A MAJOR car manufacturer is axing its record-breaking hot hatch just three years after its latest revamp.
The FL5-generation Honda Civic Type R is being culled in the UK and Europe from 2026 – but is set to go out with a bang.
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The UK’s Honda Civic Type R launched in 1997 – and became a record-breaker on the track
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The Civic Type R ‘Ultimate Edition’ will provide a bittersweet swansongCredit: Honda
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Only 10 will be available in the UKCredit: PA
Forty final Ultimate Edition models with a classic Championship white paint job, and red accents, including a central pinstripe, are being made as a swansong – but is likely to cost more than the regular Type R (£48,900).
Just 10 of these special edition motors will be available in the UK – and these will be available on a first come first serve basis, according to Honda.
The news will come as a bittersweet blow to petrol heads, with the FL5 having broken countless front-wheel drive lap records during its short reign.
Honda’s European strategy boss Hannah Swift put the axing down to the industry “changing” and an evolution of its model range “in accordance with European legislation”.
Those changes relate to stricter emissions standards in Britain and the EU, with which the Type R doesn’t comply.
The four-wheel-drive hatch market comprises of the Golf R, Toyota GR Yaris and Mercedes-AMG A45 S – but all are risk due to the new regulations.
Several brands are instead moving to e-performance cars.
It comes 28 years after the first Civic Type R arrived as a grey import from Japan.
Arriving in late 1997, before a second generation model in 2001, a third in 2007 and a fourth in 2015.
Its fifth and sixth generations are widely regarded by experts as the finest driver’s cars of the modern age.
According to the Honda website, the current Type R features a two litre- four cylinder VTEC TURBO engine and can accelerate from 0-100km/hr in 5.4 seconds.
It adds: “The Type R is the fastest front wheel drive car to have driven the legendary 5.8km Suzuka circuit.”
Key facts: Honda Civic Type R
Price: £46,995
Engine: 2-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
Power: 329hp, 420Nm
0-62mph: 5.4 secs
Top speed: 171mph
Economy: 34mpg
CO2: 186g/km
Out: January 2022
Ms Swift said: “As we say farewell to a true icon of the Honda automobile line-up in Europe, we thought it was fitting to give the Civic Type R the ultimate send-off with this special edition model offering our customers a unique opportunity to celebrate its legacy.
“The industry is changing, and our model range is having to evolve with it in accordance with European legislation.
“However, Type R has always been Honda’s ultimate expression of our passion for driving excitement, and we look forward to celebrating its heritage in the weeks and months ahead.”
Ten things YOU should know as a car owner
To help you feel more confident as a car owner, here are ten things you should be familiar with about your vehicle:
Shoppers have been left totally divided after spotting an iconic noughties trend back on the high-streetCredit: tiktok/@christievian/
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But while many were desperate to live out their “early 2000 dreams”, others slammed the trend as “tacky”Credit: tiktok/@christievian/
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House of CB took to Instagram to announce the newsCredit: Instagram/houseofcb
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The new Sculpt Midi Bandage Dresses will set shoppers back £169Credit: Instagram/houseofcb
The bandage dress first hit the catwalk back in 1989 as the grand finale of Hervé Léger’s runway show, but it wasn’t until the likes of Victoria Beckham and other celebrities went crazy for the dresses in the 00s that they became mainstream.
Women were scrambling to get their hands on the high-street versions of the designer gowns, made with thick strips of fabric which work to “bandage” your shape and flatten out problem areas.
And now, shoppers will again be able to get their hands on the iconic bandage dresses, as they are now back in House of CB.
The much-loved chain took to Instagram to share the exciting news, leaving many totally stunned.
Read more fashion stories
Alongside the social media post showing off the new frocks, the chain penned: “She’s baaaaaack. Shop the birthday bandage collection now and be ready to serve some cake.”
According to those at House of CB, one of the “most iconic party dresses is back for another dance”.
The heavyweight stretch fabric of these £169 Sculpt Midi Bandage Dresses, which are available in a number of different colours and styles, features unique tension properties that contour your body and create curves to envy.
The dresses are now elevated with even more definition around the bust and waistline, as well as flattering halter neck straps and a low scooped back that shows just the right amount of skin.
A fashionista from London named Christie, was gobsmacked to see the figure hugging frocks back in stores and took to social media to share the news with others.
Posting online, the content creator gave her followers a close-up look at the House of CB dresses and gasped: “Bandage dresses are BACK??!!”
M&S’ must-have summer holiday dresses
She then questioned: “I fear I want one?”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @christievian, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 227,900 views, 23,000 likes and 215 comments.
I can’t shake the tacky vibes I get from them
TikTok user
But social media users were left divided by the return of bandage dresses – while some were overjoyed at the news, others slammed the frocks as “cheap.”
One person said: “Love it! I remember I bought my first bandage dress at 20 back in 2007.”
Fashion editor reveals the 90s trends that should stay in the past
NINETIES and noughties trends especially have become a hit with Gen Z – most likely because they didn’t wear them the first time round. Here, Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale gives the rundown of some of the trends that have made a comeback that we wish did not.
Disc belts
“A hit with celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Blake Lively, the belt itself did nothing that a belt should actually do – it was a mere fashion statement, not a piece to actually hold anything up.
“And it seems it’s not just me who is enraged by its return, with many taking to TikTok to give their views, saying: ‘Oh no not the disc belt! I don’t think I have the energy for it a 2nd time around’ – I feel you.”
Jelly shoes
“After not being seen on shelves for decades, they’ve made a reappearance and this time they’re not just for kids.
“Coming in a range of colourful patterns, you can get them all over the high street in either flat or heeled versions.
“Not only will you look very childish wearing such shoes, but people will also need to learn that they aren’t the comfiest – blister plasters will come in handy.”
Pedal pushers
“The cropped knee-grazing trouser were all the rage in the 1990s and 2000s, but this time the model fash pack are all over them – with both Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski wearing them out recently.
“The original IT girls, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot helped make the trousers – also called Capri pants – look effortlessly cool and glam.
“Somehow this time round they don’t seem to be having that same effect.”
Another added: “I can live my early 2000 dreams.”
A third commented: “YEEEEESSSS SORRY BUT I LOVE IT.”
However, at the same time, someone else sighed: “I can’t get behind it, I’m sorry.”
Love it! I remember I bought my first bandage dress at 20 back in 2007
TikTok user
A second disappointed shopper slammed: “They’re trying to make 2016 happen but it’s too early. Give it 10 years at least!! This isn’t how vintage and nostalgia works…”
Not only this, but another expressed: “They went away for a reason!”
Meanwhile, one woman penned: “I can’t shake the tacky vibes I get from them.”
