounced these actions as “an illegal act” that “amounts to piracy”.
The US naval blockade of the strait means that Iran might have to store the oil it produces.
Iran is the third largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) after Saudi Arabia and Iraq and exports 90 percent of its crude oil via Kharg Island in the Gulf for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
What has the US claimed?
The US is eager to curb Iran’s oil revenues, which have risen since Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz to other shipping. This is the primary motive behind Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran exported 1.84 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil in March and shipped 1.71 million bpd in April, compared with an average of 1.68 million bpd in 2025, according to Kpler.
However, the US naval blockade since mid-April now means that most of its exports are having to be stored instead.
Bessent wrote in an X post on April 22: “In a matter of days, Kharg Island storage will be full and the fragile Iranian oil wells will be shut in.”
Iran’s domestic refineries have a production capacity of 2.6 million bpd, according to the energy consultancy Facts Global Energy.
Satellite data show the amount of oil Iran has in storage has risen sharply since the US blockade began, and in the days after the US tightened it, stocks were rising so fast that it appeared Iran had been barely able to export any oil at all.
From April 13 to April 21, data showed that stocks rose by more than 6 million barrels, according to the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP). From April 17 to April 21, the stock increased very rapidly, growing by 1.7 bpd.
As of April 20, the storage tanks at Kharg were about 74 percent full after the island alone had taken on about 3 million extra barrels of oil, the CGEP reported.
Generally, oil companies avoid filling their storage beyond 80 percent capacity to balance safety, emissions control and flexibility.
However, Iran and other oil producing countries have exceeded this limit before, for instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, Kharg island’s stocks reached close to 90 percent capacity, an all-time high.
Iran also has some crude oil storage capacity in the form of “floating tanks”, or parked ships. About 127 million barrels can be stored in this way, Frederic Schneider, a nonresident senior fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, told Al Jazeera in an interview on April 14.
Will Iran need to cut oil production?
Muyu Xu, a senior crude oil analyst at Kpler, told Al Jazeera that the blockade could eventually force Iran to cut production.
“However, given there is still available storage capacity onshore (roughly covering 20 days of Iran’s current production), we expect any production reduction to be gradual over the coming week with a higher likelihood of acceleration into May,” she said.
Analysis by CGEP nonresident fellow Antoine Halff echoed this. Halff wrote in an article published by CGEP on Tuesday that it may be some time before the US blockade causes Iran to shut off its production “in a big way”.
However, Halff added, Iran may still choose to halt production “fairly aggressively” but this “would be more by choice than by necessity”.
He explained: “Doing so would have the advantage of providing Iran with relatively ample spare storage capacity after the shutdown and would allow for a smoother restart of operations once conditions permit, and the constraint is relaxed, thus minimising adverse impacts from the blockade on longer-term supply.”
Why does this matter?
Halting oil production risks damaging underground reservoirs by reducing reservoir pressure, allowing water or gas to encroach into producing layers and changing patterns of oil flow. This can make some oil harder or more expensive to recover later, experts said.
Restarting the process of oil production can also be slow and costly, involving repairs of corroded equipment or unclogging pipelines.
Halting production would also cause Iran’s export revenues to drop. However, analysts said that for a few months, Iran can continue to earn revenue from oil that is already in transit at sea.
Kenneth Katzman, former Iran analyst at the Congressional Research Service in Washington, DC, said Iran is not exporting new oil during the US blockade of Iranian ports but Tehran has 160 million to 170 million barrels of oil on ships around the world currently.
FORMER X Factor winner Matt Cardle is set to come face to face with Simon Cowell on live TV again – 16 years after winning the ITV talent show.
I can reveal that Matt is being lined up to perform at one of the Britain’s Got Talent live finals in the coming weeks.
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Former X Factor winner Matt Cardle is set for a live TV reunion with Simon Cowell as he lines up for a performance on Britain’s Got Talent 16 years after his The X Factor winCredit: ITVMatt will take to the stage as part of a special performance of West End hit Kinky Boots, with Simon being a huge fan of musicalsCredit: Getty
Rather than performing new solo music, Matt will take to the stage as part of a special performance of West End hit Kinky Boots.
Bizarre’s Jack hung out on the set of her music video earlier this year, so we can’t wait to see that one live.
Zara‘s feeling f-Lush
Zara Larsson soaks up some rays ahead of headlining Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland next monthCredit: Main Rose/Charlotte RutherfordThis Friday she will release the deluxe version of her fifth album, Midnight Sun: Girls Trip, packed with collaborations, including Tyla and ShakiraCredit: Main Rose/Charlotte Rutherford
Zara Larsson has me counting down the days to my summer holiday after hopping on this float to promote her Main Rose swimwear brand.
She was living her own Lush Life as she soaked up some rays ahead of headlining Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderlandnext month.
This Friday she will release the deluxe version of her fifth album, Midnight Sun: Girls Trip, packed with collaborations, including Tyla and Shakira.
And it’s testament to Zara trusting herself.
On writing and recording the track, which came out last year, she said: “I stopped focusing so much on what I thought other people would want from me or what I thought radio would want, and just started focusing on what I wanted to do.
“Ironically that’s when people start caring.”
Liam family praise for Louis’s heartfelt concert
Some of Liam’s relatives, including his sister Nicola, were in a VIP box to see Louis perform at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena last weekendCredit: Getty
“It was extremely emotional, but really beautiful, and it meant a lot to be there.
“Your staging and your songs are beautiful. A truly special night.”
Louis has previously spoken warmly about Liam.
He said: “I could talk all day about how amazing he was.
“We all looked up to him, he was vastly experienced before any of us had done anything.
“If he could just for five minutes live in my head or your head and see how we perceive him, he would be so shocked.
“He was pure.”
