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Celine Dion eyes concert return after stiff-person syndrome diagnosis

It’s all coming back to Celine Dion.

The French Canadian singer may be making her return to concert performances this fall, according to Variety. In 2022, Dion canceled her North American tour due to muscle spasms and later revealed that her diagnosis with stiff-person syndrome, an autoimmune neurological disorder, would prevent her from performing.

Montreal newspaper La Presse reported that fans were speculating Dion would return to the stage, after Parisians spotted posters referencing titles of Dion’s songs like “Power of Love” and “Pour Que tu M’aimes Encore” throughout the city. La Presse also reported that Dion will likely perform two concerts a week throughout September and October at the Paris La Défense Arena, a venue that seats 40,000 spectators.

Dion has not headlined her own show since her Courage World Tour in 2020, which was postponed and then canceled due to her health issues. She sang an emotional cover of Édith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. Last November, she performed her songs “I’m Alive” and “The Power of Love” during the 1001 Seasons of Elie Saab fashion show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The singer publicized her battle with SPS in her 2024 documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion.” In the film, Dion discussed how she’d been experiencing health issues for 17 years before her diagnosis. SPS affected Dion’s ability to sing by causing a strain on her vocal cords, making her voice sound more nasal.

“Sometimes I would point my microphone towards the audience and I would make them sing it. There’s moments where I cheated and I tapped on the microphone, like it was the microphone’s fault,” Dion explained in her documentary.

Even with her diagnosis, the singer made it clear in her documentary that she intended to continue pursuing her love of music.

“If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl, but I won’t stop.”

Dion’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment. La Défense Arena declined to comment.

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Helen Flanagan ‘dreads seeing three exes’ as she prepares for Ex On The Beach

Helen Flanagan says ‘there are three exes I would be dreading to see’ as she is set to return to television screens soon as part of the Celebrity Ex On The Beach lineup

Helen Flanagan has opened up about her fears after joining Celebrity Ex On The Beach, revealing she would love to avoid seeing ‘three’ of her exes as she prepares to star on a reality series.

Celebrity Ex On The Beach is set to return to television screens soon, with the full line-up now revealed, featuring the former Coronation Street favourite. Helen, 35, who is renowned for her portrayal of Rosie Webster on the ITV soap opera, has joined the cast of the Paramount+ reality series, alongside TOWIE’s Dani Imbert, one-half of pop duo Jedward, and Love Island’s Toby Aromolaran.

In a new sneak peek ahead of the show, Helen reveals why she signed up and what she is looking for in a man. She said: “My perfect partner would be fit, kind and funny.” She continued: “I think I’m single because I feel like I’m on my own kind of journey, I’m pretty free spirited [and] I’ve got quite a strong character.”

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READ MORE: Coronation Street’s Webster sister stars Helen Flanagan and Brooke Vincent reunitedREAD MORE: Kate Middleton marks International Women’s Day with powerful social media post

Helen said she was “hoping to find a connection on the beach”, before discussing her past relationships. She said: “I was in a 13-year relationship with the father of my children. And then I recently split up with a boyfriend that I was with for a year,” she said.

Helen then revealed: “There are… three exes I would be dreading to see”. Helen and Scott first began dating in 2009, getting engaged in 2018 when the footballer proposed during a trip to Disneyland Paris. They had a lengthy engagement, with Helen confirming in 2022 that they had set a date for their wedding, but split shortly afterwards.

Speaking about the difficult time she faced after the end of her relationship, Helen previously told The Mirror that she suffered a breakdown.

The I’m A Celebrity star was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

On the explosive dating show, filmed in Tenerife, Helen will come face-to-face with her former flames, including her ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair and boxer David Haye. The forthcoming series will also feature Married At First Sight UK’s Amy Kenyon, 28, and Love Is Blind participant Freddie Powell, 32.

Rounding out the line-up are Too Hot To Handle’s Izzy Fairthorne, 26, who is seeking her first-ever boyfriend, and fellow contestant Chase DeMoor, 29, who’s back for a second shot at finding love.

Meanwhile, former X Factor star John Grimes, who previously appeared on the ITV talent show alongside his twin brother, has described himself as a ‘total catch’ and says he’s looking for a ‘curvy, self-assured woman’ who can match his energy.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.



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‘The Faithful’ centers women of the Bible, reinterpreting their stories

A loving husband and wife desperately want to start a family but struggle with infertility. A mother bears the weight of twin sons who are destined to be at severe odds with one another. Two sisters fall in love with the same man.

These stories may sound like soapy twists in a Taylor Sheridan drama or cable TV movie, but they actually come straight from one of the bestselling books of all time — the Bible.

The sacred text is jam-packed with compelling and highly relatable stories, but Fox’s “The Faithful: Women of the Bible,” a three-part event series, aims the spotlight on the primary matriarchs of the Book of Genesis — Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel. The first installment consists of two episodes airing Sunday, with subsequent double episodes airing over the next two weeks, and begins with the story of Sarah (Minnie Driver), who is regarded as the first matriarch for building the nation of Israel with her husband, Abraham (Jeffrey Donovan), the first patriarch.

“These are three generations of women who passed the baton of what was set in motion by Sarah and Abraham and the episodes are all in a way portraits of different types of marriages,” says René Echevarria, who wrote the first installment and is the series’ showrunner.

However, like the Bible’s many miracles, “The Faithful” coming together in the first place is divine considering executive producing partners Carol Mendelsohn and Julie Weitz were actually not planning to pitch it when they were in a meeting with Fox TV executives on one fateful day.

A woman in a blue head covering and blue dress in a field.

“The Faithful” begins with the story of Sarah (Minnie Driver) and Abraham.

(Moris Puccio / Fox)

“Julie gave me one instruction, ‘We can talk about all of our projects but do not talk about the Bible,’” recalls Mendelsohn. But then Fox President Michael Thorn asked Mendelsohn what her passion project was and “It was like I was hit by the burning bush!”

So “The Faithful” was pitched and a green light was given for the show. “I guess it was divinely ordered,” Mendelsohn says, laughing.

