Deadliest Catch’s Todd Meadows fell overboard to his death in a tragic fishing accident in February 2025Credit: Facebook/Todd MeadowsThe 25-year-old had an eerie last FaceTime call with his children just moments before he fellCredit: Facebook/Todd Meadows
The rookie deckhand fell off the Aleutian Lady in a fishing accident on The Bering Sea and died from downing with possible hypothermia on February 25, 2026.
In the final episode of Season 22, a touching segment showed before and after his death, and captured his final conversation with his children just moments before the accident.
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
In a FaceTime call, he told his three children, all under five, that he was “being safe” and promised a fishing trip when he saw them again.
“I hope you’re being safe,” his daughter said on the call.
He promised his son a salmon fishing trip when he returned, telling producers on-camera that it was a “heart-wrencher” to leave his children at home for long stretches.
“It’s been one of my dreams and goals to make it up here,” he said, speaking of joining the crew for the season.
Most read in Entertainment
“That’s why I’m up here to make it and to try to support my family.”
Another part of the season finale captured the chaos surrounding the moment he fell overboard, without the actual fall or subsequent actions being shown on camera.
Captain Rick, who announced Meadows’ death, is filmed manning the vessel and asking “Everybody OK?” before the crew say that a man has gone overboard.
As he turns the boat and instructs them to ready the ring and crane, he tells the crew: “I got my eye on him.”
They successfully got Meadows out of the frigid sea and the Captain instructed them to perform CPR.
“Come on, man, come on, someone go get the AUD right now,” he says off camera with him tearfully telling the crew to “keep pumping” before a producer says, “He’s gone, Rick.”
In his last conversation with his three children, Meadows told them he was being safe and promised to take his son on a fishing trip when he was backCredit: DiscoveryThe impact of Meadows’ death on the crew was depicted in the season finale of Season 22Credit: Facebook/Todd Meadows
A statement on screen read: “On February 25th, 2026, deckhand Todd Meadows went overboard.
“After six minutes and twenty-six seconds in the water, he was recovered unresponsive.”
The episode then showed the aftermath of his death and its impact on the crew.
It ends with a cut back to Meadows as he prepares food in the kitchen and answers a producer’s question about what he would want to say to his children.
“Work towards your dreams and goals, don’t let anything slow you down. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything.
“Just want my kids to know I want them to work hard and be successful in life.”
Weeks before his fall, Meadows suffered a serious head injury onboard and was sent home on medical leave before being cleared again for work on September 18.
His week of medical leave saw him go back to his family while nursing his concussion which would tragically be the last time he saw them.
“The last photo I got of him was when he was building a fire. He was listening to music in the moment and was so happy,” his mom Angela said at the time.
TWICE-divorced Ben Affleck has revealed the brutal response he gets from his children when he tries to give them relationship advice.
The actor, who was previously married to Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Lopez, revealed his kids are quick to put him in his place when he weighs in on their friends’ love lives.
Ben Affleck’s marriage to Jennifer Lopez ended in 2024Credit: GettyBen has revealed the brutal response he gets when he offers his kids relationship adviceCredit: Splash
Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ben, 54, recalled trying to offer his opinion during a conversation at the dinner table.
He said: “I said, ‘Well, the thing about that relationship there with that person is…’ and the 17-year-old just turns to me and goes, ‘Oh, like you’re the expert on relationships?’”
Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter
Thank you!
Ben added: “I give advice and try to talk to them, parent them as you do. What I found is that now it’s not only one teenager rolling their eyes.
“I’ll kind of launch into something at the dinner table and I’ll catch them giving each other looks and I realise I’m the caricature in this story.”
Ben and Jennifer Garner remain close as they co-parent their three childrenCredit: AP:Associated PressBen has admitted his children aren’t afraid to roast him over his relationship historyCredit: Splash News
Ben shares Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14, with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
The pair married in 2005 and divorced in 2018.
Ben later married Jennifer Lopez, 57, in 2022, almost two decades after they called off their first engagement.
Their marriage ended in 2024.
Last year, Ben told GQ he had “nothing but respect” for JLo and described the breakup as having “no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue”.
He said there was no single dramatic event behind it, but stopped short of sharing the private details.
Meanwhile, the actor remains close to Jennifer Garner and had hoped to cast her as his on-screen wife in his new film Animals.
He told Entertainment Weekly: “I thought, God, Jen Garner would be amazing for this role.”
Jennifer ultimately did not take the role, which went to Kerry Washington.
However, he added: “I would love to work with her, frankly. She’s fabulous, and we’re really good friends, and I’m profoundly grateful to her, and we have a great thing.
“I still would wanna work with her in the future, but what you don’t wanna do is take the audience’s baggage and have it work against you, you know?”
A four night family break will cost you less than £100Credit: Facebook
Book a four-night family break for £99 (save £70)
You can bag a four night Tots Break for £99, which works out to £6.19pp per night if you’re a family of four.
On a Tots Break, kids eat completely for free with fresh, hot meals provided as part of the package. Based on a family of four, this can save you up to £70 extra.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Kids can enjoy a free breakfast, lunch and dinner with main meals from the Starland Krew Menu, which includes favourites like beef burgers, tomato pasta and chicken strips and chips.
Not only can kids enjoy free food and drink, but there’s a whole host of free kids activities, too. So no need to feel like you’re constantly saying no, or watching your holiday budget spiral out of control.
Some of the free activities that are great for under-fives include messy play, Tots & Tunes music sessions, soft play and the purpose-built Tots Adventure Playground.
There’s even mini archery, mini fencing and ‘Mini Olympics’ on offer if you want to try a new skill together.
There are 40 resorts across the UK to choose fromCredit: SuppliedKids will be entertained the whole way throughCredit: Trip Advisor/ Skipsea Sands Management
All 40 Parkdean Resorts sites host Milkshake! Mornings, where kids can play, sing along and listen to stories from their favourite Milkshake! presenters.
Plus, fans of the popular Paw Patrol can meet and greet some of their favourite characters, such as Chase and Marshall.
As for evening entertainment, there are specific Tots early evening events, including discos, dances and even ‘kideoke’ sing-a-longs.
And if you’ve got little ones who love dressing up, make sure to go to the ‘Sparkle Like a Princess’ event, led by Parkdean’s own animal characters, the Krazy Krew.