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella collab Bring Your Love drops this Friday as the superstars release the official audioCredit: Instagram
The wait for Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s collaboration is almost over, as it’s being released this Friday.
The superstars recently performed Bring Your Love at Coachella and now they are putting out the official audio.
The pair made the announcement yesterday when they shared a new photo of themselves with the caption: “We’ve got something to say about it,” which is a reference to Madonna’s 1989 song Express Yourself.
It will be the first official single from the Queen of Pop’s forthcoming album Confessions On A Dancefloor: Part II, after she released a teaser track, I Feel So Free, earlier this month.
Humanize 102 words
Pink girl’s a leg-end
Pink with daughter WillowCredit: Getty
Pink has sold out stadiums and had No1s across the globe, but as far as daughter Willow is concerned she’s top of the charts as an embarrassing mum.
At the opening night of The Lost Boys musical in New York they posed for photots on the red carpet.
But while standing in front of the snappers, Pink gestured at the slit in Willow’s skirt and said, “Show off your legs,” to which the youngster snapped: “No!”
Alan’s tequila stunrise
Alan Carr has been revealing secrets on his Life’s A Beach podcastCredit: Getty
Alan Carr once fell in the Serpentine in London’s Hyde Park after drinking “hallucinogenic tequila” on his Chatty Man TV show.
The comedian said he was still feeling the effects the next day as he walked his dogs and suffered a mishap.
He explained he’d had a tequila the night before but was given a hallucinogenic one by mistake.
He added: “I couldn’t sober up and I fell in the Serpentine, p***ed.
“My old dog Bev, bless her, she dropped the ball in the Serpentine and I went forward to pick it up. And I think all the tequila rushed to the front of my head and I just fell in.”
Speaking on his Life’s A Beach podcast, he added: “In films, the dogs are meant to jump in and save you, but they were just wagging their tails, like, ‘What’s this p***head done again?’
“So I was just soaking wet and I had to walk . . . You know, when people are pulling their kids away, ‘Come away from the strange man,’ and all that.”
Capital’s Summertime Ball is returning to London, taking over Wembley Stadium to entertain 80,000 fans on June 6.
The line-up will be revealed by Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby on Capital Breakfast this morning and tomorrow, before tickets go on sale through the Global Player app at 9am on Thursday.
Gracie has secret follow-up
Gracie Abrams’ new record is rumoured to be all about falling for Normal People actor Paul MescalCredit: Getty
Gracie Abrams is back, two years after her album The Secret Of Us topped the charts.
The American singer released a teaser on Instagram yesterday, and it appears to be a snippet from the lead single for her upcoming third album.
The record is rumoured to be all about falling for Normal People actor Paul Mescal, although it doesn’t sound like it’s been smooth sailing.
They were reported to have briefly split in early 2025, and the song will do little to shut down that speculation.
Gracie sings: “I used to see clearly but it’s bloodshot. And I want you so badly but I closed off.
“I used to think we’d get married. But I guess not.”
Last summer we revealed Paul was at Gracie’s Glastonbury set, singing along to every word.
In February, they made their red-carpet debut at the Baftas in London.
And last month I told how Gracie had moved from LA into Paul’s London home, while he films the upcoming Beatles biopics.
Her last album was all about heartbreak, but I’m expecting some sunnier moments this time around.
PLANNING a holiday, staycation or day out should be exciting but eye-watering prices can turn it into a wallet-draining nightmare.
But you don’t have to pay full whack. From dirt-cheap flights to cut-price hotels and bargain days out, there are loads of easy ways to cut the costs.
There are loads of ways you can save on your holidays, flights, accommodation and days outCredit: GettyTravel reporter Cyann Fielding has found all the best websites to save you cash on your holiday.Credit: Cyann Fielding
Whether you’re chasing a last-minute break, a cheap stay or discounted tickets, here’s how to do it for less and keep more cash in your pocket.
Websites
Secret Flying
The Secret Flying website hunts out super-cheap deals and “error fares” – bargain flights caused by pricing glitches – and links you straight to booking sites like Skyscanner.
It’s free to use and lists offers by region, but you’ll need to be flexible on dates and destinations to bag the best ones.
The biggest bargains sell out fast, so it’s worth signing up for alerts to stay one step ahead.
Holiday Hypermarket
Holiday Hypermarket is owned by the TUI group and is the discount website for TUI holidays where they guarantee that you won’t find a TUI, Marella or Crystal holiday cheaper anywhere else.
With up to 70 per cent off brochure prices, they sell a lot of last minute breaks – but with the same TUI flights, hotels and transfers.
Luxury Escapes
A website that offers high end holidays at affordable prices is Luxury Escapes.
They negotiate directly with hotels to get good deals on holiday bundles, including flights, accommodation and extras like free cocktails, massages and childcare.
Hostelworld
If you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful and don’t mind bunking up with other people then Hostelworld is a useful tool.
It will help you to search for hostels in the destination you’re heading to and compare prices.
It can also find hostels with private rooms too if you don’t want to share.
Cashback sites
While it might not save youmoneyon you’re current holiday – it could save you some cash on the next one.
At Quidco you can get at as much as 3.75 per cent on an EasyJet holiday (which works out at as £11 back on a £300 trip)
Or there is hotels.com, which gives you seven per cent cashback (£14 if you book a hotel for two nights at £200).
Other brands include TUI, British Airways, Trainline and Skyscanner. so it is worth checking if you can claim anything before you book.
Apps
02 Priority
If your phone contract is with O2, then you really should download Priority.
In addition to entering competitions to win holidays, you can often get discounts on holiday packages, concerts, and events.
For example, you can get four tickets to Vue cinemas for £18 or two for £9.
Or save £220 when you spend £2,000 with lastminute.com.
MiXR.