Crafting a Bible-based event series may initially seem like a stretch for Mendelsohn, known for producing the massively popular “CSI” crime drama franchise and, since partnering with Weitz over a decade ago, contemporary dramas where God wasn’t a part of the story. However, with “The Faithful,” the common thread with their previous projects was very clear. “Everything that we do together comes from characters that we fall deeply in love with and we love to do stories about women,” says Weitz. “We were thinking of doing something in this world when “The Chosen” [the Prime Video series about Jesus Christ] came out and became a huge hit.”

Mendelsohn and Weitz brought Echevarria on board and once they dug into the respective stories of these influential women, “it became clear that we should give two hours to each of these matriarchs and tell that story, which is the genesis of not just Judaism, but Islam and Christianity, the three largest, most prominent religions of mankind,” says Weitz, who is also grateful for Fox’s programming strategy for the episodes. “It worked nicely because they are giving us Sunday Nights leading right through Passover and into Easter so it just made sense to [Fox] too.”

For varying perspectives, the show utilized both Christian and Jewish scholars, which backed up their storytelling objectives, given that these age-old stories traditionally didn’t always flesh out women as much as men, so leaning into an interpretation of text was not taboo. “Our Jewish scholar mentioned, ‘what you’re doing is called midrash, an ancient tradition in Judaism to look at these stories and read between the lines,’” says Echevarria.

That interpretive freedom can be seen in the show’s first installment, which explores Genesis 16 where Sarah, barren for years despite God having told Abraham that she would bear a child in her older age, enlists former Egyptian slave Hagar (Natacha Karam) to sleep with her husband in the hopes she’ll give them a child. Driver says Sarah’s story is one that many women can connect with, but as far as who the real woman was, there’s a lack of true definition. “Who knows what Sarah was like? We don’t know. She doubted and, to some people, she thwarted God, but actually to me, she was just a woman who wanted to have a baby, loved her husband very much and was very strong,” she says.

A woman with long braided dark hair, wearing a blue beaded necklace and white dress.

Natacha Karam plays Egyptian slave Hagar, who bears Abraham’s child.

(Stefano Cristiano Montesi / Fox)

Donovan notes that Sarah suggesting Abraham lie with Hagar in Genesis 16 initially comes across as a straightforward and simple sentence. “But there’s so much to unpack in that one line from the Bible,” he says. “The complex struggles that these three people must have had that people today are still having 4,000 years later? We’re still going, ‘I can’t have a baby. Let’s have her have our baby. But do you like her? Is she better than me?’”

But as much as Sarah’s plight with infertility is relatable, other moments in the story took more work to get there, like the moment where Abraham talks with God. “I can only imagine what it would feel like to speak to God,” Donovan says.

To grapple with that notion before shooting this particular scene, the actor, dressed in his character’s tunic and waiting on the crew to set up, found a spot to sit on under a tree and thought about Abraham’s daily life and how impactful a message from God would be. “He’s a shepherd that got up with the sun and watched his flock and tried to survive,” Donovan says. “‘How do I not die today? How do I feed my family?’ For me to give the respect to the character, that deserves a couple of hours of solace and solitude.” He calls it the most difficult scene in the series for him.

And while the show explores Sarah and Abraham’s marriage, it also dives into the relationship between Sarah and Hagar, which begins when a captive Sarah is freed and she takes slave Hagar with her to give her a better life.

“Hagar finds herself pulled into this story that’s far larger than anything that she could ever have imagined for herself,” says Karam, adding that the two women grow close but conflicts also arise. “Originally, the relationship is defined by hierarchy and necessity and then there’s this complicated dependence that bounds them together for life.”

The actor expressed her satisfaction that the story of Sarah and Hagar is given a positive portrayal since that’s not always been the case. “There are versions of that story that are read through a lens of reprimanding both of these women, which I want to say is shocking but it was actually quite predictable to spin it so that it ends up being, ‘Oh, look what these two women did when they tried to take control,’” she says.

Two women look at a man holding a clay pot in both hands.

“Hagar finds herself pulled into this story that’s far larger than anything that she could ever have imagined for herself,” says Natacha Karam, left, with Minnie Driver and Jeffrey Donovan.

(Moris Puccio / Fox)

The spin from the cast and crew on the production itself was that with all “The Faithful” episodes filming in the ancient city of Rome, the series benefited from what the city had to offer in terms of scenic authenticity. Also, the unforgiving heat while shooting outdoor scenes wasn’t fun but also wasn’t a total negative, says Driver. “I’ve never been outside in 100-plus degree heat for 10 or 11 hours a day. It was brutal, but it definitely lent to the veracity of the story like where you were so beyond hot and exhausted,” she says. “There’s a generosity of its history that you’re invited in. It was this fever dream, the whole experience of being there.”

And while the Sarah-Abraham-Hagar story fills out the first episode, the March 29 installment continues the drama with the introduction of Rebekah (Alexa Davalos), who marries Sarah and Abraham’s son, Isaac (Tom Mison). Also barren for many years, she eventually receives a message directly from God that she will have twin sons and that her youngest son will one day rule. With the arrival of Esau (Ben Robson), who is born first, and Jacob (Tom Payne), she’s faced with a burden to ensure God’s message stays on course at any cost. “The story becomes about how she almost destroys her family because she’s been told that this is the way, this is the destiny,” says Weitz.

The April 5 finale, airing on Easter Sunday, moves forward as a now-exiled Jacob returns to his hometown and meets two sisters, Leah (Millie Brady) and Rachel (Blu Hunt), and sparks fly. Teases Echevarria, “tonally the episode is a little bit different and it’s a little more scandalous but certainly contemporary.” Adds Weitz, “Jacob falls in love with both of the sisters for different reasons and at different times so it becomes a story about sister rivalry for the love of the same man.”

Love is something audiences have been feeling in recent years for faith-inspired programs, which keeps this three-week event from feeling like a television anomaly. For example, Prime Video’s “The Chosen” has been exploring the life of Jesus Christ (Jonathan Roumie) for five seasons with a sixth season centered on Jesus’ crucifixion coming later this year. Also, on March 27, Prime Video launches the second season of “House of David,” which follows the journey of young shepherd David (Michael Iskander) from slaying a certain giant named Goliath to becoming the king of Israel. And earlier this month, faith-centric streamer the Wonder Project wrapped the first season of its contemporary drama series, “It’s Not Like That,” starring Scott Foley as a widowed minister raising his kids and finding love again. Plus, no Easter holiday would feel right without ABC’s annual broadcast of the 1956 classic film “The Ten Commandments,” airing April 4.

