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TV PRESENTER Eamonn Holmes’s lover received death threats and felt ­suicidal after enduring two-and-a-half years of hell for “simply falling in love”, she has revealed.

Katie Alexander sobbed to a friend about her misery — ­saying she feels that the stress in her life, including Eamonn’s illness, has led to her suffering a breakdown.

Police are investigating malicious emails and letters delivered to her, including a threat sent to her home saying she would be decapitated.

Katie, 45, who has been in a ­relationship with the breakfast TV presenter, 66, since his split from Ruth Langsford in 2024, spoke to pals about her ongoing ordeal.

She told a friend: “I fell in love with a man who made me feel safe, who encouraged me to be myself, and who loved and accepted me for me.

“I was thrust into the limelight and suddenly blamed for everything that went wrong with Eamonn.

“I became the accused — and a talking point for the nation.

“I was advised to say nothing, even though I wanted to defend myself, to tell my truth. I decided to protect others before putting myself first. I was being judged simply for falling in love.

“I had death threats sent to my work email, and letters to my home address threatening to decapitate me. Not only was I trying to protect myself, I had to protect my children from online abuse, and from being picked on at school.

“It has been two-and-a-half years of pure hell. It became too much to endure. I reached the point where I thought the quickest way out of it all was to kill myself.

“I had a breakdown. It’s my ­children who have kept me alive.”

Katie, a trained counsellor from West Yorkshire, added to her pal: “I hold people’s emotions for a living.

“Knowing what was the truth in my own life — so different to what was being ­portrayed publicly — was torture. The attacks were very personal.

“People can’t fathom I like older men. I have a history of relationships with men older than me.

“People thought, ‘she must be with Eamonn for his money’. That’s such an untrue, one-dimensional reaction.

“I had a happy life before Eamonn, but suddenly being with him made me happy and content. I never asked for a penny, but he wanted to make sure that I was comfortable financially. He made sure I didn’t have to worry about money. It was his choice, his doing.

“I refused his generosity so many times. It even got to the point where I’d stop him paying £15.99 for a film on TV, making him wait until it became free to watch.

“Despite being so far apart geographically, we lived together half of the week. We made it work. He was — and still is — my partner. And when we were together we did everything together.

“I gave him a sense of worth. He became softer after years of antagonism. He spoke of his feelings in more depth. I told him that if he can’t communicate with me we can’t be together. It seemed alien to him to be able to have a conversation and not an argument, or shouting match, even if we disagreed.”

The Sun on Sunday previously told how Katie had to move her belongings out of Eamonn’s flat in Surrey. He has been in hospital since suffering a stroke in April.

Financial help has dried up, including repayments on a Mercedes car bought by Eamonn so Katie could travel to visit him.

A close friend of Katie added: “She’s had a breakdown with all the stress that has come with trying to keep a family together and juggling work, while trying to care for Eamonn in hospital 230 miles away. There is so much that has gone on which will come out one day, and everyone will learn the truth.

“It suits a lot of people that Katie be painted as the ‘Wicked Witch’. But the reality is so different.”

The pair started dating in May 2024 and within a few months Katie moved into Eamonn’s home.

Eamonn wed fellow former ITV This Morning host Ruth in 2010 but the pair have been going through a divorce since they split in 2024.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed a probe into “offensive” letters, but said “no suspect has been identified”. Katie was asked for comment.

TUI Cabin Manager Rosie Poulios has spent over 30 years travelling across all continents – but there’s one destination that tops her list.

It has beautiful beaches, wildlife, colourful fishing villages and the best news for Brits, absolutely no jet lag. The destination in question? Senegal.

Talking about the West African country, Rosie says it combines “sunshine, culture, character and experiences” that you can’t easily find elsewhere.

Senegal is six hours away from the UK and TUI is reintroducing its direct route from London Gatwick on November 2.

There’s no time difference between Senegal and the UK either, so holidaymakers can get their winter sunshine without any jet lag. 

There’s plenty to do too like exploring Gorée Island, a UNESCO-listed island that’s car-free with pastel-colored buildings.

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On the island is the House of Slaves ‘Maison des Esclaves’ a pink-coloured building and memorial museum from 1776 commemorating millions of enslaved Africans.

For those looking to see wildlife, there’s a chance to see all sorts of animals at the Bandia Reserve.

On a safari-style drive, visitors can spot giraffes, zebra and rhino. 

Another popular experience is visiting the Saloum Delta which is waterways and mangroves which is lush with birdlife.