The MiXR. app shows local pubs, clubs and bars where you can reserve a table and pre-book food or drink packages.
But it can also get you savings.
Each time you spend money on your linked card at a partnered bar or pub, you’ll get points.
Get to 5,000 points and you’ll have a £5 voucher (each £1 you spend you get 50 points).
There are also offers on the app including 25 per cent off Camden Hells beer.
Apps such as MiXR. and Dusk can save you on drinks outCredit: Getty
Dusk
Dusk dubs itself ‘the free drink app’ and it isn’t lying.
The app shows you which bars and pubs in your area have deals on and the exact route to get there.
If you scroll, you’ll find specific venues have a sticker on them offering a free drink.
For example, it could say ‘free espresso martinis on Monday at 3pm’, which means you can get that drink for free if you visit that specific venue at the given time.
Some of the venues are marked with yellow stars which means you can earn points too.
Once you’ve collected a number of points you can exchange for drinks.
For example, 200 points gets you a free bottle of prosecco at Be At One, 500 points can get you 50 per cent off at Karaoke Room and so on.
You can use Dusk in a number of cities across the UK including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Brighton, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Cardiff, Sheffield, Bath, Exeter, Norwich, Bournemouth, Hull and York.
Eat Club
Having only launched in the UK last year, Eat Club is now available in London and Manchester.
The app shows you nearby restaurants that have spare tables, great for last-minute plans.
You can also get great discounts, such as up to 50 per cent off of your bill.
There are also some apps that will save you money on food, such as Too Good To Go and Eat ClubCredit: Getty
Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go is an app that prevents food waste by selling off items leftover at the end of the day.
The app is partnered with a number of brands including Greggs and Pizza Express.
If you jump onto the app and use the map function, you will find stores near you that have bags of food to sell for a few quid before the end of the day.
Having used the app numerous times, I usually pay around £3.50 for a bag that contains over £20 worth of food.
I have even used it in New York, when finding a budget lunch option seemed impossible.
Unidays
If you are a student or recent graduate, you should sign up to an account with Unidays.
It is free to joing, you’ll just need your student email and then you can make savings such as getting two Cineworld tickets for £13 and 30 per cent off Hilton hotel stays.
If you are a student, there are a couple of student apps where you can get discountsCredit: Getty
Student Beans
Similar to the above, Student Beans is a discount app for anyone studying. With a student email you can benefit from discounts such as 25 per cent off of National Express travel and 10 per cent off of Ryanair flights.
Cheapskate London
Cheapskate London is a free newsletter released each Monday that shares the best free and cheap things to do across the capital.
Previous free events include educational talks, family activity sessions at museums, and even building your own wormery.
Accor
If you subscribe to the Accornewsletter, you will typically get 10 per cent off hotel stays.
You’ll also get exclusive offers and personalised deals.
Nectar
If you shop at Sainsbury’s and don’t have a Nectar account then you’re really missing out.
When you do your weekly food shop, you’ll rack up points which you can then use on your holiday.
For example, you can spend your points on Eurostar journeys, British Airways flights and more.
Loyalty programmes such as Nectar allow you to build points to use against things such as flightsCredit: Getty
Avios
Avios are loyalty points that you can collect and use mainly with British Airways for flights, hotels and upgrades.
You can earn them by flying with British Airways or its partners, as long as you have an account.
If you build up enough points, you can purchase flights and pay only a small cash fee for admin such as tax and fees.
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy’s hotel loyalty programme is free to join and covers around 10,000 destinations across the globe.
Members earn points with each stay and then the points can be redeemed on free nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors is free to join, and much like Marriott Bonvoy, is the hotel’s loyalty programme.
Members earn points on stays and everyday activities which can then be redeemed on free stays and experiences as well.
Members tend to get 10 points per £1 spent.
Hotel chains often have their own loyalty programmes that offer 10 per cent discountsCredit: Getty
Paid-for memberships
The Nudge
Costing just £5 per month The Nudge is an insider’s guide to London and often reports on the latest openings in the capital.
The discounts are easy to find on the app and include deals like 40 per cent off at Greek seafood restaurant Kimu in Marylebone or 50 per cent off food at The Culpeper in Spitalfields.
There are also discounts on events such as 50 per cent off of tickets to Burger Fest in Richmond and even pampering treatments like £50 off facials at Skinwork in Soho or 40 per cent off access to Lowlu open-air sauna in Kentish Town.
The Nudge will also run member events such as exclusive supper clubs.
Blue Light
If you work in the NHS or the emergency services, you probably already know about Blue Light.
Blue Light, which costs £4.99 for a two-year membership, gets you discounts at major brands, restaurants and entertainment venues as well as £100 off your TUI holiday or 15 per cent off Away Resorts.
You can even get a discount on airport parking, such as five per cent at London Gatwick.
Railcard
Railcards aren’t just for youngsters, there are all sorts of railcards you can get.
In general, they will get you a third off most rail fares and cost between £30 and £35 each year.
Different railcards include 16-25-year-olds, 26-30-year-olds, Senior (over 60 years old) and Disabled Persons.
There’s also a Family and Friends Railcard which gets adults a third off their rail fare and then 60 per cent off kids’ rail fares if they are aged between five and 15 years old.
And if you are heading off on a number of staycations, make sure you have a railcardCredit: Alamy
Trusted Housesitters
Accommodation costs can bump up the total cost of your holiday, but there is a way around this.
With Trusted Housesitters, you can head to someone’s home and stay there while they are away and all you need to do is look after their pet.
It operates in 180 countries and essentially is a win-win system as the person going away needs a pet sitter and you want somewhere to stay.
Members pay an annual fee to use the platform, which range from £99 to £199.
Dis-loyalty
Dis-loyalty is a travel and food membership that costs £12 a month to join.