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WE’RE about to jump head first into another long hot summer, brimming with bikinis, fire pit chats and cringe new slogans, with the sultry tones of Iain Stirling’s “tonight… on Love Island” wafting through our living rooms.
And while that might spark excitement for diehard fans like me, there’s also a creeping sense of deja vu – because once again, despite vocal feedback from viewers, we’re getting the same recycled formula: a villa full of 20-somethings and influencers.
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We’re about to jump head first into another long hot summer, brimming with bikinis, fire pit chats and cringe new slogansCredit: Instagram
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Many of this year’s Islanders have sizeable social followingsCredit: instagram/sophirelee
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Olivia and Alex were a success story – but an Insta following wasn’t a guarantee on their seriesCredit: Rex
This year’s summerLove Island cast is a who’s who of social media stars. There’s from Sophie Lee’s popular Instagram account, Helena Ford’s travel diaries, and TikTok personalities Megan Forte Clarke and Aaron Buckett.
Megan Moore and Rose Selway also boast impressive followings – the latter rubbing shoulders with Love Island alum, thanks to her celeb-favourite tweakment clinic. And then there are the 20-year-old’s among the cast, who are apparently “looking for love,” on the show.
Now I’m not saying you can’t fall in love and meet ‘the one’ at 20 – Olivia Bowen was just 22 when she met her now-husband Alex Bowen, and Love Island superstars Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury were only 21 when their jacuzzi date turned into one of the show’s most iconic love stories.
But things were different then. Love Island wasn’t a guaranteed career launchpad. A deal with PLT was a bonus, not a certainty.
Now, those going on the show have seen the roadmap to fame paved before them, and enter the villa with eyes on the prize – and the prize is not love.
Frankly, there really aren’t enough success stories to say that casting 20-year-olds on the show is a winning formula. In fact, Love Island is more likely to move to Canvey Island at this rate, than it is to find a couple of 20-year-olds who put all their eggs in each other’s baskets.
So doesn’t it feel a bit odd that we’re all sat, every night from 9-10pm, investing all our time into people who, let’s face it, are on the show to further their followings, and not to recreate a storyline out of a Nicholas Sparks novel?
Would it not be more rewarding to watch people in their 30s, – those who may be genuinely starting to question if love is still out there- given a real shot at finding their someone? It would surely make the show a lot more relatable for a lot of people, instead of seeing influencers sling one-liners at each other on a Balinese bed, before heading into the outside world to land a situationship and a podcast deal.
And nostalgia for the old Love Island is running high on social media. Viewers seem keen to bring it back to the days of construction workers and fishmongers walking onto our screens, not people who are friends of a friend with an Islander, or have famous football star dads and brand deals lined up.
Love Island 2025 cast revealed as footballer, actress and beauty influencer who cheated death sign up
But let’s be honest, you can hardly blame the 20-year-olds and influencers for going on to the show.
Of course, given half the chance, they’re going to want to further their careers on the UK’s biggest dating output. You’d take one look at Molly-Mae’s business empire and flashy mansion, Olivia Attwood fronting huge TV shows, and Tasha Ghouri strutting her stuff on Strictly and think, I want a slice of that. And if you’re presented with a stepping stone to pop you closer to fortune and fame, wouldn’t you jump onto it?
Still, it’s starting to undermine what Love Island was originally about. It’s less of a search for soulmates, and more a talent pipeline for the nextPrettyLittleThing ambassador or social media star, as opposed to sourcing the UK’s most enviable romance story.
But then you could also argue, if it’s not broken don’t fix it?
Love Island winners – where they are now
EVERY year Love Island opens its doors to more sexy Islanders who are hoping for a holiday romance that could turn into more.
I just worry that it will become broken, that people are starting to fall out of love with the island of love.
As a huge fan of the show, I’m not ready to switch off just yet.
But I no longer watch with rose tinted glasses, I watch with a lot more scepticism than I once did, which is a shame. I find myself trying to decipher between showmance and serious, instead of sitting back and enjoying the chaos of it all.
And I guess the big question is, can Love Island ever get back to how it once was? Can people still find true love over fame? Well we could at least give it the best chance to prevail by choosing age and career wisely when casting.
Maybe then we could rekindle that magic of the earlier seasons, you know, the ones that made Love Island iconic in the first place.
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Are people starting to fall out of love with the show?
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Contestants aren’t wrong for wanting to find success on the showCredit: Instagram
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Can people still find true love over fame? Well we could at least give it the best chance to prevail by choosing age and career wisely when casting
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Molly and Tommy were a rare love story on the show, in their early twentiesCredit: Rex Features
HERE’S the tanned, toned and totally gorgeous line-up for this year’s Love Island.
The Sun can exclusively reveal Maya Jama’s full squad for the summer includes a footballer, personal trainer and a series of stunning models.
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Maya Jama will be back with this summer’s Love Island singletons on Monday
But their beauty is more than skin deep, as ITV2 has amassed a group with real kudos.
Brilliant former fire-breather Sophie Lee has campaigned for real beauty since she was scarred for life when her act went disastrously wrong, whilst Alima Gagigo has a BA degree in international business.
Love Island bosses will officially confirm the OGs tomorrow, with the series to kick off next Monday.
But for now, take a look at the girls and guys who will be sexing up your summer.
Harry Cooksley
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Football player Harry Cooksley is known as The Surrey ZidaneCredit: Instagram
The dancer and model, from Manchester, was left with horror burns when an air conditioning unit blew flames back in her face.
Sophie has written a book about her experience and has worked with The Katie Piper Foundation, helping fellow burns victims
A source said: “Sophie is a gorgeous girl and a powerhouse of a woman who has overcome everything life has thrown at her.
“Just like Tasha Ghouri’s amazing time in the villa where she raised awareness for the hearing impaired, Love Island bosses are thrilled to give Sophie the same platform to discuss her accident and how she’s become comfortable in her skin since.”
Shakira Khan
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Stunning Shakira Khan is set to wow Love Island fansCredit: Instagram
The 22-year-old’s Instagram page is filled with gorgeous travel snaps from Haiti, Dubai and New York – and she’s not afraid of a bikini showcase too.
In one recent post, she showed off her impressive figure in black and silver bikini top and thong briefs.
Shakira captioned it: “Haiti cos u ain’t me 💋.”
One follower replied: “Wow!! 🤩 gorgeous lady x.”
A source said: “Shakira is jaw-droppingly gorgeous and will land a place in Love Island’s history books as a real beauty.”
Megan Forte Clarke
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Irish actress Megan isn’t afraid to have a laugh at herselfCredit: Instagram /meganforteclarke
Stunning actress Megan will definitely turn a few heads this summer.