Book a four-night family break for £99 (save £70)
All the kids meals are free too – giving them all the energy for the entire dayCredit: Trip Advisor/ Thorness Bay Management
Accommodation includes the comfortable Bronze caravans or even safari tents sleeping up to six, with the option to upgrade, too.
Caravans are sleek and spacious, with glam charcoal and cream-coloured interiors and fully kitted-out modern kitchens.
Inside you’ll find cosy sofas, freshly-made beds and large TVs to sit back and relax with a movie once the little ones have tuckered themselves out.
The safari tents feel more like a luxurious glamping getaway, with two bedrooms inside and their own decking with a seating area to enjoy your morning coffee.
Tots Breaks take place at dozens of Parkdean Resorts across the UK throughout all seasons, so make sure to check their website for availability.
With their unique adults-only approach to cruising, Virgin Voyages is attracting a whole new generation of cruisers
The ship’s resident drag queen, Daisy Bucket, kept us entertained(Image: Ollie Leitelmayer)
If you’d asked me a few years ago to go on a cruise, it’s fair to say I’d be apprehensive. The idea of being trapped on a floating Butlin’s, pushing past screaming toddlers to reach the lukewarm buffet, wasn’t exactly my idea of a relaxing holiday. Then I heard about Virgin Voyages : no kids, no buffets, and the few people I knew that’d tried it raved about it.
Billed by the company as an adults-only boutique hotel at sea, Richard Branson’s cruise line has won multiple awards since it launched in 2021, as well as amassing a loyal fanbase.
I thought it was time to see if I could become one of those fans, could I finally be a cruise person? I embarked on one of Virgin Voyages’ sailings from Portsmouth, an easy 90-minute drive from my home in Oxfordshire.
This wasn’t just any cruise though, this was one of the company’s specialty comedy cruises – promising top acts from across the UK, all included in your fare.
I have to say, the standard of names was well above what I expected for a cruise ship. Headliners included Celebrity Traitors star Lucy Beaumont, Gogglebox regular Babatunde Aleshé and I’m A Celebrity all-star Seann Walsh, to name a few. All of the comedy shows were excellent, but my standout has to be Matt Richardson, of Xtra Factor fame. His show was genuinely one of the funniest things I’d ever seen, and had the audience in hysterics.
This was all offered alongside Virgin’s regular entertainment offering, which includes bingo with the ship’s resident drag queen, cabaret shows and gameshows – one of which even had a prize from the on-board tattoo parlour.
A tattoo parlour at sea pretty much sums up the whole design and vibes of the ship. Stepping onboard is like walking into a chic beach club in Ibiza. We entered our balcony cabin, and within a few minutes I was sitting in the iconic Virgin Voyages hammock with a glass of champagne. Not bad for a cruise sceptic.
The Valiant Lady may only be five years old, but it’s already had a refurb with refreshed seating areas, menus and a brand new restaurant.
At the very back of the ship sits The Dock, an outdoor lounge and casual small plates eatery that feels extremely relaxed. Forget clunky plastic sunloungers, here you sink into comfortable modern seats and huge beds and look out to the incredible views.
It was here that I started to think ‘I could get used to this’, as a helpful waiter handed me my third sangria and delivered our snacks. Think charred octopus and hanger steak, all included in the fare.
That brings me to one thing I’d heard about cruising – ‘it’s a constant sales pitch’. That may be the case on other cruise lines, but based on what I experienced, it could not be further from the truth on Virgin.
Standard WiFi and soft drinks are free, and every single restaurant on board is included. The majority of dishes are included in the fare, although some venues have one or two premium menu items at an extra cost. We never felt compelled to try these as there were so many appealing options which were included.
In fact, the food is one point that I heard so much about. Replacing the traditional buffet, you have The Galley, a food market style venue with multiple cuisines offered – all made to order. Imagine lots of street food stalls, including tacos, burgers and sushi.
Then there are the sit-down restaurants, which feel like trendy London eateries that I’d genuinely want to eat at on land. There’s no traditional ‘main dining room’ here, and no strict dress code to boot.
Highlights on-board included Ariya, the new Indian restaurant which, for me, blew Dishoom out of the water with its tender lamb shank biryani, and The Wake, a high-end steak restaurant nestled at the bottom of a glamorous, cascading staircase.
There were, of course, things I didn’t love. The pool area is relatively small, and although not an issue on our chilly UK cruise, I could see it becoming more of an issue on a sunnier trip.
There is honestly so much more I could write about this ship. I haven’t even touched on the spectacular Scarlet Night, where the entire ship transforms into a massive bright-red pool party.
I left this holiday feeling fully converted into a ‘cruise person’, so much so that I even booked two more trips before we pulled back into Portsmouth.
If you’ve spent your whole life swearing you’d never set foot on a cruise ship, it might just be time to eat your words. I certainly did, and luckily, the food was spectacular.
Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is the perfect mix of seaside and city, and the ideal place for a weekend away. Mum of two Hannah Britt took her daughters – and they didn’t want to leave
11:25, 11 Sep 2026Updated 11:28, 11 Sep 2026
The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, also La Seu is a Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral located in Palma, Mallorca, Spain.(Image: Getty Images)
Palma’s cobbled backstreets provided much needed shade as we went on the hunt for ice cream. It was 10am and the summer sun was already at boiling point as we meandered around the beautiful old town. My young daughters and I ducked into the Convent de Santa Clara to cool off.
Home to cloistered nuns, it’s a brilliant spot for children as you can ring a bell for cake. Once dung, a nun, hidden behind a traditional revolving wooden turnstile known as a torno, asks for your order, offering traditional handmade cakes, biscuits, and pastries.
Baked goods in small fists, we thanks the nuns, left and made our way to Palma Cathedral, also known as La Seu, a massive Gothic Roman Catholic landmark located right on the sea.
Not a quick project, construction on the cathedral started in 1229 after King James I conquered the island, and it was finished in 1601.
A short queue allows you inside, which is just as impressive as its imposing exterior. Famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí worked on interior restorations starting in 1904, adding a unique crown-of-thorns canopy over the altar.
But with the call of ice cream still beckoning, it was time to go. Luckily for us, Artello Gelato was just around the corner, a popular artisan ice cream shop rated five stars on Tripadvisor.
I chose pistachio, as did my two year old, while my six year old went for salted caramel. A blissful five minutes followed as we devoured what I must agree is the best ice cream in town. Careful not to waste a drop we walked over to Placa Court, an historic public square famous for its 17th-century town hall and a massive 600-year-old olive tree.