If you go on holiday with TUI, you can book these tours with TUI Musement – full day tours of Goree Island from £69 per adult and £48 per child.

Half-day safaris at Bandia Reserve from £59 per adult and £41 per child. 

When it comes to staying in Senegal, Rosie suggests checking into the Riu Baobab.

The all-inclusive resort has four swimming pools, a waterpark and is a few short steps away from Pointe Sarene beach.

Guests can try out water activities, lazing about by the pool and enjoying meals at its restaurants.

Rosie said:”It gives families all the convenience of an all-inclusive beach holiday while also offering the chance to discover a fascinating destination beyond the resort.

“And it’s brilliant for adults too with kayaking and paddleboarding on offer on the beach, or thatched parasols to laze the day away beneath.” 

TUI offers a one week all-inclusive stay at the Riui Boabab in Pointe Serene from £1046 per person. 

This is based on a family of four departing London Gatwick on November 30.

For anyone who has Africa on their bucket list, Rosie described Senegal as “one of the easiest introductions to Africa you can find.”

Rosie also describes the Senegalese as “some of the friendliest I’ve met”.

She added: “They’re welcoming, proud of their culture and genuinely happy to share their country with visitors.”

“You get the wildlife, the culture, the history and the scenery people dream about, but in a way that feels accessible and completely unintimidating.” 

The best time to visit Senegal is during the dry season from November to May – and temperatures sit around 30C all-year.

The National Geographic’s ‘Around the World by Private Jet’ trips take in some of the world’s most amazing destinations including Kyoto, Seoul, Singapore and many more places, but they come at a cost

National Geographic’s new private jet trip is the most expensive holiday I’ve ever seen, and possibly the most ridiculous.

The 23-day private jet trip is a wildlife adventure through Asia and Africa, starting with a welcome dinner in Singapore. You’ll then fly to Borneo to meet orangutans and sun bears before cruising the Kinabatangan River. In India, the journey continues to Jaipur, then Ranthambore National Park to search for tigers.

Next come safaris in Sri Lanka’s Yala and Bundala parks, then the Maldives, and jetting on to Madagascar where Nosy Be offers lemurs, chameleons and snorkelling. In South Africa, Phinda Private Game Reserve brings Big Five safaris, and in Rwanda, guests trek to see mountain gorillas. The trip concludes in Rome before guests are jetted back home.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

And all of that for the low, low price of $144,995 (£108,700) per person, or $6,304 (£4,726) a day. As well as needing more disposable cash than most people will enjoy in a lifetime, there is another big issue with the trip – which is one of five private jet itineraries Nat Geo offers.

Each passenger onboard the chartered Boeing 757, which has been modified to cut the standard 233 seats to 80 business class spots, is responsible for 7,851 kg CO2e (calculated using the Travel Impact Model). By some calculations, the annual “carbon budget” is as low as 700kg CO2e per year. The average Brit produces 8,000kg of CO2e over a year.

As this record-breaking hot and dry summer has made abundantly clear, the Earth is in a perilous position. We’re not just edging but moving closer, rapidly, to breaching and then going well past the 1.5C global warming level set out by the Paris Agreement. This doesn’t mean hot summers on the beach; it means climate breakdown, droughts, famines and heat deaths.

As the UN warns: “Exceeding 1.5°C could also trigger multiple climate tipping points, such as breakdowns of major ocean circulation systems, abrupt thawing of boreal permafrost, and collapse of tropical coral reef systems, with abrupt, irreversible, and dangerous impacts for humanity.”

The Nat Geo trip appears at odds with the company’s own corporate responsibility policy, which states: National Geographic activities, products, and services should be designed in such a way as to minimise negative environmental impacts and optimise positive environmental impacts. This commitment is reflected in the “Sustainability Guidelines” set forth in the Brand Standards Guidelines.

National Geographic did not respond to requests for comment.

Flying is a particular problem, as currently, most people don’t fly. 80% of people have never flown. As the world gets richer and more people step aboard a plane, emissions will soar. As other sectors decarbonise, aviation keeps growing and polluting more.

The independent Climate Change Committee projected that aviation’s proportion of UK greenhouse gas emissions will increase from 7% in 2022 to 9% in 2025, 11% in 2030 and 16% in 2035.

Katie Thompson, CEO and founder of environmental aviation charity Bumprints, is a former commercial jet pilot and private jet industry worker who now refuses to fly.