Megan originally hails from Ireland but trained at The Brighton Academy of performing arts and musical theatre.
She has more than 20,000 followers on TikTok and isn’t afraid to take the mickey out of herself.
But once in the villa, she Megan might give the swimming pool a miss.
One of her TikTok videos shows Megan screaming and terrified while making her way through the rides at Siam Park water park in Tenerife.
Speaking of her experience, she told a follower: “It took 10 years off my life.”
Megan is already friends with Love Island alumni Harriett Blackmore.
Dejon Noel Williams
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Dejon Noel Williams is a fitness fanatic and already has big name sponsorsCredit: Instagram / dejonnoelwilliams
Hunky Dejon Noel Williams will definitely be making the most the villa gym this summer.
The personal trainer and semi-professional footballer is a fitness fanatic and has already worked with a string of big name sportswear brands.
Dejon’s social media accounts are full of sexy photos of his ripped body and he already has an Instagram following of more than 11,000 fans.
His bio reads: “I go beyond the gym—helping you build Strength, Confidence & Discipline for life.”
Dejon recently took part in his first HYDROX competition and told his fans: “I trained for the moment, and the moment didn’t break me. First Hyrox down.”
In 2021, he represented the Grenada national football team.
Blu Chegini
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Blu Chegini is a uni graduate who works in London’s FitzroviaCredit: Instagram / bluchegini
Businessman Blu will be swapping his wardrobe of smart suits for swimming trucks when he walks into the villa.
Blu is based in London and currently works as a construction project manager.
He graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2023 with a Bsc Hons in Construction Project Management and works for a firm in the captial’s swanky Fitzrovia.
Blu also spends a lot of time in Marbella, meaning he will feel right at home in the Spanish sun.
Alima Gagio
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Alima has both beauty and brainsCredit: Instagram / alimsssx
Alima Gagio is another of this year’s lot who brings a lot more to the table than just 10/10 looks.
The stunning Scot has an BA Hons degree in International Business and proudly posted online about her achievement.
Posing with a bunch of flowers on her graduation day from Glasgow Caledonian University, her 2,250 followers rushed to congratulate her.
Elsewhere the gorgeous travel fan shares images from her holidays around the world, posting updates from Lisbon, Mykonos, Ibiza and Morocco.
Alima also loves a trip down south to London for a bouji dinner and cocktails with her friends.
Ben Holbrough
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Ben Holbrough works as a modelCredit: Instagram / ben.holbrough
Buff Ben will feel right at home with his top off in the Majorcan sunshine.
The model is 6ft 2ins and is a big fan of showing off his six pack in mirror selfies on social media.
In a video on his Star Now modelling page, he says: “My main line of work is modelling, which I’ve been doing for about five or six years now.
“But when I’m not doing that, my hobbies are either going to the gym or playing football.”
Air stewardess Helena Ford has travelled all over the worldCredit: instagram
Blonde beauty Helena Ford hopes to find herself a match in the Love Island villa.
The gorgeous influencer is already mates with Love Island alumni Zara McDermott and loves travelling the world as a member of cabin crew.
Helena is based in the UK, the majority of of her social media snaps have been taken in the luxury destinations she has visited with her job.
She has been pictured in Dubai, Miami, Cape Town and Lake Como in Italy.
Helena also has a TikTok account where she posts ‘come with me’ videos as she jets off around the world.
Megan Moore
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Fans can look forward to getting to know Megan MooreCredit: Instagram / megann.mooree
Gorgeous girl Megan is another fan of travelling the world.
The influencer was last snapped in Spain just two weeks ago as she topped up her tan ahead of her big villa entrance.
Little is known about Megan but she already has several thousand fans on Instagram.
Commenting on a recent photo of her, one gushed: “Most beautiful girl inside and out.”
Another added: “Stunning my girl .”
And a third told her: “You are just delightful.”
Kyle Ashman
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Kylie Ashman keeps a low profile onlineCredit: Instagram/@kyleashmantr
Unlike most of Love Island’s line-ups, Kyle doesn’t come into the villa with a social media packed with model shots.
The hunk has just one snap online, showing off his rippling six-pack as he poses on a rooftop.
But he looks to be more than villa-ready – and will head straight to the garden gym.
On his Instagram page he has two emojis, one of which depicts a man lifting up a barbell.
The second emoji suggests he is a devout Muslim and will join the likes of Islanders including Nas Majeed who have practised the faith in the villa.
Viewers can look forward to filling in Kyle’s blank pages as we learn more about him.
Bombshells
IF the gorgeous gaggle of guys and girls above isn’t enough, then a troop of bombshells are ready to explode into the villa once the show is underway.
The Sun revealed last week that 6’5” Aaron Buckett was lined-up and can now share the update that he will appear later in the series to tempt the girls away from their partners.
The PT is such a hunk, execs have decided to hold him back until the early couplings look secure – then deploy him at the perfect time to lure a lass away and create maximum drama.
Elsewhere, two beauties have been named as in the mix for later on.
They are make-up artist Lucy Quinn, a 20-year-old from Liverpool.
A source told Mail Online: “Lucy is single and ready to mingle. She can’t wait to enter the Love Island villa and is counting down the days until it becomes a reality.”
Then there is beauty salon owner Rose Selway, who counts Islanders including Lucinda Strafford and Jessy Potts among her clientele.
A source told MailOnline: “Rose is friends with many former stars of the show so has a good idea what it’s like being in the villa and now she finally has the chance to experience it herself.”
The trio will join the throng of Islanders poised and ready to land in the villa throughout the series run.
An ITV spokesman said: “As always there is a lot of speculation around the Love Island line up – we will be announcing the Love Island 2025 cast in due course.”
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Beauty salon owner Rose will be a latecomerCredit: instagram
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Aaron Buckett will also arrive as a bombshell to tempt the girls awayCredit: Instagram/@aarxncb
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Make-up artist Lucy Quinn is single and ready to mingle
IN 2015, 12 twentysomething singles walked into a Majorcan villa for the very first time – and viewers fell head over heels for Love Island.
The premise was simple: couple up and don’t get dumped, to win £50,000.
Ten years on, psychologist Dr Louise Goddard-Crawley says: “Love Island rewired the way we think about love, attraction and even language. It normalised enhanced beauty.”
With the 12th series kicking off next Monday, here we look at how the show shaped the nation.
SKIMPIER SWIMWEAR
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Antigoni Buxton wears a bikini top upside downCredit: Instagram
THE Islanders’ clothes — or lack of — made us reassess our own poolside wardrobes.
Thongs stole the show in 2018, with contestants including Laura Anderson and Georgia Steel wearing the painful-looking cheese-string variety.
