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A WOMAN who hasn’t had a proper summertime holiday in eight years due to her husband’s dedication to sports has been treated to the trip of a lifetime – without him.

Hayley Hayes, from Newport, Wales, hasn’t been on a getaway over the summer for almost a decade, as their plans were often made around key sporting events so husband Anthony was able to watch them, meaning they have had to travel at other times of the year.

In some instances, their holiday destinations have even been determined by the sporting events taking place nearby, with one trip to India in 2024 coinciding with test match cricket.

The couple – who wed in 2016 – found themselves back in India a year later, this time during the Six Nations.

Despite the time difference, Hayley donned her Wales rugby shirt and joined her husband for late-night and early-hours match screenings from their holiday accommodation.

But now, the 60-year-old retiree has been given the chance for a trip of a lifetime to Svalbard, Norway – a cold weather landscape that fascinates her – but with her friend Rebecca, leaving sports-loving husband Anthony, 66, at home to keep up with the sports fixtures.

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Hayley was chosen as the winner of giffgaff’s Fair-play Summer Fund, which was designed to help people overcome the barriers standing in the way of a great summer and make the season feel a little fairer.

Speaking about her trip of a lifetime, Hayley said: “I was literally both bouncing up and down and crying with excitement when I found out I’d won and would be going on a cold weather summer holiday I could only previously dream about.

“I’m fascinated by the landscapes of Svalbard, and in particular the varied wildlife that calls the island home.

“Since my husband absolutely does not tolerate the cold, a wintry weather trip was never going to be on the cards for us, so this prize delivers on two fronts.

“Summer is turning into a whole new adventure for me.”

Juggling sports and summer holiday plans isn’t just a balancing act for Hayley and Anthony, as research found over a fifth (21 per cent) of holidaymakers regularly check the sporting calendar before booking a trip.

A poll of 2,000 holiday-goers found 22 per cent have booked, changed or adjusted their travel plans because of a sporting event, with 42 per cent of those scheduling activities around matches.

Some fans have gone even further to avoid missing out, with 24 per cent returning home early from a trip and 14 per cent admitting they’ve cancelled a holiday altogether because of sport.

Meanwhile, half of all respondents have watched or streamed live sport while away, according to the OnePoll findings.

Of those, a quarter have tuned in from a restaurant, while 14 per cent have followed the action poolside.

Time differences don’t stop dedicated supporters either, with 21 per cent waking up early or staying up late to catch their favourite team in action.

And some admit to going to surprising lengths to avoid missing a moment on holiday – with five per cent of all those polled confessing they’ve watched while in the middle of sightseeing.

Others have been willing to spend extra to stay connected, with 10 per cent paying for Wi-Fi access and nine per cent using mobile data despite incurring roaming charges.

giffgaff internal data backs up this demand for watching sports abroad, as it saw large data roaming surges during the football this summer with international matches seeing uplifts of up to 90 per cent for key matches.

Kate Dohaney, CEO for the mobile and broadband provider, which is currently giving data boosts on SIMs starting from just £8 per month, said: “We launched the Fair-play Summer Fund following new data that showed many of us feel like summer doesn’t always play fair.

“From rising costs and hidden charges to missing out on experiences that matter, we wanted to help tackle some of these.

“This season, we’ve provided even greater value on our SIM plans so our members can stay connected for less.

“We’ve also helped 200 people solve their summer sting via our Fund, and are delighted to be sending Hayley to Norway as her fairness fix so she doesn’t have to miss out on the summer trip she’s always dreamed of.”

Love Is Blind UK is back on Netflix with eight fresh episodes for fans to binge watch

Love Is Blind UK star Jack Bradshaw has spoken out about disappearing from the show without warning his fiancée.

The hit Netflix experiment is back for its third season with a fresh batch of singles hoping to find love in the famous pods. As always, the contestants go on a string dates without ever laying eyes on each other.

Once they are ready to commit to one person, they leave the pods and get engaged. From there comes a series of relationship milestones including moving in together and meeting each other’s families.