In return, you’ll earn points and get discounts on hotel stays, such as 50 per cent off newly opened hotels.
You can also grab a free hot drink each day at one of the membership’s participating locations.
Days Out with the Kids
Days Out with the Kids is the perfect site if you are looking for inspiration during the weekends or school holidays.
The website is partnered with over 8,500 attractions across the UK, and offers members access to exclusive discounts.
The membership costs £4.99 per month, but according to the website, it saves families an average of £12.99 per trip.
Hols from £9.50
If you want to head to a holiday park in the UK or Europe, The Sun’s Hols from £9.50 has over 20 holiday parks to choose from.
To benefit from the £9.50 deal, you have to collect five codewords printed in the paper over a set period of time and enter them on the Sun Holidays website.
Alternatively, to avoid needing a passcode you can join Sun Club for £1.99.
For more offers on holidays travel companies have revealed the cheapest places to book – with week-long holidays from £189.
The town has a variety of independent shops and places to eat.
I live in a quaint riverside town full of independent shops – it’s one of the best places to live(Image: Sophie Harris)
From Cotswolds villages to seaside towns, the UK is home to a variety of stunning towns. I love exploring them but to live in one for a substantial amount of time it really has to tick my boxes. After living in Windsor for several years, I was sceptical about moving to a new place. But this hidden gem town just outside London is much quieter and more peaceful.
About 28 miles from London, Marlow is on a scenic stretch of the River Thames and surrounded by the rolling countryside of the Chiltern Hills. Its historic high street and picturesque setting attract visitors from all over the country, yet it still remains fairly quiet, compared to nearby towns like Henley-on-Thames. The town was recorded in the Domesday book as an established settlement, valued for its fertile land and river access.
It then developed as a river crossing and trading point before becoming known for malting and brewing. In the 19th century, the construction of the bridge began to improve connections across the Thames, and the arrival of the railway later in the century further boosted accessibility and growth.
Now, it’s an affluent residential and leisure destination known for its riverside setting, bustling high street and outstanding food scene. It’s regularly voted as one of the best places to live in the UK.
There’s a lot to do and see in the town, including hiring a rowing boat, visiting Higginson Park for a picnic, and visiting the market.
The picturesque high street is full of independent boutiques and eateries, including The Cheese Shed, The Marlow Bookshop and The Dresser. I’m also a huge fan of Laurent’s, an Italian cafe and deli serving delicious sandwiches and coffee. Marlow also hosts regular markets where visitors can find local produce, including delicious homemade gelato by Agosti Gelato and juices from Marlow Juices. The town is well-regarded for its food scene, including award-winning pubs and Michelin-starred dining.
The Hand and Flowers is perhaps the town’s most celebrated restaurant, as it was the first pub in the country to be awarded two Michelin stars, a distinction it still holds today. It’s owned by celebrity chef Tom Kerridge and elevates classic British dishes with refined techniques and bold flavours. However, dining here doesn’t come cheap, with prices for a set Sunday lunch around £195.
Housing and living costs tend to be above the national average, reflecting its desirability and commuter-friendly location. According to Rightmove, the average price of a house in Marlow over the last year was just shy of £700,000. This is more than double the UK’s current average of £290,000, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The town is also close to towns and villages like Bourne End, Cookham, and Bray, and exploring Cliveden, a National Trust property, is my favourite weekend destination.
Jimmy Bullard took Adam Thomas to task over their I’m A Celebrity row, which he claims was a lot longer and much more expletive ridden than was aired
09:57, 25 Apr 2026Updated 09:58, 25 Apr 2026
Jimmy Bullard spoke out(Image: ITV)
Jimmy Bullard ranted at Adam Thomas over their I’m A Celebrity spat during the live final last night.
In extraordinary live television, Jimmy had explained what really happened with the row between him and Adam over the Rancid Run trial. He said he had told everyone he planned to leave – after the trial was changed from collecting stars to staying in the competition.
He had said for his own reasons – thought to be his father’s health – he wanted to go home, but because of his contract, he would have to quit a certain way or he wouldn’t receive his full fee.
During an extraordinary moment last night, Jimmy said: “Listen, Adam and all of you can be upset with me and I absolutely threw him under the bus, I get it and I’ll wear that.
“But what I don’t stand on, is someone being abusive, aggressive and intimidating, I don’t stand on that.” He then asked Ant and Dec – who were hosting the show – to share their opinions.
“You [Ant and Dec] were there and you didn’t show any of that footage. You didn’t show any of the C-bombs, it’s a liberty,” Jimmy told them. Ant then argued back: “The reason we didn’t air the C-bomb is because that is unbroadcastable. I was there and I didn’t think it was intimidating. I was there Jim.”
David Haye then stepped in to back Jimmy over Adam, who was sat in front of him. Adam then stepped in to say: “Let the finalists speak,” as he was cheered on by the audience.
Adam then said: “I take full responsibility for my actions and yes emotions were definitely running high in that moment. I have nothing but love for Jimmy in that moment. I have apologised to Jimmy on numerous occasions and I do take everything that he is saying into account and the only thing I can do is apologise.
“That is not how I want to show myself off and I have never shown myself off like that before or after that. I do apologise Jimmy.”
David then said: “Funny way of showing it,” as Ant and Dec stopped him from speaking.
“I like to say how I see it, I like to keep it real and what I have seen is a lot of editing to make this poor guy [Adam] the victim so the people will support him,” David continued to say, as boos filled the audience, “We all had banter back and forth, a lot of it was cut out from their side. But I think it is time for the truth.”
Sinitta then stormed off stage as she told the audience: “Guys, you weren’t there, I was there and it was aggressive and abusive, we were shaking.” Gemma, who is a support for Adam, also walked off the stage.