Sales of thong bikinis subsequently soared as the nation got on board.
But a family-friendly pool in Lincolnshire banned customers from wearing “thongs or see-through” garments, dubbing it the “Love Island effect”.
In 2019, Molly-Mae Hague and Yewande Biala helped spark an underboob revolution, while 2022 contestant, Antigoni Buxton, inspired us to turn swimwear tops on their head, with searches for “upside-down bikini” rising by 203 per cent.
Sun Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend says: “At the start of each series I’m hit with a barrage of emails from retailers reading, ‘Get the Love Island look’ as they all quickly roll out the on-trend swimwear for that year.”
MAKE-UP RITUALS
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Dani Dyer uses a hairdryer to dry her false lashes in 2018Credit: ITV
AS well as putting their love lives under the spotlight, the Islanders revealed their beauty hacks.
In 2018, Dani Dyer brushed her false eyelashes with a spoolie and blasted them with a hairdryer to give them a fluffy look.
The following summer, Molly-Mae sparked the top-knot trend after she gave a tutorial on how to achieve her trademark hairdo, while in the show’s Beach Hut.
And last year, Ella Thomas changed the way we cleanse our faces when she blew on a cotton pad soaked in micellar water — causing the liquid to foam.
Series two’s Malin Andersson has given up BotoxCredit: Rex Features
BOOB jobs, fillers, Botox — you name it, a Love Island contestant has had it.
Every summer, fans take to Google to see what islanders looked like before their tweakments, with bombshell Megan Barton-Hanson’s transformation one of the most talked about.
The “Love Island Effect” has been blamed for a boom in the number of women — many of them young or even teenagers — seeking cosmetic procedures.
One plastic surgeon said that requests for dermal fillers increased twelve-fold after last year’s series. Demand for other tweakments at High Street salons is up 31 per cent in five years.
However, many former contestants such as Molly-Mae and Shaughna Phillips have had their filler dissolved.
Adam Collard was accused of ‘gaslighting’ Rosie WilliamsCredit: Rex Features
THE show has made headlines over the years for demonstrating the problematic and toxic behaviour of both men and women.
In 2019, domestic abusecharity Women’s Aid accused Adam Collard of “gaslighting” Rosie Williams by denying he was flirting with Zara McDermott, who he later ended up with.
Similarly, in 2022 the charity was “forced” to speak to ITV after being tagged by viewers in social media posts criticising Luca Bish for his “misogynistic and controlling behaviour” towards screen partner Gemma Owen.
Earlier this year, media watchdog Ofcom received thousands of complaints about All Stars contestant Elma Pazar’s “alleged bullying” of co-star Ekin-Su Culculoglu during an argument.
However, the pair were soon shown working through their fall-out before making up.
THE LINGO
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‘The ick’ was made popular by Olivia AttwoodCredit: Getty
REMEMBER the time when “muggy” referred to the weather and “my type on paper” was just a font?
The show’s catchphrases have left a lasting impression on the English language.
“The ick”, made popular by Olivia Attwood, was added to the Cambridge Dictionary in 2024, defined as “a sudden feeling of dislike or loss of attraction towards someone or something”.
Linguist and interpreter Ana Clarke says the show’s own lingo has even helped British men drop the stiff upper lip and better express emotions.
She said: “Now we see younger males talking about their feelings. They talk about ‘my type on paper’, ‘being mugged off’, ‘keeping their options open’.
“They often talk about relationships and use the word ‘journey’.”
Other terms popularised by the show include “pied” (to be dumped); “it is what it is” (that’s the situation); “putting all my eggs in their basket” (focusing on one person); and “melt” (liking someone so much that you don’t mind embarrassing yourself to prove it).
MENTAL HEALTH
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Former presenter Caroline Flack’s suicide threw ITV into turmoilCredit: Rex
SADLY, Love Island has been hit by a number of tragedies, which highlighted how reality TV shows that thrive on conflict and emotions can harm the mental health of contestants.
After the suicides of former Islanders Sophie Gradon (series two) and Mike Thalassitis (series three) and presenter Caroline Flack within a period of 20 months, ITV was thrown into turmoil.
Bosses introduced new duty-of-care protocols including pre-show psych-ological and medical assessments, training on social media impacts and ongoing support both during and after the programme aired.
Following Caroline’s shock death early 2020, Love Island and its sponsor JustEat replaced advertising with messages from charity Samaritans.
PR expert Nick Ede said: “ITV understood that they do have a duty of care. They put in place stringent guidelines to really support each of the contestants.
“After Caroline, it was important for them to support their viewers as well.”
A STAR IS BORN
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Ovie Soko poses for Asos after signing a brand deal
A BEVVY of beauties have found fame on the show — becoming some of the our most talked about and successful celebs.
Even the losers have walked away winners thanks to lucrative brand deals or showbiz gigs.
Nick Ede says: “They are kind of relatable. Millions feel they could be with them or be on Love Island.” Season five runner-up Molly-Mae has been the most successful influencer.
She has made an estimated £6million from deals with Pretty Little Thing, L’Oreal and Beauty Works.
She now has a daughter with her Love Island boyfriend boxer Tommy Fury, her own clothing line and a docuseries with Amazon Prime Video.
Alex and Olivia Bowen have a son and are worth almost £10million, mainly due to sponsored Instagram deals. Maura Higgins has fashion and beauty deals and hosts a US Love Island spin-off.
Olivia Attwood makes document-aries and a podcast.
CUT-OUT dresses and co-ords and, for men, spray-on jeans were all popularised on the show.
The early seasons’ contestants were dressed by sponsors including fast-fashion retailers I Saw It First and Missguided, but it soon sparked a backlash.
In 2022, the show made headlines by announcing it would now dress the Islanders in pre-owned outfits from eBay, to promote more sustainable shopping habits.
PR expert Nick Ede said it was a savvy move by ITV to appeal to eco-conscious Gen Z.
“It opened them up to a whole new generation,” says Nick. “We know younger audiences are more conscious when it comes to clothing.”
ONE SIZE FITS ALL
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Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan became the first black couple to be crowned winnersCredit: Rex
YOU can’t deny there is a stereotypical Love Island look.
While the show has included contestants such as Tasha Ghouri, who is deaf and wears a cochlear implant, raising awareness around her disability, it has been criticised for failing to include any plus-size contestants.
Dating coach Eimear Draper says: “TV shows such as Love Island are putting a huge amount of pressure on beauty standards. For those who already struggle with self- esteem, this is concerning.”
Eimear, founder of Kindling Dating, adds: “All the women look the same with their bikinis, tanned skin and long, flowing hair.