Chef Jack, 30, proposed to Faye Domaille after sparking a strong connection in the pods. But the couple hit an unexpected hurdle when Jack “vanished” from their shared apartment the morning after Faye’s 29th birthday party.

Faye soon realised that Jack’s phone location had been turned off, leaving her concerned about his whereabouts. “He’s literally vanished,” Faye said.

Jack has now explained his actions, admitting he went on a walk because he was “panicking” about formally meeting Faye’s parents later that day.

He told Tudum: “I started panicking and stressing about meeting Faye’s parents properly and being back on camera again. It felt like the walls were closing in on me. I needed to get out, disconnect, and just have some time by myself. “

The Cornwall-based star was also overwhelmed by living in the heart of Canary Wharf and needed a moment to breathe, so he turned his phone off and headed out.

“In Canary Wharf, I’m in this glass box, 43 stories up in the air,” he said.

“Can’t relax there. Go out to get fresh air and there are skyscrapers everywhere. There are cars, police cars, people. I’m walking along just stressing myself out.”

Although it felt like the right move at the time, Jack claims he felt “overwhelming guilt” when he finally turned his phone on and saw a several messages from his partner.

He said: “Faye is worried sick, and I get this overwhelming feeling of guilt about how I let her down. I wasn’t used to having somebody there who cares that much about me.”

Jack confessed: “Just seeing how one selfish decision in your mind can affect somebody…. And that’s the only way I can describe it. It was selfish. I was looking after number one.”

The first eight episodes of Love Is Blind season three are now streaming on Netflix, with the final three instalments set to air next Wednesday, August 26.

Love Is Blind: UK Season 3 is streaming on Netflix

Eight episodes of season three are currently available to stream in full on Netflix now

A Love Is Blind UK star has hit out at her Netflix edit claiming she has been “portrayed as someone I’m not.”

The first eight episodes of season 3 have already been released giving fans plenty to binge watch this week.

After an unprecedented 14 engagements this time around, viewers follow just six of the couples as they jet off on holiday before moving in with one another to plan their wedding days.

For some, the process has been smooth sailing, but for others, they have struggled to spark up a connection. But as always, as well as budding romances, there has also been plenty of drama and love triangles for viewers to enjoy.

But one star has hit out at the Netflix edit, taking to her social media pages to speak directly to fans. Chevanique found herself in a triangle on the show as she had explored a connection with Joseph, who also had a strong connection with Francesca.

Ultimately, Joseph chose Francesca, but the three reunited later in the series and Chevanique wanted answers. The 29-year-old sexual health nurse from Birmingham was seen advocating for herself and why she should be chosen, before things turned heated when the three reunited.

Now, Chevanique has taken to social media to address how she came across. She said in a video: “Hi everyone, I don’t think I’ve ever spoken on my TikTok before so this is new for me, but I just wanted to come on here and address the elephant in the room and say hello.

“Yes, I was on Love Is Blind season three and it was a crazy journey, what can I say? It’s just crazy. Over the last few days things have definitely been a bit mad but I just wanted to come on here quickly to say thank you to everyone for all the love and support I’ve been receiving, all the positive messages and comments, you guys are diamonds.

“I thank you so much because you’ve made this transition so much easier for me.”

However, she went on to say: “I know your girl isn’t getting the best edit, damn. J***s, they’re making me out to be someone I’m not. But it’s okay like it’s all for entertainment purposes.”

The support has poured in for the star online as one person said in their own video: “Can we please give Chevanique her flowers?” as another commented: “This!! When I went to her page, I can’t believe the mean comments on her post. He was so unsure and she shot her shot. And then handled it so respectfully. She has beautiful confidence.”

Another replied: “Agree but also they edit to show certain bits to get the views in. We probably miss out a lot of what happen.”

Chevanique herself replied adding: “You’re a diamond thank you for not judging me and seeing it from a different perspective.”