Why is faith TV having a moment now? The appetite for this kind of programming by audiences could reflect the often-bleak world of the 21st century we live in, offers Karam. “These are stories about people who are in the middle of impossible circumstances, who can’t see what the lesson is yet, or whether there’s light on the other side,” she says. “But historically, there always was and there always is [light on the other side] so I think that’s what people are hungry for right now is a framework to make sense of things.”

As long as this hunger continues and audiences show up for “The Faithful,” the producers have a wealth of stories to tell beyond the great matriarchs.

“The difference from a regular TV show is that we do have this extraordinary IP and this different perspective,” says Echevarria. “Our hope is that ours will always be a little different and we’d come at it from a different angle.” Sounds like the faith is definitely being kept.

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I visited peaceful coastal village with gorgeous sea views and fell in love

This place deserves far more recognition – it has amazing views, a real sense of community, and a fascinating history too.

There’s genuinely nothing better than those first sunny spring days as we leave winter behind. It immediately makes you crave a visit the seaside, even if there’s still a slight chill and it’s not quite swimming weather yet.

Last weekend, I chose to take advantage of my renewed enthusiasm and positivity for life, and drove to a stunning coastal village that many people have never heard of. Admittedly it’s tiny, and there’s barely anything there, but there’s a welcoming pub and restaurant, breathtaking sea views , and it’s near to another popular seaside destination too. Lower Largo in Fife has a population of approximately 2,300, and it’s one of the most picturesque places I’ve seen.

The compact village overlooks Largo Bay, on the northern side of the Firth of Forth in Scotland. It required roughly an hour and a half to drive from Glasgow, and from Edinburgh, it’s just an hour’s drive away.

Largo is a historic fishing village, divided into two separate sections – Lower and Upper, with the small village of Lundin Links just to the left. Here, you won’t discover amusement arcades or crowds of holidaymakers, and it boasts a far more peaceful atmosphere than other coastal villages I’ve visited lately.

But don’t let the lack of attractions put you off. The more relaxed rhythm of life here was captivating, and already I’m eager for my next opportunity to return.

Waking up to those stunning views was an instant mood-booster, especially when the sun was shining brightly. The chilly temperature didn’t matter – the setting looked perfect, and the fresh coastal air felt wonderfully revitalising, reports the Express.

Lower Largo’s shoreline consists of sand and rocks, and it’s pristine. We noticed plenty of dog walkers enjoying the area, and even saw one brave soul taking a plunge in the sea, which must have felt incredible once she got past the initial cold shock.

The surrounding streets were equally delightful to explore. It’s fairly peaceful, meaning you’ll hardly encounter any traffic, but you will discover some impressively decorated front gardens. The nautical theme ran strong throughout, with garden gates featuring pirates, fish and mermaids.

We had breakfast at The Aurrie, a delightful cafe set within a converted church that offered such a warm and inviting ambience. Artwork from local artists lined the walls and was available to purchase, alongside an excellent range of hot dishes, coffees, and a cake display packed with tempting options. I chose the veggie haggis and potato scone roll with a flat white, and it was absolutely lovely.

During our visit, we also ate at The Crusoe, another wonderfully welcoming four-star hotel featuring a restaurant and pub. It serves all the traditional pub favourites you’d anticipate, from mac and cheese to fish and chips, and my entire family really enjoyed the experience.

Just over the way is the Railway Inn, another pub boasting a real fire that I didn’t manage to pop into, but my parents assured me it was fantastic and the ideal place for a post-dinner drink.

The pub enjoys a prime location right next to an impressive viaduct, now disused but still standing tall. It spans the Keil Burn, and was constructed to serve a section of the Fife Coast Railway Line. It’s been out of service since 1965 due to the reorganisation of British railways known as the Beeching cuts, but it remains a significant landmark and is well worth a look.

Another fascinating aspect of Lower Largo’s past is that it’s actually the birthplace of the man who inspired Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe – hence the hotel’s name.

Born in 1676, Alexander Selkirk was born in the village, and the house that now occupies his birthplace at 99-105 Main Street showcases a life-sized statue of him gazing out towards the horizon.

A signpost at the harbour points in the direction of the Juan Fernández Islands, some 7,500 miles distant, where he spent over four years shipwrecked.

I’m already looking forward to my next trip to Lower Largo. The overall atmosphere of the place was so welcoming, and it’s clear it has a strong sense of community.

It’s the ideal spot to enjoy a peaceful few days, but if you fancy exploring further afield, the beloved coastal town of St Andrews is just a 20-minute drive away.

While it’s best known for its golfing heritage and as the location where Prince William and Princess Catherine first crossed paths, there’s also a wealth of excellent pubs and eateries, bookshops and cafés to discover.

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How many episodes are left of Love Story JFK Jr?

Fans of the Ryan Murphy drama were left ‘shattered’ by Episode 8, which featured Princess Diana’s death

The most recent instalment of Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette has left audiences “shattered”.

Followers have been gripped by the new series for over a month, exploring the high-profile romance between its leading pair.

Created by Ryan Murphy, the drama unveils John (portrayed by Paul Anthony Kelly) and Carolyn’s (Sarah Pidgeon) relationship in the years preceding their tragic deaths on July 16, 1999, after a plane crash.

Episode 8 transports audiences to August 30, 1997, capturing the hours before Princess Diana’s heart-breaking death. The Royal passed away on the 31st after a car accident in Paris.

Carolyn is deeply affected by Princess Diana’s death because she had recently been seated behind her at Gianni Versace’s funeral. She also starts fearing for her own future under public scrutiny, whilst John appears to dismiss her worries, reports the Daily Record.

Viewers have been left heartbroken by the moving episode, with one X user posting: “I’m shattered beyond words this really broke me #lovestory.”