“You can’t be aggressive, abusive and intimating, it doesn’t matter if Adam said sorry. I will not take you [Ant] saying it wasn’t aggressive, abusive and intimating, you can’t say that. Show it, let everyone watch it, let’s play it now!” Jimmy said.
Ant and Dec then closed things off, saying: “Right, let’s leave it there. We’ll agree to disagree Jim.”
A high number of cases were reported in the last 12 months – with a 5-fold increase in some areas – and 143 deaths
Man applies insect repellent on his hand. Foreign Office is telling people to take precautions when visiting some countries due to yellow fever outbreaks(Image: Getty)
Travellers have been warned about the resurgence of a disease spread by mosquitos with ‘high risk’ in 42 countries. The Foreign Office-backed Travel Health Pro website this week issued an alert over the virus spreading in parts of Africa, Central and South America, and in Trinidad in the Caribbean.
Yellow Fever can cause a serious haemorrhagic illness that can be fatal for humans. Yellow fever vaccination and mosquito bite avoidance are important preventive measures against the disease, officials said. Yellow fevefr virus can cause an illness that results in jaundice , yellowing of the skin and eyes, and bleeding with severe damage to the major organs such as liver, kidneys and heart. The mortality rate is high in those who develop severe disease.
Travel Health Pro said yellow fever is a risk in areas of 13 countries and territories in South and Central America. A high number of cases were reported from this region in 2025, with 346 confirmed human cases (including 143 deaths) from seven countries.
This represents a 5.6-fold increase in cases compared to 2024. Since the beginning of 2026, a total of 41 confirmed cases (including 18 deaths) have been reported from four countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.
In 2024, most yellow fever cases were reported from the Amazon region. Officials said: “While YF cases continue to be reported in this area, cases have since been reported in a wider geographic area, outside the Amazon region. This includes in Sao Paulo State in Brazil and Tolima Department in Colombia. In addition, reports suggest recent human YF cases in Venezuela have occurred in an area that had not previously been considered a risk for YF disease.
“Risk of YF outbreaks in South America remains high. An outbreak in Colombia has been ongoing since mid-2024, with 153 confirmed cases (including 62 deaths) reported. The confirmed reporting of YF cases in a wider geographic area, including cases related to jungle transmission near to urban centres, increases the risk of urban outbreaks [1]. While YF vaccination is one of the most successful public health interventions to prevent YF disease, the COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors, has led to a reduction of YF vaccine cover in the local population.”
It added that yell;ow fever risk countries in Africa continue to report probable and confirmed cases. During 2024, confirmed cases of YF were reported in countries with no recent history of transmission and suboptimal vaccination coverage.
WHO also advise that in some African countries, there may be under-reporting of YF due to surveillance and data collection issues. The risk of YF transmission remains high in endemic areas of Africa. The mosquitoes (Aedes spp.) that transmit YF are common in many urban areas in Africa. This significantly increases the risk of YF spreading, especially in heavily populated areas, which could lead to the rapid onset of YF outbreaks.
Countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission as defined by the World Health Organization
Africa
Angola
Benin
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad*
Congo
Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia*
Gabon
The Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya*
Liberia
Mali*
Mauritania*
Niger*
Nigeria
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Sudan*
Togo
Uganda
Central and South America
Argentina*
Bolivia*
Brazil*
Colombia*
Ecuador*
French Guiana
Guyana
Panama*
Paraguay*
Peru*
Suriname
Trinidad and Tobago*
Venezuela*
*Only some parts of this country have a risk of yellow fever disease. Remaining areas either have low potential for yellow fever transmission or no risk.
Signs and symptoms
YF varies in severity. The infection has an incubation period (time from infected mosquito feeding to symptoms developing) of three to six days. Initial symptoms include myalgia (muscle pain), pyrexia (high temperature), headache, anorexia (lack of appetite), nausea, and vomiting. In many patients there will be improvement in symptoms and gradual recovery three to four days after the onset of symptoms.
Within 24 hours of an apparent recovery, 15 to 25 percent of patients progress to a more serious illness. This takes the form of an acute haemorrhagic fever, in which there may be bleeding from the mouth, eyes, ears, and stomach, pronounced jaundice (yellowing of the skin, from which the disease gets its name), and renal (kidney) damage. The patient develops shock and there is deterioration of major organ function; 20 to 50 percent of patients who develop this form of the disease do not survive [22]. Infection results in lifelong immunity in those who recover.
Situated along the UK coast is a county brimming with quintessential British villages and an array of scenic walking routes, and the most hygienic soft play centre for little ones
This UK county is brimming with pretty villages and scenic vistas (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A beautiful UK county with ample walking routes and picturesque villages has the ‘cleanest soft play’ centre.
Soft play centres, with their cushioned equipment, ball pits, mats, slides and climbing frames, are not only a great way to keep young children entertained, but they also support their development. Children can improve their social skills, enhance their coordination, and develop physical movement while stimulating imagination and creativity in a fun, safe and secure environment.
So it’s no wonder that soft play is popular among parents and their little ones. Yet parents not only want to ensure the soft play is suitable for their child, but also want to know it’s hygienic before planning a visit.
Luckily, the outdoor play specialists at Outdoor Toys have uncovered the cleanest soft play centres across 20 of the most popular UK counties, and there’s one that stood out from them all. Somerset ranked as the most hygienic soft play, according to the toy experts’ analysis of Tripadvisor reviews.
The experts revealed that fewer than 4 in 100 reviews mentioned hygiene issues at Somerset’s soft plays. Instead, unsanitary reviews made up just a mere 3.9% of all feedback on TripAdvisor, and parents praised the “clean and airy” environment at Space Adventurers Indoor Play in Taunton.