Love Is Blind UK can be streamed on Netflix

LONDON is one of the most expensive cities in the world for a holiday.

Whether that means spending six quid on a coffee, £10 for a pint or the bill you rack up constantly tapping in and out of transport – a visit to the city certainly isn’t cheap.

And when it comes to finding somewhere to stay not only can the choice be overwhelming, with around 3,000 hotels to choose from, but it can also be yet another huge expense.

In fact, the average three-star London hotel costs £161 per night and if you are wanting something a little better quality, one night in a four-star property can set you back around £249.

So finding somewhere to rest your head that doesn’t rinse your budget for food, drink and entertainment can feel almost impossible.

Lucky for you, we have tried and tested a tonne of hotels in the capital and here are the very best that are under £100 per night…

The Drey

Streamlined hotels are becoming increasingly common in cities, scraping all of the extra offerings in exchange for cheaper prices.

One of the newest – and most affordable – is The Drey in Earls Court.

Staff are on hand at the lobby but the tech-focused hotel lets you open your room via your phone rather than a physical card.

I stayed in the smallest room, The Snug, although there are also bunk-bed rooms, rooms for six people or windowless rooms for people who “take beauty sleep seriously”.

Complimentary toiletries, a coffee machine and compact bathrooms make it feel more like a four-star hotel.

For anything else you need, there is direct Whatsapp contact with hotel staff who can help out.

The on-site restaurant has been skipped, but they’ve teamed up with local cafe Elixis with a 10 per cent discount.

Rooms start from £84 (with 20 per cent off August stays right now). Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Moxy

Think grown up hostels but in hotel form and you get Moxy.

There’s pool tables in the lobby, welcome cocktails on arrival, and 24-hour bars.

The rooms feel airy and light but with nice touches – some have bunk beds, others have funky LED lighting.

But go downstairs and you’ll usually find great music, bars that feel more like clubs and enough of a vibe that you don’t need to leave, if you’re too exhausted from a day of sightseeing but still fancy a drink.

Gyms and on-site restaurants finish it off so they tick all the boxes even on a budget. It’s not just in the city either, as they even have airport hotels too.

Albeit, these are usually a bit more pared back when it comes to the interiors, but offer the same atmosphere of a jazzed-up budget hotel.

Rooms start from £55 a night. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Yotel

Did you know there is a hotel whose designs were based on first class plane cabins?

Yotel is known for its famous white and purple decor, and being a great affordable option in the city not just in the UK, but also in the US, Amsterdam, Porto and even recently Japan.

Their city stays are ideal when you want a simple, but clean place to stay in a great location.

I’ve stayed in Yotel City which has fantastic views of London’s iconic landmarks like St Pauls and The Shard.

The rooms themselves are simple and functional but clean, with one of their famous features being the reclining bed, going from a space-saving sofa to a full bed.

Small cubby holes for all your gadgets and compact toilets and showers; they come with towels and toiletries.

Some have gyms and restaurants, as well as umbrellas you can rent and 24-hour grab-and-go stations.

Skip the room being made up and you can even get a discount at the bar. Rooms start from £85. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

easyHotel

Not content with just having flights, easyHotel offers the same affordable offerings the airline is known for, but in hotel form.

Found all across Europe, most of the UK destinations are in major cities including London, Newcastle and Leeds.

Expect very basic rooms – large beds, towels and compact bathrooms with unfancy toiletries – but all you need if you need a hotel as a base.

The iconic orange branding is even dotted throughout the hotels.

You won’t find much else apart from a lobby and vending machine, so no gyms or bars here.

You’ll also have to pay extra if you want them to store your bags, but there is a 24/7 reception if you need help at any time of the day.

And for the central location – I’ve stayed in both the London City Shoreditch and London Victoria – the basic price isn’t one to be sniffed at.

Rooms from £41 a night (15 per cent off for three or more night stays). Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Zedwell

Would you be willing to sleep underground without any windows? If you want a mega cheap city stay simply as a base to rest, then Zedwell is your hotel.