And what a tree indeed. Swirled and gnarled like something out of a story book, it’s a symbol of peace for Palma and around 7m in circumference.
Visitors often look closely at the twisted bark to spot natural formations that resemble faces, including a distinct feature known locally as the Orella de Mallorca (the Ear of Mallorca). That looks like you, mummy, said my six year old. I wasn’t sure whether to be proud or deeply offended.
Laughing, I dipped us inside the town hall, which houses a permanent display of giant festival folklore figures known locally as gegants (giants) or large festival dolls. These over-four-meter-tall mannequins are not everyday puppets; they are heavy, hollow-framed figures worn by dancers, paraded through the streets during major city celebrations, such as the Festa de Sant Sebastià (Palma’s patron saint festival in January) and Corpus Christi.
When not on duty, however, they guard the grand entrance hall to the town hall. Can I have one, asked my six year old, as I led her swiftly away.
With the midday sun now high in the sky, it was time to retreat to our hotel. We were staying a short taxi ride away at the Zafiro Palace Palmanova, a five star want-for-nothing complex ideally situated, as the name suggests, in nearby Palmanova. Set between Palma and along the coast from Magaluf, the area manages to bridge the gap between lively and tranquil – and the Zafiro Palace is the jewel in its crown.
The hotel’s back gate leads to the clean, sandy beach in minutes, lined with bars, cafes and ice cream shops. Our favourite was the breezy Turtle Beach, which made a perfect Aperol spritz. But once inside the complex, it’s hard to muster the will to leave.
Rooms are immaculate and chicly decorated, all with balconies and some with hot tubs. We were lucky enough to have a swim-up suite, meaning we could roll out of bed and into the water at a moment’s notice. Two large kids pools and several main pools lay close by however, tantalisingly beckoning us in.
When hungry, food was sublime, with plenty on offer for even the fussiest little ones. The best flat white was to be found in the bar. As I sat that evening watching the girls dance at the kids’ disco, I had already plotted our return.
*Nightly rates at Zafiro Palace Palmanova start from €438 per night with All Inclusive Redefined ®
WASHINGTON — It should have been the safest of political appearances — a group of kids gushing about their love of science and space exploration with Vice President Kamala Harris.
But for Harris, it became a controversy.
The children, it turned out, were paid actors. And the video, filmed on location at the White House and the vice president’s official residence at the Naval Observatory, was promoted on NASA’s YouTube Channel and Harris’ Twitter account last week without making that clear.
The fallout over the video, produced for YouTube’s original programming platform, is the second in recent weeks where a seemingly innocuous appearance by Harris has become modestly troublesome.
Late last month, Harris generated more serious consternation and criticism from pro-Israel Democrats and media for not pushing back when a student at a classroom encounter at George Mason University in Virginia accused Israel of “ethnic genocide.” Harris spent the next several days clarifying her longstanding support for Israel and reaching out to pro-Israel organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League.
Such stumbles have been featured extensively in conservative media, where Harris is a regular target. But they also reinforce concerns among Democrats that Harris has not yet found her political footing since taking office amid high expectations. The presumed front-runner to succeed President Biden on the Democratic ticket in 2024 or 2028, Harris recently enlisted two veteran Democrats to help stabilize her communications efforts.
Harris’ office and NASA would not discuss the decision-making process that led to her participation in the YouTube Original or the administration’s marketing of the special, which was produced by a Canada-based company called Sinking Ship Entertainment.
I love the idea of exploring the unknown. There’s so much out there that we still have to learn. As the chair of the National Space Council, I’m eager to get our young people interested in STEM and space exploration. Watch “Get Curious” at https://t.co/d7UDjdh8NGpic.twitter.com/UYvZzsNgId
Harris’s office did not select the children who participated in the YouTube Originals special, a White House official said. A YouTube spokesperson said that “the casting process for this show was no different from typical unscripted kids’ shows across other networks and streaming platforms.”
The special debuted during World Space Week. It features NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough giving five children the clues for a scavenger hunt that takes them to the U.S. Naval Observatory, where they not-so casually run into Harris, who welcomes them onto the porch of the vice presidential residence.
While sitting in a white chair alongside the children, Harris reminisces about going to the lab with her scientist mother during her childhood and says she is excited to chair the National Space Council. She offers advice to the children about showing their true selves.
“Never let anybody tell you who you are,” she tells them. “You tell them who you are.”
Like many online productions, the special has the feel of something between a kids’-oriented news segment and a scripted show. The children, who introduce themselves with their hometowns, act surprised and excited as they meet the real-life astronaut and the vice president.
Earlier this week, one of the children who appeared in the video described in detail his audition process to KSBW TV in Salinas, which sparked mockery online and news coverage. Harris’ appearance drew especially sharp critiques in conservative news outlets. Fox News, in its coverage, has tried to draw a comparison to the criticism unleashed on former President Trump after his 2015 campaign launch in which he paid people to act like supporters.
Appearing as a guest on Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s show, commentator Candace Owens falsely told viewers that Harris paid children to appear in the special.
White House officials have a long history of appearing as themselves in scripted shows, often with children. First Lady Nancy Reagan promoted her anti-drug message on the popular 1980s sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes,” and then-President Obama participated in a televised sketch alongside comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The difference this time was that the show’s format was ambiguous, and its presentation and promotion by Harris and NASA led commentators to believe it had been produced by the government.
Communications consultants said the vice president’s staff should have more thoroughly vetted the program and ensured it was clearly labeled as a reality show with paid actors when the U.S. government promoted it.
Ultimately, Harris’ staff let her down, they said.
“The vice president and the president can’t do their own vetting on things like this,” said Kevin Madden, who served in senior communications roles for Mitt Romney’s 2008 and 2012 campaigns.
Madden added that Harris should not have participated in the program with paid actors, especially “in an era where there is a very high quotient of fake news and misinformation, you have to expect this kind of scrutiny.”
“The criticism [here] becomes warranted,” he said.
After two of his children fell ill on an all-inclusive Jet2 trip to Turkey, Blake Chapman decided to abandon the holiday and fly home – but says he was left £10,000 out of pocket
Blake Chapman with Keeton (left) and Tobias (right)(Image: Kennedy News and Media)
A furious dad says he was left £2,000 out of pocket after a holiday nightmare – despite having paid for travel insurance. Blake Chapman flew out with his 29-year-old partner Abbey Andrews and their three children Keeton, 11, Tobias, 3, and Vienna 1, on August 6. They had paid for 10-day £8,000 all-inclusive Jet2 holiday in the Turkish resort of Alanya.