“I started looking at climate and everything changed. No one talks about it in the aviation industry; it’s a complete elephant in the departure lounge. You study a lot to be a pilot, but the whole time, climate was never mentioned. You know a lot about weather, but the whole topic of climate change is completely absent,” Katie told the Mirror. “It’s easier not to talk about it. You fall in love with the world by travelling in it, but then you have to protect it.”

Katie argues that the National Geographic private jet trip is at odds with the organisation’s ethos. “If you really care about wildlife, you need to think about what’s happening to their habitats. It’s 100% human-induced warming that’s causing devastation and the sixth mass extinction. Then you connect the dots between your life choices and what’s happening. If you added up the carbon of just that trip, it would blow through hundreds of people’s annual budgets,” she said.

“Booking this kind of holiday is so completely out of line with that. It’s really hard to justify this. I am jealous because I want to go on this trip, but I couldn’t. Some people are still living as if we’re in the 1970s and this felt like a future problem.”

Katie urged people to be more conscious passengers, in part by checking the predicted emissions of different services on Google Flights. These can vary considerably on the same route, with some three times lower than others.

FORGET Santa in Lapland or skiing in France – when winter rolls around you’ll find me sunning myself abroad, trying to find some last-minute warmth to break up the UK’s long, grey months.

Having visited 58 countries as the Deputy Travel Editor, I’ve found some fantastic places that tick all the boxes of a winter sun break, without costing a fortune.

By that, I mean warm weather, direct flights (keeping them under seven hours, for any long-haul flight haters) and some very big bargains when it comes to hotels and beers.

So here are my favourite winter sun spots, some of which aren’t that far – and with hotels from £35 a night.

Marrakech

One of my favourite spots for winter sun that doesn’t break the bank is Morocco.

I’ve explored the Hassan II Mosque of Casablanca, and visited the beaches of Agadir.

But I think the best bargain is found in Marrakech.

Not only is it perfect for some pre-Christmas shopping – I found fantastic dupes of expensive branded candles and curtains in the souks – but you can still get temperatures just above 20C in winter.

Food is cheap too, as you’ll pay just a few pounds for a freshly-made tagine meal.

For an affordable hotel stay, skip the big name chains and go for a local riad – small traditional Moroccan hotels – which you can find for as little as £35 on websites such as Booking.com and Airbnb.

These are usually fantastic locations, and usually with some free mint tea or breakfast thrown in.

Flights are cheap too – Ryanair fly there from £14.99.

We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Aqua Mirage Club from November 26, with return flights from Manchester, for £379pp on Loveholidays.com.

Cape Verde

African island, no jet lag and flights under seven hours – enter Cape Verde.

Where else can you get all-inclusive holidays from £586pp, where you’ll be basking in 27C heat?

While lots of people head to the island of Sal, I much prefer Boa Vista.

Most of the TUI hotels are right on the beach, with swim-up bars and waterparks.

But leaving the resort is worth it too.

I found white sand beaches like Santa Monica with barely anyone on them, making me feel like I was on a Maldives private island instead.

My favourite was Praia Carlota, where you can lose the days in the hippy Morabeza beach hut with fried fish and local Strela beer.

Sand-boarding, kite-surfing, boat trips; visit in February and you can go whale-watching during humpback mating season too.

We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Hotel Pontao from November 30, with return flights from London Gatwick, for £430pp at On The Beach.

El Gouna

When it comes to Egypt, one of my favourite destinations for winter sun is El Gouna.

Flights there are around 5hr30 which go to Hurghada, with a short transfer.

The gated community means it is extremely safe as only people staying at the hotels can enter, and its still around 25C in December.

Hop on a boat to explore the man-made lagoons, or go on Sunset Desert Safaris, with hiking and stargazing with El Gouna Mountain Goats.

If you don’t mind going further afield, you can even book day trips to Luxor (just expect a very early start).

When it comes to choosing a place to stay, I highly recommend Cook’s Club.

The four-star resort has it all – fantastic restaurant, lagoon-front pool, live DJs, and rooms are super chic.

And seven night stays are as little as £509 each with your flights and breakfast with loveholidays.

We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Doubletree By Hilton Mangroovy El Gouna Resort from December 9, with return flights from London Gatwick, for £379pp at Loveholidays.

Tenerife

If you’re keen not to go much further than Spain for your winter holiday, your best bet is to head to Tenerife which is often considered the warmest of the island (due to its location off the African coastline).

Temperatures are around 22C – not hot but warmer than the UK highs of 9C.

Holidays are a bargain – loveholidays has December seven-night stays for under £200 – but I highly recommend The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife.