A second contributed: “#lovestory’s last episode might kill me, poor Carolyn,” whilst a third commented: “That was an unpleasant episode #LoveStory.”

And a fourth audience member remarked: “Just finished episode 8 of Love Story and I’m in tears. Those 42 minutes flew by and hit me so deeply I cried my eyes out.”

So when can audiences return to the drama?

How many episodes are left in Love Story Season 1?

As per usual, Love Story will be ready to stream on Disney+ next Friday (March 27). Unfortunately, that episode will be the series finale.

Entitled ‘Search and Recovery’, Episode 9 sees John and Carolyn battling to keep their relationship intact. As we witnessed in the series premiere, the pair will set off on a journey to Hyannis Port, accompanied by Carolyn’s sister Lauren (Sydney Lemmon).

We observed John clarifying that he would be piloting their small aircraft, before the show reverted back to the now-wedded couple’s initial encounter.

If the most recent episode left viewers teary-eyed, we can only image how emotional the responses to the series finale will be.

Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette ends with Episode 9, landing on Disney+ next Friday, March 27.

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Classical music star Alfie Boe reveals shock new ROCK album with tribute to music legend inspired by love of his tunes

ALFIE Boe – one of the nation’s favourite tenors – will be unleashing his inner rock god on new album Face Myself.

The record, out on April 10, is inspired by his love of the Madchester era and was produced by Myriot, who previously worked with Primal Scream.

Alfie Boe is about to unleash his inner rock god on new album Face MyselfCredit: Getty
Alfie Boe revealed his new album’s title track pays tribute to late Stone Roses bassist Gary ‘Mani’ MounfieldCredit: Getty

In an exclusive chat, Alfie revealed the album’s title track pays tribute to late Stone Roses bass player Gary “Mani” Mounfield.

The classical singer said he spent his weekends travelling up to Manchester as a teenager to immerse himself in the music scene, where the Stone Roses launched hits such as I Wanna Be Adored. Alfie said: “At the time I was writing that song, Mani passed away.

“So I had to put a tribute in the song. I changed the lyrics to say, ‘For good old Mani, he played it right’.”

The high-energy track, which is released today, also name checks Liam and Noel Gallagher’s childhood home on Cranwell Drive and celebrates the Madchester spirit.

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On the track he sings: “Dreams are grown in Burnage sky, a golden past that made us cry.

“The prom is glorified with lights, for good old Mani, he played it right. Those Cranwell boys, they sang along.”

As a teen, Alfie, who has clocked up 12 Top Ten albums including four No1s, joined an indie band and later found himself exploring classical music.

“I was in an indie band called The English Roses,” Alfie said with a laugh. We were going to go on tour and I was going to be the drummer. But there was school to attend, which was fine, but then I joined lots of other little bands.”

Alfie’s new album is made up of mostly original material and he was inspired to start writing by his pal, The Who’s Pete Townshend.

And the Les Miserables stage fave says the record is all about facing his past, adding: “I thought, what is it about me I have to face?

“It was my childhood, my teenage years, and what got me to where I am today. It’s been a wonderful journey.”

Dua’s full of beans

Dua Lipa has landed a Nespresso ambassador deal
Dua also had a snap with George Clooney, long-time face of the brand

Dua Lipa has a hefty cheque coming her way, plus a lifetime’s supply of coffee I imagine.

She’s signed up to be global ambassador for Nespresso and posed in blue co-ords to promote the new tie-in. Dua also had a snap with George Clooney, long-time face of the brand.

Greg heading to £2m…but pleads for Wills’ help again

Greg James got a royal boost on his 1,000km Comic Relief ride after Prince William hopped on his tandemCredit: Getty Images

Greg James continues his mammoth 1,000km cycle ride for Comic Relief after getting the royal seal of approval from Prince William.

He was given a boost on Tuesday, when the Prince of Wales hopped on the back of the Radio 1 DJ’s tandem.

As I caught up with Greg yesterday from the Yorkshire Moors, he said he wished William had stuck around.

Greg, resting up on a wall, below, said with a laugh: “I could’ve done with his legs today. Wills, if you’re reading this, help.”

He has remained incredibly upbeat despite the physical and mental toll the challenge is taking.

And he has been buoyed by the incredible donations from the public, which last night was creeping towards the £2million mark. Greg, who set off from Dorset last Friday and is pedalling all the way to Edinburgh, said: “The hills are very, very difficult today.

“But there was a really nice crowd of people shouting at me at the top.

“The good news is we’ve raised over £1.5million, which is an absurd amount. I’d be happy with that if it was the final total but we’ve got three days left.”

He starts his ride from Sunderland this morning with two full days to go.

Tomorrow he will begin his final push, cycling from Galashiels in the Borders to Edinburgh, where he is set to arrive in time for Comic Relief to start on BBC One at 7pm. You can do this, Greg!

Go to comicrelief.com/ride to make a donation.


Placebo are making a comeback for the 30th anniversary of their debut album, which they have reworked into a new version.

Placebo re:created will be out on June 19.

They will then kick off a European tour this September playing songs from their first two albums, with dates in Nottingham, Glasgow, Dublin, Manchester, London and Cardiff in November and December.


Big cat in Africa

Doja Cat shows her wild side in clashing animal prints during her Move Afrika performance in RwandaCredit: Getty

Doja Cat showed her wild side in clashing animal prints while on stage in Rwanda.

The Say So rapper, who wore a blue wig with a tiger-striped bodysuit, was performing at Global Citizen’s Move Afrika concert.

She sounded great, despite her carefree lifestyle.

In a new interview with Vogue yesterday, Doja admitted she’s had to curb bad habits for the sake of her live shows.

She said: “I love trash – I’m Oscar the Grouch. I love to eat garbage, and I love to drink, and I love to party.

“Not too hard, obviously. I don’t do any drugs.”

Doja, who had a romance with actor Joseph Quinn in 2024, went on to reveal she is a serial dater, adding: “I’m 30, so I’m ovulating and horny.”

At least she tells it how it is.