“The Love Island guys likeChris Hughes are all hunks. They are buff. They, too, are tanned and tattooed.”
Young blokes have been warned by the group UK Anti-Doping not to resort to performance-enhancing drugs to achieve “ripped” physiques,
Periodically, Love Island has also been accused of tokenism, with often only one or two black contestants each series. Last year, Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan became the first black couple to be crowned winners.
LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX
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Alex Bowen and Zara Holland have sex on TV in series 2
IN the early days, the show was a bit of a bonkfest.
Ofcom received complaints about one couple getting busy in front of their rival housemates in series two.
And Miss Great Britain Zara Holland was stripped of her pageant title after getting it on with Alex Bowen.
Series three winners Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies were also at it like rabbits.
In 2018, producers decided to stop showing sex scenes. Nowadays, you might just get a glimpse of a headboard banging or happy feet under the sheets.
But experts reckon the show has, in some ways, sexually empowered women.
Therapist Sergio Rebelo says: “Many women on the show are unafraid to talk about their bodies and sexuality. This can encourage others to discuss their own sexuality.”
Case in point: Maura Higgins talking about which of the men gave her “fanny flutters”.
Then there’s ex-stripper Megan Barton-Hanson, who was on Love Island in 2018 and later paired up with Ann Summers to launch her own range of sex toys.
A BEAUTY enthusiast has revealed “the best hot girl holiday hack” that will ensure you never feel floated in a bikini again.
So if you’re lucky enough to be jetting aboard any time soon and want to feel confident in your swimwear this summer, you’ve come to the right place and will need to take notes.
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A young woman has revealed a savvy “holiday hack” to ensure you wave goodbye to bloated daysCredit: TikTok/@juliaglowguide
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So if you’re heading away and want to look fabulous in your bikini, you’ll need to check this outCredit: TikTok/@juliaglowguide
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Julia raved about the Pure Encapsulations Digestive Enzymes which facilitate the normal breakdown of proteins and tripeptidesCredit: Healf
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These supplements “relieve occasional bloating or gas” and work out at just 44p a timeCredit: Getty
In fact, it will work out at just 44p a time – yes, you heard that correctly.
Posting on social media, Julia, who is on a mission to “glow up” her life, revealed the key to staying slender whilst abroad.
The trainee nutritionist said: “Let me give you the best holiday bloating hot girl tip – I used to be that girl who’d go on holiday and be scared to eat all the food that I want, enjoy my time, because I’d constantly feel bloated.
“I just wouldn’t want to be in my bikini – the bloating would get so bad and uncomfortable because I was eating foods my body wasn’t used to.
“And I discovered the best hot girl holiday hack ever that means I can go away, feel comfortable in my bikini, not bloat, enjoy all the food and just have a great time.”
Julia explained that in order to put bloating at bay, she swears by the Pure Encapsulations Digestive Enzymes – supplements containing enzymes involved in the digestion of protein, carbohydrate, fat, fibre, and lactose.
Julia’s favourite Digestive Enzymes contain a high-strength, broad-spectrum mixture of vegetarian digestive enzymes that facilitate the normal breakdown of proteins and tripeptides.
According to the product description, these supplements contain alpha-galactosidase that promotes the breakdown of certain complex carbohydrates, such as raffinose and stachyose, found in some legumes, vegetables, and grains.
In turn, this helps “to relieve occasional bloating or gas.”
I’m a size 16 and I’ve found the perfect summer dress from F&F – it’s so comfy and great for bloated days on holiday
A pack of 30 capsules will cost you £13.49, working out at just 44p per tablet.
Clearly a huge fan of the supplements, the content creator continued: “I cannot tell you how much I love Digestive Enzymes – magic pill, take them 15 minutes before you eat any meal and these help you break down food your body’s not used to eating.
Omg been looking for a solution for this for years
TikTok user
“I can have a pizza and not bloat when I take Digestive Enzymes – trust me, this is worth your investment.”
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @juliaglowguide, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as in just three days, it has quickly racked up 235,700 views.
Bloating: Foods to eat and avoid
Eating the right foods can prevent bloating as well as reduce when it occurs.
But it depends entirely on what your symptoms are.
If you are bloated and constipated, eat:
Fruits and vegetables
Bran flakes
Oats
Skin-on potatoes
Dried fruits such as apricots and raisins
If you have trapped wind, avoid:
Cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale
Beans (baked, kidney, butter)
Lentils
These foods, including pulses like beans and lentils, are good to add into the diet slowly as they are high in fibre.
While they are not advisable to help in the moment, they do help in the long-run by boosting gut health.
Try adding them slowly into your diet.
If you are bloated with diarrhoea, you may have a stomach bug and should eat:
Plain foods: bananas, white rice, bread or toast
Boiled potatoes
Oatmeal
Small and frequent meals
Other tips for preventing bloating are:
Exercise regularly
Chew with your mouth shut
Eat smaller more frequent meals than large meals
Avoid fizzy drinks, alcohol or caffeine
Limit processed, sugary, spicy or fatty foods
One person said: “I’ve never heard of these! Thank you.”
Another added: “Omg been looking for a solution for this for years.”
Meanwhile, one woman beamed: “They’re amazing, only thing that’s worked for me.”
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IF your child’s birthday is coming up and the thought of splashing the cash on a lavish cake sends shivers down your spine, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.
A mother has revealed that rather than forking out hundreds of pounds for a personalised cake for her daughter’s birthday, she DIY-ed a supermarket buyCredit: TikTok/@mummyandmylaa
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For less than £20, Amy was able to celebrate her child’s birthday in styleCredit: TikTok/@mummyandmylaa
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Amy nabbed the Pretty in Pink Lambeth Cake from WaitroseCredit: Waitrose
But in a bid to save cash, one savvy mum took matters into her own hands and was able to cut costs by DIY-ing her little darling’s birthday dessert.
Posting on social media, a mother named Amy shared a step-by-step tutorial of how she DIY-ed her daughter Myla’s pink birthday cake – and it cost her less than £20.
So if you’re on a budget and your purse is feeling tighter than ever before, then you’ll need to listen up.
The pink coloured golden sponge cake, which is filled with raspberry jam and topped and decorated with pale pink and dark pink buttercream, cost Amy just £18.
Then, using some pink icing and ribbons she already had, she was able to personalise the cake – and we think it looks incredibly professional.
Alongside a short clip shared online, the influencer penned: “Making my daughter’s first birthday cake, saving £100s!”
Showing off the box-fresh vintage-style cake, which is decorated with whirls and swirls of piping, Amy beamed: “Come with me to DIY my daughter’s first birthday cake for only £18!”