Other highly rated centres in Somerset include Play Haven SoftPlay, Ocean Adventurers Soft Play, and Safari Tots. But it’s not just the children’s play centres that warrant a visit to the county.
Somerset is packed with picture-perfect villages and picture-postcard landscapes, set against rolling hills, patchwork fields, dramatic gorges, coastal shores and ancient woodlands. Thanks to its acres of lush landscapes, the county is famously home to Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, and when the festival isn’t on, it offers ample walking opportunities, including to the summit of Glastonbury Tor.
Dunster is considered one of the prettiest villages in Somerset, with its preserved medieval architecture, more than 200 listed buildings and 17th-century Yarn Market, nestled within Exmoor National Park. There’s also the picturesque village of Selworthy, with its array of thatched cottages, All Saints Church, and scenic walking routes to Selworthy Beacon, a hill and Marilyn of Exmoor, which offer panoramic views across the coast.
There’s also the small village of Allerford, with its whitewashed thatched cottages and 15th-century packhorse bridge, located on the edge of Exmoor National Park. As well as the historic village of Mells, which has often been dubbed one of the prettiest in the UK, thanks to its ‘chocolate-box’ charm, with honey-coloured houses and walks along the Wadbury Valley and Mells River.
So why not combine a trip to the cleanest soft play centre with exploring the stunning vistas of Somerset? And with its position along the coast, you could even spend a day at the seaside during the warmer months.
Top 10 regions with the cleanest play areas
1.Somerset
Total reviews: 908
Unsanitary reviews: 35
Unsanitary reviews (%): 3.9%
2. South Yorkshire
Total reviews: 1,040
Unsanitary reviews: 57
Unsanitary reviews (%): 5.5%
3. Lancashire
Total reviews: 1,106
Unsanitary reviews: 65
Unsanitary reviews (%): 5.9%
4. Greater Manchester
Total reviews: 1,344
Unsanitary reviews: 87
Unsanitary reviews (%): 6.5%
5. Nottinghamshire
Total reviews: 401
Unsanitary reviews: 33
Unsanitary reviews (%): 8.2%
6. Essex
Total reviews: 1019
Unsanitary reviews: 87
Unsanitary reviews (%): 8.5%
7. Hampshire
Total reviews: 1,020
Unsanitary reviews: 96
Unsanitary reviews (%): 9.4%
8. Lincolnshire
Total reviews: 564
Unsanitary reviews: 55
Unsanitary reviews (%): 9.8%
9. North Yorkshire
Total reviews: 457
Unsanitary reviews: 50
Unsanitary reviews (%): 10.9%
10. West Midlands
Total reviews: 447
Unsanitary reviews: 49
Unsanitary reviews (%): 11.0%
Kim May, Creative Arts Therapist at ISP Fostering, revealed the benefits of soft play centres for young children. She told the Outdoor Toys team: “Spending time in play centres helps children to embrace the play and imagination stages of their development and is beneficial for socialisation and the development of physical and cognitive skills.
“When children are in their most infant years, development is about harnessing imagination and mobility skills, and lots of what they learn is through sensory experiences – soft play can positively contribute to this. For children under four years old in particular, they rely on their sensory memory a lot (taste, touch, sound, feel, and sight). Even if a child is too small to physically move or interact with toys or a play area, they are still learning and developing through their senses.”
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There would even be standing desks so people could work in there too, along with power sockets and coat hooks etc.
The airline manufacturer said it would make the most of unused space in the cabin, and make it easier to stay connected especially on long haul flights.
Boeing chief designer Tom Eaton said it could become more like a “mini office”.
He explained: “A space like this can offer so much versatility to help people communicate and remain connected.
“And it is nice to be in a space where you don’t feel like you’re disrupting people.”
It comes as a number of airlines have started rolling out superfast Starlink onboard.
Virgin Atlantic was the first UK airline to launch Starlink WiFi onboard, followed by British Airways.
The Sun’s Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski recently tried it out for herself.
Our favourite plane essentials
*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Sleep headphones These soft sleep headphones make listening to music much more comfortable, particularly when you are trying to sleep. Built in are two mini speakers that connect to Bluetooth, saving you that horrible discomfort that comes with traditional headphones.
Underseat cabin bag This perfect underseat cabin bag will become your best friend on flights. Plain black, collapsible and barrel-shaped, this bag is designed to slide perfectly into those pesky luggage-sizers at the airport gates. Save yourself the extra baggage fee and come prepared.
Waterproof mobile phone pouch Keep your phone bone-dry and your hands free with this handy waterproof pouch. If you’re splashing in the sea or jumping on a paddle board, your tech will stay safe from splashes. The touch-sensitive screen means you can still snap selfies, too.
Eye mask Trying to sleep on a brightly-lit plane is next to impossible, but napping becomes much easier with one of these. Eye masks can be useful when travelling with kids who need to sleep, as they block out all the light and distractions.
She said: “I didn’t need to pay a penny extra to use it on board my British Airways plane – nor will any other customers.
“The new WiFi model operates differently to its current one. On its typical internet-enabled aircrafts, passengers currently have to create a British Airways account in order to gain access to free messaging services, but that’s not the case for its Starlink aircrafts – a simple click of a button will get you online in seconds.
“Downloading your Netflix shows ahead of travel will become a thing of the past, with high speed streaming enabled, and pre-ordering your Uber ahead of landing will make the overall process of travelling much smoother.
“Personally, I’m most pleased that I could catch up on boring home and work admin, so that it didn’t eat into time in my holiday destination.”
The Aircrafts Interior Expo also had a number of other interesting cabin designs.