The Zedwell Tottenham Court Road takes you four floors below ground, with all the rooms being windowless.

Even as someone who is claustrophobic, I was surprised with how I felt cosy rather than trapped.

The only sound was the slight rumbling of the London Underground trains going overheard which was weirdly soothing.

Being such a budget hotel, don’t expect much else at the hotel – there’s a lobby with a vending machine, as well as a ‘beauty and ironing room’ if you need some extra amenities to get ready.

But in your room there is an ensuite with towels and toiletries, so what more could you need?

The TVs have been skipped (all in the name of better sleep) but it has fully working WiFi despite its underground location.

Rooms from £66 a night. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Bob W

Standing for ‘Best of Both Worlds’, Bob W has since expanded to London after success elsewhere in Europe.

Mixing all the benefits of both the perks of hotels and the freedom of Airbnb, this means mini kitchenettes and even laundry facilities at some of them.

The rooms are chic, feeling a lot fancier than the price suggests. Free Wifi, toiletries and towels, as well as complimentary luggage storage are all included in the price.

Forgotten something? Some even have complimentary lockers in reception for things like coffee pods and toilet roll if you run out.

But with no lobby or reception, everything is done via the Bob W app, and a Whatsapp chat if needed.

Due to their central location, you will easily find somewhere to eat and drink nearby if you need something, as there are no restaurants or bars within the hotel.

Or you can add on a breakfast package, usually teaming up with a local cafe.

Rooms from £70 a night (five per cent off with free Bob’s Inner Circle loyalty scheme). Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Premier Inn

You can never go wrong with a Premier Inn in my opinion, and I’ve stayed in my fair share of them. (To prove my credentials, I even have the Premier Inn pillows at home).

But I’ve stayed in them all over the country, especially when it comes to weddings and hen dos, as well as at airports before an early flight.

For £35 a night, you get a clean, simple room, usually with a fairly standard but satisfying menu of food and drink from the onsite restaurant.

One of the most beautiful I’ve stayed at is the newish hub Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) which has turned an old Victorian police station (hub being the compact city-centre affordable sister brand).

If you want some peace and quiet, book a room on the quiet floors, while their upgraded Next Evolution rooms are also being rolled out.

And with kids staying and eating for free, it’s no wonder the budget hotel chain is so well-loved.

Want to go even smaller? Try the ZIP by Premier Inn – even more basic but £25 a night.

Rooms from £35 a night. Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

The Z Hotel

Z Hotels Gloucester Place is home to a room package that is all-inclusive, which means you get soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, snacks, lunch and dinner all included in the price.

The Z Club room is exclusive to the Gloucester Place hotel and inside each room you will find a king-size bed and ensuite.

While the rooms are nothing special, they are spacious and have everything you need.

And you can’t argue with the location – Marble Arch tube station is just a 10-minute walk away, and Baker Street is a five-minute walk away.

Guests can check in from 3pm, which is what I did and I beelined straight for the dining area where I helped myself to afternoon tea selection, which included ham and cheese croissants and a cake stand featuring macarons, brownies, flapjacks, and pots of tiramisu.

You can also order items from a menu, including salmon and sauerkraut ciabatta or a salad.

In the evening, cheese and wine appears – you just have to ask the host for a glass of wine, but you can have as many glasses as you like.

In the morning, breakfast then consists of toast, flatbreads with omelette and bacon, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt and pastries. A Z Club Room costs from £110 per night, which is just £55 per person, per night. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Zedwell Pods

Zedwell is one of the city’s newest hotels to open, right in the middle of Piccadilly Circus where you can normally expect hotels to have high prices.

Not Zedwell – the new hotel claims to be the world’s biggest capsule hotel, and with that, comes the small price of just £30 a night.

That definitely makes it the cheapest hotel room in the city (unless you want to bunk up in an 18-bed dorm).

Inside, decked out with a modern concrete and timber design, there are nearly 1,000 individual sleep capsules over five floors.