But the family’s holiday started to go wrong just two days after they landed in Turkey, when Blake and Abbey’s youngest child, Vienna, fell ill with symptoms of severe food poisoning. “It started happening with my one-year-old two days in,” Blake said. “She was completely fine then it got to about 11:15pm and she started projectile vomiting, really bad diarrhoea, temperature.
“Because we were in a different country we panicked. I ran down to reception, they told me that they’d call an ambulance. They got to the hospital, they put an IV drip in Vienna.”
Soon after arriving at the hospital, Blake was presented with a £2,000 bill. “I argued it because I said that we’ve got insurance and I paid for the higher insurance,” he said. “In the end I just paid it.”
But things went from bad to worse when the couple’s three-year-old son Tobias began to show the same symptoms.
Blake said: “The following day around 1.00pm we all got out of the pool just about to get some dinner and it happened to my three-year-old Tobias. We kind of knew what to expect this time. Tobias was being sick in the hospital.”
Faced with the prospect of a second massive bill, Blake refused hospital treatment for Tobias and consulted a pharmacist instead.
Meanwhile, although Blake had been given an explanation for Vienna’s symptoms, he didn’t entirely believe it. He continued: ”We got the doctor’s report and they put it down to dehydration but I’m like a helicopter dad, I took the kids all over the world, we’ve never had a problem.
“When Vienna went to hospital she had a blood test and they said she’s got high white blood cells so that indicated an infection. I don’t believe it is dehydration because I’m not going to sit with a one-year-old in the beaming sun.”
With two of his children seriously unwell, Blake made the decision to abandon the holiday: “My plan was ‘let’s get out of here, let’s fly home’,” he says.
Blake says he tried to get hold of the Jet2 rep without success, so he called the company direct. Despite being told that his insurance claims could potentially take months to process, Blake and Abbey decided to leave the hotel before anyone else fell ill, spending another £950 on flights, arriving back in the UK on August 11.
“It’s put me off all-inclusives,” Blake says. “I would never go to Turkey again in my life from this experience.
He stressed that he wasn’t holding anyone responsible, but was frustrated by the slow process of his insurance claim. ”I’m not blaming the hotel, I’m not blaming the hospital for us being ill but it was how we were left in the dark,” he said.
“It’s very frustrating, very emotional. What I want to do is spread awareness because people think if you go all inclusive with the full travel insurance too then you’ll be OK if anything happens – but we were asked to pay thousands.”
A spokesperson for Jet2holidays said: “We were very sorry to hear that members of the Chapman family became unwell during their holiday. Our in-resort team made attempts to contact the family to offer support, but they had already departed before we were able to speak to them.
“Our teams on the ground work tirelessly to support customers throughout their holidays, and we remain committed to providing help whenever it is needed.”
EXCLUSIVE: There were arguments aplenty and several walkouts – but Jackie Bassett and Peter Davies say they’d still do it all over again, given the choice
00:09, 07 Sep 2026Updated 07:30, 07 Sep 2026
The final emotional episodes go back over the lives of all of the contributors, since 1964(Image: Nick Wall)
In 1964, 14 children aged seven were plucked from obscurity to take part in the TV experiment Seven Up!, which would follow them every seven years to see how their different starts in life would affect them.
The nation has long been fascinated by these kids, who have now (mostly) reached the grand age of 70. Two of them have died, along with the show’s long-term director Michael Apted, who went on to have a career making films in Hollywood.
Two of the most outspoken were Jackie Bassett and Peter Davies – and both say that, despite everything they didn’t like over the decades, they’d do it all again.
Left-wing Peter, from Liverpool, was working as a teacher at a comprehensive in 1984 when 28 Up aired. He was vilified by the right-wing press for calling the Thatcher government “the most incompetent, uncaring bloody shower we’ve ever had” and pulled out for many years after that, not returning until 56 Up, when he realised it was a good way to promote the music he was releasing.
“I think for a long time I felt cynical about the programme and the way in which individual stories were shaped,” he says now. “I’m thinking particularly back to when I did 28 Up – I think one of the headlines was, ‘Would you let this man teach your children?’
“At the time I was quite shocked because I’d never experienced anything like that – the sheer level of vitriol involved in some of the comments. I was quite taken aback.”
He held Michael partly responsible for the way in which he was portrayed. “I actually spoke to Michael and said, ‘You know, you’ve really condensed me there almost to a caricature – the angry young man from the North of England.’”
But “on balance” he’d still do it all again, because of how it turned out. “It’s not a decision I’d have taken lightly because there has been a downside as well.” This downside, in turns out, is the fame that the show has inevitably brought the participants. “I’ve found that intrusion difficult at times,” he admits.
Jackie has now left Scotland, where she brought up her three sons, and moved to the Norfolk coast. “I love my children, I love my grandchildren, but it was time for me to have a life and that’s what I’m doing now,” she declares. “It only took me 65 years to get there, but I’m finally pleasing myself.” She agrees that sometimes the public’s reaction to the show can feel a bit much. “The thing is, they see you for 15 minutes on that screen and suddenly believe they know everything about you. And that’s ridiculous, as most normal people would understand.”
Peter feels the show’s aim of showing the class system evolved into “something much bigger” but still didn’t explore certain areas enough. “I think something they missed was the emergence of a new lower middle class perhaps – people like myself whose parents were working class, but who were able, by virtue of a properly resourced welfare state and state education system, to move out of that background, go to university, change our lives.”
Prior to film-maker Michael’s death in 2021, Jackie enjoyed sometimes putting him in his place, famously challenging him on camera in 2005 for asking the women about marriage and children rather than anything else.
Later, she would point blank refuse to speak about certain topics. “He never saw us, never had contact with us. So he’d come back from America to do a film with me, or Peter, or whoever, and he just sat down and started throwing questions at you. And sometimes he didn’t like the fact that we didn’t want to answer them. I was not going to talk about something that would affect my family, my children – so I basically just told him no. He didn’t like it, but there wasn’t much he could do about it.”