Amy confirmed that she used letter cutters to cut out “Myla is one” in pink icing, which she placed on top of the cake.
Following this, she attached pretty pink bows, which she already had from Shein, and was able to stick these to the cake with cocktail sticks.
The simple chocolate cake recipe using only TWO ingredients – it’s sweet and you won’t even need to put it in the oven
We think Amy’s DIY cake looks brilliant and is a great way for those strapped for cash to save money, without having to scrimp on the celebrations.
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @mummyandmylaa, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 178,600 views.
Not only this, but it’s also amassed 2,782 likes, 31 comments and 780 saves.
Social media users were impressed with the jaw-dropping cake and many eagerly raced to the comments to express this.
Time-saving mum hacks
Morning Routine
Nighttime Preparation: Set out clothes for yourself and the kids, pack lunches, and organise backpacks before bed.
Effortless Breakfasts: Keep simple, healthy breakfast options on hand, such as overnight oats, smoothie packs, or pre-made breakfast burritos.
Meal Planning
Weekly Meal Prep: Dedicate time each week to plan your meals to eliminate daily decision-making.
Bulk Cooking: Prepare larger quantities and freeze portions for future use.
Hands-Off Cooking: Make use of slow cookers or Instant Pots for easy, unattended meal prep.
Ready-to-Use Veggies: Purchase pre-chopped vegetables or chop them all at once to save time during the week.
Household Chores
Daily Laundry: Do a load of laundry every day to prevent a buildup of dirty clothes.
Continuous Cleaning: Encourage kids to clean up after themselves and perform small cleaning tasks throughout the day.
Efficient Multitasking: Fold laundry while watching TV or listen to audiobooks/podcasts while cleaning.
Organisation
Family Command Centre: Set up a central hub with a calendar, to-do lists, and important documents.
Daily Decluttering: Spend a few minutes each day decluttering to maintain an organised home.
Organised Storage: Use bins and baskets to keep items neat and easy to locate.
Kid Management
Prepared Activity Bags: Have bags packed with essentials for various activities (e.g., swimming, sports).
Routine Visuals: Implement visual charts to help kids follow their routines independently.
Task Delegation: Assign age-appropriate chores to children to foster responsibility and reduce your workload.
One person said: “Love that. Wish I hadn’t already ordered a cake almost the exact same.”
Another added: “This is genius!”
A third commented: “Super cute!”
Not only this, but another parent beamed: “Omg that cake is adorable, I wish I knew about it before!”
This is genius!
TikTok user
At the same time, one user wondered: “What it nice? I worry that supermarket cakes can be dry inside as they are sat on the aisle for a while.”
To this, the content creator replied and confirmed: “Not dry at all!!!
“Honestly, it tasted AMAZING, no regrets!!!”
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MOLLY-MAE Hague is celebrating turning 26 in serious style – by jetting off to Disneyland Paris in a private plane.
The former Love Island star is pulling out all the stops for her big day, whisking herself away for a magical trip full of fairy-tale fun and first-class luxury.
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Molly-Mae Hague in a sweet moment with daughter Bambi as she jetted off to DisneylandCredit: mollymae/Instagram
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The star shared snaps of her Birthday celebrations with her loved onesCredit: mollymae/Instagram
Molly-Mae gave fans a glimpse into the lavish getaway – complete with champagne on board and a Mickey Mouse cake.
Wearing Minnie Mouse ears and a designer outfit, the star looked every inch the birthday princess as she soaked up the magic of Disney in VIP style.
The influencer shared snaps of the her and her daughter Bambi posing in the park, calling the trip “the most perfect birthday eve.”
In a YouTube video, Molly-Mae described the ordeal as a “weird bad dream” and how it was completely out of character for her to speak about it so candidly.
She also told how it came just hours after she’d been pictured rowing with fiancé Tommy, 26.
The former PrettyLittleThing creative director explained that after arriving back in the UK, she had very little movement for two days – first due to the long-haul flight, then sitting through a seven-hour hair appointment.
Along with dehydration and stress from travelling with her daughter Bambi, two, this led to severe pain in her left leg.
Molly-Mae said at the time: “Basically yesterday I thought I had a blood clot and half of today I thought I had a blood clot in my leg.
“Obviously flying home from Dubai I was on the plane for like nearly eight hours… I didn’t drink like hardly any water. You know when you’re in mum mode and you’re just not really thinking like you’re trying to tame your child.”
Watch as Molly-Mae reveals the moment she rekindled Tommy Fury romance by accident
She began to panic after feeling excruciating pain in the back of her knee that moved into her calf and foot.
After turning to ChatGPT to query the symptoms only made her more anxious, she then phoned 111.
From there, Molly-Mae was then told by a doctor to go straight to A&E.
She continued: “I was in so much pain, like it was in the back of my knee, so so strong. Like it didn’t feel like a dead leg, it was like a sharp stabbing pain…
Molly-Mae Hague – Five Ways She Spends Her Wealth
MOLLY-MAE Hague has raked in a whopping £48K a week. Yet what five things has the mum of one spent out on?
“Then it’s moving down into my calf, into my ankle, into my foot, like my whole calf is just in so much pain.”
The reality star described the hospital as “absolutely packed” and “such a sad environment”, saying she waited four hours before being told it would be another hour for a blood test – and then three more hours to get results.
Despite being advised by staff to stay, Molly decided to leave, worried about getting home in time to look after Bambi.
She said: “I need to leave. Like I can’t stay here any longer… We had like nothing with us this morning.”
Molly-Mae admitted upon waking up the the next day, the pain had mostly subsided, and she tried to carry on as normal – until she was hit with a wave of dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath later that afternoon.
She described: “I had this awful awful like dizzy spell where the room was spinning. I thought I was going to vomit… I had this really really funny time where I was like I couldn’t breathe properly… almost like a bit of a panic attack but like it was just horrible.”
The star went back to hospital and underwent a full round of tests, where, thankfully, everything came back clear.
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Molly-Mae posted a sweet video of her and Bambi on a rideCredit: Instagram
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The reality star shared snaps of the crepes on InstagramCredit: mollymae/Instagram
Wearing Minnie Mouse ears and a designer outfit, the star looked every inch the birthday princess as she soaked up the magic of Disney in VIP styleCredit: mollymae/Instagram
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She called it the “the most perfect birthday eve”Credit: mollymae/Instagram
Born in May 1999, Bonnie – whose real name is Tia Billinger – grew up in a small Derbyshire village, and attended the Friesland School in the village of Sandiacre.
She has two half-siblings – a sister and a brother – who have always remained out of the public eye.
She never knew her biological father, and considers stepfather Nicholas Elliott her dad.