Passengers, especially from Britain, have been facing waits of up to three hours at border control, missing flights after new system was introduced
07:58, 24 Apr 2026Updated 08:02, 24 Apr 2026
The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System has caused chaos for UK holidaymakers(Image: Getty Images)
Spanish airports are taking steps to tackle border control chaos affecting British travellers, according to reports from the popular holiday destination. The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System became fully operational on April 10, 2026, and within hours, airports throughout the Schengen zone were plunged into turmoil. Passengers endured waits of up to three hours at border control, missed flights, and were left spending thousands arranging their own journeys home.
Several countries have already responded, with Greece temporarily suspending the new EES entry/exit border control system after non-EU passengers, particularly those from the United Kingdom, encountered lengthy queues. Now the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports that airport authority AENA has apparently directed staff to take whatever measures possible to streamline the process and cut waiting times.
According to VisaHQ, while officials at Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Málaga, Alicante and Palma airports have confirmed the technology is functioning properly, they have admitted that passenger numbers during peak periods rapidly overwhelmed checkpoint capacity throughout Easter week. Based on guidance issued to frontline personnel on Tuesday evening, airports may temporarily redirect families and travellers with reduced mobility to conventional stamping queues when biometric queue waiting times surpass 25 minutes. They may also stagger flight arrivals through coordination with Aena’s slot management team, a measure already trialled in Málaga. These steps are reportedly “adjustments, not a suspension”, with biometric capture remaining compulsory for first-time registrants.
The new EES system, which was initially introduced back in October, has faced substantial criticism from the travel industry and airlines, and several countries are said to be weighing up whether to follow Greece’s lead with the summer season mere weeks away and the travel sector having to contend with the Middle East crisis alongside threats of fuel shortages and rising airfares, which are doing little to bolster consumer confidence.
AENA airports
A Coruña (LCG)
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD)
Albacete (ABC)
Algeciras (AEI)
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández (ALC)
Almería (LEI)
Asturias (OVD)
Badajoz (BJZ)
Bilbao (BIO)
Burgos (RGS)
Ceuta (JCU)
César Manrique-Lanzarote (ACE)
Córdoba (ODB)
El Hierro (VDE)
Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén (GRX)
Fuerteventura (FUE)
Girona-Costa Brava (GRO)
Gran Canaria (LPA)
Huesca-Pirineos (HSK)
Ibiza (IBZ)
Jerez (XRY)
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat (BCN)
La Gomera (GMZ)
La Palma (SPC)
Budget carrier Ryanair this week announced that passengers requiring its airport check-in or bag-drop services will need to complete the process 20 minutes earlier. The airline confirmed it will close these services an hour before a flight’s scheduled departure – compared with 40 minutes at present – to allow passengers additional time to navigate security and passport checks. This will cut down on the “very small number of passengers” who miss their flight while caught in queues, the airline added. Ryanair’s website states that passengers who fail to check in on time “may be denied boarding without refund”.
The new policy will take effect from November 10 and follows the introduction of the EES.
The British travel association ABTA has said that alongside implementing the contingency measures, destinations and border authorities must do more to prepare for peak travel periods. This should include deploying additional border guards during the busiest times. Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said: “The ambition of a project like EES means it was never going to go completely smoothly, and we were prepared for that.
“However, what is frustrating is that border authorities have it within their power to ease queues and deal with issues as they arise – but that doesn’t seem to be happening across the board. As we head towards peak travel periods, we’re urging border authorities to plan for busy periods and use the contingency measure available. It’s critical the Commission keeps a close eye on this.”
Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady said the “small 20-minute change” will “allow these 20% of our customers who check in a bag more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on time”. He added that this will be particularly important “during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer”. Numerous UK travellers are experiencing hold-ups at airports across continental Europe due to the introduction of new border regulations.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) requires visitors from non-member countries such as the UK to have their fingerprints recorded and photograph captured to enter the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries, predominantly within the EU.
Earlier this month, over 100 easyJet passengers caught up in lengthy waits at passport control at Milan Linate airport missed their flight to Manchester. Ryanair has announced it is rolling out additional self-service bag drop kiosks throughout its network.
By October, more than 95% of the airports it operates from will be equipped with these facilities.
The sharp rise in the cost of jet fuel, driven by escalating tensions in the US-Israel war with Iran, has forced several airlines to hike fares, cut routes and reassess their financial forecasts
Virgin Atlantic is adding fuel charges to fares(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Multiple airlines are cancelling flights and introducing new charges as a deepening jet fuel crisis sends shockwaves through the global aviation industry.
Prices have surged dramatically in recent weeks, climbing from roughly $85-$90 per barrel to as high as $150-$200, driven by escalating tensions in the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The sharp rise in costs has now forced carriers to hike fares, cut routes and reassess their financial forecasts. The spike has triggered warnings of major disruption, with International Energy chief Fatih Birol cautioning that Europe could have as little as six weeks of jet fuel supply remaining if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed.
There are more than 30 airlines around the world who say they have been forced to cancel flights or add charges:
AirAsia X – Cut around 10% of flights and introduced a fuel surcharge of roughly 20%.
Air France-KLM – Raising long-haul fares, plus cabin fares by 50 euros per round trip, as well as cancelling flights. KLM, the group’s Dutch arm, is set to scrap 160 European services in the coming months.
Air India – Switching to distance-based fuel surcharges, warning current pricing does not cover rising costs, reports the Independent.
Air New Zealand – Reducing flights through May and June, increasing fares and suspending its full-year earnings forecast.
Akasa Air – Introducing fuel surcharges ranging between 199 and 1,300 Indian rupees ($2 to $14) on both domestic and international routes.
Alaska Air – Increasing checked baggage fees by up to $150 on North American routes, as well as for its Hawaiian Airlines unit.
American Airlines – Raising baggage fees by $10 each for the first and second checked bags and by $150 for the third checked bag, while cutting some economy benefits.
Asiana Airlines – Cutting 22 flightsbetween April and July due to fuel costs.