It’s a twist on the traditional ‘dorm style’ hostel set up as each guest gets privacy and security of being tucked up in your capsule, with the ability to lock it from the inside.

On first glance, the dorm rooms, which are minimalist and dimly-lit looked a bit like a car park or a storage locker with pods stacked on top of each other – but inside, I was surprised to find a cute little space, with mood lighting and welcoming interiors.

Each capsule is made from oak and comes with a single Hypnos mattress, Egyptian cotton bedding, individual mini aircon or heat, smart climate control, noise reduction, and ambient lighting.

There is also a plug socket inside, two USB plugs and a mirror – there isn’t much storage space though, so you’ll need to leave your suitcase outside your capsule.

There are clean common areas too, which felt more adult then teen-backpacker, which includes a lounge and co-working space.

The city is crying out for affordable places to stay and for £30? It can’t be beaten. Helen Wright, Travel Writer

A&O

There’s a little-known London hotel hack that can get you an entire “suite” for just £65 a night.

A&O London Docklands Riverside used to be a Hilton Doubletree Hotel, and some of the spacious rooms which used to be king junior suites are now being sold for the price of a double room under the new ownership.

You can bag a suite-sized room with a large double bed, sofa and lounge area, desk to work at plus even your own balcony overlooking the Thames from just £65 a night.

The hotel sits opposite fancy finance district Canary Wharf, and a stay here even bags you free unlimited travel on the ferry to cross over the river.

Visit Fairgame to go head to head at fairground-style shooting and sports games, and make sure to book in for dinner at the American-style BBQ restaurant Big Easy.

You won’t miss it, thanks to its giant neon lights illuminating the waterfront and blasting country music. Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Ibis London Luton Airport

Sometimes, when you have a really early flight, it is just easier to stay at a hotel the night before.

If heading on holiday from London Luton Airport, make sure to stay at ibis London Luton Airport.

The three-star budget friendly hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the terminal and rooms are basic but well air conditioned, comfortable, sound proof and come with a TV, tea and coffee making facilities and your own bathroom.

Inside, there is a 24-hour bar and a cosy onsite restaurant too.

In the morning, you can help yourself to a breakfast buffet – though if your flight is super early like mine was, let reception know and they will make up a breakfast bag for you to collect when you check out.

Rooms cost from as little as £56 per night. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Holiday Inn Express London – ExCeL

I love Holiday Inn hotels. Which might seem excessive, given they are a chain of budget hotels, but I’m always astonished at the ease of check-in, the quality of the rooms and how good the food and drink options are.

One of my favourite pre-holiday treats is to check in to one of their airport properties before a super early morning flight, to avoid the pain of leaving my house at 3am on the morning I fly.

Holiday Inn London Gatwick is an absolute giant of a hotel with 216 rooms, but it’s always super quiet in the rooms and it has a two-minute walk to the check-in desks.

But my favourite so far is the Holiday Inn Express London– Excel, which is right next to the Excel Centre in the Docklands and a short taxi ride from London City Airport.

With recently refurbished rooms from £87 a night, which includes a free hot breakfast, the beds are super comfy and very clean and the bathroom is always spotless.

Much like Gatwick, the rooms are really quiet – essential when you are under a flight path and guests are arriving and leaving at all times of the the night.

But my favourite part was the restaurant though, which was stylish with a wide range of options for adults that included curries, burgers, pizzas and ribs from £15.50 for a main.

Kids can have a two-course menu from £5.99, which choices like pizza, spaghetti bolognese and fish and chips. Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel, Digital

Otherwander

Otherwander recently opened in the heart of Soho, approximately 30 seconds away from Oxford Street’s Elizabeth Line entrance so the location couldn’t be better for exploring the capital.

Unlike a normal hotel, Otherwander is a pod hotel which means you get a capsule-like room, with just a bed – no windows, no bathroom.

When you book, you can opt between an upper or lower pod; I opted for an upper pod, which feels more like climbing into a UFO.