Mosh-pit memories with trust

Yungblud is among the stars featured in Teenage Cancer Trust’s Good Energy mosh pit exhibition at the Royal Albert HallCredit: Getty

The Teenage Cancer Trust is staging a photo exhibition at the Royal Albert Hall to mark the joys of mosh pits.

Musicians including Yungblud, Wolf Alice, Fontaines DC and The Sex Pistols ft Frank Carter are featured in the show, called Good Energy.

It highlights “good energy”, which is the code used by fans to look after each other in the crowd. Frank said of his pic: “It was taken in the Royal Albert Hall.

“To play there with the Sex Pistols was a dream come true. Seeing a mosh pit inside such a venue felt like the definition of Good Punk Energy.

The exhibition runs until April 9. Buy signed copies of the prints at teenagecancer trust.org/good.


One direction’s Louis Tomlinson confessed the band’s debut No1 single, What Makes You Beautiful, was his least favourite track. He told Scott Mills’s Radio 2 show: “Performing it was always really eggy.”

Louis also took aim at the handling of 1D’s split, adding: “Hiatus, what a horrible word. It’s cringey, screams management.”


Princess is really made up

Harper Beckham has competition from another nepo baby when it comes to her upcoming beauty brand – Katie Price and Peter Andre’s daughter Princess.

The Sun told last week that Harper had taken part in a photoshoot for beauty brand Hiku by Harper, which is expected to launch in the coming months. Now Princess is following suit.

She said on the Not My Bagg podcast: “I’ve been working on it for ages. I was in Liverpool three days ago.

“I went up for a photoshoot for my beauty brand, which is so good. It’s being released this year.

I’m so excited. I’ve always wanted to be involved in some sort of business. Make-up, I love, so it had to be that.”

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Jemma Reekie ‘would love’ to run 800m & mile at Commonwealths

“The mile is a really cool event and it’s nice to do something different.

“I’m just really excited to learn and to move in. I’m not moving up full time, I’m going to go back to the 800m outdoors.

“I’m enjoying it so far. I think in the future I might be a great 1500m runner. So, I’m kind of dipping my toes in to see how it goes. I’m enjoying it, the training’s really good.”

With her recent indoor success, the two-time Olympian is pleased with her form heading to Torun, but insists her enjoyment remains the priority before the outdoor season.

Reekie spoke candidly about how failing to make the 2024 Olympic 800m final pushed her to prioritise her mental health.

The 1500m heats in Torun are on Friday, with the final taking place on Sunday.

“It’s definitely getting there,” she said. “We’ll see how I go this weekend over that distance. I’m definitely having a lot of fun, and that’s the main aim.

“I’ve got no pressure this weekend at all, other than myself. So, I’m just going to go out there and have fun and see what I can do.

“The past two outdoor seasons I’ve missed out on finals, so that’ll definitely be the first step forward to get into that final.”

Reekie, alongside fellow Team GB star Laura Muir, started working with coach Jon Bigg in March 2023, but has brought other people, including psychologists, into her set-up to extract small advantages.

“I’ve been with Jon for a while now, and we’ve been working on lots and I’ve got stronger and stronger as the years have gone by,” she said.

“It’s just adding in those one per cent gains and new people to your team, which I’m really enjoying. I think athletes always can work on something.”

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Vogue Williams admits she has ‘separate life’ to Spencer Matthews

Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews have been married since 2018 and share three children, but she admits she initially didn’t fancy him and likes to keep a ‘separate life’

Vogue Williams has revealed she prefers to maintain a “separate life” from husband Spencer Matthews. The 40-year-old encountered the former Made in Chelsea star whilst filming The Jump on Channel 4 back in 2017.

The Irish podcast presenter initially admits she “didn’t fancy” Spencer and believed he “wasn’t for her”. Yet she says her mates “really wanted me to sleep with Spencer” and thought he’d fit in with their circle.

Nevertheless, shortly after their first meeting, romance flourished, and in January 2018 Spencer proposed during an outing to see The Lion King in London. The couple wed that June at Glen Affric, the Matthews family’s Scottish estate.

Speaking recently at Meta’s HQ in Dublin, Vogue acknowledged she enjoys maintaining a “separate life” from her spouse. This came as she recounted an incident where he irritated her whilst she was preparing to spend time with My Therapist Ghosted Me co-host Joanne McNally.

Asked who she favours between Joanne and Spencer, Vogue answered: “Well it depends what I need them for. I went for a walk with Joanne on Sunday morning and Spenny was insistent that he wanted to go for lunch and then Joanne was like, ‘I’m not hungry, I want to go home.'”

She continued: “So I was in a huff with Spenny, as I was going on a walk with Joanne and he interrupted it. I try to, I like to have a separate life as well, Spenny he has his friends and I have my friends.”

In her autobiography Big Mouth, Vogue confesses she worried a romance with Spencer wouldn’t “have gone very well” regardless because he “was yet to form a serious bone in his body”. Vogue meanwhile acknowledges she tended to find herself “getting serious quickly”.

The duo nevertheless “got on famously” following Spencer’s arrival at The Jump dressed in tracksuit bottoms, slippers, and “reeking of booze”. Vogue penned: “I had done a lot of work with my therapist up to this point; we had decided that if I continue to fall for guys I felt I needed to fix or help I was just repeating a pattern and that it always ended the same way (disastrously).

“Spencer, being a man made of red flags, was not for me I decided, and I didn’t really fancy him anyway so it was all good. I did, however, love his personality.”

The pair now have three children together – Theodore, Gigi and Otto. Vogue has previously revealed she would have “swiped past” Spencer had they encountered each other on a dating app.

She shared this during an earlier episode of Vogue and Amber, whilst responding to a listener finding it difficult to discover love through digital platforms. Vogue remarked: “You’re just judging someone completely on the way they look.

“And I always say this, Spencer is obviously gorgeous, but he wouldn’t have been my type when we met. And I would have swiped past him on a dating app.

“And then we met, and we were mad about each other because we just loved each other’s personalities. So, I think trying to meet somebody in real life, although it can be hard, can be a really amazing thing.”