Bonnie also became something of a dance star in her local area, and competed in the British Street Dance Championships alongside her sister back in 2015.
She also had a part-time job at Poundstretcher as a teenager.
After school, she began working in recruitment.
In October 2022, Bonnie married Oliver Davidson, who she had started dating when she was just 15.
Once they were married, they moved to Australia, where Bonnie continued working in recruitment.
However, it was in Australia that she decided to pursue a different line of work, and tried her luck as a ‘cam girl’ – crediting Oliver for giving her the confidence to enter the adult entertainment world.
She quickly made a name for herself in the industry, and was soon making £5,000 a week.
But while her work life was going from strength to strength, her relationship was crumbling, and she and Oliver split after almost a decade together.
She moved over to OnlyFans following her cam girl success, and once again found fame on there.
She quickly became a favourite on the site, especially thanks to her “niche” of sleeping with young male students – such as when she bedded 158 students during Nottingham Trent University’s freshers week in September 2024.
Bonnie is now estimated to be worth £3 million, and makes around £600,000 a month on OnlyFans.
Her family are also supportive of her work, with mum Sarah Billinger even claiming she’s her daughter’s PA, and helps clean up after Bonnie’s events – as well as handing out condoms to young clients.
In January 2025, Bonnie claimed to have broken the world record for the most amount of sex in 12 hours, after apparently sleeping with 1,057 men from 1pm to 1am at a secret London event.
Bonnie opened up on how she was banned from Forest’s ground on the Only Stans podcast.
She said: “I recently went to a Nottingham Forest game. Well, I attempted to.
“I put on my socials, ‘hey boys, I’m going to be at the game, I’d like to film with you afterwards’.
“I turn up at the football game and the gate security was like, ‘you are permanently banned from the ground’.
“I thought when they asked me to go to the side, ‘maybe they’re upgrading my tickets, maybe they want to escort me to my seat, this is quite nice, it’s a good service’.
“They asked to see my tickets, I showed them and they took them off me, saying, ‘we’re escorting you off the premises’.
“Apparently they don’t discriminate against sex workers but I was banned because I was a sex worker.
“I was going to encourage them (the players), give them a good time. I also think if I’m entertaining the supporters it’s less people drinking so I’m actually doing something good for their health.”
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The Sun previously revealed how she is currently filming a documentary with Channel 4Credit: TikTok/@bonnie_blue_xoxo
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Bonie quit her 9-5 for OnlyFansCredit: Instagram/@bonnie_blue_xox
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She claims to have bedded over 1,000 men in a 24 hour periodCredit: Instagram
“Yours is one sided. Ours is fair and clearly a real attempt to make the fight actually happen.”
Taylor said they countered with a fight in the US, with a coin toss to decide who walks out second.
Jake Paul reveals stunning behind-the-scenes talks to fight Oleksandr Usyk after teasing shock world title shot
It would include full drug testing, at 190lb over eight rounds in a 20x 20ft ring, co-promoted down the middle with both to mutually approve all costs.
Taylor added: “Your contract had MVP as lead promoter in charge of everything and you put Wasserman boxing USA as side promoter.
“(FYI Wasserman boxing USA does not exist). You purposely omitted Misfits as an ego based mind game tactic.
“C’mon man. Let’s give the people what they want and not let ego’s get in the way.
We have a duty to our clients and respect due to the fans that made them!!”
KSI, 31, is yet to fought since losing a controversial decision to Tommy Fury, 26, in October 2023.
Jake Paul vs KSI: The terms
Jake Paul’s terms
10 rounds
192.5lb
18x18ft ring
Full VADA testing
December 24th
MVP in association with Wasserman
KSI’s terms
Fight in USA
Full VADA testing
190lb
8 rounds
20x20ft ring
Co-promoted down the middle
Both promotions to mutually approve all costs and undercard fights etc
He was due to return last August but pulled out with a hand injury before illness saw him withdraw from facing MMA star Dillon Danis, 31, in March.
KSI is now due to have surgery on his busted hand with his boxing career in the air.
Meanwhile Paul, 28, returns against ex-middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, on June 28 in a cruiserweight clash.
It comes after he fought at heavyweight in November to beat Mike Tyson, who controversially came out of retirement aged 58.
Paul now drops back down to the 200lb limit of 14st 4lb while KSI lost to Fury a stone lighter at 183lb.
Their weight disagreement has been the biggest factor standing in the way of the grudge bout.
And Bidarian said: “Not engaging in a back and forth.
“We proposed our terms to Wasserman on April 4th and the offer that followed was those exact terms. Jake Paul wants to fight KSI.
“He does not need to fight KSI. Jake has campaigned at 200+ since December of 2023 and plans to continue at that weight with the intention to contest for a world championship by the end of 2026.”
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Jake Paul returns on June 28 against Julio Cesar Chavez JrCredit: The Mega Agency
IT’S an invasive, extremely high-risk procedure that could leave patients with a lung puncture, nerve damage and chronic pain.
But despite the eye-watering risks, more women than ever are opting for ‘Barbie rib’ surgery – that’s having one or more ribs taken out – to achieve a tiny waist.
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Essex mum Kerry Miles said she planned to pay £15k for her rib removal surgeryCredit: Caters News Agency
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Kerry’s waist shrank to a shockingly small 21 inchesCredit: Caters News Agency
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Influencer Emily James shared a stomach-churning pic of the ribs she had removedCredit: Caters
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Kim Kardashian sparked rib removal rumours after the 2024 Met Gala – something she has deniedCredit: GETTY
In the 1950s, stars of the silver screen such as Marilyn Monroe wowed with their tiny hourglass figures.
But in 2025, women are going one step further by opting for the latest surgery trend.
While getting ready for the event, she told Vogue: “I’ll feel so snatched I won’t even be able to communicate to you how snatched I feel.”
She fiercely denied rumours of rib removal, later saying: “I don’t even know if that’s possible.”
Well, the shocking surgery IS possible, with many women now going under the knife to achieve the same look as their favourite red carpet celebs.
The surgery, performed under general anaesthesia, involves the surgeon detaching the rib bone and removing it or partially removing to give the appearance of a slimmer waistline.
The ribs can also be repositioned, and a rib brace is then worn to compress the midsection.
It’s an incredibly dangerous procedure that could cause the lungs to collapse or damage other internal organs, with few experienced surgeons willing to carry out the op.
Hazim Sadideen, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic, told The Sun: “There’s been a lot of noise around the ‘Barbie rib’ procedure, and I think it’s important to separate fact from fiction.
“First off, rib modification and rib removal are very different things.
“True rib removal, where one or more of the floating ribs are completely taken out, is an invasive and high-risk procedure. I would never recommend it purely for cosmetic reasons.