I was surprised to find my upper double pod didn’t feel boxy or claustrophobic, despite being only the width of a standard double bed.

You’ll get USB and USB-C charging points, your own air con, a night light, reading light and even a colour-changing light.

You’ll also find a shelf, complete with a strap to secure your backpack or cabin-sized suitcase and three hooks for coats, jackets or towels.

The pod self locks and if you feel a little claustrophobic in the night then there is a little window with a shutter that you can leave open.

You can also choose between a double for £80 per night (£40 per person, per night) or a single for £70 per night. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Dragons’ Den is back on our screens tonight, and for the first time ever, the number of female Dragons outnumbers the males.

A Dragons’ Den star has a surprising link to Love Island.

The BBC programme is returning to screens tonight, and for the first time ever, the number of female Dragons outnumbers the males.

Following the departures of Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies from the beloved BBC show, a string of guest Dragons, including Gary Neville and Tinie Tempah, have joined regulars Peter Jones, Steven Bartlett and Deborah Meaden in the Den.

After a months-long break, the series is continuing with new episodes from Thursday, August 20.

Joining Peter, Steven and Deborah in the Den, North East businesswoman Jenna Meek and The Apprentice star Susie Ma are returning as investors, reports Chronicle Live.

After making her debut on Dragons’ Den earlier this year, Jenna was supported by her followers as she wrote on social media: “The secret is out… Your newest Dragon.

“Been manifesting this one for a long time and it still doesn’t feel real that it actually happened. It has always been a massive goal of mine to be on Dragon’s Den – it was this show (and Deborah sorry other Dragons haha) that inspired me from day one to want to be an entrepreneur.

“I used to watch this show all the time and would dream to pitch on it one day, never mind be a dragon beyond grateful for this incredible opportunity, it pushed me to new limits and had so much fun doing it.

“The most incredible incredible experience and so grateful for the amazing crew and all the incredible dragons who made me feel so welcome.”

Who is Jenna Meek?

Jenna is the co-founder and CEO of beauty brand REFY.

Since its launch in 2020, the company — which Jenna co-founded alongside influencer Jess Hunt — has grown into one of the UK’s fastest-rising beauty brands, boasting an annual turnover exceeding £40m.

Prior to REFY, Jenna held positions at Burberry and Rebecca Minkoff, and set up festival beauty label Shrine from her bedroom at just 20 years old.

First known as The Gypsy Shrine, the company popularised peel-and-stick face and body gems and biodegradable body glitters, with Jenna even visiting the Love Island villa to decorate the likes of Olivia Attwood and Montana Brown in her products for a glitter party.

She previously told Mail Online: “We were just brainstorming and thinking of new ideas. I was like, ‘Let’s get on to Love Island’.”

She continued: “It was so crazy. I had nearly given up but my mum was like, ‘don’t let me down on this’, I had to figure it out and I kept pestering I guess.”

She went on to recall: “Kem [Cetinay] wanted [a lot of glitter], he was like ‘Do this do this!’ I had to tell him, ‘No we’ll keep it silver otherwise you are going to look like an idiot on TV!’”

The 33-year-old has firmly established herself within the industry, earning recognition in The Sunday Times beauty rich list and Forbes’ 30 under 30 list in 2022.

Jenna’s net worth is thought to be in the region of £52m.

Dragons’ Den airs from 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

Eight episodes are currently available to stream on Netflix

Love Is Blind UK bosses have opened up on a history-making moment that viewers never see on the show.

The third instalment of the hit Netflix show has returned to screens this week with the first eight episodes released in one go yesterday (August 19).

Hopeful singles have once again headed to the Love Is Blind dating pods hoping to find ‘the one’ where they will date potential partners. They will only meet face to face for the first time if a couple decides to take their relationship to the next step and become engaged.

The series has proved a hit with Netflix viewers, but there is a wait on their hands before the next batch of episodes will be released (August 26).

As the new release hits screens, executive producer Nazleen Karim and series editor David Cheesman spoke about one thing that viewers did not see and it is an incredible milestone which has made history.