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Google Doodle shows Pi Day some love

Saturday’s Google Doodle shows how the mathematical constant pi is useful for easily calculating the area of a circle, the formula for which is A=πr2. Image courtesy Google

March 14 (UPI) — Saturday’s Google Doodle celebrates everyone’s favorite math holiday, Pi Day.

The Doodle features an animated illustration of how the mathematical constant is used in equations dealing with a circle’s circumference and diameter.

“Long before modern technology, the Greek mathematician Archimedes popularized an innovative approach: He approximated the value of pi by sandwiching a circle between two 96-sided polygons to determine its precise upper and lower bounds,” a Google post about the Doodle reads.

“Today, we honor this mathematical legacy as enthusiasts worldwide celebrate with pi-reciting contests and slices of pie.”

The value of pi is roughly 3.14, but since it’s irrational, the number of decimal places beyond .14 go on infinitely. There are contests worldwide in which math lovers memorize and recite as many digits of pi as possible.

Last Pi Day, in 2025, a 10-year-old British boy recited 280 digits of pi from memory in 1 minute, breaking a Guinness World Record.

Pi Day is celebrated March 14 each year because the date is typically expressed as 3/14. Those less interested in math often choose to celebrate the day by eating a slice of their favorite pie.

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‘Love Is Blind’ Season 10 reunion: Five takeaways from the Ohio crew

The 10th season of “Love Is Blind” ventured to Ohio, yielded a record seven engaged couples and made structured cape blazers and the idea of daily Pilates classes feel like rage bait.

With the season over, and just two couples saying “I do,” the cast of the popular Netflix dating series came together for this week’s reunion special to share updates on their lives since the cameras went down — and to unpack the twists, turns and lies that played out over the season. The result was a reunion that finally provided (mostly) satisfying questions and answers about participants’ pasts and presents instead of dancing around topics.

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Unable to budget the time for a trip to Cabo — or even Malibu — to process it all, TV editor Maira Garcia and I have brought our running “LIB” thread out of our Slack DMs to unpack our thoughts in this safe place.

Also in this week’s Screen Gab, our streaming recommendations include a spray-tan crime comedy and a Morgan Freeman-narrated mind trip about the rise and fall of dinosaurs. Plus, we tell you where you can stream the slate of best picture nominees ahead of this Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.

This is your cue to block off some “couch time” in your calendar this weekend.

— Yvonne Villarreal

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Recommendations from the film and TV experts at The Times

A man and a woman, each with their hands raised to mimic pistols, stand in front of a marina

Will Forte as Martin and D’Arcy Carden as Vicki in a scene from “Sunny Nights.”

(Lisa Tomasetti / Hulu)

“Sunny Nights” (Hulu)

D’Arcy Carden fans, and I can’t imagine anyone who’s ever seen her work isn’t one, will be elated to find her at full force starring in this dark, sometimes violent Australian crime comedy alongside Will Forte, who, yes, has fans of his own. They play brother Martin (cautious) and sister Vicki (impulsive), who have traveled to Sydney to flog a tanning spray at a lifestyle convention, though Martin has an ulterior motive, to win back his wife, Joyce (Ra Chapman). What with one thing and another, they find themselves repeatedly in need of cash and mixed up with a panoply of criminals, some fairly sympathetic (former rugby star Willie Mason, excellent as former rugby star Terry; Jessica De Gouw as Susi), and others not at all (Rachel House as kingpin Mony, just out of the jug). All are trying to change their lives, or at least their business plan, including Joyce, a journalist stuck writing clickbait articles for an editor who doesn’t want to know, and Megan Wilding as Nova, an animal control worker who knows something important about an exploding crocodile. — Robert Lloyd

A group of dinosaurs sludge through snow

A still from “The Dinosaurs.”

(Netflix)

“The Dinosaurs” (Netflix)

This four-part series will have you mentioning the Carnian pluvial episode in every conversation. Aptly narrated by Morgan Freeman and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, the sweeping CGI-enhanced nature documentary traces the evolutionary history of dinosaurs, from their origins in the Triassic period to their extinction 66 million years ago. And it’s more proof that attention spans, no matter a person’s age, will always lock in for dinosaurs. Before morning, your Google search history will include terms like “Marasuchus,” “Vulcanodon,” “Heterodontosaurus” and that Carnian pluvial episode (a.k.a. the longest downpour in history, which lasted more than a million years). Prepare to have your perception of time forever altered. Still, it’s a surefire way to give your mental health a break from current events — though, for a certain generation, it may also unlock those “Land Before Time” memories. — Y.V.

Catch up

Everything you need to know about the film or TV series everyone’s talking about

Three images, one of a man holding a gun, a woman clasping her hands and a man in a bloodied tank top.

Scenes from “One Battle After Another,” left, “Hamnet” and “Sinners.”

(Warner Bros. Pictures; Focus Features)

The 98th Academy Awards will broadcast Sunday at 4 p.m. Pacific. How many of the best picture nominees have you seen? Is it less than the number of think pieces you’ve read on Timothée Chalamet’s comments on ballet and opera? We’re here to help. If you’re feeling inspired to be a studious viewer ahead of film’s big night, here’s where you can stream the best picture nominees:

  • “Bugonia” (Peacock): Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the surreal comedy thriller follows a paranoid bee keeper (Jesse Plemons) who kidnaps a pharmaceutical CEO (Emma Stone), convinced she is an alien responsible for destroying humanity. The film received four Oscar nominations.
  • “F1” (Apple TV): From “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski, the sports drama stars Brad Pitt as retired F1 driver Sonny Hayes, who agrees to compete in the globe’s most prestigious racing event to salvage his reputation and the failing team of his buddy. The film received four Oscar nominations.
  • “Frankenstein” (Netflix): Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of the classic horror tale transforms Jacob Elordi into the tragic monster, known here as The Creature, and features Oscar Isaac as its titular mad maker. The film received nine Oscar nominations.
  • “Hamnet” (Peacock): Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, Chloé Zhao’s historical drama explores the grief, love and strained marriage of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife, Agnes (Jessie Buckley). The film received eight Oscar nominations.
  • “Marty Supreme” (Available to rent or buy on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV): Directed and co-written by Josh Safdie, the film is loosely based on the life of American table tennis player Marty Reisman, here called Marty Mauser and played by Timothée Chalamet. It is expected to be released on HBO Max later this spring. The film received nine Oscar nominations.
  • “One Battle After Another” (HBO Max): Paul Thomas Anderson’s satirical political thriller, a loose adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland,” follows a paranoid ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) trying to save his daughter when an old enemy (Sean Penn) resurfaces. The film received 13 Oscar nominations.
  • “Sentimental Value” (Available to rent or buy on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV): Joachim Trier’s Norwegian drama follows two sisters (played by Renate Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) as they reunite with their estranged filmmaker father (Stellan Skarsgard). The film received nine Oscar nominations. It is expected to be released on Hulu later this month.
  • “Sinners” (HBO Max): Ryan Coogler’s gothic horror drama is set in 1932 Mississippi and follows twin brothers (played by Michael B. Jordan) who, trying to leave their troubled past behind them, return to their hometown to start anew — only to face new horrors. It became the most-nominated film in Academy Awards history with 16 total nominations.
  • “The Secret Agent” (Hulu, Disney+): Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, the Brazilian historical political thriller stars Wagner Moura as a former professor fleeing persecution during the 1970s military dictatorship while trying to protect his son. The film received four Oscar nominations.
  • “Train Dreams” (Netflix): Based on Denis Johnson’s 2011 novella of the same name, the film is an intimate birth-to-death portrait of a quiet railway laborer (Joel Edgerton) as he watches the world change around him. The film received four Oscar nominations.

Break down

Times staffers chew on the pop culture of the moment — love it, hate it or somewhere in between

It’s crazy to think that about six years ago, golden goblets, pods and “the experiment” were disparate ideas and objects that were on the precipice of infiltrating the culture. Now, you can’t think of one without the others. “Love Is Blind,” the reality dating show that tests the premise of whether singles can find love sight unseen and marry at the end, marked a milestone this year with its 10th season, filmed in Ohio.

While the series has produced a number of marriages and engagements, some have ended in breakups and divorce, as we saw on Wednesday’s Season 10 reunion. So while the answer to the question “Is love blind?” seems to be no, the series has nonetheless made for entertaining television for viewers who have made dissecting the people, fights and makeups a sport. Why are we so invested? Because it’s a reflection of where we are as a society when it comes to relationships and what we expect from partners emotionally, politically, physically and financially. With that in mind, Yvonne and I sat down with our golden goblets to unpack the Season 10 reunion. Here are five moments that stood out. — M.G.

Jordan and Amber are now divorced

Jordan Faeth and Amber Morrison were one of two couples to say “I do” at the altar. Morrison, a single mom, discussed with Faeth over the course of the show if he was ready to be a stepparent and where they would live, given that Morrison owned a home and her daughter was happy at her school. At the reunion, the couple revealed that they never moved in together and that they divorced after four months. Morrison talked about how her daughter was distraught after the breakup, leading to an emotional moment where Morrison ran offstage in tears. It raised an important question that fans have debated closely: Should parents be on the show? Seasons 6 and 9 also featured single parents, neither of whom made it to the altar. Given the compressed timeline of when people meet, become engaged and head to the altar, deciding whether marriage should include parenthood at the start adds another layer of complexity, not to mention how it could affect a child, who suddenly has a stranger in their life. The outcome wasn’t necessarily surprising, but it was sad.

Vic and Christine: boring but perfect. More, please

The other couple to make it down the aisle was Vic St. John and Christine Hamilton, who hit it off from the get-go and seemed to exist in their own blissful bubble. According to Netflix production, the show only budgets for six couples to go on a trip after the reveal and engagement. But they continued to track them, with St. John and Hamilton spending time in Malibu instead, taping dispatches together and getting to know each other without the rest of the cast in proximity. Throughout the course of the show, you see their connection grow. Their mature and thoughtful conversations about being an interracial couple and potentially raising biracial children were exactly the type of discussions you would hope they’d have before proceeding down the aisle. It may not make for dramatic TV, but it was genuinely thrilling to see a couple so well-suited for each other continuing to thrive. And in an effort to make up for not getting to go to Cabo, Mexico, with everyone else, the show offered them a trip paid by … Turbo Tax? It was an odd product placement, but if they want to foot the bill for their honeymoon, no one’s complaining. As long as it’s somewhere tropical on a beach — and not Lake Erie.

Who took accountability?

Despite not making it to the altar on screen after the blazer cape breakup, Connor Spies and Bri McNees are still together. But the bigger record-scratch moment arrived later, when it was revealed that Devonta Anderson broke up with Brittany Wicker a few days after what he told her was a work trip but was actually a getaway to Austin, Texas, to attend a concert with McNees, Ashley Carpenter and Priyanka Grandhi. Wicker didn’t seem thrilled that she had to find out about the trip from Amber (who found out from Jordan, who can’t remember that he even knew about it). McNees didn’t like the implication that she may have broken “girl code” with the whole fiasco — but if all the women are as close as they say they are, why wouldn’t you check in about such an arrangement regardless of the relationship status? (It was weird, too, that Connor thought it was a girls’ trip.) And the fact that it was the same three women who listened to Chris Fusco talk poorly about his former fiancée Jess Barrett — giant sigh. During the reunion, after Barrett voiced her disappointment in her friends about that incident, Carpenter apologized for not doing more to defend her in the moment.

Meanwhile, Nick unleashed his best attempt to channel Andy Cohen and grilled Fusco about his highly questionable behavior and the backlash over his comments to Barrett about her body, specifically stating he usually dates women who do Pilates or workout daily, and for trying to make the moves on McNees. Fusco, mostly quiet and stone-faced (could it be the shame?), acknowledged he was not proud of the moments he watched back and apologized to Barrett. His seat mate, goalkeeper Alex Henderson, was also on the defense. The self-proclaimed nomad never fully seem to vibe with his fiancée, Carpenter. He admitted she’s not his usual type. She still maintained he wasn’t telling the whole truth about his job or dating history, and overall lifestyle. Throughout his segment, Henderson was noticeably irritated by the insinuation that his stories didn’t add up. But he did seem to enjoy being asked to describe his relationship with Carpenter as if it was a soccer match, prompting him to cite a Liverpool game that ended in a tie. Are you laughing too?