“The risks include lung puncture, nerve damage and chronic pain. There are long-term asymmetry risks too.”
I had my ribs removed to get a Barbie waist
Other celebs have also been rumoured to have had the surgery, including Cher and singer Prince, while other A-listers have donned corsets and tight dresses on the red carpet to achieve a cinched look – a body ideal that has seeped onto social media.
Belgian performer Jada Sparks spent over £14,000 having ribs removed. The former nurse said: “I’ve done it for the cosmetic reason, but also the thrill of it to be honest.
“I went down about 2.5 inches from the start until now.
“I think I have reached my ultimate result now. In the beginning, it felt weird, but your body is an odd thing, it can adapt really quick.
“So, I like the feeling right now of having something ‘missing’.”
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Kim K stunned fans with her corseted, minuscule waistCredit: GETTY
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Emily James spent £13k having six ribs removed in a bid to achieve a Barbie-like waistCredit: Caters
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Emily’s ribs were removed from her back, and she’s left with two small scarsCredit: INSTAGRAM
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Emily shows off the results of her surgery on InstagramCredit: Instagram
Emily James, an influencer from Kansas City, Missouri, spent £13,000 having six of her ribs removed last year – and claims it is no different to a Brazilian Butt Lift.
Emily told The Sun she’d researched her procedure thoroughly and defended her decision.
She says: “I absolutely think that it’s important to make informed, well-thought-out decisions before you get plastic surgery.
“People should not just be going into random like garages, getting oil pumped into their bodies for like a BBL or getting veneered by some girl that you found on Instagram.
“It’s important to make well-informed decisions, and if you’re going into it with the mindset knowing the risks and the benefits, then you absolutely should do what you want to do.
“But just keep in mind that it is plastic surgery, and there are dangers involved, and there are risks and complications that can arise from getting these kinds of surgeries.”
‘Barbie waist’
The iconic Barbie doll has impossible proportions – which in real life would be 39″ bust, 18″ waist and 33″ hips.
Her terrifyingly tiny waist measurement would in reality be smaller than that of the average three-year-old.
A Google search of “Barbie rib procedure” yields over 135,000 results.
But while Mr Sadideen believes filtered images don’t reveal the truth about invasive procedures, Emily, who had post-surgery complications with a catheter, was able to get the surgery without any psychological evaluation or counselling.
“There was nothing like that,” she says. “But it was a really hard process to find someone that I felt comfortable going to.
“There were lots that were certified to do the surgery, but I didn’t feel they were qualified. I wanted someone who really understood me.”
Emily flew almost 800 miles for the surgery in Cleveland, Ohio.
But with the trend taking off on social media and celebrities in the US, Germany and UK reportedly having it done, increasing numbers of women are attending clinics asking for their ribs to be removed.
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Megan Fox dons a corset dress that enhances her slim figure – she has admitted to having some plastic surgery but not a rib opCredit: Getty
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Cardi B attending the 2025 Met Gala, showcasing her slender waist – the star has always denied plastic surgery rumoursCredit: Getty
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Towie star Abi Clarke is rumoured to have had rib surgeryCredit: Eroteme
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Cher has always denied having her ribs removedCredit: GETTY
While Towie’s Abigail Clarke is also rumoured to have had the procedure, Emily says the invasive and risky surgery, which she’s still recovering from, was more painful than she imagined.
“I got there about 6.30 in the morning and honestly, I was really scared,” she says. “I knew my rib removal was going to be painful because I’d done a lot of research.
“I had my boobs done at the same time, but coming out of surgery, I was super swollen, and I couldn’t sit up or lay down by myself.
“I had to have someone help me stand up, lay down, pretty much do everything.
“It was a really intense surgery, and I had a lot of numbness and pain for a long time.”
‘Emotional toll’
While Emily has documented her journey online, Mr Sadideen says social media could be to blame for the increase in requests for these types of invasive procedures.
“What really worries me is how social media glamorises extreme body transformations without showing the full story – the recovery, the risks, or the emotional toll,” he says.
“The rise of these trends is often driven by filtered images and unattainable ideals, which can feed into body dysmorphia and lead people to believe something drastic is the only solution.”
While Emily had no psychological evaluation at all prior to the procedure which altered her skeleton, he believes the mental capacity of a patient should factor into every surgical evaluation.
Just because something is technically possible doesn’t mean it’s the right choice
Mr Hazim Sadideen
“Any patient considering a procedure like this should undergo a thorough psychological assessment to ensure they’re making this choice for the right reasons, not due to pressure or distorted self-image,” he says.
“As surgeons, we have a duty to protect our patients.
“Just because something is technically possible doesn’t mean it’s the right choice.”
Despite having the support of her loved ones, Emily is aware that she entered into the procedure without any long-term idea of how her rib removal might affect her body in the future.
“I knew going into surgery, the ribs I was having removed do serve some protection of my kidneys and my liver,” she says.
“I don’t think that I regret any of my surgeries, but who knows when I’m 60 if I’ll have complications from my rib removal.
“I’ve noticed already there has been one weird complication that whenever I get sick or cough, my muscles separate. So yeah, there might be complications later down the road.”
Mr Sadideen says there is a less invasive option that can be considered without needing to go to the dangerous extremes Emily has.
“There is a more conservative alternative sometimes referred to as rib reshaping or rib modification,” he says.
“In very carefully selected cases, surgeons may use a controlled mini-fracture technique to slightly bend a rib inward.
“It’s a method already used in nose reshaping – known as rhinoplasty – and orthopaedic surgery.
“But it must be done with the utmost precision, using detailed scans, ultrasound guidance during surgery, and specific tools to reduce risk and avoid complications.
“Even so, the data is still emerging, and we don’t yet have a full picture of long-term safety or outcomes.”
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While Emily – who plans to make a crown out of the ribs she’s had removed – has received a barrage of online hate for her surgery choices, she says it doesn’t bother her.
“I’ve had a lot of people say that I worship the devil, or that I’m like, controlled by Satan because I am making a crown out of my rib bones, which is really silly,” she says.
While there are plenty of celebrities who are rumoured to have had the procedure done – from Cher to Prince to Kim Kardashian and Demi Moore, Mr Sadideen says society’s obsession with filters could be resulting in the dangerous trend growing in popularity.
“Extreme procedures like rib removal should be a last resort, not a trend,” he says.
“And we should all be asking: are we doing this to feel better, or just to look better on a screen?”
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Barbie’s proportions in real life would be 39″ bust, 18″ waist and 33″ hipsCredit: Collects
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Hazim Sadideen, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic says the surgery is dangerousCredit: drhazlondon.com