That said, she also had warm feelings for him, and knew he gave her opportunities she wouldn’t otherwise have had. “I probably would do it all over again yes,” she confesses. “Because Michael opened up a whole different world to me with the screenings of his films and things like that. Obviously there’s points on the programme that I’ve not enjoyed, usually because I sort of opened my mouth without engaging my brain, but I think I would do it.”
She thinks it was outrageous to only have four girls alongside ten boys – comprised of herself and two friends Lynn and Sue, all from the same primary school in working class East London, along with solo upper-class Suzy, who liked ballet and thought she’d probably hire a nanny one day.
“The quote wasn’t ‘show me the boy and I’ll give you the man,’ it just says ‘give me the child at seven’,” Jackie points out. “I think it was partly because at that time women were mostly at home looking after children. Women didn’t have careers – you may have had one or two, but they were few and far between. It was just, ‘well, we’ll keep it to a minimum because they’re not going to go very far and they’re not going to do very much.’ But they knew they made a mistake. They really did.”
Peter says Michael actually admitted he’d got that wrong. “It was outrageously sexist, but this was the early 60s and people behaved in outrageously sexist ways all the time.”
They have not yet seen the final films and know that watching themselves for a final time is going to feel emotional. “I’ve been told to take plenty of tissues. I have no idea what to expect, and it’s probably going to feel strange,” Jackie says. Peter believes it will be “momentous”, reasoning: “It’s just the culmination of so much, isn’t it?”
The pair of them enormously enjoyed making the double-bill 70Up finale, with new director Asif Kapadia. “I think it had become a little formulaic,” Peter says. “So having someone new on board was going to shake things up a bit. And I think he did. Some of the questions he asked were difficult to answer, but they were interesting and made me work a bit harder.”
Jackie concurs. “I’ll second that. I think it had got very staid and in its box, and Asif came in like a breath of fresh air. It was far more relaxed, nowhere near as formal. I think it actually should have worked pretty well, fingers crossed.”
They feel that now is the right time to pull the plug. “The last thing we want is us all walking in with Zimmer frames or in wheelchairs or whatever age does to us. I think it’s very appropriate to end on 70,” Jackie says., laughing: “I have no idea why it fascinates people, not really.”
“It can’t go on forever,” Peter agrees. “Two of the cast members have gone, Michael’s gone. So yeah, this feels like the right time to end it.”
Seven Up! launched in 1964 with 14 participants – 10 boys and four girls – picked to represent different elements of the UK’s class structure. They are:
Andrew Brackfield – Upper class schoolboy who read the Financial Times aged 7, went to Oxford and became a solicitor
Bruce Balden – Schoolteacher who attended a prestigious boarding school and wanted to be a missionary
Charles Furneaux – Kensington prep school boy who became a documentary producer and left after 21 Up, returns this time – but only in audio
Jackie Bassett – Working class schoolgirl from East London who moved to Scotland and had three sons
John Brisby – Upper class schoolboy whose father died when he was nine, he became a barrister and is angry over his portrayal
Lynn Johnson – Jackie and Sue’s friend Lynn died from a brain condition in 2013. She thought she would work in Woolworths but was a children’s librarian
Nick Hitchon – Yorkshire farm boy who became a nuclear scientist and moved to the US in 1982. He is featured despite his death, from throat cancer, in 2023
Paul Kligerman – A carehome resident who moved to Australia and settled in to family life
Peter Davies – A middle-class lawyer and musician from Liverpool who dropped out after 28 Up but returned for 56 Up
Neil Hughes – Peter’s classmate, wanted to be an astronaut but became a local politician and preacher and has experienced homelessness
Sue Davis – Jackie’s schoolfriend who was a single mum in 42 Up and became a university administrator who has remarried
Suzy Lusk– Upper class schoolgirl who dropped out of education at 16 and later became a bereavement counsellor
Symon Basterfield – Brought up in a Barnardo’s children’s home, he has fostered more than 120 children.
Tony Walker – Working class “cheeky chappie” from Essex who dreamed of being a jockey but became a London cabbie.
– 70 Up: The Final Chapter, 15 & 22 September, 9pm, ITV and ITVX
FROM #ad posts to children launching their own fashion lines, the world of influencing is no longer reserved for reality stars and celebs – but their mini-mes too.
Amy Childs’ revealed recently that her nine-year-old daughter was launching her own fashion brand of gym and athleisure wearCredit: amychilds1990 and mypollyuk/ InstagramFerne McCann is often seen promoting products with her daughters Sunday and FintyCredit: instagram
The announcement didn’t go down quite as positively as Amy had hoped, with many fans slamming her for ‘exploiting’ the youngster for the money-spinning venture – leaving her ‘devastated’.
It comes as a whole host of celebs have welcomed their offspring into the world of business.
Molly-Mae Hague’s daughter Bambi joined her in promoting Persil and Comfort laundry productsCredit: PersilRochelle Humes’ children are often seen in social media adverts for her brand, My Little Coco
PR expert Luana Riviera says celeb parents are a ‘goldmine’ when it comes to money-making, as she says: “Being seen with their children makes even the most famous faces seem more down-to-earth and relatable.”
However, fans have been left concerned over the rise in celeb children on their screens.
Amy Childs’ was flooded with comments about ‘exploitation’ after revealing daughter Polly’s clothing brand.
Something feels off about this. Sorry but it’s a money making thing and doesn’t seem right.
“She isn’t old enough to do this sort of thing and have the maturity to understand,” said one.
Another echoed: “God let her be a child a little longer.”
Molly-Mae faced similar backlash after showing daughter Bambi in the bath on her Amazon Prime series and taking part in campaigns together.
“From a PR point of view, the use of families is appealing and will certainly get people talking about the brand and the marketing campaign,” explains Launa, who is the founder of Dauntless PR.
She continued: “But it is important to remember that these decisions are forever and when children get older they may wish they had been given more privacy and normality in their younger years.”
“Whether or not celebrities SHOULD put their children in the public eye in this way is an area which people will have lots of opinions on.
“Some will argue it is a safety risk and that the children themselves aren’t old enough to fully consent or understand the implications of establishing a level of fame in their own right.”
With the move such a controversial one, will the young stars see any of their hard-earned profits?
PR expert Carla Speight believes they will reap the rewards, just not anytime soon.
“These industry savvy parents will be making sure their kids won’t work for free, especially in the case of Molly Mae’s Bambi in the Comfort ads.
“Bambi will have been paid for that and the money will sit in a trust earning interest until she’s at least 16, which gives her a good financial head start.