This time around, there was an unprecedented number of engagements as 14 pairs took their relationships to the next step. However, the show only showed six couples’ journey, meaning there was so much more that viewers didn’t get to see play out on screen.

Nazleen said: “When there are more engagements than we can physically follow, we have to make difficult editorial choices. We’re looking for a range of different relationship journeys and stories that together capture the full experience of the experiment.

“Not being selected isn’t a reflection of the strength of a relationship – many couples continue exploring their connection once they leave the Pods.”

David added: “It’s never an easy decision and we wouldn’t want to diminish the love those other couples have formed. We’ve never had as many as 14 engagements which is why we ended up following six couples this time as opposed to five.”

With a combination of “natural drama and love, sexiness, chemistry and humour”, the series is potentially the strongest so far as David confirmed: “Every season brings something different, but this one has some of the most surprising twists, emotional moments and unforgettable characters we’ve seen.”

Hosts Matt and Emma Willis also touched on the monumental engagements as Matt said: “There are clearly a lot of thirsty people in the UK! I think we both got a strong sense that people really were there to get married.

“They weren’t just going in to see what this was all about – they wanted to find a husband or wife. Maybe the RAYE song ‘Where Is My Husband!’ was the inspiration.”

Although the new episodes follow six potential pairs, viewers will need to tune in to see who makes it to the altar, and who, if anyone, continues their marriage in the outside world.

Love Is Blind UK can be streamed in the UK.

Locals often spot celebrity visitors such as the Mad Max star Mel Gibson and Dangerous Liaisons actor John Malkovich

Jet2Villas is offering holidaymakers a fresh way to explore Spain. The popular airline has added a new region of Spain to its Jet2Villas portfolio – in an area more and more Brits are heading to instead of Andalucia and the Canary Islands.

The area Jet2 is expanding to is popular with Hollywood film celebrities, who have been spotted in local restaurants. Stars such as Mel Gibson and John Malkovich have stayed in the region on more than one occasion – and it’s becoming increasingly popular with Brits as an alternative to spots like the Balearics.

Jet2Villas announced today that it has added Galicia to its programme for the very first time. The northern Spanish region has joined the Jet2Villas portfolio, as the Which? Recommended Provider continues to broaden its villa holiday range in response to increasing demand.

Situated on Spain’s north-west coast, Galicia is celebrated for its lush landscapes, Atlantic shoreline, beaches and fishing villages, as well as cities such as Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña and Vigo. The region is also well-known for its seafood and culinary delights.

Its blend of coastline, countryside, culture and cuisine makes Galicia ideally suited to families, groups and couples seeking a more independent villa break and the opportunity to experience a different side of Spain, away from the country’s more traditional resort hotspots.

The area is steadily growing in popularity. Last year, travel journalist Simon Calder explored the region’s appeal for the Independent. He spoke to Jessica Harvey Taylor, head of press for the Spanish Tourist Office in the UK, who said: “Obviously we’re well aware that the vast majority of our UK holidaymakers are still visiting our five most popular regions: Valencia, Andalucia, Catalonia, and then our islands, the Balearics and the Canaries.

“But it’s very encouraging to see that there’s increased appetite in our northern regions, namely Galicia, Asturias and the Basque country. I think there are multiple reasons. Obviously climate plays a part and not everybody wants the extreme heat that we’ve seen in recent years in the southern Med.

“But there’s much more to it than that. Increasingly, the UK public is realising that they can supplement a beach holiday with something a little bit more adventurous.”

Hollywood legend Mel Gibson, one of the biggest and best-paid actors of the 1990s, has a soft spot for Spain’s northern towns. El Pais reports that the Mad Max star has been spotted dining at a local restaurant in A Fonsagrada in Lugo, and later in Santiago de Compostela, where he took in the cathedral and stayed at the historic Hostal dos Reis Católicos. John Malkovich is a regular visitor to Ponte Maceira, Costa da Morte and A Coruña, the Spanish newspaper revealed.