Can this be a TikTok?

To commemorate the milestone season, the audience for the reunion special consisted of 150 former participants of the series. And while the time spent getting life updates with some of them throughout the show felt less forced and time-consuming than reunions past, it still felt like an add-on better suited to live in a separate (shorter) special or as social media content. If we wanted an update on these people’s lives, we can find them on social media. A gender reveal courtesy of someone’s dead grandmother, as sweet and touching and lovely as that may for an expectant couple, is not the sort of jaw-dropping moment a show like this needs. And maybe the money saved — assuming production footed the bill for those flights — could have sent every couple to Cabo.

Did you hear? Nick Lachey is from Ohio, guys.

His constant mention of his hometown roots was unquestionably the biggest declaration of love in the 90-minute special. Sorry, Vanessa.

ICYMI

Must-read stories you might have missed

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Brits swap lads’ holidays for ‘mum trips’ as new travel trend emerges

One upon a time blokes couldn’t wait to cut the apron strings and jet off with their mates, but now mums are right up there as favourites among holiday companions

Travel trends have been dominated by lads’ holiday and girls’ trips for years.

But Brits are increasingly swapping group getaways for time away with the person who took them on their first ever holiday: their mum. New research from Heathrow Express reveals that 30% of adults have been away with their mum, parent or carer in the last three years.

Meanwhile 16% are planning a holiday with their mum in the next year, fuelling the rise of bonding trips based on connection. The research shows a growing desire for spending quality time with the people you love – nearly 60% worry they’re not making enough time for their mum, parent or carer as they get older.

READ MORE: Five last minute Mother’s Day gift experiences mum will love more than flowersREAD MORE: Locals puzzled as strange structures pop up on popular UK beach

Those who do travel with parents believe there are real benefits, with 38% saying it’s a more relaxing experience than going away with friends. There are also long term advantages including creating lasting memories (37%) strengthening relationships (29%) and helping with reconnection (28%).

Aoife Considine, business lead at Heathrow Express, said: “Travel has a wonderful way of pressing pause on everyday life. When you’re away together, there’s space for conversations you don’t normally have and moments you don’t always make time for at home.

“For many adults, a trip with their mum or parent figure isn’t just another holiday – it’s a chance to reconnect, laugh about old stories and create new ones. Those are the kinds of memories people carry with them long after they’ve returned home.”

As families celebrate Mother’s Day, Heathrow Express is giving travellers 20% off from March 14 to 21 by using the discount code HEXMARCH.

Those jetting off over the Mother’s Day weekend itself can also get a complimentary dessert with any main course bought at Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food Market at Heathrow Terminal 5.

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Europe’s most romantic city named – and it’s not Paris or Venice

Forget Paris and Venice for an intimate getaway, as there’s another city that has been ranked as the most romantic in Europe, with rooftop bars to catch the sunset and a serene boating lake

Europe’s most romantic city has been named, but it’s not where you might think.

Paris, France, has long been hailed as the ‘city of love’, with proposals in the masses, while Venice, Italy, offers sunset gondola rides along the canals. Yet, according to one new ranking, they’ve both been overshadowed as the most romantic cities in Europe.

Instead, the sun-soaked capital of Spain, Madrid, has taken the crown with its historic charm and intimate settings. There are cosy restaurants, rooftop bars, luxury hotels, along with majestic landmarks, vibrant street art, and passionate flamenco performances, all making for a truly spectacular getaway.

Some of the most notable places to visit include hiring a rowing boat on the serene, picturesque lake at El Retiro Park, or taking a leisurely stroll around the enchanting El Capricho Park or the beautiful Sabatini Gardens at the Royal Palace. The city offers some of the best spots to catch the sunset, including the restaurant Azotea del Círculo, which offers panoramic views from its rooftop terrace, and the gardens in Cerro del Tío Pío, perfect for a sunset stroll.

READ MORE: Easter passport warning for Brits as common mistake could see you turned away at the airportREAD MORE: Underrated island with famous neighbour has 22C March weather and £25 Jet2 flights

However, one popular area that has been hailed as the ‘best sunset spot in Madrid’ is the ancient Egyptian temple, Templo de Debod. Catching the sunset last year, one traveller shared on TripAdvisor: “The magic hour to visit is sunset!.. The temple’s ancient stones turn a rich orange, and the reflective pools surrounding it create a mirror effect that is a photographer’s dream.”

For a break away from exploring the city, there’s the Arab baths at Hammam Al Ándalus for a relaxing soak and a step back in time among its historic buildings, or lively flamenco shows at Corral de la Morería. Couples can enjoy a glass of wine and tapas at the Mercado de San Miguel, a fresh food market, or ride the cable car, the Teleférico de Madrid, which crosses the river.

But a stroll around the city is enough to leave you enchanted, with vibrant graffiti decorating its quaint streets lined with tapas bars and coffee shops, and magnificent architecture. From the iconic Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, and Puerta del Sol square, to the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, it’s easy to spend hours exploring this bustling yet charming city.

Madrid was named the most romantic European city following research by Icelandair. The airline analysed data from various European cities, comparing their location, nightlife, single population, inclusivity and happiness, along with Tripadvisor romance ratings and sunset visibility, with Madrid topping the list.

The list proves even more valuable, as Icelandair found that 1 in 10 Brits, in a study of 3,000 people, said travel is the best way to meet a partner. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 Brits said they’ve fallen in love while flying, and further research found that most holiday romances occur while volunteering abroad, during a work trip, or while solo travelling.

Most romantic European cities

  1. Madrid, Spain
  2. Prague, Czech Republic
  3. Lisbon, Portugal
  4. Barcelona, Spain
  5. Zurich, Switzerland
  6. Amsterdam, Netherlands
  7. Helsinki, Finland
  8. Vienna, Austria
  9. Copenhagen, Denmark
  10. Rome, Italy
  11. Athens, Greece
  12. Geneva, Switzerland
  13. Oslo, Norway
  14. Berlin, Germany
  15. Reykjavik, Iceland

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

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