“Just like most of the celeb children, they’ll either have shares in the brands or they’ll get a wage for each time they showcase the brands and in the case of their parent’s brands, it’s likely they’ll get both.”
GRAB granny and pack your bags – multi-generational holiday packages are an absolute bargain.
It comes as new research from Jet2 reveals that more and more families are bringing the grandparents with them on holiday.
All ages can bond on a sunshine holiday togetherCredit: PeopleImagesSparkling Lindos on the Greek island of RhodesCredit: davidionut
According to booking data, most family trips are taken in groups of five or six, with the Canary Islands proving to be the most popular spot.
Choice of destination is a huge consideration for multi-gen groups, with 43 per cent choosing somewhere based solely on suitability for their party.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Following the Canary Islands on the list of most in-demand multi-generational getaway locations is Turkey, the Balearic Islands, Greece and mainland Spain.
Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of holidays for the whole family . . .
Promising year-round sunshine and affordable deals, the rugged Canary Isle of Tenerife is the sweet spot for families after something quick and easy with unlimited R&R.
Check in to the 4H Paradise Park Fun Lifestyle Hotel, which has enough to keep the kids happy while the older generations kick back with a pina colada.
Kids’ clubs, for those aged four to 12, will keep them busy in the day with arts, crafts and competitions, while evening entertainment is geared up for everyone, with bingo, live music and mini discos.
Five outdoor pools ensure you won’t struggle to find a sunlounger and there’s an onsite spa, too.
GO: TENERIFE
Seven nights’ B&B is from £619pp including flights from London Stansted on September 15.
Price is based on four adults and two children sharing, 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers. See jet2holidays.com.
TURKEY
This European hotspot is crammed with all-inclusive resorts where vast food choices help take the faff out of having multiple mouths to feed.
The Aquapark at Orka World Hotel stays open until mid-October and the kids will absolutely love it.
The park is home to 13 water slides, four pools and a lazy river that even the grandparents can enjoy.
You’ll keep well fuelled at the buffet restaurant, which has all the favourites plus some traditional Turkish offerings, including pide (a savoury flatbread) and gozleme (a thin, doughy pancake stuffed with spinach, feta or meat).
GO: TURKEY
Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £600pp including flights from London Gatwick on September 30.
Price is based on four adults and two children sharing two rooms and includes luggage and transfers. See easyjet.com/en/holidays.
GREECE
You don’t need to spend buckets to bag a deal that will suit everyone, and the calm Rodos Palace resort in Rhodes is a prime example.
The Greek island offers fascinating history for the grandparents to sink their teeth into, as well as high-intensity activities for the kids and views that look super in the sunshine.
Rooms are bright and airy, while the eight restaurants on site will ensure you’re never short of dinner options.
There’s also a plush private beach with plump cabanas and a volleyball net.
GO: GREECE
Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £439pp including flights from East Midlands on September 29.
Price is based on four adults and one child sharing a family suite and includes luggage. See loveholidays.com.
WET weather may be on the way, but that doesn’t mean family fun has to stop.
Across the country are plenty of new indoor soft play attractions that will keep the kids entertained – even when it’s raining outside.
Funparx in Banbury is set to open soonCredit: FunparxSprouts Play Barn is adding a new area to its already huge soft play centreCredit: Millets Farm Centre
Geo-Play, Prestatyn
Over in the Welsh town of Prestatyn, a new soft play centre for babies, toddlers and children has just opened.
Called Geo-Play, it has colourful obstacles, slides, tunnels and places to climb.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Inside its Dragon’s Magical Sensory Cave children will be able to play amongst lots of lighting with cosy cushions, mirrors and projections on the walls.
Parts of the soft play look like a lighthouse – inspired by Prestatyn’s seaside location.
On September 6, children up to 10 years old will be able to explore a brand-new adventure play area with three slides, ball pools, climbing area, and interactive elements.
There’s a separate area for those under two; it will have a mini play frame, toddler slide, ball pool and activities for younger kids.
Parents can watch on at one of the tables surrounding the soft play and get drinks and snacks from the on-site café.
Epicland UK, Trafford
Epicland opened in July on the upper floor of Partington Shopping Centre in Trafford.
It has two soft play sections – one for twos and under and another for children aged three to nine years.
New soft play centres are opening all over the countryCredit: Getty – Contributor
Inside is a light up racing slide and a light up warp slide along with role play areas and a ball pit.
It also has sand play, craft areas, role play and little trampolines – there’s also a mini climbing wall and a racing track with little cars.
Derby Way, Bury
This soft play may not open for a while as plans have only just been submitted to transform a former car showroom in Bury.
It will transform from its vacant unit into a new children’s indoor activity park for children aged 0 to 11.
Planning documents reveal the indoor play centre would feature soft play areas, seating, party rooms, and a café.
Customers would be able to book two hour play slots, which would start in 30 minute intervals.
Geo-Play is a new soft play centre for babies, toddlers and children that has just openedCredit: Geo-PlayIt also has a ball pit and twisty slidesCredit: Unknown
Fun Parx, Banbury
This centre coming to Banbury has a bit more than soft play with Ninja obstacle courses and super slides.
Fun Parx has enormous Inflatable Monster Course where kids can race each other to the end.
Of course, for smaller kid, s here is a soft play called Critter Castle with its own ball pit, slides and turret to climb.
For gamers, there will be a retro arcade with throwback games, and the on-site cafe will serve up pizza, fries, hot dogs and soft drinks.
It was set an opening time of ‘summer 2026′, so is likely to open soon.
Sprouts Play Barn, Abingdon
Known as being a large, farm-themed indoor and outdoor soft play centre – Sprouts Play Barn has plenty to shout about.
It has a four- lane cow slide, tunnel slide, farmer’ s market role-play, a floor piano, sports court and a designated area for unde5s’s
In July work began on a new play area for even younger children.
Called ‘Crawlers & Cruisers’ it will be a soft play zone designed specifically for babies and toddlers who are not yet walking.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz whispers to him behind President Donald Trump at an announcement on healthcare affordability on Monday. On Tuesday, Kennedy hosted a symposium on children’s screen time. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 1 (UPI) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encouraged families to reduce screen time for their children during a symposium Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
The event, called the Live Real Life Symposium, was held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building and brought together “leaders from technology, medicine, research, education, government, and advocacy groups to examine the harms of screen use in children and discuss actionable approaches to supporting healthier childhood development,” a press release from HHS said.