Cathay Pacific – Cancelling a small portion of flights from mid-May until the end of June and increasing fuel surcharges.
China Eastern Airlines – The airline said it would raise fuel surcharges for domestic flights from April 5, with flights of 800km and below hit with a 60 yuan ($9) surcharge and a 120 yuan surcharge for flights over 800km.
Delta Airlines – Delta said it would cut capacity by around 3.5 percentage points from its original plan and raise fees for checked bags.
Easyjet – CEO Kenton Jarvis previously said European consumers should expect higher ticket prices towards the end of summer, when existing fuel hedges come to an end.
Greater Bay Airlines – Said it would raise fuel surcharges on most routes from April 1, while keeping them unchanged on mainland China and Japan routes. Its surcharge for flights between Hong Kong and the Philippines will more than double, the carrier said.
Hong Kong Airlines – The airline said it would raise fuel surcharges by up to 35% from March 12, with the sharpest increase on flights between Hong Kong and the Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal
Indigo – India’s biggest airline said it would introduce fuel charges on domestic and international flights from March 14.
Jetblue Airways – The US-based low-cost carrier said it was increasing fees for optional services such as checked baggage as it experiences “rising operating costs”. Baggage prices will rise by either $4 or $9, it said.
Lufthansa – Grounding 27 planes early and cutting more aircraft from its fleet.
Norse Atlantic Airways – Axed its London Gatwick to Los Angeles route because of fuel costs.
Pakistan International Airlines – Raising domestic fares by $20 and international fares by up to $100.
SAS – Will cancel 1,000 flights in April after already hiking fares.
Spring Airlines – The airline will raise domestic fuel surcharges from April 5.
Southwest Airlines – Hiking baggage fees to $45 for a first bag and $55 for a second.
SunExpress – The airline will add a temporary 10-euro fuel surcharge on Turkey-Europe routes.
TAP Air Portugal – Said fare rises would soften the blow from higher fuel prices.
Thai Airways – Increasing fares by up to 15%.
United Airlines – United Airlines is scaling back loss-making routes over the next six months. It has also been able to push up fares without seeing a major impact on bookings, chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella said, despite the sharp rise in oil and jet fuel costs.
United is also increasing first and second checked baggage fees by $10 for customers travelling within the US, Mexico, Canada and Latin America, according to Reuters.
VietJet Air – Cut flights on some routes because of fuel shortages.
Vietnam Airlines – plans to cancel 23 domestic flights a week from April. The airline reportedly requested government assistance to remove an environmental tax on jet fuel.
Virgin Atlantic – The airline is adding fuel surcharges to fares and will still struggle to return to profitability this year, its CEO Corneel Koster told the Financial Times.
Volotea – Introduced a pricing policy that could add fuel surcharges of up to 14 euros per passenger.
WestJet – Cutting seats, combining flights and adding a C$60 fuel surcharge on some bookings, according to the Canadian press
For the first time, BBC will air the first ever full-length series of the show – six episodes filmed across six weeks – as the celebrities will face a range of weekly business challenges set by the business mogul
Zara Zubeidi Deputy Showbiz Editor
09:37, 19 Apr 2026Updated 09:38, 19 Apr 2026
The Celebrity Apprentice line-up has been confirmed(Image: RAY BURMISTON/BBC)
For the first time ever, BBC will air the first ever full-length series of the show – six episodes filmed across six weeks – as the celebrities face a range of weekly business challenges set by the business mogul.
Competing for the chance to win a £100,000 donation to a charity of their choice, they will each be hoping to prove their business acumen and ultimately be crowned The Celebrity Apprentice winner.
There will be another change to this star-studded series – the boardroom will relocate to a London City skyscraper, providing a distinctive new setting for Lord Sugar’s final deliberations.
The full line up includes Alexandra Burke, actor Danny Miller, presenter Gethin Jones, dancer and presenter Jordan Banjo, journalist Kay Burley, actress and online personality Maddie Grace Jepson, presenter, podcaster and content creator Max Balegde, Gladiator Sheli McCoy, UK garage legend DJ Spoony, TV and BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson, comedian and writer Laura Smyth and television personality Toni Laites.
Lord Sugar said: “We’ve not done anything like this before, and it’ll be entertaining to see these 12 celebrities being put through six weeks of some brilliant business challenges. But just because they’re celebrities, it doesn’t mean they’re going to get an easy ride, especially when there’s £100,000 at stake for their chosen charity.”
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC says: “This brand-new full-length series of The Celebrity Apprentice takes everything audiences love about the format and turns the pressure right up. This year’s celebrities arrive with strong reputations – but in the boardroom, status counts for nothing.
“They’ll be tested on leadership, teamwork and commercial instinct, and only those who can truly deliver will make it through. It’s bold, unpredictable and hugely entertaining – and viewers are in for a brilliant ride.”
Broadcast details for The Celebrity Apprentice will be confirmed in due course. The announcement comes after Karishma Vijay was crowned the winner of the BBC business show last week after an all-female final, which saw her battle it out for Lord Sugar’s coveted investment against Pascha Myhill.
Karishma, from Surrey, recounted the moment Lord Sugar told her she had won and would be receiving his £250,000 investment, and said: “I was so blown away, so shocked – but I kept it very cool. Then, I got in my car and I was screaming. It was just insane – I can’t believe I’ve gone and done it after not having watched the show, I feel like that’s so cheeky.”
Explaining his decision on the hit BBC show, Lord Sugar said: “As always, it was close competition in the final after two outstanding pitches by two brilliant young businesswomen. But Karishma really impressed me throughout the process and has proven why she deserves my investment. She’s a proper grafter and she’s got that entrepreneurial spirit that I always look for. The cosmetics industry is one I know a lot about, and I know our partnership will pave the way for a bright future.”