The dusty pink building looks like something from a fairytale, complete with beautiful suites and a hidden beach you can get to by funicular.

Seven night holidays here can be found for £797pp with flights and breakfast thrown in.

If you can drag yourself away from the hotel, there are some fantastic outdoor adventures on the island such as whale watching and hiking.

Otherwise get ready for a night out on the town of Playa de las Américas, where you will find the best bars and restaurants.

Try Spain’s cheap chain 100 Montaditos, called the Wetherspoons of Spain where sandwiches are €1 (80p) and beers are €1.50 (£1.29).

We found a deal for a six-night stay at BLUESEA Interpalace from November 15, with return flights from London Stansted, from £349pp at Lastminute.com.

Dubai

Forget the idea Dubai has to be expensive – I have the best tips on how to do it affordably (while still having fun and soaking up sun).

The United Arab Emirates is currently on the safe to travel list, with Emirates still offering daily flights from the UK.

First, the hotels – I was blown away by the Premier Inns here, which are just as cheap as the UK at around £30, but some come with rooftop swimming pools. Yes, really.

Beach clubs can also be done on a budget.

Some, like DRIFT, can cost a little as £30 midweek, which can be used against your food and drink (with Ladies Days costing just £20 instead) while others like Lucky Fish are currently free to visit Monday to Thursday.

And lunch deals let you visit some of the famous restaurants without the price, like Ce La Vie offering a three-course meal for £28 rather than their dinner menu which has £30 dishes alone.

But my favourite place to go was the Grand Souk, where you’ll find breads stuffed with cheese or Nutella for £1.22, or Iranian falooda — a sorbet-like dessert made of thin rice noodles and syrup — for £1.

Return flights from the UK can currently be found for around £500.

We found a deal for a six-night stay at Ibis Styles Dubai Jumeira from November 11, with return flights from London Gatwick, from £867pp with TUI.

Doha

Similar to Dubai yet often overlooked, Doha makes for a great winter sun destination without too long of a flight.

Flights from the UK are with Qatar Airways – often being named one of the world’s best airlines – and take around 6hr40 (and around £530 return).

It is a great ‘luxury on a budget’ for some royalty without the riyal.

My favourite hotel to go for is The Ned; while not ‘cheap’ it is much cheaper than the one in the UK and feels much fancier than it costs.

As little as £102 a night (compared to London’s £330), it’s retro glamour with gorgeous interiors and an outdoor swimming pool.

If you just want a base, there are also Premier Inn hotels for around £28 a night.

Taxies are cheap, it feels very safe as a woman travelling around and one of the best attractions is affordable – go to the National Museum of Qatar (currently around £5 entry).

Otherwise head straight to the beach clubs – for example, Doha Beach Club is around £12 each (or ladies visit on Tuesday for free). What more could you want?

We found a deal for a seven-night stay at Steigenberger Hotel Doha from January 17, with return flights from London Stansted, from £705pp with On The Beach.

STILL stuck on where to go on holiday this autumn? One TUI travel expert has the insider track on places that are still hot, and great value.

Kim Boucher, who has worked in TUI’s Mansfield store for more than 25 years, has revealed her top five destinations that are still warm in autumn – and has beer as cheap as £1.50.

Marmaris, Turkey

For cheap breaks, average temperatures of 24C, a pint for less than £2, a glass of wine from £2.70 AND meals out from £10, Turkey is a great option for an autumn break.

There are still TUI breaks on offer too.

Kim recommends Marmaris in particular for break during October and November thanks to its sunshine and temperatures which sit at around 24C.

She said: “You can spend your days unwinding on the beach or taking a boat trip along the stunning coastline, then enjoy the town’s vibrant atmosphere once the sun goes down.

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“One of the things I love most about Marmaris is the buzz in the evenings. The waterfront and marina come alive with bars, restaurants and cafés, creating a fantastic atmosphere.”

Kim suggests Lalila Blue Suites for a “stylish and relaxing getaway”.

The hotel is a short walk away from the beach, it also has a swimming pool and is a five-minute drive from the centre of Marmaris which has lots of bars and restaurants.

TUI offers seven-night holidays to the 4T Lalila Blue Suites on an all-inclusive basis from £496per person or – £70.85pppn.

Tunisia

This North African country is pretty much a fail-safe when it comes to autumn holidays with average highs of 25C.

For Brits, it’s not as far as you’d think either – it takes just three hours to get from the UK to Tunisia.