The symposium also introduced The Magic Tablet, a children’s book released by HHS meant to communicate the Live Real Life principles in a children’s book format.
“Our children get one childhood, and we cannot allow screens to replace the real-world experiences they need to grow and thrive,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement. “Through the Office of the Surgeon General’s ‘Live Real Life initiative,’ we are giving families practical tools to put technology in its proper place and get children back to playing, exploring, connecting and experiencing the world around them.”
The event was meant to build on the Surgeon General’s Warning on the Harms of Screen Use issued earlier this year, which outlines how factors such as age, content, design, purpose and duration influence when screen engagement may be beneficial and when it’s harmful.
“The well-being of children is not just important today, but must be an ongoing priority for the public health communities,” said Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, director of national health communications for the Office of the Surgeon General and principal deputy assistant secretary for health. “Technology has a place in our lives, but it should never come at the expense of our children’s health.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday. Photo by Al Drago/UPI | License Photo
WHAT’S your rainy day activity checklist with kids? Soft play, museum, cinema… how about flying?
No, not the kind where you go up in a plane – the real flying.
Anyone aged 3 upwards can fly up to 40 feet in the air at iFly Indoor Skydiving
Reaching the tail end of the school summer holidays and fresh out of ideas for what to do with my seven year old, I decided to think outside the box with a trip to iFly Indoor Skydiving.
With five venues in Milton Keynes, Manchester, Birmingham, Basingstoke and London, we opted for the one at the O2 Arena in London’s Docklands.
But while your tickets must be booked by September 29, you can buy tickets to fly right up until January 1, 2027, so plenty of rainy day activity options for October half term and the Christmas school holidays.
Sign up to Sun Clubfor £1.99 a month or just £12 for your first year, then £19.99 thereafter, then head to the Sun Club Offers hub and find the iFly offers page.
Plus, you’ll get unlimited access to our award-winning articles plus exclusive showbiz scoops, and a huge range of other offers and discounts too – from early access to book Hols From £9.50, free racing tickets to top UK racecourses and 2-4-1 tickets to theme parks.
The concept to iFly indoor skydiving is simple(ish) – decked out in a jumpsuit, helmet and goggles, you stand inside a huge, glass wind tunnel that sends air upwards at speeds of 120mph to 165mph, and attempt to do your best flying squirrel impression.
The activity was barely on my radar before this summer, because I’d always assumed it was something exclusively for daredevils that needed to train for real flying out of planes.
But in reality, you don’t actually have to be any good at all. Because anyone is welcome aged 3 upwards, and they have highly experienced instructors on hand at all times.
After watching the safety video, my son and I were understandably nervous, but the instructor was so kind and patient that by the time we got to the tunnel, my child was confident enough to volunteer to go first.
The wind is STRONG. So strong that you simply have to flop forwards as you enter the tunnel. And it’s also loud, which is why they provide you with ear plugs and communicate via hand signals.
But I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a big grin on his face as the moment he first flew off the ground, which only got wider when he opted for the special “High Flight” add-on, where the instructor took him on a spinning flight, 40 feet up towards the top of the tunnel.
Each session lasts around a minute, and everyone in our group got four sessions as part of their package (although that might change depending on group size), with the opportunity to add a High Flight to each of their goes in the wind tunnel, which cost £15 a pop.
The Sun’s Head Of Travel, Digital, took her seven year old along to try it out
It’s well worth doing the add-on at least once if you can afford the extra cost, as unless you’re planning on jumping out of a plane anytime soon, this is the closest you’ll ever come to flying high above the ground.
If you’re not feeling confident (or flush) though, there is still plenty of tunnel time six feet off the ground, where the instructor helps you to steer around the tunnel, using hand signals to instruct you to bend or straighten your legs and arms.
My son has become obsessed with ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences, which apply as a justification for everything from eating an ice cream at the park on a sunny day, to buying the latest Lego magazine.
But when he declared at the end of our iFly experience that it was ‘truly the best once in a lifetime experience ever,’ I had to agree with him.
Forget pigs flying, this middle-aged mum never thought it would happen to her either.
And yet, I’ve got a school of flight certificate with full marks for my ‘stable belly flying’ to prove it.
18+ England, Scotland and Wales residents only. Sun Savers multiple code collect 29/08/26-05/09/26 or subscription to Sun Club or digital subscription required. Online access required. Booking closes 23:59pm on 29/09/26. Non-transferable & non-refundable. Offer valid on a first time flyer experience only at all IFLY locations across England. Flights must be booked between August 29- September 29 and must take place before Friday January 1, 2027. Subject to availability. Not valid on voucher purchases. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other other offer, discount, voucher or promotion. T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club. Sun Club new customer offer: £1.99 per month or £9.99 for the first year, then £19.99 thereafter unless you cancel at least seven days before your next billing date. Full T&Cs apply, see thesun.co.uk/club.
DID you know that Buckingham Palace has its own cinema, post office and even a mini bank?
I didn’t. Nor did the handful of punters and their kids behind me, who were now all gawping with fascination at the extravagant building from their shiny bus seats.
The Original’s London Kids Bus Tour is designed specifically for youngsters
Claim 25% off children’s tickets for the The Original London Kids Tour
The royal premises is certainly a spectacular sight to behold with its grand curved arches and towering bronze statue.
And we’ve got one of the best views in town: from the upper deck of an open-roofed London bus.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The Original’s London Kids Bus Tour may be aimed at youngsters, but there are enough juicy facts in there to keep adults hooked on their guide’s every word as they tour the capital’s most recognisable landmarks.
And right now Sun readers can save 25% on children’s tickets by clicking here, with ages two and under going free.
In just under an hour, my niece and I had ticked off Big Ben, Downing Street, the London Eye, and of course the residence of King Charles.
His Majesty wasn’t at home, though. “You can tell from the flag’s position,” our guide explains. “If it’s flying high, he’s in the building.”
That’s one fact I did know.
We also learned the stories behind the four grand lion statues in Trafalgar square and how Nelson’s Column was built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, hundreds of years ago.
Facts were cleverly sandwiched between fun sightseeing tasks for kids, like spotting the golden pineapples on top of Lambeth Bridge.
Kids had to use their noggins, too, to answer age-appropriate quiz questions such as: “What’s the name of that big clock over there?”