In the spring of 2019, he returned once more and enjoyed a meal at restaurant Casa Salvador in A Baña alongside Spanish actress Marisa Paredes. The addition of Galicia forms part of a broader expansion which has seen Jet2Villas add more than 1,000 new properties to its portfolio for Summer 26, bringing the total number of available villas to over 4,000 across more than 52 destinations.

The airline says its villa holidays can offer travellers private pools and outdoor space, multiple bedrooms and generous shared living areas, making them ideally suited to families holidaying together, multi-generational groups and gatherings of friends. Jet2Villas has recorded its highest ever number of villa bookings for a summer season, with over 100,000 customers and counting, highlighting the enduring demand from families and groups for holidays offering the convenience of a package holiday combined with the space, privacy and flexibility of a villa break.

David Hills, Chief Customer Officer of Jet2, said: “We’re delighted to introduce Galicia to Jet2Villas for the first time, giving customers even more choice when it comes to villa holidays in Spain. With more than 1,000 new villas added to the collection and a record number of villa customers for Summer 26, we’re continuing to grow our programme in response to strong demand.”

The Xunta De Galicia tourist information website outlines a host of reasons why visitors might be tempted to head there. It says “Miles of coastline, fine sandy beaches, small fishing ports and outstanding gastronomy make the Rías Baixas one of the favourite destinations for travellers looking to combine nature, culture and the sea.

“A journey through the O Grove Peninsula, the Illa de Arousa or the Muros and Noia estuaries reveals sheltered coves, scenic waterfront walks and viewpoints overlooking breathtaking landscapes. After a day at the beach, there’s nothing better than enjoying fresh seafood and fish by the sea, paired with one of Galicia’s renowned wines with Designation of Origin.”

It also highlights that inland Galicia is home to the spectacular Ribeira Sacra, where the Sil and Miño rivers have carved deep canyons lined with centuries-old vineyards, historic monasteries and forests waiting to be explored.

For further information and to book, visit: www.jet2villas.com

A brand new season of Love Is Blind UK has finally returned to Netflix

A Love Is Blind UK star looks completely different in an unearthed throwback snap.

Love Is Blind UK has returned for its third instalment, with a fresh group of singles taking to the pods in the hopes of finding their perfect match. As ever, they will go on blind dates, narrowing down their potential love interests along the way.

They will only meet face to face for the first time if they decide to take their relationship to the next step and become engaged. Then, will they move in together and plan their wedding day, but for some, the process is not without its difficulties.

A synopsis reads: “Love is Blind: UK returns to Netflix for a third series which promises high drama, raw emotion and plenty of romance.

“The latest group of hopeful singles, each one searching for their Mr. or Mrs. Right, will step into the iconic Pods for a string of blind dates. From behind a wall, they are all hoping to form a connection so deep that they’re willing to put their hearts on the line by agreeing to marry without ever having seen each other.”

Now, eight episodes have been released on Netflix, with viewers having to wait until next week to find out who gets married, or who, if anyone has been left at the altar.

But as fans binge watch the brand new release, there is one star that appears to be unrecognisable in unearthed throwback pics.

Pilates Instructor Ciara Murphy, from London, is looking for someone who values her for “more than just her looks”. The now 30-year-old is a fan of the finer things in life and has been single for a year, having been cheated on in every relationship in the past.

Now, the star is looking for her forever love, hoping the pods will help her find the one. Exploring her connections, Ciara admitted on the show that she did in fact used to be a brunette, as she showed off her now-blonde locks.

Over on Ciara’s Instagram page, which she regularly posts selfies from her adventures, the star is known for her bright blonde hair, in recent snaps, but throwback pics confirm her natural colour.

In one post, from 2023, she can be seen smiling at the camera, with Christmas decorations in the background, captioning her post: “merry christmas.”

Whether Ciara finds love on the show though, fans will need to tune in to find out.

Love Is Blind UK can be streamed on Netflix.