Kim recommends it not just for the temperatures, but says it has “exceptional value” compared to some Mediterranean destinations .

She added: “Hammamet in particular offers beautiful beaches, a charming old town and a welcoming atmosphere that’s perfect for a relaxing getaway.”

In Hammamet, visitors can explore traditional Medinas, check out the local markets and try some traditional Tunisian food.

For a hotel recommendation, Kim suggests Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort which is perfect for a “relaxing escape in Tunisia.”

It has five swimming pools, four restaurants and three bars – plus there’s a white sandy bay right on the doorstep.

TUI offers a seven-night holiday to the 5T Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort on a bed and breakfast basis from £610per person – or £87.14pppn.

Majorca, Balearic Islands

When it comes to the Mediterranean, Kim says Majorca is one of the first destinations she suggests when customers ask about an autumn getaway.

She explained: “It offers something for everyone. Even later in the season, you can still enjoy plenty of sunshine, while the slightly cooler temperatures make it ideal for exploring the island’s picturesque villages, coastline and vibrant resort towns.”

“You can spend your days relaxing on golden sandy beaches, discovering hidden coves and enjoying waterfront restaurants, before wandering through the island’s beautiful old towns in the evening.”

Pints of beer on the island are around £3, glasses of wine can be picked up for £4.50 and meals out for £20pp.

Kim recommends the Grupotel Gran Vista & Spa which has two lagoon pools, a children’s splash park and it’s a short walk away from the beach.

TUI offers a seven-night holiday to 4T Grupotel Gran Vista & Spa on a bed and breakfast basis from £326per person – or £46.58pppn.

Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve is another trusted holiday option for autumn thanks to its warm temperatures and short flight time.

When it comes to the region, Kim suggests heading to Albufeira.

She calls it a “fantastic option for anyone looking to extend their summer.”

Albufeira in particular is ideal “for beach days, waterfront dining and exploring the picturesque Algarve coastline.”

She added: “What makes Albufeira so popular is its versatility. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back couples’ retreat, lively nightlife or scenic coastal walks, there’s something for everyone.

“Combined with great-value accommodation and plenty of sunshine, it’s easy to see why it remains a favourite year after year.”

The average temperature of the Algarve in autumn is 20C with the average price of a local beer being as low as £1.50.

TUI offers a seven-night break at the 4T Vila Gale Cerro Alagoa on a bed and breakfast basis from £363 per person – or £51.85pppn.

Orlando, Florida

Whether you’re after the theme parks, shopping malls or just want some great restaurants and entertainment, Florida is a great autumn getaway spot, especially Orlando.

It’s still hot at 24C during autumn, but it’s much cooler than during the summer months, and more pleasant for wandering around.

Kim said: “While Orlando is best known for its incredible theme parks, there’s so much more to discover beyond the attractions.

“From lively entertainment districts and world-class dining to nearby natural springs and golf courses, it offers something for all types of travellers.

“It’s a destination where you can fill every day with adventure while still finding plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind.”

For a hotel recommendation, Kim suggests Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista which she called a “peaceful retreat” away from the theme parks – but still close enough to get to.

It has a palm-tree lined swimming pool, video games arcade and movies in the lobby as well as an Applebee’s restaurant, a breakfast buffet and a tiki bar.

TUI offers a seven-night holidays at the 3T+ Holiday Inn Resort Lake Buena Vista on a room only basis from £832 per person – or £118.85pppn.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

While temperatures in the UK drop during October, the Canary Islands is one spot where they sit at around 24C.

Kim added: “Tenerife is one of the destinations I regularly recommend for an autumn getaway.

“I love the variety it offers. You can have a completely relaxing beach holiday, explore the island’s dramatic scenery or head into the livelier resort areas for restaurants, bars and entertainment.

“It’s a fantastic all-round choice for couples looking for sunshine, great value and a change of scenery this autumn.”

On the island, popular activities include sunbathing on the beaches, snorkelling, hiking in Teide National Park.

Or for those who love watercoasters, heading over to Siam Park – a Thai-themed waterpark.

The average local pint here starts from £2.50 with the average meal out being as little as £15pp.

For a hotel recommendation, Kim suggests TUI SUNEO Tamaimo Tropical which she called a “great-value escape”.

The hotel is a top pick thanks to its child-friendly entertainment with plenty of activities as well as having two swimming pools and waterside bars.

TUI offer a seven-night holidays at the 3T TUI SUNEO Tamaimo Tropical on an all-inclusive basis from £423 per person – or £60.43pppn.