Tours tick off Big Ben, Downing Street, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace
Claim 25% off children’s tickets for the The Original London Kids Tour
I’ll give you one guess as to where our guide was pointing.
And just as we were gazing up at the mighty Big Ben he roared into action, bellowing his tuneful chime.
That’s the other brilliant thing about these tours, each one is perfectly-timed to include key moments like this.
On top of Big Ben’s gong, we heard the merry jingle from Fortnum & Mason’s grand clock on Piccadilly and watched from a distance as visitors piled into pods on the mighty London Eye.
“That is SO high,” my niece squealed, pointing excitedly at the big wheel.
This monument is actually taller than Big Ben, our guide highlights. Those trivia facts just keep on coming.
When we clamber off after an exhilarating hour, a free activity booklet will keep kids faces from going sour.
It’s loaded with mini tasks like spot the difference, word searches and dot-to-dots, all leaning on their new-found knowledge of the capital.
Sun readers can bag 25% off children’s tickets plus seven extra freebies for The Original London Kids TourCredit: The Original Tour
Something to keep them busy while parents grab a coffee.
I can’t think of a better way to see the sights, either, than from the comfort of a classic red double-decker (don’t panic, the upper deck is partially roofed for when the weather takes a turn).
There’s plenty of space on board, too.
We were visiting on a maximum-capacity day and there were still lots of free seats scattered around.
At £24pp it’s cracking value, too. And now you can bag yourself an even bigger discount, with 25% off children’s tickets.
The First Dates star was given an unexpected Father’s Day surprise during filming for his new travel series. He became emotional when staff at a luxury hotel in Singapore arranged a personal gesture for him while he was filming Fred’s Ultimate Hotels, which is set to air on Monday (August 31st).
Fred was staying at the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, when the hotel team decided to mark Father’s Day in a very special way.
Speaking about the moment, Fred admitted he was completely caught off guard when he returned to his room and discovered a surprise waiting for him.
“I arrived there on Father’s Day on the 21st of June,” he explained. “My concierge picked some pictures off the internet of my kids. They used AI to mock up a card to say happy Father’s Day. ‘We love you’, blah, blah, blah, and he put it in my room.”
The thoughtful gesture proved too much for Fred, who admitted he immediately became emotional. “Wow. Oh my God, I knew my kids are everything for me and I just saw that card there,” he said. “It was just on Father’s Day. I cried.”
Fred has two children with his former partner Alessandra Spendolini – daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, a professional Team GB diver who won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2020, and son Lucien, who stays away from the spotlight.
The emotional moment came during Fred’s stay at Raffles, which is one of Singapore’s best-known hotels and has become synonymous with the city since opening its doors in the 19th century.
The hotel is famed for its colonial architecture, luxurious suites and its connection to the Singapore Sling cocktail, which was created at its Long Bar.
It has 115 suites spread across nine categories, with no standard hotel rooms, while its Presidential Suite costs around £12,000 per night.
During his time in Singapore, Fred also took part in a number of experiences as part of the new series. His adventures included a sidecar tour, a visit to the city’s Botanic Gardens and a trip to a hawker centre, where he explored Singapore’s famous food culture.
He also learned Tai Chi from a master at Raffles before heading out on a yacht experience around Sentosa. The Botanic Gardens provided another glimpse into Singapore’s unique landscape, with the city being one of the few places in the world where primary rainforest can be found within its city limits.
The trip forms part of Fred’s Ultimate Hotels, in which the television personality explores some of the world’s most remarkable hotels while getting to know the destinations and cultures surrounding them.
But despite the luxury and extraordinary experiences on offer, it was the simple Father’s Day gesture that left the biggest impression on Fred.
Fred’s Ultimate Hotels airs on Monday, August 31 at 8pm on Channel 4.
Casper Kelly, the delightfully skewed sensibility behind Adult Swim’s ‘Too Many Cooks,’ makes a first theatrical feature that feels like a broken time loop.
DURING the school holidays I am a fan of making life as easy as possible.
So teaching my children to cook seems a major win, especially when it doubles as a fun day out.
The boys on a roll try making some pasta sheetsCredit: SuppliedNicholas tucks in to a fresh bowl of pastaCredit: Supplied
I took my sons Henry and Nicholas, to a brilliant kids’ pasta making class at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School.
There are two London locations offering lessons for all ages and abilities, including joint parent-kid sessions – perfect for the summer break or weekends.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Our class was inside John Lewis’ flagship department store on Oxford Street, in a big, bright teaching kitchen.
Our instructor was Holly, who studied at culinary school, has written cookbooks and worked as a private chef.
Holly explained what was on the menu and took us through the first part of the process – making our pasta dough.
It’s a great one for kids as the mixing and kneading allows them to get stuck in.
Standing in the flash kitchen with our ingredients laid out before us made us feel like we were on a cookery show.
The task does involve some skill, but no real prior expertise or fiddly equipment or techniques.
Holly and her assistant chef Robin circled the room and helped when needed, but gave the young cooks plenty of space to learn and explore for themselves.
Then, as our glistening, golden balls of dough ‘rested’ on our work benches, Holly brought everyone back together to explain how to whip up a quick tomato, basil and garlic sauce.
It was a new one on me, too, as I didn’t know you could make a delicious pasta dressing with just raw tomatoes and a grater – no cooking or chopping needed.
Then, while our sauce marinated, it was on to the rolling.
The kids loved it, and got the hang of the technique instantly, using the machine to gradually fashion a thinner and thinner dough.
Holly then showed the class how to use cutting tools to fashion tagliatelle, angel hair and farfalle (or ‘bow-tie pasta’, as we call them in our house).
The kids worked with care and precision to get their shapes spot-on and were delighted to see their tagliatelle appear like magic from the machine.
It was almost like grown-up Play-Doh!
The final step was to boil the pasta before stirring it into the pre-prepared sauce.
Clutching their steaming bowls of lovingly made pasta, the class wandered to the trestle tables in the cookery school’s dining room to enjoy lunch with lashings of grated parmesan.
Verdict from all the children: Delicious.
And for parents, what better way to spend a school holiday morning?
The only drawback for me has been that I am now being nagged to buy a pasta machine!
If you’re not a big fan of pasta, there are also classes in meatball-making,
Mexican street food, sushi, ravioli, Thai green curry and bread.
At this rate, I won’t have to worry about cooking in the holidays ever again.